An opportunity for citizens to learn Amerindian languages with ease will now be possible with the release of four dictionaries and a teaching guide by the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU).The release of the books represents a part of an Indigenous Peoples Project, which was funded by a US$600,000 grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that was engaged three years ago.Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Narine Singh, presented the reading materials to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, Dr Frank Anthony, at a simple ceremony at the Walter Roth Museum,China Jerseys Cheap, yesterday.According to Dr Singh, the project was in fact the brainchild of the Minister when he held the capacity of Head of the HSDU.He pointed out that the main objective of the project was to help improve access to health in Amerindian communities and to keep the language and culture of the Amerindians alive.Dr Singh noted that as it relates to health care,NFL Jerseys Outlet, many Amerindian people fail to adhere to health messages because these are worded in the English language rather than in their respective dialects.Among the book titles presented to the Minister yesterday were: A Short Dictionary of the Warau Language of Guyana; Scholar’s Dictionary and Grammar of the Waspishana Language; An Arawak English Dictionary with an English word list; A Short Grammar and Dictionary of the Akawaio and Arekuna Languages of Guyana; and Twenty-Eight Lessons in Loko (Arawak) – A teaching guide.It was initially anticipated that the project would have been completed last year, which was designated as the International Year for Languages by UNESCO.In expressing gratitude that the project had finally come to fruition,Cheap Jerseys From China, Minister Anthony reflected on its progress.According to him, with the funding that was secured from the IDB, it was decided that materials should be developed,Wholesale Jerseys From China, which were culturally appropriate to Amerindian communities.“When we discovered that these dictionaries were at Walter Roth we thought that it was important to print them in sufficient quantities so that we could get them out into the communities.”However, the Minister added that the materials are not simply intended for members of the Amerindian communities but also for Guyanese in general so that they could gain a better understanding of the languages.The availability of the materials will be complemented by classes that are offered at the Museum.“This will help us in a lot of ways to keep the languages alive. A number of children would come here (the Museum) on Saturdays and in a very small way one of the things that we have been doing is teaching them a few words in these languages.I think if this can be done in various schools across the country it would really help to keep these languages alive.”Teaching young children in this regard is very essential,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the Minister noted, even as he observed that there are just a few persons who are able to speak the languages, thus the need for broadening the speaking base to ensure continuance.Members of the public, he said, will be able to access the materials at the Research Centre located at the top flat of the museum.However, the materials will not be for sale, Administrative Manager of the Walter Roth Museum, Jennifer Wishart said.Apart from those that will be available for research, Wishart said that some of the materials will be distributed to the Amerindian communities in order to encourage them to speak their languages and to help them to continue to develop them.“We already have reports from St Cuthbert that they have a little unit where they are working on the Arawak language.So we will be able to send some there. In Kumaka too there is also another group there.”In essence, Wishart pointed out that the materials will be sent to working groups that will be able to further develop the languages. (Sharmain Cornette)

Govt. fuming over being left out of processThe National Insurance Scheme (NIS), by way of its representative, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), yesterday issued a statement initialled by head of the NICIL, Winston Brassington that via a Starman representative NIS has learnt that a share purchase agreement (SPA) was executed some weeks ago for Le Meridien.The SPA was conducted between an overseas-based company, of which Robert Badal is a principal, and Starman, which was the previous majority shareholder at Le Meridien.According to the statement issued yesterday by NICIL,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, responding to newspaper reports, the Government, some weeks ago, wrote to Starman inquiring whether the hotel had been sold.It was noted that the Pegasus rules require any share transfer to be approved by its Board, on which the NIS has a representative.“To date, despite reports of an executed SPA, this has not been done…The government has expressed its concern? about? the process regarding the sale, and particularly that governance procedures appear poor, and that NIS,Cheap Jerseys, as a minority shareholder,Cheap Jerseys China, was not aware of the reduction of a sale price and implications for its value.The release added that the Government will continue to raise concerns, and did not consider the matter closed.Early last month,Cheap NFL Jerseys Supply, word of a sale of shares leaked,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, and this newspaper was reliably informed that the investors of Le Meridien were considering a sale of the hotel when the franchise’s contract expires in October.Reports at that time had suggested that the investors were in discussion with potential buyers interested in the hotel, with a sale likely before year’s end.The frontrunner has been identified as a local entrepreneur, who turned out to be Badal, whose bid at that time stood at some US$8M but was under negotiation.Kaieteur News has already confirmed that the investors were also contemplating the re-branding of Le Meridien, reverting back to Pegasus.This was confirmed by the hotel’s general manager Bert Plas who, when contacted,Cheap Jerseys Online, said that it was under consideration but at that time was only at “the discussionary level”.According to Plas, the brand “Pegasus” has more of an impact on travellers/ tourists in Guyana.When asked about the sale, Plas noted that he was unaware of any such move, but posited that any hotel could be sold at any time.This newspaper understands that meetings have taken place recently with senior Government officials on the issue, but this was denied by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who at the time said that he was unaware of any such sale.This would be the second sale of a large hotel in Guyana in a year, following the sale of Buddy’s International Hotel to a Turkish hotelier.The Zoom Inn Hotel has also been placed on the market for sale.The local hotel industry is also expected to change face with the expected imminent construction of the major Marriott brand in a few years’ time.

Local business support organization,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association Ltd., was established in 1963 and the entity’s Executive has started to plan for a year-long programme of activities in recognition of the significant milestone.It was disclosed that the Golden Jubilee observances will commence in June 2013 and last until May 2014. The first planning meeting was held on Wednesday.Information that will be of interest to members as well as the public will be made available during the period leading up to the start of the celebrations.The GMSA,cheap nfl jerseys, members say, prides itself as one of the leading and recognized business support organizations in the country.The Association has 115 members who are categorized under the sub-sectors of Agro-processing, Forestry and Wood Products, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Construction and Engineering, Minerals and Related Services,NFL Jerseys Outlet, Fast Foods, Textiles and Sewn Goods and Services.The GMSA is managed by a 21-member Board of Directors and its responsibilities to them include capacity building,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, trade and investment facilitation and pursuit of export market opportunities for products and services that are included in the Free Trade Agreements with the European Union (EU), Canada, and Partial Scope Agreements with Brazil,NFL Jerseys Authentic China, China and other developed countries.Officials have said that it is structured to serve as a critical link between the Manufacturing and Services Sectors and the relevant stakeholders inclusive of Governmental and regulatory agencies,Wholesale Jerseys From China, funding Agencies, the Media, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other import stakeholders.

…accuses opposition of ‘political posturing’ By Gary EleazarHome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, yesterday sought to debunk the Combined Opposition presentations thus far in the House as ‘lies and political posturing.’Rohee, in the 2012 Budget debate, said that the opposition political posturing is replicated even where the opposition speakers have honed in on specific perceived instances of controversy and a lack of transparency and accountability.Rohee said that the opposition criticisms of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the CJIA Expansion and the proposed Georgetown Marriott all lack substance and fall in the realm of political posturing.Home Affairs Minister, Clement RoheeThe Home Affairs Minister stated that such is the rhetoric of the political opposition that should there be General or Local Government Elections then the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) would have a Tsunami-like victory at the polls.In speaking to the much talked about new dispensation of Parliament,Cheap NFL Jerseys Store, Rohee said, “The fact is 166,Cheap Jerseys,127 persons have kept us in the government and we have no doubt that come next election or the Local Government elections there will be a resurgence like a tsunami.”“Nothing that APNU says about the economy is true,” said Rohee as he reminded that the government for its part has over the years consistently set out its developmental agendas.In dismissing the budget debates as a routine replete with rhetoric and lies, Rohee said that it all boils down to two extreme positions.He explained that on one hand there is the argument that prior to 1992 nothing has happened in terms of development for the country while there are those that argue that post 1992 is the period where there has been no progress in terms of development.Rohee said that in the end what it comes down to is a contest of credibility.The Home Affairs Minister reminded, also,Discount NFL Jerseys, of President Donald Ramotar’s words when he reached out to the opposition at the opening of the 10th Parliament but warned that the government will not be held to ransom.The Minister said that throughout the process, the Opposition has been throwing dust in eyes of people to make them believe that PPP/Cs programmes and policies are not in their interest.The opposition arguments lacked substance when the members talked about projects such as the proposed Marriott, he said.“It’s all about political posturing; nothing of substance in opposition.”“Nothing that APNU says about economy is true…it’s all about political posturing,” and accused the actions of the opposition as being “tantamount to executing national scam.”Rohee said that the opposition is doing what it is expected to do, which is to oppose but he warned that it is his belief that given the new political dispensation in the House “they are likely to go further.”He drew reference to the debate on Financial Papers seven and eight which were recently debated in the House and for which the opposition voted down several provisions.The Minister said that it was his hope that with the convening of the 10th Parliament? and the installation of A Partnership for National Unity,Cheap Jerseys Online, “we would have witnessed a much more constructive approach to this matter of national importance…The fact of the matter is, the more things change, the more they remain the same.”He said that the opposition has been delivering the same, “puerile,Wholesale Jerseys Online, meaningless, hollow political arguments, placing us in this humdrum of a Parliamentary debate.”On the issue of transparency and accountability,wholesale jerseys, Rohee told the House that he has heard the constant carping and asked if the opposition parties were its custodians and drew reference to the fact that during the time of the PNCR the issue of accountability and transparency was topical.“Are we to understand that Transparency and Accountability can only be achieved when the opposition is involved and that it does not lie in the realm of the Government?”The Minister begged the question, “What about the talk of us working together?” He also questioned what benchmarks will be used for such an engagement.The Minister cautioned of what awaits. It is hoped that the opposition has not already made up its mind and that “this is their moment of glory.”He said that he hopes that the presentations on the part of the government side would have informed the opposition critics.