Guyana builds LCDS thrust in New York

FROM popular actor Harrison Ford to Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Guyana last week continued to garner support for its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) at several key events in New York.

President Bharrat Jagdeo was among more than 100 world leaders invited to the special climate change summit convened by United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and he continued plugging Guyana’s case, building on the country’s high international profile and leadership role in the global climate change battle.


The special Climate Change summit was held on Tuesday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, immediately prior to Wednesday’s opening of the two-day 64th UN General Assembly at the same venue.


“The climate change summit was excellent. I think for the first time, leaders themselves got involved in the issue of climate change (but) as for the General Assembly (GA), I think it was an anti-climax, after the special summit on climate change; it was just people going through the motion at the GA,” the Guyanese head-of-state told the Sunday Chronicle in an interview at the UN yesterday.


With the clock ticking towards this December’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, President Jagdeo reiterated his optimism that world leaders are much closer to ‘sealing the deal’ when they meet again in just under 80 days time.


His optimism is being fueled, in part, by the successful outcome of a crucial round-table meeting he co-chaired earlier in the week with the British Prime Minister.


Financing was one of the main issues discussed during the round-table meeting, and President Jagdeo said participants, having recognised that climate change is the pre-eminent geopolitical and economic issue of the 21st Century, acknowledged that it would take as much as, and maybe even more, US$100B to fight the impacts at this point in time.


Speaking with the Chronicle shortly after that session, President Jagdeo said the idea was to get leaders together to have a free-flowing discussion about what it would take to “seal the deal” in Copenhagen, and to “break the deadlock which seems to be part of the negotiations at this time.”


According to the Guyanese head-of-state, the discussions were centered around five political areas the leaders felt would be useful to the future. These, he said, ranged from deep cuts by the developed countries, aimed at assisting mitigation actions from the developing world, to adaptation and institutional governance structure to deal with the environment in the future.


“These were just some of the areas that we thought we needed clarifications for …and then of course, the very important matter of financing… So we had a free-flowing discussion, and we think that we have made some progress towards having a better understanding of what it would take to have this deal in Copenhagen on the part of all the players -- the developed countries, the developing world -- and what quantum of financing is needed,” President Jagdeo said.


According to him, the leaders immediately recognised the magnitude of the problem and “started talking about a large sum of money… in excess of US$100B.”


Those figures get closer to the sums required, he said, noting that in the past, those figures used to range in the tens of millions of dollars, and that clearly, would not be adequate for mitigation and adaptation action, and wouldn’t have led to a deal in Copenhagen.


“So I think [that] out of the round-table, we had leaders participating, and we have built some level of momentum and optimism that we may be able to secure this deal in Copenhagen,” President Jagdeo told the Chronicle.


IN THE GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT
While in New York, the President did more interviews with leading global media agencies and newspapers.


He was interviewed by Reuters, one of the largest news agencies in the world; the American TV network, CNN; the BBC, and he also met the editorial board of the prestigious New York Times.


The Guardian newspaper of London also carried the full text of the President’s remarks at the `Team Earth’ public event in Greeley Square, New York on Monday last when he shared the spotlight with movie actor and environmentalist, Harrison Ford.


President Jagdeo, who is slated to be back home in Guyana tomorrow morning, was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and was scheduled for an interview with the Economist yesterday.


The Guardian headlined the President’s Monday speech at the Greeley Square event as ‘Guyana is a model of forest protection that could solve the climate crisis’.


In that speech, President Jagdeo stressed that a deal at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December must enable countries like Guyana to generate an income by conserving forests rather than cutting them down.


In his interview with Reuters, the President noted that he wants to turn this country into one of the world's most environmentally progressive countries by preserving vast swathes of tropical rain forest -- if rich nations pay for it.


"We can generate money from preserving the forests; we can use these resources to invest in low-carbon opportunities, and we can use some of the money to make our economy climate-resilient," Mr. Jagdeo said.


Protecting forests is crucial, he said, as destruction of tropical forests releases more carbon dioxide than all the world's cars, trucks, planes and trains combined.


He said his preservation model could be replicated in other countries, and incorporated into a new climate change agreement to be signed in Copenhagen.


"By Copenhagen, we can show a real country model working that would address all of the issues that have come up in the negotiations," he said.


The President said the biggest stumbling blocks to making his model work were persuading rich countries that payments they make to poor ones would be used transparently, and convincing poor countries they would not give up sovereignty when they agree to set aside forests for conservation.


These were among the points he stressed later in the week in New York.


Mr. Jagdeo was among 13 Heads of State and Government and senior ministers, as well as the President of the World Bank, at the High-Level Event Mr. Ban Ki-moon convened on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD).


Under current proposals, a REDD mechanism would provide financial incentives for developing countries to stop illegal logging, and a system for countries to offset their carbon emissions by investing in projects promoting sustainable forest management.


‘REDD+’, an enhanced and updated version of the concept, would add a focus on forest preservation and carbon conservation.


MOVE BEYOND FRINGES
Mr. Jagdeo agreed that REDD provided the “most cost-effective abatement solution” in the climate change debate. But while it could deliver immediate results, it had not received the acclaim of other issues, like renewable energy and energy efficiency.


He said one reason for that was a focus on problems with the mechanism, rather than its delivery potential. Ongoing pilot projects, such as those cited by the World Bank, were supposed to provide further information on that potential, but it was past time to wait for “lessons learned,” he said.


“The task is before us today,” he said, stressing that financial facilities available through the World Bank were nowhere near the scale of the resources needed. It was time for talk to move beyond the issue’s fringes and determine whether adequate funds would be made available.


To that end, he called for an interim financing in the order of 1.5 cents per day for each person from the Annex I countries, as well as sufficient market and fund mechanisms in the longer term. “If we can’t provide adequate funding for the lowest cost solution [to climate change], how will the others be financed?”


In sync with Guyana’s arguments, Ban said that immediate action on reducing deforestation was a critical part of the solution to climate change, as he opened the REDD High-Level Event.


“Whichever way you look at it, protecting the world’s forests is a good investment,” he said, pointing to the social and economic benefits of forested lands, as well as their capacity for carbon storage. [Forests are believed to store more than 1 trillion tons of the world’s carbon, and deforestation is estimated to cause nearly 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.]


“We now need to mobilise further funding for REDD, and establish transparent systems to distribute payments and measure results,” he added.


Echoing the Secretary-General’s emphasis on the role a REDD mechanism could play at the conference in the Danish capital, World Bank President, Robert Zoellick offered examples whereby reforestation projects funded by the institution were providing local communities with social and economic benefits from the use of their forests.


The acrimony currently being heard in the international climate change negotiations were absent in those cases. Instead, the projects showed how reforestation and reducing deforestation could address climate change while protecting biodiversity and economic growth.


He said that while those projects were just start-up ventures  the “blue-collar workers” of climate change  they aimed to determine what worked on the ground so that REDD financing could be built into a global climate-change financing strategy. “Our job is to design the right tools to connect environmental stewards to funding opportunities.”


NO DEAL WITHOUT REDD
Emphasizing the funding nexus as he addressed the event on behalf of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, Prime Minister Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea said developing countries could achieve rapid and significant emission reductions at a reasonable cost, but in order to ensure success, “rich countries must get serious.”


The implications of not doing so could be profound, he said, because without financial support, the governments of developing countries would be unable to make a strong case to their people for preserving their forests.


In turn, it could prove impossible to avoid catastrophic levels of global warming in the most vulnerable countries without strong action on REDD+. There would be no agreement in Copenhagen without commitments to a robust REDD+ instrument, he said, stressing: “We cannot seal the deal without REDD+.”


Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway said REDD would be part of a Copenhagen agreement and, to that end, his country had pledged US$500 million a year towards its implementation.


Like several other speakers from developed countries, however, he stressed that an international agreement would have to include standards and support mechanisms for verifying both emissions and the savings provided by forested lands, among other things. There was also a need for a transparent structure for financial incentives.


Voicing his agreement, Prime Minister Rudd said that in order for REDD to be credible with both public and private financial institutions, effective measurement was critical. To that end, he called for an “open, frank and public” debate, based on facts about the accuracy, cost and effectiveness of the REDD proposals.


Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom called for increased coordination among the various programmes and funds working in the field, saying that while public funding for forests was vital, there was an urgent need to harness private sector interest in protecting forests and to develop further new instruments to leverage them.


Among the Heads of State and Government speaking at the UN over the past week were President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Congo, and Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden (on behalf of the European Union).


The Deputy Prime Minster of Gabon also addressed the special Climate event, as did senior ministers from Indonesia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Japan, Colombia, China and Bangladesh.


Negotiations for Copenhagen among 190 nations are stalled over how to share the burden of curbs on gas emissions through 2020 between rich and poor nations, and how to raise perhaps $100 billion a year to help the poor combat warming and adapt to changes such as rising sea levels.


"What will constitute a good agreement in Copenhagen for me is one that has deep emission cuts, adequate financing, and improving forests as an abatement solution," Mr. Jagdeo told reporters in New York, adding that: "Developed countries need to take the biggest steps."


Although he wants to turn Guyana into a low-carbon economy that relies on green energy, he said only rich countries should face mandated deep cuts in carbon emissions.


Poor countries fear they might sacrifice future economic growth if they agree to mandatory reductions.


"We don't want to pass blame, but many of the developed countries used these traditional tools to get where they are today. Many people feel that they are kicking away the ladder now, they don't want us to use the same development tools, which were high carbon," he said, adding:


"We believe we don't have to go that route; we believe that we can shift to a low-carbon direction without compromising our development prospects, but we have to be helped to that route."


CNN also reported on the President’s stand on its website.


Australian Prime Minister Rudd on Monday lauded Guyana’s leadership on climate change.


In a meeting with President Jagdeo in New York, Rudd expressed his country’s interest in collaborating with Guyana in the global effort to address climate change.


President Jagdeo also took the opportunity to outline Guyana’s LCDS. Australia has committed to supporting Guyana’s Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) System and remote monitoring of its forests.


This development builds on Guyana’s recent work on developing its MRV System in which several experts from the Australian Climate Office participated.


Prime Minister Rudd and President Jagdeo agreed to continue discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad in November to explore other areas of bilateral cooperation on climate change, as well as regional initiatives for the Caribbean Community.


And in response to a question from the Sunday Chronicle, shortly after the conclusion of a high-level meeting between Caricom leaders and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters yesterday afternoon on the critical areas that Guyana will be giving priority focus to between now and Copenhagen, President Jagdeo said: “We have created a bit of interest, as you would have seen over the past few days, so we will continue with the advocacy and the model building... We will be working with Norway and the others to add an international dimension to this LCDS model.”


On this note, the President disclosed that “within a matter of weeks,” Guyana will be signing an MOU with Norway, one which he said will hopefully add an international dimension to the LCDS model. (Additional reporting from Sharief Khan in Guyana)

Gov’t foster-care programme…

Guyanese around the world!!!

Barbados has seen the kind heartedness and good nature of our Guyanese people time and time to come.
A GUYANESE father-and-son team is offering Bajans the chance to obtain low-cost, Guyana-sourced, greenheart homes…this a good step in proving to the world that any where Guyanese go they always try their best to be who they are; Guyanese…

Kwame Mc Koy tape saga takes a new twist!

Reports reaching us indicate that the alleged Kwame Mc Koy tape saga has taken a new twist after it was found that persons were paid huge sums of money to be part of a plot that entailed the fabrication of the tape, its subsequent circulation via Mark Benschop's website, circulation via an e-mail address (therealaronsmith@yahoo.com) and immense media coverage by two particular media entities.

It is being reported that a significant amount of cash was expended towards manufacturing the tape that saw a person or persons imitating Mc Koy and a female was also paid $300,000 to come forward with the tale of being the mother of the lad that was implicated. The plan was apparently hatched between Benschop, Juliet Holder-Allen, Norris Witter, Lincoln Lewis among others.

We have learnt that it came about as a result of allegations of Mc Koy being behind some of the comments posted on this blog (which we strongly deny), notably, those particularly related to allegations of infidelity on the part of Maria Benschop, the estranged wife of Mark Benschop. The comments were drawn to the attention of Benschop, who is himself famous for making the Andrew Douglas "Freedom Fighter" tape, and Benschop was heard loudly proclaiming "ah gon get he anti-m*n sk**t!"

The allegations have also found favour with some sections of the PNC, particularly Volda Lawrence, who had objected to Mc Koy's nomination and subsequent appointment to the Rights of the Child Committee.

We will bring you more details as they emerge ........................

Double Standards...

A part of the Kaieteur News' Editorial today, titled "The McCoy issue is alive" reads:

"Most public officials cannot escape notice. They are often so prominent that recordings of their voice are as distinct as their visages.
There is no one in Guyana who would have a problem identifying President Bharrat Jagdeo or Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, or Prime Minister Sam Hinds by voice. Many people also have distinctive voices, some to their detriment."




So why wasn't the same logic employed in the case of the tape recording that surfaced a few years back with the then commissioner and a leading PNC official in which plans were made to plant drugs on a cleaner at Congress Place who was accused of stealing money?

Bechop out of order...

Information was brought to my attention that there is an audio recording of a conversation between two males, one of whom is purporting to be Kwame Mc Coy. This recording is clearly a fabrication aimed solely at smearing my character and family name.

It is important to note that since my appointment to the Rights of the Child Commission I was reliably informed that there was a certain group of persons out to get me at all cost and I was warned to be careful.

As recent as today (Saturday), someone attempted to impersonate me by contacting the Kaieteur news pretending to be Kwame Mc Coy and stated that I had tendered my resignation from the Office of the President as well as the Rights Commission based on the release of this recording.

I am already in contact with my attorneys and we will be taking legal action against any one or any media house that seeks to publish the recording and or any story derived from same.

Health Ministry’s training put back to October month-end

The Ministry of Health’s $700M training schedule had been upset because of the fire that destroyed the Ministry’s headquarters, but the training programmes will continue.

This was the assurance given by Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, at a press briefing on Saturday.

“We had a delay, yes, but the training will continue,” he said.

At the press briefing, he also stated that not only will the training programmes continue, but they will be expanded.

For the purpose of continued training and development of human resources, the Ministry invited applications from persons interested in becoming, among other things, pharmacy and rehabilitation assistants, audiological practitioners, medical laboratory and x-ray technicians, community dental therapists and environmental health workers.

According to the Minister, these programmes were scheduled to begin in September but will now begin in the last week of October.

Ramsammy also said that part of the midwifery training programme will begin in the last week of November while the other will start in January.

Additionally, he explained that the commencement of training programmes for nursing will be pushed back to February 2010.

“All the applications were destroyed in the fire so we are currently taking in applications,” he said.

The deadline for these applications is October 30, and it is hoped that approximately 500 nurses will be trained.

Ramsammy acknowledged that there was work to be done on the building that facilitates the tutoring sessions.

The building needs to be upgraded as there is an increase in the student intake and the way teaching is done presently calls for a more contemporary facility.

As to the question of inadequate tutors for the nursing programme, Ramsammy said this was not an issue.

“We do not have a shortage in tutors,” the Minister said firmly.

He pointed out the ‘concerns’ raised about inadequacies of the programme come from some persons who are resistant to an increase in the size of the classes.

“Yes, there are legitimate complaints, but I remain unconvinced that we can’t resolve this,” Ramsammy said.

The Minister explained that innovative measures can be put in place to address the challenges that face the nursing programme.

According to the Minister, Guyana to date has approximately 1,500 nurses.

President dismisses Mayor’s garbage pile-up claims as ‘lame’

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed as spurious, claims by Georgetown Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green, that the government is to be blamed for the insanitary state the city is in, particularly with regard to the garbage pile-up in recent weeks.

Speaking at a press briefing Friday on the lawns of his official State House residence, the President did not seem inclined to waste much breath on the matter, except to say that City Hall was up to its old tricks as usual, or words to that effect, and that anyone with even a modicum of commonsense would recognise that the problems the entity is facing are being caused by poor leadership, inefficiency and lack of accountability on their own part.

Noting that he was well aware of the problems facing the city, the President dismissed initiatives put forward by Green perhaps to remedy the situation as “ two-by-two,” saying they were not enough to raise even a fraction of the money the Government spends on the City.

“If you look at every road in the City … Campbellville, Main Street, Robb Street, Lamaha Street, Regent Street, Norton Street … almost every road has been fixed by Central Government to the tune of billions of dollars, “ he said, adding: “Every year, we fix all the roads in the city …”

Listing the number of things the government has done over the years to help City Hall meet its obligations, President Jagdeo said: “We bought pumps and transferred those to the City; we paid for drainage and irrigation; we have hired a few hundred people, who are working in drainage and irrigation in the city; we have paid for the dumpsite; we have bailed them out in the past; we are spending US$10M on creating a new dumpsite; we pay the largest taxes in the city… all of these have been done in the past. We even announced a $120M help to them just to cut grass and they can’t efficiently implement that.”

Noting that clearly, the City Council cannot manage the programmes at reference, President Jagdeo also said he knew all about the “cozy deals” it has had with some contractors in the past, and about the system whereby citizens had to pay for the disposal of garbage by weight, when in fact the refuse loaded onto the trucks was never ever weighed.

“So I just see as lame the excuse that Hamilton Green is making; he is from a different era, and clearly, I am not working with him,” he told reporters.

He said however that if Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, is in favour of getting a group of decent citizens to take over the management of the City, he will support his decision.

He was yesterday scheduled to meet with Deputy Mayor, Mr. Robert Williams, other officials of the Council, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, Local Government Minister, Mr. Kellawan Lall and Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn to see what can be done to help the City and its citizens. There was no mention of his wanting to meet with Green, whom he earlier inferred had outlived his usefulness, or to use his own words: “…the now obsolete Mayor of Georgetown.”

What he did say was: “I at least have to work with the people in the City Council who are a little decent and hardworking to see what further assistance can be given to the City.”

Government saves the day, so City can pay its debts

IN AN effort to ensure that residents of the city are not inconvenienced further, Government has committed to paying its rates and taxes for the third quarter of 2009 in advance so that the contractors can receive payment and resume garbage collection by tomorrow.

The commitment was made during a meeting between members of the City Council and the Ministers of Finance; Local Government and Regional Development and Transport and Hydraulics. Members of the council attending the meeting included Town Clerk (ag), Ms Yonette Pluck; City Treasurer, Mr. Andrew Meredith; and City Engineer, Mr. Gregory Erskine.

Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, told members of the media that Government’s rates and taxes for the third quarter, which is not yet due, amounts to $41M, and this amount along with a supplementary portion of $4M from the City Council will be paid to the two contractors and the operator of the dumpsite.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Kellawan Lall was given the assurance by the two main garbage collection companies -- Cevon’s Waste Management Service and Puran Brothers Waste Disposal Services -- that work will resume tomorrow. The companies, which are collectively owed $75M for three months’ work, will receive their payments tomorrow.

Minister Singh stated that the meeting served to lay a basis for ongoing engagement between the Council and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and that the officers have made it clear that Government does not have any outstanding payments to the municipality. This clarification came in light of recent allegations that Government has been starving the Council of funds.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn noted that there needs to be a change in the attitude and culture at the City’s management level, along with a change in the management team, since the Council has failed in its obligations to the residents of the city.

Minister Lall pointed out that the city is in a perilous state and that management issues are of major concern. He stated that there is need for an efficient system which will deliver quality service. The council’s expenditure amounts to more than the $1.2 billion in rates and taxes that is collected every year.

Outlining the Council’s failure in expanding its revenue base, the Minister pointed out that Congress Place owes the Council over $100M in taxes, but no effort has been made to have this debt serviced.

Referring to a recently-aired programme on the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN) titled ‘The City Hall Issue’, where the Ministers voiced their concerns, the Finance Minister highlighted several instances where Government fully financed the construction of projects within the City including roads and drainage and irrigation, which is the responsibility of the council.

Referring to the issue of rates and taxes, the Minister stated that Government, over the years, has been continually paying its taxes for government properties in and around the city in a prompt manner for which it has received relevant statements. He noted that from 2005 to 2009 Government has paid the council over $700M and has paid for the first two quarters of this year.

The Ministers again highlighted the need for urgent restructuring within the Council since issues of mismanagement and lack of supervision were highlighted as major bottlenecks.

Minister Lall stated that persistent mismanagement is the root cause of the problems being encountered by the City since there is no proper plan and he said there is need for the body to tailor its activities to match its funds.

Minister Benn reiterated that the bulk of the work done in the city is facilitated by Central Government and he noted that if the council was doing its job then Government would have been able to do much more for the City and Guyana.

Government has already spent over $3B on a number of initiatives in the city which includes $1.9M on the maintenance and rehabilitation of city roads, over $200M on the rehabilitation of canals and pumps and $230M on municipal markets and abattoirs, the Minister said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed between Government and the Council for a special programme where Government provides $10M a month to the council to be used for cleaning works in the city.

Minister Singh also stated that at the completion of the Haag Bosch solid waste management programme, Government would have spent $3.7B.

Additionally, the Minister stated that Government remains committed to the holding of local government elections as early as possible to ensure that the residents of the Capital City and the country receive proper services. He further pointed out that residents should hold the city officials responsible, since they pay rates and taxes and should enquire what is being done with the money they pay on an annual basis.

GUYSUCO Estates continue to record positive gains during the 2nd crop

Optimism is high that the second crop target for GuySuCo will be achieved.


This optimism comes as several estates recorded positive gains, beginning with the fact that for the fourth consecutive week production exceeded 10,000 tonnes of sugar. Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, Enmore and Wales estates workers earned an additional day’s pay each for exceeding their target for the week.


This trend was not realised since mid 2000.


Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Mr. Errol Hanoman in acknowledging the achievement, remarked that it is a tangible milestone as the Corporation accelerates its drive towards a sustained improvement in overall production.


He also cited the workers and management’s high morale as a significant factor in achieving the target.


The CEO disclosed that the Corporation has acquired a molasses storage facility that is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The geo-membrane facility has a capacity for 15,000 tonnes and is currently being installed at Skeldon Estate.


The performance trials on the punt dumper at Skeldon commenced yesterday. The design capacity of the dumper caters for 350 tonnes of cane per hour and the tests will be undertaken over two eight-hour periods.

Meanwhile, over at the Enmore Estate on the East Coast of Demerara, pile driving and civil works have commenced on Project Gold, and designs which were recently submitted by the Contractor are currently being reviewed.


The multi-million dollar project aims at establishing GuySuCo’s second sugar packaging facility which will have four times the capacity of Blairmont

Lula pledges to help Guyana build hydro-power plant

BRAZIL’S President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday pledged to help Guyana build an 800MW hydro-power plant in the Middle Mazaruni, identified as a priority by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and Luiz Inacio da Silva at the Takutu Bridge

His announcement came at the historic formal opening of the border Takutu Bridge which President Jagdeo said opens new vistas for the two neighbours and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Lula and Mr. Jagdeo were chief guests at the ceremony witnessed also by members of Brazil’s Congress, the Governor of Roraima State, which borders Guyana, and other top officials from both countries.

President Jagdeo warmly praised Lula for taking time off to be at the ceremony and for his support for including Guyana and Suriname more in the integration of South American countries.

Guyana sees the bridge as the gateway for the Caribbean Community to South America and Lula announced that Brazil will host the first Brazil-CARICOM summit next year, noting that a strong Caribbean presence is needed in South American integration.

He said the two sides are “indispensable partners” in building greater integration in the region.

The Takutu Bridge is one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), an initiative by South American governments to build a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports and energy and communications interconnections.

Also on the cards with the new bridge link are a quality highway from Linden to Lethem and a deep water harbour on the Berbice River, which will offer Brazil a cheaper and faster route through the Atlantic Ocean for exports from its northern regions, including Roraima.

In tandem with the new bridge, Guyana and Brazil have been discussing plans for the hydro-power project in the Middle Mazaruni with support from the Brazilian government.

President Jagdeo recently met Charge d’ Affaires of the Brazilian embassy here, Minister Rodrigo Fonseca, and two representatives of Andrade Gutierrez Construction, Gianfranco Miceli, Commercial Director, and Pablo Arruda, Business Director, to discuss the possibility of establishing the hydro-power station.

Lula yesterday said Brazil is ready to have Brazilian firms finance construction of hydro-power plants here and announced that a Brazilian Minister will be in Guyana on October 3 or 4 for further discussions.

He said electricity from hydro-power stations here can also be used in Roraima State and Guyana can benefit from the success of that state in producing soya bean and rice.

At the ceremony, President Jagdeo said the bridge marks the fulfillment of a dream long held by Guyanese, pointing out that its completion faced many obstacles.

Noting that Guyana and Brazil share a common continental and hemispheric destiny, he said the bridge has implications for greater trade and economic activities and opens new vistas to be explored between the two countries and the Caribbean.

The bridge opens the way for CARICOM, through Guyana, to one of the top 10 economies of the world, the President pointed out.

“The message is clear”, he said, adding that despite recent improvements, there is vast room for improvement in trade between Guyana and Brazil and between Brazil and CARICOM.

The bridge link is to be complemented by an improved Lethem-to-Linden road, better air links between Guyana and Brazil, a deep water harbour, hydro-power projects and a fibre optic cable between the two countries, he said.

Mr. Jagdeo declared that Guyana’s vision is clear and its political will is resolute for advancing ties with Brazil.

He welcomed the statement of support from Lula and said Guyana is committed to finding the resources and partnerships to develop other aspects of the deeper integration plans.

The President said Guyana sees its future and prosperity tied to that of Roraima State and vowed to do whatever it takes to improve relations between the two countries.

He also promised that improving consular services in Lethem will be given priority.

On the proposed hydro-power plant, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that during the recent meeting here, Miceli explained that some of the energy would be integrated into Guyana’s national power grid with the rest being purchased by Brazil for consumption by the state of Roraima.

“As soon as we develop all the necessary agreements with the Guyana authorities and the Brazilian authorities, this project should most probably start some time next year to be completed in 2015 when the first turbine should be generating,” Miceli stated.

Minister Persaud meets with Leguan farmers

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud Friday met with farmers from Leguan, Region Three, to discuss matters related to improving farming conditions on the island.


Drainage and irrigation was highlighted as the major concern among farmers and emphasis was focused on finding a possible solution to the benefit of everyone.


Minster Persaud said that the solution should not only focus on the short-term but also in the long-run. He explained that while much emphasis is on drainage, irrigation should also be taken seriously, taking into consideration the changing weather pattern.

With the new conservancy dam, Minister Persaud looked at the possibility of 90% of the farmers benefitting from irrigation.


Minster Persaud believed that many positives could come out of the island and that residents deserve better conditions.


After receiving inputs from farmers, Minster Persaud said that within two weeks the ministry would review the drainage and irrigation system and come up with a better solution.


Other issues brought up by the farmers were the pricing of the paddy set by millers and the increase of land rental. Minster Persaud reiterated that Government cannot fix the price for paddy but will be monitoring the situation.


At a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Persaud suggested that three representatives from both the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and the millers meet on a fortnightly basis, along with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), to share information and examine the trend.


With regards to land rental, Minister Persaud urged farmers not to pay the hike unless it has been awarded by the Rice Assessment Committee. He believes that with the current challenges facing the farmers, it is unfair and unjust to raise the rent.


While having discussions on improving farming conditions, Minister Persaud again encouraged farmers to diversify. He said that demand for agricultural commodities are very volatile and that farmers should not be dependent on one product.

Guyana presses adaptation in climate change battle

Guyana country representative on the HLAC is Mr. Shyam Nokta, Head of the Office of Climate Change in the Office of the President, and Chairman of the National Climate Change Committee.

According to Nokta, who attended a meeting of the HLAC in Port of Spain, Trinidad last month, at the current stage of the process, specialists are working on the macro-economy, agriculture, energy, tourism and water sectors, and preliminary reports have been completed.

These studies have been taking a comprehensive look at the sectors in the region, and examining the implications of future climate change, using several modeling frameworks. The studies have also been covering the work being done in other regions of the world.

Nokta emphasised that adapting to climate change is a critical issue for many developing countries, including the small island developing states (SIDS) and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean. He indicated that adaptation will be one of the key areas of focus for the Copenhagen Climate Meeting, and as a region, the Caribbean has been working closely with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in the UN negotiating process leading up to Copenhagen.

Elaborating on the context of adaptation nationally, Nokta said adaptation to climate change is an ongoing activity, particularly along Guyana’s coastal regions which are below sea level and where the majority of the country’s population resides. He indicated that adaptation to climate change is an integral part of the LCDS.

Referring to Guyana’s draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), he pointed out that in the coastal regions, including Georgetown, flooding is a major adaptation challenge for Guyana.

By 2030, the annual loss due to flooding in Guyana is projected to be US$150 million (or close to 10 per cent of current GDP). Additionally, an extreme event similar to the serious flooding in 2005, which resulted in losses equivalent to 60 per cent of GDP, could result in some US$0.8 billion in losses and harm to more than 320,000 people.

Given these potential losses, investing in the most beneficial adaptation measures would significantly increase estimated national income in Guyana, and would likely be essential to attracting investors.

The Office of the President has identified a portfolio of urgent, near-term investments in the highest priority areas where the population and economic activity are concentrated. These investments include:

Upgrading infrastructure and assets to protect against flooding through urgent, near-term measures by maintaining and upgrading drainage systems; maintaining and reinforcing the ocean seawall, which protects most of the low-lying coastal areas from the Atlantic; and repairing the conservancy (which protects Georgetown and most of the East Coast from overflow water). In addition, these initiatives include implementation initiatives to improve sanitation and water and flood-proofing health clinics.

Addressing systematic and behavioral concerns: These initiatives include strengthening building codes and expanding the early warning system and building an emergency response system.

Developing financial and risk/insurance measures to boost resiliency post-flooding. These are contingent funds (cash reserve and contingent capital) to provide immediate financial ability to respond following the flooding.

Switching to flood resistant crops.

Establishing the climate change adaptation needs of Guyana’s hinterland regions, including forest communities. Initial scoping work has identified the need to empolder communities, build new river defenses, and introduce new seed varieties for crops.

According to Nokta, funds garnered from the implementation of the LCDS could help to further support current initiatives in these areas.

A concept paper noted that in spite of various initiatives, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries continue to experience challenges in addressing the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Additionally, it said the impending economic impacts of global climate change on developing countries, and in particular small island economies, are cause for concern.

It is expected that at the end of this project, key decision-making stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean would be aware of impending climate change, as well as the projected impacts on the economies of their countries, and be so empowered to take collective action in planning for these impacts.

The paper said that in this regard, regional climate change policies should be integrated into the development of national action plans to address changes expected to be associated with impending climate change.

The independent review for the British government by former World Bank economist, Sir Nicholas Stern titled, ‘The Economics of Climate Change’, examines the evidence on the economic impacts of climate change itself, and explores the economics of stabilising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

It also considers the complex policy challenges involved in managing the transition to a low-carbon economy, and in ensuring that societies can adapt to the consequences of climate change that can no longer be avoided.

The Stern Review considers the economic costs of the impacts of climate change, and the costs and benefits of action to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause it.

The current ECLAC project is being executed in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) over a two-year period. It will benefit the national energy agencies and research centres in the Caribbean and Finance and Environmental ministries initially in nine Caribbean countries, including Guyana.

ECLAC is the lead agency managing the project, with a Caribbean Steering Committee overseeing the implementation in this sub region.

It is within this context that ECLAC, in collaboration with the CCCCC, would convene a meeting of the HLAC to continue its mandate for consulting with regional stakeholders to arrive at a common strategy and position at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.

The HLAC meetings, in the run-up to the Copenhagen summit, hope to arrive at a regional coordinated approach to the post-2012 Kyoto Protocol negotiations so that the Caribbean region would present a united, uniformed and strengthened position at the meeting.

Bare jiggery-pokery in the PNCR party...

Norton and his supporters also left the voting area and were overheard saying that the process was being rigged. Some persons produced ballot papers which did not have the standardized stamp at the back of them...

Whilst the jiggery- pokery continues in the PNCR party the PPP continues to strive for excellence...

The commitment of our President has proven to many across the world that Guyana can make it, we are amongst the developing countries, we have financial viability and sound macroeconomic fundamentals...

Business in Guyana has rebounded, future looks good

CHAIRMAN of the Ogle Airport Inc. Board, Mr. Michael Correia (Jr.) has said that, in spite of the global financial crisis, business in Guyana is expected to do well for the rest of this year.

Speaking Wednesday at the international certification of the Ogle Aerodrome, he said the global problem only affected this country slightly in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.

But business, generally, rebounded in the second quarter and is looking good for the remainder of the year, Correia told the gathering, which included President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, other Government Ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Recalling that he returned from Canada in 1981, he said, since that time, he has lived here and seen the country progress from when only rice flour was available to now that one can buy just about anything.

Correia declared that, today, he sees a Guyana that has better economic prospects, over the next five to ten years, than ever before.

He said Guyana is no longer considered a highly indebted country by the international community and foreign debt servicing is now down to less than five per cent of Government revenue which is generated mainly from the taxes paid.

“Most Private Sector companies cannot boast of such a low debt service ratio. Guyana’s foreign currency reserves have increased dramatically,” Correia contended.

He said inflation is stable and in single digits, adding: “These macro-economic fundamentals, as the President constantly reminds us, are impressive and will ensure that our free floating currency remains strong.”

Correia said Guyana can anticipate a continued stable exchange rate in the foreseeable future and access to foreign exchange which was once an enormous problem but is now a non-issue.

“Access to finance is now more readily available and at lower interest rates. Our banking sector is one of the strongest and most profitable in our economy,” he observed.

Correia also noted that the telecommunication sector continues to grow with increased competition and “provides the platform for our people to electronically integrate with the global society.”

He mentioned, too, the country’s natural resources and its environment, stating: “This is not just optimism. These are the facts and they are real.”

Correia said the future prospects for hydropower, oil, gas and low carbon credit developments, as promoted by President Jagdeo, actually, do look promising, once they are taken over a longer horizon.

He said the farming culture and fertile lands provide Guyana, once again, with the opportunity to become the breadbasket of the Caribbean in an environment of growing global demand for food.

Volda Lawrence on a role!!!

Amid chaotic scenes yesterday, Volda Lawrence was elected Chairman of the PNCR’s Georgetown District trouncing incumbent Aubrey Norton by 220 votes to 96 but last night persons close to the Norton camp were charging that the process had been hijacked and would be challenged within the party....

The Georgetown District sends the most delegates to the congress of the party and yesterday’s outcome could be pivotal to party leader Robert Corbin retaining his post. Lawrence, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, is seen as a Corbin ally and someone who could promote his candidacy. Sources say had Norton won he would have been in a better position to mount a leadership challenge. The last congress had already seen an acrimonious parting between the Corbin faction and Team Alexander – led by Vincent Alexander – and culminated in the recall of James McAllister from Parliament.

By the time the results of the election were announced at around 6 pm, Norton and most of his supporters had left Congress Place, Sophia labelling the election process a fraud.

However, after the announcement of the new office bearers was made, Corbin, installed the new officers, and said that no one can question the will of the Georgetown members and he urged that they all unite to ensure that the party wins the upcoming local government elections.

The party in a release last evening said that “after a vigorous campaign”, Lawrence along with Hazel Pinder, vice-chairman; Sheila Prescott, secretary and Linda Gomes, treasurer were

elected. Committee members are Kevin Rose, Vibert Hart and Eon Andrews.

The party said that the congress saw more than 1000 delegates and observers from 29 party groups and five youth groups participating in yesterday’s process.

‘Sad day’
Winston Murray

Winston Murray

As the ballot papers were being distributed for the voting for chairman, chaos erupted as persons were heard shouting that they were not receiving any ballot papers while others claimed that some persons were receiving more than one ballot paper. This saw some of them jumping to their feet and engaging in shouting matches.

One man who wanted to make his voice heard stood at the microphone screaming that the process was being rigged and he suggested to Returning Officer Robert Williams that the delegates move by rows to the head table to vote instead of sharing out the ballot papers as that process was supporting rigging.

“We cannot want to go to the PPP/C and talk about rigging elections when we are doing the same here, this must end now we must stop this and we must start doing things right now,” the man shouted into the microphone. And while he had many supporters there were others who were very angry with his outburst. One man got so angry at his outburst that he wrenched the microphone from his hands, and this saw several persons, including party leader-hopeful Dr Richard Van West Charles, jumping to their feet and running to the man’s assistance.

After some minutes of shouting, Corbin was forced to take the microphone at the podium and literally begged and sometimes demanded that persons take their seats. He described the situation as a “sad day” and asked his members if they wanted him to become ill again.

After about 10 minutes persons returned to their seats and voted for the chairman and Stabroek News observed that some of them even followed the ballot boxes all the way to the room where the ballots were counted.

However, the earlier chaos seemed to have turned many off and they chose to leave Congress Place even before the voting process was over. Parliamentarians Debra Backer and Winston Murray were some of the more prominent persons who left.

Norton and his supporters also left the voting area and were overheard saying that the process was being rigged. Some persons produced ballot papers which did not have the standardised stamp at the back of them.

“This is bare jiggery-pokery,” Norton told one of his supporters.

Prior to the elections some persons were openly heard voicing their objections to their names not being found on the list of delegates.

“My name not there but me ent fighting because dem wouldn’t want me to fight,” one woman said as she was advised by another that she should have checked before yesterday to ensure that her name was on the list. In the weeks leading up to the vote there had been complaints from Van West Charles about transparency at Congress Place.

There was obviously some friction between those who supported Lawrence and Norton and they openly displayed this, even using expletiv
es to get their points over.
“Nuff a dem wah talking, is Miss Lawrence who help dem children to grow up and now deh talking,” one obviously upset woman said.

Another said she was accused of wanting to vote for Lawrence by someone in Norton’s camp and she said while she knows Norton from since she was a small child she should be allowed to vote for whoever she sees fit.

Some persons last evening said while they had no problem with Lawrence they do not believe that she has what it takes to mobilise people to come out and vote.

“Is bare stupidness happening, them don’t care about this party, number one [Robert Corbin] is no leader and he should have stepped down since the last elections when he lose so badly but no, he holding on and now he pushing for Lawrence to win even though he know it is not in the best interest of the party,” one member said.

Soon after, Norton and many of his supporters exited Congress Place and there were no dissenting voices when the announcement was finally made, only jubilation.

‘Spirited’
Following the voting and the announcement of the office bearers Corbin described the elections as one that was expected from a political party as he said “if we can’t have a spirited election in the party how we can have a spirited election in the nation.”

“Of course we would use all our skills to get through but at the end of the day it is the electorate that makes the final decision… and I would like to congratulate those who stayed through to the end,” the party leader said. He told the members who remained that they would be victorious and in relation to the others “ultimately we are from the same fold, the People’s National Congress Reform, it is for us to embrace each other and to move forward as a united party because there are some people who believe they can’t function unless [they are leading] but you cannot be a good leader if you are not a good follower.”

He urged the members to give the newly elected members of the executive their support for the next year. He asked the new executive to make the Georgetown District into one united army and ensure that the party in victorious at the upcoming local government election.

“And for those who were concerned about the elections, I am glad I was here today so that I would not be hearing second-(hand) reports,” he said, adding that while there are a few reports that the party’s general secretary would have to investigate he believes “from these resounding results there can be no doubt about the general will of the members of the Georgetown District…”

Meanwhile, sources close to Norton’s camp last evening said that he would seek to deal with yesterday’s election at the party level as according to them many of the decisions put in place at the election were lawless. They said that they were not able to have all their delegates vote as there was no roll call and people were given more than one ballot paper. There were more ballot papers than people, and according to them this should not have been.

‘Impotent’

And former Chairman of the party, Winston Murray in an address prior of the election said that the leadership of the party has become “impotent” which has resulted in the present day government “taking their eyes and pass us.”

Murray in a very impassioned but short address said that he is “hurt” when he says how the government has no regard for the party and he said this is mainly due to the weak leadership.

Admitting that he also has to take some blame for the weak leadership as up to recently he was part of it, Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its leadership to take its membership to the streets. This statement resulted in loud applause from the very vocal audience.

However, he cautioned that when the party called for its members to take to the streets “many of you stay in your homes.”

Murray had announced his resignation as chairman of the party and stated that that the party’s public departure from a position he took on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has made it “impossible” to continue to hold the office with credibility.

Meanwhile, Murray said there is no reason for the party to apologise for anything it might have done during its 28 years of governing the country.

He said that every government has made mistakes and added that the party stands proud of its record. Murray said those who are calling for an apology have their own agendas and they should be ignored.

Corbin while wrapping up the first session of the conference supported Murray’s stance of the party offering no apology but he did not address Murray’s statement that the party’s leadership is weak.

Corbin said that the party has addressed the apology issue on a number of occasions in the past and it is not something it is going to spend much time on.

And yesterday there was great displeasure among some party members over what they termed as the “thuggish” behaviour of some of their fellow members. They complained about loud and obnoxious heckling by some members while persons were making points, stating that this was very disrespectful and unhelpful to the party.

“They are not even listening to what the people are saying, and these are some of the issues that keep people away from the party,” one woman complained.

She said she has long been told that the party “lacked middle management, such as the nurses and the teachers, we are not attracting these people and it is hurting the party.” She said that some of the members need to stop behaving in a manner that hurts the party’s public image.

According to the party’s release Corbin in his opening address reminded the conference that the party had always been inclusive and accommodated different views and opinions. He said that if anyone doubted the fact all they had to do “is to look around the room and see the faces of those who from time to time had different views and ideas but did not have to leave the party.” The release said the party leader advised that at the end of the day, “it was performance and work by which each member of the District will be judged. There must be involvement with the community and its members, an essential task as the local government elections are slated to be held this year.”

Van West Charles and Murray to form Political Party!

Reports from our usually reliable sources indicate that the spill-out from the recent PNC/R leadership imbroglio has resulted in moves by Winston Murray, Van West Charles and Co. to form their own political party. The initiative has managed to attract big names such as Stanley Ming, Vincent Alexander, James Mc Allister, Aubrey Norton, Andrew Hicks, Jerome Khan and many others, all of whom have had falling-outs with the current leader, Robert Corbin. An aggressive recruitment drive has already begun in Linden and the proposed name for the party is being touted as PNC or Peoples National Congress.

Reports also suggest that they have chosen to use an image of Cuffy as the party's symbol, a path that was also taken by Burnham back in 1955 after his failed bid to take the leadership of the PPP resulted in his expulsion.

Mormons, PNC/R and Destitution

Mormons perhaps felt PNCR knows best about destitution
THE PNCR says its relationship with the American created Mormon Church is one that helps the destitute in Guyanese society.
A party spokesperson explained that some time ago the Mormons approached them “for assistance in reaching out” to poor and needy communities.
This was most astute of the Mormons who must have realised that this is the party responsible for moving Guyana from becoming the bread basket of the Caribbean to becoming a nation poorer that Haiti. Maybe the church leaders thought that if they wanted to know destitution, they should contact the PNCR.
Still, you have to be wary whenever the PNCR cottons up to an American Church. People can still recall the alleged links the party had with the American Jim Jones and his Jonestown “church” and later it was arm in arm with the House of Israel, which was founded by the late American fugitive, David Hill, or as he was known in Guyana, the Rabbi Edward Washington.
JUSTIN de FREITAS

PNC protesters show no respect for the Naitonal Anthem!

As the newly constructed East La Penitence Health Center is being commissioned as I type, a group of PNC protesters consisting of the usual, senior citizens and the unemployed and numbering around 15 to 20 in persons converged in front of the facility and continued to chant and shout to the top of their voice despite the playing the the national anthem, much to the annoyance of those gathered there.

If this is the the PNC/R's idea of a peaceful protest then I certainly wouldn't like to witness one that is not peaceful in nature.

President Jagdeo commissions US$330,000 Health Centre

A gift of a spanking new US$330,000 Health Centre at East La Penitence – compliments of the United States Government, was yesterday commissioned President Bharrat Jagdeo.


The Centre, constructed by the 876 the Engineer Company (Vertical) and soldiers of the 878 Engineer Battalion Georgia Army National Guard for the people of East La Penitence, Greater Georgetown, was commissioned during a ceremony which simultaneously brought the curtain down on a successful four-month New Horizons humanitarian Project here in Guyana.


The New Horizons Guyana programme is one designed to strengthen U.S ties with partner nations in Central and South America, through combined quality-of-life improvement projects.


In Guyana’s case, all the quality-of-life improvements projects are being done at a cost of US$9M.


Those at the commissioning included Charge d’ Affairs of the United States Embassy Ms. Karen Williams; Health Ministers Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Bheri Ramsaran; PAHJO/WHO Director Dr. Kathleen Israel; Lt. Colonel Patrick Keenan, Head of the team executing the project New Horizons Project in Guyana; Commodore Gary Best of the Guyana Defence Force); Deputy Mayor Robert Williams; and Head of Regional Health Services Dr. Janice Woolford.


President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking to the New Horizons team, observed: “What you are doing here is allowing us to expand one of the critical tasks that we have set ourselves – that is to provide a better service to our people.”

President Jagdeo noted that health care and delivery to the people of Guyana is an important to national development, adding that it is particularly difficult to deliver on these objectives because of insufficient financial resources.


He spoke of strengthening training programmes for medical personnel, as staffing the many hospitals being established around the country will demand ‘ an aggressive training programme.


And Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy, Ms. Karen Williams, stating how delighted she was to be a part of the programme, had words of congratulations and support for the New Horizons team and other stakeholders.


“We are thrilled to have been able to work with the people of Guyana over the last four months,” she stated.

For her, the key word was ‘partnership’, stressing: “When reflecting on all the activities in which New Horizons was engaged in Guyana over the last three months, I don’t see just what the US Government and US military have come here to work out, but I see a partnership…. a sharing of the friendship of the United States on a continuing basis. I see all the people who worked on this together.”

Ms. Wiliams traced the US humanitarian work in Guyana back to 2004, with medical clinics among other things, being held in Georgetown and surgeries in Linden, Corrriverton, Bel Air, Timehri and other locations.


Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Patrick Keenan, USAF, who also commented briefly on the project, stated what a pleasure it was to have been allowed to conduct the project here in Guyana, and thanked members of his team for their dedication and the long hours of work they put in o make the project a success. He was particularly appreciative of the sacrifice the team made through being away from their families for the duration of the project, and working alongside their counterparts from the Guyana Defence Force


The programme was chaired by Dr. Bheri Ramsarran who also expressed gratitude to the Government of America and New Horizons team, and gave an overview of Government’s plans for the development of the health sector.

President for high-level climate change meetings

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is to attend two high-level meetings in New York where he will continue to plug Guyana’s avoided deforestation model as a key plank in the global climate change programme.


On Tuesday, he is also billed to be at a Caribbean Community ministerial meeting in Saint Lucia to articulate the region’s climate change priorities for the negotiations leading up to and at the United Nations summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.


Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday told reporters the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee headed by Mr. Jagdeo to oversee the three-month national consultations on Guyana’s draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), is reviewing all available feedback as the basis of coming up with a second draft for the Copenhagen meeting.


The British Government has renewed its support for the LCDS by supporting the Project Management Office of the Office of the President set up to attract outside investment in specific low carbon sectors, among other initiatives.


British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Fraser Wheeler, on Wednesday, said the British support the initiative as a progressive model that seeks to combine national economic development with the international climate change mitigation plan.


He was speaking at his residence where he presented University of Guyana lecturer Donna Ramdial with the British Chevening Scholarship to pursue studies in Environmental Forestry in the United Kingdom.


Updating the media on progress on the LCDS yesterday, Luncheon told his weekly post-Cabinet news briefing that the government’s intention was to use the consultative process to refine the LCDS and that review has commenced.


He reported “widespread interest and burgeoning support” from stakeholders and said the Guyanese model of avoided deforestation was emphasized in the consultations, particularly for its specific contributions to the national response to climate change.


Equally emphasized during the consultations, he said, was the bigger picture of financing of development of Guyana.


He said Mr. Jagdeo, at the New York meetings, will continue the international focus on Guyana’s offer, dealing with the merits and uniqueness of its avoided deforestation model.


These meetings are to maintain the momentum needed for a successful conclusion to the Copenhagen summit, he explained.


The New York summit is being convened by Mr. Ban – who has deemed 2009 the “year of climate change” – ahead of the UN conference in Copenhagen during which countries will seek to agree on a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions, whose commitment period ends in 2012.


The CARICOM Secretariat here yesterday said that in conjunction with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), it has scheduled a ministerial level meeting for the region’s foreign affairs practitioners and technicians on Monday and Tuesday in Saint Lucia.


It said President Jagdeo, Saint Lucia Prime Minister Stephenson King and CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin Carrington will address the opening of the ministerial meeting.
King has lead responsibility among CARICOM leaders for climate change.

President Jagdeo lauds initiative of Ogle Airport Inc.

“Today, I see a Guyana that has better economic prospects, over the next 5 – 10 years, that ever before” said Mike Correia, Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc., to an audience comprising members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministers of the Government, heads of major organizations and other dignitaries, and special invitees.


This was on the occasion of the landmark certification of Ogle Airport as an international airport at the Terminal Building at Ogle yesterday.


President Jagdeo, delivering the feature address, and who had also delivered the feature address during the occasions of the laying of the cornerstone on 17th September 2003, and the first official opening of Phase 1 of this development on 16th March 2007, congratulated everyone who have been involved in the project over the many years until it reached the point where it will be opened to international traffic.


The President commended the initiative as an excellent project, but warned against complacency in the fructification of such welcome and important contributions to the development of our country because of the need to move on to other developmental projects.


He appealed to the private sector for even more involvement and partnerships in such ventures, where there are huge opportunities for private investors to make money, and through those partnerships, for the Government to provide the essential services that our people so badly require for their development.


Speaking of breaking new frontiers, the President said that this project will add to Government’s conception of where we should go in terms of developing transport infrastructure in Guyana – transport infrastructure that supports the growth of our country.


He spoke of the elements of the system that comprise the air transport sector and said that there are other aspects of transportation that are vital for the development of our country, such as deep-water harbours, good roads and better ferry services, among others.


He gave the assurance that the Government has ongoing projects in all these areas that are still in the deal-making stage and expressed the hope that the deals can soon be closed and the project-implementation stage begin. He also spoke of the lengthy but essential process prior to the implementation stage of making the Ogle International Airport a reality.


To approving applause, the President said that we are nearer to making the US$500 million hydropower scheme a reality.


He spoke of the importance of such partnerships between Private Sector and the Government to promote the developmental processes of our country.


The President described as essential a prior need to create the enabling environment for successful entrepreneurial activities, such as a stable economy –stable macro-economic fundamentals, to send the right signals to investors that the Government was serious about managing the affairs of this country in a responsible manner.


President Jagdeo alluded to the fiscal deficit that existed in the past, which severely inhibited socio-economic growth, but he said that, through prudent management of the nation’s fiscal situation, we have reached a level where the environment is now conducive to investments of this nature.


Speaking of the significant spending in rebuilding infrastructure which has transformed Guyana in the recent past, the President said that Guyana’s infrastructures in every sector are light years from what they were in the past, but he reiterated that the country needs to continue its developmental impetus, despite the objections and criticisms of detractors.


He spoke of building at scale, positing that, while small and cottages industries are important, large-scale investments – such as farming on plantation levels, especially in the hinterland, are an imperative and that the Government’s partnership in conjunction with the private sector – with the right mix, is important for the development of this nation, which will have many spin-off benefits to everyone.


It was an uplifting experience to listen to the scion of the Correia family, who have invested in various areas of entrepreneurship in Guyana, even while others were packing their bags and leaving these shores for what they perceive as greener pastures, speak so glowingly of the possibilities and potentials inherent in the developmental paradigm of Guyana, even as others paint the bleakest pictures of this land.


And this optimistic approach to endeavour and achievement – even to the extent of turning negatives into positives, is what has propelled families like the Correias, as well as the other investors who comprise the Ogle Airstrip Inc. (OAI), into concretizing dreams into reality.


Correia recalled returning to Guyana from Canada in 1981 at age 20, when only rice flour was available on store shelves, and compared that to current times when just about anything can be purchased.


Correia told his attentive audience “I believe it important that we reinforce the fact that Guyana is no longer considered ‘a highly-indebted country’ by the international community.


“Our foreign debt servicing is now down to less than 5% of Government revenue.”


According to Correia, most private sector companies cannot boast of such a low debt service ratio.


He quoted the President as saying that Guyana’s foreign currency reserves have now reached the highest in our history and that inflation is stable and in single digits.


“Access to foreign exchange, once an enormous problem, is now a non-issue for businesses in Guyana. Access to finance is now more readily-available, and at lower interest rates. Our banking sector is one of the strongest, and most profitable, in our country”, informed Correia.


Waxing poetical, and anyone knowing of the love of the Correias for adventure, natural things, and Guyana’s interior regions would know of their quintessential harmonizing with nature, Correia elucidated that in the midst of all this development we can simultaneously enjoy our sea breezes, our pristine forests, and our magnificent waterfalls, through the careful management of our natural resources and our environment.


He posited that this is not just optimism, but very real facts.


Correia expressed the excitement of all the investors and operators of Ogle Airport at the formal certification of Ogle as Guyana’s second international airport, almost in juxtaposition with the opening of the Berbice River Bridge and the Takatu Bridge crossing Brazil.


According to Correia the launching of the Phase 11 expansion of this new international airport and the completion of a new 4000 ft runway will result in Ogle Airport being enabled to accommodate larger aircraft which can travel over longer distances. He said that the expansion and completion of Phase 11 will have a timeline of 12 – 18 months, but will be dependent on the duration of the rainy season.


“Mr. President, as I am sure you will agree, Guyana will continue to re-emerge within CARICOM as a force to be reckoned with, both politically and economically….Let us lead CARICOM from the front on the core issue of the CSME and the regional integration of our Caribbean people”, said Correia.


Speaking of the airport hub that connects the Caribbean to South America, Correia opined that regional air transportation is critically important to integration of the Caribbean community and that this initiative is a good start.


He spoke of billions of dollars that have already been wasted, and which will continue to be wasted, because of the need to plan and function as a region instead of individual countries, each operating its own airline, or a single monopoly airline operating inefficiently within CARICOM. He also suggested as an imperative a single airspace, governed by a Central Caribbean Aviation Authority, with offices in each country, with one set of regulations, one set of inspectors that regulate one common safety standard and one common CARICOM licence for pilots and engineers.


Correia informed his audience that a Caribbean Aviation and Security Oversight System has already been agreed on and that Guyana is a signatory to this, but he expressed the concern of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana that the concept needs to be expanded and prioritised as a critical objective of CARICOM.


Both the President and Mike Correia spoke at length on the need for partnerships that would create a win-win situation for everyone – in Guyana, and in the Region.

Kaieteur News’ “tabloidism” & the GPA’s silence!

The Observer: In Part 1, I confirmed what has long been suspected of the Kaieteur News with regards to its deliberateness in misleading the public. This characteristic of the newspaper was expounded on previously.

In this follow-up, at least two additional examples would be cited to further inveterate what is already pellucid in the minds of readers.


The first has to do with the newspaper’s coverage of the protest mounted by a group of concerned Guyanese. This group has been exercising their democratic right to freely protest which, by the way, has been restored by this administration.


They sought, through their peaceful actions, answers to issues of national importance from the Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) who is also a Member of the National Assembly. Their demonstration attracted the media, including the Kaieteur News.


What was reported by the newspaper and its pro-Opposition colleagues in the fraternity leaves much to be desired of those who proclaim to be professional journalists.


This section of the media sought to grill the group of concerned citizens as to the reason for their protest. Nothing is wrong with this in principle. However, what was given prominence was the reported reluctance of the protesters to talk.


This was despite them bearing placards and having informed this section of the media of the reason for their protest. The Kaieteur News strongly insinuated that the protesters may have been paid.


The newspaper further dedicated much of the space allocated to the said protest to bombard the public with the reported silence of the protesters. What about the real reason for their protest?


This was not the focus of the related articles the newspaper published. The reason I am focusing on this, is because the Kaieteur News and its colleagues alluded to, don’t question PNCR/AFC protesters.


Over the last few weeks a small band of PNCR/AFC supporters was involved in protest outside the Office of the President, State House and even a leading hotel where the President recently delivered an important speech.


While the newspaper is never hesitant to cover such protests, no questions were asked of those involved. They are never asked who is funding them. They are never asked why they were protesting. They are never asked who and where their leaders were. They are never subjected to questioning as compared to the many asked of the concerned group of Guyanese. How can this be considered professional and fair journalism?


This is the same newspaper that dedicates its pages to demand professionalism from others. Is it that only one group can protest? Is it that the newspaper and its political masters were surprised that concerned Guyanese can mount peaceful protests against the Opposition and its establishments?


An article in the Saturday, August 29, 2009 edition of the Kaieteur News, further demonstrates the newspaper’s biased reporting.


This is evident in the page 2 article captioned, “Picketers clash outside Congress Place”. The article was about a protest mounted by the said concerned group of Guyanese outside the PNCR Headquarters. During the said protest, a group of PNCR/AFC protesters arrived to counter protest.


Paragraph 3 stated, “This newspaper (the Kaieteur News) sought to solicit a comment from the group calling themselves ‘concerned citizens’ but was told that the placards they were bearing said everything”. Paragraph 3 stated, “When asked what the group hoped to achieved, they reiterated that the placards were speaking for them, but were vociferous in saying that they were not paid to conduct the activity”.


Why probe, after being told the reason for their protest? The newspaper carried a photograph captioned, “PNC supporters vs ‘Concerned citizens”. It showed the two set of protesters facing each other outside Congress Place. Again, why no questions were posed to the PNC supporters about their motive and funding? The article also stated in paragraph 5 that, “After about an hour-long standoff with the PNCR supporters seemingly defending the fort, some of the obviously agitated party members approached the concerned group and in the process managed to retrieve some of their placards which were promptly torn to shreds.


In other words, the PNCR supporters, as stated in the Kaieteur News, assaulted the concerned group and destroyed their placards. This concerned group was prevented from exercising their Constitutional right. Why wasn’t the focus of the Kaieteur News’ article the assault of peaceful protesters? Why wasn’t the story focused on the destruction of property?


What if it was the reverse i.e. the concerned group being engaged in the disruption of the PNCR’s protest? It that were the case, the Kaieteur News headline would have screamed “PPP thugs assault peaceful PNCR protesters”. This story, had it happened, would have been repeated in the said newspaper and on affiliated television stations.


In presenting the story as it did, the Kaieteur News has further clarified its anti-government pro-Opposition position. Yet, as I alluded, the said newspaper would want the public to believe that it is a professional outfit.


This blatant unprofessionalism has seemingly gone unnoticed by the Guyana Press Association (GPA), which has never missed an opportunity to castigate the State media and the administration.


Why hasn’t the GPA commented on this and other issues raised about the Kaieteur News’ unprofessional and blatant biased reporting? Isn’t the Press Association the advocate to the adherence to the basic tenets of journalistic practices?


Their silence is deafening, but not surprising. The political position its leadership has taken is no secret. Its current President, Gordon Moseley, has been banned from the Office of the President and State House for disparaging remarks he made against the Head of State.


His reporting has shown a bias towards the Opposition. As such he and the GPA would not even entertain the thought of issuing a statement which may be unfavourable to the Kaieteur News.


Gordon’s boss, Enrico Woolford, contributes to the Kaieteur News as evident during the trial of Robert Simels. Julia Johnson, past President of the GPA and Publisher of “Prime News” aired on Hoyte/Blackman Television Station, also contributed to the Kaieteur News. This makes it impossible for the GPA to bring to bear any sanction on the Kaieteur News.


This is stacked against readers who are exposed to frequent inaccurate and biased stories in the Kaieteur News.


As such, readers must demand that the GPA leadership do the decent thing and resign, if they cannot ensure that the Kaieteur News stays steadfast to journalistic ethics.


The second example I wish to mention has to do with the absence of coverage by the Kaieteur News of the two cricket matches played at the National Stadium on Friday 04, and Saturday 05 of September, 2009.


These matches involved leading West Indies and Regional players; Chris Gayle, Ronnie Sarwan, the Bravos and Ganga are some who participated. It was played under floodlights at the Stadium.


This said newspaper sent a reporter, sponsored or otherwise, to cover motor racing in Barbados towards the end of August 2009. This is commendable in an effort for Guyanese here to be kept abreast with that sport.


However, it must be noted that no sponsorship is needed for coverage by the media of the two cricket matches mentioned. The venue is less than a ten-minute drive from the newspaper’s centre of operation. The matches were the biggest in the Region in recent months. The stars absent from the Bangladesh series were present. Why didn’t the Kaieteur News cover the events? Simple, it was held under the auspices of the Head of State.


The Kaieteur News boasts of having a large readership and online following.


Their readers were robbed of the images of a packed Stadium and the details of the two matches. Cricket-starved readers were deprived as a result of the Kaieteur News’ anti-government position which has led it to sacrifice sports for political loyalty to the Opposition.


No further evidence is needed with regards to the Kaieteur News’ political vendetta.

Even the dead have voice in the PNCR…

Team Alexander has tasked many individuals to carry out their duties for the 2007 congress. During the registration the person assigned to verify the submitted firms are of registered person for the membership of the PNCR, observed that a firm was submitted of a dead woman...the remaining firms where also noticeably signed by one individual...