AFTER one year as Finance Minister for the coalition Government, Winston Jordan has described his tenure as ‘challenging but rewarding.’Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA) on the first year in office for the APNU+AFC Government, Jordan said that when he took office as the Minister of Finance, he soon found out that things were not so “kosher”, and within weeks of being in office, the Government was faced with domestic and international issues.

“…sugar was worse than it was actually made out; and right away we had to save jobs and save the industry by trying to find over $12 billion just as a quick cash transfer to the sugar industry,” Jordan recalled.

He noted that, simultaneously, the Government had to divert much-needed resources to “internationalise” Venezuela’s spurious claim on Guyana. This was even as the new administration was forced to find the money to pay farmers for rice already shipped to Venezuela after that country ended the rice-for-oil deal.

However, the minister did not paint a totally gloomy picture, as he recalled some rewarding times.

“We did some incredible things. We were able to bring out the (2015) budget fairly quickly, and the last one, 2016, (has been) one of the earliest in recent times. We were able to make good on some of our promises in whole or in part. We did quite a bit for pensioners; public sector workers benefited somewhat; we were able to restore collective bargaining…; Critchlow Labour College had some of (its) subventions restored, and some trade unions were given money for training,” he noted.

He also mentioned programmes to link the coast with the hinterland, the climate resilient programme, and the greening of the economy.

“There are a number of challenges of course, and at the end of the day, one year after, I figure I have more gray hairs,” he said.

BUILDING CAPACITY
In terms of the Ministry of Finance’s capacity to carry out Government’s mandate, one of the challenges Jordan identified was the image of the public service being an employer of last resort and a rules-based organisation in which the rules were either outdated or not observed. This, coupled with the loss of skilled people in the 80s and the fact that the previous Government had created a parallel public service by engaging contractual employees to carry out the functions that were done by public servants, negatively affected the Ministry.

“People recognised that there are more exciting jobs in countries whose economy are growing, giving people more options,” Jordan said.

According to the Minister of Finance, the Government became aware of the need for a strategy that would allow for the best and brightest to build capacity.

“It is not easy to attract accountants and then train these people in Government accounting and have them pick up and go. And when you do your exit interview with them, one of the things is that the salary and conditions are not acceptable,” he noted.

In terms of providing the public with an improved service, Jordan said his intention is to make the Ministry of Finance “the first among equals, where it will come to be known for its service to people, for efficiency in which it executes its tasks, and people could look to the ministry for guidance.”

In this regard, his Ministry has sought to turn around its public relations policy and create a more welcoming environment. The minister noted that there was a lot still to be done, but it is difficult to change overnight practices that had been either instilled or become deep-seated over many years.

STATE OF THE TREASURY
Quizzed on the state of the public treasury when the new Government took office, Minister Jordan readily pointed out that the Consolidated Fund was in deficit.

According to the minister, a lot of public money had gone through NICIL when it should have been deposited into the Consolidated Fund, and there were a number of semi-autonomous agencies that were collecting sums of money on behalf of the Government.

“It cannot be that the Guyana Forestry Commission would collect royalties on the forest, which is a national patrimony, and then seek to use it as they see fit. It cannot be!” Jordan asserted.

In an effort to correct malpractices, the minister said, the new administration has sought to close all unused bank accounts that have existed for many years and had balances in them.

“The Auditor General was complaining. Every year he complains of those unused accounts, which could have been susceptible to theft and fraud because they were unused for long, and persons would have attempted — and I believe in some instances fraud would have taken place. So we’ve closed all of those,” Jordan said.

Continuing to identify efforts to regularise activities surrounding the management of the State’s finances, the minister said Government has sought to move all unused balances that existed in a number of companies, including the National Frequency Management Unit, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Lotto Funds, and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

In relation to the Guyana Gold Board, the minister said work is being done to regularise its operations, since that entity is one of biggest users of the Consolidated Fund.

“This should not be happening. I mean, the Gold Board should be standing on its own…. The overdraft that they are running is outrageous, and we can’t afford for such to continue for much longer,” Jordan said.

RE-ORGANISATION
Efforts are also being made to rearrange the treasury itself, with the upgrade of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMAS) and by exposing staff to training, both locally and internationally.

“A number of treasury functions are absent from the Treasury Department. What we have right now is accounting function. The Treasury Department should be dealing with issues of treasury bills, bond financing and so on. This is not happening from here, but we’re building capacity,” the Finance Minister told GINA.

REVENUE COLLECTION
The minister said he is not satisfied with the way the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) functions as a tax-collecting agency. According to the minister, on taking office, he found that the institution had deteriorated to the point where the integrity of information was being compromised; corruption, whether real or perceived, was rife; systems were either non-existent, poor or were not properly implemented; and an altogether poor public image existed.

He, however, pointed out that all is not lost at the agency, since, “GRA has, for the most part, some competent staff.”

In relation to taxes, the minister declared that he would like to see taxes lowered on a sustainable basis, not because some interest groups demand it, but because it is good for economic competition and sustainability. To do that, the minister said, the GRA must first enforce the law fairly, to ensure that taxes are paid when due.

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT
Addressing issues relating to anti-money laundering, the minister explained that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is critical to the implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering legislation, and when the new administration took office, neither a single individual nor entity had been identified or prosecuted under the various pieces of legislation in place.

“It is the current administration which actually passed the Anti-Money Laundering legislation and subsequent regulations and amendments to that law on at least two occasions,” he noted.

Jordan also noted that, previously, the FIU was staffed with a head, a legal assistant and an accountant; but currently, the Government is working to make it fully autonomous, independent and transparent. Towards this end, vacancies which exist for the FIU have been advertised, and suitably qualified applicants will be recruited through a parliamentary process that involves the Opposition.

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
The minister has projected economic growth, but hastened to point out that Guyana is not on track to achieve a seven per cent growth in the medium-term.

“We are not going to grow by seven per cent if we continue to do the same things we were doing 50 years ago. To achieve such growth, the country needs to move from the ‘tripod’ of rice, sugar and bauxite, which it depended on for the last five decades, with gold added to this mix. The country needs to focus on adding value to its commodities by taking production to the tertiary level, diversifying agriculture, and modernising productive methods,” Jordan posited.

The minister agreed that the economy is not as buoyant as it needs to be, and he ascribed this partly to the role that illicit drugs and other illegal activities had played in creating a parallel economy.

“So, the more that you go after that, the more it will miniaturise; that is the less free spending you will see…. It’s going to take a time for the economy to get comfortable with that, but, in the meanwhile, we will be putting other incentives to stimulate growth in the economy. But one good thing we can say: the economy will grow.”

Noting that earnings from bauxite would be affected by a sluggish global economy, Jordan opined that Guyana has to make better use of its gold, including adding value.

“We necessarily can’t control the ones that are being done by the multilateral agencies, but we can entice them to do another stage of the gold — gold bars, for example might be good; coins…,” he suggested.

Turning his attention to new industries, the minister said it is necessary to have fresh industries coming on stream; but he cautioned against getting too excited about petroleum exploitation.

“We ought not to get ourselves way ahead of that. We have existing areas that new industries farmed out, particularly in the services sector. To get the services sector going, people have to be trained and adapted to what the market wants,” he noted.

COMPETING ON WORLD MARKET
Stressing the importance for Guyana to become more competitive on the world market, Jordan pointed to the fact that Guyana will lose its preferential market for sugar next year, and will therefore have to compete with all other sugar-producing countries, especially those in the European Union.

With the cost of producing sugar locally not being competitive on the world market, Jordan thinks the country needs to produce more to sell to others, while recognising the need to support the growth of local industries by buying local produce.

He also pointed to the need for value added production in the sugar industry.

WAGES AND SALARIES
Turning his attention to wages and salaries, the minister expressed the desire for the quick conclusion of negotiations with trade unions, so that increases for public servants would be a smooth disbursement, rather than a lump sum.

“I hope to see, for example, the return of increment. I mean, years ago, salary increases never happened; you had increment…I believe we have to get back there, because annual increases of salaries, I don’t think it gives the workers confidence,” Jordan said.

He added that he plans to establish incremental scales and performance-based bonuses.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, Jordan said he does not support the idea of an annual budget being presented and passed within the fiscal year is covers. As such, he will be working with his team at the Ministry and other stakeholders to see if Budget 2017 can be presented before the start of the New Year.

He, however, cautioned that this is easier said than done.

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday received a courtesy call from a visiting delegation from South Florida USA, which is here to explore possible opportunities for business investments in Guyana.
The team, which met Minister Harmon at the Ministry of the Presidency, has thus far met with officials from the Ministries of Business, Finance and Public Infrastructure, as well as key stakeholders from the private sector.

The team has expressed specific interest in increased access to food products from Guyana for export, particularly pork and shrimp, along with fruits and vegetables.

Minister Harmon, in brief remarks to the delegation, highlighted the Government’s mandate of providing a good life for all Guyanese, stating that it is in this regard that Government welcomes such investment opportunities.

“There is absolutely no reason why we in this country cannot have a good life with the abundance of resources that we have,” a Ministry of the Presidency release quoted Minister Harmon as saying.

THE countdown to Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations is on, and both the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited have made donations, on Friday, to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sports, at the Guyana Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, received from GBTI a total of 350 souvenirs and memorabilia, including T-shirts, pens and mugs; while Republic Bank donated $4.5 million towards the steelbands.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, receiving souvenirs and memorabilia from GBTI Public Relations Officer Pamela Binda

Saying that the simple ceremony was very symbolic, Minister Henry has pledged to work towards continuing the partnership with stakeholders. The minister thanked both banks for their respective contributions, and noted that she would be looking forward to the continuing support from stakeholders.

Public Relations and Marketing Manager of GBTI, Pamela Binda, said the GBTI was pleased to partner with the Ministry of Education in such a celebration.

“We are privileged to make this presentation of souvenirs and memorabilia to the Ministry of Education towards Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Independence Celebrations,” she said.

And Managing Director of Republic Bank, Richard Sammy, said that bank was extremely pleased to be associated with the Ministry of Education, and to support Guyana as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee of Independence.

By Michel Outridge

CRIME sleuths reported on Friday that six youths, including two teenage girls, are in custody for the murder/robbery of former University of Guyana Professor Parietdeau Mars, called ‘Perry’, 75 years, who died on Thursday night after he had been beaten and bound in his 395 Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar Georgetown home.One of the youths being questioned, police said, informed that he had bought a laptop and an iPod from the others who are now in custody.

Home of Professor ‘Perry’ Mars

Police said the youths, who are being held at the Kitty Police Station, are between the ages of 15 and 17, and they have since confessed to the murder/robbery.

The group was observed leaving the retired professor’s residence on Thursday night with suitcases in a car, and subsequently his wife returned home and found his bloodied and lifeless body in the house.

Following the murder of the retired professor, residents expressed their anger Friday when the Guyana Chronicle visited the area. A resident said: “Imagine dis man used to feed the same set of youths that killed and robbed him at his home; almost every day they used to be in his house. They didn’t have to kill him, because he was a really kind person to all.”

Several residents, still in a state of shock over the man’s gruesome murder, voiced their concerns. One man said: “Nowadays you can’t feel sorry for some people at all. Look how they murder that man in his own house. You does have to feed dem at the gate and let them go.”

The wife of the deceased, Joan, was yesterday too distraught to speak. She was being consoled by relatives and others while the police were at the residence conducting their investigations.

Police in a press release said they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of retired Professor Parietdeau Mars, called ‘Perry’, 75, of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, who was found in his home at about 18:30hrs on May 12, 2016 with his hands and feet duct-taped and injuries to his head. The house was ransacked, and a number of articles and cash were missing.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at a private hospital.

Diligent investigations by the police have so far led to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of a sum of cash, a laptop computer, an iPod and a PlayStation.

According to relatives, Mars would often return to Guyana, his homeland, but would go overseas for a vacation; and during his stay here, he was in the habit of entertaining anyone who showed up at his house, including the very youths who are in police custody for his murder.

He was described as a very kind-hearted person who gave freely, and so people had nothing but good things to say about him, so much so that they are very upset about his brutal murder.

Mars specialised in African Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA; having studied history at the University of Guyana and Carelton University in Ottawa, Canada. He went on to work at Africana Studies at Wayne State University.

He was also credited with developing an international academic exchange project between Africana Studies, the College of Urban Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA), and the University of Guyana.

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANA’S healthcare system has, over the past 50 years, been significantly elevated from the level of ‘bush medicine’ to the stage where professional healthcare is quite accessible to all Guyanese.Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his address at the Ministry of Public Health’s National Health Symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Friday, said: “We must look back and remember the fallacies of some notorious bush doctors and realise that Guyanese now benefit from a system of free and professional healthcare.”

The forum, one of a number of activities marking Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, gave officials an opportunity to reflect on the struggles faced in order to get the sector where it is today, and to outline what needs to be done to further develop the country’s healthcare system.

A section of the gathering at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

Prior to Guyana’s achievement of Independence, during the colonial time, the now free healthcare system was set up to ensure that the Estate workers and staff had maximum access to healthcare, leaving primary healthcare services as an unknown element to those in the interior areas.

This, he said, caused persons to fall ill, and even die from diseases such as malaria, dengue, typhoid and a host of other ailments which wreaked havoc on the lives of many. However, subsequent to May 26, 1966, when Guyana attained its status as an Independent country, the healthcare system was decentralised and institutionalised by Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) in various parts of the country; but this gave rise to new challenges when it came to allocating funds for the development and maintenance of the sector.

According to Nagamootoo, with emphasis on universal healthcare and changes in disease profile, the health budget was a problem for past Governments, and it continues to be a burning issue.

“Health competes with other sectors for state allocations of what essentially has been scarce…it has increased from 5.1 per cent in 2008 to 9.1 per cent of the budget in 2015, and increased marginally in 2016; which shows that it’s consistently climbing.”

The allocations will, however, never be enough, since public demands call for different spending precisely because of the many viruses and diseases which lurk in the atmosphere, he said.

Despite the challenges which face the sector as compared to the early 90s — when malaria, dengue fever and gastro, among other diseases, posed a grave challenge to the sector — 2004 saw a better time, when there was a decline in malaria and the other vector-borne diseases, while progress in combating these diseases continues to this day.

Apart from that, the Prime Minister noted, in 2006 there was a peak in the report of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), which has, to date, subsided because of the active roles of the officials and other members in the healthcare system.

Over the years, the battle against tuberculosis (TB) has also been a hard fought one, bearing fruit because of the vaccination and screening interventions which have been at a peak.

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY WARNED
“I can’t help but laud the efforts of the Ministry and PAHO/WHO in tackling the various diseases and viruses…. We hope we can continue to fight the spread; however, we wish to warn the pharmaceutical industry about their excessive lobbying for drugs which are not needed,” declared Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

In combating the diseases and viruses, the Government has been misled on many occasions, he said, given that pharmacists have been lobbying. He stressed that billions of dollars are needed to prepare for an alleged pandemic which is currently under control.

He said the lobby sometimes brings about a distorted image of what the health situation is and what needs to be dealt soonest. This has placed tremendous pressure on limited financial resources to sole-source for every ailment, but the APNU+AFC Government will continue to make allocations to help alleviate the diseases that affect the country’s citizens, the Prime Minister promised.

INCREASE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY
Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, also used the opportunity to outline the accomplishments in the health sector over the past 50 years.

“Guyana’s ability to increase its life expectancy is one such accomplishment,” he posited.

Life expectancy has risen from 40 in the 1960s to 61 by 1970, and that remained the same by 1990; but it has now increased to 64 for males and 71 for females, as per 2014 statistics. And this, he said, was made possible due to improvements in healthcare delivery.

Another remarkable achievement of the Ministry of Public Health is the mastering of the immunisation process. The Ministry boasts the best immunisation programme in the region, with a vaccination coverage of over 90 per cent for all antigens for the under-5 population, said the minister.
However, “We have not become complacent, and every year the expanded programme on immunisation receives millions of dollars for the purchasing of vaccines, equipment, and services to ensure the safe delivery of the vaccination process,” he disclosed.

HEALTH VISION 2020
Focus has now shifted to issues such as mental health, chronic diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and HIV and AIDS. These issues, among others, are being tackled head-on using robust strategies and action plans, chief among which is the Health Vision 2020.

Dr Norton noted that the vision is that “all people of Guyana are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas” by the year 2020.

“The Government of Guyana is fully committed to building a resilient healthcare system in which Guyanese are provided with health services which are as accessible, acceptable, affordable, timely and appropriate as possible,” he declared.

“We, as a Government, cannot develop the health sector on our own; and I therefore take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of PAHO/WHO and other development partners over the years. PAHO/WHO in particular has been instrumental in developing the health system with their invaluable technical and other support,” Dr Norton stressed as he called on officials to work collaboratively with citizens to get the system to its highest point.

The services of Baishanlin International Forest Development (BSL), located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, were on Friday terminated due to financial difficulties, the company said.The letter, signed by Managing Director of BSL, Hongbo Chu, stated that the company has been experiencing “serious financial difficulties” which were brought about by economic conditions, including a change in market conditions, contraction, and other factors.

The letter further stated: “Our company’s viability was also seriously affected by negative publicity and unjustified State action, which caused our lenders to withhold financing for our operations. In the circumstances, we are forced to reduce our workforce”.

BSL consequently sought to notify the employees that, with effective immediate, their employment was terminated. In lieu of notice, the employees will be paid one month’s salary, which the company said is in keeping with Section 15 of the Termination of Employment and Severance Act.

The letter also stated that the employees will be provided with severance monies computed in accordance with Section 21 of the Act; and Chu took the opportunity in his letter to express appreciation to the dismissed workers for their service and commitment to the company during their time of employment.

“We wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” the letter added.

Efforts to contact the management of BSL for a comment proved futile.

VICKY Persaud, 17, of Back Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara was scheduled to sit the upcoming Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations, but he drowned on Thursday after he reportedly fell into a canal at Lusignan Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

It is alleged that Persaud, who had a side job to assist his family, was with his employer and the man’s son when he went to the sideline canal to dump refuse.
Persaud did not know how to swim, nor did his employer or his employer’s son. Persaud reportedly attempted to wash his hands when he slipped into the swollen canal.

His employer and son attempted to rescue him, but they also nearly perished by drowning. They were rescued after their screams for help were heard by passersby, who responded promptly to their calls and pulled them to safety.

Persaud’s lifeless body was pulled from the canal about an hour after by a group of persons who went in search of him.

He is survived by his mother and two teenage siblings.

By Alva Solomon

AS Government pursues its Green renewable energy plans, Total Energy Solutions Inc, the company which proposed the Hope Beach Wind Farm project, is anxiously awaiting the green light to operationalise the multi-million-dollar investment.Businessman Lloyd Singh, proprietor of the company, told this newspaper at the Sophia Exhibition Complex last evening that the project is ideally suited for Government’s plans to pursue its Green Development Strategy (GDS), but there is, regrettably, some hesitancy in embracing the project.

He said he had received the go-ahead for the project under the PPP administration, but that administration was also hesitant to embrace the project at the time.

“I believe that it has to do with if it (the project) can push the type of energy in reality”, Singh said. He noted that the US$70 investment is the alternative in this period of transition to a green economy.

Total Energy Solutions is proposing full financing of the project.

As regards the research done on the project, Singh said, as much as 15 years ago, wind energy was seen as a viable solution to fossil fuels. “Research can tell you that this is needed,” Singh said.

According to the company, there is a 69KVA power line near Hope Beach, and all the systems as laid out in its plans are ready for connectivity. The project schedule for the installation and operation of the wind farm is approximately one year. According to the company the turbines’ production and delivery will take some six months after proposed signing of the contract.

The foundations and construction of the wind farm will take some three months. Freight and transportation of the turbines and other equipment will take another three months, while the installation of the equipment will take approximately two months.

A month later, the farm can connect to the electricity grid with stable power.

As regards the wind availability, Singh said that the previous administration had concerns about the wind fluctuating in the Hope Beach area. But according to him, the area at Hope is ideally positioned. Trade winds are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics, the company said. The wind blows predominantly from the northeast in this hemisphere and strengthens during the cold weather. At Hope Beach wind power is always constant.

The company said the Hope Beach Wind Farm is a renewable energy investment opportunity which supports the energy plans of the Government. It can produce an installed capacity of 26 megawatts of power. In total, it can supply 10% of the energy needed for the Demerara Interconnected System of the Guyana Power & Light.

As regards the economic benefits, some 150 persons will be employed in the construction phase, should the project materialize; while 20 persons can gain full-time employment after installation. In addition, a direct benefit for the green initiatives is the large sums the country can receive as income for carbon credit, while at the same time millions of dollars will be saved by not generating power from fossil fuels.

Late last year, the Government, through Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, indicated its no- objection to reviewing the project, which was aimed at ensuring it meets the required criteria.

In January this year, Minister Patterson told the newly installed Board of GP&L that the greening of the country must also be among its focus area. The board, he said, will be tasked with transitioning to alternative energy needs.

While he noted that the Government’s plans include the creation of a 26-megawatt wind farm, Minister Patterson said that GPL is expected to be a part in the realisation of this goal.

MURDER accused Desmond August Gordon, alias ‘Tall Man’, of Lot 196 Mangru Street, Rose Hall Town Corentyne appeared on Friday before Albion Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer, charged with unlawfully killing his common-law wife Bhagmattie Angad, called Bhagmattie Etwaroo, Kamini, and Kamani Etwaroo, at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice on May 9 last.The 50-year-old cane harvester who was unrepresented by legal council is alleged to have fatally wounded his common-law wife of five years following a drinking spree at their home.

Police Lance Corporal 20258 Mendonca, who instituted the capital charge, swore to the information before the magistrate.

It was detailed to the court that earlier on the fateful day, a friend named ‘Cheto’ had visited the couple’s home armed with a large bottle of rum. After consuming half the amount, the defendant reportedly told his wife to stop consuming the alcoholic beverage.
It was during this time that the visitor left and a disagreement arose between the couple.

A neighbour, Lennox Fernandes, becoming aware of the domestic row, went over to the couple’s home and saw the defendant armed with two cutlasses whilst the now deceased woman was braced to a wall in the upper flat of the two-storeyed wooden building.

Fernandes made a failed attempt to relieve the defendant of the cutlasses; but after persuading him not to harm the woman, both men left Bhagmatie in the upper flat and sat on the front stairs. Moments later, she jumped from the upper flat and landed in front of the yard.

The defendant is alleged to have started beating the woman as the witness left the yard to inform neighbours. Shortly afterwards, the defendant was seen exiting the yard with what appeared to be blood stains on his clothes. He told the witness, “Go collect the pig now. I kill the woman and I going and kill myself.”

On checking, Fernandes found the bloodied, motionless body of ‘Kamini’. Gordon was subsequently arrested and taken into police custody. However, on May 10th, he was seen by Dr La Rose at the Port Mourant Hospital because of a swelling on his left wrist.

The defendant was refused bail and remanded to prison until June 3.

By Ariana Gordon

PUBLIC servants who have grown accustomed to piggy-backing on the ‘across-the-board’ increase in wages and salaries are being warned against laziness.President David Granger said on Friday that public servants must work hard to benefit from decent increases and promotions.

Laziness “doesn’t make for efficiency”, said the President, who noted that those who expect a bonanza must understand that the bonanza will come only from their efforts.

“…it would come when they work hard and do better than the next person. If they want to be lazy, they’d get a lazy person’s remuneration,” President Granger said.

The President stressed the importance of having an efficient and effective Public Service, and said the standard of the Public Service must be improved.

“We have to move back to a standard by which the performance of individuals is related to promotions and pay. Unfortunately, we have fallen into a trap by which people started to apply across-the-board, and this led to a lot of problems,” he explained.
Those problems, he said, were as a result of persons becoming complacent.

Many public servants, the President said, feel that by simply going to work, they’re entitled to across-the-board increases. This will no longer be the case, he remarked, while emphasising that if persons work hard, not only those in the Public Service, they’d be rewarded for their hard work.

“That is what people, not only in Public Service but in every area of endeavour, must learn — that actual output is related to input.”

He said there are three main criteria by which public servants should be judged: impartiality (social responsibility), education and experience. He called on public servants to discharge their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

NO PLACE
“Any concerns about ethnicity, party affiliation, neighbourhood or family should be erased from professional performance,” President Granger declared.

The Head of State noted that Guyana cannot function without an efficient and effective Public Service, as it is the Public Service that is meant to ensure the State is governed properly.

“The politicians will be elected and they will leave, but the Public Service remains and is responsible for continuity. It is responsible for the maintenance of standards; it is responsible for the enforcement of the laws of the country. Any country that is going to be lawless is going to come to grief…. If we are to be lawful, we have to have a professional Public Service,” he said.

President Granger said education is key to ensuring an effective Public Service. He noted that a professional is one who is educated. “We cannot have people coming off the street one day and becoming public servants the next day,” he admonished.

“As President, I cannot have an untrained Public Service. Education is essential to the Public Service,” he emphasised.

He noted that coupled with education, public servants must, over time, acquire the requisite experience. “The longer you serve, the more experience you gain.”

The occasion that elicited the President’s remarks was the handing over of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry Report, at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday. In accepting the report, President Granger said Government will take time to study the document before it is handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland. He said, too, that copies will be handed over to unions concerned with public service affairs.

“This is a step in the direction of making the Public Service more efficient,” assured President Granger, as he expressed gratitude to the commissioners who worked on the report.

LANDMARK STUDY
He said that, despite his not having read the report, he has every confidence in the commissioners and their work. The Head of State also described the report as a “landmark study.”

“We can’t fake experience. They bring tremendous amount of experience…. There is no doubt about the confidence [I have] in their ability to discharge their functions,” the President said of the commissioners who had compiled the report.

Approximately three months after assuming office, President Granger convened the Commission of Inquiry. He said his decision had lots to do with his interaction with staff of the Ministry of the Presidency and senior public servants.

The President met senior public servants at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre early in his presidency and spoke of his administration’s plan to ensure that the Public Service becomes profession and “unbribable.”

He said that, based on those discussions, he recognised the need for having a “viable Public Service” and the need for examining the conditions under which public servants are forced to function.

The Commission was appointed last August by President Granger to examine, advise, and report on the salaries, conditions of service, training, and other matters relative to improvement of the efficiency of the performance of the Public Service and the well-being of public servants. The three-member Commission included Chairman Professor Harold Lutchman and Commissioners Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran.

Speaking briefly after handing over the document, Professor Lutchman said the members of his team are highly qualified and have the requite expertise to examine the issues facing the Public Service.

After the report has been discussed at Cabinet, the Ministries of Finance and Social Protection will commence negotiations with the unions on salary increases.

-President says economic diplomacy will take time

By Ravin Singh
ONE of the main drivers of economic growth, which Guyana has not been able to exploit, is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Opposition spokesman on Finance, Irfaan Ali, has said. Speaking to this publication following the 37th Sitting of the 11th Parliament on Thursday, Ali noted that the Government must find measures to create wealth and generate growth in the economy. In this regard, he underscored the role of FDI, and investment in the productive sector. Both of these measures, he said, have the potential to expand an economy which is either stagnant or has been recording low growth rates.
And while there has been a global shift from the productive to the manufacturing sector, Ali suggested that growth of the productive sector will stimulate the growth of the manufacturing sector. As such, investment by the Government in the productive sector becomes critical in stimulating growth of the economy.
Further, he related that “the manufacturing sector can only grow if we do something about the cost of energy.”
“So you have to be competitive in the energy portfolio if you going to have that shift from the productive to the manufacturing sector.”
And while the Government has adjusted the role of its foreign services to push economic diplomacy, given the changing dynamics of the world economy, President David Granger last week explained that economic diplomacy will take time to be achieved.
The Head of State was at the time speaking to reporters on his weekly television show, The Public Interest, which was subsequently aired on the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN).
The President noted that the process of economic diplomacy has not gone as quickly as he would have liked, given the slowness in the appointment and installation of diplomats.
“Some ambassadors have not taken up their positions as yet. That process has gone relatively slow,” he said.
Nevertheless, President Granger sought to assert that economic diplomacy remains very important to Guyana, and all efforts will be made to lobby investors.
“We want to sell more rice, rum and timber. At present, everyone knows that the economy is still reliant on the six sisters: sugar, rice, bauxite, gold, timber and fish. And we expect that the Foreign Service, particularly the diplomats, will be selling more. That is the job of our diplomats, to sell our products,” he said.
And with the coalition Government recently observing its first year in executive office, the President noted that a year is still a bit too early for economic diplomacy to be fully operationalised, but this will be achieved in years to come.
He also commented on the dynamics of markets in these foreign countries, explaining that the existing markets have to be tied up, since players will have to disengage from their previous suppliers and engage with reliable local suppliers.
“And this process is taking place” he said, adding that “We would like to renew or continue the rice deal with Venezuela, but it is up to them, but sometimes they don’t see eye to eye with us.”
Last year, Guyana lost its rice market in Venezuela after the Spanish-speaking country, amidst acrimonious relations with Guyana, refused to renew a five-year-old agreement.

By Alva Solomon

“Each month I cook a pot – a Tuma pot – and I go around Mahdia and the other villages to sell.”
–Melinda Alleyne

MELINDA Alleyne is a young businesswoman with a mission.

Melinda Alleyne knits an item made from the tibisiri straw. Knitting is an art she was taught by her mother Bridget

Sitting opposite her mother under the benab at the Amerindian Heritage Village at the Sophia Exhibition Complex on Friday night, she busied herself, like her mother, knitting hats, chair backs and tibisiri–made items. When this newspaper visited their booth, several tibisiri-woven vests and female apparel hung nearby.

This proud descendant of the Patamuna indigenous tribe has been in the handicraft business for some six years to date. She said that as long as there are major events where she can feature her products, she records her presence, and GuyExpo 2016 did not escape her plans.

Alleyne said she started crafting various hand-woven items, having been taught by her mother. Although it is time-consuming, she spends most of her time learning something new from her mother. She said she would also collect orders from customers, and Friday night she collected several orders for the items on display.

“People also know me, so that helps me in this business,” Alleyne said.

While she has plans to pass on the knowledge to her children, whenever that time comes, she is also willing to teach anyone who is interested in learning the art of handicraft. She said she operates between Georgetown and Mahdia, though the craft is not widely practised in her Region Eight hometown of Mahdia.

“Most people don’t do craft there, so I would supply persons, especially during the Heritage in September,” Alleyne noted. “It is limited, and most do not follow the culture because they are preoccupied with mining and gold mining among other activities,” she added. She said about 10 persons are into craft at Mahdia.

The young woman said that her grandmother sings songs in the Patamuna language, and from time to time she would sing along. “I know the words also,” she said.

In addition, she said, she cooks the foods which her grandmother, mother and siblings taught her to cook over the years.

“I know some of the songs, (and I know) to cook the food, to prepare the different types of food on the menu: the tuma pot, boiley-boiley and farine,” she said with a broad smile. She added that farine can be cooked into fried rice and the result would be one that is very tasty.

“Most people do not follow their culture because of what they are surrounded by — the environment.
Only at Heritage time people see the use of knowing what their culture is; whole year they don’t pay much attention,” Alleyne said, as she expressed hope it wouldn’t always be that way.

– Statement by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence

TODAY is a global day in acknowledgement and celebration of families. Today, 15thth May, 2016, is a special day because it calls for nations around the world to refocus on the Family and to restore the familial structure and core values which our societies so proudly upheld. More than two decades ago, the United Nations declared May 15,1994,as International Day of the Families. The social and economic realities challenging our families then were daunting, threatening to disintegrate the family. In the wake of mounting anxieties and fears, the need was expressed for the global spotlight to be focused on families; and it was at this juncture that the International day of Families was conceived.
Today, the family remains functional in the face of even greater challenges. Some of the issues of yore (smaller households, increase in separation/divorces, changes in gender and inter-generational relations) are still evident and to those have been added the alarming incidence of domestic violence and abuse, suicide, the emergence of the LGBT group and the global acceptance of same-sex marriages, among others. The family despite these challenges has demonstrated resilience, but undoubtedly the family structure has weakened under these overwhelming pressures, hence the theme for this year Families, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Future.
Will Durant astutely observed, “The family is the nucleus of civilization. The importance of the family cannot be disputed, for it’s from this core that our society of doctors, teachers, professionals and others is recruited.The family is the transmitter of values and Alex Haley reminds us that “in every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past and bridge to our future.” What we are now as families had a past and will help shape our future. The late Princess Diana said that for her, “Family is the most important thing in the world” and Michael J. Fox, added, “Family is not an important thing, IT’S EVERYTHING.”
The sustainability of our Guyanese families calls for a reappraisal and commitment to Family. We in Guyana envisage a three-pronged approach to make this a reality. The Government’s policy envisions building strong families. Our goal is to refocus on the family as a unit. We need to re-establish that bond, that nucleus that provided the foundation for our societies – the family that inculcated strong moral values, that was the listening ear in times of trouble and need; in short, the family of nature/nurture, lending support, and being the bulwark for the future..
To my mind, we’ve lost valuable ground in that we tend to act independently of collaboration, consultation and communication with the family unit. We have to remember the pivotal role of the nuclear family, but we must acknowledge the impact of the extended family and the ‘Village’ in molding the family and by extension, the society and the nation. Perhaps the high incidence of our social issues may be as a result of our moving away from this maxim of being our brother’s keeper. For me, this year’s theme demands that we re-examine our roles in the context of the ever-changing societal values and make the necessary adjustments that will enable the sustainability of our families. In the words of Gaylord Nelson, “The family as an institution needs the commitment of its members to guarantee its survival. But some have to be in the vanguard holding the torch lighting the path for others to see clearly and follow.” Guyana needs vibrant, healthy and productive families for a sustainable future!
I wish you all a wonderful International Day of Families, 2016.

– Young entrepreneur answers the call to return home

By Alva Solomon
WHEN beauty company Avon closed its doors in Guyana last year, many persons were left without a diverse range of beauty and care products to choose from. At the same time, the move left in the cold many persons who had traded the products to supplement their incomes . But young Guyanese entrepreneur Robeta Sami had her own alternative plan.
Sami, who is based in Barbados, will this week unveil her ambitious plans to capitalise on the void left by Avon using the CHI Miss Universe, Biosilk and Kardashian product lines. Sami created her own company, Caribbean Premier Distributors (CPD), and she subsequently obtained sole distributor status from the beauty companies last December. Ever since, she has been making numerous calls, travel arrangements and local contacts to develop her business plans.
Going the trip alone, the young woman noted that failure is not an option at this time, as she has come home to make a success of her dream.
She said that she will not simply be having a store selling the popular products, but she will be a distributor of the products and as time stretches, she will work towards distributing other unique and reputable beauty- care products. She said that the product line, especially the CHI Miss Universe branded items is not unique to Guyana’s beauty industry. However, her business of marketing those products is and at affordable costs. “A product which sells for $10,000, you can buy that for $4000,” she noted.
“The Kardasian line is one that is in demand globally, the CHI Miss Universe is the product line of choice selected by the Miss Universe organisation for those persons who take part in the international pageant,” she added.
Sami said that midway through 2015, she started pursuing the idea of distributing beauty- care products. Though based in Barbados, some eight years to date, she said that she worked around the clock marketing the Avon branded products while she worked as a distributor here in Guyana. She operated a local store .
“I had over 100 persons working along with me as representatives and so it is something similar which I hope will come out [of]the new plans,” Sami noted.
She said that over the years in Barbados she had visited several beauty shows and workshops and it is at those events that she struck up conversations with the parent company’s representatives of CHI, the Kardasian brand and Biosilk. “I had been contacted by a company based in Mexico, but my marketing plans were more focused on products that are more reputable”, the young woman noted.
Having established contact with the product lines, she said she quickly returned to Guyana and scoped the business climate here. “Beauty and care are always in demand, so I can tell that there is a market here,” she said. In addition, she had to find a new location for her store and she found that site at the Kaylan’s Mall on Lamaha Street close to Camp Street. There she was packing a range of beauty items from the product lines, when this newspaper visited last week. Persons were already visiting the store and making enquiries as regards being representatives to sell the products. The products include lotions, perfumes, hair- treatment products and men’s beauty -care products.
Sami said that she established contact with a number of local related businesses including the Milady’s House of Beauty in Queenstown. In addition, popular Guyanese fashion icon, Sonia Noel, has embraced the products and Sami’s plans. “Establishing that contact with Sonia is one of the best things that has happened in my plans”, Sami said.
On Monday this week, she will officially launch the product lines at the Georgetown Club, where a workshop will be held to showcase the products and their usage at 5 pm. She said that persons can also make arrangements to be representatives of the product lines.

STAFREI Hopkinson Alexander, who escaped from the Mackenzie Police Station December last and was wanted for the murder of a Linden woman, was apprehended yesterday morning during a checkpoint search at the Kupakari Crossing, Rupununi.

The police said yesterday that Alexander of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was in a vehicle at the checkpoint.
A wanted bulletin had been issued for Alexander and Robin Maxwell Thomas who were charged with the murder of Shevon Gordon, which occurred at Wismar on April 4, 2015. They had escaped from the Mackenzie Police Station on December 8, 2015.
Hopkinson and Thomas reportedly escaped by smashing a hole through a cell wall. The suspects, along with Aiden Bowen, of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, were charged for the April 4, 2015 murder of the businesswoman who was shot near her One Mile, Linden premises.
Aidien Bowen, their alleged accomplice, was in the same cell at the time.
Stafrei Hopkinson, 30, was November last arrested and charged with Gordon’s murder. He was also slapped with several armed robbery charges.
The slain woman’s husband, Fitzroy Elon Gordon, described the escape as “a set up”, and expressed concern for the safety of his son, who is the key witness in the matter.

Shevon Gordon was shot after she resisted two armed bandits who had accosted her after she stepped out of her truck. She was also relieved of a bag containing money. The businesswoman was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Hospital complex.
Meanwhile, in the latter part of December, 2015 the body of Robin Maxwell Thomas was fished out of the Demerara River. Officials said that Thomas’s badly decomposed corpse was found in the vicinity of West Watooka, near the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge.
But he was only positively identified after detectives matched the victim’s thumbprint to prints of Thomas they have on record. A post-mortem indicating that he was murdered. The post-mortem revealed that Thomas sustained blunt trauma to the head and that his skull was fractured.

THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has expressed confidence in the business sector, and has noted the Government’s efforts to address its concerns.In a statement yesterday, the GMSA noted that Finance Minister Winston Jordan has been generous to the GMSA with his time and guidance. The statement read that Minister Jordan has given consideration to the umbrella body’s recommendations for improvements in the services provided by several agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The statement said Minister Jordan agrees that manufacturing remains at the heart of Guyana’s economic development, once the sector evolves from exportation of primary products only into industries that process local raw materials into user-ready, table-ready products.

According to the GMSA, given the current governance dispensation, “it is our hope that former and potential manufacturers of household sundries, toys, plantain and cassava chips and construction materials would start up new manufacturing enterprises utilizing readily available raw materials, or expand their current operations with more alacrity”.

The GMSA noted that, through a series of focal changes, the manufacturing sector as it is today evolved from import substitution to export orientation to foreign investment. It said the phase of Import Substitution was characterized by in-country manufacture of most consumables for home and business.

The export orientation phase saw the 1984 establishment of the Guyana Manufacturing & Industrial Development Agency (GUYMIDA) to assist and advise entrepreneurs with formulating and implementing business projects. The challenges, which were many, were exacerbated by shortages of a number of factors of production, including energy and foreign currency.

The statement listed the 1990s as another difficult decade. It said entrepreneurial focus shifted to investor partnerships and foreign direct investments.

“This current decade has been labelled the period of the ‘pincer movement’, a two-pronged approach to business premised on export promotion and in-country value-added production”, the body noted.

It recounted that as year 2000 approached, the sector was at a stage where the export of primary products – rice, sugar, bauxite, plantains and other vegetables, fruits and coconuts — became more lucrative. The GMSA said the move cost growers, farmers, loggers, miners much less to export raw, primary products than it did to establish value-added industries utilizing farm products, wood, rice, sugar and minerals. The body said value-added moves would have brought less financial returns.

“These unfortunate circumstances were also shaped by the global competitive market which is dominated by products (including appliances) made from plastics, polyurethane, steel, and other cheaper synthetic materials”, the GMSA said.

At the same time, other players in the sector, such as furniture makers, found it necessary to backward integrate in order to remain relevant and profitable.

“Furniture makers found it more proficient to acquire forest concessions. From there they got the kind and quality of wood they needed to retain their standards”, the body said. In addition, the body said, the “bullish presence” of the Chinese in the external markets resulted in manufacturers investing less in their secondary and tertiary operations, choosing instead to trade their primary products.

The GMSA said it is not “unsophisticated”, noting that there are only a few operators whose markets are mostly in-country and who have not yet graduated to advanced computerized technologies for processing, labelling and packaging, marketing and tracking the standards and progress of their competitors.

The GMSA mentioned the 1970s/80s as the years when manufacturing was at its pinnacle here. It listed the D’Aguiars, the Kissoons, the Gafoors, the (Toolsie) Persaud family, Claude Geddes, Continental Agencies, the Yassin family and the John Fernandes families were among the first ‘occupants’ of then British Guiana’s first Industrial Estate.

“They manufactured wooden furniture and foam, construction materials, metal fencing, soaps and household sundries, and provided needed services”, the body said.
Today it noted technology’s benefits to the economy, noting that “the introduction of Fourth Generation (4G) technology will play no small role in keeping our overseas markets, and the Government’s introduction of “Economic Diplomacy” into Guyana’s Foreign Service offers much needed on-the-ground trade facilitation”.

The GMSA also expressed its sympathies to businessman Sattaur Gafoor, whose Houston, East
Bank Demerara business complex was partially gutted by fire. “We pledge to do everything possible to boost his return to profitability and to doing what he loves best, being of help to others”, the body noted.

–for the ‘Jubilee celebrations’

By Francis Quamina Farrier
SO, you’ll be hosting a guest or two from the Diaspora; people coming home for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Jubilee Celebrations.

Your guest may also tell you how they rode the train which travelled from Rosignol to Georgetown, or from Parika to Vreed-en-Hoop; and how they are so sad that only the “line-top” remains.

Good for you! Good for your guest(s)! Take it from me, it won’t be easy for you or for your guest(s), if you do not have patience and display your best Guyanese personality.
Your guest will be coming with high expectations; and you, on the other hand, will be expecting a lot from your guest(s).
However, make sure that the two expectations are not like two powerful clashing winds which cause terrible, frightening claps of THUNDER.
Make sure that you show them the kind of hospitality for which Guyanese have been known for, over the decades and centuries. Be a good host. In fact, be a great host.

ASK FIRST
My first advice to you with regards to your “guest from foreign”, is that you DO NOT impose YOUR itinerary on them. Find out from them what THEY would like to do; where THEY would like to go; and who THEY would like to meet.
They may have some suggestions, and you may also have some suggestions. But let the final decision be THEIRS.
Many Guyanese who have been “ENJOYING THE GOOD LIFE IN FOREIGN” worked very hard for what they have achieved. So, their return to the Land of their Birth at this time is like a sacred, once-in-a-lifetime “Pilgrimage to Mecca”.
For them, especially those in the 60-plus age group will even shed some tears of joy when their feet first touch the precious soil of Guyana. Please DO NOT say to them, “Eh-eh! Is wha wrong wid you?” Please DO NOT. Please understand that theirs will be emotional tears of joy; the joy of being back in their native land at this very special time in the history of our country. This is the land where their navel strings are buried. So, let their tears flow like the Kaieteur Falls during the rainy season. Do not call your guest a “cry-baby”, or make any other negative comments. It would be better for you, and for your guest, for that matter, if you take some candid photographs with your expensive Iphone, and record for posterity that beautiful, tearful moment. Your guest will forever thank you for recording that “One Moment in Time”, when they cried while in Guyana for the 50th Independence Anniversary Jubilee Year.

SHOW ‘EM HOW
Show off how Guyanese here at home are up-to-the-minute with the modern trends. Almost all of us here in Guyana have smartphones. Some of us bought ours, while some of us ‘t’ief’ the smartphone we have. I have to let you know that, back in January this year, someone stole my very expensive iPhone, which had many irreplaceable recorded images stored in it; including a photo with President David Granger and myself. I am still a little angry with myself for allowing myself to be such an easy prey for that brazen thief. There are at times, that unguarded moment, when unfortunate things happen. Let your guest be on their guard at all times. And you, too, must be on your guard at all times. The petty thieves will be looking for every opportunity to strike.

DON’T BE RUDE
And, my fellow Guyanese here at home, please DO NOT ask your visiting guests, “Suh, is wuh yuh bring fuh meh?”as soon as you give them that welcoming hug. That would be very rude and a total turn-off.
With such a crass welcome, visiting ‘Fambly’ or ‘Frien’ will do everything within their power to stay away from you for the duration of their stay in the land that gave them birth. Please be sensitive. Most of those people who will be visiting worked very hard while “up in foreign”.
They were getting up early on very cold winter mornings before they saw the sun, which rises at around 08:00hrs during the winter months. They got into very cold cars or buses or trains to go to work. I have seen it on my visits to North America and England during the winter months, and I can tell you, it’s not easy. Those places are very, very cold. No joke, countryman! When you speak while outdoors, the warm air of your breath makes a little fog. Yes, my Guyanese sisters and brothers who have never gone “up north” during wintertime. As you speak, is suh de breath from yuh mouth mekkin’ fog right in front yuh face. And as my dear departed friend, Godfrey Chin, used to say, “Yuh t’ink it easy?”

LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Now, here is a particular piece of advice for you at-home Guyanese, regards visiting couples. If you see couples walking around in GT public spaces holding hands, please refrain from staring at them; whether they are Man-and-Wife; Boyfriend and Girlfriend; Girlfriend and Girlfriend; or Boyfriend and Boyfriend, PLEASE DO NOT STARE at them. Leave them alone! Be civil; show some class. People in most places in the Diaspora are free to hold hands with whomsoever they so desire. So, consider it NO DAMN BUSINESS OF YOURS to pontificate and condemn. Leave that to “Pastor What’s-his-Name”. Consider how some couples here in Guyana have not been holding hands, but instead have been chopping off hands and other parts of the bodies of those whom they claim to have loved.
Another thing: Let your hugs be considerate. Some of the visitors from the Diaspora who are age 60 years and over might be suffering from arthritis; so, hug them every gently. And please refrain from engaging in long and lingering hugs; except if that person is an old-time boyfriend or girlfriend. Please be advised to keep the hug platonic if either of you is now married.
However, if you are both single at this time, then you can hug and rub like two sticks from the caveman era, and reignite that old flame. Let your long-simmering love blaze again. Go for it! Celebrate the Jubilee as well as your personal romantic reunion. Best of luck! Who knows! Captain Gerry might even give you an all-expenses-paid wedding reception, on the house, at Duke Lodge.

FOR THE BRAGGADOCIOS
Now, you might have a guest who wants to show off, and bring to bear a superiority complex on you. Please be patient. They will, and most likely in a loud voice, let you know how they live in a six-bedroom mansion with a swimming pool in the suburbs “in foreign”; and how they also own a fleet of expensive cars: A Porsche, a Mercedes-Benz, a Jaguar, a Ferrari, as well as a Mustang. Then, after a brief pause, they may add, “And a Harley Davidson motorcycle.”
Don’t argue; keep quiet. At a convenient time, take them for a spin into Pradoville 2, and ask them what they see. Make sure that you show them the mansion in which GUYANA’S HIGHEST PAID PENSIONER resides. That building should be one of Guyana’s main tourist attractions.
For nostalgia, you may want to take your guest, if they are from America, to see the now-deserted building on Main Street which once housed the Embassy of the United States of America so many years ago, and where they were probably issued with their first visas, and without ever having to stand in a long line.
That old, derelict building should also be a tourist attraction during the “Jubilee celebrations”.
On the opposite side of Main Street, you can show them the new-look Sacred Heart Church which has replaced the iconic wooden structure which was gutted some years ago.

DOWN MEMORY LANE
My sincere hope is that you are one of the many lucky hosts who have a very considerate guest. That guest will sit and share with you all the great experiences they had before leaving Guyana. They will tell you of their very dedicated and loving teachers; and how life was slow and oh so mellow back in those long-gone days of innocence.
They will tell you of swimming in a countryside canal, a hinterland creek, or the Luckhoo Swimming Pool in Georgetown. With a trance-like expression on their face, they will recall bosses who were kind and helpful. They will ask you about their schoolfriends; of their first boyfriend or first girlfriend; of that first kiss which Dave Martins sings about, which made them feel like their head fell off. They may ask you where that “First Love” can be found. Please plead ignorance, especially if your guest has a wife or husband.
Your guest may also tell you how they rode the train which travelled from Rosignol to Georgetown, or from Parika to Vreed-en-Hoop; and how they are so sad that only the “line-top” remains.
Some will tell you about their daily crossings of the Demerara River from Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown to go to school or to work. They will ask you about the Demerara River ferryboat, the MV Queriman.
Avoid making your guest sad by telling them that the T&HD (Transport and Harbours Department) ferryboat, the MV Queriman, is now beached up at Ampa Bay on the Essequibo River, just a few miles north of Bartica, with shrubs growing out of it.
Just tell a little “white lie”, and say that you really don’t know. Instead, invite them to view the beautiful little replica of that ferryboat at the National Museum on North Road in Georgetown, opposite the General Post Office. It was the responsibility of the T&HD to ensure that those retired ferryboats were maintained as tourist attractions. Unfortunately, the T&HD never had any such vision.

As your guest happily rambles on, continue to be patient; listen as though that guest and you are the only persons marooned on one of the many small islands in the middle of the Mighty Essequibo River, with no modern gadget to interrupt you.
There is that saying which Judge Judy likes to use quite a lot, “God gave us two ears and one mouth”. Suh, shut yuh one mouth, and open yuh two ears and listen with intent to your guest as they recall “The Good Old Days”, growing up in colonial British Guiana when the “White Man” was in charge; British Guiana, the land that gave them birth.
“Those were the days!” your guest would likely say with a happy sigh. “Yes! The days when Bookers ruled the roost, and not the drug lords!”

THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Back in the day, we had the colonial masters giving us a little hell, but also a little heaven: A good education, for example. Those were the days when laws and rules had to be followed, and no one escaped justice because they had connections in high places, or lots of money to bribe the police.
In fact, in those colonial days, the police would lock you up if you dared offer them a bribe.
Now, let me tell you: Many of those who migrated in the 1980s, the 1970s and even as early as the 1960s still know every word of Guyana’s National Anthem; they also still know every word of Guyana’s National Pledge. So if you are somewhat uncertain of yourself now, let me advise you to do yourself a favour and ‘box-up’ on those words. It might also be a good thing for you to polish up your knowledge of the lyrics of Hilton Hemerding’s “Beautiful Guyana”, and Dave Martins’ “Not a Blade of Grass”, since, at some point in time, you might hear your guest burst out singing those two popular patriotic Guyanese songs.
Then you may also notice your guest looking at, and listening to, the parrots, the kiskadees, the blue sackies and the many other Guyanese birds flying by and singing their tropical songs. Do compliment your guest, and let them know how happy you are that they are back home, enjoying all the wonderful sights and sounds and tastes, like home fruits and dishes. And if you notice your guest peeling a banana from the tip, as the Americans do, instead of from the stem as we Guyanese in Guyana do, you may be tempted to laugh; but do so only on the inside, and suppress your amusement.

BEWARE THE AMERICANISMS
The way Americans peel a banana is something which many of the returning visitors will bring with them, including those so much over-used words. “Like”, and “basically” are the principal ones. In America, if a sentence has five words, the two words, “like” and “basically” will most likely feature somewhere in that sentence.
It is disgusting and annoying, even to some Americans; that includes American TV’s Judge Judy. Those two words seem to provide oxygen to millions of Americans, as well as some USA-based Guyanese.
So, if your guest uses those two words over and over again, then my recommendation is that you take them into a corner and whisper gently into their ear:
“You know, basically, I do not basically, like, appreciate “like” you know; basically, like using those two “like” words, which, basically, are, like, over-used. And, basically, “like” is like, basically, very annoying to me.”
Your guest may respond by saying, “Well, basically, I was like basically didn’t realise, like, I was basically using those two words, like so often.” Smile pleasantly and say, “Basically, I like that.”
While still in Guyana, your guest may see quite a number of young men wearing their pants on the ground; that African-American sub-culture, which is now very much a part of the Guyanese sub-culture. It is like, basically (ooops!) popular with quite a number of Guyanese young men, and not only those of African heritage.

BE A GOOD HOST
So, I plead with you, my fellow at-home Guyanese, be as good a host or hostess of your guest as you possibly can. You will most likely be remembered fondly when they return to “foreign”. Treat your guest in a similar manner as you would like to be treated if and when you are visiting them “in foreign”. Display the famous Guyanese Hospitality as best your time and financial resources can afford. Flash that sweet Guyanese smile as often as possible. It costs nothing for you to give, yet it is priceless. If you are a good host(ess), you may benefit in the long-term. For when your guest returns to “foreign”, they may very well start to pack a barrel, or even barrels, packed full of goodies to send to you for Christmas.
However, whatever you do for your guest must not be done with such ulterior motives; do it just for the love of doing good.
So, enjoy the 50th Independence Anniversary Jubilee Celebrations with your guest(s) visiting “from foreign”.

And remember: Every day is special in our lives; some more special than others. Every year is also special; some more special than others.
This “Jubilee” year is special; one in which you can make your “guest from foreign” leave with so many pleasant memories, especially for being your guest. Do your very best to make those memories happy ones, for your guest and for yourself.
And I hope that you will have lots and lots of ‘selfies’ to share with ‘Fambly’ and ‘Frens’, both here in Guyana and in the Diaspora as well. You have the technology to do that; bought or stolen. So, enjoy your hosting of your “guest from foreign” for Jubilee.

– bet on GuyExpo

FOR years, the St Cuthbert’s Mission women’s group has been engaged in craft-making using tibisiri and other natural items, but due to the scarcity of markets for their products, their craft is seemingly dying away.The women learnt their craft from the older folk, but today, not too many are willing to learn.
This is evident from the paucity of craft booths at GuyExpo 2016 as compared to the past, when there was a prevalence of creative pieces at every corner of an exposition.
Added to that, Ruth Shuman, a member of the group, said that the craftswomen are “discouraged and tired,” because of the unavailability of markets for their products.
Though they have stuck to their culture, the level of discouragement is still high when they can’t sell the products they make with their bare hands.
“We take our time, particularly days, to make these tibisiri craft, also with straw and straw guts. We does make bowls, bread trays, fruit trays and even gift wrap, just to name a few.”
However, when done, they are forced to settle for meagre payments or even nothing for their well-crafted pieces, which she said, would sometimes even be stored away for months and even years because of the lack of consumers.
“It does be hard to keep the group together because sometimes it don’t function and sometimes when they get orders they try to do something.
“Other than that, throughout the year they are not even encouraged to do what they love,” said the craftswoman, who highlighted that she would venture off to different areas to get some sales just to keep the group together and active.
Their plea for markets continues to grow, hence, she has made her way to GuyExpo 2016 in an effort to get exposure for her products and also to educate persons on the operations of the group and the wonders of craft-making. (Navendra Seoraj)

– Scores of weapons, contraband seized
– 15 high-profile prisoners transferred

A LARGE quantity of dangerous weapons and other illegal items were yesterday seized from prisoners at the country’s main prison at Camp Street, Georgetown, less than three months after security was beefed up following a riot which left 17 prisoners dead.

Officers sort the lighters which were seized in yesterday’s Camp Street prison raid

In an early morning operation, prison authorities, assisted by police and army ranks, raided prison cells and unearthed 173 improvised weapons, two kitchen knives, three screwdrivers, one hacksaw blade, 44 cellphones, a quantity of razor blades, 149 lighters, three garden files, five tattoo machines and a quantity of marijuana.

The early morning exercise was part of “Operation Restore Order”, to control the one prison in Guyana to have given authorities grave headaches, especially in the days leading up to and after the deadly March 3 riot, which saw prisoners setting the remand section of the jail alight.

The Camp Street prison currently holds double the amount of persons it was built to accommodate, and the authorities have tried to ease the overcrowding by transferring prisoners to other locations.

Cellphones, ganja, cigarettes and other items were seized in yesterday’s raid

AS a result, 15 high-profile prisoners were yesterday reshuffled to other prisons.

Director of Prisons Carl Graham disclosed that the operation commenced at 05:00hrs and lasted less than two hours, and the Guyana Fire Service was on standby to assist in case of any disturbances.

A Commission of Inquiry was set up by President David Granger following the March 3rd riot, and the report from that inquiry would likely contain recommendations to manage the country’s prisons.

President Granger has said the country needs a maximum security prison, and there are indications that the Mazaruni prison could be upgraded to fit that need.

– 16 others injured

THREE persons were killed and 16 others hospitalised after a mini-bus and a car crashed Friday night at Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast.Dead are 19-year-old Esau Cornette and 45-year-old Lavon Gray – neighbours of Dartmouth Village – and Gavin Lawrie, 19, of Plantation Andrews. They were pronounced dead at the Suddie

The mini-bus involved in the crash that was transporting 17 passengers

Hospital.
Reports disclosed that the driver of the mini-bus, BRR 9867, Glenford Stephens, was heading to Anna Regina with 17 passengers and the car, PMM 5867, was heading in the opposite direction when they collided. The incident occurred around 23:00 hrs.
According to reports, the mini-bus was negotiating a right-bend and ended up on the western side of the road which resulted in a head-on collision with the motorcar. As a result, most of the mini-bus passengers were flung out of the vehicle.
Six persons, including the driver, Gavin Lawrie, were in the car at the time. The others who have been hospitalised are Maxwell Lawrie, 18, of Better Success; Ruel Lawrie, 34, of Plantation Andrews; Navin Radish, 21, of Plantation Andrews; Anil Mark, 17, of Better Success; and Maxton Lawrie, 28, of Better Success.
Among those injured from the mini-bus who were taken to the Georgetown Hospital are: Aldred Shepherd, 23, of Dartmouth who is listed as critical; and Kadeen Clay, 17, of Dartmouth. The other injured persons, who were taken to the Suddie Hospital, are: Stephen Benn, 22, who was listed as critical; Kevin Brummell, 25; Rodwin Barrington, 20; Kevon Clay, 20; Trevor John, 18; Delroy Barrington, 24; Lancel Caesar, 22; Roven Johnson, 19; Anzel Cornette, 20; and Glenford Stephen, 26. Others were discharged with minor injuries.
Unconfirmed reports disclosed that the persons in the mini-bus and the car were out partying before the accident occurred.

Dead: Esau Cornette

Residents flocked the accident scene and tried to aid with the removal of the bodies from the road. Hospital sources disclosed that many of the injured persons suffered broken limbs.
Regional Councillors and Liaison to the Public Security Ministry, Hardat Narine, told this publication that he was very disappointed with the unprofessional behaviour of the policemen at the accident scene and at the Suddie Hospital, Essequibo Coast.
Reflecting on the scenario, Narine explained that the accident scene was one which was confusing, since bodies were scattered on the roadway and the police did

Dead: Gavin Lawrie

not use their vehicles to transport injured persons to the Suddie Hospital.
He said that when persons at the scene requested to help, the police at the scene were telling concerned citizens to leave the injured persons alone, since an ambulance would deal with the picking up of the injured.
The RDC official said he then confronted the police at the scene, relating that the injured needed help as early as possible since they had been on the roadway for over 35 minutes crying for help.
“I started behave badly and myself and public-spirited citizens started to assist. I picked up the first person, which was a man lying in the middle of the public road, [and] the police were saying leave them until the ambulance come. Then I start to motivate people to help,” the liaison to the Public Security Ministry explained.
Narine explained that he picked up a teacher who was attached to the Charity Primary School since he was bleeding baldy. He said only one person could have fitted in a lying position in his car and he rushed that person to the Suddie Hospital.

He said he contacted a doctor and placed her on alert, and other doctors were summoned to treat the injured.
He alleged that at the Suddie Hospital, the police that failed to render assistance, and as at the accident scene, began to behave in an unprofessional manner while using indecent language in the accident and emergency section.
“When I confronted a policeman about his behaviour, he wanted to fight. He was telling relatives of the injured that when things happen must not call on them for help,” Narine stated.
He explained that Saturday morning four persons were air-dashed to the GPHC, while others were taken by Ambulance on the ferry service.
“I want to thank Dr. Khan, Dr. Gray, Dr Rajiv and their team for doing a wonderful job in assisting with all the accident victims,” he said. Traffic Chief (ag) Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud called on passengers in vehicles that are speeding to be more vigilant and reprimand drivers who use the road recklessly, since allowing drivers to speed can result in their own demise.
When asked if there is a way to check for alcoholic content other than a breathalyzer test, the Traffic Chief said there is no blood- alcohol testing being done in Guyana due to the unavailability of the relevant machine.

(Rabindra Rooplall)