New york edition e paper 03 09 2018

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ISSUE No. 92

WEEK ENDING MARCH 9, 2018

MINISTER OF STATE, HON. JOE HARMON EMBRACED BY NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY Guyana key in Exxon growth plans

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Minister Harmon addressing a gathering

Min. Norton salutes all women ►

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

HARMON’S VISIT TO THE DIASPORA — WAS IT A FORTUITOUS DEPARTURE FROM THE NORM OR IS IT A NEW PARADIGM IN DIASPORIC ENGAGEMENT?

Staff. He is the Secretary of the Cabinet and is most intimately involved in all of the policy/initiatives of the Guyana Government.

• He is an excellent communicator and he can allocute in the language that most working-class Guyanese can identify with.

• The Minister of State has more than • It was the first time since the Granger/Nagamootoo campaign visit in Feb- compensated for the absence of the Guyanese elected officials for the last three years. He hosted, not one, but three town

By COLIN A. MOORE hall meetings. In addition to the town hall meetings, he attended private meetings with ruary 2015, that a Minister of Government the North American PNCR group (NAR) in Guyana has held a town hall meeting in and PNCR group number one at Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn, also a Brunch on Saturthe New York Diaspora.

• Will it take another three years be- day, March 3, which was also a mini town fore we will attend another town hall meet- hall meeting.

• He attended a town hall meeting – ing hosted by a Minister of the Guyana On Friday, March 2, at the New Life Center Government?

• Minister Joseph Harmon was proba- of Truth, at Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn, he bly the most superbly qualified messenger attended a Brunch at St. Stephens Church to represent the APNU+AFC coalition. He Auditorium in Brooklyn on Saturday, was the campaign manager for President March 3, which also turned into a town hall Granger, he is the Presidential Chief of meeting; he attended a town hall meeting in Irvington, New Jersey on Sunday, March 4 and on March 5th, he attended a town hall meeting at the XGDF Association in South Ozone Park, Queens.

At the end of the meetings, he was literally jostled by the crowd, all eager to shake his hand and chat with their minister. In Irvington, New Jersey, he was presented with a proclamation, by Lady Ira Lewis from the County of Essex Chosen Freeholders. At his last appearance at the XGDF association, he had to be escorted to his vehicle to be transported to the airport, otherwise he would have missed his flight.

Minister Harmon’s preMinister Harmon receiving proclamation sentations at the town hall from Lady Ira Lewis in Irvington, New Jersey. meeting was like a State of the

T

he enthusiastic response of the Guyanese in the Diaspora to Minister Joseph Harmon’s visit was historic in several ways:

Part of the audience at the XGDF Association listening to Minister Harmon’s address.

Union address, in which he highlighted the accomplishments of the Guyana Government, and the challenges facing the Nation.

He highlighted the following items: • The PSA 2016 Agreement between Exxon Mobil and the Government of Guyana (GOG); • The restructuring of the sugar industry in Guyana; • The problem of Airlift between Guyana and the Diaspora; • The modernization of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); • The issue of security for re-migrants and visiting Guyanese; There was a lively dialogue between Minister Harmon and his audience on these issues. The Minister seemed somewhat taken aback by the criticisms by some individuals in the audience that the PSA 2016 had not sufficiently protected the rights and interest of the Guyanese nationals. He pointed out that the Government had re-

leased the Agreement for public review and comments, and had not only added a provision for profit sharing, but a two percent provision for royalty payments. He pointed out that the government was not closing down the sugar industry, but, was restructuring it for greater efficiency.

On the subject of airlift, he said that the government was not in the business of running airlines or other businesses, but of creating a favorable environment that will permit Guyanese entrepreneurs to make a profit in the operation of these businesses.

He spoke glowingly of the reconstruction of the CJIA, boasted that the new terminal will have 32 incoming/outgoing customer counters, and the new runways will accommodate the largest jets in the world.

CONCLUSION Dear Mr. Harmon, we in the Guyanese Diaspora thank you for your visit. at such short notice, but we hope we do not have to wait another three years before you pay us

Part of the Irvington, New Jersey audience listening to Minister Harmon. (continued on page 17)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

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Guyana key in Exxon growth plans

…company looks to double earnings

manufacturing and upstream production.

In its chemical business, ExxonMobil expects to grow manufacturing capacity in North America and Asia Pacific by about 40 percent. That growth will be achieved in part by adding 13 new facilities, including two world-class steam crackers in the United States. These investments would enable the company to meet increasing demand

LATE GE NSU NE RA CO

resource base in locations including the Permian, Guyana, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea and Brazil.

Key drivers of growth are in Guyana, where exploration success has added 3.2 billion gross oil equivalent barrels of recoverable resource and plans are in place for development and further exploration, and in the Permian, where the company has increased the size of its resource to 9.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels from less than 3 billion in the past year. Through its acquisition of several Bass entities in 2017, ExxonMobil added an estimated resource of 5.4 billion oil-equivalent barrels in the Permian. The original resource estimate of 3.4 billion barrels at the time of the purchase was increased through technical evaluation and successful delineation in the Delaware Basin, reducing the acquisition cost to just above US$1 per oil-equivalent barrel.

The contiguous stacked pays from the New Mexico acquisition are now estimated to provide more than 4,800 drilling locations with an average lateral length of more than 12,000 feet, enabling capital-efficient execution of Permian volumes growth and the potential to further increase future volumes.

“We are in a solid position to maximize the value of the increased Permian production as it moves from the well head to our Gulf Coast refining and chemical operations, where we are focusing on manufacturing higher-demand, higher-value products,” Woods said.

ExxonMobil’s downstream business is projected to double earnings by 2025 by upgrading its product slate through strategic investments at refineries in Baytown and Beaumont in Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Singapore, and Fawley in the U.K. These projects are expected to result in double-digit returns by enabling increased production of higher-value products, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel, chemicals feedstocks and basestocks for lubricants. As a result of these improvements, the company’s 2025 downstream margins are projected to increase by 20 percent. Expansion is supported by projected demand growth in emerging markets, and includes entries into new markets such as Mexico and Indonesia. It is supported by integration with chemical

L

Darren W. Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil

in Asia and other growing markets. “We are uniquely

E COOPERATIV TH ER F O

OF GUYAN A LIC UB EP

A top executive of ExxonMobil on Wednesday listed Guyana as a key driver of its upstream growth where exploration success has added 3.2 billion gross oil equivalent barrels of recoverable resource even as it plans for development and further exploration here.

The company also outlined an aggressive growth strategy to more than double earnings and cash flow from operations by 2025 at today’s oil prices. “We’ve got the best portfolio of high-quality, high-return investment opportunities that we’ve seen in two decades,” Darren W. Woods, chairman and chief executive officer, said at the company’s annual meeting of investment analysts at the New York Stock Exchange, ExxonMobil said in a release.

“Our plan takes full advantage of the company’s unique strengths and financial capabilities, using innovation, technology and integration to drive longterm shareholder value and industry-leading returns.”

Growth plans include steps to increase earnings by more than 100 percent – to US$31 billion by 2025 at 2017 prices – from last year’s adjusted profit of US$15 billion, which excluded the impact of U.S. tax reform and impairments.

Woods said this plan projects double-digit rates of return in all three segments of ExxonMobil’s business – upstream, downstream and chemical – which are all three world-class businesses in their own right. In the upstream, the company expects to significantly increase earnings through a number of growth initiatives involving low-cost-of-supply investments in U.S. tight oil, deepwater and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Growth coming online from new and existing projects is expected to increase production from 4 million oil-equivalent barrels per day to about 5 million.

The company plans to increase tight-oil production five-fold from the U.S. Permian Basin and start up 25 projects worldwide.

Those startups will add volumes of more than 1 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. In LNG, the company expects to bring on new production to meet a projected increase in global demand.

Upstream growth will benefit from ExxonMobil’s industry-leading exploration success and strategic acquisitions. In 2017 alone, the company added 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels to its

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positioned to take advantage of the global demand growth for higher-value products in the downstream and chemical,” Woods said. “Our combined strengths in innovative technology, resource and market access, marketing product leadership and integration improve profitability and create significant shareholder value.”

Woods said the company’s overall growth strategy is designed with a key goal in mind – fully leveraging our competitive advantages to grow shareholder

value across all three of our world-class businesses.

Through higher returns from increased investments, the company has the potential to increase its return on capital employed to about 15 percent by 2025.

“Our existing business and plans for growth are robust to a wide range of price environments, allowing us to maintain a growing dividend and a strong balance sheet while returning excess cash to our shareholders,” said Woods.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

Petroleum agreement progressive

by Colin A. Moore

-- Exxon says will allow Guyana to grow economy through foreign investment EXXON Mobil’s chief spokesperson Kimberly Brasington says that petroleum- sharing contracts as against royalties and taxes agreements are very common in “frontier markets” seeking to grow their economies through foreign investments.

The company’s senior director for public and government affairs articulated that in countries where oil-and-gas exploration and development are new, “Petroleum Sharing Agreements are oftentimes more attractive.”

She said it encourages investment in “frontier countries” such as Guyana, where the industry is new and requires large investment.

There are different types of oil-and-gas contracts, Brasington highlighted.

“There are those where countries make their revenues from taxes and royalties only, and those that earn their money from petroleum sharing.”

Guyana, she pointed out, has a petroleum-sharing agreement – also known as a PSA. This means the government on behalf of Guyana receives revenue mainly from the sale of the oil, and not taxes or royalties.

Brasington described Guyana as being unique, since this particular PSA includes not only the sharing of petroleum, but the payment of withholding tax on services and products, employees, and other local taxes and a two per cent royalty.

Contrary to what is being highlighted publicly, the spokeswoman said that ExxonMobil does face tax obligations while operating here. She noted, however, that Guyana’s returns from the company’s operation, is not derived from taxes and royalties specifically.

As it relates to the petroleum agreement, Brasington said the oil contract explains the tax arrangements and exceptions

in Articles 15 and 21.

Article 15 of the oil contract which speaks to Taxation and Royalty indicates that apart from certain taxes that the company is subjected to pay, others such as value-added tax,

ExxonMobil’s chief spokesperson Kimberly Brasington

excise, duty tax among others cannot be charged.

Article 21 speaks to import duties in which duty and other taxes were waived to allow the importation of work equipment and easy movement of materials in the execution of the company’s duties.

Brasington reminded that Guyana will receive 50 per cent of the profit oil, and the two per cent royalty which she said was an additional amount agreed upon in negotiation with ExxonMobil by the government.

She also reminded that the tax exemptions Guyana is

affording the company are very common in frontier countries such as Guyan, where petroleum-sharing agreements versus Tax/ royalty contracts are signed.

ExxonMobil said that production-sharing contracts, such as the one Guyana has signed to, allow the parties signed to the PSC to own their share of the oil. PSCs divide gross production into what is referred to as cost oil and profit oil.

By the time production commences, the company said it would have spent an estimated US$4.4billion on its Liza Phase 1 alone.

Development and operating costs are recoverable, the company said. Exxon’s recovery is limited to 75 percent of the monthly oil production and this, they said, ensures that Guyana receives its share of the profit oil from day one. The company will thus recover its cost of exploration and development without profit.

Exxon said that “PSCs may have no royalty obligations, as the country’s primary compensation from the resource is profit oil.” They said that the initial bonus payments to a country is based upon their “risk profile” and “existing proven resource.”

Given Venezuela’s constant threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity and its past moves to prevent Guyana’s development of its oil industry, it had been said publicly that it would take a large international company with strong ties to develop the country’s oil resource.

ExxonMobil noted however, that it already had a signed contract with the government of Guyana and it felt it could have continued. They said because of that it was not seen as pertinent in the negotiations to offer Guyana a larger bonus.

ExxonMobil’s initial contract with Guyana was signed under the then People’s Progressive Party administration.

500 Guyanese to get jobs at manganese plant GUYANA Manganese Incorporated (GMI) has committed to employing a predominantly local workforce as it prepares to begin construction in July.

On Monday Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, visited the Matthews Ridge, Region One, mine site to conduct an assessment of the progress that has been made since GMI purchased the area from Reunion Manganese Inc (RMI) of Canada.

GMI, a Bosai Mineral Group company, is currently on track to develop the mines, plant and factories to begin extracting the mineral

by early 2019. Steven Ma, Assistant General Manager of Bosai’s Overseas Department, briefed Minister Trotman and team.

Ma noted that construction is set to begin in July and some 550 locals from the region and across Guyana will be employed during this phase as well as the production phase.

Currently, GMI is employing 20 locals in the engineering design and survey phase.

GMI is investing US$100M in the first phase of development. During the construction phase, the mine ore processing plant, washing plant, warehouses and factory will be established. The company is currently procuring equipment,

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman examines the manganese mineral with Steven Ma, Assistant General Manager of Bosai’s Overseas Department and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun (second from left)

Ma explained. Ma pointed out that the Meanwhile, Region One Member of company is facing logistic challenges in Parliament, Allen Richard, said the region in terms of moving the ore from the plant to particular is looking forward to the resurgence sale. While road and port facilities were of manganese mining. “This is a timely visit identified, GMI is currently mapping and when not just Matthew’s Ridge or Matakai surveying these to design the best solution sub-region is looking forward for the estabgoing forward. lishment of the manganese company which Minister Trotman noted that the govern- brings relief and lots of employment,” he ment is committed to doing work on the road said. Chinese Ambassador Jianchun said he is but will do so in collaboration with the com- proud of the example Bosai has set in Linden pany, particularly as it relates to maintenance. and charged GMI to have a similar integrated He also committed to discussing the sharing approach in Region One. of facilities with bauxite company Rusal, as GMI purchased four prospecting liGMI resolves the logistics challenge. cences that cover an area of 45,729 acres, The Minister stressed the importance of exploration results, mineral agreement, mining in Region One to GMI. “We’d like certain properties and infrastructure from to see a resurgence in this region and so gov- RMI of Canada in November 2016. The ernment is very keen on getting it started,” total manganese resource in Matthew’s he said. Minister Trotman also charged the Ridge is some 26M tonnes. Ma said to company to honour its corporate social re- produce the manganese concentrate, the sponsibility and singled out the community company will have to mine some 2M tonnes hospital for attention in this regard. “We per year which will see the life of the opexpect you to be a good corporate citizen and(continued eration lasting some19) 12-13 years, if there on page to give back,” Minister Trotman said. are no other resources to be added. (DPI)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

The Carlyle

Harry Column

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ONE GUYANA PLATFORM . . . everyday should be Holi!

I

have to admit to the pleasure that I derived from observing Black people mingling with Indian people in Guyanese and North American communities last weekend in order to celebrate(play) Phagwah (Phagwah (Holi) is a festival celebrating the advent of spring — one highlight of the festival is celebrants wetting each other with colored liquids and other substances.)

I was so impressed with those displays and demonstrations of racial and political unity, that I was driven to "dream the impossible dream" of wishing that the clock would have stopped, and everyday for Guyanese communities (both inside and outside of Guyana) could have been 'Phagwah (Holi) Day'.

Those wishes and desires were further stimulated when I read part of an Editorial that was published in a Guyanese Newspaper on Thursday(3.1.18) . . . It stated "Guyanese people have very seldom voted on issues or solutions, they vote along RACIAL lines".

Columnist, Freddie Kissoon had previously written (on Wednesday, February 28th) "Guyana is a problematic, complex country, this is a society where sociological and social occurrences are electrically driven."

If Mr.Kissoon's words are assumed to be true, then we Guyanese people can turn-on, or turn off; we can plug in, or plug out; or we can screw-in or screw out the bulb(s).

THREATS Now let me depart from the Phagwah (Holi) thing, and turn to President David Granger's address to the 2018 Republic Anniversary flag raising ceremony that was held at D’urban Park. (i) President Granger — Thursday midnight — on the eve of Guyana’s 48th Republic anniversary, ratcheted up talk of heightened border security and noted that he hoped that international aid would be provided to the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), so that the Army could execute a number of tasks including territorial protection.

Let me pause here for a while in order to point out that if Guyana were invaded, the invaders will attack, injure and kill in like manner each and every race, the invader(s) will not segregate and discriminate. (ii) The President added "Guyana looks forward to the intensification of

cooperation with friendly, foreign states, especially in building capacity for the Defence Force’s technical corps to improve the national infrastructure in every part of the country,

for all"; it shall be "all ah we, is one family".

You see what I am talking about, readers — you see what I mean.

Instead of voting along racial

lines, we the masses have to elect officials who will take care of our health, education, citizenship, security, employment, national defense, social cohesion and information/communication technology. President Granger in his ‘Republic Anniversary’ message emphasized the importance of safety. Our citizens’ safety is the State’s paramount objective. Our people must be safe in

Guyanese celebrating the Festival of Holi (Phagwah) to defend our territorial integrity, to protect our citizens and to respond to emergencies."

Again, if a military emergency does occur in Guyana, I do not believe that the Chargers would take time to choose which of the recipients were P.P.P/C, P.N.C/R, W.P.A., or A.F.C. etc. . . . They would launch a mass attack.

It shall be "all for one, and one

their homes, villages, and communities.

In closing, I am obliged to point out that United States' President Donald Trump in a congratulatory message on Guyana’s Republic anniversary promised to assist in the development of Guyana's natural resources.

Mr. Trump actually stated "The United States of America takes pride in its partnership with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We look forward to working with you on the development of your natural resources for the benefit of the Guyanese people,” Mr. Trump emphasized the Guyanese PEOPLE. . . . Not Blacks, not Indians, not Amerindians, not Portuguese, not Coloreds, or not Douglahs.

In summary, I want to close with an urging that one Mohamed Khan posted on Facebook (2.27.18) . . .

Mr.Khan urged "We are Guyanese, and we shall live as one, we need to stop the hate, and we need to stop discrimination". *********** The Republic's anniversary makes it easy to speak about National Unity Given our racial/political history.

One Nation, One People, One Destiny.

We must strive for cohesion within our cosmopolitan Nation.

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Chronicle New York Week-ending Edition week January ending March 9, 2018 GuyanaGuyana Chronicle New York Edition 19, 2018

Min. Norton salutes all women

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The time is now GUYANA today joins the rest of the world in observing the United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day being held under the theme “The Time is Now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives,” is a call for sustained support of those who lead the struggle for women’s full empowerment.

Rightfully, some will argue that every day is ‘women’s day’, given the multiple roles women play in the development of family and society. Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, in his message this year observed that we are at a pivotal moment for women’s rights, noting that the historical and structural inequalities that have allowed oppression and discrimination to flourish are being exposed like never before. He said from Latin America to Europe to Asia, on social media, on film sets, on the factory floor and in the streets, women are calling for lasting change and zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds.

Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world, the UN SG said. He said too that activism and advocacy of generations of women have borne fruit. “There are more girls in school than ever before; more women are doing paid work and in senior roles in the private sector, academia, politics and in international organisations, including the United Nations. Gender equality is enshrined in countless laws, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage have been outlawed in many countries. But serious obstacles remain if we are to address the historic power imbalances that underpin discrimination and exploitation.”

Ours has been a history, or ‘her-story’, of gender inequality. This is in large part informed by the unscientific belief of a woman’s capability, or her ‘knowing her place,’ and where remnants of a patriarchal society remain. This is not to say that efforts have not been made, with measurable success over the years, to topple

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton has saluted all women on this International Women’s Day being observed globally.

SEE FULL STATEMENT BELOW : Today, the Ministry of Social Cohesion salutes and celebrates the achievements of Guyanese women, and women all across the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Today, we remember women’s struggles for equality, for the right to education, for the right to vote, for the right to work, for the right to fair remuneration and access to support services. Today, I applaud their perseverance and accomplishments and commit to supporting initiatives that acknowledge their human rights.

It has been said that a feminist is anyone who recognises the equality and full humanity of women. I am proud to sit at the helm of a Ministry that promotes and fights for women’s rights, and equality for both men and women. The Ministry of Social Cohesion was birthed by a vision to create a country where all are equal, regardless of race, religion, gender or any other demographic.

We also recognise that in order to achieve gender parity the role of both parents is most important. Parents are a child’s first teacher and their influence on their choices, both as children and later, as young adults, and their role in nurturing children, who become productive mem-

bers of society can never be over-emphasised. Proper nurturing of children in the home by parents cultivates positive values and virtues such as love, respect, care, consideration, discipline and respon-

values of perseverance and discipline. It only takes one determined effort to shatter barriers and create a level playing field, whether in the sport arena, in the classroom, in tertiary institutions, in the

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton

sibility. It is important too for fathers to be positive role models for both their sons and daughters. In the absence of a father figure, the burden falls on the mother to ensure that boys and girls grow into young men and women who respect each other.

As the Minister charged with the responsibility for Sport, I also want to underscore the importance of equal participation of girls and boys in sports as it teaches the

these beliefs. What this historical fact is saying is that there remains work to be done, not only in toppling more barriers, but in ensuring that those that have been toppled remain toppled.

Where laws guaranteeing women’s rights as seen in the Women and Gender Equality Commission and List of Representatives, these are floor standards set, which ought not to be practised in the breach. Equality requires strengthening and deepening of these foundations, the creation and implementation of policies and programmes that will secure women’s rights in every sphere of desired participation.

Where sexual harassment and abuse continue to be present in the workplaces, homes, and on the streets, stamping these out must also allow for anonymous reports to be made and investigated, and for perpetrators to be dealt with condignly. No woman must be made to feel that the transgressing of her right to choose her partner/mate is a precondition to securing and maintaining employment or certain positions. This nation faces a critical situation of single-parent, working, female-headed households. It

professional field and in the wider society.

As a country, Guyana has made significant strides in in ensuring equality and equity.

Women have taken charge of their households, although more often out of necessity rather than by choice; have taken charge of their education and their earning power and have inspired other women to do the same. Today, Guyanese women, and those around the world are not

only excelling in traditional fields of employment, but they are successfully forging their way into careers that were once male-dominated and considered unsuitable for women. Today, Guyanese women are surpassing their male counterparts in education; they are taking the lead in higher paying, once male-dominated occupations, such as in Information Technology, Engineering and Finance and they are pursuing non-traditional careers such as auto electricians, minibus and taxi drivers, carpenters, farmers and so many more.

Guyana also has a vibrant complement of female activists, law enforcement officials, social workers, journalists, politicians and other professionals.

Importantly too, we have women working tirelessly with and without a second parent in the home to raise their children. Since women account for more than 50 percent of our population, it is clear to see that Guyana has a bright future.

The Government recognises that more has to be done to protect our women from gender-based violence and to strengthen the capacity of more women to take on leadership positions and become strong drivers of economic growth and social change. We will continue to work to achieve these goals. Women, today we celebrate and commend you for your contributions towards building our beautiful country. Happy International Women’s Day!

matters not how such circumstances are created, but what can be done at a social level to ensure that the care of unattended children should be pursued. The story of a female security guard returning home to a house destroyed by fire and children lost in the fire is heart-rending. The time has come when childcare (day and night) and child-friendly work environments should become national and corporate priorities. Whereas some societies have legally stipulated ages when children can be left alone or in the care of another, our small, communal society may, in addition to looking at the feasibility of such a law, conduct national conversations on the importance of the extended family structure in addressing childcare and safety issues. Guyana, as a member of the UN, has an obligation to work to ensure that there is sustained support of those who lead the struggle for women’s full empowerment. More importantly, women are encouraged to ensure that this is achieved through their involvement in shaping the nation’s social, economic, political and cultural development.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer:

Theviews viewsand and opinions expressed in articles in this newspaper The opinions expressed in articles in this newspaper are are thoseofofthe theauthors authors and necessarily reflect policies those and dodo notnot necessarily reflect the the policies and and viewsofofthe themanagement management New York Edition of the Guyana views of of thethe New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle.

Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

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Strong support for Petrobras Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

… to get one of the remaining oil blocks force as a means of settling disputes. Brazil has been an abiding and supporting friend to Guyana for five decades, he insisted.

“Strategically, having Petrobras means having Brazil and apart from extending a hand of friendship to a country that has always been a friend to share in our bounty, we also hope that we will gain protection from the bullyism that we have been subjected to for decades. In this way, we can secure and ensure the peaceful and long-term development of the nation.”

The parliamentary opposition had resisted government’s announcement to directly engage companies and allow selective bidding for remaining oil blocks. They proposed that the remaining blocks be auctioned without offering consideration for the very real risks the country faces. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had told

the media however that the direct engagements would be made with other state-owned companies.

He had stated that, “As for the manner of disposal, we will be seeking direct engagements with some state-owned companies such as Petrobras and may favour a select bidding process in order to attract other international majors.”

Additionally, in a letter to the press, Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board, GHK Lall, also suggested that Petrobras should be given offshore blocks here. “…future oil block awards must go to the neighbouring oil giant Petrobras. It must be a significant stake; this is executed out of sheer necessity, as made mandatory by circumstances. Guyana has to do so, being fully cognisant of the geopolitical, petro-political, and national-interest considerations.

It is a patented no-brainer.

Petrobras is from Brazil,

and a Brazilian icon of tremendous stature. No more should have to be said,” Lall wrote.

Petrobras is one of a number of large oil companies seeking to acquire offshore blocks in Guyana, especially following the 2015 Liza 2 discovery and other discoveries after that. Calling Brazil a de facto “resident superpower in the Region,” Lall said Brazil stands as a counterweight for Guyana, “or at least a restraining presence,” in the border issue between Guyana and Venezuela.

“In making Petrobras a partner and beneficiary in those oil blocks, and this has to be said bluntly, Brazil would be committed to having a dog in any fight that arises. That is not only priceless, but immeasurably so,” said Lall.

Of late, there has been a heightening of interaction between the Governments of Guyana and Brazil. President David Granger in December 2017 visited Brazil and had talks with President of the Federation of Brazil, Michel Temer. Further, in February, President Granger received Brazil’s Defence

reportedly being used for financial gains by the busi-

nessman and his friend.

The teenager was taken for

a medical examination at the Suddie Hospital where

… seen as viable counterforce to Venezuela threats

By Zena Henry THE Guyana Government is being urged to consider granting the remaining oil blocks to Brazilian oil giant Petrobras, as this could provide another counterforce to Venezuela’s expansionist agenda.

An informed source close to the coalition government told the Guyana Chronicle that the government has already started this engagement, given that Brazil has not only been a friend to Guyana, but has expressed support in the country’s bid to protect its sovereignty. “Petrobras will be more than a petroleum company for Guyana,” the source said. “Its presence will provide a second strategic bulwark against Venezuela.”

This newspaper was told that American company ExxonMobil was the first to help Guyana protect its territory as government will rely on its internation-

al prowess to safeguard its assets and by extension, Guyana. Exxon's efforts and presence are already bearing fruit, the government official highlighted, pointing to the fact that not only has Guyana’s case against the Venezuelan claim reached the International Court of Justice, but that the company through its oil partnership with Guyana has provided the funds to challenge Venezuela at the highest judicial level.

“The influence of Exxon here is not too understated and this is why we say that the contract is worth far more than what is written in black and white,” the source said. The official said that Petrobras brings Brazil into the mix. “Apart from being the regional super-power, Brazil has been a stable and non-threatening force”; a gentle giant, he submitted.

Brazil subscribes to the principle that all borders in the Region have been settled and eschews the use of

Minister Raul Jungmann and expressed the desire to have closer defence ties to Brazil, given the “… situation on the northern coast of South America.”

He said that Brazil will be responsible, within the limits of its ability and where necessary, to offer a word of consolation, a word of reasoning, a word of compromise. He said it was “not by accident” that they were visiting Guyana.

A source close to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) said that the visits to and from Brazil can be seen as a bolstering of Brazil/Guyana relations in light of the circumstances.

The source believes that Petrobras wants in, more so because of the proven reserves. The source said too that Petrobras has been knocking on Guyana’s door for decades, dating back to the 1970s.

“Petrobras is a very important potential investor here in Guyana since the 1970s and 1980s,” said the source. “We could always vouch for the Brazilian army to have our backs [if Petrobras enters Guyana],” said the source.

it was discovered that she has been sexually active.

Couple freed on trafficking charge

Kenisha Hill

Businessman Mahadsa Thomas

A COUPLE was recently freed of the charge of trafficking a 15-year-old girl for sex after the case was thrown out by Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court due to insufficient evidence.

Businessman Mahadsa Thomas and Kenisha Hill were facing a charge which alleged that between February 1 and February 24, 2017 at Supenaam, Essequibo, they recruited, transported and harboured a 15-year-old girl for sexual exploitation.

The trial was held in camera and the duo was out on $500,000 bail each.

The couple’s attorney Dexter Todd, last Thursday

after the prosecution closed its case, made a no case submission since he said the police failed to meet the necessary requirements to establish the facts to the case.

The magistrate ruled in the attorney’s favour and freed the two people.

According to reports, the businessman and boat captain from Supenaam were arrested by detectives following the rescue operation which took place on February 24, 2017, following a ‘tip-off’.

It was disclosed that persons notified the police ranks about the presence of the young lady who was

7

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

8

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

Mabaruma police assaulted by 'Baccoo'

… supernatural force scares health officials

An aerial view of the Mabaruma Settlement where the child lived with her grandmother

AS night falls over Mabaruma in recent weeks, persons are cautious about walking at late hours as many believe that a supernatural force is roaming a section of the town.

Two weeks ago, reports are that a senior police officer and some ranks attached to the police station at Mabaruma were given a rude awakening following an encounter with what many persons in the community believe is a “baccoo”.

In Guyanese parlance, the force is referred to as a “spirit of small stature” that pelts stones at houses and moves objects within a house or enclosed structure. The creature is said to survive on banana and milk and while stories are aplenty on the spirit’s existence, many do not believe in its existence, except police ranks and a doctor at Mabaruma.

The lawmen were at the time investigating an incident involving a young lady who, according to a neighbour, was behaving “strangely” since late last year. The neighbour reported that the girl, who lives at the Mabaruma Settlement with another neighbour, was making allegations that someone was assault-

ing her in her sleep and that when relatives checked on her, she seemed disillusioned.

Reports are that neighbours visited the home and began questioning the child who recounted that her grandmother visited Suriname some time ago and brought “a liquid” for her to rub on her body while taking a bath and to also consume some of it. While questioning the child early last month, the neighbour recounted that a hail of bricks would suddenly rain on the home, leaving residents traumatized.

Following an outcry mid –February by residents, welfare officers were asked to visit the home of the family to check on the child.

It was then that chatter grew about the existence of the “baccoo”.

The neighbour said the child recounted that her grandmother stored several bottles on a shelf of a door of the family’s home and the child reportedly found the bottle.

BROKEN BOTTLE She said the child recounted that as she attempted to open the bottle, it fell and broke and its contents, which included the liquid,

fell on the floor beneath. This occurred late in 2017, after the child’s grandmother returned to Suriname a few months before. Since then the child seemed possessed and ill.

Reports from Mabaruma state that two weeks ago, after the welfare officials were unsuccessful in taking the child to the hospital, the police were called in to investigate the child’s behaviour.

The ranks managed to take the child, in the company of her guardians, to the police station and it was while a statement was being written by one of the ranks, that their spiritual beliefs were awakened. A doctor was also caught off-guard and almost sought medical attention.

A police rank recounted to residents that on the day of the incident, the doctor who is stationed at the Mabaruma hospital, was in the company of a Regional Health Officer (RHO), a detective and other officers at the police station where the girl’s relatives were providing a statement.

“The thing start pelt up the station and every man jack run for cover,” a health worker at Mabaruma told the Guyana Chronicle.

“Even the doctor had a glass and it pelt a brick and knock it out he hand,” the health official said.

The incident left many persons afraid and

the police ranks, who earlier did not believe the relatives of the child, were left thinking aloud as the bricks rained on the station.

At the same time, stories are rife in the town as many associate recent personal encounters to the existence of the “baccoo”.

A taxi driver told the Guyana Chronicle that on the night of Mashramani celebrations last Friday, he received a call from a customer for a pick-up at the Mabaruma settlement. He said while climbing a hill, the back door of his car opened suddenly and closed after a few seconds.”Like if somebody come in, and I put on the lights in the car and drive through wid fright,” he said.

Another resident, who lives close to the Mabaruma Settlement ground, reportedly lost several hundred chickens last weekend. The resident operates a poultry farm there and was startled that even though the pens are fenced and the area has electricity, no one saw what transpired. “All they found was feathers,” a resident noted.

Persons in Mabaruma noted that the child’s grandparent is being pressured by neighbours to return from Suriname to undertake a spiritual revival.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

9

EMPHASIS ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS

1

Barbados Trade Union Gives Up Hope of Pre-Election Pay Hike for Public Servants BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Barbados’ largest public sector trade union has virtually given up hope of striking a ‘wages deal’ with the Freundel Stuart Administration before the General Election, due by early June.

In fact, with Parliament set be automatically dissolved today, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is suggesting that any hope of securing a pay increase for public servants will rest with an incoming Government.

In order for workers to get a pay hike before the general election, Parliament has to approve a supplementary to the 2017-2018 Budget. In addition, statutory emoluments such as salaries have to be approved by an Act of Parliament.

NUPW President Akanni McDowall told the Barbados Today online newspaper that the fulfilment of any deal struck at this stage would be dependent

said.

on the party that forms the next Government.

“Yes, you can still have negotiations with Government and hope that the incoming administration will honour any agreement made between the unions and the Government. Maybe it would not be fair to those coming in, but we have to treat it as a commitment nonetheless,” he

NUPW Presient AKANNI McDOWALL

The Ministry of the Civil Service last week hinted that Government wanted progress made in wages and salary negotiations before the polls.

Permanent Secretary Alyson Forte said at the time he had been given a fresh mandate – which he declined to disclose – that would be sent out to the three main unions, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), early this week.

Pressed to reveal what he would offer the public workers, Forte had called for patience, repeating that “by next week, they will be able to get some feedback as to what my mandate is”.

However, McDowall said the union was yet to receive formal correspondence from the ministry, and in any event there was no guarantee that it would be willing

to entertain the administration at this stage.

“The executive committee and/or the national council of the NUPW will determine whether or not we should continue to negotiate at this stage. We have not had a response from Government officially to correspondence that we sent in January. Unofficially, we heard that the Ministry of the Civil Service was given a mandate to negotiate. We will wait until we receive something in black and white.

“I do not think that Government has so far taken public servants seriously enough.”

The last time Government met with the NUPW, the administration made a BDS$49 million (US$24.5 million) lump sum offer as a coping subsidy, which the union rejected, demanding instead BDS$60 million (US$30 million) and a 23 per cent pay rise. (Barbados Today) (Caribbean360)

Jamaica’s Ruling Party Keeps Seat in By-Election KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has retained the St. Andrew North West seat, following their candidate’s resounding victory in yesterday’s by-election in the constituency.

Preliminary results show the JLP’s Dr. Nigel Clarke receiving 61 per cent of the vote (4,448

JLP Leader and Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) with victorious candidate (photo Jamaica Gleaner) Dr. Nigel Clarke.

votes) to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Keisha Hayle’s 39 per cent (2,812), to take over as MP for the area that had been represented by Derrick Smith since 1989, until his recent retirement from politics.

The economist and businessman’s win maintains the JLP’s 33-30 majority in the House of Representatives.

“Today, as elected Member of Parliament by the democratic will and choice of the people of St Andrew North Western, from here on

I devote my energies, my skills and my talents, towards advancing the interest of the people of the constituency,” he said after being declared winner.

Clarke, who serves on the Government’s Economic Growth Council and is chairman of the National Housing Trust, told JLP supporters he would get to work right away.

“I have listened and I have heard and I understand your concerns, and with the support and help

of all of my colleagues on the platform I’m going to work on your behalf. We went out and we asked you to ring the bell for Nigel, and that is what you did; you rang the bell for Nigel. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) said the voter turnout was around 24 per cent, which was not unusual for by-elections.

(Caribbean360)

10

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

EMPHASIS ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS

2

LARGE WAVES HAVE BEEN BATTERING PARTS OF BARBADOS AND OTHER ISLANDS

. . . Officials say they have nothing to do with any tsunami BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — No tsunami alerts have been issued for anywhere in the Caribbean, and any warnings about the approach of any such monster wave is a hoax.

That assurance was given by several weather and disaster officials Monday, March 5, after messages began circulating on social media stating that Caribbean islands were among more than 30 countries under tsunami alert following a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Costa Rica.

In Barbados, Director of the Barbados Meteorological Services, Sonia Nurse, indicated that last Friday, March 2, the MET Office issued a High Surf Advisory and small craft warning for Barbados, which was valid until Wednesday, March 7. However, she stressed this did not signify a tsunami threat.

She also emphasised that tsunami warnings issued by the Barbados MET Office would not be transferred to the public via ‘Whatsapp’, but through

Large waves have been battering parts of Barbados and other islands, byt officials say they have nothing to do with any tsunami . (photo credit: Barbados Today)

The Samuel Hunkins Drive and the Charlestown Pier in Nevis remained closed Monday due to high surf. (photo credit. St. Kitts & Nevis Observer)

official sources, including the Barbados Government Information Service.

Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds further explained that the MET Office was Barbados’ Tsunami Warning Focal Point, and was responsible for receiving and issuing official tsunami information from the Seismic Research Centre and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

She urged members of the public to ensure that information on hazards, alerts and warnings was received from official sources. Hinds also reminded residents that while there was no way of knowing if or when an earthquake would occur, they should know the natural warning signs of a tsunami.

Over in Antigua and Barbuda, climatologist Dale

Destin also dismissed the tsunami warning report, saying that the only thing the country was experiencing was high surf which had caused flooding in some areas.

“There is no tsunami bulletin in effect for Antigua. There are no known significant earthquakes that have happened in the past 24 hours and you need an earthquake to generate a tsunami,” he said yesterday.

“Be mindful of others who are just trying to cause unnecessary distress and worries. Seemingly, they’re using the high seas, the high surfs and large swells as an excuse to cause some amount of havoc across the region. But this is just a malicious message.”

Similar sentiments were also disseminated in other Caribbean countries which have been experiencing high surf.

A high-surf warning has been issued for St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the Leeward Islands until Friday, March 9 at 4 p.m.

The Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) said northerly swells will cause hazardous breaking waves, high surf, life-threatening rip currents and potential flooding of some low-lying coastal areas. Beach goers have been advised to avoid the waters, mainly on the northern side of the islands.

“It is very important for the public to note that the sea swell is not related to any tsunami occurrence. The type of waves has no connection with tsunami waves,” NDMD said in a statement.

Caribe Wave 2018 — a regional tsunami drill in which Caribbean islands will participate — will be conducted on March 15. The goal of that exercise is to strengthen the knowledge of evacuation routes and communication patterns, and to assess the speed people would need to get from unsafe zones to the safe ground.

(Caribbean 360)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

11

Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh DESIGNATED DECOY

SUGAR CAKE (GRATED & CHIP CHIP) Ingredients: 1 dry coconut 11 lb dark sugar ⁄4 pint water (water in dry coconut may be used) vanilla, ground ginger or dried orange peel for flavoring.

turn them on the other to dry.

For Chip Chip — Cut coconut into small chips. Proceerd as per grated sucar cakes.

Method: 1. Grate coconut.

2. Boil sugar and water toether, until syrup spins a thread.

3. Add grated coconut, orange peel and ginger to syrup and cookl until mixture thicken and leaves the side of the pan. Stir constantly.

4. Moisten a pastry board with water, drop the mixrture from a spoon on to it and form into cakes.

5. When cakes are set on the one side

F

rom the South where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this story.

Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar in Charleston S.C. After last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so apparently intoxicated that he could barely walk.

The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing.

After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his car and fall into it. He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off.

Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off: it was a fine, dry summer night, flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn, and then switched on the lights.

IT’S A FACT

by JAMES SYDNEY

WATER IN THE CARIBBEAN A BLESSING WORTH PRESERVING

L

and of sea and sun! That’s an expression often used when extolling the virtues of an island of the Caribbean. Land of many waters!

That’s the meaning of the name “Guyana” itself, and is invoked as we cite Kaieteur and great rivers that dominate the Guyana landscape.

But the lovely water of the sea and the plentiful water in a land of waterfalls remain under threat as we begin the year 2008. As in much of the rest of the world, water resources in the Caribbean are tremendous. However, an estimated 97% of the world’s water is salty with “not a drop to drink.” Another two percent of the world’s water is tied-up as ice. This leaves only one percent for all the many uses to which we put our water. Lack of water may conjure up thoughts of drought in Africa, but getting water is a deepening concern throughout the world. Not even the United States is exempt.

In the year 2007 the governors of Florida, Alabama and Georgia met in an effort to reach agreement on how better to share water, which had become a scarce resource in their states.

As Georgia’s Lake Lanier continues

to dry up, these states, which all rely on water flowing out of the lake, have found it urgently necessary to decide on a longterm sharing agreement. There is talk of possible permanent year-round water restrictions, and the worst case scenario had some cities running dry within the year.

In the wider world it is the same. According to The World Water Council, economic losses from weather and flood

catastrophes have increased dramatically over the past 50 years, in part the result of changing weather patterns: flooding from more intense rainfall, droughts, more severe storms, and rising sea levels.

Water in the Caribbean, like water everywhere else, needs to be safe and clean: free from contamination with waterborne disease agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards.

On the one hand, drought is a problem.. On the other, climate change is expected to cause flooding from a dramatic rise in sea levels. If, for example, Greenland’s massive ice sheet were to melt, the consequences would be catastrophic. Even with a small sea level rise, whole nations and their cultures that have existed for thousands of years may be destroyed.

Would this include Guyana’s population on the coastland which is under sea level?

He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little, and then remained still for a few more minutes as some more of the other patrons' vehicles left.

At last, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road.

The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered a breathalyzer test.

To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all!

Dumbfounded, the officer said, "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station. This breathalyzer equipment must be broken."

"I doubt it", said the proud Southern man. "Tonight I'm the DESIGNATED DECOY." What can Caribbean countries do? The people of the Caribbean need to pay attention to its water resources and all the factors that affect them. Important issues include: more pipeborne water, water treatment for water supplied from rivers or other surface sources, freedom from contamination from waste disposal or run-off from fertilizers and pesticides and maintaining sea water that is clean, safe and does not degrade the natural environment.

The tourist industry in the Caribbean would not thrive without “unspoilt beaches” and the “brilliant turquoise Caribbean Sea.” What would happen to the dolphins and flying fish? What would the sea breeze be like? How would the birds in a “tropical paradise” survive?

While no one knows all the answers, or even all the questions, the people of the Caribbean, and others from the Caribbean, can keep an eye on initiatives such as CARIWIN, a project on Integrated Water Resources Management in the Caribbean.

The project is led by the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management at McGill University and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in Barbados.

The project was launched in February 2007 and is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. Government agencies from three partner countries — Grenada, Guyana and Jamaica — collaborate closely with the CIMH and Brace.

True, there is a lot of beautiful water in the Caribbean. It shimmers and sparkles and falls spectacularly. It must never come to “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” Or otherwise enjoy.

12

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

Court upholds revocation of Rasul gun licences

ACTING Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, late last month ruled that the Minister of Public Security had lawfully approved the revocation of the firearm licences of businessman Saddique Rasul - a gold dealer who is currently before the court on charges of bank fraud.

The court ruled that the minister had complied with Section 4 (2) of the Private Security Services Act and noted that Rasul was given an opportunity to be heard but failed to show cause why his licences should not be revoked.

Rasul had made a Fixed Date Application dated the July 27, 2017 for the court to grant an order nisi of Certiorari to Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, in his capacity as the controlling authority under the Private Securities Services Act, to show cause why his decision to revoke the licence of SRS Security Services should not be quashed.

The applicant said Persaud’s decision was ultra vires and in effect null and void, as he did not obtain the expressed written approval of the Public Security Minister prior to the revocation of the said licence as is required by the Private Securities Act.

He also asked the court to grant an order or rule nisi of mandamus to the police commissioner, in his capacity as the controlling authority under the Private Securities Act, to show cause why he should not be compelled and directed to reinstate SRS Security Services under the Private Securities Act given that SRS Securities Services satisfied all pre-conditions for the grant of such a licence and has never breached the conditions attendance to the licence previously in force.

Rasul also requested costs.

Between 2010 and 2016 Rasul was granted permission to purchase and be licensed with 44 firearms of various types and calibre. On March 31, 2017, the management of the Guyana Bank for Trade of Industry Limited (GBTI) reported that on March 22, 2017, the applicant deposited six Citizens Bank (Guyana) Limited cheques totalling $941,000,000 into his personal bank account at the GBTI, Bartica Branch.

The applicant knew that he did not have cash in his chequing account at Citizens Bank (Guyana) Incorporated to honour the cheques and fraudulently withdrew the entire sum of $941,000,000 from the GBTI. On March 27, 2017, Ra-

sul signed an Acknowledgement of Debt and Undertak-

Cap.8:01.

Rasul appeared in the

Businessman Saddique Rasul

ing, admitting that he, while fully knowing that his account at Citizens Bank (Guyana) Incorporated had been closed, fraudulently and by false pretense sought to negotiate and obtain payments on the cheques. On March 31, 2017 he was arrested and charged on the April 1, 2017, with six counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretense, contrary to Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act

Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where he pleaded not guilty and was placed on $500,000 bail on each charge.

The aforementioned charges were withdrawn and on April 21, 2017, the applicant was then charged with six charges of Obtaining Credit by False Pretense, contrary to Section 213 (2) of the Criminal Law (Offenc-

es) Act Cap.8:01. He again pleaded not guilty and was placed on $1,500,000 bail on each count after these charges were read to him at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. The matter is still engaging the attention of the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, as a result of the ongoing investigation in respect to the matter of Obtaining Credit by False Pretense, 35 firearm licences were lawfully revoked. The State represented by Judy Stuart-Adonis argued that given the gravity and nature of the offences to which Rasul had been charged are material, those considerations were taken into account when it was found that he is unfit to be entrusted with the firearms.

Stuart Adonis posited too that the revocation of the applicant’s licence was lawful and done in accordance with the powers vested in the Respondent under the Section 4(2) of the Private Security Services Act and Firearms Act, Cap. 16:05, Section 18 (8) (a) and in accordance with the rules of natural justice.

Rasul was asked to show cause in writing on or before the May 9, 2017 why his licence should not be revoked. However, though he was given an opportunity

to respond to show cause, he failed to provide any reason in light of the circumstances why his licences should not be revoked. After being given an opportunity to be heard he responded by letter dated May 9, 2017.

Stuart-Adonis argued too that after being charged for an offence involving moral turpitude, Rasul was therefore unfit to be the holder of the firearm licences and subsequently a recommendation was made for the revocation of the applicant’s licence.

Additionally, the state argued that a written and expressed approval marked “approval granted” bearing the Minister’s signature and dated June 15, 2017 was granted by the Minister for the revocation of the licences to SRS Security Services in accordance with section 4(2) of the Private Security Services Act. Moreover, the State noted that it is an implied condition that for the granting and continuous eligibility as the holder of a firearm licence, the Applicant ought not to be involved in criminal activities or breach any of the pre-requisite conditions for the grant of such licences. Rasul was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes and was ordered to pay the State costs to the tune of $100,000.

Convict begins jail time for robbing neighbour REPEAT offender Clifton Ramsarran, who was caught by cops on Sunday after being on the run for some time, has begun serving a five-year prison term which was handed down by Senior Magistrate Alex Moore in early February.

The convict was accused of robbing his neighbour, Sabita Kellawan, at her Number

Two Village, East Canje, Berbice home in May 2017, while her ailing mother looked on helplessly.

Court prosecutor, Police Corporal Winston Poliah told the court that Ramsarran, armed with a cutlass and a rope, attacked and robbed Kellawan.

The court heard too that the convict

placed the rope around the woman’s neck in an attempt to strangle her, thus forcing her to hand over her valuables, including money and jewellery.

Ramsarran upon collecting the valuables jumped a fence in the yard and fled the scene.

Following the incident, the convict was arrested and charged but he had stopped attending

the trial after he was placed on bail and had posted it.

The trial continued in Ramsarran’s absence and at the conclusion he was found guilty and sentenced.

He was recently released from jail after serving a three-year sentence for a charge of break and enter and larceny.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

13

Repairs of sea defence on WCD almost complete -ExxonMobil donates $2M to flood-relief efforts CONTRACTORS have been working around the clock to repair parts of the seawall at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), where high tides and strong waves destroyed the concrete structure.

An excavator operator who was on the site explained that heavy waves destroyed four parts of the seawall.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that they have placed boulders in place of the open spaces to temporarily seal the breach and avoid another overflow.

The worker said that the repairs should be completed within a day or two, providing that there is good weather.

Last Friday, as people across the country celebrated Phagwah, some struggled to stay dry after the Atlantic breached the sea defences in Leonora, Uitvlugt, Zeeburg and Stewartville.

Residents had explained that very little could have been done at the time of the overtopping and breach of the seawall, since it occurred around 3:00am that morning.

Strong waves tore down houses, destroyed fences and even the camp sites of fishermen at Zeeburg.

George, one of the fishermen who suffered because of the breach, said it was chaos since most of the fishermen in that area lost most of their equipment that was stored at campsites next to the seawall.

In addition to losing their equipment and millions of dollars, some of the fisher-

men were even afraid to head back out to sea, because the high tides that they experienced that day were like no other.

“We don’t know what to do because this never happened… in all me years here I never see something like this yet… we waiting to see what happened, but some of the guys done start build back their camps and gon be ready to head back to sea,” said George.

According to previous

were not flooded.

On Sunday, affected residents had cleaned up their homes and premises of the debris that the flood deposited, which included mud and other articles captured by the ferocious waves which some estimated to be as high as 15 feet.

Several families were displaced and extensive damage was done to goods and household items.

Over 300 households in Uitvlugt on Saturday re-

Fishermen rebuilding their camps at Zeeburg

reports, residents of the villages of Uitvlugt and Leonora called for improved sea defences and proper drainage and irrigation in their communities.

They contended that many of the drains were filled with debris and this prevented a smooth flow of water off the land.

The Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (Cottage Hospital) was closed due to flooding in the lower flat of the building.

Residents noted that the poorly kept drains and irrigation canal around the hospital resulted in the flooding, pointing out that those surrounding areas of the hospital

ceived cleaning supplies to safeguard against water-borne diseases and other hazards.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, had distributed bleach and jeyes fluid among other supplies to the residents of the community. In addition, government recently received a sum of $2 million from ExxonMobil that is geared towards assisting with flood-relief efforts.

The BK Group of Companies, Banks DIH, Bakewell Bakery, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Camex Restaurants also donated to the flood-

Contractors working to repair parts of the seawall that were destroyed by heavy waves and high tides (Samuel Maughn photos)

relief efforts. In a release by the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that the Government of Guyana welcomes the $2M donation from ExxonMobil Guyana to flood relief for the residents and communities affected by the recent flooding.

Harmon, who holds responsibility for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), expressed the government’s appreciation to all members of the private sector, including ExxonMobil, who have made resources available to the CDC to support its work.

“On behalf of the CDC and the Government of Guyana, we would like to thank ExxonMobil for giving so generously and contributing to the disaster-relief efforts of the Civil Defence Commission. “We are all aware of the damage and we believe that this is an excellent demonstration of your social corporate responsibility and corporate consciousness that you have come forward without even prodding, to give this gen-

erous donation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms Suzanne De Abreu, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Manager, said that the company considers its community relationships an essential element of its business and added that in times of crisis, it is important that resources are combined.

“We have been continuously impressed by Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission and their ability to respond in real-time to distress caused by natural disasters around the country. ExxonMobil is proud to offer assistance, through the CDC, to the West Demerara residents whose lives have been affected by the flooding. We are glad there was a way we could help,” Ms De Abreu said.

Minister Harmon also extended gratitude to other private sector entities that also contributed to the relief efforts. These organisations include, the BK Group of Companies, which provided assistance to the residents of Sea View, Stewartville, by creating a secondary drain between the sea defence and

the housing area to channel the run-off of water from the land, Banks DIH Limited, which donated 300 small boxes of crackers, 75 cases of water (1 litre bottles) and 150 cases of small Aqua Mist water to aid in the provision of food at the emergency shelters.

The Bakewell Bakery donated 300 loaves of bread and tennis rolls for the feeding programme at the shelters, while the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) Uitvlugt Sugar Estate provided the services of its caterers and kitchen to help in the preparation of meals. The estate also offered the CDC the use of its community centre as an emergency shelter. The Camex Restaurants Incorporated under its Church’s Chicken and Pollo Tropical brands, aided in the provision of meals at the emergency shelters by donating 100 lunches, while the Demerara Charitable Foundation assisted in the mobilisation of donations from the private sector towards the relief effort.

GTT to provide free internet to primary schools -establishes $18M Innov8 fund to assist with STEM education, projects

THE Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company (GTT) has extended the width of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) by announcing that primary schools will soon receive free internet and an $18 million Innovat8 fund was established to assist with the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and projects.

GTT, which has been giving back to its customers

and society in many ways, has included the new initiatives as part of its plan to ensure that youths are equipped with the tools to be technologically inclined, said the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd.

“We will be bringing internet to our youths free of charge to all primary schools that we could reach,” Nedd announced during his remarks at the launch of the Innov8 Summit, GTT’s technology Expo at the Marriott

hotel on Monday.

The first three schools that will benefit from the initiative are: Sophia, Lusignan and Paradise primary.

The CEO believes that it is time that youths are given the tools to push Guyana forward, especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Nedd called on the Ministries of Education and Public Telecommunications to support the company’s effort, which does not just stop at providing internet

access for the youths at the

CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd

primary level.

In addition to ensur-

ing that the little ones are equipped, GTT has allocated $8 million from the fund to STEM Guyana and $3 million to the University of Guyana (UG) to aid with the promotion of strategic initiatives. He said the Innov8 fund is also open and available to persons who are involved in STEM. According to the CEO, his vision is to ensure that $200 million is available every year for STEM education and projects in the near future. Vice-Chancellor

of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, communicated his gratitude to GTT for the donation and expressed his optimism about the future of STEM. He said STEM is the future that will help to build connectivity among science, business and other areas.

Director of STEM Guyana, Colin Sawh, expressed similar sentiments as he commended GTT for their contribution, which he said will go a far way in helping STEM Guyana to execute its projects.

14

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

Taking Guyanese flavour to the US -German’s Soup to open its doors in Brooklyn next month

By Navendra Seoraj ONE of the oldest restaurants in Guyana, German’s Soup, will soon take its unique Guyanese flavour to Brooklyn, New York when it opens its door early next month.

People often contend that the local flavours are unmatched, especially the soups and broths that are made with nutrient-rich provisions and

seasoned to perfection.

Over the years German’s has become a household name, particularly because of its famous soups that tantalise the taste buds of anyone who takes a spoonful of the delicacy.

The aim of the restaurant is to represent Guyana’s culinary traditions internationally and to do so in a amiable and inviting atmosphere, said owner of German’s, Clinton

Urling in an invited comment on Thursday.

“The decor of our Brooklyn store will be of a very nice design and standard, accommodating both employees and customers,” he explained.

In addition to the welcoming atmosphere, the main attraction would be the menu which will mimic the creole offerings of the Guyana store, with a focus on the wide

variety of soups, which will include the famous cowheel, chicken, beef, and oxtail soups.

Vegetarian options will also be available. With the cold North American seasons, their soups promise to warm up both ‘bodies and souls.’

Asked what inspired him to take the business to the land of opportunities, Urling said the inspiration came

Owner of German’s, Clinton Urling

German’s Soup taking shape at Utica Avenue, Brooklyn

from their longstanding customers who have supported them for over 58 years.

The dedicated customers who reside mostly in North America implored them to open a branch in their communities.

“In addition, we saw the influx of international restaurants from the US, China, Brazil, etc… and reasoned why not expand and share our Guyanese cuisine with the rest of the world,” Urling noted, adding that they chose New York because of the high presence of Guyanese who reside mostly in Brooklyn and Queens.

His intention is to open

two branches within the next two years, beginning with their first restaurant at 793 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn in April.

They already started the process of interviewing job applicants last weekend and intend to hire around eight staff members and will adjust if necessary.

German's is one of the oldest restaurants in Guyana, having been founded in 1960.

Many consider it a national landmark.

“We are primarily defined by our signature soups and the name is synonymous with great soups and creole dishes,” Urling said.

West Ruimveldt residents benefit from urban agriculture project THE West Front Road community conducted its second seed-planting exercise at their cooperative garden in the compound of the Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) office at Lot 274 Ebenezer Drive.

According to YCG’s Executive Director Dimitri Nicholson, the Urban Agriculture Project is aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and talent of the residents to advance food and nutrition security in the community. It has seen residents cultivating beds of ochro, bora, tomato and callaloo.

This second seed-planting exercise is aimed at expanding the yield production for those participating in the community project.

Nicholson noted that the “cooperative garden has been a great initiative for those who wish to create their own little gardens filled with seasoning and vegetables”, as a

skills to cultivate the garden. Nurse said this is in keeping with GSA’s mission of offering theoretical and practical training in agriculture and helping to develop, manage and operate farms and undertakings of an agricultural nature.

Dimitri Nicholson, Executive Director, Youth Challenge Guyana

way to move away from chemically produced crops.

According to the YCG Director, the venture is supportive of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), which provided seedlings to start the West Front Road Community Urban Agriculture Project.

GSA representative Oswald Nurse has been equipping participants with the necessary technical

An overview of the garden

Currently, the bora cultivation at the garden is covered with ant-borne Aphids, a common enemy to bora, that sucks the sap of the plants.

The insects have a symbiotic relationship with ants which ‘milk’ the Aphids to retrieve some of the sap.

Nurse explained that the residents will be using an organic solvent that includes onion juices and garlic among other ingredients to remove the insects, and later tackle the ant issue to ensure the crops’ safety.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to a few of the participants who were grateful to be involved in the project.

They said that much was learnt through the project, especially with regard to the protection of garden crops through organic means, as opposed to chemical means.

Residents assisting to plant the new seedlings

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

15

Lethem Mash showcases ‘Rupununi Splendour’ A KALEIDOSCOPIC riot of colours of rich, bright costumes transformed the streets of Lethem, Region Nine, into a vibrant spectacle on Saturday, as the border town celebrated Guyana’s 48th Republic anniversary with its annual Mashramani Float Parade.

Five bands represented St. Ignatius Secondary School, the region’s health, education and agriculture departments, the Mayor and

Town Council, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

All locally designed, the floats in large, medium and small groups displayed the splendour of the Rupununi-waterfalls, the Kanuku Mountains, flora and fauna, gold and diamond minerals, and several other facets of the Region. Also portrayed were the transformation of Lethem into a township, and the upcoming

construction of the Linden to Lethem Road.

The energetic revellers braved the heat as they ‘tramped down’ the streets, from the Republic Bank area onto the Lethem Community Centre Ground, dancing and gyrating to the rhythms of soca and calypso music.

Leading the Lethem Town Council Band was out-going Mayor Carlton Beckles, who told the Department of Public Information

The Mayor and Town Council band

One of the revellers from the Department of Health band

The Department of Health float

The Regional Democratic Council float

(DPI) that he was delighted to be part of what he described as one of the ‘best’ costume and float parade ever held in the region. Mayor Beckles also explained that all the materials used to create the floats were local and in keeping with the Government ‘Green State’ agenda.

Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock expressed pride in the creativity shown in the designs of the bands and costumes, particularly the depiction of the Linden to

Gov’t to assist where it can --to help family man who lost hands while on the job

THE Regional Education Department of Region Four, through its welfare department,has reached out to a teacher whose husband lost both of his hands after being electrocuted while on the job.

The accident occurred last December while Mr. Melroy Pyle, who had to have both hands amputated, was working on one of the

buildings at the University of Guyana compound.

Since the mishap, his wife, who teaches at Clonbrook Primary, has been forced to make some adjustments in the family to accommodate her husband’s incapacitation. The father of four, who was pursuing a degree in engineering at the very university, was also forced to take some time off

from his studies because of the accident.

He related that at the time of the accident, he was in his second year of studies and working part-time with M&P Investment, which had been contracted to erect two new buildings at the university’s Turkeyen campus.

His wife, a teacher for the past nine years, was also pursuing a degree in educa-

tion at the said university.

But because of what happened to her husband, she, too, has had to put the furtherance of her education on hold as she is now the sole breadwinner of the family.

As Welfare Officer within the Region, Ms. Shevon Vyphuis told the Pyles at a simple presentation ceremony, “We at the department are cognisant and aware that

Lethem road, made by the students of the St. Ignatius Secondary School.

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock commended the organisers and participants for pulling off a spectacular event. “This year’s activity was bigger and better, and I am very proud of the creativity shown”, he said.

Minister Allicock used the opportunity to highlight some of the developments taking shape in the region,

and urged the people to use the unity displayed to further develop the township, and by extension the region. “There is unity in diversity, Region Nine is on the verge of development and we all have a part to play. Region Nine is not only going to be on the map of Guyana but on the map of the world”, Minister Allicock told the people.

The event culminated with a concert which featured local artistes, Jomo Primo and Granny Ivelaw.

at this stage, there are challenges and difficulties confronting you and your family as a result of the accident.

“Therefore, we are more than happy at this stage to lend whatever assistance that we can give to you.

“We stand committed and ready to grant whatever further assistance and help that you and your family may require, and it doesn’t have to be only with regards to finances.

“But if there is anything that you need assistance with, please feel free to let us know.”

A grateful Mrs. Pyle said the provisions would go a long way in helping to relieve the enormous stress she’s been under, of late, due to the situation.

Noting that even though her husband has been incapacitated, he has no intention of giving up, Mrs Pyle said:“Melroy is very determined, and his spirit remains high as we contemplate our next move. As you know, we have four children to care for, and that can be a challenge in itself.”

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

The Handel Andrews Column

T TH HE E H HI IS ST TO ORY RY PA PAG GE E

Guyana’s Geographical Regions

T

he name Guiana (native word meaning “Land of many waters”) refers to the region of South America along the Atlantic Ocean, extending from the Orinoco River to the Amazon River. Although a village in Venezuela and one in Brazil are called this name locally, it generally refers to a group of three countries on the northeast

Mount Roraima corner of South America: Guyana, formerly British Guiana, Dutch formerly Suriname, Guiana and French Guiana, an overseas Department of France.

Guyana (officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana) is the only English-speaking country in South America. It is situated on the north coast of the continent and is bordered to the east by Suriname, to the West

by Venezuela; to the South and West

by Brazil and to the north by a 430 kilometers Atlantic Ocean coastline.

The country is 83,044 square miles (196,650 square kilometers), about the size of Great Britain. Its three geographical regions are the Coastal, the White Sand Belt and the Interior Highlands.

COASTAL REGION The coastal region is low, narrow plain 26 to 77 kilometers wide (Wikipedia) extending for about 270 miles from the Corentyne River in the east to the Venezuelan border in the northwest.

It is the administrative and agricultural center of the country. Georgetown, the country’s capital is located there. Although it occupies seven percent (7%) of the country’s land mass, 90 percent of the county’s population lives there (Guyana Chroni-

cle 7/19/09) The region is approximately 0.5m — 1m below sea level, below the mean high tide level and floods seasonally each year, largely due to extreme intense rainfall.

The coast has abundant wildlife, including parrots, hawks, kiskadees, crows and sparrows. Guyana’s national bird, the Hoatzin (Canje Pheasant), is found only along the Canje River.

Reptiles found in the Coastal Region include sea turtles, alligators, land and water snakes as well as various species of lizards, including the Iguana. Numerous species of freshwater and saltwater fish also thrive here.

The coastal plain is home to most of the country's agricultural production.

The estuaries of sixteen rivers, many small creeks and numerous drainage and irrigation canals dissect it.

The White Sand Belt Region is about 150 to 250 kms (90 to 150 miles) wide, lying south of the coastal plain. It consists of low, sandy hills interspersed with rocky outcroppings and is about 25% of the country's land mass.

It has a dense hardwood forest, where some of the world’s great trees grow. Among these are urabali, silverbali, purple heart, walaba and green heart.

This last wood has extraordinary resistance to marine borers, fungi and termites and is the only untreated wood used as pilings for docks and marinas. Commercial quantities of it are found only in the rainforests of Guyana.

The region’s sands cannot support crops, and if its trees are removed, erosion will be rapid and severe.

Most of the country’s mineral deposits, including bauxite, gold, diamonds and manganese are also found in this region.

INTERIOR HIGHLANDS The Interior Highlands, comprising 11,655 square kilometers s (4,500 square miles), is 70% of the country’s land mass and extends from the white sand belt region to the country’s southern borders. The country’s

ents for plants to grow and creating a unique landscape on the bare sandstone surface.

Some claim that it was inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1912 novel, “The Lost World.” English botanist Everard Im Thurn was the first to reach its top in 1884 on an expedition sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society.

The Akarai mountain range lies along the common border between Guyana and Brazil. Its mountains rise about 2,000 feet above sea level and run in an east–west direction for about 80 miles. It is also the starting point of the Essequibo and Corentyne Rivers.

The Imataka Mountains are located in the north-west of Guyana and north-east of Venezuela.

The area is extremely rich in mineral resources. Huge deposits of iron ore, manganese, gold and diamonds are found here.

Guyana boasts more than 300 waterfalls. Some of the more known are Amaila, Barrington Brown, Cuquenan, Drios, King Edward VIII, King George VI, Kumaka, Kumarau, Great Falls, Maopityan, Murrays, Marina and Kaieteur, the largest. hana language and refers to the rich This awe-inspiring fall, also called Old Man’s fall, is in the southern diversity of wildlife found there.

The Kanuka forests sustain 60% of all bird species and 80% of mammals found in Guyana. The Mountains rise to almost 3,000 ft.

Pakaraima The Mountain Range is an imposing spectacle in the western part of the Highlands. It shares borders with Brazil and Venezuela and exThe Imataka Mountain tends from west to east for approximately 500 miles. Its tallest mountain is Ro- part of the Interior in the Potaro raima (also known as RoraimaTepui River. It is the world’s largest single or Cerro Roraima in Spanish and drop waterfall and measures 741 Feet Monte Roraima in Portuguese). It is (226 Meters) high, making it 5 times 9,220 feet high and 9 miles long. higher than Niagara Falls and 9 times Eighty five percent (85%) of its ter- higher than Victoria Falls. Only ritory is in Venezuela; 10% in India’s Jog Falls matches its combination of height and volume as a sinGuyana and 5% in Brazil.

Rain falls almost every day on its gle drop fall. top, washing away most of the nutri(continued on page 19)

mountains, high plateaus and savannahs are located here. Some of the oldest sedimentary rocks in the Western Hemisphere are also found in this region. Guyana’s four mountain ranges — Kanuku, Pakaraima, Akarai and Imataka — are located here.

Kanuku is the main mountain range and separates the Rupununi savannah into north and south. The name Kanuku means 'forest' in the Wapis-

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

17

HARMON ADDRESSES TOWNHALLS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY M inister of State in the Office of the President — Hon. Joe Harmon held townhall meetings in New York and New Jersey, during a recent North American visit.

Mr. Harmon was in New York to attend a United Nations' meeting on 'protecting and preserving the jaguar.'

The townhall meetings were assembled by the North American Region of

By CARLYLE HARRY

the People's National Congress/Reform, (NAR) and they were held in Brooklyn; Queens; and Irvington, New Jersey.

The principal Officers of the NAR are Errol Lewis, Chairman; Beni Ray-

SUCO’s Chairman, Mr. Colvin Heath-London.

The Minister spoke on various aspects of Guyana’s development programs i.e. sugar, security, infrastructure, oil, and youth development. He stated that he was here not to speak very long but to give answers to questions and clarify any misunderstandings that existed in the Diaspora.

He reiterated that his visit was to the UN wildlife conference on the Jaguar of which Guyana is an active part of the shield where the jaguar can be found.

After the Minister spoke Franklyn

noted that closure was necessary because GUYSUCO’s debt is currently G$87B and the Government was subsidizing the company to the tune of G$1B per month. He also stated that the closed sugar factories are up for sale, but not the land and Enmore Estate will be run by GUYSUCO and DDL.

TRAINING AND PREPARING THE YOUTHS FOR JOBS IN THE OIL INDUSTRY AND ELSEWHERE? The Minister spoke on training the Government is providing for young Guyanese in various professions. He said: The Government currently has students in several countries (China, Cuba, Brazil, USA., etc.) training. They are currently looking at refurbishing the trade schools to

From left: Franklyn ‘Bobby’ Viera, liaison to Minister Harmon; Ms. Jennifer Ferreira Dougall; Hon. Consul General of New York, Ms. Barbara Atherly; Ms. Geeta Chandan-Edmond; Hon. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Colwin HeathLondon; and Errol Lewis, Chairman of NAR. man-Secretary; and Joycelyn Wilson- ‘Bobby’ Vieira took over as Moderator for meet the local training needs (Guymine, Treasurer. the Question & Answer segment.

On a cold, windy evening in Brooklyn, New York, not even the Nor’easter weather could stop the Guyanese community from attending the first townhall meeting with the Minister of State Hon. Joseph Harmon at the New Life Center of Truth on Snyder Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 pm by MC Dr. Terrence Simon.

The opening prayer was said by Rev. Esme Griffith followed by the National Anthems of the United States and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the National Pledge of Guyana.

Minister’s Harmon entourage consisted of: Region Three, Deputy REO Ms. Jennifer Ferreira Dougal; Franklyn ‘Bobby’ Vieira, liaison; The Minister’s Attorney Ms. Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who is also Chairman of the Board of Guyana National Newspapers, Ltd. publishers of both Guyana Chronicle and New York Edition of the Chronicle; Dr. Terrence Simon, Mr. Aubrey Reteymer of SARU; and GUY-

The following Questions were asked: LEGALIZING OF MARIJUANA? It was explained that the present administration while in opposition as well as recently has spoken to the ‘Rasta Community’ on legalizing marijuana. He also stated that CARICOM is currently conducting a study on ‘marijuana usage’ and when that is completed, the government will look at their findings and make the necessary legislation on the issue.

RETAKING OF STATE LANDS?.

Mr. Aubrey Reteymer spoke on this issue and stated that they are reclaiming state lands, but there were several agencies (i.e. GUYSUCO, CHPA etc.) that were issuing state land in the past administration, and SARU have already reclaimed a lot of this land and are still in the process of doing so, they are also in the process of having one entity doing the issuance of state land.

Mr. Colvin Heath-London spoke on the sugar industry — the closing of some estates and the way forward for others. He

GTI, etc.). He further mentioned that students who are receiving scholarships are now returning to serve their country and not hiding out in the Diaspora as was previously done.

On security — the Minister stated that the government is working tirelessly on reforming the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and there is evidence of change. The GPF is currently receiving modern equipment/

technology to assist them in their work.

The meeting ended at 10:15 pm after which the Minister and members of the panel mingled and took pictures with attendees.

At the Saturday Brunch, The Hon. Consul General, Ms. Barbara Atherly, welcomed the Minister and his entourage to New York, to a rousing applause,. She also told the large audience that they should use the services of the Consulate available to them, and encouraged all Guyanese nationals to have a valid Guyanese passport.

In his reply to the Consul General’s welcoming remarks, Minister Joe Harmon acknowledged that there was a need for the Government to expand its PublicRelations' activities in order to keep Guyanese at home and abroad abreast of what the Government was doing.

In conclusion, Mr. Harmon extended an invitation to investors to return to Guyana and get involved in the country's private sector. He also mentioned that investor’s in the Diaspora should invest in making the travel situation from the Diaspora to Guyana more accessible and not just charter one aircraft to make the multiple flights that are so badly needed. He reiterated that the Government is making it possible for such things to occur and they should tap into these opportunities.

On Saturday, the Minister and his staff attended a Brunch organized by NAR, attendees also had another opportunity to ask further questions of the Minister. On Sunday and Monday he was in Irvington, New Jersey and Queens, respectively.

Attendees at the Brunch organized by NAR for the Hon. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

HARMON’S VISIT TO THE DIASPORA . . .

another visit. We are an intrinsic part of the Nation of Guyana, and we would like the Government of Guyana to show us the respect and attention that we so richly deserve. There are 140,000 Guyanese Nationals living in the New York area alone, and there are 300,000 Guyanese Nationals living in the United States. If we had the right to vote, we will constitute Region XI, the largest administrative region in Guyana.

Our economic contribution to Guyana is impressive. In 2012, we repatriated remittances of $400,000,000 constituting

(from page 2)

17% of the GDP, 205% of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and 36.3% of the exports of Guyana. We are ready, willing and able to institute the political, economic and cultural development in our beloved motherland. We are not seeking handouts or lucrative contracts, we only ask the Government to give us the tools, and we will complete the job. We have the experience, expertise, qualification and technical skills to transform Guyana into the tropical paradise that it is destined to be. So, we reiterate to you and the Government, “give us the tools and we will complete the job.”

Peace and Love.

Some members of NAR from left: Beryl James, Penny Lambert, Errol Lewis, Joycelyn Wilson, Deryck Arjune and Winston Antrobus (at back) is Erwin Washington, MC for for some of the town hall meetings.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

18

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business The Edgar Henry Column

C

hange is inevitable; not to change could be disastrous. As we look around and experience significant transformations from archaic, outdated models to changing technological advances in several market places throughout the world, it is imperative that we make the necessary adjustments or we would be certainly left behind.

The landscape of America and the world is constantly changing. As culture shifts and new technologies and products are introduced, rising sea levels and global warming persists.

Predicting the future requires in-depth analysis and studies, and it should therefore be met with both criticism and skepticism.

As we all know, technology develops and evolves over many years and decades. It doesn’t just show up one day in our lives.

Yet with this in mind, when we look back at the evolution of a specific technology solution like the web, cell phones, tablets, GPSs, facebook, twitter, social media and so on, there’s always a moment when the change takes a quantum leap forward and enters the mainstream — and then a complete metamorphosis occurs. But some things that we were once comfortable with impacted more than others and the once popular can even now become extinct.

STILL WRITING CHECKS? Many of us that are of a certain age group are certainly experiencing things that are vanishing before our eyes. Check writing is slowly becoming obsolete, with the advent of the internet and internet access, coupled with the modern digital Smart Phone systems that have saturated the marketplace; check writing will soon become a thing of the past.

Most consumers plan to decrease their use of checks over the next few years; Bill payment remains the last stronghold of paper-based payments for the time being.

Checks continue to be the most commonly used bill payment method, with 61% of consumers paying at least one recurring bill per month by writing a check.

In most States the IRS insist on electronic filing and payment processing; and will impose penalties for paper filings and payments. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 is a United States federal law enacted and designed to reduce the total amount of

paperwork burden the federal government imposes on private businesses and citizens.

But today’s disruptive innovations rely on existing infrastructure for mobile devices that put most companies just a few clicks from billions of consumers. One of those is the Internet of things (IoT), which involves adding smart sensors to connected devices so that users can do things like ask

Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant to turn off the lights or simply order a pizza.

LEHMAN BROTHERS AND BEAR STEARNS Founded in 1850 by Henry Lehman,

Going… Going… Gone the firm was one the leading names on Wall Street until it’s amazing collapse. The company got caught up in the subprime mortgage mess and was unable to recover.

Investor confidence eroded while the company filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Many experts say Lehman's collapse is what triggered Wall Street's amazing downward spiral. Bear Stearns met a similar fate.

MOVIE RENTAL STORES & VCRS Blockbuster store locations closed by the hundreds and are practically nonexistent. It still has about 1,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock was down considerably in 2017, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have already given up the ghost, since U-Tube provides identical service on the internet for free.

For the better part of four decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and MP3’s. Prerecorded VHS and cassette tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found. We could say the same for the 45’s and long playing (LP) vinyl records as well as typewriters and beepers. Hence the disappearance of Radio Shack stores nationwide.

DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS & LAND LINES Dial-up connections have practically disappeared. The disappearing home phone have put a natural death to dial-up Internet access High speed Internet connections such as Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, now available on iOS and Android, gives you one continuous broad band bbrowsing experience from your mobile device to your Windows 10 PC. Your stuff syncs in the background, allowing you to browse across devices, without skipping a beat. According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, one in ten homes were cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in twenty only received calls on their cells. There are still some advantages in land lines especially when it comes to signal and weather conditions where cell phones do not work at their optimum.

Analog TV is now a thing of the

past. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 99% of homes in the U.S. get their television programming through cable or digital satellite providers.

Massive Changes The increasing disappearance of answering machines is obvious since cell phone features have that facility as well.

The shoemaker business is probably non existent since it is cheaper to purchase a new one at the same cost. Cameras that use film and Polaroid instant cameras have rapidly disappeared and been replaced with the digital cameras and equipment technology.

DHL, the German global shipping giant, stopped shipping within the United States.

FedEx Corporation changed the name of FedEx Kinko's, the world's leading provider of document solutions and business services, to FedEx Office. Airlines such as ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines have collapsed and bankrupt.

The 2018 Road Ahead The exponential rate at which technology is developing, mutating, and adapting is so fast that you can’t help but be swept away in a tidal wave of progress—whether you’re ready for it or not.

The relative existence of cloud-based solutions - Cloud computing allows businesses large and small to move some of their operation to third-party servers accessible via Internet connectivity - coupled with the birth of the App Generation is upon us. Technology has literally changed every aspect of the way any business operates and never before in history has that change occurred so fast.

Identification In 2018, look out for biometrics such as facial recognition, voice ID, and fingerprints to help make physical shopping far quicker — by eliminating the need to swipe a credit card at banks or at checkout stations for instance. Instead, you will be able to verify your identity for a bank or merchant scanning your eyes with your Smartphone, in what will be known as a retinal payment.

Plastic Roads According to a company called “PlasticRoad” (the technology exists to build recycled plastic roads that would last 3 times longer and be constructed 30% quicker than asphalt.

I am daily learning about exciting new technologies that exist and can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store. Now it’s your turn to predict what technology will change the world in the years ahead.

“It is always better to have information and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

To have all your real estate questions answered — FREE CONSULTATION — call: Edgar Henry @ (718) 930-9526

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

19

Guyana’s Geographical Regions (from page 16) It is named for a wise old man of the Potamona people, who were plundered by a warlike tribe for many years. Kaie wanted to help his people and went on a journey to consult the Great Spirit Makonaima about how this could be done. The Great Spirit ordered him to make a sacrifice. He sailed his canoe over the waterfall and saved his people by this act. This tale inspired A. J. Seymour’s great epic “The Legend of Kaiteur” and Dennis Craig’s poem, “Kai”.

The country’s interior is also home to the Victoria Amazonia (Water lily), which was originally called Victoria Regia after Queen Victoria.

Amazonia is a species of flowering plant, the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of water lilies. It is Guyana’s national flower and is depicted on the country’s coat of arms.

VICTORIA AMAZONIA (Water Lily) The Interior Highlands is also home to a variety of large animals.

Among these are the tapir, the coun-

Victoria Amazonia try’s largest land mammal and the jaguar (Panther Pantheons), the third-largest feline after the tiger and lion. This big cat remains on the list of endangered species. It is featured

Guyana Jaguar on the Guyana Coat of Arms and was the symbol of Guyana’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The country’s interior is also home to the Harpy Eagle, the largest eagle in the world in terms of bulk or weight. Its average body length is 3541inches. The male could weigh 1020 pounds and the female as much as 40. Its name derives from the harpies of Greek mythology, ferocious winged creatures with sharp claws, with the face of a woman and a vul-

also the habitat of the Arapaima, the country’s most famous fish and the largest sweet-water fish in the world, in terms of body mass.

RUPUNUNI SAVANNAH “The Rupununi Savannah is one of Guyana’s most unique and diverse ecosystems and among the last great wilderness areas on Earth.”

It is located in the Highlands, between the Rupununi River and the border with Brazil and Venezuela.

Most of Guyana’s indigenous people tribes, (namely, the Warraus, Wapisianas and the Caribs, which Harpy Eagle include several sub tribes, ArrecuGoliath Birdeater. It has a leg span nas, Akawaios, Patamonas, and the up to 25 cms and can weigh over 170 Macusis, Waraus, Macushi, Patagrams. Females have a life span of mona, Wapishanas and Wai Wai) six to 14 years and males live from live here.

In addition to native peoples’ three to six years. This difference in life span is due to the fact females eat villages, there are many ranches in males after copulation.

Guyana’s glorious interior is also home to the Bushmaster snake, the largest venomous snake in the New World, whose length sometimes exceeds 2,000 millimeters (6.5 feet). One of the largest ever recorded was 4,267 millimeters (14 feet).

The Arapaima The Anaconda, also found in the region, is one of the largest the savannah. The largest is the snakes in the world. 18 feet and a Dadanawa Ranch, one of the largest doubled headed one were discovered and, per Wikipedia, the most remote cattle ranch in the world. It covers an in this region.

The vast Interior Highlands is area more than 2,000 square miles

ture's body.

THE HARPY EAGLE Unfortunately, this great eagle is also on the list of endangered species.

The Interior Highlands is home to the largest spider in the world, the

(5,000 kms) with more than 5,000 head of cattle. Ranch workers or vaqueros are local cowboys, who work barefooted. Some of these are descendants of 19th century Scottish settlers.

The main town in the Rupununi is Lethem, located beside the Takutu River, the border with Brazil.

Because the savannah is far removed from the rest of the country, most of its trade is conducted with Brazil and most people speak some Portuguese.

ESSEQUIBO RIVER The mighty Essequibo, 600 miles long, the country’s largest river and South America’s third largest, is in the Interior Highlands.

Among its many tributaries are Rupununi, Potaro, Mazaruni, Siparuni, Kiyuwini, Konawaruk and Cuyuni rivers.

Islands located in the Highlands include Leguan (about 28 kms), Wakenaam (about 44 kms), Hog Island (about 60 km) and Crab Island (1 mile in circumference).

Note: When I attended primary school, our history.

Geography books was “Children’s Story of Guyana” by Guy de Weever. It stated that Guyana was 144,000 square miles. Please let me know if you are aware of this.

20 20

GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending week endingMarch March9,9,2018 2018 Guyana

In The Mail

Guyana should be OK . . . if promises are kept Dear Editor, I was one of the many thousands of APNU+AFC supporters who thronged Parliament Building to hear and see Brigadier David Granger being sworn in as President of Guyana following the May 11, 2015 General and Regional elections.

I could not wait to see the backs of the PPP/C regime members, after their many destructive days in office.

Therefore, I welcome the predictions of a New York-based Guyanese pollster, teacher and political commentator, who has predicted that the incumbent David Granger-led APNU+AFC coalition would be in power for the foreseeable future.

“There is no guarantee they would return to government. It is my analysis that those in government would remain in office for decades to come,” Vishnu Bisram was quoted as saying in a letter in a privately-owned newspaper.

Mr. Bisram's prediction was supported by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon who expressed confidence that the APNU+AFC coalition would be in power well beyond 2020. “Based on how we see things and the way in which the population is now responding, we will be here beyond 2020,” said Mr. Harmon Editor, the information shared above has fortunately given me strong

confidence about the future of Guyana, especially with the discovery of oil in the country.

The ruling Coalition however cannot make the mistake of being guilty of Conceit or over-confidence, the present Government has to continuously seek to fulfill the promises that were made to the country's inhabitants, while developing attractive campaign messages for 2020.

On the other hand, the PPP is banking on a number of vote-getting issues: what it says are the David Granger-led administration’s failure to keep its promises such as creating jobs for youths, substantially increasing real wages, decreasing crime, fighting pub-

lic corruption, improving transparency, closure of the sugar industry and the apparent witch-hunt of PPP members and supporters with perceived trumped up corruption allegations and charges.

The PPP’s tenure from 1992 to 2015 had been characterized by accusations of racial discrimination against Afro-Guyanese, rampant corruption, drug-trafficking, death squads, violent crime by armed gangs (which the PPP blamed on the then opposition), mismanagement of the sugar industry and alleged violation of human rights such as freedom of expression.

Resectfuylly yours, RENEE SUGRIM

Power generation system study to focus on GPL networks - gov’t aiming for 100 percent renewable energy by 2025

GOVERNMENT will soon commence a study on expansion of the power- generation system, with the main focus being on the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) power networks.

In light of the budding oil-and-gas industry, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure believes that a previous study of the power- generation system done since 2016, has to be upgraded in order to keep up with the potential changes.

Although the overall focus of the study would be on GPL’s power networks, some of the particular aspects of the company’s work that will be reviewed, include the supply of electricity to Linden and the expansion of power supplied to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnection

System (DBIS), said energy experts during a Sustainable Energy Workshop at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday.

Coordinator of the Sustainable Energy Programme, Horace Williams, announced that Brugman SAS, a consultancy group from Colombia was hired to do the update at a cost of US$183,000. It is expected to be completed

by May. Williams and other energy experts explained that a part of the study would include identification of the generating capacity at minimum cost for the Linden and DBIS systems.

Prior to this, the experts said that they would need to evaluate cost comparisons among the power-generation technologies that might be applicable for the new pow-

Some of the energy experts and participants gathered at the sustainable energy workshop at the Pegasus on Tuesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

er-generation capacity in the two systems.

Their intent is to adjust the diesel generating systems to utilise natural gas, since Guyana might soon provide natural gas locally, instead of importing, when oil production commences in 2020.

The consultancy firm would also analyse and revise the use of renewable- energy technologies and existing natural gas generation options.

“The study enables Guyana to provide cheap and reliable electricity to the country, so we are looking at all the alternatives possible for us to get where we want to be, so that we can be 100 percent renewable by 2025… we want to provide the country with cheap electricity,” said Minister of Public Security, David Patterson.

Nothing abnormal about stability clause

-- Exxon commercial manager ExxonMobil’s Commercial Manager Peter Dillon said stability clauses are very common features in the oil-and-gas industry, as he dismissed suggestions that it is a means to strangle Guyana’s Parliament and future governments.

Speaking at a Private Sector Commission (PSC) oil-and-gas forum at Duke

Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday, Dillon said in countries where there is no clause, such as in Ghana, an investor has to think twice about investing.

He said Exxon found the clause in the 2012 agreement it signed with Guyana and noted that it looked very normal.

“We were happy to agree

to it,” he said.

In most jurisdictions, parties sign onto stabilisation clauses in contracts. The clause is commonly inserted in contracts between investors and host nations to protect investors from future changes in the law that affect the economics of a project.

ExxonMobil’s Communications and Government

Affairs Manager Kimberly Brasington, who also spoke at the forum, said the oil giant is not opposed to negotiation or persons “standing up for what they believe in” regarding the oil contract the company signed with Guyana .

President David Granger stated last month that there is no immediate intention by government to review the contract between the two parties.

Brasington said the sanctity of a contract is “very important”, especially with a new ministry and in a country that is new to the industry.

She told the forum that there are a lot of eyes on Guyana, Guyana is a stable environment to do business and the company wants to be here for many years.

Asked whether the country received a fair deal from the signing of the contract, Brasington said both parties

had something to gain.

She said dating back to 1999, the oil company had secured more time to explore the seas offshore Guyana and to its gain, the country was able to procure more from the contract when it was negotiated in 2016.

“Both parties got something out of it,” she said, noting that ExxonMobil could have stayed with the 1999 agreement, since it was valid.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

New York Chronicle Horoscope

21

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

ISSUE 91 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) You must use discretion when it comes to lending money or making donations. Look to a close friend for advice. One of your female friends may try to disrupt your day. Stand up for your rights. Listen to the problems of others and offer suggestions where possible. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) Don’t make any rash decisions. They may cost you dearly. Physical work or exercise should be part of your schedule. Unfortunately, your personal life may suffer from a lack of spare time. Be willing to listen, but don’t be fooled. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Loss or theft may occur if you are careless with your belongings. You may divulge private information without realizing it next week. You may feel that someone at work is holding you back. Networking will be a necessity. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Your personal situation is fluctuating. Try not to spend too much on children or entertainment. Tempers will mount if you are too pushy at work.

Do not be surprised if your partner doesn’t understand your needs. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Sunday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) Real estate should be lucrative for you. Consider starting a small business on the side. Look for a marketable gimmick. Don’t let individuals with wild schemes talk you into a financial deal that is not likely to be successful. Romantic encounters will develop through colleagues. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Your high energy and discipline will enable you to complete any seemingly insurmountable tasks. If you haven’t already, consider starting your own business. You have a real need to be vocal. You will find yourself tied to the phone.

Your luckiest event next week will occur on Monday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Uncertain get rich quick schemes will not be as lucrative as you anticipate.

Make sure that you get legal matters checked out thoroughly. Friendships could be terminated quickly if disappointments occur. Don’t let your boss make you feel guilty enough to take work home with you. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Travel will also be very informative. Don’t let others try to create unwarranted guilt if you can’t meet their demands. You need to pamper yourself for a change. Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Wednesday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Confronting a situation will only result in indignation and misunderstandings. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavors. Your emotional partner will push all the right buttons this month. You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you have overloaded your plate unintentionally. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble. You may find a rare antique this month. You’re on to something tangible and need to act fast. Be prepared to counteract the damage that adversaries are about to create.

Your luckiest event next week will occur on Friday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Get out and get active. You are exceptional at presenting your ideas. Comfort is a necessity. Check your motives. Try to be precise in your communications. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) The locks, stove, gas, or electric wires may not be secure. You must use discretion when talking to others. Gambling should not be an option. Your emotions are fluctuating, so be careful not to say things you’ll regret. You could have a need to make some changes this month. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

mation 10. Holdback 11. Native New Zealander 12. Dispense 13. Appearances 21. Central European 22. Mark of perfection 25. Exercise target 43. Empty a vessel 26. Long sentence 45. Bad blood 46. Category of arachnids 27. Dismounted 28. Einstein’s preoccupation 49. Some cops 29. Bonehead 51. Past event 31. Feed 57. Natural balm 32. Flight board abbr.

58. Combine 33. Hold back 59. Color quality 34. Big copper exporter 60. Giving 35. Sciences' partner 61. Fire 37. Part of a geisha’s attire 62. Carry 38. Hoisting machine 63. Alimony receivers 39. Cordial 64. Foul 43. Engenders 65. Give out 44. Publicize 45. Channel DOWN 46. Conscious 1. Dance instructor's 47. Chalice call 48. Compensate 2. Foofaraw 49.The out crowd 3. Pakistani tongue 50. Insider’s vocabulary 4. Landscape replicas 52. Gulf war ally 5. In a faint 53. Actress Miles 6. Artificial leg?

54. Banish to Hades 7. Rocket 55. Nay sayer 8. Affirm 9. Flat-topped land for- 56. Track event

ACROSS 1. Formal accessory 5. Shillong was its capital 10. Mosque chief 14. Famous Amos 15. Hot spot 16. Bamako is its capital 17. Taro variety 18. Sots 19. Barbershop emblem 20. Discourage 23. Old name for nitrogen 24. Blue-pencils 25. Roman priest 28. Excellent 30. Flowering shrub 31. Greek cheese 33. Soothing the body and soul center 36. One in an unfamiliar setting 40. Jump into a pool?

41. Laser light 42. Sluggish

W O R D F I N D

T H E Y ’ R E

ALARM BABY

BOMB

CONCERT DIGGER DOG

DRILL

EARTHQUAKE ELEPHANT ENGIONE

FIREWORKS GUNFIRE

N O I S Y HAIRDRYER

LAWNMOWER METEOR

RACING CAR RINGTONE ROCKET

THUNDER TRAFFIC TRAIN

VOLCANO WASHING MACHINE WHALE

ISSUE 91 WORDFIND ANSWER

22 22

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

Three Pike Street homes flattened by fire -- gov’t reaches out to victims

By Ariana Gordon FIRE of unknown origin early Wednesday morning completely destroyed three houses and left one uninhabitable in Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The fire which started just around 03:30hrs has left several families, includ-

jured, neither was there any loss of life.

Residents said strong winds, the lack of water and proper firefighting strategies resulted in the total destruction of the three houses and damage to the fourth property.

Angela Demonick, a single mother of three children

saved two documents… I ain’t get to save no clothes,” the woman told the Guyana Chronicle, as her three children looked at their badly damaged home. Demonick said after she was alerted, she did not expect the fire to spread to her home. In fact, she returned to her house and gathered her children, even

Fire ravages one of the Pike Street, Kitty properties early Wednesday `morning (Photo compliments of a Pike Street, Kitty resident)

Marlon (only name given) shows the Guyana Chronicle where his life’s savings were stashed Wednesday as he searched the rubble for valuables (Adrian Narine photo)

ing a three-month-old baby, homeless.

According to reports, the fire originated in the southern half of Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty, completely gutting an old wooden house which housed seven apartments.

The fire quickly spread to nearby houses located both east and west of the said property. No one was in-

ages 10, 14 and 17 years old told the Guyana Chronicle that she was awakened to shouts of “Fire! Fire!”

The distraught single parent said she was able to save only two documents, while pointing out that her house is located two yards west of where the fire reportedly began.

“I could have barely

as she tried to remove her valuables and some clothing.

However, as she tried her best to remove items in the panic, she realised that her house was engulfed in the blaze. Firefighters, she said, mandated her and one of her daughters to leave the premises as the fire was spreading rapidly and posed a threat to their lives. Turn to page 23 ►

Lots 191 Pike Street, Kitty properties destroyed in the blaze (Adrian Narine photo)

— WANTED — ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES

The New York Edition (Guyana Chronicle, Inc.) is looking for motivated sales representatives to join our team, selling print and online advertising to an established account list.

The New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle is a weekly newspaper, carrying news, views and comments from the Diaspora, Guyana and the Caribbean. It is circulated every Friday in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, as well as on our webpage (www.guyana chronicle.com).

Do you have experience meeting and exceeding sales goals, anticipating challenges and continually seeking new customers. If you are goal-driven, we want to talk to you.

EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO: DENNIS NELSON @ dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com or call: (917) 379-6590 to schedule an interview.

Lots 185 Pike Street, Kitty properties destroyed (Adrian Narine photo)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

23

Three Pike Street homes ...

From page 22 ►

The woman said she had called the fire service, but they took some time to arrive and by then, the situation had

and maintained Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty, the lot where the fire reportedly started, told the Guyana Chronicle

said all of his documents, money, as well as his motorcycle were all destroyed in the Wednesday morning inferno.

“I said I ain’t gonna dead now and I run out of there,” he recounted, while noting that members of the Guyana Fire Service took about 40 minutes to respond to the fire.

“Three fire tenders come… is a reporter had to tell them go to the trench on Vlissengen Road,” the man who occupied the premises told this publication. He could not estimate his losses,

other houses, mine and the other two,” he said as he explained what transpired.

The man said he lived alone with his sister, but his brother who travelled to Guyana for their father’s funeral was also an occupant of the house.

The two-storey building he occupied also housed another family, the Guyana Chronicle understands.

Browne was too distraught to estimate his losses, but like the other fire victims, indicated that he had everything in his home.

A distraught Onika Jonas, mother of a three-month baby and an 18-month- old infant (Adrian Narine photo)

moved from bad to worse.

ALREADY GUTTED “The breeze was blowing strong and the fire was getting wilder…” she said, noting that when the fire tenders arrived, the property where the fire is believed to have started was already gutted.

“The fire just scorch this neighbour house and by the time they hustling to get water, it burn down my neighbour place and was hustling for mine,” said Demonick, who lived at her 191 Pike Street, Kitty home for 14 years.

that there were seven separate apartments within the premises.

He said he operated two shops in front of the property, all of which were gutted.

Marlon s aid he was watching basketball when he heard shouts of fire.

The man said he ran out of the room he occupies and got a bucket and attempted to out the fire, which he said was located toward the back door of the two-storey building.

“Them man call me and say is fire… by the time I could have reached out, I get

Firefighters take statements from fire victims Wednesday morning (Adrian Narine photo)

She told this publication that her 14-year-old daughter is preparing to write the national third form examination, while her 10-year-old son who attends the F E Pollard Primary School, is writing common entrance next year.

“All I have is birth certificate and my ID,” the frustrated woman who lost all in her home said. And while she could not estimate her losses at the time, she noted that her house was fully furnished.

“Is everything burn up…

I am getting a headache just thinking about it,” the housewife added.

Until she obtains relief, Demonick and her children are housed by a neighbour obliquely to where she lived.

Meanwhile, Marlon (only name given), who occupied

one bucket of water--- by the time I throw it at the back—I come back with the second bucket—me room had fire-- fire been straight through.

“I just run straight out because like the fire was running straight out to me,” said the upset man, who told the Guyana Chronicle he strongly believes the fire was an act of arson.

“That ain’t look like electrical—somebody light a fire… The fire was coming down the back step as if it was a man coming down the back step. Me ain’t understand that -- this was a funny, funny fire,” he remarked, as he showed the remains of his property.

LOST EVERYTHING Marlon, like the other victims, lost everything. He

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, hands over relief to a victim of Wednesday’s Pike Street, Kitty fire (Adrian Narine photo)

but noted that he has to start all over again.

Another resident of the said premises laid some blame at the feet of the Guyana Fire Service. The young man who requested anonymity said the fire tenders did not arrive with much water and the firefighters struggled to find water sources.

“They came about 40 minutes after they were called… they got to prepare for these things man… they just show up like they come to look at a movie,” the angry man who lost all of this items told the Guyana Chronicle.

The situation for the Browne family of 185 Pike Street, Kitty (a neighbouring lot) which lost everything just after burying their father recently was no different.

The distraught family told the Guyana Chronicle that the fire could not have come at a worse time.

ANOTHER TRAGEDY Brian Browne, 57, described the fire as “another tragedy”. He said it was just before 4 o’clock Wednesday morning that he received a call indicating that there was a fire in the neighbouring Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty.

“They were trying to out it but they couldn’t,” he recounted, pointing out that firefighters arrived late on the scene and were ill-prepared to put out the fire.

“They could have saved

He chided some of the firefighters for what he considered to be lackadaisical firefighting measures.

“One chap was standing

“I wasn’t home,” the woman said, as she thanked God her children (18 and 13 months) were safe at their aunt’s house.

But though her children are safe, the woman who lived at the Lot 185 Pike Street property said she has lost everything.

Another fire victim, only known as “Rani,” when contacted via telephone was too devastated and traumatised to speak. The house she and her family occupied at Lot 191 Pike Street, Kitty, was completely flattened by the fire.

Meanwhile, a resident told the Guyana Chronicle that just before the fire started, there was an argument

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, consoles victims of the Pike Street, Kitty fire Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

by this mammee tree with the hose and asked for water to shoot at the side of the buildings… they didn’t give him any… they are concentrating on this one which already burn,” he told this publication. His family was able to save a few items, but nothing substantial.

Meanwhile, Onika Jonas, an employee of Massy Security had left home around 19:00hrs to go to work. She told the Guyana Chronicle that it was while working her 19:00 hrs to 07:00 hrs shift that she was told the house she lived in was burnt.

with persons who occupied the Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty property where the fire reportedly started. Shortly after, an explosion was heard followed by shouts of fire.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT As word of the fire spread, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, visited the scene and interacted with the victims.

The ministers committed

government’s support. Minister Broomes provided breakfast to some of the affected victims who were taken to her home.

Similarly, Ministers of Social Protection Amna Ally and Keith Scott visited the victims later Wednesday morning and provided them with clothing, particularly for the children affected.

Minister Ally also pledged government’s support to the affected families and will be providing much-needed relief to the victims today. City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green also visited the victims.

POLICE FORCE Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force in a statement said firefighters responded to a report of a fire of unknown origin, which occurred between 03:30hrs and 05:00hrs and completely destroyed three buildings located at Lots 185 and 191 Pike Street, Kitty.

Fire tenders from Central, Campbellville, Ruimveldt and Alberttown fire stations were dispatched and the fire was extinguished at 05:00hrs, police said.

One of the Lot 191 Pike Street, Kitty properties was owned and occupied by 61year-old Hansraj Manbodh and five other persons. Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty, was owned and occupied by 69-year-old Jeanette Browne and occupied by two other persons, while the adjoining Lot 185, Pike Street property consisted of seven apartments, which housed an unknown number of persons.

The other property located at Lot 191 Pike Street, Kitty, was occupied by 46year- old Angela Demonick and her three children.

It should be noted that there are two lots 185 and two lots 191 Pike Street, Kitty. The lots are side by side.

24

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending March 9, 2018

DACA DREAMERS GET NEW LIFE! Time to give them the American Dream!

The ALBERT BALDEO Column

“H

ope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never is, but always to be blessed: The soul, uneasy and confined from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come” —Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

President Barack Obama introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA in June 2012 by executive action, giving hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, including the Caribbean nations of Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Poland, Pakistan and others, to qualify for citizenship, in order to do so, they needed to have arrived before their 16th birthday, been under 31 in June 2012, completed high school or served in the military, and have clean criminal records.

It was one of the defining legacies and

leadership qualities of President Obama, designed to regularize and keep the resources, skills and patriotism of these young Americans in the U.S. This was Humane and wise, indeed.

However, last September, President Trump said he was ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but gave Congress six months to develop a legislative fix. On account of Congress’ gridlock and failure to agree to a fix, nearly 689,000 DACA beneficiaries whose permits expired by March 5, had one month to apply for renewal.

Mercifully, the DACA program that temporarily shields hundreds of thousands of young people from deportation, which was scheduled to end last Monday, was recently superseded by court orders that have effectively forced the Trump administration to keep issuing renewals.

Consequently, the 800,000 DACA young people who came into the U.S. with their parents without legal status can remain in place while the litigation is resolved. The Court’s merciful actions must be appreciated in light of the fact that deportation arrests have increased by more than 40 percent under President Trump.

A nationwide injunction in January by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco also required the administration to resume DACA renewals, but does not apply to first-time applicants.

This learned jurist, Judge Alsup, ruled last January 9, 2018, that the administration failed to justify ending the program because the plaintiffs, consisting of the states of California, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota as well as the University of California, had a good chance of winning at trial. His pivotal, nationwide injunction required the administration to resume accepting DACA renewal requests within a week.

To his credit, U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in New York followed this initiative, and later issued a similar ruling. These Judges deserve the highest commendations, and their decisions follow a number of rulings by other U.S. judges seeking to rein in President Trump’s immigration policies, including decisions that limit administration moves against sanctuary cities.

On February 26 last, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the administration’s unusual request to intervene, which would have effectively bypassed the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Instead, its review of Judge Alsip’s decision has been placed on a fast track, which means that a decision most likely will not come before June later this year, at the earliest. After that, it is expected to go to the Supreme Court, likely keeping DACA alive through November midterm

elections, a critical juncture in how votes are cast.

Although still at risk, the Courts’ initiative has given DACA advocates valuable morale, a lifeline and time to intensify pressure on the White House and Congress for a permanent solution. It ushers in a defining moment on this issue.

Meanwhile, there were nearly 14,000 people with expired permits who applied for renewals but hadn’t received them at the end of January. There were also nearly 22,000 whose initial applications had yet to be decided.

The blame game continues, on the backs of DACA dreamers. In January, the President proposed a path to citizenship for 1.8 million young immigrants as part of an immigration package that included $25 billion for a wall and other border enforcement measures and sharp cuts to legal immigration, which the Senate rejected.

Immigrant advocates and their allies in Congress want a specific bill that would protect DACA recipients, possibly combined with limited border enforcement measures, which the Trump administration has rejected. President Trump has repeatedly blamed Democrats for the impasse, while Democrats blame him for creating it by ending DACA. Congress must pass a spending bill by March 23 to keep the government running, giving Democrats a chance to condition support on a DACA bill. Democrats forced a partial shutdown in January with that goal in mind but relented after three days.

The time has come to make DACA dreamers U.S. citizens, and stop making them, and immigrants as a whole, the whipping boys of American politics!

Picketers against ending DACA.

Note: Albert Baldeo is a civil rights activist and community advocate. As the President of the Baldeo Foundation and Liberty Justice Center, he has continued to fight for justice, equal rights, dignity and inclusion for all. He can be contacted at the Baldeo Foundation: AlBaldeo@aol.com or (718) 5292300.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

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‘We were left in the dark’ …relatives of Lindo Creek victims said police did not inform them of killings

By Svetlana Marshall SEVERAL of the relatives of the miners who were killed in the Lindo Creek massacre said that the police had kept them in the dark and that they only knew of the killings through the media.

It was while reading a local newspaper in the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) at the bedside of her sick aunt that Natalie McDonald learnt that her nephew Horace Drakes was murdered along with seven other miners at Lindo Creek.

McDonald was among five family members of Horace Drakes and Compton Speirs, who took the stand on Tuesday before Commissioner, Justice (Retired) Donald Trotman as the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the June 2008 massacre continues at the Department of Public Service.

Drakes had lived with McDonald and her family at Boerasirie Housing Scheme before his death. She had last seen the father of five in May, 2008 before he went to Lindo Creek in the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice District to work with Leonard Arokium, a miner.

McDonald told the Com-

Natalie McDonald (Samuel Maughn photo)

mission that it was on her way to the hospital in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market in June, 2008 that her attention was drawn to a newspaper vendor. “I heard a newspaper man saying ‘get the news, get the news, Lindo Creek massacre, eight men die,” she recalled.

The woman said she was compelled to buy the newspaper and it while visiting her aunt in the hospital along with a sister that she decided to read the front-page story.

According to her, at the end of the story, a man identified only as ‘Drakes’ was listed among those murdered. She quickly drew it to the attention of her sister.

Suspecting that it was her nephew who was among

those killed, McDonald said she, along with her other sister went to visit Drakes’ mother Lena Waldron at her East La Penitence home.

McDonald and Waldron are sisters. The two sisters queried whether Waldron had heard anything concerning her son and was told no. It was then that they showed her the newspaper.

According to McDonald, contact was made with a relative, who is also a miner, and it was he who confirmed that Drakes had been murdered. A memorial service was held in his honour on June 26, 2008.

Lena Waldron said her son was 42 years old when he died. Like her sister, she had last seen her son in May,

Carmen Gittins (DPI photo)

2008 before he went into the interior locations to work.

According to her, though her family was not contacted by the police during the initial stages, at some point she visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters with her youngest son, Keon Waldron for him to give DNA samples to Jamaican investigators. Strands of hair were taken and his mouth was swabbed.

Waldron said though her husband was stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), the police made little or no contact with the family on the matter, and did not furnish them with any information. According

to her, shortly after they had received the news, the Force sent her husband home and told him to “comfort his wife”.

Drakes’ daughter, Deon Drakes, also took the stand.

Though her testimony was brief, she recalled that her father provided for his family. She too had last seen him in May 2008.

Meanwhile, eight-yearold Carmen Gittins said her brother, Compton Speirs, left in May, 2008 for Lindo Creek to work with Leonard Arokium. She was the mother figure for her siblings after their mother died in 2001. In June, 2008, Gittens said she received a phone call from her niece Rhonda

Hutson, who related to her that Speirs was murdered.

Though she claimed that the police did not make contact with her or any other family member, the elderly woman disclosed that her brother’s son Erwin Drakes had provided investigators from Jamaica with DNA samples.

Erwin’s mother, Marlyn Hinds-Sullivan, who subsequently took the stand, confirmed this, adding that her son was only nine when his father died.

All the family members who took the stand so far have alleged that they were never informed of the murder of their loved ones by the Guyana Police Force and had been left in the dark when the decision was made for the remains to be buried some four years after.

The CoI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong on or around June 21, 2008 at Lindo Creek in the Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice Region.

Sophia Juvenile Center gets 30 mattresses

The gift items were handed over to social worker Naqeeba Zafarali by Programme Coordinator of EPIC Guyana Surujdai Mukhram and a representative of Value4u Inc Prudence Julien Administrator of the Juvenile Holding Centre Yvette Sancho and Executive Director of EPIC Guyana, Brian Backer

ENHANCING Potential to Inspire Change (EPIC) Guyana has donated some 30 mattresses to the Sophia Juvenile Detention Centre, as it seeks to bring comfort to the lives of detained children.

EPIC Guyana received a monetary award from ‘One Hundred People Who Care’ and completed the initiative with assistance from ‘Value4u’, distributor of various brands.

EPIC Guyana is a

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) primarily working to help children who have had negative law-enforcement contact and are currently detained.

Executive Director of EPIC Guyana, Brian Backer, told the Chronicle that the outreach was part of the organisation’s continuous effort to bring comfort into the lives

of confined children.

“At present, there are 26 children housed at the facility, ranging from 10 years to 16 years. We at EPIC strive towards empowering these children through the introduction of fundamental workshops on anger management, conflict resolution, anti-bullying, anti-suicide etc, as well as

the provision of footwear, clothing, recreational gear, educational materials, haircuts and other necessities to meet their essential needs,” Backer explained.

He thanked John Fernandes Limited for the work the company does in the background and for always ‘answering the call’ to be of assistance by providing sum-

mer jobs and food hampers, among others.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Philip Fernandes, said the founder (John Fernandes Snr) had always been a man who loved to give back. It is now a “company culture” to give back and support organisations like EPIC which are doing a good job, he said.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

No relief for Guyana Stores …CCJ dismisses appeal in $3.8B unpaid tax case

THE CARIBBEAN Court of Justice (CCJ) on Monday dismissed the appeal by Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) to have among other things, the court rule that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the State violated its constitutional right to the protection of property.

GRA had demanded that Guyana Stores pay to it some $3, 811, 346, 397 for the years of assessment 1985 – 2010. However, Guyana Stores made a claim for constitutional relief in a tax dispute with the GRA because the Authority failed to assess the taxes payable by the company in accordance with the provisions of Sections 70 and 78 of the Income Tax Act. GSL had approached the local courts in 2012 to declare that the GRA’s request for unpaid taxes represented a violation of its constitutional right to protection of property. The matter was first heard in the High Court by Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, who at the time granted Conservatory Orders without hearing the GRA or the Attorney General (AG) of Guyana.

Justice Chang had subsequently discharged those orders on application by the respondents, after considering their written submission and the court file. In so doing, the learned Chief Justice (ag) struck out the entire claim on the ground that a claim purely for declaratory relief with no consequential and executory orders cannot be maintained.

GSL then appealed the decision of Justice Chang and that court (CCJ)upheld the decision to strike out the action because there was no violation of the company’s constitutional rights and as such, GSL was not entitled to a declaration of any sorts.

The CCJ, presided by Justice Adrian Saunders, Justice David Hayton, Justice Winston Anderson, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee and Justice Denys Barrow, ruled that it could not grant among other things, declarations that the attempt to collect tax by the GRA from GSL was a violation of the company’s constitutional right to protection of property.

In delivering the court’s judgment, Justice Barrow said “there is no basis for this court to intervene

to protect the company (GSL) from the consequences of its decision, to not follow the statutory 18 provision for disputing a tax liability.”

He explained that given the outcome, Guyana Stores now finds itself in the position of having to deal

but this was not done. In 2000, GSL was a public company controlled by the Government of Guyana which then sold the majority of its shares to the present majority shareholders.

Under the Privatisation Agreement executed by the parties, it is con-

In another letter dated May 13, 2010 the Revenue Authority noted that the company had not sent an objection and it identified to the company what the objection needed to contain and gave until May 27, 2010 for the objection.

Guyana Stores Limited owes the GRA some $3, 811, 346, 397 in unpaid taxes

with a legally undisputed demand.

“It must be left to the company and the Revenue Authority, as well as the State in its greater capacity, to resolve the dispute as to the liability to tax if, indeed, beyond the company’s challenge to the constitutionality of the two per cent minimum tax, there was really a dispute.”

He said GSL must have considered that it could lose the constitutional challenge to the validity of the tax and would in turn leave undisturbed the demand for the taxes. “Broad considerations of justice beyond the strict application of the law,. gave rise during the hearing to considering whether it would be competent and appropriate for this Court to send the challenge to the liability for tax to go through the review and appeal process, since this is the proper, statutory process for resolving a dispute and this process was not engaged,” Justice Barrow stated.

Additionally, the court found too that the GSL could have pursued the statutory procedure for disputing an assessment and do so concurrently with its constitutional challenge

tended, pre-privatisation taxes are to be paid by the Government and these have remained unpaid.

Shortly after privatisation, disagreement regarding taxes arose which is the subject of separate court proceedings. Over the years, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of Guyana, a department of the GRA, wrote numerous letters to the GSL informing it of taxes due and payable. It sent updated tax liability statements inviting the company to agree or disagree with stated tax liability amounts and withdrawing or discharging assessments, restating the amount of taxes due and finally demanding payment and warning of an enforcement action.

In a letter dated January 12, 2010 from the Revenue Authority’s ‘Objections and Appeals Section’ the company was told, with reference to a letter it had sent objecting to liability and the requirements for making objections in accordance with Section 78(2) of the Income Tax Act, that the time for doing so and the objection must state precise grounds.

Similarly, several letters were written by the GSL to the GRA objecting to the Statements of Assessment and making representations as to its liability. In a letter dated August 4, 2010 the company explained why it had previously submitted unaudited returns and made payments based on financial statements. It also confirmed an earlier statement it had made to the Revenue Authority that should there be any difference in the audited Annual Reports the company would make the correction and/or payment.

The GSL enclosed with that letter copies of Returns along with copies of Receipts of Payments it had made for stated years, these being material missing from the Revenue Authority’s files. The company said it did not receive notices of assessment for any year of assessment between 2001 and 2010, although it received notices that assessments were discharged in respect of certain years.

The GSL said too that it did not receive any notice of assessment for years prior to 2000.

However, by a letter of demand dated April 3, 2012, the GRA made demands for the years of assessment 1985 – 2010. On May 24, 2012, by way of a letter from the GRA’s Commissioner General, a demand for $3,811,346,397 was made. The GSL argued that being forced to pay the demanded $3B in taxes would amount to the compulsory acquisition of its property and in breach of Article 142(2)(a)(i) of the Constitution.

By virtue of the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Acts No. 16 of 1994 and 3 of 1996, the company had become liable to pay a two per cent minimum corporation tax. It appears that the company had been paying this tax until it was advised, sometime after it had in February 2012 filed its audited Corporation Tax and Property Tax Returns for the years of assessment 2001 to 2011, that the tax was unlawful and being wrongly applied.

It was as a result of the aforementioned demand by the Revenue Authority, that the GSL brought proceedings in the High Court for constitutional and other relief.

Meanwhile, in arriving at its decision the CCJ examined the constitutionality of the demand for the taxes from the GSL and on the issue of liability to tax, where allegedly no assessment was served on the company and the GRA was incorrectly and unlawfully applying the provision for the payment of the 2 per cent turnover tax.

“This second issue may be identified as the lawfulness of the demand. It is no longer an issue for this court to decide whether a claim for a constitutional violation which does not seek an enforceable order such as a prohibitory or compensatory order is maintainable,” the CCJ stated.

The Attorney General was represented by Solicitor General, Kim Kyte- Thomas, Oneka Archer-Caulder and Judy Stuart-Adonis, while the GRA and the Commissioner General were represented by Ronald BurchSmith, Mark Waldron and Keoma Griffith. Guyana Stores was represented by Stephen Fraser.

CH&PA ready to deal with 1990s houselot applicants THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is urging houselot applicants from 1996 and 2001 to come forward as it works to reduce the backlog of applications in the system.

On Monday, the housing authority issued a notice calling for 152 applicants, who applied between 1996 and 1999, to make contact with the Land Administration and Conveyance Department on Friday March 9, 2018.

Applicants are asked to walk with a valid identification card or passport; recent job letter, pay slip or affidavit of

income for self-employed applicants; birth certificate of children; marriage certificate or absolute and TIN certificates.

CH&PA in recent times has been advocating for applicants with dated application to visit its Brickdam Office, as it attempts to sanitize its database, while ensuring that those applicants, once interested, are given preference to own lands or housing units.

CH&PA Public Relations Officer, Iva Wharton on Monday said that the housing authority is sanitizing the sys-

tem, explaining that while applications for the period 1991-2001 are in the system, some applicants were never interviewed. As such, the authority is calling on them to be interviewed, update their information and indicate whether they are still interested in houselots or the other housing solutions currently available.

Wharton noted that the CH&PA has completed interviews with persons who had applied between 1991 and 1995. She said some of the applicants had already secured lands and housing units, and were no longer interested.

The current focus, she said, is now on persons who would have applied between 1996 and 2001.

According to CH&PA, statistics show that there are approximately 6, 000 applicants in Region 4 alone for that period. CH&PA had said that prior to May 4, 2009, interviews were not done immediately. Applicants were expected to submit their application forms and be given a date to return for the interview.

However, that system has since been changed and interviews are done immediately, providing that

applicants have all the required documents which include a valid identification card or passport, tax identification certificate, birth certificate of children if applicable, marriage certificate/absolute/death certificate of spouse if applicable and a recent pay slip or job letter.

Stating that it understands the importance for Guyanese to acquire land or housings units, the housing authority said it is working assiduously to develop lands as well as construct housing units to meet the demands of the population.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 9, 2018

27

Massy sensitises management, directors about AML/CFT MASSY Guyana Limited has brought its directors and senior management up to speed about Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism through a training seminar held recently.

The training was held at a critical time, when the country is placing major emphasis on data collection ahead of the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluations in 2022.

In delivering the keynote address at the seminar, Dr

Toussaint Boyce highlighted the challenges facing the Region as a result of the incidence of money laundering and the effects of the de-risking of correspondent banking relationships at the national, regional and international levels.

He also provided much-needed insight into the domino effects of de-risking by large international banks and the concomitant realities faced by the financial sectors of the Caribbean.

Dr Boyce is a stellar Guy-

anese academic and heads the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability (ICA) at the Caribbean Development Bank, in Barbados.

Chairman of the Guyana Group, Deo Persaud, in underscoring the need for good corporate governance, recommitted Massy Guyana Limited to being a good corporate entity.

Persaud, in his remarks, said Massy as a group is dedicated to complying with

From left: Director of FIU Matthew Langevine, Chairman of Massy Guyana Deo Persaud, Group Corporate Legal Adviser, Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary Yolander Persaud and Dr Toussaint Boyce

Massy Guyana Limited directors and senior management attending the AML/CFT training seminar

the provisions of the AML/ CFT Act of 2009, and as a result, has established a fully functional compliance department in keeping with the company's statutory obligations.

Also addressing the participants was director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Matthew Langevine.

He discussed the role of directors in AML governance, while stressing the importance of the appointment of qualified compliance officers, the creation and implementation of AML/CFT policies and procedures, the training of staff in compliance and the reporting of sus-

picious activity to the FIU. He commended Massy for facilitating the training and for its dedication to ensuring compliance with the AML/CFT legislation. Langevine also lauded Massy for being the first company in Guyana to host an event of its kind.

Attorney-at-Law Yolander Persaud, who heads the Massy Guyana Compliance Department, in brief remarks, highlighted the legal requirements and responsibilities of reporting entities, and paid particular attention to the penalties for failing to do so as laid out in the 2017 Amendment of the

legislation. She also noted that companies which are deemed as reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering /Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) have a statutory duty to facilitate such training for their directors and senior management team. Ms Persaud is also legal adviser and corporate secretary for the group. The event was attended by the directors and senior management employees of all of the Massy companies.

This training forms part of Massy’s activities to mark the Group's 50th anniversary.

Massy posts $2.4B after tax profits …chairman says company committed to Guyana’s development

By Svetlana Marshall MASSY (Guyana) Limited recorded a profit after tax of $2.4B in 2017, its Legal Advisor and Board Secretary, Yolander Persaud, disclosed when the company held its 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday.

In presenting the Directors’ Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements for the year ending September 30, 2017 at Massy’s Ruimveldt office, Persaud pointed out that the group is engaged in trading, manufacturing and service industries in Guyana.

Profit before taxation stood at approximately $3.9B, Persaud reported, while adding that taxes amounted to more than $1.5B. As such, profit after tax for the year ending September 30, 2017

was $2.4B. It was noted too, that retained earnings at the beginning of 2017 totaled $12.5B and with the profit added it increased to $14.9B. However, with dividends being paid to the tune of $1.1B, in addition to finances for ‘transfer of revaluation adjustments’ and ‘actuarial adjustment’ the retained earnings at the end of 2017 totaled $13.737B. Additionally, the Directors in their report declared an interim dividend of $1.90 and a final dividend of $0.47 per share, making a total dividend of $2.37 per share for the financial year. The financial report, including the Audited Financial Statements which was compiled by Jack A. Alli Sons & Company, was put to a vote and received no objection.

The directors and share-

holders present also voted for the Board chaired by Doodnauth Persaud to be retained, including David Affonso and Roy Errol Cheong, who had retired from the board by rotation but had remained eligible for re-election. The Board Directors include: Shameer Hoosein, David Jardim and Lekhnaraine P. Shivraj. Jack A. Alli, Sons and Company was also reappointed to the company as its auditor.

In his address, the Board Chairman took note of the significant achievements made by Massy Guyana Limited even as he recounted its early beginnings on the corner of Robb and Camp Streets. He recalled that it was in September 1968 that Massy, one of the Caribbean basin's largest conglomerates started business here when its subsidiary, the Associated

Industries Limited, was incorporated.

The company had rented the lower flat of the property owned by the Kissoon family on Camp and Robb Streets, Georgetown. “Massy through its strategic plan, foresight and thirst for growth and expansion moved from those modest facilities…to acquire a property here…in 1973,” he said.

By 1988, the Group’s four companies in Guyana were Associated Industries, Demerara Oxygen, Transportation Services and Demerara Property Investments. NM Services Limited was created during the re-structuring of the company in 2000.

Despite the challenges and difficulties that faced Guyana in the 1970s and 1980s, the Chairman said the company remained positive

about the country. According to him, Massy is here in Guyana for the long run.

Today, Massy has approximately nine subsidiaries in Guyana: Massy Guyana Limited, Massy Industries (Guyana) Ltd, Massy Technologies (Guyana) Ltd, Massy Gas Products, Massy Services, Massy Stores, Massy Security, Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc, Massy Distribution and Massy Trading. The company started with two and a half employees, the Chairman said while pointing that today it has close to 1,600 employees.

Describing the company, as a trail blazer in the area of governance, Persaud said Massy as a result of its exceptional performance and services, has won several awards and recognition. Just recently Massy was applauded by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Mat-

thew Langevine, for being the first company in Guyana to host an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) training seminar for its Directors and Senior Management, he said.

Recommitting the company to excellence, the chairman said Massy will also continue to support local institutions and organisations, including schools as customary. He announced that this year Massy Guyana will be placing major emphasis on suicide – a mental issue that continues to affect all societies. He noted that the company will be providing financial and other resources as it works with the authorities to prevent suicide.

With the country gearing up to pump oil in 2020, Persaud said the company is excited about the future of Guyana, as it was in 1968.

Vickery whips Eugenie Bouchard

Sachia Vickery

SACHIA Vickery continues to show that her recent crack into tennis’ top 100 female players in the world was no fluke, when she easily brushed aside Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to advance to the round-of-64 at the Indian Wells.

While it was the first pro clash between the two, Vickery lost the previous two outings in the junior ranks in three sets, at the Pan American Closed Championships in 2009 and the Yucatan Cup in 2011, but this time, she comfortably claimed the 21st WTA main draw win and clinched the second round in Indian Wells for the second time, after losing to Varvara Lepchenko in 2015.

Vickery, 22, after the match, stated “Bouchard is very tough; there is no secret, that’s why she’s been such a successful player. She always keeps you aware and she’s so aggressive and tough to play. I just tried to play smart and take my chances when I had the opportunity.”

The win places Vickery in a position to face her toughest opponent to-date; world number three-ranked Garbiñe Muguruza.

Looking ahead to her clash against Muguruza, Vickery pointed out: “I’m just going to take in everything I can from today and try to be ready for the next match physically and mentally.”

Muguruza defeated Venus Williams to win the 2017 Wimbledon Championship and the 2016 French Open title. Muguruza first came into prominence by reaching the last 16 of the 2014 Australian Open, where she scored an upset over current world #2 ranked Caroline Wozniacki who had defeated Vickery in the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic in January.

She then defeated Serena Williams in the second round of the French Open that same year (2014), beating the-then world No. 1 in straight sets en route to the quarterfinals.

In 2015, at the Wimbledon Championships, she sailed to her first-ever Grand Slam final but lost to Serena Williams then went on to win her maiden premier-level crown by capturing the China Open title.

Holder’s unbeaten 99 powers Windies to six-wicket win over PNG Scoreboard PNG innings T. Ura c Mohammed b Nurse 37 V. Morea run-out 0 A. Vala c wkp. Hope b Brathwaite 57 L. Siaka c Holder b Brathwaite 0 S. Bau b Brathwaite 9 M. Dai lbw b Miller 35 C. Amini c Holder b Miller 7 J. Vare c Nurse b Brathwaite 1 Chad Soper c wkp. Hope b Brathwaite 1 N. Vanua c Powell b Williams 35 Alei Nao not out 1 Extras: (lb-7, nb-2, w-8) 17 Total: (all out, 42.4 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-63, 3-63, 4-82, 5-151, 6-159, 7-161, 8-162, 9-163.

Bowling: Holder 8-0-47-0, Williams 7.4-044-1, Nurse 6-0-31-1, Brathwaite 10-2-27-5, Samuels 5-0-19-0, Miller 6-0-25-2.

WEST INDIES innings E. Lewis run-out

8

S. Hetmyer c Vala b Vanua

8

S. Hope not out

49

M. Samuels c Vala b Nao

24

J. Mohammed lbw b Amini J. Holder not out Extras: (lb-5, w-8) Total: (4 wkts, 43 overs)

0 99 13 201

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-16, 3-53, 4-58.

Bowling: Vanua 10-0-36-1, Dai 6-0-32-0, Nao 6-1-16-1, Amini 10-0-51-1, Soper 6-140-0, Vala 2-0-6-0, Siaka 3-0-15-0.

Points: West Indies 2, PNG 0

Captain Jason Holder hits out during his unbeaten 99 against PNG yesterday. (Photo courtesy ICC)