Kaieteur News
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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial REMEMBERING Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. In the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr birthday is celebrated every year on the third Monday in January. This year, it will be on January 15, the exact day he was born. It is a public holiday to honour his legacy as a civil rights leader. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s preeminent advocate of nondiscrimination and the world’s greatest civil rights leader. The holiday is meant to transform Dr. King’s life and teachings into community action, empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, and create solutions to social problems. Shortly after the 1954 Supreme Court decision: Brown v. Board of Education which held that segregated schools were unconstitutional, Dr. King joined the civil rights movement. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, a city plagued by racial discrimination at the time, King’s oratorical skills, personal courage and determination to raise public awareness of racism and segregation in the US catapulted him into the leadership of the civil rights movement. A Baptist minister by training, King was a pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, which was the epicenter of the civil rights movement against racial segregation in public transportation. It was there that Rosa Parks, a black seamstress had refused to give up her seat in a bus to a white male. Her arrest for civil disobedience sparked a grassroots movement led by Dr. King who organized a bus boycott in Montgomery. The year-long boycott attracted national attention when he and other civil rights activists were arrested and beaten in 1955. It ended with a ban on racial segregation on all Montgomery buses by a United States District Court. During the next decade, Dr. King organized several non-violent protests and mass demonstrations to draw attention to racial discrimination and to demand civil rights legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans. Dr. King’s peaceful demonstrations were countered by white police with police dogs, fire hoses, creating a controversy which generated newspapers headlines around the world. Dr. King led several peaceful demonstrations in the late 1950s and 1960s to achieve legal equality for AfricanAmericans. His non-violent tactics of civil resistance and his moderate stance attracted many whites, but they were diametrically opposed to the militant and divisive image of Malcolm X who advocated freedom by any means necessary. King embodied the hopes and dreams of African Americans and of white progressives across the country. Dr. King led similar demonstrations against poverty and international conflict, including the Vietnam War, but he was always true to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of colour, ethnicity or creed are equal members of the human race. From 1955 until his death on April 4, 1968, Dr. King’s leadership of the civil rights movement achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than in the previous 350 years. So powerful was the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s leadership that Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the same year he was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old in the US and around the world. It sparked the conscience of a generation that culminated in the historic march on Washington, DC on August 28, 1963 which drew over 250,000 in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. It was there the icon of the civil rights movement King is an icon of the civil rights movement, Our leaders should emulate some of Dr. King’s teachings in order to heal and bring harmony to Guyana.
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
That column brought back memories of GUYSTAC Dear Editor, I refer to the Freddie Kissoon column of Monday, January 9, 2017 with the headline, “Never Trust Guyanese Politicians.” Mr. Kissoon made mention of Emile Dodson who is Mr. Jagdeo’s lawyer but was accepted by the Government to be on the Procurement Commission. If I interpret him right, he was saying that in the affairs of government, past and present, there have been people who crisscrossed the opposition and the party in government. When I read that column, I smiled. We, former public servants know and saw so much that we take our secrets to the grave. Guyana should be grateful it has a Freddie Kissoon to keep history alive. I have long retired. I live in the USA (I would prefer not to state where, if you don’t mind. Mr. Harris). I don’t think I have any intention soon to travel to Guyana. I am long settled in the US and one day with my age I will meet my
maker. It is not in my character to write to the press. I have never done so, but the Kissoon column was really interesting. I was assigned to GUYSTAC as soon as it was formed. I crisscrossed all the companies in GUYSTAC as my job was in finance. When GUYSTAC was formed (as the brain child of Dr. Kenneth King), I was seconded from my public servant job to GUYSTAC. I got to know the wife of the editor, Mr. Adam Harris as she worked in GUYSTAC group. She was a very pleasant person; that I can definitely recall. The most I will say is that her boss and I were good friends because he occupied a high position in GUYSTAC. On two occasions, I was asked by the then Economic Development Minister, Dr. Kenneth King to facilitate two Members of Parliament from the PPP through the Guyana National Trading Corporation (GNTC). The specific request was for goods for the business place of the PPP on Regent
Street. Its name was GIMPEX. Dr. King did not meet with me. I was asked to do the transaction by a third party. I met the two gentlemen on three occasions. What was interesting was the Minister knew the transaction had to pass through my hands but I was never instructed by any official, including the Minister, not to discuss the matter. I never did. It was my work and I did the necessary paper work. But it was clear to me at that time that despite fierce fighting between the PPP and the PNC, the PPP had contacts with the government. I had another experience with this kind of situation. It was after President Burnham had died. I was asked to facilitate a big person from the Working People’s Alliance. Shortly after that, all of us knew privatization was coming and it was time for me to leave Guyana. That column by Kissoon stirred my interest. It brought back memories of (Continued on page 5)
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox My experience working at the Ministry That column substantial construction, ployer, SCG to be paid. Very brought... of Finance ter for a year depending on the strange that the workers fightDEAR EDITOR, I read in Kaieteur News, that the Chinese construction workers of the contractor, Shanghai Construction Group, for the Marriot hotel, a highly controversial project are squatting/strike in the building on behalf of their employer for not being paid a balance of about 1 billion dollars, while the government is saying that it owes only 800 million dollars. If the paper is right, then it is sending a message that all is not right, possible collusion, especially to myself, a licensed professional engineer in Ontario, a contracts manager/administrator who writes these contracts and trained many. Head of Engineering on Marriot hotel next to Eaton Centre in Toronto, a confidential Advisor to Dr. Jagan and the Director of Primary Education Improvement Program a complicated program with many projects the largest loan of Guyana at the time, a few awards, etc, etc. Firstly, there are progress payments, normally on a monthly basis, where a percentage as per contract is being deducted for warranty af-
type of project. The contractor need this payment to finance the project as it progresses, payments to workers, staff, material and future investments with their profits etc. Why was the contractor not paid and allowed to reach 800M dollars? Government and NICIL did not have money, ask Brassington? Secondly, the contractor is saying a billion dollars owed? No contractor will allow a government, a private entity/ developer to owe them that much money, in particular a government of a third world country, where law and order have favouritism. Thirdly, where will SCG get so much money to finance a project for a government/third world country, no lender will loan that much money to a contractor for Guyana; to verify SCG capital out lay. Fourthly, is the construction workers paid? Obviously, or else they would have returned back to China, no one works for free. Ask the Commissioner of Information and his friend, the Prime Minister? Fifthly, the construction workers squatting for their em-
ing for employer; this may be the first time in history. I guess this is Guyana; strange things happen. Sixthly, why only foreign construction workers, skilled, semi-skilled at Marriot? Was the govt. afraid that info from the locals may go to the public, like material paid for was not their etc items related to corruption? This was a great wrong to the people of Guyana for preventing the transfer of technology. We designed a Steel Plant for Trinidad and Tobago in Canada and only a few of us were allowed to go and manage the construction in TT to combine local consulting engineers and govt. engineers. Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister, policy was that any programs/projects, that requires foreign skills, must be allowed to bring to TT minimum professionals and all labour, skilled, semi-skilled, technicians etc must be local, to transfer technology, the skills, the expertise. One for you President Granger! Seventhly, the team at the Ministry of Finance; I know their modus operandi, they do (Continued on page 6)
From page 04 my days at GUYSTAC. If I knew about these things between opposing political parties then I am sure so many others in my time would know too. I h a v e n ’ t m e ntioned any names. I think that is best left to people like Freddie Kissoon. By this I don’t mean any insult to Kissoon. In fact, I am a strong admirer of him. I think he is one of the best Guyana produced in the field of honest politics and a good son of the soil. Mr. Kissoon is a columnist so it is his job to cite names. I am peacefully retired, serving my church and my God. I take this opportunity to wish, Mr. Adam Harris a Happy New Year Former Guystac official
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
The way Guyana voted on the death penalty at the UN is wrong DEAR EDITOR, In an Addendum dated 2nd July 2015 subsequent to Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review, Guyana informed the United Nations that in relation to the death penalty, “A de facto moratorium has been in place since 1997…” A statement to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations General Assembly should not be lightly made. It is fair to assume that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs understood the significance of giving this assurance to the United Nations. In December 2016, the UN General Assembly voted on a moratorium on executions. Guyana was one of 40 (out of 195) states who voted against the resolution. Why did we vote against the moratorium when we have one in place? On what grounds did our government conclude that it was the wisest possible course for Guyana’s vote to contradict our previous assurance to the Human Rights Council that a moratorium is in place? An examination of the UN resolution provides no clue to
the rationale for the Guyana vote. The key provision was for states, “to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.” Guyana is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 6 protects the right to life. It does not make the death penalty illegal, but it imposes a treaty obligation on states to proceed to complete abolition of the death penalty. On what grounds did our government conclude that the best course was to vote inconsistently with our international treaty obligation? Guyana has incorporated the ICCPR into the Constitution. To what extent, if at all, did our government consider the Constitution? The UN resolution called upon states to respect international standards set by the Economic and Social Council. Some of these international standards are already in Guyana’s laws – we do not allow death sentences for pregnant women, minors or insane persons. Does our government object to the other international stan-
dards? Does our government disagree with the principle that the death penalty should be restricted to ‘intentional crimes with lethal or other grave consequences’ or to cases in which there is no doubt about the guilt of the offender, or that there must be a fair trial and a proper appeals process to a final court, or that if an execution is carried out it must be done with the minimum possible suffering? Guyana already allows offenders under sentence of death to apply for a pardon or a commutation of their sentence. Does our government object to the principle that such procedures should be fair and transparent? The UN resolution called on states to provide information on death row prisoners and on compliance with international standards. Guyana provides such information in the Universal Periodic Review. In 2016 the administration gave the Justice Institute Guyana information on death row prisoners. Does this vote imply that information which was previously available will now be
Preposterous idea from City Council about Georgetown Municipality any conventional shopping building malls the to throw up in the near future complex but two modern DEAR EDITOR, Reading a headline story in the local print media recently, regarding plans by
two modern malls in our capital city provided me with the joke of the year, the most amusing since 2017 began. The suggestion by the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (look who; of all entities) in Guyana that they shall not be just putting up one but two malls, and not
cutting edge facilities is just simply preposterous. Are we talking about the same entity that was responsible for making a complete mess of the rehabilitation of the Kitty Market structure, using inferior materials, massive cost over runs etc? Designing it to be fully air conditioned, then after completing it deciding not to air condition it leaving vendors and customers to swelter. Is this the same entity that started (Continued on page 7)
secret? The UN resolution called on states to comply with Article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations regarding communication and contact for foreigners in prison. Does our government suddenly have concerns about complying with this longstanding treaty obligation? Since President Granger has said he will not authorise any executions we already meet the UN’s call to ‘progressively restrict’ the use of the death penalty. Does this ‘no’ vote imply a change? The UN resolution called for states to reduce the number of offences for which the death penalty may be imposed. Guyana extended the death penalty to new offences in the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (2009) and in the AntiTerrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Act (2015). Arguably these laws conflict with the Constitution.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) does not require the death penalty. Is our government refusing to replace the death penalty with ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions whether criminal, civil or administrative’ as required by FATF? The UN resolution called for states to ‘consider acceding to or ratifying’ the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR which aims at the abolition of the death penalty. Is our government refusing point blank to ‘consider’ this? During the vote Guyana appears to have aligned itself with the English-speaking Caribbean. Is our government aware that Antigua, St Lucia, Belize and Jamaica have no death row prisoners, having been forced by judicial decisions to replace death sentences with prison terms and even to free death row prisoners? On what grounds did our government consider that it was wiser to join a retentionist
bloc of small islands hundreds of miles across the sea rather than adopt the progressive position of our immediate neighbours (Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela) and the rest of the vast continent of South America where civilians are free of the death penalty? Why did Guyana, a constitutional democracy which has not executed anybody for nearly 20 years, vote ‘no’ with the repressive regimes comprising the top ten executioners on the planet – China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, USA, Iraq, Somalia, Egypt, Indonesia and Chad? Why did Guyana not take an enlightened position like the United Kingdom and the other twenty-seven (for now) states of the European Union and vote ‘yes’? Why does the Government of Guyana cling so stubbornly to this grim relic of the colonial (in) justice system? Melinda Janki Executive Director Justice Institute Guyana
My experience working at the Ministry... From page 5 not appear to have respect for the “value of money.” I was shocked when the President named Winston Jordan as Finance Minister whom Dr. Jagdeo made Budget advisor. I forgot, he was also close to the pre 1992 govt. I knew then it will be an exchange, not a change in Government. I reported this to Minister Ramjattan immediately. I sent an 11 pages letter to Jagdeo when he was the Finance Minister, appealing to him to live to Dr. Jagan’s dreams, lean, clean and mean, to no avail. Minister Ramjattan reviewed this letter with me at Pegasus and he was shocked to know what was going on, I
believe this may have motivated him against corruption, a reason which he was kicked from the PPP, like me. I reported former President Jagdeo, Clyde Roopchand, Tara Balgobin, Khemdut Boodhu , and the now Hon Winston Jordan minister of Finance, to Dr Jagan, for having no respect of “Value for money.” Dr Jagan was going to confront them all, but Janet Jagan did not want Jagdeo fired. Eighthly, I assume it is collusion; the Government will publicly put a big argument against SCG claim and then will settle for less than the billion dollars. I am publicly asking the President, to give me a chance to audit the claims to this project, by immediately giving instruction for all documents to be sealed and taken to Anand Goolsaran , contracts design build/ consultants TOR and agreement, in-
spection reports, construction contracts package with all bill of quantities, progress payments, deficiencies , etc. this will prevent tampering. In addition, President Granger, Mr Editor, this seems consistent with IFMAS. 1) We campaigned against PPP for not implementing the 6 and 7 modules of IFMAS, which deals with accountability and transparency of the peoples’ money, this has not been implemented by the coalition until now. Are we playing the same game, exchange and not change? 2) We were told that there are glitches to the module and Finance Minister s a i d h e k n o w s t he system. Why would any govt. pay $132m and it has glitches without correcting it at the same time with the contract, during the trial period? Joe Persuad (Canada)
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Why are the Bar Association and society silent on Article 161(2)?
Preposterous idea from City Council...
DEAR EDITOR, President Ganger said, in reference to the issue surrounding the GECOM list, that he will end breaches in the Constitution. Those “breaches” that took place in the past decades won’t be allowed. This is his explanation for rejecting the list of candidates presented by the PPP. The President maintains that the Constitution states that a judge must fill the position and he intends “as a matter of his responsibility” to honour the Constitution’s provisions. Obeying the constitution is a good thing and the President must be commended for wanting to do exactly that, except I wonder if the President doesn’t realise that the very Constitution he
will responsibly honour as Head of State, states in the same article that any “fit and proper person” can be appointed as chairman of GECOM. I question how the President can say he intends to honour the provision of Constitution and yet he is disregarding another provision, at the same time. Editor, we are not referring to two different Articles in the Constitution, but the very same article that the President wants to obey. Is the president not seeing his own contradiction? Editor, another pertinent question is why is the rest of society so silent on this very important matter on legal interpretation? Where are all the legal experts? The critics? Where are the Bar Association,
Transparency International, the Trade Unions, the Private Sector, Civil Society, even the religious bodies that talk about morals and fairness that ought to prevail in our society? These people were mighty talkative during the PPP tenure and now they are all astoundingly silent. This is an issue they need to speak out on as it affects the future of our society and it is rocking the core principles that supposedly make up this society, and the foundation of our legal system. The Bar Association and legal minds need to come out and say something. They need to explain to the Head of State, without fear or favour, what Article 161(2) means. Daren Jaipaul
Mr Granger was declared President by an unconstitutional Chairman DEAR EDITOR, His Excellency has declared, led by his AG, a new Senior Counsel, that the Chairman of the Elections Commission has to be a judge; or someone who could be a judge. As to the other Chairman like Rudy Collins, Joe Singh and Dr. Surujbally, the President says he wants to correct the illegality that went in the past. Lawlessness and unconstitutionality was taking place all over Guyana. I heard on Law and Order that there is something called fruit of the poisoned tree. So if Mr. Surujbally was not supposed to be Election Commission Chairman, then all acts that he did are illegal and unconstitutional, including the last election. President Granger was declared winner of the last election by an unconstitutional Chairman. So the Government is illegal, he and the Prime Minister must resign; in fact all the Minsters APNU and AFC have to go.
I don’t know if it is the Speaker who takes over the country, but a caretaker government must be formed, with civil society and religious leaders. A Chairman who is a judge must be found quickly, and fresh elections have to be held. They have to put back all the pardoned prisoners in jail and it look like one of them already before the court. They also have to break down Durban Park but they could leave the little children with their bicycle as a donation. It also means that Bharrat Jagdeo should not be President, so he should give back the Pradoville mansion and they should carry him to court for the undervalued land. He can’t say he is immune because he was also declared President by the same unconstitutional Dr. Surujbally according to Mr. Granger. Mr. Editor, this is a constitutional crisis, unless the advice of the AG is wrong. Gregory Joseph
From page 6 the infamous ‘Presidential Park’ that has been left incomplete and hanging in midair? But aside from those, let us look at the state of their own buildings in which they accommodate themselves. If they are prepared to sit and work in a crumbling City Hall, derelict Public Health, Solid Waste buildings and City Police Training Centre, should one believe that they would accommodate vendors and their clientele to modern mall amenities? Let us look for one minute at the current treatment of vendors, which would give an indication of the level of respect and concern they have for them. The Hair Stylists and Cosmetologists are a terrible indicator as they have been dumped on Merriman’s Mall in sheer squalor under some makeshift tents in most unhygienic conditions. Then there is the
Farmer’s Market, rows of stalls on this same mall that are better suited to house animals than humans. An important question to be asked is whatever happened to the grandiose plans that were unveiled more than a year ago for a modernized design for the Stabroek Wharf that was created by Kabila Hollingsworth and which featured a two-storied building with a terrace on the top flat and a stelling and boardwalk for boats to dock? Has that been put on the back burner? Or is the Town Clerk just in the habit of making childish promises to the citizenry at the beginning of each new year? Should the citizens trust
the Council whose idea of a mall was the ‘Parliament View Mall, to construct two modern shopping malls in Georgetown? Do they even know what a mall is? An agency that allowed the Stabroek Market Stelling, a priceless heritage site to collapse and has not repaired it since? I think not. But how are they paying for the construction and maintenance of these two modern facilities? With the income from the Parking Meters? If they are serious then they should leave it to the private sector, but then again there would be no kickbacks from the contractors who will be constructing them. Nadine Jerrick
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Emerging Oil and Gas Sector...
Govt. must ensure that public, private workers are paid equally – T&T’s former Energy Minister The former Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine, last week delivered a lecture at the Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Guyana’s emerging ‘oil and gas sector. Kaieteur News caught up with him prior to his engagement where he offered some suggestions as he drew from the experience of his homeland with regards to the Oil and Gas sector. The former Minister, now Lecturer at the Arthur Lok
Jack Graduate School of Business, went through some dos and don’ts which in his opinion, will see Guyana advancing on the path of becoming one of the richest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Relating some of the challenges being faced in the Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Sector, Ramnarine said that a situation exists where some of the highest paid workers in the Public Sector are constantly being “raided” by the Private Sector in order to
attract the most qualified people. “The highest paid people are Private Energy Sector and the lowest paid people are in the State or Government sector. What that means is that every Monday morning, the Ministry of Energy loses its best professionals. “So you have a situation where the Ministry is constantly being ‘raided’ by the Private Sector because it (Public Sector) can’t keep people because you’re pay-
ing four and five times less than what is being paid in the Private Sector. “So I think of necessity is that whatever Guyana does, you have to ensure that the public servants are paid equal to the people in the private sector or better or you will end up in a situation where the strongest people are in the private sector and the weakest in the government sector – you need that balance.” Ramnarine also spoke of the possibility of direct payments to the population. “I have made recommendations that might be a bit controversial but I’ll say it anyways...In Alaska they have a system of direct payments to the population. Every citizen living there gets a payment – an equal payment every year from the government. It works out to be US$ 2000- plus but it is one way of equally distributing some of the resource – provided that
Trinidad and Tobago’s former Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine. the beneficiaries are living in the country.” The former Minister also recommended that the Guyana Government move in the direction of providing free tertiary education to citizens. “One thing that
went well for Trinidad is subsidising tertiary education which is still free and that has created a lot of qualified people to the point where the country exports experienced people to oil and gas industries in other countries and is also one way of investing the oil and gas dividends into the development of the people of the country.” He also spoke about the importance of getting right, the management of the Industrial Relations Climate around the energy sector. “One of the big mistakes we made in Trinidad is that we have not managed the Industrial Relations Climate around the energy sector well. “It is very acrimonious; it’s very combative and that has only led to a number of obstacles and inefficiencies. I think that you have to get that Industrial Relations Climate working properly,” he said.
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Dem boys seh... Hemp Association calls on President Edghill but up wid a to repeal Hemp legislation The Guyana Hemp Association (GHA) as well as other Hemp Associations and numbers of prospective hemp farmers, manufacturers and producers country wide are calling on President David Granger to let good sense prevail and intervene immediately to repeal the legislation and restriction for the cultivation of Industrial Hemp and the manufacture of the wide variety of Hemp products in country. Co- Chairman of the Guyana Hemp association, Michael Kirton, said that the GHA is not certain where they are at this point with the establishment of the Industrial Hemp Industry in the country. “We are not getting enough feedback to know what is causing the delay.” He pointed out that if the Guyana Government is really keen on the establishment of a green state and expanding economic investment, so as to promote sustainable economic growth and create thousands of jobs mainly for our youth, then they must swiftly repeal the legislations and restrictions for the cultivation of Industrial Hemp and the manufacturing of hemp products. The Co-Chairman emphasized that Guyana must not be left behind; for the country to have a great
Head of the GHA, Dr. Turhane Doerga opportunity to let hemp be an integral part of our development and it will be the driving force for a new industry. The GHA’S Research, National Consultation and Global Consultation have proven that Guyana will become an industry leader for Industrial Hemp, as the crop has been classified as the world’s most valuable crop per acre as well as the most viable crop for the World’s green development of which Guyana is a part. Kirton pointed out that the GHA as directed by a letter from President Granger on
June 6, 2016 to meet with the Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin to discuss the establishment of an industrial hemp industry was done and the Minister suggested that the GHA sensitized other stakeholders. A successful Hemp Awareness week of activities was held countrywide. According to the CoChairman the GHA after consultations with several Law Firms local and international presented a comprehensive document on Industrial Hemp in Guyana along with a petition for the swift removal on unlawful
restrictions on the cultivation of Industrial Hemp and the manufacturing of Hemp products. The Co-Chairman also pointed out that with the establishment of the Guyana Hemp Association, GHA is receiving numerous requests from investors locally and overseas who are interested in investing in the Hemp Industry as soon as the No objection has been given by the government. The GHA believes that hemp in the country will create employment opportunities and help eradicate poverty. During the planting process of the drug it has to be monitored throughout its growth to ensure that its potency is within legal limits. In Guyana, industrial hemp is not marijuana because it contains THC ( Te t r a h y d r o c a n n a b i n o l ) levels of less than one percent. This prevents any narcotic effect upon anyone who would wish to smoke it, unlike marijuana which contains over three percent THC. The GHA is the first official hemp association to help build, and facilitate the expansion of Global Hemp industries and communities. The hope is to propel Guyana to the forefront of one of the world’s oldest, fastest growing and most viable industries.
Bullaha and a Bullahin People does get into trouble when dem don’t know wha dem walking into. Some of dem does sit down and talk about things dem don’t know about. Tek Bishop Ten Edghill. He see people preaching and decide that he gun be a pastor. He even open a church and he mek de collection plate because every pastor got to live off de collection. Dem boys hear when he get a request to marry two people. Ten Edghill smile; he gun get a full church because people like to go to church when dem have wedding. If he had sense he woulda send fuh de couple before de wedding to counsel dem. But not he. De day come and people full de church. De groom walk in and tek up he place; then de other party walk in. Was a gay wedding. Edghill preach and preach because he didn’t know he gun seh de part about pronouncing dem man and wife. But all good things does come to an end and he had to seh dem words. He couldn’t seh anything bout kissing de bride because he didn’t know who was bride and who was groom. He couldn’t pronounce dem man and wife. Instead he tell de two people, “I now pronounce you Bullaha and Bullahin.” Then de same pandit who did marry Jagdeo had to deal wid de Chat-3. De man run in and tell de pandit that he life ruin because he business collapsing. De pandit tell him that he got to walk round de mandir six time and bow he head. De man try that but he business didn’t improve suh he go to Edghill who tell him to kneel down and pray. If you hear Edghill pray. “Your business will improve, I pray. De church members will fill your shop. Even me and my family will patronize de shop. Soon your cup will overflow.” Then he ask de Chat-3, “What business you in?” “Mekking coffin.” Edghill jump up and holler, “Fires pun you business. Bun out. You business gun suffer more. And imagine I promise to patronize you business.” Talk half and watch how people does get tie up.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Herculean task to rehabilitate inherited dysfunctional Local Govt. System - Bulkan
The Ministry of Communities, on Friday, held its first ever Senior Staff Conference under the theme: “Improving Management for reliable community services in pursuit of the Green Economy.” The Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, delivered a presentation where he stressed the importance of the new feature to the Ministry’s yearly activities. Bulkan said that the conference aims to garner the ideas of all participants to enable the Ministry to be more effective and efficient as it carries out its mandate. The Ministry of Communities is a “new” Ministry which encompasses the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the Ministry of Housing and Water, he said. Regarding the rationale for its creation and
particular composition, he narrowed it down to a unit which provides better delivery of Governmental Services to people, including a reliable supply of potable water and housing. Foremost, the Ministry’s responsibility is to improve the conditions under which people live – that is, the conditions in their communities. “I speak here about the management of our communities whether they be towns or villages. Proper management will see to it that our communities are safe, secure and sanitary; that they be liveable and wholesome. “It includes as well, a responsibility for economic vitality that our communities and villages are not seen as dormitories – where people sleep and leave with the rising sun to make an earning elsewhere (but rather), foster and support local economic
activities.” HERCULEAN TASK Bulkan said that for too long in Guyana’s history, the Local Government System was not allowed to function within the parameters of the law. “By the time this administration came into office, in May 2015, the system was so badly damaged and degraded that it was largely dysfunctional.” “We cannot bring about positive changes in our communities unless this system functions. This is our principal task to repair and rehabilitate the broken Local Government System that we have inherited.” Whilst the Ministry has started this task, the Minister said that it is a herculean task which would require inputs from all stakeholders. Bulkan also spoke about the need to have a change of
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan perceptions and attitudes citing also, the need to have institutional strengthening and capacity building which will have to take place at the level of each Local Government Council. “The single most important change has happened, which is the philosophy of Central Government and the strategic direction that this administration is committed to; which is one that respects the legal authority of Local
Government Organs in allowing them to function with the independence they enjoy under the Constitution.” Bulkan said that he recalls the “perennial cries and lament” from the former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green. “He complained that his hands were tied and that the Council was not allowed to exercise the statutory and lawful authority to manage and develop the local government area that they had responsibility for.” PERFORMANCE OF THE MINISTRY With regards to the Ministry’s performance over the last year, Bulkan said that in his book, it was a “mixed” one while stating, “We need to do better.” “The Minister of Finance in his 2017 Budget Speech spoke about institutional lethargy and ineptitude and the sluggishness of the implementation of the PSIP (Public Sector Investment Programme) of poor interagency coordination and cooperation and the deficit of
strategic planning and management,” Bulkan said whilst pointing out that his Ministry was not immune from the above. “(But) we have however, began in 2016 and continuing this year, to take proactive steps to address this situation. Already in 2017, the Ministry has held an action roundtable for regional development. “This activity brought together all of the Regional Executive Officers, Deputy Regional Executive Officers and Regional Engineers (and) was designed to build regional leadership; enhance coordination and understanding amongst regional managers of national policies and programmes; and promote an expanded and improved regional procurement system.” Bulkan said that focus is being placed on ensuring that all Ministry-planned activities are coordinated in such a way that ideas are shared from all levels of the organisational chart whilst also ensuring that they are implemented within the shortest space of time possible.
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Kaieteur News
NICIL must clean up ‘messy’ GNIC land deal or repossess lands - SARU The State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) is far from impressed with the strides made by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) even under new direction. Officials at the Unit said that there remains a lot of “inhouse cleaning that needs to be done” especially as it relates to “messy land deals.” SARU’s CEO, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer recalled one land deal involving Laparkan which NICIL is yet to address. He stressed that SARU indicated on several occasions that the matter needs to be probed but to date there has been no action on the part of NICIL. The SARU officer said that Guyana National Industrial Company Inc. (GNIC), a company owned 70 percent by Laparkan and 30 percent by National Engineering Company (Employees Only) has been found to be part of a major corruption racket. Documents seen by this publication show that National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited has been aware of the
scam but has seemingly condoned it. The matter dates back to 1995, a period which saw the privatization of Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC). GNIC purchased the moveable assets of GNEC located at the leased lands of Lots 1-12 Lombard Street. GNIC operates the largest wharfing and industrial facilities in Guyana. This facility is involved in ship-building, fabrication of parts and smelting. On the disbanding of GNEC on May 30, 2002 by vesting order #13 of 2002, NICIL whose Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was Winston Brassington, became the successor of the lease agreement of October 30, 1995 and supplemental deed of lease agreement of January 2002. The term of the lease was for 15 years commencing November 1, 1995. In 2002, NICIL with the consent of the then PPP government via Cabinet, retroactive to 1995, reduced the annual rent to be paid by GNIC from US$1M to $70M and the sale price of
equipment by 30 percent. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease and the matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. Following the award of arbitration on September, 2013, it resulted in an award of $148, 860, 870 in favour of NICIL for the second period 2006 to 2009. But even this was not honoured by GNIC. NICIL, through legal counsel also wrote to GNIC about the enforcement of the judgment but two years later, the company has yet to reply. Additionally, the term of the lease expired on November 1, 2010 and NICIL became entitled to possession of the property. Documents seen by Kaieteur News indicate that GNIC failed and /or refused to deliver up possession of the property to NICIL. As a result, it remains a trespasser. Four years later, NICIL commenced proceedings for possession and damages for trespass (that is equivalent of rental amounts from 2010 to date.) But GNIC remains unmoved by this legal action.
More interestingly, while GNIC owes NICIL millions in rent and is currently a trespasser, it has boldly subleased a portion of the land to TCL Cement Guyana Ltd without NICIL’s consent and continues to collect rental from this sublease. GNIC’s actions are also in direct contradiction of the lease agreement which prohibits this. Kaieteur News understands that the rental collected from the lease is
about six to seven times more than the rental that is supposed to be paid to NICIL. Government has been alerted on the matter and many questions have surfaced including why NICIL has been so nonchalant over the years in ensuring it collects it due payment from the company. Officials are also baffled why NICIL was aware of the subleasing and never took any legal action against it (continued on page 15)
SARU CEO, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Ramjattan, Patterson ‘ought’ not to re-run for leadership positions - AFC’s constitution
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
AFC General Secretary, David Patterson
The functions and operations of any organisation, more so a political party is often governed by a Constitution which prescribes how certain activities are to be conducted to ensure the smooth running of the entity. On this basis, Article 19(1) of the Alliance for Change’s constitution has prescribed that “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership.” Further, Article 8 of the
same document says that the National Executive Committee shall comprise the following voting members: the leader, the chairman, deputy chairman, general secretary, treasurer, ten members each representing the diaspora in the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean and five persons co-opted by the National Executive from among the members to ensure gender, age, ethnic and regional representation. As one would have noticed, AFC member and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, is a member of the National Executive Committee since he is the leader of the party as well as Minister of Public (Continued on page 15)
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Survivor injured in 2014 Iris John celebrates 100 not out! plane crash seeks $10M
ABOVE: The Piper Cherokee single engine plane that went down on Tuesday and BELOW, is Troy Daniels.
A father of three is seeking $10M in damages for injuries he sustained almost three years ago in a plane crash at Arau, Region Seven. Troy Daniels suffered a broken left femur, a dislocated right hip and injuries to the lower spine during the mishap, which occurred on March 18, 2014. Daniels has sued Bernard Singh, the pilot of the Piper Cherokee N87619, which was owned and operated by Singh. He is being represented by attorney-at-law Ronald Burchsmith, while Cameron and Shepherd attorney-atlaw, Hari Narayen Ramkarran, is representing the Londonbased company, Walton and Morse, which insured the plane. The matter is being heard before Justice Sandra Kertzious. Daniels, Leon Bristol, and Ivor Williams,were heading to Ekereku, another village in Region Seven, when the plane went down on a mountain top at Arau. Aside from Daniels, two others were injured.
Iris Estella Martin-John (second from left) celebrated her 100th birth anniversary y e s t e r d a y a t C a n t e r b u r y Wa l k , Beterverwagting with her relatives, church members and well-wishers. Pictured here is Ms John, also known as
“Sister Iris” or “Cousin Iris” originally from No. 9 village, West Coast Berbice, cutting her birthday cake with Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally (left) as her Nephew Felix Nestor and Chairwoman of Regional Democratic Council Four GenevieveAllen look on.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
As key third term ruling looms…
Govt. begins search for new Chancellor, Chief Justice
ABOUT TO RETIRE: Chancellor Carl Singh As the country gets ready for a possible Court of Appeal ruling for a third presidential term for Bharrat Jagdeo, Government is moving ahead with the process to choose two new top judges in the judiciary - a Chancellor of the Judiciary and a Chief Justice.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Judicature published a vacancy notice for both positions in Kaieteur News. The current Chancellor (acting) is Carl Singh who is due to retire next month. The Chief Justice (ag) is Yonnette Cummings-
Edwards. She has not been confirmed since being sworn in by the Coalition Government in December 2015. In essence, the Chief Justice is the most senior judge in the High Court. According to the vacancy notice, under the constitution, both positions have to be appointed by the President, after obtaining an agreement from the Leader of the Opposition. “There is a vacancy for the Office of the Chancellor. A vacancy for the office of the Chief Justice shall shortly arise,” the notice said. The Chancellor has long since been considered as head of the judiciary. The persons applying for the positions must be a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court.
The candidate must also be qualified for admission as an attorney-at-law in Guyana and should so be qualified for such period as may be prescribed by Parliament. The date for the closing of applications is on January 27th with applications to be sent to the Minister of State, Ministry of the Presidency. On Friday, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, questioned the haste by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, to complete the hearing of the appeal on whether former President Bharrat Jagdeo can run for a third term. The matter came up the same day in the Court of Appeal, where Justice Singh announced that he will hand down a ruling in the matter on February 15, although there have been no arguments or submissions by the parties involved. Instead, the parties have been given one week to present written submissions. The AG believes that Justice Singh wants to hand down a ruling in the matter before he demits office on February 23, having reached
the age for retirement. The Chancellor and Chief Justice positions have always been one jealously guarded by consecutive administrations. It has not been unknown for Government to ask top functionaries to stay on a little while longer. Despite Justice Singh acting in the latter position since the mid-2000s, he was never confirmed. It does not appear he will be confirmed now. He is the substantive Chief Justice. Neither was the former Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, who retired at the end of 2015. Singh had one time performed the functions as both the Chancellor and Chief Justice but was forced to relinquish the latter amidst criticisms. In the mid-2000s, former Justice William Ramlall ruled that it was unconstitutional for Justice Singh to perform the duties of both offices. He was appointed acting Chancellor since 2005 and is about 65 years now. A school teacher who went to study law, Justice Singh reportedly qualified as a lawyer about 30 years ago.
Chief Justice (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards He was made a temporary Land Court Judge for less than a year, before returning to private practice. He was later appointed a Judge of the High Court and later a Justice of Appeal. He reportedly oversaw a programme to tackle the huge backlog of cases and was instrumental in the establishment of the Commercial Court and the training of mediators. The Chancellor sits as chairperson of the Court of Appeal and plays a decisive role which judges will sit in appeals.
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Community Policing Group Liaison Officer fired The Community Policing Group Liaison Officer, Radica Ramanandan of Corriverton has been stripped of her responsibilities and is no longer required to conduct any business on behalf of the Community Policing Group (C.P.G). This was after she was accused of threatening family members of the late Faiyaz Narinedat, the carpenter who was murdered on November 1, 2016 and his body dumped on the No. 70 village Public Road to make it look like a hit and run accident. . According to the administrator of the Community Policing Groups, Dennis Pompey, the services of Ramanandan were terminated a few weeks ago, due to her involvement in the cover up of the death of Narinedat, for attacking family members of the deceased and other acts of misconduct. Ramanandan was arrested after allegations were made that she has threatened family members of the late carpenter and her role in the alleged cover-up of the murder. During the initial investigation a team of police officers went to the home of Ramanandan where they
Fired: Radica Ramanadan
arrested her and took her to the Whim Police Station. She was grilled on her involvement in the fiasco and subsequently released. One of the allegations is that she had threatened to hire persons to kill family members of the late Narinedat. It was reported that the woman would have been charged with threatening behaviour and using threatening language among other charges. However to date she has not been
charged. So far six persons including overseas based businessman, Marcus Brian Bisram, who is on the run have been charged with the murder of Narinedat. Two women including Bisram’s mother and sister have also been charged with perverting the course of justice. They are accused of offering detectives $4M to circumvent the evidence in the matter.
Ramjattan, Patterson ‘ought’ not ... From page 12 Infrastructure, David Patterson who is the party’s general secretary. In 2012, both were appointed to their posts following the party’s Third National Conference which was held at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara. The fourth conference was held on December 6, 2014 after which they were re-elected to sit in the same positions. At this juncture, it would mean that both members have served in their posts for two consecutive terms. Based on the constitution it is not encouraged that they run for a third term because it would prevent other members from taking up leadership roles thereby promoting broader activism. When Minister Patterson was contacted yesterday concerning the matter he said that it all boils down to how persons wish to interpret the Article. According to him, persons need to pay specific
attention to the terminology used. He pointed out that the words “ought to be rotated” does not necessarily bar members of the National Executive Committee from running for a third term. He said that it is one of the things which he loves about the AFC, that its members are not limited in how they wish to function within the party. Patterson said that based on the terms used, there is an open position on the issue which allows persons to run for the position if need be. At the party’s press conference on Friday, both Ramjattan and Patterson said that if they were nominated for the leadership position of the party, they would accept the nomination and let the members of the party decide on who should be their next leader. According to Patterson the conference will be held on January 28, next, at the Vreeden-Hoop Secondary School in
Region Three. Sixteen positions will be contested at the event. He said that the Party’s membership base is 6000. The party operates under an Electoral College system comprising 275 delegates allocated as follows: Region One – 10 delegates; Region Two – 20 delegates; Region Three – 15 delegates; Region Four – 75 delegates; Region Five – 20 delegates; Region Six – 40 delegates; Region Seven – 10 delegates; Region Eight – 10 delegates; Region Nine – 10 delegates; Region Ten – 20 delegates; Women for Change – 10 delegates; Youths for Change – 10 delegates; USA Chapter – nine delegates; Canada Chapter – six delegates; Caribbean Chapter – six delegates and the United Kingdom Chapter – four delegates. Voting will be by secret ballot according to the party’s general secretary and nominations will close at noon on January 23.
NICIL must clean up ‘messy’ GNIC ... From page 11 especially when its “trespassing status” is taken into account. There are also more damning documents which show that NICIL was deliberately dragging its feet on various aspects of this matter. Additionally, SARU’s
head said, “We discussed with NICIL the fact that it has to clean up that mess where the lease is not being adhered to. They turn around and lease part of it the land to someone else and Government is not getting a cent. NICIL has an obligation to clean up that mess or else
take it back from Laparkan.” Heath-Retemyer said that NICIL had a discussion on the matter of repossession and is worried whether it will go into receivership or how it will affect the working staff there. Be that as it may, SARU insists, “NICIL has a lot of internal cleaning up to do.”
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Deaths linked to mental illness greater than combined mortality of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Although there is little epidemiological evidence, it is believed that mental health related illnesses account for more morbidity than HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. Moreover, mental health is high on the agenda of the Ministry of Public Health. The Ministry has shared a plan which states that the provision of Mental Health Services is critical to addressing the Mental Health of the populace. Currently, the main tertiary institution where Mental Health Services are provided is the National Psychiatric Hospital in Region Six. That facility has in place 200 beds. Additionally, a six bed short-stay psychiatric ward is also located at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The National Psychiatric Hospital and the GPHC have extended their psychiatric services to many locations across Guyana via satellite clinics in areas such as Lethem, Diamond, Bartica, Leonora and the prisons system as well. Satellite Clinics are scheduled to commence in Baramita in 2017, according to former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. Ministry officials at a recent press conference revealed that other mental health services that are being offered include emergency and acute care, geriatric services, and an adolescent and children’s clinic at GPHC. Site visits were conducted in 2016 to assess the services, educate the management
staff about the new model of community mental health and evaluate the areas which need to be improved. In the public health system, there are currently six psychiatrists and, according to information emanating from the Ministry, other staffers include four psychologists, four social workers trained in psychiatry and 52 Nurses. In August, 2016, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) trained approximately 25 doctors in the mhGAP Intervention Guide which is a manual prepared by the World Health Organization for use by non specialists. The manual, according to Dr. Norton, “trains persons in the medical and non-medical management of 10 priority mental illnesses.” Last November, 14 professional staff consisting of psychologists and social workers were trained as well. A Training and Certification Programme For Drug And Violence Prevention, Treatment And Rehabilitation Specialists was conducted in 2016 and saw five Mental
Health Unit staff being successfully trained and qualified . The staff were also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and family counselling. In January last year, an emergency Suicide Prevention Plan Stakeholders meeting was convened at the Marriot Hotel. Four task forces were set up, each with responsibility for one of the strategic lines of action and, according to Dr. Norton, “This was followed in April (2016) by a National Stakeholders meeting at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Several task force meetings were held with members between April and May 2016.” Further, in 2016, numerous activities were conducted to raise awareness of Mental Health and suicide among health care providers and the general public. The staff of the Mental Health Unit visited churches, various communities and schools and various forums to deliver mental health and suicide talks, including in Victoria village, East Coast
Demerara, Lodge, and to a wide audience at GuyExpo 2016. Added to this, the Mental Health unit in 2016 too, conducted numerous outreaches and suicide prevention programmes in churches, schools and communities, including Seventh Day Adventist churches, J.C. Chandi Singh Secondary School, Port Mourant, and Corentyne. The staff of the Mental Health Unit also collaborated with the Ministry of Education to conduct Strategic Psychosocial Interventions for Adolescents in 11 Secondary Schools. The Programme was organized by the Guyana Psychological Association and the National Communications Network. Some 1,250 students between third and sixth forms were randomly screened for suicidal ideation using Beck’s Scale (A depression inventory which seeks to score an individual’s level of depression). “Stress and Mental illnesses, Conduct Disorder, Sexual Abuse and Mental Illnesses were also topics
discussed at forums at the Cyril Potter College of Education in Regions three, four and six in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and CPCE,” related Dr. Norton. An intervention called “Still I Rise” was also conducted in collaboration with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association. It involved the Reintegration of Pregnant, Parenting Teenage Girls into the Education System; Prevention of Drug Use among children and adolescents; Sexual Violence; Sexual Relationships, Depression, and Suicide. But among the constraints linked to addressing mental illnesses is the fact that the mental health law - Mental Health Ordinance of 1930 – was last updated in 1930. “They are antiquated with ample room for stigma and discrimination of the mentally ill,” said Minister Norton as he pointed out that yet another constraint is the “absence of independent review bodies to update laws and advocate for the protection of the mentally ill.”
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Another year, another gastroenteritis outbreak ...but a proactive approach could be the answer By Sharmain Grainger Bloody watery stool, abdominal cramps, headaches and other pains together with vomiting, fever and loss of appetite, among a number of individuals in a single location can easily be translated to an outbreak of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is essentially an infection of the intestines and is sometimes referred to as a stomach flu that could have fatal outcomes if not treated properly and in an efficient manner. For years the public health sector has been forced to battle such outbreaks in outlying regions, with this year being no exception. Outbreaks are often linked to the use of untreated water from contaminated sources, and mining activities has reportedly been a major cause of such contamination, in addition to persistent unhygienic practices. Children are usually the hardest hit when such outbreaks occur, with some of them even dying as a result. Just last week the Ministry of Public Health announced an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Aishalton, Region Nine. Aishalton is an Amerindian village that is situated in the Rupununi savannah of southern Guyana. Just under 60 cases have been confirmed by the Public Health Ministry, but it is expected that deaths associated with this outbreak will be averted this year. Last year at least one death was reported when there was an outbreak in Baramita, Region One. Baramita is another Amerindian community, located in northern Guyana. The Baramita outbreak and the resulting death had in fact impacted how then Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, viewed such situations. In fact during a recent interview with this publication, he noted that he is desirous to see the Public Health Ministry be more proactive rather than merely reactive to avoid such outbreaks.
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton “We must be ahead of the game. Health isn’t just about taking care of the sick, we must prevent sickness wherever and whenever we can,” said the Minister, who had opted to start doing just this. Although Dr. Norton has since been re-assigned to deal with Social Cohesion by Government, he has left a proactive legacy that was last week amplified by current Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence. Minister Lawrence disclosed that Dr. Norton, even before the outbreak occurred, had visited Aishalton and a number of areas, during the latter part of last year. He didn’t merely meet and greet the residents of Region Nine, but he also took along medication to treat gastroenteritis. According to Dr. Norton, all this was done as part of a proactive approach to health care. In fact, he claimed to have had a plan mapped out on how to effectively help to prevent such outbreaks altogether. Dr. Norton recently outlined, “we first of all have to bear in mind that gastroenteritis can in most cases be water-borne, so we have got to have a proper water supply system in place. Secondly, we
have got to educate the people about how to treat their water and to keep it safe...but we need to ensure that medication is at all times on the ground...” Minister Norton is confident that gastroenteritis could become a thing of the past. But when questioned as to why such a goal has evaded the Ministry for so long he stated, “I don’t think that we can stay at Lot 1 Brickdam, Georgetown and get the job done....we can’t be here in Georgetown and understand and resolve a problem in Port Kaituma (Region One) for instance.” According to Dr. Norton, for too long the Public Health Sector, even under his watch, has been guilty of being reactive. “We have to change this culture – only when things happen we rush into areas with the biggest and most complex team, but why must there be an outbreak before we take action?’ We have got to be proactive; we have got to go in and recognise that a well at Kamwatta (Region One) is not functioning and we have to get these things in order, we have to ensure that the water is treated after the well starts functioning too.”
The Baccoo Speaks The fire demon is active. Never before have there been so many fires at the start of the year and I warned of one the last time. Sad to say, we have not heard the last of them. ** Irresponsible drivers are at large and with the schools open one of them would cause harm to a schoolchild.
He would be hastening to overtake another vehicle with-
out due care and attention. The result would be most unfortunate. ** It is not all bad news. There would be some heroics when a boat encounters trouble in the western part of the country. A passing boat would go to the rescue of the imperiled.
But Dr. Norton is well aware that the Public Health Ministry, by no stretch of the imagination, can achieve the intended goal alone. Moreover, he noted that the Ministry has to embrace a multifaceted approach, whereby it works in close collaboration with individuals and organisations, including the Ministry of Natural Resources. “We are boasting about the amount of gold we produce; all this came from mining activities, and we can’t put our heads in the sand and say that mining does not affect the environment. However, we can reduce it, depending on the method that is used,” Minister Norton
amplified as he added “we cannot simply throw caution to the wind, we have got to be cautious of the impact and address it.” Moreover, Minister Norton from his Social Cohesion desk said that he convinced that if a proactive, collaborative approach, coupled with education, is fully embraced, outbreaks such as gastroenteritis could quickly become a threat of the past. The Minister, however, cautioned against complacency, once the desired goal is realised. “One of the things we suffer from is complacency, but as health care workers we should never be complacent. We can never lower our
guards. We have got to always be vigilant, and that is why the different programmes are so necessary in public hea l t h , ” D r. N o r t o n stressed. Health officials usually encourage people who are diagnosed with gastroenteritis to consume more than the usual amounts of fluids to avoid dehydration due to diarrhoea and vomiting. Medication such as paracetamol is administered to ease fever and the aches and pains associated with the infection. Once treatment is adm i n i s t e r e d e ff i c i e n t l y, symptoms have been known to dissipate within a few days.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
Walking past her sister’s corpse By Michael Jordan Had it been a horror movie, some psychic force would have whispered a warning to Madonna Welcome. But this was real life, so Madonna walked right past the Matthew’s Ridge playfield without the slightest inkling that her sister, Samantha Ashby, lay dead just a few feet away. It certainly never entered her head that her sister could have met such a cruel end. Not after all this time; when 32year-old Samantha had walked away from her old life as a commercial sex worker. Samantha’s story was that
of so many other pretty girls who live in interior locations like Matthew’s Ridge, North West District: a place with few educational opportunities and too many free-spending men. By the time she was in her late teens, Samantha had fallen in with the wrong crowd. ”We tried talking her out of it, but she chose that way of life,” her sister, Madonna, told me. But the fun-loving woman finally settled down with a young man from the community. All it took was one night out to change that… On the night of Monday, September 15, 2014,
Samantha Ashby visited a relative’s shop at Matthew’s Ridge. The shopkeeper remembers seeing her drinking with three men. Samantha’s companions were said to be newcomers to Matthew’s Ridge who were working with a businessman from the community. They say that two were porters, while the third was a miner. One of the men went by the nickname ‘Killer.’ According to reports, no one saw them leave. At around 11.00 hrs the following day, a group of students who were training for school sports entered the Matthew’s Ridge Community Centre ground. They ventured further onto the playfield, and it was then that they spotted a woman’s body. Someone had dumped her at the side of the community centre. She was clad in her brassiere, her underwear lay a short distance away. The students immediately contacted a teacher, who identified the victim as Samantha Ashby. Ashby’s killers had raped her then beaten her to
Samantha Ashby’s body was found near the community centre (murder scene) death, some 30 yards from her home. Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh established that she had suffered multiple injuries, including a broken hip and fractured skull. Detectives retrieved two condoms from the scene. Madonna, who confirmed the victim’s identity, recalled that she had passed that area a few hours earlier
on her way to work. Knowing that her sister was not one “to take stupidness from people,” Madonna believed that the five feet seven inches tall Samantha would have put up a valiant fight before being overpowered. Detectives soon learned about Samantha’s night out, and picked up her three companions. They brought the suspects to Georgetown and interrogated them at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. But the detectives found nothing to implicate the men, and released them on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigators also took DNA samples from the suspects, and similar samples from the two condoms that they retrieved from the crime scene. Madonna is convinced that these same men know more than they are saying about her sister’s death. She alleges that about two months before Samantha’s murder, one of the suspects had stalked another one of her sisters. Madonna also be-
lieves that there are people at Matthew’s Ridge who may have actually witnessed the attack on Samantha. ”It (the crime scene) is close to the police station. How is it that nobody heard anything and people are living near to the (Matthew’s Ridge) Community Centre? People know what happened, but they are afraid to talk.” But there’s a saying in forensic circles that the dead speak, and there’s that slim hope that, in the very near future, the contents of two used condoms will help to unmask Samantha Ashby’s killers. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 2258465, 22-58473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Me and “Cloones” at the birth night of Abena Rockcliffe’s baby On Thursday evening I attended the 9th day of the birth of Abena Rockcliffe’s little baby boy. Abena is one of the live wires of Kaieteur News journalistic staff. I am still at a loss to find out how crazy Abena (though less crazy than I am) could birth one of the cutest babies you could ever see. He lay still in his bed and when Sharmain Grainger and I went to his crib, he started to move all over his bed and actually attempted to talk to me. The conclusion of Sharmain was that he likes me. Well if he likes me and his mother is a journalist, I guess a future in journalism awaits him. I didn’t see “Cloones” because I was in the house talking to Abena. As I stepped outside, “Cloones” greeted me. His real name is Desmond, but we called him ‘Cloones” in Wortmanville where we grew up. In our days in the sixties, the nickname “cloones” meant you were a bit of a turkey, a bit of a stupid person, you were a “packoo.” I doubt whether the present generation uses that word anymore. It is gone from the subculture of Georgetown. I cannot recall anyone the past 20 years in Georgetown telling another person, “man you’re a cloones.” I guess “packoo”
has gone out too. When you were called a “packoo” it meant you were really stupid. Cloones and I were childhood friends in Wortmanville. In those days his constant companion was a guitar, mine was a book. We went our separate ways as we grew older into teenagehood. If you knew Desmond from those days, you just knew that one day this guy would turn out to be a superb singer. He became just that. He came and sat next to me and Sharmain Grainger and did what he always does when we meet up and other people are around. He would tell them I always had a big mouth. He said those exact words to Sharmain. Cloones and Eze Rockcliffe, of Yoruba Singers fame, are close friends Cloones went inside and came out with a CD. He gave it to me and said it was his latest commercial recording. The tracks are – Shine On; Skyline Pigeon; I Started a Joke; Straight from the Heart; Waiting in Vain; Hotel California; No Woman No Cry; Knocking on Heaven’s Door; Black Orpheus, Pouty Pourri; Have you ever seen the Rain; Crocodile Rock. As you can see from these cuts, Desmond did not lose his connection with soft rock that we enjoyed in the seventies
in Wortmanville. What I am about to write I guess will bring disagreement, but I am voicing my opinion and I am no dunce when it comes to judging singing. Cloones is one of the best singers the Caribbean has produced. I am not going to match him with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff. But I am certainly going to compare him with other Jamaican greats like John Jones, Garnett Silk, Boris Garner, among others. As to our own Eddie Hooper and Johnny Braff; yes I will rate him with them. The album is titled “Para Amar Demas.” Cloones sings under
the name Peter Atherly. I am suggesting that you listen to this guy on this CD. This fellow can sing. This recording is the voice of a good singer. I would say his voice is a cross between Michael McDonald and Barry White. During the celebration, the MC announced the number of a car that was blocking someone’s driveway. The complainant came in to make the request. About half an hour after that announcement, Deputy Editor, Nigel McKenzie and I were going to our cars and that vehicle was still there. Another announcement was made. This gentleman, an official of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, told
Nigel and me that as a Jehovah Witness, he has to display patience. It turned out that the car did not belong to the party. A stranger went and parked in front of the man’s gate. How could any human be so insensitive? How could a person just park a vehicle in another person’s driveway and just ignore the rights of that citizen? This is what we have come to in this country. I have seen types of driving in Guyana that would not be tolerated in almost every other country. We have become a nation without conscience and humanity. It was a wonderful cel-
Frederick Kissoon ebration at Abena’s house in honour of a sweet little baby. I wonder if Abena was as sweet as that when she was a baby.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
UNDERSTANDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIBERALIZATION Guyana’s long-awaited Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s (Amendment) Bill was passed into law in July 2016 and soon after, a comprehensive set of regulations were drafted. They are still open for public comment. The Regulations can be found on the Facebook account of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, and anyone can post their opinions, suggest inclusions, request deletions, make general comments and send them to the Ministry via email: info@mopt.gov.gy.
The legislation was designed to liberalize the fixed line telephone market and it paves the way to end the exclusivity of fixed line, international voice and data services by one company, and ultimately to attract small to large scale investments to the ICT and telecommunications sector in Guyana. This of course, will increase the availability and affordability of internet access. In addition, the bill included reforms to the existing regulatory structure, such as the creation of a new
‘watchdog’ called the Telecommunications Agency. This Agency (just like a business merger) is going to incorporate the functions of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and it will perform oversight of the telecommunications and ICT sector alongside the existing regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The Telecommunications Bill was first introduced in 2011 and then revised in 2013.
It had been sent to a Special Select Committee in the 10th Parliament and was still under consideration in 2014 when the Parliament was prorogued. When the coalition acceded to government in 2015, the bill was placed on the front burner and a revision was written. A series of consultations were then undertaken with Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co. Ltd (GTT), Digicel, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the University of Guyana (UG), several NGOs and other stakeholders before it was refined and returned to the National Assembly. President Granger lost no time in signing the Telecommunications Amendment Bill into law in 2016. From reports, both Digicel and GTT were cautiously optimistic about the imminent reforms. A spokesperson for Digicel described the bill as a laudable achievement and a first step towards the cessation of GTT’s exclusivities. For its part, GTT has been reiterating that it supports the opening up of the telecoms market, but insists on negotiations to resolve several matters vital to them. Those discussions began cordially in December 2016 between GTT and its parent company, ATN International (ATNI). Leading the Government’s team was the Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes, accompanied by Vice President & Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Carl B. Greenidge and Ministerial Advisors on ICT and Telecommunications. GTT and ATNI’s team was led by GTT’s CEO Justin Nedd and ATNI’s Vice President, Douglas Minster. The Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016 came with an Explanatory Memorandum. Here is an abridged version: “The Telecommunications
Bill 2016 provides for an open, liberalized and competitive telecommunications sector that will be attractive to investors, while preserving the activities of the current sector participants. By creating a competitive environment for telecommunications, the Bill is expected to (provide) greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers. The Bill also specifically addresses the (extension) of existing telecommunications networks and services into un-served and under-served areas through a new universal access/universal services programme. The accompanying regulations (which are already drafted) create a clear, harmonized framework and a level playing eld for the sector that is currently lacking. It puts Guyana’s regulatory framework on par with those found in other countries in the Caribbean and the first world. The new legal framework is characterized by transparency and non-discrimination in the issuance and monitoring of licences and authorisations to use the spectrum. It provides for seamless interconnection and access between and among telecommunications networks and services. It addresses price regulations to ensure competition and protect consumers. DEFINITION OF “NET NEUTRALITY” “Net Neutrality means the operation of public telecommunications networks and the provision of public telecommunications services in a manner that enables access to all content and applications regardless of the source, on a non-discriminatory and open basis, and without favouring or blocking any particular product, application, destination or website.” Net Neutrality is referenced in Clause 73 of the Bill titled “Penalty for modification of telecommunica-
tions or violation of principle of net neutrality” which states that “An operator or service provider, or any personnel thereof, who, otherwise than in the authorized course of the performance of the o p e r a t o r ’s o r s e r v i c e provider’s obligations under this Act, willfully modifies or interferes with the content of a message sent by any user of such operator’s telecommunications network, or such service providers’ telecommunications service … (or anyone who) violates the principle of net neutrality, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $500,000 or no more than $2M, and to imprisonment for a term of no more than six (6) months”. H o w e v e r, C l a u s e 8 4 titled “Services provided from outside Guyana” states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Minister may take any action he/she deems appropriate with regard to telecommunications networks, telecommunications services, use of the spectrum or radio communication equipment operated or provided by persons not located in Guyana, to the extent that such networks, services or use of the spectrum or radio communication equipment … (a) Compete unfairly or otherwise jeopardize the operation of telecommunications networks, the provision of telecommunications services or the use of the spectrum or radio communication equipment in Guyana or between Guyana and any other location; or (b) Are being operated or provided in a manner that is contrary to the public interest, national security or public order. Clause 71 titled “Penalty for false or dangerous telecommunications” explains that: (l) A person who, by means of a telecommunications network or service, willfully circulates or otherwise transmits any telecommunication that is false, deceptive or misleading, or that materially endangers the physical safety of any other person, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a ne of not less than $250,000 or no more than $2M and to imprisonment for a term of no more than six (6) months. Read the Telecommunications Regulations @MoPT on Facebook and send your comments to the Ministry.
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Kaieteur News
My column
We have dumped what once worked The year started badly with a rash of murders. By the time the dust settled it turned out that the killers of at least three people were teenagers who had become drug addicts. When the police made the first arrest I was stunned at the age and the callous nature of the killer. He had gone to the home for money, obviously to feed his habit, in the company of two others, one of them a 24year-old. The police turned up at his home to catch him washing the blood from his body while his clothes were soaked in a bucket. The third of the lot kept running until he was spotted on a mudflat. It took the police recruits, with the support of their more senior colleagues, to catch him. I remarked at the fact that he was taken alive because in days gone by, when Bharrat Jagdeo was president, such wanted persons were shot out of hand. They never lived to stand trial. My shock deepened when they appeared in court on Friday. There were the media people trying to capture the images and there were the young criminals showing them the finger. There was no remorse, no regret at snuffing out the lives of three ordinary people who simply wanted to live. We don’t hang people anymore, so these young men would spend a part of their lives behind bars and then be
released onto the streets again. By then they would have matured and perhaps become even more seasoned. They would have been exposed to hardened criminals; they would be supplied with drugs in prison and some of them would enjoy the luxury of cell phones. I asked Clement Rohee, the former Home Affairs Minister about the reaction of the residents after they found out who the killers were. His answer was that the people were angry at the government and the current Home Affairs Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan. He said that they were also angry at the police. Needless to say, I found this to be hogwash, because people tend to vent their spleen on the criminals and their relatives. I do know that many people still have the mindset that killers are predominantly people of African ancestry who live in the city. I know that Rohee and certain members of his party help to perpetuate that image in the minds of their supporters. They said as much during the elections campaign, causing the people to believe that if they did not vote for the People’s Progressive Party then the government would release these black criminals on them. And I hasten to add that in the wake of the killings there was the belief that such was indeed the case. Since then, there have
been calls for a return of the death penalty, which remains on the statutes but which is not invoked. The sociologists and the psychiatrists would talk about dysfunctional families being the cause. They would not talk about the failed education system and the failure of the social organisations to make an impact on young lives. This is a widespread problem. There was a time when inspectors visited the schools to ascertain that teachers performed as they should. There was also a time when priests, pastors, moulvis and pandits would visit the homes of people, on request, because the parent had some problem dealing with an errant child. These are things of the past, but I hasten to add that there was never so much crime when those things were done. People had values; older people were quick to scold young children. These days it is a case of people insisting that they mind their own business. Take the case of the missing British teenager whose body turned up in a shallow grave. Except for the mother of a woman who shares a relationship with the killers, everyone is a young person. How did the society get like this? In a matter that is before the court, again a group of young people had no compunction about entering the
home of a member of judicial system and brutalizing that person. Another young man entered the home of a former crime chief and terrorized the man and his family. As fate would have it, when the identity of the victim became known, that young man’s mother handed him over to the police. Crime apart, we now have a rash of suicides. I always say that if I am suicidal then I can take my life at any time. I don’t have to do so today; I can wait for tomorrow which promises to be better. But this seems not to be the case of the people who are in a mad rush to make the headlines as dead people. There have been no fewer than a dozen suicides already for the year. There was one just Saturday morning. Guyana has already earned the sobriquet of being the suicide capital of the world. We tend to become known for all the wrong reasons. Alcohol has fuelled many
of the suicides but then again, there are those fuelled by people who have no skill at problem solving. How can I begin to explain the case of the 14-year-old girl who joins her 20-year-old partner on a table with a rope around the necks of both of them, then agreeing to kick the table aside? We talk about counseling centres, but more than this is needed. For one, we need to talk more to each other. There was a time when the oral tradition kept many people sane. People simply poured their guts out to others. These days people say that when they tell their story, the people to whom they speak turn around and use the information to cuss them out.
Adam Harris I say, we are each other’s keepers; we need to talk more with our neighbours. We need to pay attention to the young people around us, because when all is said and done, Guyana is all we have and without good people the country is nothing.
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(An excerpt from Budget 2017 presentation to the National Assembly by the Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan MP) REGIONAL NAMES In keeping with the agenda of regional empowerment as well as regional pride, consultations led by our Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) would begin early this year to allow people to be consulted on whether they wish to retain the name given to their regions or if they wish to have them renamed. Many persons have questioned this initiative. However, in 1980 when the regional system was created and names were given to our regions, it was not meant to be permanent. Thirty-six years later, most of our regions are referred to by numbers. This tells us that the names
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Regional Empowerment either do not resonate or they are too cumbersome. How many persons, for example, do we hear saying that they are from the East Berbice-Corentyne Region? Not many. This region is commonly referred to as Region 6. The same for Region 10, we hardly ever hear persons saying that they are from the Upper Demerara- Berbice Region. When students from the Bina Hill Institute Youth Learning Centre treated us (Members of Parliament) to that very good song about climate change, in the lyrics of that song there was no reference to Region 9 or to Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, but rather to the Rupununi. The reality is that one cannot
form an emotional bond with a number. Similarly regional emblems and flags have the same purpose. GRASS ROOT EMPOWERMENT: The strategy of the Ministry of Communities for implementing the policies and priorities in Budget 2017 is to promote the delivery of social, economic and environmental services (SEEs) by strengthening our local democratic organs (LDO). The vision of the Ministry of Communities is to improve the quality of lives of residents by promoting the development of cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities. Among the interrelated strategic initiatives
set in place by the Ministry to achieve this objective are: (i) empowering and equipping of local democratic organs; (ii) promoting local economic development; (iii) instilling integrated waste management; (iv)promoting integrated water resources management; (v) providing quality and affordable housing solutions; (vi)supporting the strengthening of community disaster management; and (vii)Strengthening policy development management. For the Ministry of Communities, the $41 billion allocated in Budget 2017 would focus on strengthening the capacity of our LDOs to deliver on those social economic and environmental needs. This budget, the focus is aligned with the medium term objectives and on promoting local economic development. The programme reaches across the other two tiers of Government and would include the following components: (i) Infrastructure development (ii)Institutional strengthening and capacity building, and (iii)Public awareness and community participation. The programmes, projects and activities of the Ministry, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the RDCs as well as the Community Development Council (CDCs) would be executed accordingly. This approach would ensure that investment in communities, human resource development and community ownership are achieved and not just the completion of the works in communities. It would help to ensure sustainability, pro-
mote participation and stimulate grass roots empowerment. STRENGTHENING REGIONAL PROCUREMENT: In his budget speech, the Finance Minister expressed the administration’s concerns regarding the impact of poor performance in Government’s investment and the economy. The Ministry of Communities shares those concerns expressed by the Minister of Finance and is prepared to do its part to reverse this situation wherever it is obtained. Within the procurement regulations, where they exist, and with the creation of regional procurement units and training of regional procurement officials, the Ministry would continue to pursue a path of transparency and accountability in procurement at the regional and local government levels. Measures would be put in place to expand the number of contractors involved in executing Government contracts in the regions and to rebuild the village economy by deepening the opportunities for local content in the delivery of projects and activities promoting community participation and ownership. Pre-qualification of contractors, setting a threshold on award of contracts and instituting an ongoing list of works, are among the efforts being made to reverse some of the inefficiencies in regional procurement, to improve acceleration of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), to open up opportunities for new entrants in the cohort of contractors and to promote community confidence and better service delivery. STRENGTHENING LOCALGOVERNMENT:
With regard to the strengthening of our local government system, the Ministry will be pursuing several paths to achieve this objective. Among these will include the partnering with the Ministry of Finance in the overhauling and modernising of the national valuation system. The objective is to secure the revenue base of our LDOs, currently their Achilles heel. Pursuant to our prior commitment to have the community enhancement work component of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) executed directly by our local government organs, with coordination through the RDC and support from the Ministry of Communities. The Community Enhancement Workers Initiative (CEWI) will see 1,500 workers employed across the 71 councils, undertaking cleaning and clearing activities to promote the aesthetics and improve access to public facilities. After several years, the workers payment will now increase to $30, 000, that is working for four hours a day for 16 days a month. Some of the programmes that will be completed are, training in local economic development planning as well as the completion of a training manual and a preparation guidebook for our councillors. Other activities will include developing and implementing of financial regulations for LDOs to improve the financial management of their councils. SOLID WASTE: Budgetary allocations have been made for the strengthening of solid waste management across communities in all of the regions of our country. In Budget 2017, a sum of $1.3 billion is allocated for solid waste management. It will cater for the operation of landfill sites at Haags Bosch and Lusignan, as well as other areas, and the creation of new sanitary landfills across our country.
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Kaieteur News
Gastroenteritis: The Dos and don’ts Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine We have all had the displeasure of having an episode of vomiting or diarrhea or both. It’s not the best feeling in the world and can make our lives very uncomfortable. Medication, illicit drugs, pregnancy and other medical conditions are less common causes of vomiting and diarrhea, but our main focus today is on gastroenteritis, caused by viruses and bacteria. WHAT IS GASTROENTERITIS? Gastroenteritis is defined as inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection and causing vomiting and diarrhea. It can be mild or more severe which can lead to dehydration and even death. It accounts for 1.4 million deaths worldwide yearly, and therefore should be taken seriously. Children are more prone to the debilitating effects of gastroenteritis and most of their complications arise from dehydration. We will therefore focus more on the management in children, especially since they get dehydrated easily. Dehydration occurs when there is too little fluid in your body, causing inefficient blood circulation. When one
vomits or has diarrhea, they are constantly losing fluids which if not replaced, will lead to dehydration. By knowing what to do and what not to do, you may be able to ride out an episode of Gastroenteritis. WHAT CAN YOU DO? In otherwise healthy children, most cases of mild gastroenteritis gradually go away within a few days. In the meantime, you can try the following suggestions: · To prevent dehydration, encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Your doctor may recommend a particular brand of over-thecounter oral rehydration solution in addition to breast milk, formula or milk. In general, these solutions are better than soft drinks, fruit juice or other sweetened beverages, which usually have too many carbohydrates (sugar) and too little sodium (salt) to restore normal fluid balance in children with gastroenteritis. Do not use water alone. They also need essential electrolytes (potassium, sodium etc.) that would have been lost during the vomiting or diarrhea. Coconut water, pedialyte, gatorade, oral rehydration salts etc. are alternatives for rehydration that have electrolytes · If your child is too nauseated to drink
his or her normal intake of fluids at one sitting, try offering several smaller sips more frequently over a longer period. · Once your child’s vomiting subsides, resume a normal diet gradually while continuing the oral rehydration solution. Begin with lean meats and complex carbohydrates, such as rice, potatoes and bread. Temporarily avoid fatty foods and sugary beverages. If your child is breastfeeding, resume nursing as soon as possible. · Do not give your child anti-diarrhea medicines without checking with the doctor first. These medicines can interfere with the intestine’s ability to pass harmful viruses, bacteria, parasites and toxins out of the body through the stool. This can make it harder to know when your child is actually getting sicker and needs more attention. · Have your child rest in bed until symptoms subside. Do not allow your child to return to school until diarrhea has begun to improve. DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS Viruses are by far the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and may even precipitate some gastroenteritis. The decision to use
antibiotics during gastroenteritis should be made by a doctor who will determine if a bacterium is the cause and only then would antibiotics be warranted. WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR Most cases of gastroenteritis go away on their own. Visit a doctor if the vomiting and diarrhea continues for more than a day, or if you notice any signs of dehydration like: · Not urinating or yellow and little urine · Dry mouth · Crying without tears (children) · Fever over 102 F · Lack of energy · Irritable(children) · Soft spot on the top of baby’s head is sunken. · Blood in stool, or dark tarry stool WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT GASTROENTERITIS? To help prevent gastroenteritis in all members of your family, you can take the following steps:
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, after changing diapers and after caring for a child with diarrhea. · Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food, especially after handling raw meat · Wash diarrhea-soiled clothing in detergent and chlorine bleach. If bathroom surfaces are contaminated with stool, wipe them with a chlorine-based household cleaner. · Cook all meat thoroughly before you serve it to your family, and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. · Make sure you don’t transfer cooked foods onto unwashed plates that held raw meat. ·Wash kitchen countertops and utensils thoroughly after they have been used to prepare meat. · Never drink unpasteurized milk or untreated water. · If there is an outbreak in your area and you are not getting treated water then
Dr Zulfikar Bux make sure that your family drinks boiled water or water treated with chlorine (bleach). They should avoid eating ice, uncooked vegetables or fruit that they haven’t peeled themselves. Having a bout of gastroenteritis is definitely not one of the most fun times in one’s life. Knowing what to do and what not to do may be the difference between you overcoming the bout before it overcomes you or a loved one.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
SUNDAY SPECIAL SARU CONDUCTING INVENTORY OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN GUYANA “We want to know who own these buildings; how they got the money to finance them and if they are paying their taxes.” This statement was made by Head of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), Dr. Clive Thomas. He said that the Unit is currently mapping all the high rise buildings in Guyana. It has commenced works in and around Georgetown. The Chairman said that this will be part of SARU’s work when it becomes the nation’s anti-corruption agency after its legislation is passed in the National Assembly. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon recently told the media that the draft legislation for SARU is finished and is before Cabinet for consideration before making its way to the National Assembly. Professor Thomas said that the reason behind doing an inventory of all the high rise buildings in Guyana is to ensure that “they are legit”. ”We want to ensure that the money used to construct them was clean, that the building is not a shell company, that the owners are paying their taxes, that the building is not being used as a conduit for corrupt activities; and that even the land was lawfully obtained.” He added, “We aren’t aware if this initiative is something that other agencies are also pursuing but as far as we are aware, it is a key focus. A lot of the revenues of the state, or a lot of the underground economy sees capital being invested in these buildings; money laundering so to speak. ”The reality is that we have an underground economy and we need to ascertain who are the people involved.” Chief Executive Officer of SARU, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, said that already, the department of the Ministry of the Presidency has been able to do an inventory of over 100 buildings in Guyana. He said the work of Guyana’s anti-corruption unit will be comprehensive and it will be far reaching. He said that as an anti-corruption entity, it is going to be their responsibility to know the legal businesses in Guyana, and to ensure that those businesses obtained assets of the state, such as land, in a lawful manner. CONFLICT OF INTEREST!!!…NICIL’S OFFICER IN CHARGE IS ALSO HEAD OF LINMINE -AUDITOR SAYS LINMINE DEBACLE IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT NICIL WAS USED AS A PARALLEL TREASURY By holding the position of Officer in Charge of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and head of one of NICIL’s subsidiaries; LINMINE, Horace James, is obviously caught in a conflict of interest. This viewpoint was expressed by
Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran. Goolsarran, who also prepared a forensic audit report on NICIL, said that James should not hold both positions. He added, “It is either one or the other. In fact, it is inappropriate for the head of LINMINE to also be the Officer-in-charge of NICIL. This can pose a serious conflict of interest.” The forensic auditor was also concerned about recent statements by James to the effect that LINMINE has become a department of NICIL. Goolsarran strongly contradicted this. He explained that NICIL was incorporated under the Companies Act 1991. He stressed that it is a Government company, since the Government is only a shareholder. In the case of LINMINE, the former auditor general said that this entity was incorporated under the Companies Act 1991. According the notes to the financial statements for year ended December 31, 2012 (the latest audited financial statements), Goolsarran said that it is a whollyowned subsidiary of NICIL by Order No. 45 of 2003. The auditor said however, that this Order relates to the dissolution of BIDCO and the transfer of assets to NICIL. Goolsarran said, “I have found no evidence of LINMINE becoming a department of NICIL. For this to happen, LINMINE had to be dissolved in the same way that BIDCO was dissolved, i.e. an order had to be issued and assets transferred to NICIL. I have found no such Order. The fact that LINMINE continues to produce audited financial statements, the latest being for the year ended December 31, 2012, substantiates that LINMINE could not have been a department of NICIL.” Additionally, the Chartered Accountant expressed that NICIL cannot claim holding company-subsidiary company status by virtue of Order No. 45 of 2003. He said, “Even if this were so, for example, through the transfer of Government shares, the integrity of both companies remains intact in terms of assets/liabilities and income/expenditures. Nor can NICIL cross legal boundaries by integrating LINMINE into its operations since there is no provision under the Companies Act for this to happen.”
MATERIALS SITTING IDLY OVER TWO YEARS AS GOOD HOPE ROAD CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE Residents of Good Hope village on the East Coast of Demerara are frustrated with the state of the streets within their community. They are claiming that since before the rainy season started, no work was done on a number of the roads as it relates to patching and filling potholes. Also, residents complained about lack of cleaning of the drains behind their yards. Further, the kokers have benefitted from little to no cleaning thereby increasing the risk and instances of flooding. This newspaper received numerous complaints over the past few weeks and visited the community to investigate the matter. Upon entering Phase One of the Housing Scheme, the main access road was in good condition, however, the smaller access streets are indeed in a deplorable state. Now that there has been frequent rainfall the condition of the roads has worsened, making it difficult for residents to traverse with their vehicles much less on foot. A number of streets were observed to be filled with wide and deep potholes resembling craters. According to one resident, this has been ongoing for quite some time. “The NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) not doing anything; nothing was done since they entered office after the Local Government Elections. The only thing good they doing is garbage collection, but the roads need to be fixed!” He said that the holes have never been so big, since they were first done several years ago. Added to this, several residents told this newspaper that the Mon Repos/La Renaissance NDC had within its compound, material which can be used to patch the holes in the streets.To verify this, this publication visited the NDC office and saw the said material lying in the compound being taken over by weeds. The residents said that the condition of the streets is worse when one goes further into the village – for example in Phase Two and Phase Three. It is unclear why the material is sitting idly by in the NDC com-
pound, especially since it is evident that the roads are in disrepair and in need of urgent attention. MONDAY EDITION GRANGER REJECTS JAGDEO’S LIST OF GECOM CHAIRPERSON NOMINEES – NANDLALL SAYS ATTEMPTS BEING MADE TO RIG NEXT ELECTION The list of names submitted by Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo to President David Granger from which the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission is to be chosen, has been described as unacceptable by the President. Speaking on the issue Sunday at the Annual Media Brunch at State House, Main Street, Granger quoted Article 161(2) of Guyana’s Constitution which states, “(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of court, having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court
having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper reason, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.” Granger said that the section mentions the word ‘judge’ four times, indicating that it is a requirement and since there were no judges among the names, the list is invalid. ”So the only thing about the list is that it comprises six names.” The names which were submitted by Jagdeo were Lawrence Latchmansingh, Rhyaan Shah, James Rose, Norman McLean, Ramesh Dookhoo and Christopher Ram, none of whom are judges. Responding to Granger’s statements on Sunday was former Attorney-General and PPP Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall, who said that this is the first time that a President has rejected such a list since the Carter Formula for the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM was initiated in 1992. COP TURNS THIEF! – CAUGHT IN THE ACT, TIED UPAND BEATEN An embarrassing state of affairs (Continued on page 33)
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
(From page 32) came to light at around 03.00 hrs last Sunday, when a resident of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, heard strange noises in his unoccupied, upper flat. He reportedly also heard footsteps. The man said that he alerted his son-in law, and after checking outside the property, the two ventured to the area from which the sounds had come. “From the minute we went upstairs, a man ran under the sink,” the resident said.The resident said that the intruder then ran to them shouting “I is a policeman, I is a policeman, I got a gun.” He allegedly then scrambled one of the men, but they eventually subdued and tied him up. They then contacted ranks from the Timehri Police Station. Three ranks arrived, and it was they who confirmed that the would-be burglar was indeed a police rank, who was also stationed at Timehri. ”They were shocked,” the resident said. “I showed them where he had broken into the house.” The detective was transported to the Timehri Police Station where he was placed in custody. TUESDAY EDITION SUSPECTED WIFE-KILLER ‘FRENCHIE’CAUGHTAFTER EIGHT YRS ON THE RUN They’ve finally got him. After almost eight years on the run, alleged killer Charles Chapman, called ‘Frenchie’, will finally be placed behind bars for the March 12, 2009 murder of his reputed wife Savitri Arjune. Chapman, who is now around 62, was arrested Monday at a house at Limlair, Corentyne, where he had been living for the past three years. He was reportedly living there for the past three years with a friend, but it is unclear whether the individual was aware that Chapman was a fugitive. At the time of his arrest, the former soldier and seaman sported long gray hair and a beard, and looked nothing like the individual in the photograph that was posted of him several years ago. According to one report, police arrested Chapman after a resident tipped them off. However, another source said that police ranks detained him in connection with a wounding report. The ranks were reportedly unaware of Chapman’s identity, but realised that he was not from the area. But they became suspicious after he stated that he was from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Under interrogation, Chapman reportedly admitted that he was wanted for Arjune’s murder. Police said that he stated that he had been living in Surname, and only returned to Guyana three years ago. Police levelled charges against Chapman for Arjune’s murder while he was on the run. Chapman was 54, and was a
mini-bus operator, when he allegedly stabbed his reputed wife to death at around 06:15 hrs on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Savitri Arjune, 34, called ‘Savi’, who last resided at Lot 382 Herstelling, was heading to work when she was ambushed and stabbed multiple times a short distance from her home. Arjune was in the vicinity of Rum Shop Road and the East Bank Demerara public road when the suspect, who was allegedly hiding near his bus, pounced on her. The woman, who had endured a stormy eight-year relationship with the suspect, collapsed and died on the spot from stab wounds to the heart and side. An autopsy revealed that she was stabbed three times with “a very long knife.” After she collapsed, Chapman reportedly boarded the vehicle and drove to Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, where he abandoned the vehicle. ESTATE WORKER FATALLY STABBED AFTER ALTERCATION – POLICE SEEK THREE SUSPECTS
A 39-year-old Uitvlugt Estate worker was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital last evening after he was found near an Anna Catherina shop with suspected stab wounds about his body. The victim has been identified as Kawal Shivnauth called Rupesh or Rupee, and also resides in that area, West Coast Demerara. One of the man’s relatives, told Kaieteur News that Shivnauth had an altercation with three men, and as he was about to exit the establishment, he was reportedly lashed behind his head while another man pounced on him and began to stab him repeatedly. Residents raised an alarm and the police were alerted. It was reported that Shivnauth was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where scores of relatives and friends were present demanding answers from the police ranks that were present. Meanwhile, a police source told this publication that with the aid of a villager, they were seeking three suspects who also reside in the area. Relatives described Shivnauth as an “easy” and “peaceful” man. He is survived by his three daughters aged fifteen, six and five. WEDNESDAY EDITION STANDOFF OVER OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS…CHINESE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SQUATTING IN MARRIOTT’S UNFINISHED CASINO From the balcony, there is a breathtaking sight of the Atlantic Ocean with ships passing and of the sunlight hitting the crashing waves. It is almost the same sight from about half of the rooms of Marriott Hotel, Kingston. But the view last Tuesday from the balcony was not from the hotel rooms. Rather, it was from an incomplete shell, adjoining the hotel. That shell was intended to be
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converted into a world-class entertainment facility to house a casino and other facilities. The casino was supposed to boost the revenues for the entire facility and allow, based on projections, the hotel to pay the more than US$50M it owes to banks and others. However, almost two years since the hotel was opened, very little has been done to develop the adjacent section. A new administration, under the Coalition Government, is in place, with a new Board of Directors and management for Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), which owns the hotel, installed in 2015. That unfinished section is now facing another major problem that has the potential of developing into an embarrassing situation. A number of Chinese nationals, who came here to work on the hotel’s construction, have moved in and are refusing to leave until their company – Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) – is paid a large sum of money that they are owed for work done. The standoff has been ongoing for a number of months now with the Chinese construction workers warned to leave, but to no avail. The matter had been kept quiet, until now. On Tuesday, Horace James, Officerin-Charge of the National Industrial
and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), confirmed that the workers are in the annex “illegally”. NICIL is the state-owned company overseeing investments and owns AHI, the company that owns and put together the deal to build the hotel. Responding to a number of emailed questions, the official said that he is aware that SCG is owed and that it is for about US$800,000 ($160M). However, SCG officials are reportedly claiming that they are owed between US$4-5M ($800M$1B). ”They (the workers) were requested to cease their illegal occupation of the site on several occasions. They also received notice from the Chief Fire Officer that their occupation constitutes a fire hazard,” James wrote in response to questions from Kaieteur News. 20 MONTHS LATER…PM KNOWS NOTHINGABOUT WORK DONE BY COMMISSIONER OF INFORMATION – SAYS HIS STATUS, PERFORMANCE NOW UNDER SCRUTINY After 20 months of being in (Continued on page 54)
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Fisherman’s body exhumed
A body, believed to be that of 43-year-old Surujpaul Dindyal, which was mistakenly given a ‘poor burial’ along with four other bodies, was exhumed from the Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) cemetery on Friday. A post mortem examination will be done on the fisherman’s body to determine the cause of death. Although the body was decomposed, Dindyal’s sister, Annie Bharrat said that she is 75 percent sure that the body is that of the father of two. A police source said that because of the degree of decomposition, identifying the remains was not so easy since all the bodies had to be exhumed and placed alongside each other before a decision could have been made. Kaieteur News understands that the injury on the skeletal remains that is currently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour is consistent to that of an accident victim. “The victim had a broken neck and shoulder and the skeletal remains also got a broken neck and shoulder,” a police source said. Furthermore, Bharrat explained that although the body is decomposed, there is still flesh on the torso which made it easy for her to identify him by a tattoo he had on his chest,” the woman claimed. “The tattoo is not showing bright but you can see there was a tattoo there and when he was a child, he had a surgery and you can see a part of the stitch,” the woman said. Dindyal’s body was supposed to be exhumed two weeks ago but the heavy rain prevented this from happening. The father of two of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was killed in an accident on December 9, last, at Buxton. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as an unidentified body. The following day, Dindyal’s untagged remains were removed from a freezer at the mortuary and buried at Good
Surujpaul Dindyal Hope cemetery, along with four other bodies believed to be destitutes. Two bodies were reportedly buried in one hole while three remains were buried in another. It was some two weeks after the accident that the fisherman’s relatives were informed that he had been killed. Initially, they thought that he had gone to sea but after days passed and he did not make contact with his family, a missing person’s report was made. It was after a traffic cop saw Dindyal’s photograph on the news, that he contacted the man’s family and informed them of the accident. On December 21, last, the dead man’s family along with the police went to the hospital mortuary but could not have located the body. They searched the other mortuaries around the city but still could not locate the remains. It was on December 28, last when they returned to GPHC that they were informed that the body was mistakenly handed over to the undertakers who buried the bodies of the less fortunate on December 10, a day after the fisherman’s body was taken there. When asked about possible causing death charges for the driver who struck and killed the father of two, the police source said that once a post mortem examination is done and it is confirmed that he died from the accident, then the driver will be charged.
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Chinese contractor has no evidence that they are owed that much - Minister ... (From page 3) owns Marriott, has made it clear that it complied with its arrangements with the Chinese company, Patterson said. The minister said that questions should be directed to the PPP officials on what exactly were the arrangements with SCG. It was also noted that if the contractor had any basis, he would have used the terms in the contract to go to court already. “We (the government) can’t simply go around paying monies. You, the press, would maul us.” The Marriott annex was intended to be converted into a world-class entertainment facility to house a casino and other facilities. The casino was supposed to boost the revenues for the entire facility and allow, based on projections, the hotel to pay the more than US$50M it owes to banks, government and others. However, almost two years since the hotel was opened, very little has been done to develop the adjacent section. Last week, Horace James, Officer-in-Charge of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which owns AHI, confirmed that the workers are in the annex “illegally”. Responding to a number of emailed questions, the official said that he is aware that SCG is
owed and that it is for aboutUS$800,000 ($160M). “They (the workers) were requested to cease their illegal occupation of the site on several occasions. They also received notice from the Chief Fire Officer that their occupation constitutes a fire hazard,” James wrote in response to questions from Kaieteur News. A visit to the annex saw at least four persons in the section that would have housed the casino. There are at least four storeys that have been left unfinished. The area outside of the annex is scattered with construction material and overgrown with bushes. A number of air-conditioned makeshift rooms were converted to bedrooms for the Chinese workers. The area has electricity and there was even, in one corner, a hot water tank and wash sinks. There were several construction overalls hanging in a corner next to an open window, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Kaieteur News was told that SCG had been applying pressure for the monies, even visiting the East Coast Demerara office of Ansa McAl where former Chairperson, Beverly Harper, had been stationed, to press home their demands. Since theApril 2015 completion of the hotel, SCG would have
been obligated to stick around for a year to correct any defects. That period has long since elapsed, in April 2016. It was reported that former AHI head, Winston Brassington, had ordered monies withheld because of the quality of work. A hotel worker has disclosed that a section of a wall at the hotel recently collapsed forcing emergency works. Several of the marble tiles have cracked in places, largely because they are of poor quality. The hotel was heavily pushed by the successive government of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to improve the quality of accommodation in Guyana. However, the financing structure saw the hotel, in terms of square foot, becoming one of the most expensive in the world. While the Government of Guyana spent almost US$30M, it is last on the list to receive any returns or profits. There have been questions to claims by some officials whether the hotel is breaking even. Government has been hosting a number of events there, but without the casino in operation, officials have been arguing that it will be impossible to pay bills. Already, Government is in talks with the local banks to hold off collecting outstanding payments.
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How often should you get your teeth cleaned By Dr. Neromini Fagu Your car mechanic may tell you that after a certain number of kilometers you need to have your car oil changed or that you should rotate the tires. A frequently asked question in dentistry is how often should you get a cleaning done. This is a great question but the answer is not straightforward and it really depends on the individual. The usual recommendation by dentists is every six months but a lot of variables affect this time frame. Some people are blessed with good oral health and
they may get away without having annual cleanings. Other people have such good personal oral hygiene regimen and keep their gums and teeth in great condition that they may not need cleaning for several years. However, these are the exceptions and most people benefit greatly from regular dental cleanings. Your dentist is the best person to advise you on how often you should have a cleaning done and the answer would depend on the health of your gums and how diligent you are with your oral hygiene. Certain risk factors predispose a person to gum
disease and those persons may need to take extra precautions to avoid tooth loss. Some of the risk factors include: · Existing gum disease · Certain medical conditions like diabetes · Persons who smoke or consume alcohol · Pregnant women · Persons prone to cavities or plaque build up · Persons with a weak immune response to bacterial infection · Usage of certain medications · Persons with poor oral hygiene practices A cleaning professionally
done removes the bacteria that cause plaque but, unfortunately, plaque will recolonize in your mouth within 24 to 48 hours. Even with good oral hygiene practices at home, some people will have plaque formation before their six month visit. The longer the plaque stays in
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Metrology Bill on-stream
– final opportunity for stakeholders’ inputs The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has completed the drafting of a new Metrology Bill which will significantly enhance the organisation’s ability to guide the implementation of an effective measurement system nationally. One of the main objectives of the newly proposed legislation is to ensure that measuring devices such as scales, weights and measures used in trade are verified and accurate thereby giving consumers confidence and satisfaction in the quantities of goods and services they procure on a daily basis. Parts of the new Bill include and address the sale of goods, weighing and measuring for trade, administration and offences and penalties. The proposed Bill was birthed back in 2010 when funding was made available under the Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP) to develop a National Standardisation Strategy, which included the establishment of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in Guyana. One of the pillars of an effective NQI is Metrology – the science of measurement. Hence, the revision of the 1981 Weights and Measures Act which the new bill will replace began with aim to address the deficiencies of the old Act. In 2012, the GNBS along with a legal consultant extensively promoted the content of the draft bill in Guyana. Public consultation sessions were conducted in the main regions of Guyana including Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 and stakeholders
were informed of the content of document. Participants of these sessions also provided their comments and inputs which were included in the draft bill as necessary. In addition, the general public and key stakeholders including manufacturers, service providers and regulators were encouraged to review the document and submit their comments to the GNBS. Subsequently, the proposed Metrology Bill was also reviewed by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) to ensure that it is aligned with recently revised Metrology legislations in the various CARICOM member states, and where necessary, adjustments were made. To ensure that the general public and all stakeholders, including consumers, vendors and shopkeepers, manufacturers, petrol dealers and distributors, farmers and millers, regulators, ministries and state agencies have a final opportunity to provide inputs to the Bill, the GNBS once again provides the opportunity for all to do so. The draft Bill can be viewed on the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org and comments/inputs can be submitted to Email: info@gnbsgy.org The Bureau will conduct a final public consultation session in Georgetown on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. All are invited to participate. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066
place the more it hardens to form calculus or tartar which cannot be removed by tooth brushing. If you have a professional teeth cleaning twice a year, you are less likely to experience a heavy tartar buildup that could seriously affect your oral health. People with moderate to advanced gum disease and those who are unable to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen at home may need to visit their dentist on a monthly basis if they want to have any hope of keeping their teeth. Even so, they will still have to play their part as sometimes even having your teeth cleaned every month may not be enough to save them. As we age, it may be necessary to get more frequent cleanings. Older people are more predisposed to gum disease. And, also, diminished manual dexterity may cause them to miss certain areas in their mouth.
Dr. Neromini Fagu It is important to note that the schedule for dental cleanings for any person may change during a lifetime. Some people are afraid of getting their teeth cleaned because they think that their teeth will get damaged. This is a misconception. Yes, the instruments your dentist uses for your cleaning are quite sharp, but when used properly they will not damage your teeth. The sharp instruments are needed to remove the hardened tartar from the teeth and below the gum line. Ultimately, the schedule of cleaning is your decision Continued on page 61
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VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.
Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 6182417
INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. LANDSCAPING: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor landscaping. Call: 648-1821 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repair. Call: 601-0595 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 We repair computers in homes and offices refilling of printer inks. Call: 658-5897/ 651-1969
A&T TRAVEL AGENCY INC: TICKETS GOING VERY CHEAP!! OFFICE IN USA. CALL: 223-1332/ 6137542/+1-347-617-7582/ EMAIL:OMKARLILIAH@ GMAIL.COM Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, st o v e s , r e f r i g e r a t o r, treadmill, vacuum, etc – Call: 680-2377 St Hill Electrical Service, Electrical Maintenance Works to all buildings, BS 7671 testing Certification. Call 604-9596 or 646-9087
Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815 One Nissan Duke, lady driven, immaculate condition, PTT series, low mileage. Call: 653-0018/ 6667748, price negotiable serious enquires.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193
WANTED
VACANCY
One Floor Manager, must have at least five (5) years, experience in Hardware Store. Contact # 650-0402
Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197
1 Female Shop attendant to work in the Interior. Calll: 6780565 1 Male or female to look after layer birds in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Bahier to cook in the interior. Call: 678-0565
Office clerk age 18-25, security guards, care taker to work in Atlantic Garden, E.C.DCall: 638-5303/227-7380 Receptionist, Security Guard, Room Attendant. Apply to 233 South Road – Tel: 225-0198
01 Leyland DAF55 Truck, excellent condition, no dump. Call Reaz: 675-4287/ 661-7186
1 Porter to work on vehicle in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
One fast food supervisor, one chef, dhal puri maker, one cashier. Call: 225-0723 for more information.
1 AT 212 (PNN) – Call: 6792928
1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225
Exquisite Beauty works have hair and nail or barber station available for rent. Call: 6927307/ 226-6352
Long bass Mitsubishi Canter -$2M, Honda Fit -$850,000, new model Raum -$2M, Audi Car $2M. Call: 604-6724
Honda S2000 Convertible$3.2M, Audi A4-$3.6M, 318i BMW-$2.6M, Toyota IST-$2M. Contact#650-0402/260-4988
Experienced cleaners, waiters and counter servers. Apply with written application, Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. (Day Shift only).
1 General Domestic MondaySaturday, must be able to prepare vegetarian dishes, apply at Alabama Trading.
EARN A CERTIFICATE IN CERTIFICATE IN COSMETOLOGY AT ARTEE’S BEAUTY SALON (W.C.D) - $75,000 & WATCH REPAIRING SERVICES .CALL: 2750267/ 680-0156
Nissan Bluebird 2011 model -$2.7M, Toyota Rush 2006 model -$2.8M. (unregistered vehicles) Call:655-3400
Photocopy machines, marathon motor single phase, 7 ½ HP. Call: 233-2725/ 2332439
Wanted land to buy: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt & La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 6579594
1 Senior Accounts Clerk. Interesting person apply to Alabama Trading, Ferry Stelling.
Boardroom/Giftland Mall: 1 experienced chef, 1 male/ female cleaner to work shift system. Call Karishma: 6809091/ Sasha: 652-6533
One Graphic Artist, one live in maid. Call: 233-2725/ 2332439/ 674-9114
EDUCATIONAL Private custom house broker certificate training course; January 30 2017. Register now & save. Call: 694-8322 or 671-9603 Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 675-4379
Do you need a building contractor, estimate, house plan to be drawn? Give us a call: 216-0671/692-8464/6220267 B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
SERVICES Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822 FOR HIRE Chauffeur Driven Wedding cars for hire, personal service in Berbice. Call:604 9596 Or 646 9087 TOURS Need a weekend getaway? Pay just $36000 for a return trip to Suriname. February 2326, 2017. Contact: 600-5509/ 268-2507
Sheep for sale at Independence Street La Grange. Call: 675-6491
Experienced taxi driver, mini bus driver and dispatcher. Call: 616-5419
LAND FOR SALE
1 Two storey building @ Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, New Scheme. Call: 628-4436
Uitvlugt -$2.3M, Zeelugt $1.7M, Tuschen -$1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M – Call: 642-1252
One (1) 14ft Trampoline, no reasonable offer refuse- Call: 618-8878
La Parfait Harmonie -$1.2M, Uitvlugt (100ftX50ft) -$2.5M, Cuyuni Mining Blocks $2.5M. Call: 658-5897/6511969
Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500
50X198 located in Friendship E.B.D –price $4.5M (negotiable). Call: 645-6498
One Hilux Surf, price $1.6M. Call Ravi: 622-1782
We buy land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Uitvlugt, Bartica, Zeelugt. Call: 658-5897/ 651-1969
1 Stembow boat & engine (Yamaha 200HP) with Power Steering kit $1.6M Call 6585299/638-7748
2 Seamstress need at Lot 5 & 6 Supply Village, E.B.D. Call: 670-8182
Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles $5M. Call: 604-6724
Perkins 3 Cylinder 27 KVA Generator, price -$1,200,000 negotiable. Call: 682-6111
15 Acres transported land @ Upper Demerara River next to Kaumudi Creek opposite Timehri Docks. Call R. Mithu: 222-4708 Land for sale in Herstelling, size 50X100 feet -$2.5M. Call: 658-5897/ 651-1969 Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com TO LET Alexander Village 1st Street, large two bedroom, 1 self contained with A/C, parking $60,000.Call:652-8970/674-3735 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646 Operator/Driver – Call: 6190898/698-4321 Male and female to work in Interior age 25-35 salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 6741767
Male & female factory workers from age 18 and older with working experience. Call: 223-0090 2 Waitresses age 18-25yrs, 1 cook & 1 bartender in Grove. Call: 678-2295
DRESSMAKING Turn your flair for fashion in an exciting career or hobby, classes starts in January. Call: 626-2629/ 676-6312 Working suits and more, professionally made within 3 days. Call Sharmie: 6262629/ 676-6312 (Canadian Trained) WANTED One experienced sand truck driver preferably from E.B.D. Must be honest- Call: 2653024/609-0766
To work weekends: female bartenders, attractive waitresses, cooks needed at Eden’s Bar (East Bank). Call: 678-3616 One general domestic: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, time: 8am-4pm. Must be between age 35 and older. Call: 617-9883
Valid Certificate of competence as Master of power, driven vessel. Call: 226-1100/226-5380 Female kitchen assistant and male assistant to grill meats and vegetable, weekend included. Call: 656-9313/6752550/684-7526 Accounts/office assistant CXC Accounts. Email CV to laltag@yahoo.com or whatsapp: 680-3863 Office clerk with 5yrs experienced 5 CXC subjects. Apply in person @ Universal Machine, 161 Charlotte Street. Call: 225-2093 Sales Representative to sell juices, applicants must have experienced. Apply to Mc Doom C.I.D.I, E.B.D- Call: 2330910 Operator, mechanic and land dredge workers. Call: 6833366/ 682-1349 1 - Secretary & office clerk, must have maths,english and accounts. Contact # 650-0402 \ 260-4124. Handyman for $20,000 weekly, doctor’s assistant $30,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878 Driver for Interior -$260,000 monthly, office assistant/ sales representative -$30,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878
Sales girl to work on a stand in the New Amsterdam area. Call 604 -9596 or 646- 9087 One Receptionist. Apply in person with application to Agriparts, 202 Mandela Avenue,AlexanderVillageG/Town.
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Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
BUYERS NEED BE ALERT by PAT DIAL Our column today will review the main consumer pitfalls in buying and selling transactions and will also briefly touch on consumers dealings with the Public Utilities. From time to time we will carry other articles educating consumers of their rights. A consumer is generally defined as a person who purchases goods and services for his/her personal or household use. Purchasing goods and services is not always a straight forward matter and consumers must exercise vigilance when entering into such transactions. When a person goes to a shop or supermarket to purchase an item, he/she must look for the price. Sellers by law are bound to tag their goods with prices. The next thing he/she does is to ascertain the contents of the goods he/she is purchasing. Such would include reading the labels and examining the goods. For example, there was some Brazilian-made oil on the market where the name “Olive Oil” was prominent on its colourful label and in much smaller type was “Soya Oil.” The product was 20% olive oil and 80% soya, but a purchaser who did not read the label carefully could have been misled into thinking that
he/she is purchasing “olive oil” at a bargain price. Or buying toilet soaps - most of them appear to be of the same size with some of them cheaper. If one examines the weight of the soap on the label, the cheaper ones are always of less weight than the dearer. One must look for the expiry dates on all the products purchased, especially foodstuffs. The expiry date is there to tell the consumer up to what time a foodstuff is safe and wholesome. This is especially true of canned or potted goods. Sometimes in the supermarkets one may see a product exposed at a knockdown price but when the expiry date is checked, it is only good for two days. Most important is to ascertain the expiry date of drugs for some begin to be toxic shortly after the expiry date. Another important thing to check on is the brand and origin of the goods being purchased. Since Guyana is a free market, numerous substandard goods and goods with forged well-trusted brand names are imported into the country. Sometimes such goods are smuggled in from neighbouring countries. For example, milk or fruit or jams imported from a desert country which has no large diary or fruit farms are bound to be questionable.
Recently, the Food and Drugs Department disallowed some substandard milk products originating in such countries from entering Guyana. Forged Western products with trusted brand names are flooding Third World countries including Guyana, from East Asia. Such goods with forged brand names range from haberdashery, foodstuffs, hardware and consumer durables like toasters and microwaves. In buying such goods, it is always wise to ascertain country of origin. In buying any kind of goods, consumers must always acquaint themselves how to use them properly and safely. For example, in buying an electronic product or an electrical tool or medicines, one must read and follow the directions for use. Knowledge of the directions for use will allow for the product to be used with greater efficiency and in safety. In buying any goods, it is important to get a receipt or bill from the seller. The bill should have the name of the shop or seller, the description of the goods and services purchased, the prices of the various goods purchased and the date of the purchase. The bill must be clear and readable and should be done in inks that do not fade or
disappear in under a year. The securing of a bill by the purchaser is of great importance. It ascertains that the purchaser owns the good or goods as against others who may try to claim them. The Police accept bills as proof of ownership and the purchaser, for instance, avoids difficulties in Police searches. A utility receipt could avoid one’s electricity, water or telephone being disconnected; the presentation of a receipt has saved many a consumer from the discomfort of having his/ her services disconnected. If one wishes to return a good to the seller because of some defect, he/she could only do so on the presentation of a proper bill. The seller would not make a refund, or exchange a good or even repair it except a bill is produced. Many East Asian shops do not give purchase receipts except one asks for them and some sellers may tell purchasers they will get a cheaper price if they forego the issuance of a bill because they would not have to pay VAT. To forego one’s bill is a great risk and consumers are advised to always collect their bills. Future articles will deal with consumers and purchasers’ other rights such as warranties and correct weights and measures.
American Dream/Guyanese reality (Not... (From page 41) back in the early nineties meeting, and hearing about, Guyanese in the US living and working under conditions they would hardly have tolerated back home. These included two university lecturers, one who operated a taxicab and the other, a social worker, visiting shutins and mentally unstable residents in depressed Brooklyn communities. A former government minister was involved in a questionable multi-level marketing scheme while a former meteorologist, now a security guard, was becoming a virtual alcoholic, forever promising to ‘send for’ his wife and children back in GT. I have seen three relatives riddled with bullets and two close friends done in by alcohol, one dead and the other confined to a sanatorium. Two of my sisters died traumatically from diseases I suspect they would not have contracted here. And there are many, many more tragic stories, including Guyanese becoming the victims of several brutal crimes often related to the illegal drugs and gang culture, especially in New York. Now it’s not that these
things don’t happen here; obviously they do. But the expectation of an enhanced standard of living and the reality of not achieving it, or finding out that it’s a mammoth illusion, can devastate a person, especially after placing so much hope and investing so much energy in it. So Guyana is no bed of roses, but neither is America. Maybe, if you attempt to emulate what philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau did more than 150 years ago. He rejected much of what even then was the socially-accepted pursuit of happiness through material gain, and embraced a lifestyle of austere living in the wilderness of Concord, Massachusetts. He famously said, “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind” Thoreau was also an expounder of the philosophy of civil disobedience later adopted by Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. These great men would have no doubt also been familiar with Thoreau’s rejection of luxury and his naturalistic bent. To me, the
simple life isn’t something that is difficult to understand. Maybe somewhat impractical, but necessary for the soul’s peace and its repose. Read for example about the life of billionaire Howard Hughes, who spent the last years of that life in darkened rooms, terrified of germs, yet rarely bathing or brushing his teeth, taking massive doses of painkillers and eventually dying a malnourished recluse. For people like me (and there are quite a few of us) a piece of land in the Guyana countryside or hinterland with a cottage, a kitchen garden, a nearby fishing hole, a camera, and a few other
necessities, is enough. Neighbours would be optional, and crime, hopefully minimal. And if someone can reinvent the internet without pornography, maybe a laptop computer. Life will become less stressful, more spiritual, and those twin demons, success and failure, almost irrelevant. Oh, and the laptop may come in handy for staying in touch with my plethora of relatives and friends living ‘outside’, and for sending the occasional picture of me canoeing on a creek as the setting tropical sun cuts a kaleidoscopic swath across the western horizon.
How often should...
From page 59 and the more information you have about your dental needs, the more you will be able you to make a more informed decision. Doing your own research and getting advice from your dentist will go a long way towards benefiting your oral health. It is important to note that while treatment is provided by your dentist, prevention is done by you. It is your responsibility to take care of your gums and teeth between dental visits. Even if your teeth do not need cleaning every six months, it is strongly recommended that everyone visits his or her dentist twice a year for a check-up to catch the early stages of any dental issues. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Top Flat 3 bedrooms apartment in Eccles. Call: 6544988
Riverside property, Roeden-Rust, East Bank Essequibo, 3 Miles from Parika. Call: 266-2217/6945109
One bedroom self contained apartment, preferably working couple @ Grove $25,000 per month. Call: 6188878
Eccles New Housing Scheme property for sale by owner. Call: 618-2603
Two bedrooms apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 KITTY APARTMENTS: FURNISHED, GRILLED, 2BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $120,000 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 6724532 KITTY APARTMENTS: UNFURNISHED, GRILLED, 2-BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $70,000 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 6724532 One bachelor’s apartment for rent in Industry, E.C.D. Call: 638-5330 2 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Cornelua Ida, West Coast Demerara. Call:661-9689 Space to rent on Public Road, West Bank Demerara, preferably for business. Call: 661-9689
2 Storey house & land at UG area, East Coast Demerara. Call: 657-4349 6 Bedrooms concrete house located in Section ‘K’ Campbellville, asking price $55M. Call: 645-6498 Transported property @ BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Call: 658-7216 Two flat, three bedroom wood and concrete building, Nurseville (Tucber ) New Amsterdam, Berbice -$15M . Call 333-2915 or 687-1837 Two bedroom two flat wooden building on large plot at Adelphi, East Canje, Berbice $6M.Call 333-2915 or 687-1837 Wood and concrete two bedroom building, at Fort Ordnance, Canje. Well fenced yard. bottom flat concrete. Call 333-2915 or 687-1837 One two storey building and business for sale @ Anna CatherinaW.C.D. Call: 661-9880 2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme. Call: 677-0583/6645052
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807 PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
1-2 Story building: top flat4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483 CAR RENTAL WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
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Robin Thicke and Paula Patton in Heated Custody Battle
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd’s Romance Was Inevitable We should have felt this romance coming. Selena Gomez and The Weeknd may have seemed like a match made out of nowhere when photos recently emerged of them smooching on the street. After all, the “Same Old Love” singer had spent the majority of 2016 out of the spotlight while the “Starboy” was in the midst of an on-andoff relationship with supermodel Bella Hadid. However, upon deeper observation, it seems the 24year-old songstress was never out of the question for the Grammy winner. “Abel though always had a thing for Selena,” one source dished to E! News. “He thinks she is extremely talented and sexy. They recently started talking before the holidays, but she has been on his radar before.” If you listen closely, it sounds like The Weeknd subtly made his physical affections for the star known long before they stepped out together. In the track “Party Monster” off of his third studio
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd album, he references an “a— like Selena.” Could he have been singing about the “Hands to Myself” star? The jury is still out. Meanwhile, their chemistry took center stage more than a year earlier when they were both the evening’s performers at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2015. At a point, The Weeknd bowed down to Gomez while the crowd cheered—an eye-
Empire Renewed For Season 4 by Fox
Jessica Biel Doesn’t Want Her and Justin Timberlake’s Son to Go Into Show Business
Robin Thicke and Paula Patton
Robin Thicke and Paula Patton are currently in the midst of a tense custody battle over their 6-year-old son, Julian. According to court documents obtained by E! News, issues between the exes concerning their only child together escalated to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services earlier this year. However, as of Thursday morning, a judge has denied Patton’s request to limit Thicke’s joint custody agreement. A source tells E! News, “Robin loves his son and did not want to give up his time with him.” In Thicke’s declaration, he claims that Patton repeatedly denied him from seeing his son as a result of an incident involving him spanking Julian.“It is my understanding that Paula is accusing me of ‘excessive spanking.’ I am told that Julian reported to the school that I spanked him and that the school made a report to the Department of Children and Family Services,” Thicke explained in the court papers. “On a very rare occasion, and only as a last resort, I will use light spanking, but it is consistent with the law— open hand on the butt. This is the type of discipline to which Paula and I agreed during our marriage.” Thicke also claims that his ex “holds residual anger toward me because I and my family would not permit her or her family to attend the funeral of my father.” He added, “Paula did not have a positive relationship with my father and often made negative comments to me about my father. As such, she was not welcome at his funeral.” The L.A. Department of Children and Family Services case, however, is still ongoing. http://www.eonline.com.
brow-raising exchange in hindsight. Then, of course, there’s their physical proximity. As researchers have noted, people tend to fall for those closest to them and Selena and The Weeknd have never been too far apart as far as Hollywood social circles are concerned. Gomez and Bella’s sister, Gigi Hadid, are both members of Taylor Swift ‘s bonafide girl squad, having starred in the music video for “Bad Blood” together. The ladies have all hung out on occasion, which makes us believe it would
have been easy for Gomez and The Weeknd to cross paths outside of their related professions. At their core, the two are obviously compatible. As twentysomet h i n g musicians, they both understand what it means to be the most in-demand artists in their industry and simultaneously navigate the murky personal waters that the job creates. Plus, they’ll have each other to serenade. “Right now, it’s like a good song turns me on way more,” The Weeknd recently told GQ. “Like, that gets me horny, like, literally gets me horny.” On social media, we’re already seeing a bit of fallout as Bella swiftly hit “Unfollow” on Selena’s Instagram account following the couple’s date night. While the two women were never exactly BFFs, as Gomez knows all too well, the heart just wants what it wants. For now, though, the pair are taking things one step at a time. “They are on the same level with expectations and think each other are really fun,” the source added. “They are taking things slow and getting to know each other.” http:// www.eonline.com.
Taraji P. Henson Your favorite Cookie isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Empire was renewed for a fourth season by Fox, the network announced at the 2017 Winter TCA Press Tour on Wednesday. In December, Empire’s fall finale, which aired an hour earlier at 8 p.m. to help launch co-creator Lee Daniels’ new show Star, garnered 7.57 million viewers. The decision to renew the musical drama was surely a no-brainer for Fox, as it’s TV’s no. 1 broadcast drama, a title its held for the last three sea-
sons in the all-important adults 18-49 demo. Let’s just chalk it up to the power of Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), yes? In season three, guest stars Taye Diggs, as Cookie’s new politician love interest, and Mariah Carey, a longtime friend of Daniels, have stopped by to hang with Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett and the rest of the cast, with Rumer Willis and Nia Long set to make their debuts after the show returns on March 22. http://www.eonline.com.
When you’re Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake’s kid, ya got a pretty good chance of inheriting an “entertainment gene” or two. As it turns out, it looks like their son Silas, who turns two in April, has “probably” inherited his parents’ talents, says Biel. “He’s definitely very charming,” she told me last night at the premiere of her new movie The Book of Love (in theaters on Jan. 13). “He’s full of beans.” She already thinks there’s a good chance Silas will follow in her and J.T.’s footsteps, but it’s not something she’s exactly hoping for. Silas kinda made his big screen debut in The Book of Love. Biel was eight-months pregnant when she shot the film. She’s also a producer on the movie, which tells the story of an architect (Jason Sudeikis) who befriends a homeless teen (Maisie Williams) after his pregnant wife dies in a car accident (Biel). They thought about recasting Biel but in the end she said she was too attached to step away after spending nine years working to get the movie made. “I was terrified,” director Bill Purple said of working with the momto-be. “My entire being was terrified. All I cared about, as much as I was trying to focus on the film, was just don’t induce labor. We took all the precautions we could...We did the best to make her comfortable. She was a trooper.” Timberlake provided the movie’s music. “I was hoping I was going to be able to be this mean lady boss and be like, ‘No, I don’t like that cue, change it,’” Biel said. “But no, I was like, ‘This is amazing. I love it. Whatever you want.’” http://www.eonline.com.
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Washington protesters vow to fight for civil rights under Trump
Activists march during the National Action Network’s ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’ march in Washington, DC, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein Reuters - U.S. civil rights activists vowed yesterday to defend hard-fought gains in voting rights and criminal justice during the presidency of Donald Trump, kicking off last week of protests ahead of the Republican’s inauguration. About 2,000 mostly black protesters ignored steady rain to march and rally near Washington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, as speakers urged them to fight for minority rights and President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law, which Trump has vowed to dismantle. The Rev. Al Sharpton, the rally’s organiser, said Democrats in Congress needed to be sent a simple message: “Get some backbone.” “We march in the driving rain because we want the nation to understand that what has been fought for and
gained, that you’re going to need more than one election to turn it around,” he said. Trump, a New York real estate developer, won with a populist platform that included promises to build a wall along the Mexican border, restrict immigration from Muslim countries and dismantle President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. His choice of Senator Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, to become attorney general has raised concern among many on the left that Trump could weaken voting rights for minorities and roll back criminal justice reforms. “We will march until hell freezes over, and when it does, we will march on the ice,” said Cornell William Brooks, president and chief executive of the National Association for the
Advancement of Coloured People. The rally, which drew fewer attendees than organisers had expected, also included the Hispanic group La Raza, politicians, relatives of African-Americans slain by police, the National Urban League, Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights. The rally came hours after Trump blasted U.S. Representative John Lewis after the Georgia Democrat and civil rights campaigner said Russia’s alleged hacking aimed at helping Trump put his legitimacy into question. Trump replied on Twitter that Lewis should focus instead on his Atlanta district. “All talk, talk, talk - no action or results! Sad!,” he wrote.
Trump suggests he may do away with Russia sanctions if Moscow helpful – WSJ Reuters - U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he would keep intact sanctions against Russia “at least for a period of time,” and that he wouldn’t commit to the “one China” policy until he sees progress from Beijing in its currency and trade practices. In excerpts from an hourlong interview published by the Journal on Friday, Trump said: “If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody’s doing some really great things?” Trump suggested he might do away with the sanctions - imposed by the Obama administration in late December in response to Moscow’s alleged cyber attacks - if Moscow proves helpful in battling terrorists and reaching other goals important to Washington, the Journal reported. Trump told the newspaper
Donald Trump he is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin some time after he is sworn in on Jan. 20. “I understand that they would like to meet, and that’s absolutely fine with me,” he said. Asked if he supported the “one China” policy on Taiwan that has underpinned U.S. relations with Beijing for decades, Trump told the Journal: “Everything is under negotiation including One
China.” Trump angered the Chinese by taking a congratulatory phone call after his election win from Taiwan’s leader and questioning the “one China” policy. The United States has acknowledged the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China. Trump has said in the past he would label China a currency manipulator after he takes office. In the interview, he said he wouldn’t take that step on his first day in the White House. “I would talk to them first,” he said. “Certainly they are manipulators,” he added. “But I’m not looking to do that.” But he made plain his displeasure with China’s currency practices. “Instead of saying, ‘We’re devaluating our currency,’ they say, ‘Oh, our currency is dropping.’ It’s not dropping. They’re doing it on purpose,” he said, according to the Journal.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Change in Cuba immigration policy may preempt Castro threat
US President Barack Obama has ended the “wet foot, dry foot” immigration policy and President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to rollback the US-Cuba thaw. Image: Nehanda Radio WASHINGTON, USA – Last week’s announcement by US President Barack Obama that he is ending the longstanding “wet foot, dry foot” immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to US soil to stay and become a legal resident may, according to US intelligence sources, be designed as a preemptive measure against reported plans by Cuban President Raul Castro to orchestrate another Mariel boatlift if US President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his threat to terminate improved diplomatic relations with Cuba. “Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal, consistent
with US law and enforcement priorities,” Obama said in a statement. “By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries. The Cuban government has agreed to accept the return of Cuban nationals who have been ordered removed, just as it has been accepting the return of migrants interdicted at sea.” The Cuban government praised the move. In a statement read on state television, it called the signing of the agreement “an important step in advancing relations” between the US and Cuba that “aims to guarantee normal, safe and ordered migration.” On the campaign trail, Trump said that he would reverse Obama’s rapproche-
ment with Cuba, which included the resumption of diplomatic relations, strengthening trade and lobbying the US Congress to terminate the economic embargo in place for 50 years. He accused the Obama administration of giving too much away to Cuba without receiving enough in return. “If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/ American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal,” Trump later tweeted just two days after the death of former Cuba leader Fidel Castro. Obama has used an administrative rule change to end the policy; however, Trump could undo that rule after becoming president next week.
Trinidad Govt. Moves To End Child Marriage As Records Show Pre-Teens Marrying Middle-Aged Men PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago Government is making moves to divorce itself from the decades-old practice of authorizing child marriages. Last week, lawmakers began debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions Marriage Bill 2016 that seeks to raise the age of marriage to 18. It will render null and void, the Hindu, Muslim and Orisha Marriage Acts, which permit marriages from the ages of 14, 12, and 16, respectively in the case of girls. Attorney General Faris Al Rawi told the Senate the country recorded close to 3,500 child marriages between 1999 and 2016, with marriage certificates showing that some girls as young as 11 and 12 were married to men as old as 36, 42, and 56. He lamented that the twinisland republic was one of only eight countries in the world where a child could be
Faris Al Rawi married as young as 12. Once passed, the bill will criminalize the marriage of people under 18 by a marriage officer, who would be punished with a $50,000 fine along with a seven-year prison sentence. According to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, the Attorney General strengthened his case for the practice to be abandoned by presenting data showing a
high number of child pregnancies. Rubbishing suggestions from some religious groups that early marriages protected young girls from sexual morality and unwanted pregnancy, Al Rawi revealed that between 1999 and 2015, hospital records showed that 15,231 girls gave birth. Last year alone, Al Rawi highlighted, 168 children between the ages of 11 and 16 became pregnant. The Muslim community has raised objections to the legislation now before the Parliament, charging that it is oppressive. Speaking during the debate, temporary Opposition Senator Dr Maulana Mohammed pointed that the Qur’an , the holy book of Muslims, stipulates that a man can marry the woman of his choice, once the female has entered puberty.
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
Venezuela arrests 3 opponents At Paris meeting, major powers to amid threat of crackdown warn Trump over Middle East peace
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela jailed three anti-government politicians in what the opposition denounced last week as a new crackdown on dissent in the economically struggling country. The wave of arrests began Wednesday night when police acting on orders of a new “anti-coup” unit inside the socialist government arrested substitute lawmaker Gilber Caro from a hard-line opposition party. Vice President Tareck El Aissami announced the arrest on state TV, saying police at a highway toll station found a gun and explosives in his car. Shortly afterward, govern-
ment opponent Jorge Luiz Gonzalez, a councilman in the western city of Maracaibo, was also picked up on weapons charges. Then on Thursday, officials threw back in jail former Gen. Raul Baduel, a former defense minister under the late President Hugo Chavez, alleging he was conspiring to overthrow the government. Baduel, now a staunch government critic, had been freed from prison in 2015 after serving six years on corruption charges. The arrests, along with an apparent threat to ban twotime presidential candidate Henrique Capriles from holding office, put the opposition on edge as it tries to jumpstart
a campaign to force President Nicolas Maduro from office. It would also appear to go against the government’s recent freeing of several jailed activists under a Vaticansponsored mediation effort to ease tensions in the country. Caro’s allies said the weapons allegedly found in his car were planted there to frame him. They accused the government of seeking revenge for the decision this week by the opposition-controlled congress to declare that Maduro had abandoned his post by neglecting his duties. The largely symbolic resolution has already been overturned by the government-stacked Supreme Court.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC — The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is predicting that unemployment in Latin America and the Caribbean will rise to 8.4 per cent this year. The ILO has released its World Employment Social Outlook, indicating that global unemployment levels and rates are expected to remain high in the short term, as the global labour force continues to grow. “In particular, the global unemployment rate is expected to rise modestly in 2017, to 5.8 per cent from 5.7 per cent in 2016, representing 3.4 million more unemployed people globally bringing total unemployment to just over
201 million in 2017.” It said that the increase in unemployment levels and rates in 2017 will be driven by deteriorating labour market conditions in emerging countries as the impacts of several deep recessions in 2016 continue to affect labour markets in 2017. “In fact, the number of unemployed people in emerging countries is expected to increase by approximately 3.6 million between 2016 and 2017 during which time the unemployment rate in emerging countries is expected to climb to 5.7 per cent, compared with 5.6 per cent in 2016”.The ILO said that of notable concern are developments in Latin America and
the Caribbean, where the unemployment rate is expected to rise by 0.3 percentage points in 2017, to reach 8.4 per cent. The ILO report notes that in several Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries the percentage of who are looking for work but unable to finds jobs in 2017, will range from four to six per cent in Trinidad and Tobago to above 17 per cent in islands like St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The ILO report notes that in Caribbean countries like Guyana, Haiti, Barbados and Suriname, the percentage of people looking for work is between nine to 13 per cent, while in the Bahamas the figure is between 13-17 per cent.
ILO predicts increase unemployment in Caribbean in 2017
Brazil’s Odebrecht ‘to give Panama $59m’ it paid in bribes
Panama City (AFP) - The Brazilian construction company Odebrecht will pay the Panamanian government more than $59 million it handed out in alleged bribes to secure public contracts, Panama’s attorney general said last week. “I’ve received a formal commitment, delivered verbally, to soon hand over the first $59 million paid as bribes to Panamanian individuals and entities,” Kenia Porcell told reporters. Odebrecht, she said, “has shown a desire to cooperate effectively” with Panama’s probe into the bribe payments, documented by the US Justice Department last month. According to the US department, the Brazilian company paid more than $59 million in bribes to Panama between 2010 and 2014 to ob-
Kenia Porcell tain contracts valued at $175 million. Panama’s current government is accusing the previous administration of former president Ricardo Martinelli of involvement in Odebrecht’s alleged bribery. Two of Martinelli’s sons have denied Brazilian newspaper reports that they had
received $6 million intended as a bribe from Odebrecht for their father. Prosecutors have ordered an investigation of Martinelli, and of an official, Carlos Ho Gonzalez, appointed by the preceding president, Martin Torrijos. Martinelli, who denies the charges, lives in voluntary exile in Miami. The Panamanian government has requested his extradition on allegations of espionage and corruption. Panama has barred Odebrecht from bidding for future public tenders, and was seeking to remove the company from projects it was already involved in. They include a new line of Panama City’s metro system, a fourth bridge over the Panama Canal and plan for a hydroelectric dam that would now be scrapped.
Reuters - Major powers will send a message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump today that a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians is the only way forward, and warn that his plan to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem could derail peace efforts. Some 70 countries, including key European and Arab states as well as the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, are due in Paris for a meeting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected as “futile” and “rigged”. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians will be represented. But, just five days before Trump is sworn in, the conference provides a platform for countries to send a strong signal to the future American leader. Trump has pledged to pursue more pro-Israeli policies and move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv, where it has been for 68 years, to Jerusalem, all but enshrining the city as Israel’s capital despite international objections. “It would be a unilateral decision that could escalate tensions on the ground,” a senior French diplomat said. “Five days before he becomes president, it’s not negligible that 70 countries recall (the need for) a two-state solution when his administration could implement controversial measures that may aggravate things.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) stands next to Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump during their meeting in New York, September 25, 2016. Kobi Gideon/Government Press Office (GPO)/File Handout via REUTERS France has said the meeting does not intend to impose anything on Israel or the Palestinians and that, ultimately, only direct negotiations between the two can resolve the conflict. A draft communiqué seen by Reuters reaffirms existing international resolutions, urges both sides to restate their commitment to the twostate solution and disavow officials who reject it, and asks the protagonists to “refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations”. Diplomats said there could also be an allusion to Trump’s plans. Relations between the United States and Israel have soured during President
Barack Obama’s administration, reaching a low point late last month when Washington declined to veto a U.N. resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements in occupied territory. Obama’s secretary of state, John Kerry, said the settlement programme threatened Middle East peace, and that the two-state was in “serious jeopardy”. Palestinian President Authority Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday that he had written to Trump warning that a move to Jerusalem would kill off the peace process and strip the United States of its role as honest broker - and could lead to the Palestinians going back on their recognition of Israel.
Venezuela’s Maduro oversees military drill to guard ‘socialist fatherland’ Reuters - His finger on a rifle trigger and wearing an olive green hat, President Nicolas Maduro yesterday oversaw military exercises in crisis-wrought Venezuela, which he says is under threat of imperialist” invasion due to its oil wealth. More than half a million soldiers and civilians were deployed in the drill. State television broadcast footage of soldiers camouflaged as bushes shouting “socialist fatherland!” while commanders brandished Russian-made military equipment. “We’re ready to defend our land, inch by inch, neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street,” said Maduro during a drill in Miranda state. Opponents of the unpopular Socialist leader scoff he is delusional and say his administration should be focused on stocking empty supermarkets and pharmacies amid brutal shortages in the recession-hit OPEC nation. “You are PATHETIC, Nicolas Maduro,” tweeted
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (C) takes part in a military drill in Charallave, Venezuela yesterday. Miraflores Palace/ Handout via REUTERS opposition lawmaker Armando Armas, adding the drill was a “pantomime.” The opposition is trying to remove Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, but authorities have quashed chances of an early presidential vote. Seen as key powerbrokers in the volatile country, the military’s top brass has firmly backed Maduro’s “21st cen-
tury socialism,” although most soldiers are also suffering from Venezuela’s economic recession. Many were deployed across the country of 30 million on Saturday, with exercises that included protecting Venezuela’s coastal oil refineries or practicing urban defense. State television promoted the hashtag #TimeToDefendTheFatherland.
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Activist makes book donation
Community Activist and International Health Volunteer, Tabata Hicken, (fourth from left), on Sunday, last, facilitated friends from the Logos Hope, the World’s largest floating book fair. Hicken and members from the New Life Ministries and Pastor Kwame of Assembly of God’s Church, as well as members from the President’s Youth Choice building at Third Street, Grove, were treated to a day of receiving books for the reading centre, drama presentations, youth workshop, games and group interactions. Hicken said that he can be contacted at the President Youth Choice building for donation of books even though Logos Hope is no longer here.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Canadian funded project results in President’s House on $7.9m overseas travel… significant employment in Jamaica Proposal was cut to $900,000 KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – A senior official of the Social Development Commission (SDC) says an estimated 320 small businesses valued at more than J$657 million (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) were established from April to December 2016 under the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP). SDC executive director, Dr Dwayne Vernon, said hundreds of people had been employed as a result of the programme, which is being implemented by the SDC through Can$28.2 million (One Canada dollar =US$0.76 cents) in funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),. It is geared at stimulating sustainable economic development through the growth of community microenterprises. Vernon told a JIS Think Tank earlier this week that the businesses have generated employment for 1,849 people, with 828 full-time, 788 parttime and 233 seasonal workers. “We have done 32 busi-
Dr Dwayne Vernon ness fairs or expositions aimed at providing marketing opportunities and 15 project proposals approved with a value of more thanJ$32.6 million of funding, while 95 have been submitted valuing over J$193 million. “We are proud of the fact that we have been able to advance wealth creation through increasing employment and the growth in local businesses. We have strengthened our corporategovernance framework, increased income, and increased people’s participation in governance and self-
reliance,” Vernon noted. SDC Director of Local Economic Development and Community Projects, Avril Ranger, said that the main challenge is to “get these micro-entrepreneurs out of their small comfort zone and to take the next step and create networks… but we’re working on that”. “The networks we’re talking about is them becoming suppliers and labour producers. The individual Jamaican, who has a talent, we can train them to transform their operation into a viable economic business,” she said. The LEDSP builds on a range of existing MSME support programmes being undertaken by the Government to spur economic growth at the community level. The programme provides support in the areas of capacity building, networking, building partnerships, direct support and the implementation of an incentive scheme. The SDC has also developed a database that serves as a hub for networking among the partners under the programme.
Trinidad Guardian President’s House says the $7.9 million projection for overseas travel for the Office of the President “was a projection which the President’s office sent to the Ministry of Finance prior to the presentation of the 2016-2017 national budget. But it says the proposal was slashed to $900.000 thus making the original proposal “a non-issue.” At a meeting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) last week it was revealed that the document detailing the $7.9 million included two trips to Europe, several trips to the United States, two trips of Mexico, one trip to the Bahamas and two trips to China. But communications manager at President’s House, Theron Boodan, told the T&T Guardian “the document detailing the trips and the cost, became a dead document the minute Cabinet gave a new proposal. It became a non-issue.” Boodan said the President is “committed to working within the allocation given
Anthony Carmona to the Office.” He could, however, throw no light on how a document which he described as “dead and no longer an issue” was sent to the members of the Parliament Committee prior to the meeting. Boodan could not say whether there are any official trips planned by the President for the first quarter of this year. He said the President has an invitation from the President of Uganda and the Chief Justice of Uganda to address a law conference in
Uganda early this year, but he could not say whether the President would attend. At the meeting Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharath said when he received the document he was “absolutely confounded” that the very first trip to Europe “is near double the sum approved by Parliament for the entire fiscal year.” Chief accounting officer at President’s House, Gregory Serrette, explained that the submission by the Office of the President was merely a projection. He said “the figures would be submitted to Cabinet for its approval and only then would the funds be utilised.” Boodan explained that this procedure had been in place since the time of former President ANR Robinson and was also used when President George Maxwell Richards was in office. A former government minister confirmed that President’s House like all other entities is required to send submissions to the Ministry of Finance prior to the formulation of the budget.
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Softball cricket enjoyed another good outing in 2016 (From page 66) overcame Trophy Stall Angels to win the female segment. Batting first, Wellwoman got 79-4 in 10 overs with Latoya Smith scoring 35. Trophy Stall Angels were bowled out for 54 in 7.4 overs in reply. Amanda Bob Semple snared 4-14. Regal Sports T20 Regal Sports and Regal Stationery and computer centre sponsored the first free-entry tournament for the year, and yet again Regal All Stars and Regal Masters tasted success at the Demerara CC in December. Regal All Stars overcame Speed Boat by 10 wickets to win the open segment.
Speed Boat looked a shadow of the team that won the Guyana Softball Cup 6 and were bowled out for 125. Patrick Rooplall and Latif then guided Regal All Stars to victory with an opening stand of 129. Rooplall scored 52 and Latif 51. Regal Masters were largely indebted to Rudolph Baker in their 37-run victory Mike’s Wellman. Baker hit a robust 44, Lynden Lyght offered support with 36 as Regal Masters made 171-8, taking first strike. Wellman finished on 1348 in reply. Wayne Jones scored 47. Latif and Jones picked up the respective manof-the-match awards. This
tournament was organsied by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. Speaking with Kaieteur
Sunday January 15. 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Self-deception is likely. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You are in a high cycle where travel, education, and creative endeavors are concerned. Be careful how you handle friends and relatives, they may take things the wrong way. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Consider selling your homemade crafts at the flea market. You must be careful not to reveal secrets or get involved in gossip. You need to start planning that vacation. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't lament to a friend about any grievance regarding your mate, or it may be hard to rectify your relationship. Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You are ahead of your time, and trying to stay in one spot could be asking too much. Changes in your domestic scene are evident. Partnerships will be favorable and contracts can be signed. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Resist secret affairs that could be detrimental to your reputation. Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quite trivial after all. You can enjoy doing things that include children.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Resistance leading to conflict will only make it twice as hard to turn the situation around. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make favorable changes in your home environment. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You need an outlet. Weigh the pros and cons and make a decision that will change the conditions you've been living under. Taking on too much won't help the situation. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Friends and relatives may be hard to take today. Don't get involved in other people's problems. Passion is about the best way for you to relieve tension. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You like to stay busy and now is your chance to do just that. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem. You will back yourself into a corner if you are baited and your stubbornness will only make matters worse. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Arguments with employers or colleagues will be to your detriment. You need a job with more responsibility and a higher wage. Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don't push them, instead just continue working on development.
Sport, trustee of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc, Mahendra Hardyal, who is also the CEO of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sport, said that despite some challenges softball had a good year. He stated that he is satisfied with the performance of Regal Open and Masters’ teams, adding that their performance improved considerably. Hardyal related that they are now preparing for the upcoming Mashramani tournament in Florida and the staging of the inaugural Regal Premier League tournament is in the pipeline. He felt that the attempt of players to forge their age to play in the Masters’ tournament did not serve the game well and players should be disciplined for such acts. However, Hardyal pointed that plans are in the making to spread the sport to the United Kingdom. He informed that former broadcaster of the then Guyana Broadcasting
Guyana Cup 6 champs Speed Boat. Corporation Robert Lalgie, who now resides in England, was impressed after witnessing one of the finals at DCC, and the GSCL Inc are in talks with him to spread the game there. Organising secretary of the GFSCA Wayne Jones said that initially they had plans to run off a number of tournaments but rain prevented them from doing so. Jones singled out Regal, Speed Boat and Floodlight for
special mention. In the female segment, Jones spoke highly of Mike’s Wellwoman who won three tournaments, as well as all-rounders Latoya Smith and Matana Cambridge. Under Smith leadership Mike’s Wellwoman won three tournaments, while Cambridge of 4R Lioness was one of the most decorated players in 2016. Jones informed that they will be looking to host a lot more tournaments in 2016.
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Sunday January 15, 2017
Softball cricket enjoyed another good outing in 2016 By Zaheer Mohamed Softball cricket continues to generate much hype among players and fans locally. In 2016 Guyanese teams enjoyed much success both at home and overseas. Regal of Georgetown double success in the 12th annual New York Softball Cricket league Independence and Legends Cup that was held at Roy Wilkins Park in July highlighted Guyanese teams’ success in 2016. Regal became the first Guyanese club to achieve double success on foreign soil when their All Stars side defeated the New York All Stars by two wickets to claim the Independence crown and their Masters line up overcame another Guyanese team Floodlights to take the legends title. The batting of Richard Latif and Safraz Esau was the highlight of Regal All Stars victory. After being reduced to 84-7 in pursuit of 198, the duo resurrected the chase with a stand of 111 as they achieved their target in 23.4 overs in the 25-over contest. Latif scored 74 and Esau 44 not out. Kaleem Bux led New York All Stars batting with a fine half century. All-rounder Mahendra Hardyal anchored Regal Masters chase against Floodlight. After restricting their opponents for 149-3 in 20 overs, Hardyal struck 52 and got support from Eric
The victorious Regal All Stars and Masters teams following their success in the Regal Sport T20 tournament at DCC. Thomas who made an unbeaten 43; Regal Masters won the game in 18.2 overs. Ramo Malone top scored for Floodlight with 62. Latif was voted the man-of the-match and MVP in the Independence Cup, while Hardyal took the man-ofthe-match and was also rewarded for scoring the fastest fifty, while the MVP went to another Guyanese Jagdesh Persaud of Floodlight. Regal Masters Captain Troy Kippins collected trophies for the most wickets (11) and best figures of six for 11.
Floodlight XI- Floodlight Masters after their Guyana Cup 6 triumph.
SFSCL Cup Floodlight emerged victorious in the Masters’ category in the South Florida Softball Cricket League with an eight wicket victory over their hosts. Chasing 128, Floodlight achieved victory in 16 overs with opener Ramo Malone scoring an unbeaten 50 and Yunnis Yusuf 42. Regal Masters were knocked out in the semi-finals, while their All Stars team failed to make it t o t h e p l a y o ff s . T h i s tournament was held in March. Wolf’s Challenge Cup
Regal All Stars defeated Speed Boat in the Open final and in the Masters’ segment Regal Masters beat Mike’s Wellman at DCC in July. Guyana Softball Cup 6 Dubbed as the softball World Cup, this tournament which was organised by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), saw teams from Canada, New York and Florida matching skills with their Guyanese counterparts at several venues in Georgetown in November. When the tournament concluded under lights at
DCC, Guyanese teams Speed Boat and Floodlight emerged victors in the Open and Masters’ categories respectively. Speed Boat collected their first international title with a fivewicket win over Regal All Stars. Regal posted 172 all out in 19.5 overs, batting first. Patrick Rooplall scored 33; Kishore Smith had 4-33. Speed Boat responded with 173-5 in 18.2 overs. Wazir Hussain was the mainstay of their innings, hitting an unbeaten 45. The Masters segment was marred by some off field controversy that somewhat brought the competition into disrepute. Regal who were knocked out of the semifinal by Fisherman XI, felt
that some players on the opposing team were underage (Over 45 required) and played the game under protest. Stanley Mohabir, Baldeo Persaud and Robert Mohan were the players under scrutiny. The findings hurt the sport; it was later found out that the information on their IDs presented to the organisers of the tournament did not correspond with the information that is in GECOM system. However, Fisherman XI contested the final and were beaten by Floodlights of Georgetown. Fisherman XI scored 116-8, while Floodlights responded with 119-2 in 17.5 overs. Ricky Deonarain struck 39 not out. Mike’s Wellwoman (Continued on page 62)
Latoya Smith
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
Concerted efforts being made to reorganize the Guyana Horseracing Authority A concerted effort is being made by a number of horse owners, trainers, stables, promoters and sponsors to have the Guyana Horse Racing Authority reconstituted and up and running again. The group is led by General Manager of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies and recent national awardee Mohendra “Mohin” Persaud M.S. The group of enthusiastic individuals have been meeting on a regular basis to map a strategy on the way forward. Persaud the owner of the Karibee Rice stable, the Sky Plus Incorporated Group and Nand Persaud Race track at No 36 Village Corentyne, has been in the forefront of the group that has taken up the mantle to revive horse racing in Guyana. Persaud is also the owner and trainer of champion racehorses Golden Blue Echo, Brave Sky, Light up Canada and Honey Flow. The Nand Persaud Group of
Companies also recently commissioned the only Sprint Horserace track in Guyana. The revitalization committee also involves a number of members of other clubs, promoters and fans. The Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) has been defunct for a number of years. Horserace meets during the interim have been stage on the most part on a “Willy Nilly” basis with each turf club, track or promoter making their own rules for every race meet. The group wants the Government of Guyana through its Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission to come forward and say where exactly they stand in connection with the sport. Since nothing is being heard from the government in recent times concerning the sport. A drafted horse racing legislation which was conscripted by the late Senior Council and horse racing stalwart Marcel Crawford was with the
previous government for a number of years. However, the previous administration never did anything with the document. The group of concerned individuals wants this government to fast track the passing of the legislation so that the sport could have the fillip or boost it needs. The group has recently released a list of classifications of most of the horses’ eligible to race in Guyana. According to Persaud the reclassification exercise is being done in an effort to reorganize the sport which is in on the decline at the moment. Persaud stated that, without the Government playing their part and the necessary legislation being put in place, not much could be done and the game would continue to be hay wire. The Government involvement and the passing of the necessary legislation are urgently needed for the progress of the sport. (Samuel Whyte)
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Federer relishing ‘family’ reunion at Melbourne Park
Switzerland’s Roger Federer (L) holds a large racket during a promotional event ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) The ‘extended family’ of tennis, the thrust of competition and that winning feeling. Roger Federer missed them all during his six months away from the circuit and is relishing the prospect of rediscovering them again at the Australian Open. The Swiss master had itchy feet during his layoff to
Caesar pips Spencer to retain GAPF Presidency Promises to continue drive to further uplift the sport By Franklin Wilson Of the 27 eligible voters present at yesterday Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) Annual General Meeting that was held at the National Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue, 14 voted in favour of Ed Caesar continuing as President, while 13 were in favour of Gordon Spencer. The elections of office bearers climaxed the federation’s AGM which saw reports presented by the President, Secretary and Treasurer (preliminary) to the members as they sought to collectively chart a solid course for the sport in G u y a n a . Spencer was later elected u n o p p o s e d a s Vi c e President, the remainder of executives being elected along similar lines with Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) President Frank Tucker, also an active
powerlifter, performing duties as Returning Officer. Andrea Smith replaced former General Secretary Melissa Tucker who took up one of the three positions as Committee Member. Andre Austin was given a full term as Treasurer having taken over during the last term following the nonfunctioning of Delton Gills. Dr. Osmond Mack was elected the new Public R e l a t i o n s Officer/Organising Secretary, while the other two Committee Members a r e M a r t i n We b s t e r (retained) and Nadina T a h a r a l l y . All the presented reports were adapted with the Treasurer promising to complete his in due course and sent out to gyms whilst also being uploaded to social m e d i a . In her report, former GS Tucker noted that the executive body met every Saturday to discuss, plan and
execute its mandate during 2016 noting that they achieved their set goals despite the lack of finances. The report informed that the GAPF’s biggest corporate supporter continued to be Jamie McDonald’s Fitness Express to whom they are very grateful. New partnerships were created with Buddy’s Gym, Ticket Master and Trophy Stall. Host of Combat Sports, a live TV programme that is aired on NCN, Max Massaiah was recognised for his efforts in promoting the s p o r t . In his acceptance speech, Caesar, a former national strongman thanked the members for reposing a high level of confidence but stressed that the federation has the potential to go a very long way if they all put their hands to the bar and lift in the same direction. ”Whether the President is Gordon my friend or Ed Caesar or Andrea Smith that
is not the critical part; and what is even more critical now is for us as members of this executive to work together with your support to cause good things to happen for the federation.” Caesar promised to do his utmost to influence the kind of corporate and governmental support to be r e a l i s e d . Reminding that he is looking forward to the unflinching support of members, Caesar also noted that volunteerism must be one of the main areas of improvement in this N e w Ye a r . ”Volunteerism must be imbedded in what we do as members of this federation.” Speaking on plans for the new executive, Caesar said that the former executive had worked on some projections which will be taken to this new body but assured that training and education would be essential aspects of whatever they do.
rehabilitate a troubled knee, his longest break in a career blessed with few serious injuries. He kept busy as a tennis statesman, cheering old rivals from the sidelines on social media while helping his greatest, Spaniard Rafa Nadal, launch his tennis academy in Mallorca. He took hikes through the Swiss Alps and attended his first Formula One motor race in Abu Dhabi before returning to the court for the Hopman Cup in Perth at the start of the month. But an exhibition tournament is no substitute for the real thing and there was a twinkle in Federer’s eye as he pictured himself walking onto the Rod Laver Arena tomorrow. “I guess you do miss the matches at some point. You miss the feeling of winning, walking onto a stadium, seeing the guys. You know, it’s like an extended family to some extent anyway,” he told reporters at the venue yesterday. “It’s just nice to see everybody again. Plus I have a lot of friends on the tour, you know, because I’m the returning guest for like 20 years everywhere I go. “It feels good to see those familiar faces every single year. It’s something I couldn’t quite enjoy the last six months. That’s probably what I missed the most.” The feelings are mutual from the tennis-loving public, as witnessed by the 6,000 fans who packed into the Perth Arena just to watch Federer train at the Hopman Cup. I N T O T H E UNKNOWN
Federer’s last main tour match was a semi-final defeat at Wimbledon to bigserving Canadian Milos Raonic and the extended break has saddled him with the 17th seeding in Melbourne. But his standing in the game will virtually assure him the prestige of center court for every match he plays. He will play a qualifier in the first round but hardh i t t i n g C z e c h To m a s Berdych, seeded 10th, looms as a likely third round opponent before a potential last 16 clash against fifth seed Kei Nishikori. Federer’s first match will be in the prime-time evening session at Rod Laver Arena tomorrow, sparing him from the heat of a day tipped to exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86F). At 35, and with no tour matches banked in his legs, however, Federer said his ability to withstand four and five-set slogs at his comeback grand slam remained “an unknown.” He was comfortable being tagged an underdog, a term rarely used for the 17times grand slam champion. “Yeah, why not for a change? I mean, I prefer to be the favorite,” he shrugged. “As long as I’m healthy and I feel like I can go four, five sets, I can go many matches in a row, then I think it’s going to be fun. “ I t ’s a g r e a t d r a w because I’m in the draw. So for me, I’m super pleased that I made it here, that I have an opportunity to win matches. How many rests to be seen.”
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GFC’s Benjamin signs with Caledonia GFC winger Kelsey Benjamin has been taken on the Caledonia roster for the TT Pro League. Caledonia which first sent the skilful winger to Maloney FC in the lower division of the Eastern FA has decided that Benjamin is now ready to play at the Pro League level. ”Kelsey is a really talented kid and many of the senior players have
Sunday January 15, 2017
Kaieteur News
encouraged us to promote him into the first team, says Morvant Caledonia United Head Coach Rajesh Latchoo. “He has the potential to reach very far once his attitude and commitment matches his talent, I think he will become a t o p p l a y e r, ” a d d e d Latchoo. GFC Manager Faizal Khan says the Kelsey Benjamin move is the first of a very methodical
arrangement with exposing Guyana’s talent. We plan to place three other lads in the Caledonia set up let them learn to become professionals and once they can fulfill their potential in Trinidad the sky is the limit for these players added Khan. Meanwhile, Khan is also busy making arrangements for senior team striker Sheldon Holder to go Finland for trials.
UWI (T&T) t20 cricket
DCC advance to tonight’s final as on fire Singh cops fourth MOM Award
Guyana Cup Rematch back on the roster by public demand Due to public demand the organisers of the third annual Guyana Cup Rematch Horserace meet have decided to place the activity back on its roster. This was after announcing that the event was cancelled. However, according to the organiser Nazrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohammed Jr of the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables, since the publication of the cancellation of the event there has been a flurry of queries and demands for the event to be staged. As such, they have yielded to the volume of requests by owners, trainers, sponsors and other fans and have decided that the event will be stages on Sunday February 26th. The event was originally scheduled for the 1st January, however due to the inclement weather it was pushed back to February. The event is set for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. The programme has not been finalized as yet, but the
Gajanand Singh with his 4th consecutive MOM Award on Friday night.
By Sean Devers
Coordinator Nasrudeen ‘Jumbo Jet’ Mohamed jr. provisional programmes should be out during the week. The feature event will be for animals classified B and lower for a whopping $1.2M and trophy over 1800M. There will be no two years old event since those animals will be ready until the middle of the year.
Further information can be accessed by contacting Fazal Habibulla on 6577010 or 232-0232, Donald Lawrie on telephone Nos 225-4530, Compton Sancho 6021567 or coordinator Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed jr. (Samuel Whyte)
With DCC needing two runs to win from seven balls, the left-handed Gajanand Singh hit T&T First-Class pacer Navin Stewart for six over long off to spark ecstatic celebrations in the DCC camp on Friday night at UWI St Augustine, Trinidad as the Guyanese side marched into tonight’s final of the 2017 UWI t20 with a seven-wicket win against defending Club Crusoe of Tobago. The 29-year-old Singh, a former West Indies Youth player who played in 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka and with two fifties from 10 First-Class games between 2008 and 2011, stroked a masterful unbeaten 88 from 46 balls with 2 sixes and 11 fours, setting the Sir Clyde Walcott ground on fire. This was his fourth consecutive undefeated halfcentury in the tournament and he got support from former West Indies t20 wicketkeeper Darwin Christian who made 42 from 23 balls with two sixes and four fours. Andrew Lyght who scored 22 with 3 fours and wicketkeeper Kemol Savory with 19 also contributed as DCC reached 192-3 in 19 overs in reply to Club
Crusoe’s 187-7 in 20 overs. Skipper Navin Stewart made 47 from 22 balls with six sixes and two fours and got support from Leron Lazama whose 39 came from 30 and Vincent who smashed 34 from just 19 balls. Off-spinner Singh (224) and Kellon Carmichael (2-32) did the damage for the Guyanese team. Watched by a noisy crowd under clear skies DCC won the toss and elected to field first and club Crusoe were off to a flying start from Iraq Thomas (20) and Christopher Vincent (34) on a lightning fast outfield much to the delight of the partisan fans. Christian broke the partnership when Thomas, who faced 15 balls, was caught by Steven Sankar before Vincent who faced 19 balls was bowled by the versatile Singh. Stewart and Lazama joined forces and continued the hectic scoring but once Lazama was removed by Carmichael and National Youth left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd bowled Stewart, the momentum changed. Two run outs and an important wicket from Carmichael put the brakes on the scoring as only Zaad Clarke with an unbeaten 20 from 14 balls batting at
number nine, of the remaining batsmen got into double figures as the five wickets tumbled for 32 runs. Singh, who played two Regional One-Day games in 2008, oozed confidence and played an array of pugnacious shots before Lyght was removed by Vincent at 35-1 and when Ancil Nedd got rid of Savory and Stewart dismissed Cohen Ismond (5) the defending champ were still in the contest. But Christian, DCC’s Skipper, joined Singh and shared in a half-century unfinished fourth wicket partnership to see their team to an exciting victory. Singh, in the form of his life collected his fourth Man-ofthe-match Award in as many matches. DCC will battle the winner of the second semi-final between Cane Farm and Merry Boys which was scheduled for last night. Club Crusoe, Merry Boys, QPCC, Demerara Club (Guyana), Munroe Road, Moosai, Cane Farm, Central Sports, UWI, Defence Force, Police and Duncan/Buggy Haynes were the teams competing for the winner’s purse of (tt) $40,000) while the runners-up take home (tt) $20,000.
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Kaieteur News
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GOA’s spending reflects Guyana’s poor Olympic performances By Edison Jefford The expenditure of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) contained in its Financial Statement for the year ending November 30, 2016 does not reflect direct spending on the development, and deliberate improvement, of athletes primarily in Guyana. One of the fundamental functions of GOA is “to e n c o u r a g e t h e development of high performance sport as well as sport for all”. Because of that purpose, it is only reasonable to expect the funding that the association receives to deliberately impact athletes’ performance. Two areas under the association’s expenditure for last year are relevant in this context: Coaching and Training Programmes and Games/Tournaments. The Financial Statement reported that GOA spent $21,757,621 on Coaching and Training last year. The breakdown of how that sum was spent included: Scholarship Recipients $470,000; Coaching and
Tr a i n i n g P r o g r a m m e s $1,129,718; an Olympic Solidarity Training Programme $12,092,402; Pro Seminar $337,058; Women in Sport Seminar $1,960,443; Olympic/Pan American Training Expense $3,968,000 and Boxing Tournament $1,800,000. The association spent $1.8 million on a boxing tournament, which it placed under its expenditure for Coaching and Training as o p p o s e d t o Games/Tournaments. A discrepancy obviously exists in the placement of that sum under Coaching/Training Programmes. The statement revealed that the sum spent for Games/Tournaments was $12,186,434, namely for two events: Olympic Games $10,517,723 and Olympic Day Jog/Events $1,668,711. Because of its role, Coaching/Training Programmes, and G a m e s / To u r n a m e n t s , should represent the principal percentage of the Olympic Association’s spending. However, that is not the case. Through grants (that I will examine at a later date)
K. A. Juman Yassin GOA received a sum of $136,925,778 last year. If we add what should be the main focus of the association, in the development context o f G u y a n a , Coaching/Training Programmes, and Games/Tournaments, total $33,944,055, which is about 25 percent of the $136,925,778 in grants GOA received. That suggests that 25 percent of GOA income for last year, which was an Olympic year, with the Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was spent on its main purpose. The point
Liz Nicholl is that there is no country that will win Olympic medals with a quarter of its annual budget being allocated to what ought to have been its p r i m a r y g o a l s : Coaching/Training/Games. No wonder Guyana failed again in Rio. The approac h w a s a pauperised one. Studies have shown in the past how much one Olympic medal cost. For Britain in 2016, each medal had an estimated cost of just under $4.1 million pounds sterling. In Guyana, the Olympic association spent around
$134,000 pounds total and obviously hoped in vain for an Olympic medal. Britain was second on the medals table in Rio last year for the first time in its history. It was no accident according to UK Sports Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Liz Nicholl; the total of £274m was doled out across all Olympic Sports during the four-year Rio cycle. Additionally, Nicholl i n f o r m e d U K ’s T h e Independent, that The British Olympic Association has already finalised a deal on a Tokyo Preparation Camp after three reconnaissance trips to Japan in 2016. Following that process, individual sport disciplines were asked to submit detailed plans for Tokyo to UK Sport by December last year. The submission of those plans will determine for Britain, which is now an Olympic superpower, what investments are made for Japan. Back to the reality in Guyana; compare the GOA spending and vision with how Britain a p p r o a c h e d i t s performance at the
Olympic Games. In its Financial Statement under Expenditure, “Other” consumed the largest sum of $34,716,947, which w a s e v e n m o r e significant than the main f u n c t i o n s o f Coaching/Training/Game s combined to the value of $33,944,055. “Other” included: Conference Meetings $12,721,187; Official Visits and Entertainment $94,115; Rudolph Harper Long and Triple Jump $240,000; Caribbean Caucus Dues $200,000; Donations $ 1 9 , 5 8 5 , 3 6 4 ; Appreciation Ceremony $1,291,759 and Hungary Course $584,522. “Other” managed to secure around 26 percent of the total budget for 2016, which shows that it had more prominence than the main function. Ideally something is wrong with that arrangement in terms of priority and vision for investment in the development of athletes, which give rationale to G u y a n a ’s c o n t i n u e d underperformance at the Olympic Games.
Serena defers engagement joy to focus on Melbourne effort (Reuters) Serena Williams drive to reach the overall record for grand slam titles was never more evident at Melbourne Park yesterday when she revealed that her engagement to fiancee Alexis Ohanian was being forced to take a back seat. The world number two announced her commitment to the social media entrepreneur shortly before the New Year and while it was “great”, she was pushing it to the back of her mind, at least until after Melbourne Park. “I’ve said from the beginning, I just didn’t want to think about it until after Australia because... grand slams mean a lot to me,” she told reporters ahead of next week’s first round clash with S w i t z e r l a n d ’s B e l i n d a Bencic. “I was, ‘well, I’m not going to think about it’. “It’s almost a little unreal
right now because I haven’t taken it in. I won’t allow it to sink in because I’m so focused... (on) training, cardio, all kinds of stuff.” Williams equalled Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22 grand slam titles last year when she clinched her seventh Wimbledon crown and sits just two away from the all-time record held by A u s t r a l i a ’s M a r g a r e t Court. Following her London victory, she played in just two more tournaments, losing to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the third round at the Rio Olympics before being upset by Karolina Pliskova in the U.S. Open semi-finals. Williams then promptly shut down her season to have treatment on a troublesome shoulder injury. The 35-year-old Williams returned to the court in Auckland last week but was upset by fellow
American Madison Brengle in the second round, then created a minor controversy when she said she could not get to Melbourne fast enough. Her quest for her seventh Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup begins on Tuesday when temperatures are expected to top 38 degrees Celsius against Bencic, who could be her most dangerous first round opponent in years. Bencic was ranked as high as world number seven last February but struggled with injury and poor form over the remainder of 2016, leading her to drop down to 48th ahead of the season’s opening grand slam. The 19-year-old, however, made the fourth round at Melbourne Park last year and beat the American the last time they met, in the Toronto semi-finals in 2015. “She’s done well here
Serena Williams of the U.S. attends a news conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) before. She’s had a good win over me. It’s never easy for me,” Williams said. “So I always go out
there, and all I can do is do my best. I didn’t come here to lose in the first round, or the second
round, or at all. “If I can play the way I’ve been practising, it will be fine.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
Maximum Sports host historic Murray confidence 126th Edition and first for 2017 sky high despite Presidents of strength sports laments lack of financial support final hurdle failures
Britain’s Andy Murray serves during a training session ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) Max Massiah (3rd left) along with his guests on the first edition of his programme for 2017.
Historic it was indeed, agreed Mr. Frank Tucker, President of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA), Mr. ED Caesar, President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), and Mr. Keavon Bess, President of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) during Maximum Sports C o m b a t & S t r e n g t h ’s (MSCS) 126th and first edition of 2017. The strength sports Presidents were guests on Guyana’s most-viewed popular weekly one-hour
“live” TV sports programme, aired Fridays from 21.05hrs on NCN TV. Along with Host & producer of the show, 2-time Martial Arts Hall-of-Famer Mr. Max Massiah, and Cohost, teenaged 2-time World Karate Champion (who is also Ms Guyana Talented Teen, and 1st runner-up at the recently held Ms. Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant in St. Kitts), Ms Aliyah Wong, the panel were joined by Bodybuilding Champions Emmerson Campbell, (Guyana’s “MR PHYSIQUE”), and Kerwin Clark, 4-time “MR. GUYANA” and CAC Gold
Medallist. The programme, launched on 30th of May, 2014, has a strict focus on Combat & Strength Sports (Boxing, Martial Arts, Powerlifting, Weightlifting, & Bodybuilding) and has become the platform for hosting our local athletes under those disciplines to bring awareness and familiarity to the viewers and Guyana as a whole, of the achievements/ accomplishments and to disseminate information on promotional events ( To u r n a m e n t s , Competitions, Seminars). All the officials
lamented the paucity of funding for their various porgrammes and also to travel overseas for competitions. The pool of sponsors has been small and they have had to compete with several other disciplines to garner support for their programmes. They also noted the scarce funding and other support has not been fully forthcoming for the Maximum Sports programme. All are hopeful for a turnaround in those fortunes and for more government and corporate assistance.
Taylor half-century helps Thunder to dramatic win SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Stafanie Taylor’s season-best half-century was nearly in vain but somehow Sydney Thunder managed to hang on and beat city rivals Sydney Sixers in a dramatic Women’s Big Bash League encounter here yesterday. Set 139 for victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Thunder were propelled by Taylor’s top score of 68 off 51 balls but once she departed to the second ball of the penultimate over with 11 runs required, Sixers hit back to ensure scores were level at the end of the
allotted overs. There was even more drama in the one-over elimin ato r a s Ta y l o r helped Thunder to reach eight for one and Sixers then lost three wickets as they too ended on eight runs. Boundary count was then used to determine the winner and Thunder, with 16, edged out their opponents who struck 14. The victory left Thunder three from bottom in the eight-team tables on 10 points while Sixers remained top on 16 points. Thunder’s run chase
begun shakily when they lost Rachael Haynes cheaply for eight with the score on 14 in the third over but Taylor and captain Alex Blackwell (19) seemed to be reviving the innings in a 29run, second wicket stand. Against the run of play, however, Blackwell cut an innocuous delivery from seamer Kim Garth to point in the seventh over, leaving Taylor to rally the innings. The West Indies captain responded well, adding 41 for the third wicket with Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur (16) and a further 23
for the fourth wicket with Nicola Carey (8). Taylor struck seven fours and two sixes before becoming one of two Sarah Aley’s wickets, caught at the wicket with victory in sight. Earlier, the 25-year-old Jamaican had produced a brilliant spell with her offspin to claim two for 15 from three overs as Sixers, opting to bat first, mustered 138 for seven off their 20 overs. Ashleigh Garner topscored with 54 off 41 balls while Sara McGlashan chipped in with 30 from 31 deliveries.
(Reuters) Losing five Melbourne Park finals would leave many believing they were destined to never win the Australian Open title but world number one Andy Murray remains confident that this could be the year he lays his demons to rest. Murray after all, has solid form on the blue hardcourts in Melbourne, where he is arguably the second-most consistent man at the tournament this decade — after six-times champion Novak Djokovic. The Briton has appeared in five finals at the venue since 2010, the same as Djokovic. Unfortunately for Murray, the Serb has won all five of his, including four against the Scot. The 29-year-old M u r r a y ’s c o n f i d e n c e , however, has been boosted by his run of form in the second half of last year when he clinched his second Wi m b l e d o n t i t l e a n d Olympic gold medal. He also finished the year as world number one for the first time, having defeated Djokovic in the ATP Tour World finals in London. “I obviously feel pretty confident after the way that last season finished,” Murray told reporters yesterday ahead of his first round clash with Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko. “I do love it here. I love the conditions. “I have played really well here over the years, and just haven’t managed to obviously get over the final
hurdle. “But, yeah, I think I’m in a decent position, for sure, to do it. I think I have a chance to win here. Obviously nothing’s guaranteed. “But why not? I’m playing well. Practice has been good. I feel healthy. I’ll give it a good shot.” Apart from winning the title for the first time and probably holding onto the top ranking, Murray has an added incentive this year after admitting his mind was elsewhere during last year’s final. His wife Kim was pregnant with their first child, while his father-inlaw Nigel Sears, who was coaching Ana Ivanovic, collapsed in the stands during the Serb’s third round match and was taken to hospital. Murray left just hours after the final, with his wife giving birth about a week afterwards. “It was a tough tournament. Obviously the situation with Kim and the baby coming was tough,” he added. “Then with what happened with Nigel made it really awkward because there was times where I was thinking... ‘I want to go home’, but then I’m not just going to leave whilst my father-in-law is also in hospital. “It was tough, and certainly not a position I would want to put myself in again, or my wife, or any of my family really.”
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 15, 2017
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Sublime South Africa smash Sri Lanka to sweep series (Reuters) South Africa took 16 Sri Lanka wickets in a little over two sessions to secure a ruthless victory by an innings and 118 runs in the third and final test at the Wanderers yesterday. After posting 426 in their first innings on Friday, South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out for 131 before lunch on day three, before dismissing the out-gunned sub-continent side again for 177 to complete a 3-0 series sweep. All o f t h e h o m e seamers claimed wickets on a pitch that had plenty of steep bounce and more than e n o u g h l a t e r a l movement to leave the Sri Lanka batsmen flailing. Left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell, who took six wickets for 89 runs over the two innings, was perhaps the pick, while Kagiso Rabada (5-94) was unlucky not to pick up more with some hostile spells. Debutant seamer Duanne Olivier (5-57) will be pleased with his return in helpful conditions, while Vernon Philander (4-63) also pitched in. “Once again it was a complete performance,”
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said at the postmatch presentation. “It started with the bat on a tough wicket and our bowlers were once again spectacular. “We wanted to make sure we step up in this game and dominate and do so 3-0... right through the series Sri Lanka didn’t have a session where they were controlling us. “Consistency in test cricket is very hard, so I am proud with how the boys played.” South Africa made short work of wrapping up the tourists’ first innings after Sri Lanka resumed the day on 80 for four. Rabada grabbed the key wicket of Sri Lanka captain Angelo Matthews (19) as wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock produced a magnificent diving catch in front of first slip. Olivier then claimed his first test wicket when Herath top-edged a vicious bouncer and the home side then tore through the tail. Du Plessis enforced the follow-on and Sri Lanka were quickly on the back foot again as Rabada accounted for opener Kaushal Silva for a first-ball duck.
Duanne Olivier claimed five wickets in the match on debut © Gallo Images The impressive Olivier snapped up two more quick wickets, with Du Plessis leaping to an almost impossible height at second slip to pluck the ball out of the air as Mathews was dismissed for 10. The game was up for Sri Lanka when Rabada rattled the stumps of opener Dimuth Karunaratne (50), who had a provided lone resistance. “Congratulations to South Africa, they outplayed us in every department,” Mathews said. “We kept repeating the same mistakes. We knew we would not get slow, turning wickets in South Africa and
Agard, Assanah, Massiah appointed to Referee/ Judges Commission Ramona Agard was recently appointed chairperson of the Guyana Boxing Association R e f e r e e / J u d g e s Commission. Agard is the lone member from previous Commission and will serve for two years in the post. Others appointed are television personality Max Massiah who is the Vice Chairman, while Army Officer Lawrence Assanah will serve as Secretary. Dexter Patterson and Denola Bristol are the two other members. GBA president Steve Ninvalle said that newly appointed Commission has to hit the road running as 2017 is an event-packed year. Ninvalle explained that the association plans an international tournament in February, which would be followed by another here in April. The president labeled
Ramona Agard
Lawrence Assanah
the new commission as a mixture of youth and experience and one that showcases gender balance. He noted that Bristol, a teenager, is young, bright and has a far way to go in the sport. Ninvalle thanked members of the previous
commission for their dedication and assured that although not on the present commission, they still have an important role to play in the development of boxing. Agard is Guyana’s most experienced referee/judge and has officiated at several international competitions.
that we would have to play really good cricket, but unfortunately we haven’t.” Scores: South Africa
426 (Duminy 155, Amla 134, Pradeep 4-78, Kumara 4107) beat Sri Lanka 131 (Philander 3-28, Rabada 3-
44) and 177 (Karunaratne 50, Parnell 4-51, Olivier 338) by an innings and 118 runs.
Regal set sights on Florida Cup By Zaheer Mohamed Regal of Georgetown will look to add to their collection of prizes when they journey to Florida next month to compete in the 2017 Florida Cup softball cricket championship. The tournament which will be played in two categories, the Open and Masters (over 45) is being organised by the Honorary Consul of Guyana in association with the South Florida Softball Cricket League as part of Guyana’s Republic Day celebration there. The competition will commence at the beautiful Brian Piccolo Park, Cooper City, Florida on Friday February 24th and continue on Saturday February 25th at the said venue. The finals will be played on Sunday February 26th, at the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida. The finals will be televised on ESPN3 and MaqTV and will also be streaming the games live on You Tube. In addition to the various teams and individual prizes, there is a cash prize of US$3,000 for the winner of the All Star competition and US$2,000 for the Masters Champion. Regal last overseas outing saw them winning the annual New York Softball Cricket league (NYSCL) Independence and Legends Cup that was held at Roy Wilkins Park in July last. Their success meant that they became the first
Mahendra Hardyal
Richard Latif
Guyanese team to win an unprecedented double on foreign soil. Both Regal Open and Masters’ teams will commence preparation for the Florida Cup on Wednesday at the GNIC SC under the guidance of Coach Clive Grimmond. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Richard Latif who was named the M V P i n N Y S C L Independence Cup and more recently concluded Regal Sport T20 tournament said they are confident of going all the way in the Florida Cup. He added that the players are prepared to work hard and once they stick to the basics and play as a unit they will be hard to beat. “Our players are riding high in confidence, but we will not be taking any team for granted,” he stated. Regal will be without some of their more experience players for the tournament due to work and family commitments,
however Latif said the new faces in the team can hold their own. Among the players in the Open line up are Safraz Esau, Rohit Dutchin, Patrick Rooplall, Sewchand Budhu and Navin Singh. Regal Masters all-rouder Mahendra Hardyal said they know what to expect and his players are eager to go. He pointed out that the unavailability of some of the more experienced players for the tournament gives others a chance to prove themselves. When quizzed as if this will affect the team’s chances, Hardyal said that they have a large pool of players to choose from, so the competition for places in the team will improve their performances. Apart from Hardyal, the Masters’ team will depend on the likes of Eon Abel, Eric Thomas, Mahase Chunilall, R u d o l p h B a k e r, Tr o y Kippins, Laurie Singh, Fazleem Mohamed, Raymond Harper and Mahendra Arjune.
t r o Sp UWI (T&T) DCC advance to tonight’s final as on t20 cricket fire Singh cops fourth MOM Award
DCC have advanced to the finals of the UWI t20 in T&T.
GFC’s Benjamin signs with Caledonia
Caesar pips Spencer to retain GAPF Presidency Promises to continue drive to further uplift the sport
Kelsey Benjamin
GAPF President Ed Caesar flanked by General Secretary Ms. Andrea Smith (2nd right), and Committee Members Nadina Taharally (right) and Melissa Tucker. Standing from right are Dr, Osmond Mack (Org. Sect./PRO), Andre Austin (Treasurer), Gordon Spencer (VP) and Martin Webster (Committee Member).
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