Guyana Focus
Evidently, the Guyana government is schizophrenic about the future of sugar. On one hand, it anticipates the industry’s potential demise, and on the other, it looks forward to its’ increasing contribution to the economy.
Arguably, the government’s split-personality stance is largely due to its disappointment with the performance of the industry which it expected would have been one of the main drivers of economic growth, in spite of the greater role being played by other sectors such as mining and services.
To put the government’s position in perspective, the country’s 2011 budget
The budget forecasted that the overall economy will grow by 4.6 percent in 2011, but without sugar it is projected to grow by only 2.8 percent. Comparatively, in 2010 the country’s GDP grew by 3.6 percent, but without the poor-performing sugar sector which declined by 5.5 percent over the previous year, the economy expanded by 4.3 percent.
There is no doubt that the relative importance of sugar has been declining. Its contribution to GDP has fallen from almost 20% in the early 1990s to a mere 7% last year, with the service and mining sectors making an increasingly greater contribution.
But the increasing contribution of the non-sugar sectors is not entirely due to stronger growth in these sectors. The simple truth is that sugar production has been declining significantly, although according to plan, it should have been rising. A look at historical production tells the sobering truth.
During the 1960s, sugar output averaged about 300,000 tons per year. In the 1970-1980 period, production averaged over 306,000 per year, with a peak of 369,000 tons in 1971. However, during the 1990-2000 period, average sugar production fell to about 245,000 tons, with 1999 output of 365,000 tons being the highest. Since 2000, production averaged 270,000 tonnes, with 2002 production of 331,000 tonnes being the highest. But the kicker is that between 2005 and 2010 when GUYSUCO’s 10-year plan should have been in full gear, sugar production averaged a mere 242,000 tonnes. Therein lies evidence of the incompetence of the industry’s management.
Typically, blame for low production falls squarely on weather and labour conditions – which are in reality contributors to a decline in production in specific years - but a steady decline in production cannot be solely attributed to these variables. Blame for the poor performance of the industry cannot also be placed on the removal of tariff protection by the European Union and teething problems at the modern Skeldon factory.
The truth is: GUYSUCO recognized that sugar was in trouble when it launched its 10-year strategic plan, aimed at turning the industry around. The main objective was to reduce the unit cost of sugar through a combination of initiatives that included concentrating on increasing production in the lower cost areas of Berbice; maximizing use of good quality land; and developing larger processing facilities which can benefit from economies of scale and modern technology.
Midway through its plan, the cost of production of sugar was expected to fall to US12.61 cents per pound (including depreciation) or US10.99 cents per pound (excluding depreciation). At the time of launching its strategic plan, Guyana’s sugar production costs were about two-thirds greater than world market prices. However, the industry was fortunate to benefit from increasing world market prices in recent years, which might have contributed to management’s complacency in dealing with the challenges of the industry.
Arguably, GUYSUCO has not met most of its objectives. Ironically, since the appointment of a new Board of Directors two years ago, industry performance has headed further south. Worker disenchantment has also increased, to the extent that GAWU, the sugar union, was threatened with de-recognition, in what turned out to be an ill advised, infantile threat.
In an effort to appease workers, the government recently announced a US$5 million grant to GUYSUCO to pay production bonuses to workers. This election year move may contribute to higher production. But problems at the Skeldon factory must also be resolved and acreage under cultivation must be increased
Incidentally, the Chinese contractors at the Skeldon factory are on the hook for fixing the problems. But Booker Tate, former operator of the sugar industry prior to nationalization, which oversaw the construction of the factory, has been accused of mismanagement, use of sub-standard parts and designs flaws which resulted in a loss of production at the factory. Booker Tate plans to sue GUYSUCO for $900 million in outstanding payments but GUYSUCO says it will counter-sue.
GUYSUCO is also embroiled in a lawsuit with the Canadian-based firm Bedessee Imports Ltd. over the use of the trademark, Demerara Gold, in North America. Bedessee has won the first round but cash-strapped GUYSUCO which has so far spent almost US$1 million on the lawsuit according to unconfirmed sources is continuing its court battle with Bedessee.
Sugar as an industry is certainly not dead in Guyana, as it is in smaller Caribbean territories. Perhaps the government should be planning the funeral of its management instead. At the end of the day, the government should expect more from the industry, given its importance to the economy and the money it has spent on its development. Sugar continues to be one the most, if not the most important industry in Guyana, especially if sugar manufacturing and its net contribution to other complementary industries such as distilling are factored into the equation.
In addition, the industry remains one of Guyana’s largest foreign exchange earners and directly and indirectly employs almost 20% of the country's total labor force. It is also one of the biggest corporate contributors to public revenues and supports a network of communities along the coastal regions, paralleled by no other industry.
But optimism alone is not going to sustain the viability of the industry which has the potential to spur Guyana’s growth. Neither will pessimism instill confidence about its future. GUYSUCO needs to get its act together and the government needs to abandon its policies of nepotism in the industry and start “cracking the whip” on those responsible for turning the industry around.
overseas voting
Georgetown — “We can’t keep asking the Diaspora for monetary support if you are not prepared to have them included in the decision making process.” Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman was quoted by demerarawaves.com last Sunday as making this statement on the New York-based One Caribbean Radio’s Sunday afternoon programme ‘Meet the Caribbean.’
Trotman said he would support the re-introduction of overseas voting to give the Guyanese Diaspora a greater say in the country’s affairs. He made these statements against the back-drop of political parties in and out of government constantly turning to overseas Guyanese for funding. Trotman agreed that Guyanese should be allowed to vote by post or at embassies in future elections, not at the polls due later this year.
Trotman and AFC Presidential candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan were among a team of party members who launched the New York leg of the AFC’s New York campaign and fund-raiser. Their next stop will be Toronto before moving on to Florida.
Trotman noted that Guyana’s wealth and talent was also overseas and the Diaspora was also sending back millions of dollars in remittances annually. He promised that should the AFC be victorious at the 2011 general election or attract enough votes to play a significant role in the next administration, there would be a national conversation on overseas voting.
“They have a right; it is a basic inalienable human right that if they are Guyanese and they carry a Guyanese passport, they should have the right if they so desire to participate in the decision-making processes and that includes and should include the right to vote,” he said. He added that there would be the likelihood of a ministerial portfolio for the Diaspora and having one or more overseas-based Guyanese sitting in the National Assembly.
“Wherever there are major centres of Guyanese - whether it be North America, the Caribbean or elsewhere - we are considering finding a way to have a voice be heard in the National Assembly,” said Trotman, a practising Attorney-at-Law.
Asked how the AFC intended to guard against irregularities in overseas voting as had obtained decades ago, he said “we have to confront it and we just can’t say because of what happened in the past, we are going to shut that right out to Guyanese forever.”
One year ago, Executive Member of the governing Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Ralph Ramkarran had observed that Guyana’s constitution gives every Guyanese over the age of 18 the right to vote. “It provides for no residency requirement.” Ramkarran had also called on the Elections Commission to take steps to ensure that Guyanese wherever they may be, get the opportunity to vote at elections.
“The Elections Commission, therefore, has ample time and opportunity to set in place the procedures to register the names of Guyanese desirous of exercising their right to vote and of providing a system of enabling them to access ballot papers and casting their ballots,” Ramkarran, the Speaker of the National Assembly, had said.
Georgetown — In light of disagreements within the PPP Civic as regards how the next presidential candidate for the party should be chosen, Moses Nagamootoo, one of the presidential hopefuls, has tabled a compromise unity-model to the party.
According to demwaves.com Nagamootoo says that he remained vehemently opposed to the Executive and Central Committees alone voting on who should lead the party into the next general election. Nagamootoo, who got the 5th highest number of votes at the PPP’s last congress but was prevented from entering the Executive Committee, said he has already written to the party suggesting that the five candidates vying for the presidency enter the next poll as block.
The five presidential hopefuls are Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee and Gail Teixeira. He explained that accepting his compromise model would ensure that the PPP goes into the next election as a united front.
Nagamootoo remained adamant that he would not be taking part in any election in which the presidential position is decided solely by the Executive and Central Committees, whether it be by a show of hands or not. He insisted that the wider party membership should have a say.
It has been reported that Ramkarran and Rohee have already made presentations this week on their vision for the party in government and why they should lead the PPP Civic into the 2011 general election. The other presidential hopefuls will be doing likewise.
Asked what would be his next option if the PPP Executive and Central Committee reject the compromise option, Nagamootoo would only say "I'm keeping my powder dry," demerarawaves.com reported.
According to demerarawaves.com President Bharrat Jagdeo, last Friday, refused to say who he is backing as presidential candidate, but several senior party sources have said that he prefers Ramotar. Sources close to Ramkarran say that if the vote by the Central Committee is done by secret ballot - something that Jagdeo rejects - Ramkarran could get the nod, demerarawaves.com noted.
This is the first time that the PPP would be going into an election without either of its co-founders - Cheddi or Janet Jagan - prompting speculation that this kind of open and public competition and bickering among party comrades would not have been tolerated if any of the Jagans had been alive.
Quite recently, there has been a public standoff between President Jagdeo and long-standing PPP member, Navin Chandarpal. At the centre of that dispute were allegations about whether industrial unrest in the sugar belt was being used to leverage presssure on Jagdeo and others who oppose secret balloting. Nagamootoo was also censured by the PPP's Central Committee for saying that there appeared to be a state-party alliance between PPP General Secretary Ramotar and Permanent Secretary of Office of the President, Nankishore Gopaul to threaten to de-recognise the PPP-aligned Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union.
However, President Jagdeo subsequently ruled out any such de-recognition and called for all parties to be responsible in helping to bail out the cash-strapped and highly indebted state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation.
Georgetown — While the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), presidential candidate hopefuls continued their campaign the supporters of Basil Williams have circulated a flyer lambasting fellow presidential hopeful, Faith Harding and at the same time promoting Williams. The hand bill read, “No Faith in Faith! PNC supporters! Do not be tricked! There’s hardly anything Faith could offer Guyana and the PNC! She abandoned Guyana when the PNC needed her most. And ran after we lost the elections. She was incompetent as a Minister in the PNC Gov’t. Stop the hypocrisy. Basil Williams for 2011.”
The presidential hopefuls singled out party-unity and revival as keys to winning the 2011 general election, with Retired Brigadier, David Granger stating that PNCR unity rather than factionalism would be important to “drive” the incumbent PPPC out of office.
“We have to ensure that we remove factionalism and move the party forward,” Granger told the final town-hall meeting held last Saturday at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School.
The comments seem to be a response to the hand-bills which began appearing in sections of commercial Georgetown last Saturday, promoting Basil Williams while at the same time attacking Dr. Faith Harding. A similar pro-Williams handbill had been circulated criticizing Winston Murray when he had emerged as a major presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, at the town hall meeting, Williams promoted himself, saying that he had a record of fighting the administration.
“We have to select a candidate who can take on this government and I am the one who has been taking on this government,” said Williams, the PNCR’s Vice Chairman. He pledged to work with the team even if he is defeated at the February 26 special congress to elect a presidential candidate.
Dr. Harding, a former PNC Public Service Minister echoed the need for unity and focused on the rebuilding of party-groups countrywide noting that party associates have been telling her that they feel disconnected from the PNCR. She said PNCR supporters have been telling her that the party was “not responding and making people feel belonged.”
“If we are not listening and responding we are going to lose our membership,” she said, while acknowledging that being in opposition for 18 years made it very difficult.
Former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, noting that the most important challenge was removing the PPPC from office, agreed with his prospective presidential candidate colleagues.
The candidates reiterated their priorities as fighting crime and rampant corruption, improving education, creating jobs, attracting investments, probing killings, mysterious deaths and disappearance of hundreds of persons at the hands of alleged state-sponsored death squads. Other priorities included increasing wages and salaries, creating better housing schemes, reviving cooperatives and improving the general standard of living
The other PNCR presidential hopeful was Attorney at Law, James Bond.
Georgetown — Mrs Joyce Hoyte, wife of former President of Guyana and Leader of the People’s National Congress, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, passed away last Monday at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown a week after she was readmitted to the institution.
The former First Lady, 77, was admitted to hospital on January 18 after suffering a fall and discharged two Mondays ago but readmitted the following day. No cause of death has been disclosed so far but she was reported suffering from serious back pains.
She was hurt in a road accident in 1985 in which her two daughters died along with the chauffeur. Her husband passed away in December 2002.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a statement, said: "It is with deep sadness that I have learnt of the death of Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, former First Lady of Guyana. On behalf of the Government of Guyana and on my own personal behalf, I extend heartfelt sympathy to the relatives and friends of this wonderful, gracious, considerate woman whose inner strength and fortitude in overcoming personal tragedies inspired us all. May Her Soul Rest in Peace!"
Georgetown — Guyana has informed the Indian Government that it is ready to use a US$18 million line of credit offered by India to build a specialty hospital in the country. This was disclosed on February 11, 2011 by President Bharrat Jagdeo after he returned from a trip to India. The president added that since the line of credit is from India, tenders would go out for an Indian company to build the hospital. When asked about the location of the hospital, Jagdeo said that Government is exploring several options including one possible location in the vicinity of Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.
When completed the 150-bed hospital complex would have capabilities to do cardio-related and cosmetic surgeries, and organ transplants. It would be staffed by specialist doctors and the rates would be negotiated with the government and the managers of the hospital. President Jagdeo also said that the government has settled on a management partner for the hospital. He went on to say that the cost of complicated surgery would be at a fraction of the cost that Guyanese pay for surgery overseas but at the same quality. He added that in time the hospital would open its doors to clients from the Caribbean, Northern Brazil and even from North America.
Jagdeo said that he is looking for construction to start by the end of the year and for the hospital to open its doors in two years’ time. For this year, the government has budgeted $150 million to commence preparatory work to design the 150-bed surgical specialty hospital.
Over the past few years the government has opened up four diagnostic and treatment centers at Leonora, Suddie, Diamond and Mahaicony, the Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant, and the Modern Linden Hospital among others. With about 900 students who are studying medicine overseas, in particular in Cuba, who are expected to return within the next three years, along with the concurrent training of nurses and medex, it is anticipated that the accessibility and quality of primary health care to Guyanese citizens would be significantly improved.
The support from India in health care is seen as a positive development as India has over the years established itself as one of the pioneers in health care as many persons from even developed countries such as North America travel to India through medical tourism because of the competitive nature of such services there.
While in India, the President also met with the Indian business community in an effort to stimulate its interest in investing in Guyana, particularly in the areas of mining and agriculture.
Georgetown — Nathalie Loncke, 49, a nursery school teacher of Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was stabbed to death at around 6:00 pm last Saturday by a man described as her estranged companion.
Loncke was stabbed to her head and neck during a heated argument and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Her daughter, 19-year old Renata Craig was reportedly struck with a metal bar when she attempted to rescue her mother. She was treated and sent away.
Her assailant’s name has been given as Hubert. Lonke was attached to the Salmen Fraser Nursery School.
Meanwhile, 54-year old Ramdanie Rajpattie of Laluni Creek, Demerara River, who was allegedly assaulted about her body with a cutlass by her reputed husband on January 05, succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation last Friday. The police are looking for her reputed husband in connection with her death.
And last week police charged Rudolph London, 39, of Best Village, West Coast Demerara with the murder of his reputed wife, Shaunell Warrick, who died one month after she was allegedly beaten about her body by London. Her assailant was remanded to prison, pending the start of a preliminary inquiry to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to face trial by a judge and jury.
Georgetown — An official of the Aurora Secondary School has been detained by the police following a report that he was caught performing oral sex on his 15-year-old step-daughter.
According to Kaieteur News (KN) detectives went in search of the man, at his Richmond home, after the mother of the 15-year-old who works as a Rural Constable, lodged a complaint at the Anna Regina Station.
The school official, who has since been detained for indecent assault, reportedly performed the act twice on the teenager on February 9 at Richmond. Police stated that the first act occurred before the man left for school and again after he returned from school. The teen’s mom reportedly walked in on him while he was performing the act on the child.
Georgetown — Businesswoman Alexis Lee, 31, of Craig Street, Campbellville was robbed of G$2.5 million and US$971 two Fridays ago by two men, who reportedly trailed her from the bank.
According to reports Lee, who was with her boyfriend, Suresh Prakash, went to the Republic Bank at Camp and Robb Streets, at around 9:30 am and cashed a cheque for $2.5M. Lee put the money along with the United States currency in a black haversack and returned to Prakash’s car, where she placed the bag containing the cash on the floor of the front seat.
The couple then drove east along Robb Street, then north along Alexander Street, east into Church Street, north into Vlissengen Road and thereafter into Eping Avenue. While proceeding east along Eping Avenue, Prakash slowed down to negotiate a speed bump on the road when another car drove into the back of his vehicle. Prakash then stopped his vehicle, went to the vehicle behind where he approached the driver.
In the meantime, in what appeared to be a well planned operation, the front seat passenger of that car came out and went to Prakash’s vehicle, where he opened the door and dealt Lee a slap to her face and told her, “Don’t say anything.” He then snatched the haversack containing the cash, re-joined the other car and he and the driver sped away east along Eping Avenue. The getaway car was later found abandoned at Well Road, North Ruimveldt. The black haversack was also found with no cash.
Georgetown — Alston Beresford, 76, a UK-based Guyanese, who was on holidays in Guyana, was relieved of his Toyota Marino motor car and a quantity of jewellery by two bandits, two Mondays ago.
Beresford, of Palmyra Village, East Berbice, was reportedly visiting his friend at the popular Pennies Hotel and Bar on Republic Road, New Amsterdam, when the incident occurred. Beresford, whose friend owns the hotel had gone there to discuss the friend’s birthday, which was coming up shortly. At around 7:30 pm, while he was about to leave, and upon entering his car, Beresford was confronted by the two assailants, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The men, who wore dark clothing, took away his jewellery and the keys to his motor car and drove away the vehicle after dumping him out of the car.
Beresford was rescued and subsequently reported the matter to the police who then accompanied him back to the scene.
The police said that at around 10:00 am last Thursday they received a tip from an anonymous caller about the abandoned car found in the Mayor and Town Council Scheme area.
Beresford stated that his wife still lives overseas and he would usually come home as often as possible, especially at winter time. He dubbed the experience as traumatic and stated that he was relieved to still be alive.
Georgetown — A couple was charged with the offence of wrongful confinement, after they allegedly abducted a bailiff as he attempted to repossess a vehicle for Scotiabank.
Earl Fredericks, 32, and his reputed wife Janet Johnson, 41, of East La Penitence, Georgetown were granted $60,000 bail when they appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court last Thursday to answer the charge.
It is alleged that the offence was committed on 60-year-old William Blackman, of North Ruimveldt. According to police prosecutor Stephen Telford, on February 8, 2011 the two accused wrongfully confined Blackman by preventing him from proceeding to his place of employment at Scotiabank, Carmichael Street.
According to reports Blackman was at James’ Texaco Gas Station, and was in the process of repossessing the vehicle, a black Nissan Titan, on behalf of the bank, when Fredericks wound up the windows, preventing him from getting the ignition key. Blackman told Fredericks of his instructions and Fredericks reportedly agreed to go to the bank and settle the issue. Blackman requested to sit in the vehicle but Fredericks refused that request, instead, telling him to sit in the tray which he did.
However, Fredericks reportedly drove off at breakneck speed along Mandela Avenue and eventually up the East Bank of Demerara.
Blackman managed to use his cell phone to call for help and Fredericks was eventually intercepted by a police roadblock.
Georgetown — Junior Corbin, 17, and 33-year-old ex-policeman Shawn St. Clair, both of Sophia, Georgetown, were shot in the feet by the victims of an alleged robbery two Tuesdays ago. Their injuries were not life threatening.
Corbin and two associates tried to rob a Guyoil Fuel Outlet at Good Hope, Mahaica, on the East Coast of Demerara, owned by Rovin Ramsarup, the son of GDF Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup. St. Clair, who was the intended getaway driver, was shot by Chabilall Ramsarup when St Clair allegedly pounced on Chabilall who approached him in his car. Corbin, who was found crouched against a concrete wall in the building by Rovin’s brother, was shot when he lunged at Rovin’s brother who had a shotgun. The third accomplice escaped. The gas station suffered two robberies over the past six weeks.
Georgetown — The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is in talks with the Commonwealth Secretariat over the possibility of that group sending an observer team to monitor the upcoming General Elections in Guyana.
GECOM’s chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, met with Mark Stevens, Advisor and Head of the Democracy Section, Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat last Thursday and discussed key issues associated with the upcoming General and Regional Elections.The discussions took place at GECOM’s Headquarters in Georgetown when Stevens paid a courtesy call on Surujbally during the former’s recent visit to Guyana. Stevens was accompanied by Tafawa Williams, Political Advisor, Caribbean/Pacific Section, Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Among the matters discussed was the provision of technical support, including the delegation of a Joint International Technical Assessor (JITA). The identification of a suitable candidate to be appointed to the position of IT Manager at GECOM was also discussed. GECOM also updated Stevens on its state of preparedness for the upcoming elections.
According to GECOM, Surujbally “focused primarily on the recently concluded continuous registration exercise and concomitant activities (e.g. Fingerprint Cross matching and the Claims and Objections exercise for the 2011 Elections etc) which would lead to the production of an impeccable Official List of Electors for the 2011 Elections, and the conduct of the polls in a free, fair and transparent manner.”
Stevens also “assured Dr. Surujbally” that the Commonwealth Secretariat would continue to support GECOM, as it has done in the past, as part of the Secretariat’s thrust to support democratic processes in Guyana.
Government had indicated that it was preparing for General Elections as early as August.
Both the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the main opposition, People’s National Congress Reform are in the process of identifying their Presidential candidates for the upcoming elections. The AFC has already named Khemraj Ramjattan as its presidential candidate.
Guyana's elections
Georgetown — The European Union (EU) will not be funding or monitoring Guyana’s upcoming general elections due to be held this year. This was disclosed by Geert Heikens, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, two Saturdays ago.
In what could be seen as a demonstration of confidence in the electoral process, the ambassador said that the EU will reserve its capacities for countries where there is a perceived need for such a monitoring unit. He said that the EU has taken note of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s disclosure that the Guyana government will be financing its general elections. Mr. Heikens said the question of funding by donor agencies for this purpose is unlikely.
According to the Guyana Chronicle (GC) the EU Ambassador in expressing his confidence in the electoral process assured media operatives that, apart from his personal interest, officially there will be no surveillance of Guyana’s general elections, either in his capacity as EU Ambassador, nor will any delegation be assigned by the EU for such a purpose. He took note that President Jagdeo has given the assurance that anyone desirous of monitoring Guyana’s general elections is welcome, with no restrictions placed on their monitoring activities.
He said that monitoring bodies will most likely be delegated by the OAS, CARICOM, and the Commonwealth.
Concerning the closure of the UNDP-funded Media Monitoring Unit, Ambassador Heikens disclosed that Chairman of the Elections commission, Mr. Steve Surujbally has indicated that he will take the initiative to re-establish that body.
Touching on several subjects of interest, Mr. Heikens disclosed that the EU has confidence in Guyana’s macro-economic fundamentals and trusts its implementation systems, although conceding that there is scant traceability of EU funding, GC reported. However, the Ambassador asserted that projects for which funds are disbursed are always intensely scrutinized and keenly monitored and, except for oftentimes unscheduled delays there is overall satisfaction in the works done by implementing agencies of EU-funded projects.
Georgetown — The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will not be selling vehicle licenses to vehicle-owners who do not have their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs). This was disclosed last Saturday by the tax-agency.
According to demerarawaves.com, in a letter which is expected to be published in the newspapers soon, the GRA said that “From this year the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be displayed on motor vehicle licences. This therefore means that if the individual vehicle owner does not have a TIN, a licence will not be issued.”
The GRA also announced that vehicular licenses will be sold in many more places countrywide, including branch offices in Lethem, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Linden, Anna Regina, Parika and Bartica.
The GRA’s offices in Georgetown - the Tax Operation and Services Department at Albert and Charlotte Streets, GPO Building on Robb Street and Customs and Trade Administration on Main and Hope Streets - will also be facilitating the sale of licences, the authority announced.
GRA stated that the new licences will also have new security features but did not disclose what these features will be.
Georgetown — Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) failure to achieve its production target for last year may have been responsible for the country losing some 14 million Euros. This was disclosed by Head of the European Union (EU) in Guyana, Geert Heikens, recently, according to Kaieteur News (KN).
This loss could have been averted had Guyana not insisted on tying the budget support to production targets, a mistake that the programme planners do not intend to make again, KN reported.
Last year’s sugar production of 230,000 tonnes, after two target adjustments, was the lowest in the past two decades. The European Union had voted 90 million Euros by way of budget support for Guyana following the EU decision to modify the sugar treaty, leading to price cuts for Guyana. So far the EU has released 58 million Euros to the Foreign Ministry with a further 18 million Euros due this year. The total sum would be released in four tranches.
Ambassador Heikens said that the country must hope that the Skeldon sugar factory performs at the desired level, noting that it is a huge investment given that the country has chosen to remain in sugar. This decision at this time could prove rewarding as the world price for sugar is high at this time, KN reported.
Mr Heikens said that all money coming to Guyana through the EU for budget support is linked to performance. The EU looks at the country’s stable macro economic situation, its public financial management and the programme to implement poverty reduction strategies. The EU has contributed funding for the Enmore Packaging Plant. Asked about monitoring the money, Ambassador Heikens said that once the money goes into the budget there is no way that the EU can trace it, KN reported. According to Ambassador Heikens the EU would have no way of knowing how much of the money is actually spent on the packaging plant.
The ambassador lauded Guyana for being the first country in the Caribbean region to implement the Economic Partnership Agreement. This will see tariff reductions on goods from both Guyana and Europe.
Georgetown — Cruise Vessel the M.V. Saga Pearl 2 docked at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited wharf at around 5:00 am two Sundays ago with 352 passengers on board. This ship is the first cruise vessel to dock in local waters for this year and according to Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry Manniram Prashad, many more are expected in the year .
Upon its arrival, the crew and its passengers were welcomed with some entertaining steel pan music. The passengers were also given guided tours around the city.
Captain of the vessel, David Warden Owen told the media that this was not his first visit to Guyana as he first visited onboard the ‘Spirits’. He said that more and more Guyana is being recognised and recommended as a tourist destination by cruise liners worldwide but identified that one of the major concerns by some cruise lines is the issue of deep water harbours.
According to Owen, the Saga Pearl is on a 77-day tour which originated from Southampton, England. It will be taking travelers across the Atlantic, touching some 20 islands in the Caribbean and sailing along the Amazon. Prior to coming to Guyana, the ship had already docked in St Lucia, Barbados, Suriname, Grenada and Antigua.
Georgetown — Guyana has been ranked the 16th most generous country in the world according to a new ranking from Gallup’s World Giving Index. Guyana holds the number one position in the Caribbean and the number three spot in the Americas (after US and Canada).
The index is based on surveys and other research on 153 different countries, which together constitute about 95 percent of the world’s population. Charitable behavior, including donations, volunteering habits and taking time to help strangers were among the areas focused on in the survey.
Australia and New Zealand are tied as the most generous nations on earth with Canada and the United States holding 3rd and 5th respectively. Canada shares its ranking with Ireland while the USA shares with Switzerland.
The top 21 most generous countries, in order, are: 1. Australia; 1. New Zealand; 3. Ireland 3. Canada; 5. Switzerland; 5. United States 7. Netherlands; 8. Britain; 8. Sri Lanka 10 Austria; 11. Lao People’s Democratic Republic; 11. Sierra Leone; 13. Malta; 14. Iceland; 14. Turkmenistan; 16. Guyana; 16. Qatar 18. Hong Kong; 18. Germany; 18. Denmark 18. Guinea.
Gallup’s analysis of the data found that charitable behaviour differs immensely across the globe. An act that is considered charitable in one country may be seen as a regular, everyday, activity in another. It found that individuals are more likely to give to charity if they live in a ‘happy’ country, than if they live in a ‘wealthy’ country. This means that giving money is more strongly correlated with happiness than with a nation’s gross domestic product.
“It would be reasonable to conclude that giving is more an emotional act than a rational one,” the report says.
Among the other findings, age and gender affected generous behaviors. Globally, giving money to charity increases with age, largely explained by changes in disposable income. Women are generally more likely to give than men, but only just barely – 30 percent versus 29 percent.
While some of the top 20 are wealthier nations others like Guyana do not exactly belong to that category, yet Guyana is ranked number 5 worldwide at helping a stranger.
Looking closely at what is charitable behaviour, the report says, for example, helping family members is viewed as charitable behaviour in a number of regions whereas in others charitable behaviour is more commonly thought of as support given to a formally regulated charity.
Georgetown — President Bharrat Jagdeo was conferred with a Doctor of Literature by the Padmashree Dr. D.Y Patil University in Mumbai, India at its annual convocation ceremony last Wednesday.
According to Guyana Chronicle (GC) President Jagdeo, in accepting the award, alluded to the global trends of greater access to information which will change the demand for educational services and technical expertise. India has emerged as a leader in modernising and expanding education to meet not only its domestic demand, but has also strategically positioned itself to be able to offer this expertise to other countries. The president also challenged the more than 1000 graduates to continue to excel in their respective disciplines as they venture into the world of employment, and also to understand the linkages between the various disciplines and the environment, and how the global environment and the rapid and unprecedented changes taking place will influence every sector and every academic discipline.
Professor M.S Swaminathan, in his presentation, lauded the effort by the University to recognize President Jagdeo and the important contribution Guyana has been making towards sustainable forest management and offering lessons that can serve as a global example for other forest countries.