16 NEWS
thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com
NTC, Government to work together
S
everal days after the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry launched a scathing attack on the executive of the National Toshoa Council (NTC), particularly pointing out the Chairman of Vice Chairman, the two parties have decided to put their differences aside and plan to work on a better relationship. During a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Sydney Allicock addressed this issue describing it as a “teeth and tongue” which has been addressed. The Minister said his Ministry is committed to working with the NTC to ensure that the rights of Guyana’s first people are protected and they receive the best possible help to continue to improve their lives and bring development to their villages. “While we have had some serious discussions and challenges, we have been able to accomplish a number of successes we are yet to utilise… we are at the point where old pathways will now lead us in a new direction. Working in partnership is the way to go,”
divisive, disingenuous, and sometimes incoherent statements made by these officials. In the strongly worded statement, it also pointed to Shuman and said it has taken note of his issuing calls for mass public protest against the Government by the Indigenous citizenry. The Ministry said it would allow the Guyanese public to Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock (centre) embraced by NTC Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman (left) and NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks
he explained. Vice Chairman of the NTC Lenox Shuman confirmed the Minister’s comments and explained that while the issues may have been taken to the public, both the Ministry and the NTC have managed to iron out the issues that they had with each other. He said while there were external forces that may have wanted to see the matter being further exacerbated to a point of hostility, he said that will never happen. Last week, Government accused the NTC of disrespecting President David Granger, and launched a
scathing attack on several vocal Indigenous representatives who were not toeing the line, but exposing serious malpractices of the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration. The Ministry accused the NTC and Shuman, of being confrontational, demanding, and disrespectful in their writings to President Granger. The Ministry said it has also observed a trend of public posturing by NTC executives, and has stated that the NTC has so far not distanced itself from what the Ministry described as rather
President Granger reaffirms commitment to malaria fight at London Malaria Summit
P
resident David Granger in his presentation at the Malaria Summit in London Wednesday proposed a four-pronged international approach to tackling the disease that kills millions annually. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in Guyana in terms of communicable diseases; therefore, the President said the country was committed to halving the number of malaria cases and deaths by the year 2023. From the 2015 baseline of 8329 cases, the Guyanese leader said significant national progress has been achieved in reducing the malaria cases. “The total number of new cases declined by 60 per cent between 2010 and 2015. Malaria, unfortunately, despite these gains is highly resilient; a five per cent increase in new cases was recorded in 2016 and again in 2017,” the President told leaders. The highest incidence of these cases, the Head of State informed the summit, was recorded in the forested areas of Guyana where mining is the
President David Granger during the eighth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
principal economic activity. The President then proposed the four-pronged international support strategy to combat the communicable disease be directed towards protecting citizens against its spread by the transfer of technologies from developed to developing and poor countries. “It involves preventing and limiting vector-borne infections by the dissemination of quality health information; it involves providing improved tools for diagnosing and identifying active cases of malaria regardless of spe-
cies and finally, by procuring high-quality combination malaria treatment to ensure full cure of infected persons and to avoid drug-resistant malaria,” he posited. The November 2017 World Malaria Report showed that progress made to fight malaria had stalled, which posed the risk of all the work done so far becoming undone, or at worst, a resurgence. As a result, the anti-malaria community united to put on the Malaria Summit in London, under the theme, “Ready to beat Malaria.”
GPL currently replacing faulty meters
T
he Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is currently conducting a programme to remove faulty meters. Metering Manager of the Loss Reduction Department, Wayne Watson told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the utility company began an investigation in November last year, to sort and replace faulty meters after it was discovered that there was a large number of straight feed prepaid and postpaid customers. He said that teams were currently working on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor from Timehri to Houston replacing these faulty meters. The exercise is expected to move to the East Coast Demerara
Metering Manager of the Loss Reduction Department, Wayne Watson
(ECD) corridor within the next few weeks. Watson noted that GPL is fully equipped with the necessary tools to replace the faulty meters. He explained the main issue with the “straight feed meters were the fact that per-
sons are extending their houses either in size or internally upgrading along with the extension.” Watson said initially when persons apply for the service, they receive 30 amps; however, with additions to their homes such as water pumps and air conditioning units, their load base has now increased. Watson said these additions were often made without proper consultation with the Government Inspectorate Office. He recommended that persons visit any GPL office to determine if they should increase their amps. Watson also advised that GPL clients relay their issues to the power company “rather than having an unauthorised person attempt to address a problem they are not fully acquainted with.”
judge his intentions. Further to that, the Ministry said it is aware of countless complaints of alleged disrespectful treatment of residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission by Shuman. Former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai had described the statement issued by the Ministry as a vicious and bla-
tant attack on the Council and Toshoas across the country. Sukhai said she is under the impression there seemingly is disconnect between the Ministry and the NTC. The former Minister said she finds it to be strange, especially since the Minister sits on the NTC as an ex-officio member.
Guyana Carnival launched …airline fares decreased, loans introduced
T
he Guyana Carnival 2018, an event which at its core is to promote tourism on an international standpoint, is expected to attract some 1500 tourists on a worldwide scope. This announcement was revealed during Hits and Jams Entertainment’s official launch of Guyana Carnival 2018 which was hosted by the Guyana Carnival Committee at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown. The event, which is scheduled to feature 10 days of nonstop activities, is expected to feature a wide variety of events to facilitate the interests of all who are participating. The Committee has emphasised on the significant feedback which they have received from tourists, who have already made their bookings and the sponsors which will lead the activities on a promotional aspect. The Private Sector driven initiative is expected to compliment Guyana’s Independence celebrations while breathing a different vibe and also serving as a major revenue earner that will benefit business enterprises of all descriptions. This was revealed by the Chairman of the Committee, Bobby Vieira, who noted that the introduction of Carnival is “simply to add another festival to the annual calendar of events in order to promote tourism, entertainment and awareness of locals, members of the Diaspora and visitors to enjoy while we commemorate our Independence anniversary”.
Some of the delegates of the Miss World Pageant 2018, members of the committee and the Guyana rugby team
“Our team is excited to be able to boost our country both economically and socially. This is a grand opportunity for locals to enjoy an international carnival as well as the local service industries to profit,” Vieira added. He noted that the rates being offered are calculated to be low or equivalent to the prices at other regional and international carnivals. Prices for accommodation and other expenditures have also been lowered by the respective entities. Two carriers, LIAT and Fly Jamaica Airways, have partnered with the managing committee in which the costs of tickets have been decreased for persons who wish to fly during the carnival season. Additionally, beverage giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in their partnership will be featuring their beverages with limited edition branding of their water bottles while hotels have cut some of their rates to facilitate
the large tourist influx which Guyana is expected to receive. Persons who wish to attend the events and are in need of money will be able to do so with a loan, maximum of up to $300,000, which they are expected to repay within 12 months. The events will last from May 18 to the 27 and will highlight the Miss World Guyana Pageant, which is slated for the same period, along with rugby games, a steel band jamboree at the Bandstand, J’Ouvert on Independence eve, a Genesis road parade and other similar oriented fetes which will be held at different locations around the Garden City. However, to kick-start the vibes for these celebrations, Main Street will be revived with the introduction of Carnival Avenue starting on May 4 and continuing every Friday. This is expected to feature a number of local artistes who will be given a stage to promote their music.
Millions spent to upgrade Region 6 infrastructure
J
ust four months into the new year, several roads and bridges in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six have already been rehabilitated; thus, improving connectivity for residents and schoolchildren across the Region. Regional Executive Officer (REO), Kim Williams-Stephen said that more than $11 million was spent for infrastructural work in the Region. Notable among the works executed was the rehabilitation of the heavy-duty bridge at Timmer’s Dam into a concrete structure. This particular upgrade which bolsters the bridge longevity has benefited over 500 residents, including over 300 schoolchildren who utilise the structure daily. Additionally, Timmer’s Dam was transformed from double bitumen surface treatment (DBST) road to a concrete structure. “These works were done
Ongoing rehabilitation works on a road near the waterfront leading into New Amsterdam
taking into consideration the fact that children have to access school and also residents should not be burdened with poor infrastructure. So is not only about having these works, but they must be quality work,” Williams-Stephen related. Similarly, a concrete bridge at Second Cross Street in Kildonan was repaired while several roads, including the Gibraltar School Street, were rehabilitated. The REO disclosed that there were several other projects in the pipe-
line for the Region, especially from other Ministries. “We’re having a number of services that are coming to Berbice, from the Ministries of Natural Resources, and Citizenship and we are grateful for their support. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is also doing rehabilitation works in other areas such as New Amsterdam. The additional support from our stakeholders acts as a catalyst to the development of the Region,” Williams-Stephen remarked.