Views from the Atlantis Submarine in Grand Cayman
September 29, 2008
I sat in the world most technologically advanced passenger submarine, touring a large area with rich marine life in Grand Cayman. It was a unique and breathtaking underwater experience for me sitting in a submarine passenger seat going beyond the depths of 115ft to see the beautiful corals grow, schools of brightly colored fish frolic [Moorish idol fish, peacock colored parrot fish, candy stripe squirrel fish, It’s a gigantic world underneath water unseen by anyone except scuba divers and fishes. A friendly co pilot provides us with tons of knowledge in an entertaining narration about the huge barrel sponges, star corals, snappers, groupers, stingrays, green sea turtles, sharks, starfish, sea horse and eels all in their natural habitat. A submarine adventure at night is a rare experience that reveals glimpses of fish and exotic corals not seen during the day, in the night the creatures, coral and colors come out.
The submarine experience provides a thrilling expedition through the world…it was amazing, stunning, beautiful…first time underwater experience for me and would be an astonishing memory. Also it’s an ideal tour to gain insight on the importance of reefs and to observe how mankind contributes to the development of reefs and the ecosystems.
My recent US Airways Experience
September 28, 2008
I just returned to the US from the Caribbean and I flew on US Airways. I couldn’t believe that they now charge 1 USD for cup of cheap coffee. It’s bad enough that they charge 15USD one piece of luggage and $25 dollars for the second piece, now they are charging for a cup of coffee! This is absolutely sad to see what is happening to a great American industry. The airlines have gone to the dogs, just like the housing market. Everything seems to be getting destroyed in America, Just earlier today I read an article on Reuters which focused on the German Financial Minister weighing in on the US financial crisis. What was key according the German financial minister is the US will no longer be the financial superpower it one was? The world seems to be watching the US crumble due to its’ own greed; this point was also highlighted by the minister albeit in no so many words.
Why doesn’t US Airways charge you the price for your luggage when you are booking the flight? Once you are at the counter, you have no choice but to pay and that’s the catch. If US Airways were to tell passengers of the cost upfront, then maybe passengers would pack lighter. However, this would result in less revenue for the carrier. I find this very deceiving as I am sure to many other passengers who were surprised by the additional cost at the airport. As a frequent flyer my experience with airlines vary across the board so to say which one is better, I just simply cannot, But I will say that American Airlines is by far the worst airline I have used and I vowed to never use them again. American Airline simply suck at everything, from customer care baggage handling and everything in between.
Haresh Outar
Must Read! The Reality of our Tax Money by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 28, 2008
INTRODUCTION
Without our businesses generating jobs and paying taxes, the Ministers of Government will be like most of us, devoting great amounts of time in the daily struggle to survive.
It is our tax money that pays the Ministers for their expensive vehicles, for their drivers, for their gas, in some cases for their first class travel when they go to other countries, for their entertainment such as when you see them out in public and they offer to buy you a drink, it is quite often our money that they are using.
Dr. Jagan, who I respected for his struggles of the people of Guyana while in Opposition, shocked all of us in 1992 after he won the election and moved into the biggest house in Guyana (State House).
He immediately forgot what it was like to be poor and enjoyed the luxury of the colonial masters he and the current president so vehemently rejects.
The current administration has continued to tax our people with the highest of tax rates in the region. When any key official is sick, they all go to the United States for medical care; none ever go to Cuba or Russia for medical care.
WHERE DOES GOVT GET MONEY?
In my Wednesday’s economic corner, I brought to your attention the high taxes we pay on vehicles. I myself was shocked that a vehicle which can be purchased in America for US$40,000 will cost someone in Guyana the equivalent of US$128,500.
This vehicle, if exempt of Guyana taxes, would cost the equivalent of US$42,700, which means that the Duty, Excise Tax and Value Added Tax represent the equivalent of US$85,800 (2 times the cost of the vehicle).
Prior to the introduction of VAT, when vehicles were subject to Duty, Consumption Tax and Purchase Tax the total taxes represented approximately 1.75 times the cost of the vehicle.
This clearly shows that the introduction of VAT (and Excise Tax) caused a significant increase in the price of new vehicles to the consumer, unlike Government’s claims that VAT would have resulted in tax and cost reductions. This was a Burnham era tax levied on the wealthy during the socialist days.
When the communists came into power in 1992 they kept it there to prevent the masses from acquiring the same vehicles they now drive. If the law had changed, you too could be driving a new Pathfinder or BMW alongside the government official.
I bought a house for $25M and spent about $10M changing the entire electrical and plumbing system. I decided to sell the property for 35M in order to invest in another.
The Guyana Revenue Authority refused to give me any credit for capital investments and made me pay taxes on the 10M as profits, even though we clearly, as they requested, provided full receipts of work done.
Finally someone told me, I was naive, I should have just paid them off and it would have been okay because that is how it is done in Guyana.
The Corruption Index released this last week proved that theory as we are the second most corrupt country in the region.
Here are some of the taxes we pay:
1.Value Added Tax (VAT) 16% on purchases (Clothes, Food, Entertainment, Restaurants, even when the fees by your accountant to do your taxes is charged an extra 16%, so to pay your taxes, your accountant must also pay GRA.
2. 33% Income Tax on all wages above the 35,000 Threshold. No tax credit for child care, etc.
3. 33% on all Rental Income.
4. Two times the cost of a new vehicle and double the cost on older vehicles based on size of engine. No credit is given for Clean Gas vehicles such as the Hybrid models even though we want to sell our forest for Green credit.
5. 5.6% National Insurance Scheme
6. Corporate Taxes if you have a small or large business
7. Fitness for Your car (Annual)
8. Licence Fees (Annual)
9. Rates and Taxes (Annual)
10. Property Taxes (Annual)
11. Bribe Tax (for some)
CONCLUSION
It is our land that is given to a few select people with concessions; it is our land that will produce oil, and it is our tax money that pays for incompetence in management of our sugar and rice industry. We were rated one of the most corrupt countries in the world this last week.
We have many hundreds of thousands of people in our country who cannot afford a bicycle, a motorcycle, much less a car. Many in the back of Port Mourant are still without electricity and running water.
Many of our school children sit on latrines riddled with diseases, many salaries per week cannot even pay for transportation.
For a country that collects so much tax from its people, one would expect we would see it back in teachers’ wages or tax rebates to us. I want to leave you with this thought:
“Next time you see a government minister in a beautiful vehicle, or you are treated badly at Customs or asked for a bribe by a Policeman, remember, you are the one that is paying their bills per month to treat us with disrespect.”
We need our taxes reduced, we need for government to stop raping us of our hard earned dollars and doing it with a smile, and we need a government that is for all of the people, not some of the people.
Peter Ramsaroop
Jobs and Education in Guyana by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 27, 2008
INTRODUCTION
Our company receives many applications per day from young and old looking for meaningful work. Recently we saw the results from the CSEC where many students excelled, some with as many as thirteen subjects.
Many graduates from the University of Guyana are yet to find jobs to match their education.
In a recent news item in this paper on Monday 22 Sept 2008, reporter Rustom Seegopaul captured the essence of the problem with his interviews of a business owner, a graduate, a lecturer, a faculty Dean and students.
He noted that many businesses were looking for people with experience, while many graduates were frustrated their counterparts that had not attended university, now had more job experience than them and may in fact have already taken up the limited jobs. His report was timely and further discussions on the topic relevant.
SCHOOLS AND INTERNSHIP
When I ran my businesses in the United States, one of the key aspects of our future employees program was to work with Universities on a formal summer internship program.
We accepted a few students every summer to work with our company to gain experience. Many times when some of those students finally graduated, we hired them as permanent employees.
One school in Georgetown that aggressively works with such a program is the Business School. I have hired some over the years after their internship.
I would recommend that the University of Guyana formally put such a program in place with every level of business in the nation. Students must realize that an internship is a chance to learn and excel.
One will have to learn to do small tasks that will seem low to some because they may feel that they have education versus the other peers working alongside them.
Wrong attitude: Many may say I do not want to work in a store for an internship even if I am studying business. With the right attitude, you will learn customer service, pricing, quality control, inventory and possible accounting. This little experience can go a long way in future jobs in business management.
Success comes from learning to do the most basic of tasks. I have found that because I had done the lowest of tasks in my lifetime, if one day my employees don’t show up to work, I would not get paranoid and be able to do the tasks myself.
In my Military training, I learned to clean 25 toilets per day, today I can afford a maid, but can also do the chores myself, and cleaning one toilet seems so easy.
During an internship it is not about the money, but about the experience. Update your resume right after such an internship and try to do one per year until you graduate. This will significantly aid in your future employment when you graduate.
OPENING OUR JOB MARKET
One senior businessman last Saturday reminded me that apart from the Government passing laws and legislation that allow for a healthy business environment, it is the private sector and the citizens that run the country.
We need better policies that will open our investment climate to outside capital in areas of manufacturing. To do this, we need to solve our energy crisis and have a more friendly investment code.
For you to get jobs those critical components are needed and taxes must be reduced for consumers and businesses alike. I was shocked at one advertisement from a leading business on Sunday that showed the sale of vehicles.
One vehicle that can seat a family of seven was about G$5.6M which is equivalent to about US$27,000. The Government taxes on this vehicle were over $17M putting the vehicle at G$25M or about US$125,000. Imagine paying such figures for a US$27,000 vehicle.
The point I wanted to make there, that dealer may be able to only sell a few vehicles, but without such raping taxes may be able to sell much more which in turn would create more jobs in sales, accounting and repairs.
CONCLUSION
We’re at a crucial time in our history in Guyana. Much can be done now to build our today and our future, where we work together to create that positive-sum market economy.
In the interview by the reporter, the Dean and the Minister all had excuses why the job market was not adequate.
We can increase our job market as I mentioned by reducing taxes, creating a friendly investment code to attract outside capital and foremost solve our energy crisis with investment in alternative energy such as Ethanol and Hydropower.
These should be the topics at cabinet level meetings. We need an economic council made up of private sector leaders and public sector legislators to continually focus on this area in order for our citizens to have a chance of prosperity.
Let us get over the excuses and create concrete solutions to ensure that there is a larger job market in Guyana in order to keep our skill sets right here.
Peter Ramsaroop
Womenomics by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 26, 2008
INTRODUCTION
Over the last two years, since my separation and divorce, I have learned what it is like to really take care of my children when I have them, what it is like to cook, clean, get them ready for school and get them there on time, and then helping them with homework and waking up and doing it all over again.
I couldn’t help but think of the women that ensure that their families are taken care of while the breadwinner goes off to work, as well as those that work and then come home and get dinner ready or help their children with homework and get them ready for bed.
And imagine the single mothers that have to do it all on their own without any assistance. Women that work and contribute to the household income must also be commended.
Sometimes we forget the sacrifices that women contribute to our society. Organizations such as Red Thread and others have done a great service for those in need.
I know the young Minister of Human Services is working aggressively at addressing the needs of single parents. The government has a significant role to play outside of social help in the areas of taxes and job training.
THE VALUE
Economists have argued for two different methods to measure the value of a woman’s contribution to the household: the opportunity cost method and the replacement cost method.
The fundamental idea behind the opportunity cost method is “what does the household sacrifice by having the woman stay at home to work?” In other words, what is the opportunity cost of a woman’s time?
If she can earn GY$30,000 a month, and she decides to forgo an hour of work to do the dishes, the cost of that task is $187.00 per hour. The economist then says the GY$187 measures the value of an hour of a woman or housewife’s service.
The replacement cost approach to the problem asks: “how much would it cost to replace the services of the housewife?”
The idea being one could go into the market place, find the wage for nannies, cooks, after-school teaching, etc., and then use these wages as the value of the housewife services. Sometimes an average is used; sometimes the wage within each specialty is used.
WOMEN IN THE WORK PLACE
I was speaking to a young teacher this week who has to buy materials out of her own salary to teach our children, materials such as board erasers, rulers and teaching aids.
Studies have shown that many women are not given the same opportunities or wages as men when it comes to promotions.
Many men also still expect their women when they come home from work to do all the chores It is widely known that women are not relieved from their household duties when they take up remunerative work outside their home.
It is, thus, hypothesized that working women will manage to do their household work in lesser time by increasing their efficiency or lessening their burden by getting help from others, including their husbands. For most of the cases, this is not really so.
FORMAL PROGRAMS NEEDED
I would advocate and support Minister Manickchand for her work in supporting single mothers and job training programs. Both my organization Vision Guyana and the Benschop Foundation have contributed significantly to single mothers.
I would challenge the Minister to push for reduction in income taxes and tax credits for working couples with children, who must pay for child care and other expenses such as school transportation. Public and free transportation for school children and teachers are needed.
Many women teachers end up also being counsellors for children that may have low self esteem as a result of unstable, abusive or neglected homes. Yet teachers’ pay here in Guyana is one of the lowest in the world.
CONCLUSION
Women have contributed and continue to contribute to our nation’s development in many areas of expertise. Men must take on larger roles in the household whether or not your spouse or partner is working in or outside the home. There is a great cost for those women that stay home and keep the household together.
The sugar workers’ spouses who get up every morning at four o’clock to get their husband’s or partner’s lunch together must still be around when they come home for dinner. The sugar workers have asked for a needed pay raise, which is yet to be resolved.
Other areas must be the reduction in taxes for all. I give my highest respect to the women who everyday make our households, our children, and our nation a better place to live.
Peter Ramsaroop
Humor: Guyanese bread makers have formed “Association of Bakers”
September 25, 2008
Minister assures there will be no increase in prices for bread and biscuits
By Priya NauthMINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, has expressed disappointment with National Milling Company Limited (NAMILCO) flour prices and has assured that there will be no increases as indicated by the Association of Bakers.
At a press conference yesterday at his ministry on South Road, Georgetown, Prashad reassured the public that there will be no price increase as indicated in a press release issued by the Association of Bakers Tuesday.
A release from the association announced that it was introducing new prices for bread and biscuits because the price of flour has reverted to the pre-subsidiary levels which are approximately 22 per cent higher than the subsidized price.
“In keeping with our civic and social responsibility, yet mindful of our very survival as viable business entities, a meeting was held with the Management of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) and we succeeded in obtaining some further reduction in the price of flour,” the Association had said.
However, Minister Prashad said, “We heard an organisation calling themselves the Association of Bakers announced a 22 per cent increase…there is no organised association, it is just a few people lobbying and a few bakers come together and issued this press release.”
Taken from www.guyanachronicle.com September 25th 2008
Humor: Man gets two years for stealing sister‘s DVD–seriously
September 25, 2008
This is too funny not to share. I wonder what the ignorant Judge would have given the man if he had stolen DVDs too. Now what kind of DVD player is worth 600 USD. This Judge is absolutely out of touch with reality.
A man who stole a DVD player from his sister was sentenced to two years imprisonment when he appeared before Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Shawn Gathers, 34, of 4 Lamaha Street, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to simple larceny.
It is alleged that on September 17 in Georgetown, Gathers stole a DVD player from Keron Ragnauth, valued $130, 000.
The prosecution stated that on the day in question Gathers’ sister secured her home and accompanied her mother to the market.
When she got back her other brother told her that Gathers, who lives in a house at the back of the yard, had gone into her home and was seen running away with the DVD player.
The sister said that she made a check in the house and discovered that the DVD player was indeed missing. She subsequently made a report to the Alberttown Police Station and Gathers was later arrested.
The sister went on to say that Gathers took the police to the person who he had sold the player to but at present it is not working.
Gathers stated that on the day in question he was at home and “I din had anyting foh eat so I sell the DVD player to buy something.”
He said that he sold it for $5,000 to a man in Albouystown and it was recovered after he was arrested.
The magistrate then sentenced him to two years imprisonment.
Taken for www.stabroeknews.com
Economics: The 700 Billion Dollar Bailout
September 25, 2008
Well, last night our out going president on his television address to the nation noted that a recession is quite real, more banks will fail, and the likelihood of more Americans loosing jobs is not far fetched. So what’s new? The 700 billion dollars the government plans to inject into the stock market to attempt to avoid a recession. Way to go Mr. Bush. My taxes will increase because of the greed of mortgage lenders, brokers, and Americans who wanted to live in homes they knew they could not afford. But the sad fact is that if money is not injected in to the market, the American economy will crumble and hard at that. So you are right? However, what I don’t get is that top ecomomic advisors couldn’t anticipate the impending future a year ago or did they and choose to do nothing at all? I think the latter is more in line considering the simplicity of problem.
It’s basic economics 101. People put zero down on a 600K home, without having any collateral in the bank, and earning 40K a year, something is bound to go wrong. While banks were underwriting these high risk loans and raking in the interest, all was well in the land. But these loans were difficult to maintain because people were working harder and longer hours to keep up with the payment and then they couldn’t after a few years or months. Thus, foreclosures swept the land from one neighborhood to the next and banks were forced to expose their financials which led to falling stocks and bankruptcy filings.
So it is with regret, that I support the 700 billion dollar initiative by the government to keep the economy afloat. There are no alternatives as I see it. If the economy fails, working Americans will face an extremely difficult future.
Andrew
Energy: Hydrogen Solutions by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 23, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
As we argue over whether to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) or not, the focus should shift rapidly to internal changes that we need to institute in order to make the lives of our citizens better. One of the hindrances to foreign direct investments is the cost for energy in Guyana.
(Please note to use the Search Engine on the Website of this newspaper for previous columns on Energy). These are follow-up columns that continue the discussions on various energy solutions.
Projects such as the Hydro Power Plant and Ethanol projects are yet to get off the ground. Years have gone by since these should have. We concentrate on things like Carifesta, whether to sign the EPA or small seed farming instead of focusing on the one thing that must change in our nation in order for all of us to have a chance to prosper.
Another aspect of energy we have lobbied hard for is tariff-free concessions on all Hybrid or Fuel Efficient Model Cars or products. Most of these cars now get 40-60MPG. Those are the cars we need in Guyana along with the light rail system we have proposed. Solutions also exist for the current vehicles we have to improve efficiency and the environment. Such products will bring down our rising transportation cost and ultimately put more money back in our pockets.
USE OF HYDROGEN GROWS TO FUEL VEHICLES:
One of Vision Guyana’s overseas advisors, Mr. Don Lightfoot, is also a director of a company called BlueWave Hybrid Systems, a company that is set to revolutionize the industry with a product that can be installed in most model vehicles. Mr. Lightfoot emphasized that they are using as a fuel source and an energy carrier, hydrogen…the most abundant element in the universe…to move it from science fiction and basic research to the world’s highways.
Hydrogen is the most versatile of renewable energy resources — a universal fuel that can be burned in an engine or used in a fuel cell to power vehicles, buildings and homes, utility power plants and anything else that uses electrical energy. When burned in an engine, hydrogen is about 30 percent more efficient than gasoline. Hydrogen engines do not emit carbon dioxide, and the only byproduct of fuel cells is clean water.
In a fuel cell, hydrogen is an energy carrier rather than a fuel. An energy carrier is a substance or system that moves energy in usable form from one place to another. Electricity, the best-known energy carrier, moves the energy stored in coal, uranium and other sources from power plants to homes and businesses.
Hydrogen burns more rapidly than hydrocarbon fuels because it is smaller and enters combustion reactions at a higher velocity, has lower activation energy and incurs more molecular collisions than heavier molecules, according to Mr. Lightfoot.
He said that BluWave Hybrid has launched its new fuel-saving Hydrogen-on-Demand products to the environmentally conscious consumer throughout America and is taking this energy saving product to all corners of the globe, including the Caribbean via an online campaign. The website, BluWaveHybrid.com, also provides an interactive social community consisting of forums, message boards, podcasts and blogs geared specifically to the community of Hydrogen activists and enthusiasts from around the globe that are involved in advancing technology to decrease global oil consumption and lower emissions.
The eco-friendly BluWave Hybrid Systems transforms cars and trucks into a BluWave Hybrid, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, increased engine horsepower and torque, while lowering emissions. There are three models of the BluWave Hybrid Hydrogen-on-Demand Systems available dependent on the vehicle’s engine size…and costs between US$399-$599 which can be easily installed yourself, or by a trained technician for about US$100. The system pays for itself through fuel cost savings, in most cases, in less than a year.
Hydrogen gas is plentiful on Earth, but it is found only in compound form with other elements — two hydrogen atoms combined with one oxygen atom is water (H20), and hydrogen combined with carbon forms compounds (hydrocarbons) like methane, coal and petroleum. Scientists around the world are addressing this and other technology barriers.
CONCLUSION:
An effective energy program for all Guyanese must ensure the rational and efficient use of imported petroleum-based energy sources, while encouraging, where economically feasible and environmentally acceptable, increased utilization of new and renewable sources of energy. And there must be tariff and tax concessions for all Hybrid or Fuel Efficient Model Cars or products such as the BluWave Hybrid Systems I described, which addresses our energy and environment needs today…not years from now…but today.
War around Guyana? - Venezuela’s Aggression by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 23, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
Many are aware that I am very pro-west in my beliefs as most Guyanese are, as evident by their interest in moving to the United States and Canada. I believe that our President, who is Russian trained, is not pro-west. President Chavez this last Thursday kicked the US Ambassador out of his country as the Russians came in with their bombers and naval ships while the US is reactivating their 4th Fleet for the Caribbean region. Read more
Improving Public Service - Licence Revenue Office (LRO) by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 23, 2008
INTRODUCTION
There is a great need for a total revamping of the Licence Revenue Office (LRO) in relation to the issuing of driver’s licence and obtaining of licence plates for vehicle registration. What we need is a more rational and systemic way of issuing a driver a licence and the storing and retrieving of that information that is attached to the licence.
The ease of access to this data will be a deterrent for criminals. This information will include but not be limited to, owner’s information, description of car, insurance information and prior accidents and violations and or incidents attached to that vehicle.
It pains my heart to see every time there is crime committed in this country, and we have a description of a vehicle, we can’t seem to find that vehicle. We need to start using the excess VAT money we have in the Government Bank to improve the system. This is just one example of needed improvement.
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS
An automated motor vehicle and licencing system would serve us the citizens’ well. There will be an extensive database of all drivers, vehicles and accidents. The creation of an all-points bulletin system, picture IDs that can be verified in the streets. A system like this will make police at roadblocks more effective in their search for suspects and the wanted. They can then verify someone’s identity, if their licence is suspended, or if they even had a licence in the first place. In terms of security, information would be readily available at the fingertips of the police to conduct investigations. Police will not have to wait until the LRO opens to get any information on a driver or a vehicle and via computer networks will have access to information 24 hours a day.
A system of this magnitude can also help the Guyana Police Force with an added source of revenue from a technological ticket-writing system, which can complement the radar guns they already have.
The backbone of these types of systems thrives on data. In the present state if I am given a ticket and never pay that citation or show up in court to answer to the citation most times, it will fall through all the cracks in the system. In order to effectively manage a citation/ticket-writing based system, information must be available to police and the courts. If I am stopped by the police for any reason, they must be able to check to see if I have any prior violations and see if I paid those violations.
COST
A system like this can practically pay for itself. For example, we have far over 100,000 licence holders and over 150,000 vehicles that must register and or have fitness every year. If 150,000 thousand vehicles are registered every year and 50,000 persons either renew or get a new licence, and we add a mere US$2 ($400 Guyana) to the charge for both, we would be able to collect in revenue close to US$400,000 a year, that can practically pay for such a system. Another way for paying for this system is to use the excess VAT money that is in the Government Bank, instead of taxing us the citizens. Government already takes over half of our pay.
CONCLUSION
An automated Licence Revenue Office could act as the backbone for a security infrastructure. The counterfeiting of licences will be made a Herculean task due to the security features that a card-based licence will carry. The paper version of the licence that we have can be produced in any bottom-house lab with a good printer and software. It is an embarrassment to know that certain business entities in this country have stopped accepting the Guyana driver’s licence, due to the perception that it is not a valid document for identification anymore.
Let us not wait until the next techno revolution comes and passes us by, let us implement a systemic and automated way of obtaining a driver’s licence so that the police can have a hand on security and traffic matters.
Send responses to peter.ramsaroop@gmail.com
Peter Ramsaroop
Parking Meters - Revenues for Georgetown by Peter Ramsaroop of Vision Guyana
September 23, 2008
The Mayor of Georgetown advocated aggressively for new revenue in order to improve the city. The fact that the Government does not pay its share of taxes to the city on time and holds the city hostage is sinister.
Withholding our taxpaying dollars from the city and other institutions such as Critchlow Labour College is a blatant disregard for the well-being of the citizens.
The need to invest in new technologies in order to improve public service efficiency and increase revenue is needed.
There are a few systems that are standard in the developed world that would fit practical improvements, if implemented in Guyana.
I will touch on one such system below and will address the other “License Office Technology” in Friday’s Economic Corner.
PARKING METERS
I was elated last year when I heard Deputy Mayor Robert Williams announce that they were introducing a parking meter system in Georgetown.
With the influx of so many vehicles in the 1990s to present, if not parking meters, they could have instituted some formal parking system.
As it is today, vehicles are parked where their owners feel like parking them and there are few legal parameters as to how people should park.
With a parking meter system and legal parameters of how we in the city should park, we can address a few issues: Regular congestion, parking-induced congestion (Congestion due to an ill-equipped parking system) that allows cars to over congregate in the main commercial areas resulting in crowding and stagnation on city streets, pollution; with the ever increasing flow of traffic into Georgetown, deleterious effects have resulted from the CO2 emissions from trucking, minibuses, taxis and private cars.
With this system the society can be encouraged to get back to the bicycle revolution like what is taking place in NYC and around the world. We can create safe zones and secure zones for people riding into the city to park or lock their bicycles.
COST
The implementation of such a system would require some form of technology (organization of knowledge, people and things to accomplish practical goals) It would also require some major investment in equipment and with the council strapped for money, the Government will need to pay up its taxes in order for the city to accomplish this goal.
Many would support such a plan for a structured parking system and some parking meters within the city. It is something we need.
With the upfront outlay of money to implement the system, it will definitely pay for itself over the years. There are two types of technology that the city can use to accommodate this.
1) Park and Display systems are used in many countries. This technology is simple, and instead of having one meter for every car, they can have one meter to cover a wide area.
Motorists will then pay at a station bay (Pay and Display Meters), receive a receipt and display this receipt inside the front windscreen of their vehicles and go ahead and park within the area marked as a pay to park.
One of these meters cost US$8,000 - US$10,000 and with a few sprinkled around Georgetown it would be good enough to collect revenue to justify its existence.
2) The second technology is what they call park by phone. This is an easy and far cheaper to operate technology. This technology will allow drivers to pay for their parking via their mobile phones.
They can either have it engineered here locally by GT&T and Digicel or let a developer/third party carry out the task.
If we have the local phone companies engineer the system, they will be paid from a percentage of the parking fees that are collected via their systems.
If we start by using ten of these meters (US$100,000), park by phone system (US$65,000) and a good citation/ticket writing system($90,000US) a total investment in equipment of US$255,000.
I know that there are enough car parks within this city, using the systems everyday, to have revenues totaling that and over within two years.
CONCLUSION
This is a basic automated system that should be fully supported and will be useful for a developing society like Guyana.
As usual, we tend to take a very long time to implement any proposed plans. I believe the city already has a proposal on the parking meter system ready to go.
With all the noise from the council that they are strapped for cash, I would think that they would vigorously seek to implement this project.
They will be able to raise some funds and get some credit for bringing some form of order to the city that is desperately needed.
This system will employ many young people, broaden the technological scope of Guyana and provide a much needed infrastructure that can be built upon and improved for the overall betterment of society.
Send responses to peter.ramsaroop@gmail.com
Peter Ramsaroop
America’s backyard in trouble by Peter Ramsaroop Chairman of Vision Guyana
September 23, 2008
Last week in my Sunday column, I discussed the aggression by Venezuela both on Guyana and the United States.
Our President said he doesn’t want to get involved in big nation politics; therefore he ignored the military exercise over our airspace and probably in our waters.
All the Caribbean leaders, including Guyana, that have signed the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela were extremely quiet.
The arms buildup in Venezuela must be of concern for us the Guyanese people whether or not the President wants to get involved.
Venezuela has claimed most of our country and has held it hostage to development for decades, yet our Government does nothing about it.
The conflict is bigger than just Venezuela’s involvement, given Russia’s position against the US for the Georgian conflict and the installation of missiles in Poland by the US.
They have found an ally in Venezuela to come into America’s backyard and Venezuela in turn had already paved the way by buying out CARICOM with the oil deal.
The Kremlin wants to establish its presence once again around the world and this should not be allowed to happen.
I was serving in the US Military in Europe in the late 80s and saw the poor economies at that time in East Germany and other Soviet bloc countries. We the people of Guyana must reinforce our alignment with the free world.
America must pay more attention to its own backyard. Guyana by signing the PetroCaribe deal has already taken its stand with Venezuela and possible alignment with Russia.
THE SECRET WAR
The fact that Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are binding together in our region should be both a concern for Guyana and for the United States.
There are now direct flights from Iran to Caracas, with stops in Syria. There are discussions on nuclear potential in Venezuela. Some of these countries are known for terrorism.
China has been waging the secret war in South America over the last decade, buying out and owning major raw materials in its quest for economic dominance. The US has been busy fighting the war on terror in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and has failed to concentrate on Latin America.
Many countries have gone leftist such as Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua, among others. Bolivia, like Venezuela, is moving towards dictatorship. Guyana is lost somewhere between communism and elected dictatorship. The President has been anti-west in most of his policies.
I have a hard time believing that our President was not aware of this exercise as he said. He received one of the highest awards last year from Mr. Putin, who is now in a third term through the backdoor, bypassing the Russian constitution where he could not serve as the President but serve as the Prime Minister. I believe that out of courtesy Russia would have notified Guyana, given its friendship.
THE BUDDING CONFLICT
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, one of the closest allies of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, visited both Venezuela and Cuba, this past week.
It is generally believed that Russia is forming greater alliances with Venezuela and Cuba, in response to the USA’s support of Georgia. This is a huge change in relationship between Washington and Moscow.
US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, said “Russia’s international standing is worse than at any time since 1991.” The Kremlin is furious about USA’s plans to establish anti-missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Russia is also arming the Republic of Iran. There is speculation that Russia will establish bases in both Venezuela and Cuba. Russia is believed to be exporting arms to 80 countries.
Venezuela bought Russian fighter jets and helicopters worth 540 million pounds Sterling, in 2006, with Indonesia buying a similar amount in 2007. China’s arms deals with Russia were worth one billion pounds Sterling, a year.
THIS IS OUR CHANCE
The involvement of Iran, Russia and Venezuela outside of our borders is a very dangerous development for Guyana, since we still have an unresolved border problem with Venezuela.
Why have we not put together a legal team as we did with the Suriname border dispute and take it to the UN?
This is our chance to make the world aware that Venezuela is holding our country hostage with its threat to invade if we develop the land they claim as theirs.
We the people of Guyana must stand up to our government to get this problem that has haunted us for decades over with.
We lack a strong foreign policy; we lack bold leadership and act weak when it comes to defending our nation. We need to develop our Essequibo region and bring prosperity to our people.
Send your response to peter.ramsaroop@gmail.com www.visionguyana.com
Fundraising, one dance at a time, thanks to Tagore Philanthropic Society!
September 22, 2008
This past weekend I attended the Tagore Philanthropic Society’s first ever fundraiser on September 2, 2008 at the Holy Trinity School in Hollis, Queens, NYC. It included a dance, dinner and a few performances.
The night started off with lots of eloquent speeches from the members of TPS. TPS basically helps raise funds for a school in Guyana, South America- Tagore High School to be exact. I was told they have provided computers, school supplies and money towards the school. Apparently Tagore is a quite prestigious school and is talked about as if it’s the Yale of Guyana. I’m not personally familiar with Guyana and its areas but I do know that people in these sections don’t have nearly as much as we are provided in the Northern hemisphere. But, just because people aren’t financially wealthy doesn’t mean they are not smart or have potential. The children there have great potential but aren’t provided with services and technology that they need to broaden their education.
The night went on and people enjoyed themselves all night dancing and Tassa performances (watch video here). There was even a Bollywood performance, which all services were donated to the cause. So many people showed up, I believe 300 people were there. It was nice to see so many people shelling out donations and all the ticket money (which included the raffle tickets, the ticket for the show and the liquor tickets) all that money went to helping others while we all had a great time. Thanks to TPS, while we danced the night away, others drank a bit and ate- we helped loads of children in another country… talk about power multitasking and who says it can’t be enjoyable?
I think it’s a great deed to help others. I know I may not have much but as much as I think I don’t have, there is always someone out there that is 20 times poorer than I am and still has a smile on their face. It makes me think how others can sit by and bitch and moan how they don’t have a sidekick or the new iphone and whatever else trivial possessions that we get addicted to yet, there are loads of people just our age ranges that have close to no possessions and still feel they lead a happy life. Some may not have even seen or touched a computer at all. I have written this blog basically to inform you guys that there are people that are out there helping and even though it may not be in serious numbers, the impact is huge like a tidal wave. Think about one person you may influence by showing you care with simple things like school supplies and some money, by providing little that you can you can help someone further their education and be closer to adulthood in help raising their country to a better status. We can all argue how countries like Guyana have horrid economics, authority figures and so on. But how do we expect that to change if we don’t educate others on another way of doing tasks? Of not educating others of other fallen government policies so they can think of new improved ways of developing their country. I don’t mean development as in tearing down trees to make hotels for tourism. I’m talking about educating the younger generation so they can travel the world and not have any sense of culture shock. I feel with an education, you can go anywhere and learn continuously throughout your lifetime, and no one can ever make you feel otherwise, with an open mind.
The Tagore Philanthropic Society’s official website is www.tagorecare.org. You should check it out. They have posted pictures of current student attending Tagore and members as well. Member information is up so if you’d like to join this upcoming organization, feel free to contact them. I have personally contacted them just this past Sunday and have gotten a fast reply. They are all quite welcoming and intelligent individuals that feel passionate about what they do and helping others achieve educational goals. They do feel one person can make a change. I do agree… do you?
Pady
New Jersey: Reggae Sumfest 2008 with Barrington Levy, Bennie Man and more..
September 22, 2008
Yesterday, Sunday 21st of September, New Jersey’s annual Reggae Sumfest occurred in Newark area on Hasley Street. Top performing artists that graced the stage were Mother Africa, Barrington Levy, Ninja Man, and Bennie Man. Among many other local artists that had the opportunity to showcase their works prior to top stars coming out. However the show which was advertised to commence at 2pm did not actually begin until 5pm, which I think had to say a lot about lack of planning and preparation from promoters at Road Block Radio. Moreover, during the show there was an hour stint prior to the top artists coming on stage where it was rumored that a disagreement had occurred being the artists and promoters. This led Bennie Man to candidly note to the audience after he performed that there was a financial agreement between the artist and promoters and that the promoters need to do a better job at prompting. Bennie’s comment I think was noted in light of a promoter coming on stage during the stint and openly noted that it was no fault of theirs’; it was that of the artists. Despite it all, Reggae fans got to see a few of their favorite artists on local grounds.
Andrew