PRESIDENT Desmond Hoyte has replied to critics who charge his government with “selling out” to foreign investors.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Guyana Patriots Association at the Park Hotel, Mr. Hoyte described such allegations as nonsense. According to the President if his government is ‘selling out’ then the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore should be so described since all these countries are seeking outside investment to boost their economies. Mr. Hoyte said Guyana needs massive investment to develop its vast potential which remains untapped, “as we continue to talk about it over the years.”
“We must create the climate to attract foreign investment he said, noting that the local private sector must play its part. He told his audience “that we are in the age of science and technology” and singled out the local bauxite industry as being affected by its non-application.
The President who described himself as an optimist said since nationalisation in 1971 the bauxite industry has not been able to introduce any new technology. Mr. Hoyte explained that his government must seek foreign alliances and emphasised the need for Guyanese to be prepared for changes as national economies disappear.
President Hoyte praised the members of the Association for displaying support for the government’s economic policies. He was introduced by City Businessman Hashim Hack who along with Mayor Compton Young were seated at the head table.
Political Will Needed To Set Up Caribbean Court
CHANCELLOR Kenneth George feels that the political will and patience are needed from governments in the region if a Caribbean Court is to be established.
The Chancellor was among three members of the local Bar who took part in a discourse on the pros and cons of a Caribbean Court on Sunday, February 10 organised by the University of Guyana. The others were Mr. Llewelyn John, president of the Guyana Bar Association and Mr. Bryn Pollard Legal Consultant to the Caricom Secretariat.
The Chancellor argued that the cost factor of setting up such a Court must be taken into account, pointing out that in order to attract the best legal brains to sit on the Court the salaries offered must be attractive. The Court’s workload was also raised.
He was also concerned about costs as they would affect the “small man” seeking redress from the Court. He said finding the high legal fees to pay the best Guyanese lawyers to travel to Port-of-Spain, the Trinidad and Tobago capital, where the Court is likely to be sited could pose a problem.
Another worrying question raised by the Chancellor is what would happen if and when Haiti and Suriname become members of Caricom, noting that these countries have a different legal system to the common law legal system of the former English-speaking colonies, which make up the Community.
The Chancellor also made the point that the Guyana Court of Appeal is growing in stature.
Some of the concerns expressed by Mr. George including whether the Court would be itinerant or stationary and who will bear some of the costs were answered by Mr. Pollard in his presentation. Pollard pointed out that work permits will not be needed for lawyers going to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the proposed Court.
During question time attorney-at-law Peter Britton called on the local Judiciary to bear on the political directorate to bring about an early resolution of the establishment of a Caribbean Court of Appeal. Prominent members of the local and Caribbean bar have supported this idea for at least the last two decades.
Teen of The Week
Millicent Likes Macbeth
STUDENT of St. John’s College, Millicent Thomas says the Education Ministry has improved conditions at her school and she is grateful.
She says she is now much more comfortable after the Ministry last term repaired part of the deteriorating building and put down new toilets for girls to be in use from this week.
But, Millicent adds, “Part of the building is still old and rotting, especially the part at the back where 1 am.’’
The fourteen-year-old fourth former plans to write Mathematics, English, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Literature and Physics at the NFFAT exam in April. “I think it will be easy for me, especially for Maths and Biology my two favourite subjects.”
She looks forward to sitting this exam since, she says, it gives the chance of having “something like a trial before CXC and GCE.” Exam fees, she feels are “not too bad, because if you know you’re paying no money you wouldn’t have much interest in the exam.” ”
The Pisces-born teen enjoys playing indoor games, singing or dancing during her spare time. Her favourite songs are soul and funk and she likes singers Whitney Houston and Tiffany. She is also learning how to make bags and other items from tibisiri straw, from her aunt, a craft teacher.
Millicent who has two brothers, likes to read too, and Shakespeare’s Macbeth is one of the books she has enjoyed most.
“I like Macbeth, he is my favourite character.”
Triplets at Prashad’s
TRIPLETS have been born for the second time in thirteen years at Prashad’s Hospital to Bridget Garrett James of 75 Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens. She gave birth by caesarean section on Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m. Dr. Mohamed Yakub Bacchus delivered the babies.
Arriving into the world first was a boy weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces followed by a girl weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces and a boy 6 pounds. The proud mother has not yet decided on their names.
Mrs James said when she was five months pregnant she was X-rayed and discovered she was expecting three babies. The father is in the US.