More than 1000 additional Guyanese are recipients of laptops through the government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative.
On Friday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds joined the OLPF team to distribute the laptops to residents at Hope, Mahaica, Enterprise, Plaisance, Goedverwagting/ Liliendaal and Bourda, Region Four.
At Mahaica, 90 laptops were presented, followed by 126 at Enterprise, 185 at Plaisance, 493 at Goedverwagting/ Liliendaal, and 158 at Bourda in Georgetown.

Prime Minister Hinds presenting a laptop to Ronald Thomas in Plaisance

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds interacting with One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) beneficiaries from Goedverwagting and its environs

During his interactions with the recipients, the prime minister said that the government was pleased that it could bring this programme to Guyanese to ensure that they have an opportunity to become computer literate and familiar with Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Bridging the digital divide
The prime minister attributed the OLPF project to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who, during his tenure, recognised the need and importance of exposing the Guyanese population to ICT.
“These days, almost everything has some IT aspect to it, and it also prepares the way for a programme of egovernment where all citizens could be able to get into a government system and do much of the work/ interactions they need with government offices via the computer and the Internet,” the PM said.
PM Hinds recalled that over the last 25-30 years, ICT has developed rapidly, and in this regard the government has commenced the installation of a fibre optic cable that would allow for more accessibility to the Internet.
In recognition of the attainable changes ICT can bring, the prime minister said that “the life we live is a reflection or indication of one’s ability to provide goods and services and the ability to share it with others”.
Apart from urging the recipients to care for the laptops, Prime Minister Hinds encouraged them to do their best in their classes, particularly since being competent in ICT offers many opportunities for both adults and youths.
Several of the recipients praised the government for the initiative, noting that the device will better their lives and enable them to stay in touch with their relatives and friends, and most importantly, assist their children in their learning process.
The OLPF is a national initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide, by providing access to information technology, the Internet, training and skills development to families across Guyana that will enable them to become part of the global information and knowledge highway, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Come September 2013, government will complete installing the infrastructure network, inclusive of fibre-optic, cables that will realise free Internet access, along with high-speed delivery of e-government content to all. This has the potential to facilitate dramatic increases in social and economic welfare, and to catalyse major transformative changes in Guyana.
In May, this current phase of distribution commenced with a target total of 6000, and during the ensuing weeks, the OLPF secretariat staff members have been out in various areas in Region Four distributing laptops to recipients.

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A New Amsterdam taxi driver has been set free on a murder charge for the second time. Following a no-case submission by Attorney Marceline Bacchus, murder accused Sevak Rampersaud had his case dismissed by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo when he appeared before her on Friday at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.
Rampersaud, called Suresh Persaud, 37, of 54 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was charged in September 2011 with the murder of his paramour, Verone Patoir, on May 20, 2011.

Verone Patoir

Sevak Rampersaud

The matter was again before the magistrate after she discharged it on May 7, 2012. By way of letter dated July 13, 2012, Magistrate Nagamootoo was ordered to reopen the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) and to take additional evidence from two neighbours, Nicola Alexander and Juliet Agard.
That was done of May 3, following which Bacchus presented written submissions, arguing that the evidence of the two additional witnesses did not enhance the prosecution’s case in any way and that there was still no prima facie case to call on the defence to answer the charge.
Police Prosecutor Phillip Sheriff said there was enough evidence but could not convince the magistrate, who dismissed the case on the grounds that the prosecution failed to present a case to the court.
Patoir, 40, a mother of three of Lot 42, Mudflat, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, was allegedly involved in an abusive relationship and was allegedly brutally murdered by her paramour at her residence.
She was originally from an Amerindian settlement in Region 10. Over a dozen persons testified on behalf of the prosecution, including the daughters of the accused.
It was understood that either a heavy or sharp object was used to bludgeon the woman’s head and slit her throat. Investigators had reportedly recovered some implements, including a bloodied knife from the crime scene.
A post-mortem by Dr Vivekananda Brijmohan at the New Amsterdam Hospital gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple injuries and a fractured skull.
Rampersaud was arrested and locked up for a number of days soon after the crime was committed. A motion of Habeas Corpus was filed by Bacchus in the High Court, and the man was released soon after on Gy$ 200,000 station bail.
A file was subsequently prepared and sent to the office of the DPP, which advised that the man be charged with the capital offence. He was charged almost four months after.
One of Patoir’s daughters had returned home from school and discovered the bloodied body of her mother in the hallway of their home at 42 Mudflat, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.
She had told the media then that upon leaving home on the day in question, she saw the accused in his hire car with some other persons inside, parked a short distance away.
The girl had returned home around 14: 55h, to find the back door ajar and on entering the house, she saw her mother’s bloodied body. Her face was battered, the hair from her head was uprooted, revealing the scalp, and her throat was slit.
A bloodied rolling pin was also removed from the scene.

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An Irish teenager expressed regret and relief following the dismissal of criminal charges against him for making a drunken threat against Guyana’s president. Cillian James Crossan said he was eager to move past the incident.
“I am happy it’s all over,” 17- year-old Cillian, from Co Louth, Ireland said. “If I could do anything to change what happened I would,” the Irish Independent reported him as saying.

Cillian James Crossan

Cillian is spending a year in Guyana as a volunteer teacher. He was arrested in April after a conversation with two bodyguards of President Donald Ramotar, in which he said he would shoot the leader.
Crossan was accused of threatening to shoot the Guyanese leader at City Boy Club, Tabatinga, Lethem. He had appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on April 2.
According to the police, on March 29 at Central Rupununi, Crossan said he would shoot the president who was not present at the time, but Amerindian Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall overheard the comment and approached the young man, asking him what he said and he repeated that he would shoot the president in his head.
The matter was then reported.
The director of public prosecutions (DPP) last week dropped charges against the teenager.
Crossan’s lawyer, Glenn Hanoman had said the teen was having an alcohol-fuelled conversation with two bodyguards of the president at an international rodeo event in April and was joking when he said he would shoot and kill Ramotar – saying it because he did not believe the two men were really the president’s bodyguards.
The president was not there at the time.
“He had been drinking beer since early the morning and had even mixed rum and beer and had them at the same time,” Hanoman said. “I think that was the main factor at play when he argued with two of the guards.”
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte had objected to bail, stating that the threat was aimed at the president of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and that the defendant is also a flight risk. Crossan gave a caution statement, admitting to what he did. However, Crossan pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on Gy$ 60,000 bail.

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United States-based Guyanese journalist, Felicia Persaud is encouraging Caribbean governments to do more to market the diverse investment stories of the region to the right people since the region is relevant despite proclamations by naysayers.
Persaud, who is the founder of Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) and chief marketing officer (CMO) of Hard Beat Communications, was addressing delegates at the opening of an ICN forum in New York.
She stated that the Caribbean region remains relevant since 11 nations have been listed in the top 100 “ease of doing business” survey when there were only seven for Latin America and eight for Africa.
Fastest growing economies
“We are relevant when eight nations in the Caribbean are ranked in the top 100 fastest growing economies globally compared to 10 for Latin America as of 2012 … a difference of two… and we are relevant when the world’s richest man invests in the Caribbean.”
At the end of the forum, Caribbean governments were invited to participate in a trip to China aimed at promoting investment and business development opportunities during the latter part of this year.
The invitation was extended by Chinese-American Business Development Centre Managing Director Li Li and echoed by China’s Consulate General in New York Xiaoguang Liu and American-Chinese Commerce Development Association representative Johnny Liu at the recent Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum in New York City.
The invitation came on the heels of the first visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trinidad on May 31 and his pledge of more than US$ 3 billion in loans to 10 Caribbean nations.
“The Chinese private sectors are seeking opportunities in the Caribbean such as hospitality, real estate, healthcare and education industry because they are easy to operate, are transparent and create jobs,” Li said.
Easy market access
She noted that the advantageous location of the Caribbean in the centre of the Americas provides the advantage of easy access to markets in the North, South and Central America and serves as a bridge to the markets in Europe.
Citing statistics that said up to 100 million Chinese will be travelling abroad by 2015, Li said the time was ripe for the Caribbean to tap into this key demographic, especially since the Chinese consumer is industrious and has spending power and “the Caribbean has garnered critical acclaim as a Mecca for tourism with significant investments in that and related sectors”.
Li also pointed to figures that showed the Chinese outbound travel market will be US$ 590 billion by 2020.
Economic partnership
Meanwhile, Caribbean Affairs Office of the Western Hemisphere Division in the U. S. State Department representative Anthony Eterno, presenting his country’s view on investing in the Caribbean, emphasised that the Obama-led administration remains committed to an economic partnership with the region that stimulates growth.
Over 12 dozen Caribbean delegates attended the forum including Turks and Caicos Islands Prime Minister Dr Rufus Ewing; St Lucia Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister Ricky Skerritt; St Lucia Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries Minister Lorne Theophilus; Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Mark Brantley; Nevis Tourism Minister John Maginley; St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism, Sports and Culture Minister Cecil McKie; Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe; and Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Chairman and United States Virgin Islands Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty.
The “ICN 2013 Corporate Leadership Award” was presented to Royal Caribbean International.
Invest Caribbean Now is organised annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organisation and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.
The event is the brainchild of Persaud and is now in its third year.

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By Indrawattie Natram -

Scores of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast who have benefited from a Gy$ 2.5 billion government support said the intervention has given them renewed hope as they return to their fields.
The farmers said despite the various challenges such as bug infestation and snail invasion, they have managed to overcome them, and are optimistic that the present autumn crop will be a bumper harvest.

Wazeer Hussain

The farmers also thanked the major stakeholders who worked assiduously in drafting the plan to alleviate their plight. Wazeer Hussain, a miller and farmer from Vilvoorden expressed his gratitude to the government in responding to the challenges of farmers at a time of much need.
Hussain, who cultivates 150 acres of rice, said the intervention/ assistance package came at a timely manner as it allowed him to return to his field.
The miller explained that with the assistance given to him by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), he was able to make payments to approximately 1000 farmers who sold paddy to his mill. He said without the timely intervention, he would have had to take an overdraft from the bank, and the interest rate would have been high.
He said he is also thankful to the GRDB officers for working in the interest of farmers and millers.
Hussain noted that the assistance package was calculated according to the amount of paddy sold to his mill and the percentage that is scheduled to be shipped to Venezuela.
The miller said with the assistance, he was able to pay off the farmers, purchase seed paddy, prepare his lands and move on with the crop.
Blooming crop
Hussain is finished sowing and his crop is blooming.
He is in the process of shipping paddy to Georgetown, which will later be transported to Venezuela.
Hussain did not suffer from the snail invasion, but noted that he will be keeping a keen eye on his rice crop.
Despite the major attack by paddy bugs in the first crop which triggered low prices, farmers have shown determination to cultivate their fields for the autumn crop.
Chate Narine, another farmer, from Paradise Village was also in high praise for the intervention.
“I’m thankful because I’ve been waiting a long time for the millers to accept my paddy then the delay of payment had me frustrated; however, I am happy with the intervention.”
Narine noted that although the quality of his paddy was low due to the high infestation of bugs; he is satisfied with the move by the government. The owner of 60 acres of land said he received 35 per cent of his payment from his miller.

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The two engines from the Piper Aztec aircraft with American registration number N27-FT, which crashed minutes after takeoff from the Ogle International Airport on April 14, are with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and are due to be examined shortly.
This was according to Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Zulfikar Mohammed during a telephone interview with Guyana Times International on Friday.
Mohammed noted that the engines were sent to the manufacturers where they are to be thoroughly examined to determine the reason for the crash.
The director further stated that the reports can take a while to be complied.
When completed, it will be handed over to the GCAA. The report on the Caribbean Airlines plane crash almost two years ago is still outstanding.
He added that currently Sithe Global, the contracting company, is meeting with the various insurance companies under which the twin-engine aircraft was insured. Mohammed stated that those discussions are out of the league of the GCAA and is solely up to the parties to pronounce on compensations with respect to liabilities caused by the twin-engine Piper Aztec aircraft.
The aircraft was on a technical survey mission of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, and from all indications, Sithe Global was responsible for managing the construction of the project, but subcontracted Digital World Mapping to conduct survey.
According to a recent release from the GCAA, approval was given to Digital World Mapping to operate the specific aircraft to conduct a survey of the Amaila Hydropower Project. In that approval, the operator was advised that the aircraft must be insured against third party risk, the release added.
Reports further revealed that based on information provided by the NTSB, the insurance coverage for the aircraft did not include coverage for operations in South America.
The aircraft had just taken off from the Ogle International Airport when it crashed into Florence Tyndall’s house, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
Seconds after the crash, the piper Aztec aircraft exploded, reducing the house to ashes. It also burnt a section of another house, which is owned by Michelle Belle.
Tyndall escaped unharmed but the two-member crewman, Pierre Angiel and Canadian Scientist Nick Dmitriev perished.

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By Indrawattie Natram -

Members of the Guyana Police Force, students from various secondary schools on the Essequibo Coast and civilians will soon be benefiting from free Information Technology (IT) training at the Richard Faikall Training College at Suddie on the Essequibo Coast. The move was made possible through the kind donation of a computer centre and library by overseas-based Guyanese company Zara Reality Holdings.
According to Zara Reality Holdings Vice President Jay Sobhraj, the company has invested US$ 100,000 in the IT project on the Essequibo Coast. He said the aim of the project is to bridge the communication gap that exists in today’s society and to equip all Essequibians with knowledge of how to use a computer.
He said the donation was a way the company could give back to the people.

An official of the company cuts the ribbon to officially open the IT centre, while acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell looks on

“We want everyone on the Essequibo Coast to make the maximum use of this opportunity, what you are getting here is a valuable opportunity.”
Sobhraj said thus far the company has managed to build and install 11 centres of similar nature, outlining that six were built in Guyana and five in North America, where the company operates.
“We cannot prepare the future for you, however, we can prepare you for the future,” Sobhraj said.
Meanwhile, Nardeo Singh, a computer consultant attached to Zara Reality Holdings for the past 25 years, said the project aims to create a society that is computer literate.
He said the 36 computers are connected to the Internet and has a DELL server.
The centre also will facilitate a pilot project which will cater for five students from various secondary schools. He said a special trainer has been selected to manage the class and will prepare the students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) IT examinations.
Delivering the feature address at the commissioning of the Guyana Police Force/ Zara Computer Centre was acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who said the donation of the computers and library at the college is a classic example of partnership.
Brumell said IT is no longer a skill, rather it has become a culture for the Guyana Police Force.
Top priority
Brumell said the Guyana Police Force is developing rapidly in terms of IT, noting that it is a top priority for all officers. He said the force had budgeted Gy$ 200 million for training but unfortunately, it was only able to acquire Gy$ 50 million. Brumell noted the donation from Zara Reality Holdings is timely since it comes when the force is modernising.
He said the focus is on officers becoming computer literate and for information to be linked station to station, electronically via the Internet.
The acting police commissioner said the move to utilise the centre to train civilians was also a prudent one, noting that it will help to build strong ties between the Guyana Police Force and the community.
The unveiling of the plaque and cutting of the ribbon were done by executive members of the Zara Reality Holdings, Jay Sohbraj, Nardeo Singh and Sarvan Budhu.
Zara Reality Holdings had earlier supported the police force with the establishment of a similar computer training centre in Berbice, where the training has been extended to schools and members of the community.

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By Vahnu Manikchand and Ruqayyah Boyer -

Click on image to enlarge

Eleven-old Salma Majeed of ISA Islamic School gained 548 marks to cop the top spot in this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), bringing prestige to her school and satisfaction to parents and teachers who worked tirelessly in preparing her for the examinations.
Pile of Mae’s Under 12 scored 547. Several other students from the school made it into the top 100.
Surrounded by family members, teachers and classmates, Majeed said she is happy to have achieved this milestone because she worked really hard and always tried her best.
Ecstatic
The ecstatic 11-year-old pointed out that she does not have any particular weakness, but noted that her two favourite subjects are science and social studies. She thanked her family, friends and teachers for being supportive. Majeed is advising other students aspiring to achieve success, to always try their best and do not back off when faced with difficulties. She noted that she is looking forward with great anticipation to working even harder in her secondary school years.
Meanwhile, her proud and emotional mother was speechless at the news and was still trying to come to grips with it when she was approached to comment about her daughter’s success. She noted, “I didn’t expect this, she always used to do good and tried her best, but this is beyond our expectations, but we are happy about it.”
Christian Pile, 11, of Mae’s Under 12 copped the second spot in the top 10 and was very happy that all his hard work paid off. The young man scored 547 marks at the examinations.
The young man believes that he deserves the position as he anticipates his future at Queens College, where he will continue to strive for excellence. Pile said in preparing for the exams, he would go home from school and study with the help of his mother and father and was assisted by his teacher, adding that his success could not be possible without the will of Almighty God.
He remarked that he hopes to one day become an astronomer and thanked his teachers for all they have done in preparing him for the exams.
At number three, Navindra Persaud expressed excitement at his achievement, noting that he studied really hard to gain the position he got. The 11-year-old said he prayed a lot and was heavily supported by his teachers. Taking the third spot, the Mae’s Under 12 student disclosed he is aspiring to become a doctor or a cricketer just like his role model, Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Persaud’s advice to other students who want to excel academically is to work hard, never quit and pray.
Tears of joy
Ashtmi Natasha Deo, 11, came in at number four. She broke down in tears of joy when asked to comment about her success at the exam, noting that she never expected to perform this well, but was very grateful nevertheless. She said her parents were the driving force behind her success and credited her teachers at Mae’s Under 12. The aspiring doctor/musician noted that her success is somewhat bittersweet because of the fact that some of her friends did not make it. In preparation for exams, Deo recalled the efforts she put into studying and all the hard work she did and sacrifices she made
The fifth position was awarded to another Mae’s Under 12 student, 11-year-old Brandon Chanderban, who described his feelings as euphoric. He noted that he underwent vigorous preparations for the exams and was assisted by his parents and teachers. With aspirations of becoming a lawyer, the lad said he can now relax after months of tedious hard work. Chanderban explained that the assessment was not difficult and he is overwhelmed that he emerged successful.
Hard work
Zane Ramotar, in at number six and also of Mae’s Under 12, expressed his elation at the news. He stated that he worked hard to attain the space and was assisted by his father with his studies. Ramotar disclosed that he worked a lot of past exam papers. The lad thanked his teachers and parents for being supportive, noting that he is looking forward for his tenure at the country’s top secondary school. Ramotar said that he aspires to be a pilot and will work even harder to achieve this.
Exceeding her expectation, Leshanna Bindah from Stella Maris Primary School related that while she knew she would be placed in the top spots, she did not expect to be in the top 10. Bindah was placed seventh in the country. She said that preparations for exams were filled with sleepless nights and tiresome work with hardly any spare time.
Bindah, an aspiring doctor, said the exams were not hard except for English, which she noted, proved to be a little difficult. The young lady added that she is still trying to come to grip with her achievements, noting that she can now relax until school re-opens.
Abdur-Ramhman Sattaur was surrounded by friends and teachers when this publication visited the Al Ghazali Islamic Academy. The lad said he was excited and ecstatic when he received the news of being placed eighth in the country. He added that the exams were “tricky”, noting that the questions were not too hard or too easy, but some of them were “tricky”. Sattaur said he worked hard before the exams and had to study a lot; however, he does not mind it because it helped him to make the country’s top 10. While he does not have any aspirations, the lad noted that he is very fond of science.
Sacrifice
When this newspaper broke the news to 11-year-old Divya Jagroo, who copped the ninth position, she began screaming, her fellow classmates surrounded her outside of the Graham’s Hall Primary School. Jagroo was placed ninth in top 10 along with three other persons. She told Guyana Times International that the news is very rewarding since all of her hard work has paid off.
“Before exams, it was a bit difficult because I had to go bed late and I had to make sacrifices like stop watching TV and gave up playtime to study.”
The aspiring doctor pointed out that she always wanted to go to Queens College and can do so now while adding that the most difficult subject during the exam was mathematics. The elated girl quickly called home and related the news to her parents.
Daniel Baldeo-Thorne, 10, said preparing for exams was tough, especially for the subjects that he does not like, nevertheless he studied and it proved beneficial for him as he was placed 10th among the country’s top performers. The aspiring astronaut thanked God, his teachers and parents, more so his father for their support. The New Guyana School student noted that his father was the one who pushed him, even though he would not want to study.
Topping Region Six and also placing ninth is Renee Bisnauth of Cropper Primary.
Her father, who is a high school teacher, said he expected his daughter to do well and getting 540 marks at this year’s examinations came as no surprise to him. Bisnauth got the news of her success, but did not believe until her teachers confirmed the information.
“I was surprised and excited when belief started to step in,” the youngster said.
Serious study
According to her father, it was only about a month before the exams that Renee started to study seriously. “But before that she was always doing well in class.” Renee copped the first place at the National Spelling B Competition in 2011 and went on to represent Guyana in St Kitts where she finished fourth.
She said apart from school, she attended lessons conducted by her class teacher for one hour on school days. The free lesson, she said, focused on revising most on the work that was done in class during regular school time.
Her biggest thanks however go to her former Headteacher Leroy King, who according to her took a special interest in her educational development. According to Renee’s father, King lent him some old exam papers to help Renee with her studies when he retired in January. “That certainly did help,” he said.
During the last month for the examinations, the top student said she got up at 5:30h and studied for one hour. The evening was used to do home work. One of the first family members to learn of Renee’s achievement was her mother Dian, who told Guyana Times International after learning that the results were going to be out the day, was on the Internet waiting on the results, and at 14:15h, her wait was over.
“I am proud at my daughter’s achievement,” she said.

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Almost two years after a Caribbean Airlines 737-800 slid off the end of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport runway, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is optimistic that it will be in receipt of the final report within 60 days.

The CAL aircraft after the crash

GCAA Director Zulfikar Mohammed told Guyana Times International that the report is presently being reviewed by the investigative team comprising GCAA Aviation Safety Regulations Director Paula McAdam, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and officials of the Trinidad-based aircraft.
The first draft of the report was completed last November and submitted to the NTSB in Washington, DC, USA for review and advice.
Crash investigators believe excessive speed and other suspected lapses in landing procedures caused the Caribbean Airlines plane to skid off the runway on July 30. Nobody was killed in the accident, but terrified passengers scrambled out of the wreckage to safety.
Preliminary findings by investigators suggested that the pilot might have erred in the mishap, rather than experience mechanical or other system malfunctions. The twin-engine Boeing aircraft was at the time carrying 163 passengers. It landed too fast and too far down the runway. Reports were that the cockpit crew of Flight 523 did not convey to the air traffic controllers on approach that they were experiencing difficulties.
Caribbean Airlines Flight 523 overran runway six at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and several of the 163 passengers aboard were injured.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8BK, had flown from the John F Kennedy Airport, New York to Georgetown, with a stopover at the Piarco International Airport, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. After touching down on a rainy day, the plane crashed through the perimeter fence. The aircraft went over a road before stopping 100 metres and breaking into two.
The majority of the injured were treated at Diamond Diagnostic Hospital and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where 35 passengers were treated for leg, back and neck injuries.
Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar flew to Guyana to assess the situation, since the government of Trinidad and Tobago owns Caribbean Airlines.
A passenger later sued the airline seeking damages for her injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of earnings and earning capacity.
There have been a number of other suits filed by Guyanese who were on that flight.

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Ignoring calls by the combined opposition for the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) to hold off on any tariff increases, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Monday insisted that the company must be able to go ahead with the hike, saying this was coming after five years of no adjustment during which time oil prices had risen by about 60 per cent.
He said the cost of oil constitutes about 80 per cent of the cost of providing electricity. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the power company has been facing dire financial constraints over the past few years as a result of high technical and commercial losses, and this position has been compounded with the slashing of its Gy$ 5.2 billion subsidy by the parliamentary opposition during the consideration of the 2013 national budget.
As such, it has made a proposal to institute a 26.7 per cent tariff increase, which has been submitted to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The new rates have not yet taken effect, but the GPL board is actively engaged in planning its implementation.
At present, the average price per kilo watt hour is Gy$ 63 and with the 26.7 per cent increase, the new rate will be about Gy$ 80 per kilowatt hour.
Speaking on a programme on the National Communications Network (NCN), Hinds, who has responsibility for the electricity sector, said GPL has been foregoing the increase in tariffs that it ought to have been receiving.
The company has calculated over Gy$ 20 billion of foregone income. The prime minister said that while this increase will be very demanding on people, this adjustment should have been coming in smaller steps of about five per cent per annum.
“This 26.7 per cent is a big step, but it comes after five years of no increases and five years of greatly increased cost, especially for oil… the alternative for the future is for the annual review to be put into effect, in which case one would probably see increases of no more than five per cent per year,” he said.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the annual government subsidy has been meeting a lot of the shortfalls in the income required by the company.
It has been part of the government’s efforts to ensure that customers are not made to bear the burden of the high cost. The prime minister said the utility needs to have enough money to keep its operations running, and if this tariff is suppressed, then ultimately, the level and quality of service will be degraded.
Commercial losses
With regards to commercial losses, the prime minister said that one in every 10 customers is billed for less electricity than they use. At present, the company suffers a technical loss of 31.5 per cent and there have been times when it has been as high as 41 per cent.
“The commercial losses require investments, but most of all it requires a culture change from people… it is essential that we have a culture change in Guyana with respect to paying for less electricity than one uses,” the prime minister said.
He explained that the budget cut that GPL suffered has reinforced the argument that the company should have been charging a tariff each year that is established in its licence.
With regards to the Alliance For Change (AFC) comments that the tariff hike can provoke unrest, the prime minister said that this action could lead to a complete deterioration of the system as it did in 1978 when there was no power in Georgetown for about three days.
“We have been giving great consideration to the issue of electricity tariffs, but costs eventually have to be met… our hope was that we could somehow manage until Amaila came along,” the prime minister said.
The 26.7 per cent is calculated in accordance with the 1999 Electricity Sector Reform Act (ESRA) and its licence. GPL’s 2012 audited accounts showed that the company suffered a loss of Gy$7.6 billion in 2012. Only two increases have been implemented by the company in the last 10 years.

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