Readers Response

Dear Editor:
I take the informed view that Gov’t should not have to mandate training initiatives in a company, especially a foreign company operating in the local economy. Training should be built into the arrangements between the company and the country, and the government’s role should be as enforcer.
If we look back at many of the contracts under which foreign companies operated in Guyana during 1980s and ‘90s, we would see that a training component was present in each. The provision of training programs for new or upgrading skills benefitted both, the company and Guyanese. The same kind or better arrangements should be expected today of Exxon or other foreign firms operating in Guyana.
The world is now engrossed in the idea that firms are increasingly becoming knowledge-based and network-driven, and the impacts such innovations may have on the populace in specific contexts. Today, a nation’s welfare and competitive advantage depend heavily on tacit knowledge, skills and innovative capacity of employees.
This emerging economy is characterized by the need for continuous learning of both codified information and the competencies in its use. Thus, individuals with high-relevance qualifications and training have a key role in managing and sustaining the ‘knowledge-driven’ economy.
Companies in America, Britain, Japan and elsewhere take pride in the training of their employees. In many of the huge corporations, as much as 20 percent of the budget was allocated for research, training and staff development. At job interviews, one of the first things that the interviewers would mention as part of the firm’s package(s), is the opportunity for training, both internal and external, to boost performance(s) and promotional opportunities.
In 2016, the law department at the University of Guyana had commenced preparation of new courses, and had submitted one on oil and gas to the relevant body for consideration and implementation.
When I left in 2017, it was still receiving or awaiting attention. Further, I had asked Professor Pollard, who was at the time teaching International Environmental Law, among other courses, to attend discussions and public events organized by Exxon.
Professor Pollard willingly attended and reported that he had twice raised the issue of training for Guyanese. He queried whether any plan(s) was in place and told the gatherings that given the imminence of oil operations, Exxon should indulge in training activities to prepare Guyanese for smooth entry into the emerging oil and gas sector. Exxon officials reportedly stated that training would come at a later stage. It would be interesting to hear whether Exxon has since started/encouraged/paid for such training.
In a nutshell, all smart firms incorporate training programs in their activities to boost performance(s). In some cases a firm may attempt to cut costs by downplaying a training component. The government’s role should be to ensure that training and skills upgrading are built into any contract/arrangements with companies, especially foreign companies, and act as enforcer on lagging entities.
Ronald Singh via email

April 17, 2019 issue
Readers' Response
Law enforcement derelict in their duties
*Dear Editor:* There is a crisis in this country which is being ignored by the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Service. Due to the neglect by these two government entities, unscrupulous persons are blatantly violating our laws with impunity and contributing to the social decay of our country. A causal walk around Georgetown and the country will find numerous illegal rum shops and beer gardens at every corner – sometimes many such outfits are in one corner in full view of everyone. Illegal rum shops exist with mobile freezers which outwardly claim to sell just snacks and soft drinks, but they carry a full line of beers and in many cases a variety of liquor. I saw illegal rum shops also in markets and at major street corners. We know of the social ills related to alcohol use and the destruction of homes and lives, and crime also. Too many of our young people are becoming drunkards at a very early age due to the failure of Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Service to regulate the sale of liquor and prosecute the law breakers. It is clear that they are turning a blind eye on this scourge affecting our nation. What is really happening to our country? Are we promoting a nation of drunkards? Why are the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Police Service essentially promoting these illegal beer gardens and rum shops? It has to be that they are promoting them, since they have allowed them to operate all over the place and at all hours. There is blatant disregard for our laws and the promotion of lawlessness and drunkard-ism in our youths and older people. These mobile freezers and makeshift rum shops have no standards and are not accountable to anyone. Some of them also have loud music which disturbs, and some also sell food in unsanitary conditions. I have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing my underage grandson become a drunkard at these corner freezer rum shops, and his underage friends are the same way. Are there not laws governing who can sell liquor and where it can be sold? Do these makeshift illegal shops pay taxes or obtain all the approvals or licences to sell liquor and beer? Of least concern to me is the competition that they give to approved rum shops and beer gardens, but isn’t that unfair competition to those registered and licensed rum shops and beer gardens? Is this what we are promoting to foreign visitors and our young people? It is time for the GRA and Police to wake up from their slumber and enforce the laws and close down these freezer rum shops and other illegal shops selling liquor and beer. *Clayton R. Harris via email*

Govt should ensure training, skills upgrading are built into contracts and act as the enforcer
Dear Editor: I take the informed view that Gov’t should not have to mandate training initiatives in a company, especially a foreign company operating in the local economy. Training should be built into the arrangements between the company and the country, and the government’s role should be as enforcer. If we look back at many of the contracts under which foreign companies operated in Guyana during 1980s and ‘90s, we would see that a training component was present in each. The provision of training programs for new or upgrading skills benefitted both, the company and Guyanese. The same kind or better arrangements should be expected today of Exxon or other foreign firms operating in Guyana. The world is now engrossed in the idea that firms are increasingly becoming knowledge-based and network-driven, and the impacts such innovations may have on the populace in specific contexts. Today, a nation’s welfare and competitive advantage depend heavily on tacit knowledge, skills and innovative capacity of employees. This emerging economy is characterized by the need for continuous learning of both codified information and the competencies in its use. Thus, individuals with high-relevance qualifications and training have a key role in managing and sustaining the ‘knowledge-driven’ economy. Companies in America, Britain, Japan and elsewhere take pride in the training of their employees. In many of the huge corporations, as much as 20 percent of the budget was allocated for research, training and staff development. At job interviews, one of the first things that the interviewers would mention as part of the firm’s package(s), is the opportunity for training, both internal and external, to boost performance(s) and promotional opportunities. In 2016, the law department at the University of Guyana had commenced preparation of new courses, and had submitted one on oil and gas to the relevant body for consideration and implementation. When I left in 2017, it was still receiving or awaiting attention. Further, I had asked Professor Pollard, who was at the time teaching International Environmental Law, among other courses, to attend discussions and public events organized by Exxon. Professor Pollard willingly attended and reported that he had twice raised the issue of training for Guyanese. He queried whether any plan(s) was in place and told the gatherings that given the imminence of oil operations, Exxon should indulge in training activities to prepare Guyanese for smooth entry into the emerging oil and gas sector. Exxon officials reportedly stated that training would come at a later stage. It would be interesting to hear whether Exxon has since started/encouraged/paid for such training. In a nutshell, all smart firms incorporate training programs in their activities to boost performance(s). In some cases a firm may attempt to cut costs by downplaying a training component. The government’s role should be to ensure that training and skills upgrading are built into any contract/arrangements with companies, especially foreign companies, and act as enforcer on lagging entities. Ronald Singh via email

Lax policing of minibuses
Dear Editor: I travel frequently on the East Coast highway and observed that almost all 44 minibuses have music boxes which are played loudly. However, when they approach police they turn the volume down and as soon as they pass they raise it again. Also, these buses are overloaded especially in the mornings and at lunch time. The police must inspect these buses and seize the equipment, for the drivers and conductors ignore the pleas of passengers. Now if a minibus is certified to carry 14/15 passengers, then they cannot carry 14/15 plus the conductor. This will make the number of passengers 15/16. Further, some buses have no conductors so drivers have to collect fares and make change. As a result, they cannot concentrate on their driving, which puts passengers at risk. The Police must ensure that each bus has a conductor. Also, the median on the East Coast highway is too high. At least, there should be a low cut passageway on the median where a street connects to the highway in each village. This will make it easier for elderly people and physically challenged individuals to cross the highway, especially wheelchair users. I do hope the authorities concerned can do something tangible to address these issues. *Ed Singh via email*

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