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thursday, may 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com
CGX reports US$1.1M UNDP rolls out anti-HIV stigma initiative in Linden, New Amsterdam first quarter loss
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he New Amsterdam and Linden municipalities on Tuesday embarked on a mission to fight against stigma and discrimination faced by persons infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The mission which was made possible under the Urban Health and Justice Initiative (HIV CITIES) and supported by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) aims to support the country to reduce HIV among key populations such as the MSM (Men who have sex with men), WSW (Women who have sex with women) and LGBTs (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals). Trevor Benn, Analyst on Governance and Poverty and the United Nations Development Fund, in providing the history of the programme, told the gathering that the initiative first began in 2011 when the Guyana Country Office began the implementation of the Urban Health and Justice Initiative also called the CITIES Projects, in the Georgetown and New Amsterdam municipalities. He related that during that period, the potential was seen to begin an even more extended programme while pointing out what has been achieved thus far. “During the initial phase, an assessment of the two townships was conducted and work plans were developed. Several successes have evolved out of this initiative which was launched in October 2013 and has resulted in a firm commitment from the two participating municipalities to issue a municipal declara-
AIDS Secretariat Coordinator, Dr Shanti Singh
tion committing to upholding the human rights of all persons within their municipalities with a focus on key populations,” Benn said. Head of the A.I.D.S Secretariat, Dr Shanti Singh in brief remarks noted that she was extremely pleased to see that the municipalities have recognised the need for voices for HIVinfected and affected persons, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and their right to be treated equally, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, religion, sexual identity or gender.
Success
She noted that while Guyana has over the years achieved success in reducing the number of persons affected, the fight still continues to smother stigma and discrimination and to afford equal rights inclusive of job opportunities to those infected and affected by the virus. Meanwhile, Mayor of the town of Linden, Orrin Gordon related that he was happy that the declaration can be signed since his town has over the years
been working tirelessly for the rights of its entire people irrespective of class, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation and gender while noting that the towns now have their work cut out. “This task we have embarked on is certainly not going to be an easy one. It will be one that is filled with many obstacles, challenges and trials but we will continue to work to achieve equal rights, basic human rights for our people,” Gordon said. The Mayor noted that previously HIV-infected persons and the LGBTs would usually face hardship when they are abused and go to make complaints at the Police station. Now, he, however, disclosed, things have changed significantly particularly in the Linden and Berbice towns as the Police are now working alongside the various human rights groups in every step and every initiative they take. To this end, he charged the Police officers to remain the protectors of the rights of the citizens of a country while emphasising the need for all officers to follow those in the two towns.
Rights
High Court Judge Madame Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire also in brief remarks on Guyana’s role in upholding the human rights of its citizenry, encouraged every person present to take an interest in knowing their rights since the law provides for every individual. She noted that if citizens remained ignorant of their rights, they will al-
ways face challenges. “Knowing your rights is very important. The law provides for every citizen at every level but what we find is that many persons are ignorant of their rights and so they accept whatever is done to them even if it involves the violation of their human rights. At the same time, we must learn to respect ourselves and respect others around us. Do not be involved in actions which cause discomfort to other persons,” the Judge urged. The declaration was signed by a representative from the County of Berbice, Uriel Day (in the absence of the Mayor) and the Mayor of Linden Orrin Gordon. The declaration states that the Mayor and Town Council shall work with all local and national stakeholders to strengthen partnerships on HIV/AIDS; support and promote 24 hours access to HIV counselling and testing; renounce stigma and discrimination against persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS at all levels – schools, workplaces and communities; respect the dignity and worth of every person, without distinction on the basis of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, property, birth or any other status; renounce homophobia and support the rights and dignity of all persons regardless of their gender, sexuality or employment to care, treatment and support as human rights; and to encourage the participation of all stakeholders within the municipality in the decision-making processes.
CGX Energy has reported a net loss of US$1,185,644 or US$0.02 per share for the three-month period ending March 31, 2014
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GX Energy has reported a net loss of US$1,185,644 or US$0.02 per share for the three month-period ending March 31, 2014, compared with a net loss of US$1,074,921 or US$0.03 per share for the same period in 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, CGX Energy continued to focus on cost cutting initiatives and, as a result, the company’s general and administrative costs for the three-month period ended March 31, have decreased by approximately US$19,000 per month to US$436,269. In addition, management and consulting fees have decreased by US$255,402 to US$543,988, as compared to the same period in 2013. The company expects general and administrative costs to decrease further in the second quarter, while management and consulting fees are expected to be consistent in the coming quarter as a result of the joint venture process and the company’s ongoing litigation with Repsol Exploracion, SA. According to CGX as announced on February 25, it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Teikoku Oil (Suriname) Co Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of INPEX CORPORATION and PETRONAS Suriname E&P BV (PSE PBV), for rig sharing in
the Guyana-Suriname basin and the company plans to utilise this rig for the drilling of its commitment well under the company’s Corentyne petroleum prospecting licence (the Corentyne PPL). The reprocessing of the seismic data relating to the Corentyne PPL and the merging of the existing seismic surveys was completed in April. The company is now in the process of re-interpreting the seismic data to delineate a new prospect on the Corenytne PPL with the assistance of Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp and its technical staff. CGX Energy will be providing the new data to potential joint venture partners with a view to farming out the Corentyne PPL. In the short term, the company will likely require additional financing and seek to widen its shareholder base, but still with a view to negotiating farm-out transactions as the primary way to enhance shareholder value. The company continues to actively pursue and explore strategic joint venture partnerships for all three of its petroleum prospecting licenses in Guyana and has a technical data room open at its Houston office. CGX Energy is a Canadianbased oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.