`I promise you that my embassy will make the point to your Government that U.S. citizens are unsafe and are less likely to visit any country that cannot keep animals off the road' - Mr. Andrew Parker
By Clifford Stanley
THE number two man in the United States Embassy here, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Andrew Parker has registered grave concern over the danger to travellers from animals roaming on highways in the country.

He on Saturday joined with the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) in expressing concern over the hazards from roaming animals on the Corentyne highway.

Parker said he and other staffers of the embassy were convinced that free roaming cattle and other livestock on the highways of Guyana and some other countries in the Caribbean, posed a great threat to U.S. visitors and a deterrent to tourism.

Reporting that he was involved in a near serious accident with a stray cow while serving in Jamaica, he said, "I promise you that my embassy will make the point to your Government that U.S. citizens are unsafe and are less likely to visit any country that cannot keep animals off the road."

"There is simply no excuse for such cavalier indifference to human safety by farmers and governments alike," he added.

Parker registered the concern in a feature address at the first annual general meeting of the national Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce in Guyana (ARCC) held on the Corentyne from Friday to Sunday.

ARCC, a national organisation comprising nine Regional Chambers of Commerce, was formed a year ago with the major aim of working with the Government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders for the development of a sustainable economy and true national development in Guyana.

Roaming animals on the Corentyne highway have been an ongoing source of concern for the UCCCI in recent years.

Parker said he was prompted to make the remarks after being briefed by Ambassador Ronald Godard, who had observed the extent of the problem during a recent visit to the Corentyne.

Animals are also cause for concern on several other main highways in the country.

ARCC comprises Chambers of Commerce and Industry from the Rupununi, Bartica, Essequibo, West Demerara, Linden, Mahaica, West Berbice, New Amsterdam, and Upper Corentyne all of which were represented at the three-day meeting.

ARCC Chairman, Mr. Ramdial Bhookmohan told reporters the association intends to work with the Government, the Private Sector Commission, embassies, organisations and all other stakeholders to attract investors and investments and so ensure strong economic growth in Guyana.

It will continue to work with the Government to see that the Investment Code, the Small Business Act and other relevant legislation is placed in Parliament, he said.

"We hope that these will be put into effect in the new year."

He said representation to the Government on various matters, including social issues, was continuous.

ARCC members have several times met President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cabinet Ministers and are lobbying for more meetings, he said.

Bhookmohan said the association has been meeting every three months and has been publishing a monthly newsletter with information on its initiatives and on issues with which it was concerned.

"If we don't get a minister of Government on an issue we put it in our monthly newsletter, a copy of which goes to him or her and all other Members of Parliament, among other interested parties," he said.

The organisation has also created a Business Directory which has been circulated to investors locally, in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and internationally, he reported.

Other issues which are being addressed include ARCC representation on boards, national committees, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities and Land Selection Committees to ensure an investment-friendly atmosphere exists, he said.

ARCC members are also seeking to acquire membership on international committees and form trade missions through which they can better pursue their aim of projecting Guyana as a stable and safe haven for investors.

Bhookmohan said that towards this end he was happy that President Jagdeo had assured ARCC that he will be taking along at least one member of the organisation as part of his delegation when he visits Suriname later this year.

He said the association had agreed with the Government that the introduction of a Value Added Tax system in Guyana was a decision that had to be made by the administration but that the organisation would welcome and support such a move.

During the meeting, some 40 representatives reviewed the ARCC performance over the first year and devised plans for the next 12 months.

Advocacy for the Guyana-Brazil highway, improved border trade with Brazil and Suriname, investment and export promotion strategies, developing industrial sites and strengthening land tenure use and developments were some of the issues discussed.

The meeting agreed that establishment of the Guyana-Brazil highway would be a major issue for ARCC over the next few months since all member chambers would stand to benefit from such a development.

The UCCCI called for more funds and resources to be allocated to health services in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

President David Subnauth said the current situation in which seriously ill persons had to be transported across the Berbice River and then to Georgetown before they could acquire treatment left much to be desired.

During his feature address, Parker told participants that the ARCC's approach of participation in the resolution of issues affecting the development of Guyana was precisely what was needed for the forward movement of this country.

He said he was impressed that ARCC's statement of goals focussed so strongly on the need for collaboration with the Government, the GO-INVEST agency, donor organisations, stakeholders and potential investors.

"Such participation is precisely what Guyana needs. You and your members are in closest touch with the real issues which affect the development of this country.

"An association such as ARCC can help convince business people and the population throughout Guyana that if all pull together the country can move again and move in a positive direction," he said.