In keeping with the theme “Mashin with pride, keepin we traditions alive”, Courts Guyana Inc hosted a celebration of local art, music, fashion and furniture at its Main Street branch on Tuesday.

Participants at the Courts celebration of local art, music, fashion and furniture at its Main Street branch. Also in the photo are former Miss Guyana India Worldwide Roshni Boodhoo, and model/dancer Melessa Payne, a former Miss Guyana World

Courts Guyana Inc joins the rest of Guyana as she celebrates 43 years of becoming a republic. The atmosphere at the show was festive, punctuated by popular soca music and lively chatter as patrons and other members of the public were treated to a 45 minute presentation on local furniture and other Guyanese cultural items.

On display was expertly made furniture, created from local soft woods including Crabwood and Silver Bali, and other local materials, some of which were hand crafted.
A section was set aside for the display of skillfully made ceramics, these contributed by the talented Evar Austin of the Burrowes School of Arts. Among his work were mixing bowls, storage jars and goblets, all of which can be traced as far back as slavery days. Equally interesting were the various wall paintings done by students of the University of Guyana, and Jofesa Valz of the Women’s Art Association.
Guyanese and Caribbean fashion designer and entrepreneur, Sonia Noel, was also in attendance and assisted in chairing the programme with former Miss Guyana India Worldwide, Roshini Boodhoo.

Fashion models displaying their various outfits at Courts Guyana Inc exhibition on Tuesday that celebrated fashion, art, music and furniture

Models treated the audience to an eyeful as they showcased clothing by Noel and the former queen.  Carib beer was also represented by models in their eye catching blue and yellow Mashramani costumes.
Not to be forgotten was the expressive Ruqayyah Boyer, who recited a thought-inducing dramatic poem entitled “Another One Bites The Dust”.  And finally, onlookers were entertained by students from North Georgetown Primary when they performed renditions of folk songs on steel pans. This presentation was the first of its kind for the company and plans are in place to make it an annual event.

The Mainstay Organic Farmers Association has been unable to meet its quota of pineapple exports to Europe due to the changing weather patterns, an official of the association has said.  Mainstay Organic Pineapple Processing Facility Manager Joel Frederick explained that the factory was expected to supply its second batch of jarred pineapple to Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR) for shipment to Europe. However, this process was severely hampered because the body was unable to produce its quota of 25,000 to 30,000 pineapples at the end of the year. This resulted in the processing facility at Mainstay closing its doors, as the more than 60 employees turned to alternative jobs.

The pineapple processing plant

Frederick posited that the farmers are not to be blame. “It has been going good, but since after this climate change it is affecting us some way or the other. Right now, we are getting like one crop per year, one big crop and we try to process all and export it, but we are not getting the desired amount of pineapples,” he explained.
Two years ago, the association was harvesting approximately 150,000 pineapples between April and June and another batch of 25,000 to 30,000 pineapples at the end of December.
However in 2010, production decreased significantly and according to Frederick, the situation further deteriorated last year. He explained that the association managed to harvest approximately 120,000 pineapples at the end of June, while in December a very limited amount was harvested. This resulted in the postponement of the second shipment of pineapples for Europe and the loss of much needed revenue. As a result, the Mainstay Organic Farmers Association, in collaboration with the Mainstay Organic Pineapple Processing Facility, is seeking alternative avenues to cushion the impact. “We are trying to divert from pineapple to other crops, but it is difficult because of this organic standard that we want to maintain.”
Currently, the first batch of pineapples for 2012 is flowering and is expected to be harvested in June; however, Frederick said that the amount that will be reaped is still in question. The joint venture sees the Mainstay Organic Farmers’ Association providing pineapples to the Mainstay Organic Pineapple Processing Facility. “At the factory we process the pineapples making them into pineapple chunks in jars.” The bottled pineapple is subsequently transported to AMCAR in the capital city where they are later exported to Europe.

Two men, one a Brazilian, were murdered in separate incidents in the interior on Monday, police said in a statement.
According to the police, a man known only as “Tall Man” was killed at about 18:00h Monday at Konawaruk Backdam.  Investigations revealed that “Tall Man” and another man were involved in an argument during which he was chopped to his neck and other parts of his body.  He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahdia Hospital. The suspect has not yet been arrested.
In the other murder, Brazilian national Raimundo Gomes Da Silva, 41 was killed around 03:00h at Black Water, Potaro.  Initial investigations have revealed that Da Silva and another Brazilian man were imbibing at a shop in the area during which both men left and went outside. Da silva was subsequently seen with blood on his clothing and is suspected to have been stabbed to his chest.  He was taken to the Mahdia Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect is reported to have fled the scene on an ATV and is not yet arrested.
Since the spike in gold prices internationally, there have been renewed interest in Guyana’s goldfields, which has brought with it untold crimes, ranging from prostitution to gun violence. In its recent update on the crime situation, the Guyana Police Force noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of murders in the interior. Some 39 murders were committed there up to October last year, 30 of which stemmed from domestic violence and disorderly behaviour. But government said it plans to tackle the problem.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud acknowledged recently that the issue is a major concern not only for government, but the gold and diamond industry, and the many families who have lost loved ones.
Persaud said prior to him being appointed Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and responsible agencies were looking at ways to address the issue from different standpoints. He noted that the issue is still being examined, and he is hoping that several possible solutions can be realised.
Persaud said that he will meet with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, police and army officials and other stakeholders to come up with a more innovative strategy to help reduce crime.
The minister plans to propose the creation of temporary police outposts for certain areas as well as permanent ones where necessary. “Certainly, mining and mining activities have gone outside of, perhaps, the zone which would have had traditional police presence. All that too would have to be in a way, be reorganised and reoriented in these areas…  how too we can develop or establish security presence in and around mining areas,” Persaud stated.
Despite the gloomy crime situation, gold production continues to soar. Guyana has surpassed its 2011 gold production target, extracting some 350,000 ounces. Predictions are that the price for gold will increase by 17 per cent, to US$1850 per ounce in this year. In its December quarterly, Australia’s Resources and Energy Economics Bureau said extended periods of global financial market instability could increase investment demand for gold, and in turn, place further upward pressure on the price of gold.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Tuesday said it is owes $8 billion to local banks and creditors as well as customers. The company said it is finding it increasingly difficult to source short term financing to meet its working capital requirements.
A breakdown of the company’s debt shows that local banks are owed $4100 million, creditors $3200 million and advances from customers $700 million
Over the past week, sugar workers across the company have taken industrial action over delayed payments of their Annual Production Incentive (API) that will be paid on March 16. The company said the delay in the payment of the API is due to two reasons: “The late start of the first crop 2012; the inability to obtain working capital from a foreign bank which has not only affected the payment of the API but has also resulted in the corporation lagging way behind in its payment to creditors.”
The statement from the company stressed that it is imperative that there is sugar production at the highest levels to offset the financial debt it is facing.
“An improvement in the corporation’s financial position is very much dependent on producing sugar and then receiving cash from the sale of that sugar. This has not been possible so far due to sugar production being way below the estimate for the crop to date.”
However, in a recent interview with Guyana Times, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that the sugar company is financially sound. He said, “GuySuCo is a sound enterprise at this time… GuySuCo has been in recent years in financial deficit, meaning it is spending more than it is earning”.
Dr Ramsammy said if the sugar company does not produce 265,000 tonnes of sugar this year, it would be in a further financial deficit. But the minister was adamant that the company is sound, noting that there are many financial institutions globally that experience financial deficit. He said, “But that doesn’t make them a weak company.”
That aside, the Agriculture Minister stated that government will continue to assist the sugar company in any possible way, noting that it provides several valuable resources to the country.
Over the years, the sugar company has been experiencing financial problems resulting in government bailing out the industry. In 2011, government’s G$300 million severance package for workers of the disbanded Diamond sugar estate causing former president Bharrat Jagdeo to say that “GuSuCo is in very deep trouble.”
The European Union (EU) imposed 36 per cent cut on the price for sugar has also affected the industry. Since 2009, GuySuCo has been receiving annual financial support from the government. Millions have been plugged into the industry over the years to help address some of the many shortfalls.
Sugar production has declined in Guyana since 2005. During 2002 to 2004, production averaged 315,000 tons per year. GuySuCo has said that weather, strike and poor turnout are problems affecting the industry and have contributed to the company’s financial problems.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo received the Sangha Shield of Excellence for “years of exceptional leadership” during the opening day of the Maha Shiva Raatri celebrations on Monday at the Cove and John Ashram.

President Ramotar speaking at the Maha Shiva Raatri ceremony at Cove and John Guyana Sevashram Sangha. Also in photo are: Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and other officials

The award was presented by former student of the ashram, Naresh Singh on behalf of the Guyana and American Sevashram Sangha.  The former president expressed gratitude for the award, but noted that the service which the ashram has given to the community over the years is worthy of an award. He said religious organisations have an important role to play in communities.
Jagdeo lauded the “exemplary” work of Swami Vidyananda Ji Maharaj, noting that the swami has worked hard to keep the organisation vibrant and described him as an asset to the ashram and the country as a whole. The former president was bestowed with the award on the event of Maha Shiva Raatri, an auspicious day on the Hindu calendar at the Cove and John Ashram.
Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar told the gathering of devotees that it was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration that promoted the atmosphere of freedom in Guyana where all religions can be practised openly. “It was our party that first raised its voice for equality of religion, for freedom of worship and to open the public service in our society to people of other faiths,”

Swami Vidyananda Ji Maharaj presents the Sangha Shield of Excellence to former President Bharrat Jagdeo during the Maha Shiva Raatri celebration at the Cove and John Guyana Sevashram Sangha

President Ramotar said. He noted that it was not by a fluke that Guyana has emerged as a multi-religious, multicultural society as this resulted from the country’s history, dating back to slavery and indentureship.

President Ramotar encouraged devotees to see ignorance as an enemy.
“People propagate lies everyday in our society… there are slanders and lies against people who have a record and who have spent their lives fighting for freedom and for development in our country,” President Ramotar said.
Maha Shiva Raatri is celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar. Offerings are made to Lord Shiva by devotees who fast for days in the lead-up to the day.

President Donald Ramotar meets Swami Vidyananda Ji Maharaj, during the Maha Shiva Raatri celebration at the Cove and John Guyana Sevashram Sangha

In the meantime, it was announced by Naresh Singh that plans are afoot for the construction of the Hindu College of Technology at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha.
Singh, who pursues a career in computer technology, said he is optimistic about the institution becoming the Google campus of the Caribbean. He said it will follow the Zara Learning Centre which was commissioned two years ago. That institution is equipped with a state-of-the-art public library, a video/audio centre, reprography centre and an Internet research area. Also present at the occasion were First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

Guyana is on the list of six countries in the Caribbean targeted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) International for a project to bolster local economic development.
The initiative will be facilitated in partnership with stakeholders at the local government level, the aim of which is to support expansion of entrepreneurship endeavours by small producers and manufacturers.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and the Canadian team, including Canadian Ambassador to Guyana, David Devine

The concept was introduced to President Donald Ramotar by FCM International Director Sebastien Hamel and Project Director Naresh Singh in the company of Canadian High Commissioner David Devine and Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Lucy Slack.
The new project will be targeting communities across the country including those in the hinterland and the coastland, with intensive investment on the ground for the first three years. The successful project model will be shared with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) at the culmination.
Hamel told the Government Information Agency (GINA) in an invited comment that FCM International holds has 100 years’ experience in the field of collaboration with municipalities in various countries. After the interaction, President Ramotar endorsed the idea, much to the satisfaction of the visiting team.
“Both the head of the Presidential Secretariat and the president have deep interest in this project for us to go forward,” Hamel said.
High Commissioner Devine views the project as another step towards closer sustainable relationship between the governments of Guyana and Canada through partnerships in various sectors. During the course of the day, the team also met and engaged other senior government officials, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Minister in the Local Government Ministry Norman Whittaker on the project.
Minister Whittaker said the new project, if initialised, will serve to provide the kind of guidance that is needed in the full utilisation of the country’s resources. Guyana has tremendous resources but what is needed is some building of capacity, and some guidance on how to use the resources to help create jobs and provide more earnings for people, he said.
This is the initial stage of the project that seeks to introduce it to the various political bodies of Caricom countries to get a sense of the countries’ interest in the project.
The next stage will see a technical mission implemented that will see the conduct of baseline studies in the countries to assess their suitability for the project.  This study is set to commence in March and will conclude by mid April.

… Chief justice orders tendering of all evidence

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Monday ordered that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack submit to the High Court all evidence and statements which led to her recommending that a charge of rape be instituted against Police Commissioner Henry Greene.
However, the DPP in an affidavit in response to Greene’s motion barring the institution of the charge on February 7, the DPP said she is not required to answer to anyone constitutionally. She noted that she made her decision based on evidence presented to her and statements made by the victim, counsellor and Help and Shelter Child Protection Officer Carol Innis-Baptiste, Dr Dalgeish Joseph, and Dr Mc Rae (only name quoted).

Police Commissioner Henry Greene

She said that a “judicial review of a DPP’s decision to prosecute is only available in exceptional circumstances”, noting that such circumstances were not present while adding that the applicant’s claim is premature and in contravention of Article 187 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana. That article says that in the exercise of the powers conferred upon the DPP by “this article, the director shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.
Ali-Hack stressed that she did not act irrationally in recommending a charge of rape be laid against Greene, noting that enough evidence was presented to her office. “Based on the statements submitted to the DPP by the police, it is the considered opinion of the DPP that there is sufficient evidence therein to institute a rape charge against the applicant.”

Doubt
But the chief justice noted that the DPP has to show cause and she has failed to do so. He stressed that the onus is on the DPP to show that her recommendation of such a charge is not irrational. He emphasised thereby in the interest of discharging all doubt, the evidence and statements used in the decision-making process must be presented to the court on February 27.
He said those statements should have been presented before him on Monday, but such was not done, noting that the DPP is subject to judicial review. But the DPP in her response said the “applicant’s application should be struck out forthwith since it has no merit, [and] is premature.” She said the main issue in the case is whether the victim consented to having sex with the applicant and that is an “issue of fact”. This can only be ascertained by cross-examination and is for a jury to determine. The DPP said the move by Greene to have the High Court quash her advice and to prevent the police from charging him for rape is tantamount to stopping a “legitimate criminal process and usurp the role of justice”. In the meantime, Attorney Naresh Harnanan told the court that he will file a supplementary affidavit with the information requested. The additional information will be submitted in seven days.  The DPP is being represented by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.
The police commissioner through a battery of high-profile attorneys had moved to the court on February 7 to bar Crime Chief Seelall Persaud and acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brummel from instituting the charges recommended and to quash the decision of the DPP.  He also said the DPP’s advice to charge is “irrational, unreasonable, unfair, unlawful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect”. He was successful in blocking the charge of rape.
But Ali-Hack held firm to her decision, stating that “based on the statements submitted to the DPP by the police, it is the considered opinion of the DPP that there is sufficient evidence therein to institute a rape charge against the applicant”. The DPP added that it is her responsibility to see whether there is sufficient evidence based upon which a charge may be instituted.

Inappropriate
“This applicant’s application is therefore inappropriate and premature and the applicant must wait until the trial to determine the credibility of the complainant’s evidence in order to determine whether the charge was justified or not… I verily do believe that the applicant had and has no basis for challenging the DPP’s advice and that the applicant is attempting to stop a legitimate criminal process and usurp the role of justice… it is respectfully submitted that the applicant’s application be struck out forthwith and dismissed with costs.”
Greene in his affidavit admitted to having sex with the woman, but assured that it was consensual. He said he did not force her, neither was he armed as the woman alleged.
In December, the woman made a report to the police stating that Greene raped her, a statement which was also published in the media. Shortly after the allegations were levelled against the police chief, he proceeded on “special leave”. Since then, he has been questioned by both local and Jamaican investigators who were called in.
The statement by Greene sought to discredit the woman’s statements to both the police and the media, noting that a check of her “background and history were necessary to determine because credible testimony from the complainant is necessary to establish the crime charged”.

– flays union for ‘betraying’ them

By Michael Itwaru

Striking Berbice sugar workers have criticised their union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) for abandoning them in their struggle to get their Annual Production Incentive (API).
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has assured that the API will be paid on March 16, but the workers said they were initially promised they would receive the money on February 24. On Monday morning, the Harvesting P gang attached to Rose Hall Estate refused to go to work and gathered at Islington in the rain to protest the deferral of payments until March 16 with conditions applied. Farther up the road, there was another protest over the state of the East Bank roadway by residents and hire car drivers.
The action shut down the entire Providence section of the Rose Hall Estate as the harvesters, weeders, manure broadcasters, planters, and other field workers – about 300 persons – refused to go to work. The workers insisted that work would only resume if the API for 2011 is paid on Friday. They are unwilling to consider GuySuCo’s financial straits which have forced the deferral of payments to March 16.
Spokesman for the workers, Carlton Austin, disclosed that initially GuySuCo had promised to pay the API in January 2012, but then it deferred payment to February 24 and now a later date is set for March 16. Austin says it is a game and the workers of his gang are fed up and are taking the issue into their own hands.

“Where we money?”
According to the workers’ representative, GuySuCo’s new request to have two shipments of sugar by March 9 before payments are made is unreasonable, since the API owed to workers is for sugar already produced and sold. He added as such, he sees no relevance in the new arrangement. “Whole year workers working fo da…we work… dem say the estate in debt… bossman, we de workers ain’t put estate in debt…we work and produce sugar and dem sell it – where we money?”
Austin says that the workers intend to stay home until the API is paid. “Management call me and tell me fo tell de workers that the 24th of February…when me come tell these people 24th of February, these people hold me at ransom… now dem call me back, change de date; now when me gon tell these people the 16th of March, these people hold me as a liar…Management ain’t coming and tell them they putting me… you see if these din’t have faith, they would broadside me,” shouted an irate Austin.
Other workers standing around Austin at the time stated that they have lost confidence in the union and they feel betrayed. Gary Campbell from the Harvesting P gang said he is disappointed over what he deemed as GAWU’s neglect and betrayal in looking after their interest as workers.
“Them ain’t representing me so far… them mek me family hungry… because if they represent me, time like now I woulda get me money, I wouldn’t de pun the road… I get children writing exam and all kind of thing; them need money… I feel betrayed by the union,” Campbell said.

Betrayed
Another cane cutter, Richard Barran agreed that the union has not done enough for the workers, saying  the least amount a worker should receive from the payout is around $40,000.
“This money we fighting fa we don work for it, already dat is since last year money – why we should fight fo when we don wok fo it? I think the union should go their way:  they are not doing a good job – the union is doing nothing; if the union was representing, we woulda draw the de money already.”
GAWU supervisor for Regions Five and Six, Harvey Tambron speaking from the union’s New Amsterdam office on Monday said he was shocked to hear workers lashing out at the union in frustration. He argued that it was GAWU that struggled and fought for incentives for workers, especially the API and all other benefits. He stated that it is not true that the union has abandoned workers in their fight for the API. Tambron in rebuttal stated that workers’ representatives are part and parcel of negotiations with GuySuCo, therefore it is unfair to slap the union for not working now.
On the issue at hand, it was explained as agreed and workers received their sickness and provident benefit which was paid in the first week of February.
According to Tambron, the union is in sympathy with the workers on the issue, especially since GuySuCo has now asked that two shipments [16 tonnes] of sugar be produced on or before March 9, paving the way for the payout. He concedes that GuySuCo is in serious debt, even owing the union dues for the month of January which were paid by workers and not remitted to the union.
The frustration of the workers is understood since the API owed is for sugar already sold and monies have already been collected for that sugar, which reflects badly on GuySuCo. “This clearly shows that there is a lot of mismanagement…GuySuCo has to take their fair share of the blame…they love to play blame game; they must take full responsibility of their actions.”
He pointed to two bridges constructed at Skeldon and Blairmont respectively, which were poorly built not having enough room for punts to pass with cane, as examples of this mismanagement. Canes are shaved off the punt and punts themselves damage the structures. He stated that it may take about $5 million each to rebuild the structures.
Tambron blames GuySuCo for creating situations to irritate workers, putting the industry in more shambles. He stated that the workers at Blairmont are now calling for the removal of Estate Manager Corbette Victorine and Agriculture Manager Anil Seepersaud. This is because management is bent on making mischief, he said. Tambron stated that management is no longer sensitive to the culture of the people.
According to Tambron, it would take more than $500 million to pay the API promised to the workers, but GuySuCo is in deep financial crisis. He disclosed that GuySuCo had attempted to borrow some $3.5 billion, which it later reduced to $1 billion, from the City Bank in Trinidad and Tobago, but the bank refused to loan the corporation the money, so the only hope now of paying the workers rests upon the two shipments asked before March 9.
The production target set for 2012 is 265,000 tonnes of sugar, with a first crop projection of 101,000 tonnes. But with the current low turnout affecting the estates, those figures may be tough to achieve.

A minibus driver was on Sunday morning killed after the minibus which he was driving collided head on with a parked truck at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara.

The wrecked minibus of Terry Persaud after the accident

The dead man was identified as Terry Persaud, 35, also called “Loko” of 490 Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara. The incident reportedly occurred at about 01:00h.  Reports received revealed the father of two was returning home after a day’s work when he presumably fell asleep and slammed into the truck. Further information revealed that he was alone in the vehicle when the collision occurred. He was reportedly pinned in the driver’s seat and it took a few men about 30 minutes to pull him out of the wreckage. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.
James Forester, a villager who lives in close proximity to where the accident occurred, related that he heard a crashing sound and thought that a tree had fallen. He later peered through his window and saw the bus in front of the truck. Forester said that he rushed to the scene and saw the driver pinned in the driver’s seat in an unconscious state. Forester, along with other public-spirited citizens, managed to pull Persaud through the passenger’s seat.
According to Forester, Persaud was taken to the hospital in a taxi but succumbed on his way there.  James said from what he saw, Persaud suffered massive head injuries. The man’s mother, Yuvrajie Persaud said that she received a call at about 01:15h from a friend informing her of the accident and that her son was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. She noted that when she arrived at the hospital, her son was already dead. She said the last time she saw her son was when he left for work. Guyana Times understands that his wife died a few years ago.