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Guyanese who depend on monetary

Nov 30, 2008 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

Interview with Dr. Rohan Somar (New Jersey, USA)
President of New York/New Jersey chapter of the AFC

“Lots of serious effects will follow the ordinary Guyanese whose dependence, monetarily and otherwise, on relatives and friends in the Diaspora (especially USA) is very substantial”.
So said Dr. Rohan Somar in a recent interview when asked a question about the implications of the global financial crisis on Guyana.
“The serious effects will arise directly by a drying up of the remittances sent back home to Guyana. This is so because of the additional burdens of Guyanese in the USA to make ends meet, and job-layoffs many are suffering from. I foresee literally a 50% reduction of remittances,” he said.
Dr. Somar, who is the CEO of Saint Clares Hospital in New Jersey, added that, “Moreover, there will be a decrease in aid and debt-relief granted to poorer countries like Guyana because of the priority of the developed countries to concentrate on their respective internal economies. This emphasis on a stabilization of their economics will result in a de-emphasis on economies like Guyana. So debt relief and development assistance will lessen. There might even be a demand by richer countries in crisis to demand that poorer countries pay up on outstanding commitments which will become due soon.”
A major organizer for the Obama campaign in the New Jersey area, Dr. Somar mentioned, “Thirdly, this huge financial shake up will more likely result in a shake down where prices of food, medicines and specialized services imported into Guyana will skyrocket, where our exports to these countries – primary products will go downwards.
What Guyana must demand is an explanation from the Minister of Finance as to whether the global financial meltdown will impact Guyanese Banks and how deeply? What are the Banking regulations controlling capital? Would Government buy out debts to help avoid a collapse? What protection measures are in place to keep solvent these Banks so that Depositors’ accounts are not affected? Further it is important that even if there are no Regulations on this score, how will Government protect or plan for the protection of especially farmers and businessmen?”
These questions will be taken by our MPs in Parliament.

THE AFC COMMENDS MR. GOMES ON HIS MOVE TO CLEAN THE BRICKDAM LOCKUPS!

The AFC welcomes the recent announcement that a civic minded citizen has been given the go-ahead to conduct a cleaning operation of the infamous Brickdam lock-ups. This obviously comes on the heels of recent reports of the inhumane conditions that detainees are subjected to in the facility which is the primary detention facility in Guyana. One wonders what the other cells are like at other stations around the country. It is a known fact that the facilities at the Alberttown and Kitty Police Stations are in an abominable state and also require immediate cleaning and sanitization. In the case of the East la Penitence lock-up, which detains females only, the AFC has long maintained that a society is often measured by the manner in which it treats its women and children.
We believe that Mr. Gomes should be publicly commended for doing what the Government and Police Force should have done a long time ago, but wish to state categorically that a one-off cleaning will not solve the problem at the Brickdam lock-ups. Those lock-ups are badly constructed, poorly ventilated, and inadequate for the large numbers that are required to be housed there. In its present state, it is a breeding ground for diseases and an embarrassment to the entire Guyana Police Force. We therefore recommend the construction of a new and ultra modern detention facility, which not only provides security, but respects human life and dignity. A separate and equally furnished facility should be constructed for women and underage delinquents. The AFC however supports the move to bring some temporary relief.

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