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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL ARE THERE ANY PATRIOTIC POLITICIANS TODAY? In Guyana as in many other countries, there are four types of politicians. There are politicians who care deeply about the well-being of the citizens, the country and the economy; politicians who do not care about anyone or anything; politicians who do not care, but pretend to the people that they care; and of course, there are politicians who are incompetent and completely clueless. The first type of politicians is the patriot. These are the men and women who care deeply about the country and about rights, equality and justice for everyone regardless of race, religion, creed or party affiliation. They will always do whatever it takes to ensure the success and progress of the country. These politicians are a rare breed, and Guyana was blessed and also enriched to have had a few of them grace the halls of our Parliament. The quintessential examples have been former Presidents Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte and Cheddi Jagan. They were exemplary in the administration and management of the state. They cared little about political longevity and much more about the decisions that were most beneficial for the country and all its citizens. In order to be in this category, one must have unwavering integrity, class, intelligence and fearlessness to do what is necessary regardless of the political backlash. In addition to possessing all these traits, they must be practical and have visionary and transformative leadership skills. The second type of politicians is the traitor. Simply put, a traitor is any politician who uses his/her political power to pillage and plunder the treasury and other vital resources of the country. The traitor is the type of politician that must be investigated, exposed and imprisoned preferably for long periods. These politicians are charlatans who do not deserve much of the people’s attention outside of investigations into their finances and their corrupt practices. The nation has seen many of them in the last fifteen years. The third type of politicians is the hypocrite who for decades distorted the truth and spread propaganda. The hypocrite does not care about the people or the future of the country because he has significantly used his position to enrich himself, relatives and friends from the state resources. The hypocrite is dishonest and pretend to care about the people by using their skills attained over the years to hype their experience as a benefit to the people and the country. They are selfish but give the impression that they care about the people are trying to help them. They are as useless as a glass hammer. The fourth type of politician, who actually wants to do well for the country, but lacks leadership aptitude, is incompetent. They are likely to do more harm than good because they tend to use old strategies to solve current issues. They are likely to ignore advice from professionals and experts as it is the case of many in the current administration. It might seem strange, but this type of politician believes that he/she has all the solutions to all the problems facing the country. They believe that the country needs them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Guyana needs a government that is capable of putting the economy on proper footing and getting rid of all the lawlessness and indiscipline in society. Accept nothing less than patriotic politicians who are willing to work hard and provide a better life for all.
Sunday April 30, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Who really is in charge of this government? Dear Editor, I had greeted the rebirth of the PNC after the May 2015 with unrestrained enthusiasm. I know I will invite opprobrium when I say that I believe Guyana is past its best days. Our best period was under Forbes Burnham. I don’t mean by this statement to downplay the role of Desmond Hoyte. I admired Cheddi Jagan but his health did not allow him to show Guyana what he was capable of. I have not even a passing interest in the non-existent legacy of Bharrat Jagdeo. My enthusiasm has gone. I don’t think we will see before 2020 any goodwill from the PNC. This is not the PNC from the days of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte. This is not the Guyana we knew forty five years ago. I didn’t intend to write this letter but I did after I read that Independence flagraising ceremony will be staged at Stabroek Market Square and all the poor vendors, hire car drivers and mini-buses will be driven out. Mr. Editor, has President Granger lost his mind? Is President Granger an enemy of Black people? Has President
Granger any love for the common man? Why Stabroek Market Square Mr. Editor, when there is a new venue that is now the place to hold our national ceremonies. I refer you to D’Urban Park. Is our government devoid of commonsense? Compare the space Stabroek Market Square with that of D’Urban Park. People will be cramped for room at the Square. Why then did the Government build the D’Urban Park venue? Mr. Editor, I can’t wait to read Freddie Kissoon’s take on this madness. I know as night follows day, Mr. Kissoon will have his say and it will be one that will dishearten this nation. Knowing Freddie Kissoon, the way he will put it over will leave all of us wondering if Guyana is still a country. I have heard people say that all Freddie Kissoon preaches is gloom and doom. I would say to them not to emphasize gloom and doom but query whether his points can be backed up with evidence. Mr. Kissoon is someone I hope will enter politics because he alone reads this country correctly, reads it with a sharp mind and tells us what is wrong with
Guyana. A lot is wrong with our country Mr. Editor. A lot is wrong with the PNC in office, Mr. Editor. I have left out of my concerns with the AFC. They are just there for the sake of being there Some of us who love the PNC try daily to figure out what is going through their heads. Is Mr. Granger in charge? If he is not, who then is calling the shots? It is Mr. Granger’s army colleagues. It is Minister Harmon? Is it the old boys from the PNC like Oscar Clark? Mr. Editor, I can live with a few mistakes but not what we are seeing within just two years. Mr. Editor, when you see what is going on, you have to ask yourself, what next. I will now ask myself that every day; what next the PNC has in store for us. M r. E d i t o r, t h i s i s v e r y disappointing for someone of my age who wanted to see Forbes Burnham’s party back in government. I hope Freddie Kissoon is reading this. I hope he tells us why the PNC is doing what it is doing. Only he can do it with the clarity with which people like me could understand Oswald Theodore Bender
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Misinformation and misconceptions of Freddie Kissoon DEAR EDITOR, We would like to correct the misinformation and clarify misconceptions about the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) published in Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s column on April 19, 2017, titled “Visible people, non-existent voices” in your newspaper. The GEF was formed in May of 2011 under a European Union funded project implemented by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in collaboration with the Equal Rights Trust, a Londonbased international organization. The GEF is an independent, apolitical network of civil society groups working cohesively to achieve equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. To date, the almost six-year old GEF has twentytwo registered member organizations, and partners among the not-for-profit sector, private sector, trade unions, governmental and international partners. The diverse membership itself includes human rights organisations, trade unions and youth groups who meet ordinarily every two months to share information and experiences implementing
programmes within our organizations, foster greater collaboration among Guyanese civil society, and strengthen our advocacy as a network, as well as coordinate group activities and multi-partner projects. SASOD serves as the secretariat and fiscal sponsor of the GEF, with Red Thread as the chair. The GEF’s aims include addressing inequalities in Guyana and working cohesively to achieve equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. Beginning in 2013 and continuing every other year since, the GEF has organized a delegation of its partner organisations to present on cross-cutting human rights issues at the Ordinary Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at its Organisation of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, DC. The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the OAS, whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. One of the mechanisms of the IACHR is hosting periods of sessions for thematic hearings, filings and presentations where indi-
viduals, organisations, and other non-state actors present human rights violations and issues against their governments to the commission. This mechanism encourages citizens and civil societies to be directly involved in providing reports and situational analysis of human rights within the states themselves instead of depending wholly on government sources which would often times be biased in favour of the government. Human rights reports would then go on record for review by the commission, a notice will be sent to the government to review and at a specific date both parties, petitioners (those who are presenting the report) and the state (represented by the government) will present in front of the commissioners. The Government is tasked to provide a response on the issues raised. Commissioners take notes from both sides, review both parties’ responses and provide recommendations on settling disputes and addressing violations. All member states have permanent missions and representatives to the OAS. These diplomats are in constant communication
Political power, arrested development and what Sartre said DEAR EDITOR, The recent arrests and detention of a former Executive President of Guyana; Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary; Attorney General; other Ministers; and Senior Member of the PPP/C; for the purported purpose of exacting justice for the Guyanese people; seems to me to be loathsome and persecuting acts. Walter Rodney when defining power noted: “Power is the ultimate determinant in human society, being basic to the relations within and between groups. It implies the ability to defend one’s interests and if necessary
to impose one’s will by any means available. In relations between peoples, the question of power determines maneuverability in bargaining, and the extent to which people survive as a physical and cultural entity”. What does Guyana gain by abusing the political power vested in it? How does this abuse of power enhance our democracy or enhance national cohesion? There are certain actions a new or newish political administration should avoid. It is pertinent to quote Arthur J. Magida writing recently in the Washington Spectator: “America (Continued on page 6)
with the IACHR and so dialogue in addressing these issues is always open. It is the responsibility of the government to not only respond, but update the IACHR on the human rights situation in the state and how they are addressing the issues raised. In 2013, SASOD, Red Thread, Artistes In Direct Support (A.I.D.S.), and Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT) presented on “Violence, Sexuality and Gender Issues Affecting Children in Guyana.” In 2015, the Sister of Support, Services and Sustainability (S4) Foundation, the Guyanese Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG), and SASOD presented on “Discrimination in the Enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Guyana.” This year, we as a youth delegation of the GEF, presented on the “Human Rights Situation affecting Young Persons in Guyana.” The GEF member organisations involved in the 2017 thematic hearing were SASOD, which is a fairly well- known group, leading change to end dis-
crimination based on sexuality and gender in Guyana; Guyana Trans United (GTU), which is a transgender-led organization working to promote acceptance and equality for transgender Guyanese; Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement (GRPA’s YAM) which is the youth-led advocacy arm of GRPA, a leading non-governmental sexual and reproductive health and rights entity; and the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), which is an non-partisan network of youth and youth-led organizations committed to youth advocacy, well recognized for their “Vote Like a Boss” public education campaigns encouraging youth to vote at both General and Local Government elections in 2015 and 2016, respectively. It is understandable that Mr. Kissoon may have never heard of the GEF even though there are many articles, statements and news reports on our activities and advocacy work and – the most recent protest being our picketing exercise in front of the Georgetown Magistrates’
Court on March 10, 2017, in support of transgender women who were being denied access to the courts and justice by being barred from their own court proceedings by Magistrate Dylon Bess. Two of the four delegates at this year’s March 22 IACHR thematic hearing were at that picketing exercise. We invite Mr. Kissoon to support the work of the GEF by joining our public demonstrations and picketing exercises. Mr. Kissoon can also support us in our advocacy by writing columns which educate his readers on the human rights and equality issues our member organisations work on. For more information on the GEF, its members and the advocacy work we do, we encourage Mr. Kissoon and your readership to visit our website at www.equality.gy Jairo Rodrigues Social Change Coordinator, SASOD Twinkle Bissoon Communications Officer, GTU Kendra Warner, Member, GRPA’s YAM Neketa Forde Trustee, GNYC
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What our Human Development Ranking is telling us
Notes on the attitudes of some contractors in Guyana
DEAR EDITOR, Recently, I heard a news report on the radio that announced Guyana’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) published by the United Nations was 127. It seemed to me (I hope I’m wrong) that the report was trying to put a positive spin on this ranking. It mentioned that Guyana placed among the medium development group of countries and that the 127 ranking was out of 188 countries. This seems to me to be part of a tendency I’ve observed since returning to Guyana, for people to be resigned to the low state of the country as normal and acceptable, despite the rich, Godgiven endowments that the country has been blessed with. Like anyone else, I would like to see things in a positive light, but I believe in a strong dose of reality to strengthen commitment going forward. With that in mind, I decided to take a closer look at the latest Human Development Report (HDR) and to share some details. To put things in perspective we may consider how we compare with our CARICOM partners. It turns out that Guyana’s ranking is the second lowest in CARICOM – only Haiti has a lower ranking (163). All the other CARICOM countries except Belize have rankings under 100, with Barbados being the highest at 54 (they have dropped back drastically having been the highest ranked country in Latin America and the Caribbean at 31, ten years ago). Indeed in most categories making up the index, our company is Haiti. That country may have an unfortunate history to
point to as explanation for its position. The question is: what’s our excuse? What’s more disturbing than Guyana’s low ranking is the fact that it is falling. Ten years ago, Guyana had a ranking of 97 (out of 177 countries). The decline continues with losing two positions between 2014 and 2015. This is a particular reason why we cannot afford to be complacent about our present position. It is to be noted that the HDI is a composite index made up of indices for a number of economic and social aspects. It is interesting to see how Guyana stacks up in terms of specific categories (see the selection presented in the accompanying table). The HDR shows that Guyana’s ranking in terms of Gross National Income per person was 122. The implication is that since our income ranking is higher than the overall ranking, our social indicators are pulling us down further – our rankings on social areas are worse than our economic ranking. In terms of specific scores, life expectancy is a good place to start, since this reflects aspects of health and well-being. Guyana’s life expectancy at birth average is 66.5 years. Only Haiti (63.1) has a lower life expectancy average in CARICOM. By comparison, you can expect to live to 74.5 years on average in the other CARICOM countries. The life expectancy averages for Medium Development Countries (the group Guyana falls in) and Developing Countries were 68.6 and 70 years, respectively. Infant mortality and maternal mortality rates are disturbingly high, especially
when compared with our CARICOM partners, and the number of physicians is way below international averages. The homicide rate is also high by international comparison, although it is pretty average in the Caribbean context. Of course, our high suicide rates are a matter of grave concern. Selected Human Development Indicators GUYANA Medium Development Countries Developing Countries Life Expectancy 66.5 68.6 70 Infant mortality 32 35.5 34.4 Maternal mortality/1000 live births 229 164 231 Physicians/10,000 2.1 7.3 11.5 GNI/cap 6,884 6,281 9,257 Homicide rate 20.4 4.8 5.8 Suicide rate Suicide rate, Female 22.1 11 8.3 Suicide rate (Male) 70.8 17 13.5 Govt. Education spending (% of GDP) 3.2 3.9 .. Admittedly, I have presented a selection of indicators which don’t give the whole picture, but there’s enough here for us to be deeply concerned about national conditions. The state of our country is unacceptable and we need a thoro u g h overhaul of our institutional settings in order to set the country on an upward path. This is everybody’s business. The urgency of a comprehensive dialogue on constitutional and institutional reform across the nation is a drum that I shall continue to beat at every opportunity. Desmond Thomas PhD
DEAR EDITOR, I read with great concern the perception by some contractors that low prices vs. engineer estimates need to be reviewed. It is easy to run to the press when you tender and someone tenders lower than your price. But let the government award a project to someone whose prices are above your price, you will then see how the same contractors will try to justify why the project should not be awarded to them, given that their prices are lower. Very ironic, but yet some of us are ready to cast blame on the government or the engineer sometimes. As a contractor who has been in the business for 25 years there is some truth about the low pricing and at the same time this can realistically be proven right or wrong by some simple analysis during the evaluation process. I agree that some contractors’ prices are ridiculously low in some cases and the rule of low price tender should not apply for awarding in those cases. Understanding why engineer’s estimates will vary from the contractor prices can be a complex task. Below are some reasons: · When an engineer does an estimate in the Government ministry he will use realistic market values to arrive at a rate or in some case past prices. · The engineer will not use values that will reduce due to some of the factors listed below that a contractor will use. And rightfully he
cannot do so since it will be wrong and can lead to serious complication, since there will be no proper basis of arriving at the unit rate. · When a contractor tenders, his prices can vary significantly due to the following key factors. o Does he own a quarry o Does he import all his raw materials rather than buying from a third party locally o Does he own all the equipment that is needed to do the project vs. renting o Does he have experienced employees who know the work, if no then his operating cost will be higher since he will take longer to get the job done in a timely manner? o Does he transport Raw materials using his own trucks or in bulk using his own barges o Is the contractor’s plant yard close to the project or far from the project. o Does he Stockpile materials or have a just in time system o Does he sit back and wait on the rainy season or does he deploy a double shift system to capitalize on the dry weather. You can achieve more than two times the work in the dry season as compared to nothing when the rain steps in. The above are just some main points to be considered before casting blame on the engineers at the various Ministries. The positions that these engineers occupy at the Ministries are not an easy ones and they constantly
have to be mindful of how to the value projects so as to avoid being accused. I do agree that there needs to be some more training for some of the engineers in this area which I am sure is being addressed by the Government. I am of the view however, that whenever a contractor has a price which appears to be lower than the engineer estimates a red flag should be raise. The evaluation process should then critique those tender key line items. At the end, if they are not satisfied that the contractor can actually execute the work for the price they tender, then they should be called in to make a justification on how they plan to execute before award. At the moment the current Procurement Act states clearly that contract should be awarded to the Lowest Qualified & Responsive Tender. So Government cannot easily disregard this if not there is another section of the contractor fraternity who will accuse the government of favoritism. Low prices alone are not the problems. Contractors in Guyana need to step up to the plate and start to do the following in: Ø Stop colluding with some Site Engineers and clerk of works; expose those that are bent on corruption. Ø Take the appropriate amount of work that you have the capacity to handle (Human & Capital) Ø Be realistic with your tender prices so you can execute as per technical specification. (Continued on page 7)
Political power, arrested... From page 5 prides itself on peaceful transition from one president to the other. No coups. No backstabbing. No backward glances at what might have been…No matter how bitter a presidential campaign or how antithetical an outgoing president’s policies and ideology may be from his successor’s, the newcomer is ushered into the highest office in the land with dignity and courtesy… As part of our tradition is the absence of any remonstrance from one president toward another, regardless of the ideological gulf between them”. To have the APNU/AFC Coalition government pursue a path, which seems to be destructive to the growth and development of Guyana; in cultural, economic, political and social ways, and in a nutshell divisive, abhorrent, wholly unnecessary, a form of persecution is inhumane. If
the purpose is to humiliate the PPP hierarchy and weaken the PPP supporters; the coalition actions are an antithesis to their aims. Persecution as viewed by the preeminent legal scholar William Murray, also known as Lord Mansfield is recorded thus: “There is nothing certainly more unreasonable, more inconsistent with the rights of human nature, more contrary to the spirit… more iniquitous to and unjust, more impolitic, than persecution”. It seems that this administration is floating on such a sea, where priority is given to looking backwards over a horizon-less sea, as unjustifiable actions are conducted and executed, with the varnish of political legality to find the invisible horizon. JeanPaul Sartre, the great French philosopher and political activist; after being arrested for civil disobedience in Paris in 1968–benefited from the inter-
vention and pardon by President Charles de Gaulle, the President said then “you don’t arrest Voltaire”. We may not have the likes of Voltaire, Sartre and Lord Mansfield among us; however, what we absolutely need to have is an absence of persecution by the current governing administration towards the previous governing administration. Life is too short to be wasted on seeking revenge or conducting endless recriminative actions that torpedoes our country into an ungovernable and failed state. Party paramountcy is our country’s Achilles’ heel that leads to perversion of justice. The heel needs to be cleansed or abandoned. In the absence of a magical river, the latter option to abandon party paramountcy in the governance of Guyana is strongly recommended. Nigel Hinds
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Young anti-corruption activist says APNU+AFC is like the PPP DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space in your letter section to expand on an article of 25th April, 2017, “Local Wikileaks? Former Board Member blows whistle on CH&PA’s operations.” I was asked to serve on the Board of CH&PA by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan for which I am grateful. This appointment, approved by Cabinet was for two years as mandated by the Housing Act. The instrument of appointment was signed by Minister of State Joe Harmon. For reasons only the Minister of State couldn’t articulate, the life of the Board was terminated six months early. It’s not for me to tell the APNU AFC government ministers how to run their business, but for PR purposes they should stop using the PPPs playbook in carrying out their day to day actions. The Junior Minister within the Ministry Valerie Patterson is on record saying she is bigger than any board and saw a functioning Board as a hindrance to her aspirations. Whatever those might be I do not know. I have never seen any written documentation of her goals, plans or visions. For my service on the board I was compensated $7000 per month and I sometimes
claimed taxi money when I attended meetings. Even on one trip to Suriname, no provision was made for per diem! I have uploaded all my communication with management to the internet at www.anticorruptiongy.wordpress.com because I think the public has a right to know what elected and unelected officials are doing purportedly for their benefit. Similarly almost all documents I would have received have also been uploaded. In total this is approximately 7000 pages of information and it is set to appear publicly automatically. I have no interest in returning to the CH&PA Board or in serving the APNU/AFC government in any capacity. I am not after compensation or rewards for removing the information from the public domain. Persons can read for themselves and will see that corruption and criminal activities are ongoing at CH&PA and are being carried out by elements of the old regime and persons chasing riches under this administration. Minister Valerie Patterson herself is engaged in activities that are highly questionable. These are not easy things to say publicly as I campaigned relentlessly to remove the PPP from government.
If these types of activities represent the new normal by the powers that be, I simply will not allow myself to be part of it. I wrote a letter of resignation from the Board approximately after six months following my appointment and was asked to reconsider by large numbers of persons. I changed my mind and continued working with other members of the Board to bring about positive changes. This received resistance from management, staff and certain persons in the political direc-
each member the opportunity to do their independent evaluation without the influence of the opinion of others. Finally they will all meet to discuss and defend their evaluation results. Ø Evaluation Process needs to capture some key component if not yet done. o Contractors Past Performance o Contractors current Work Load o Contractor current performance on current projects § Are current project lagging behind time § What % of current project are executed § How will this award affect the contractor current projects. o Contractors current manpower and capital capacity o Contractor’s financial capacity. You don’t want to award a contract and the contractors who will take the advance payment to clear personal commitments thus starving the project for cash. Overall the evaluation process should be clearly documented to capture some key components about the contractors and on the tender price. This will remove all the controversy as it relates to low prices and contractors
moved supposedly for being too old. Billions have already been wasted on infrastructure and without proper examination, more money is being spent again to redo some of these same projects. It might come as a shock to some that the same people who oversaw the original waste, have been kept in place to spend more of the public’s money. I can withstand any amount of scrutiny for my work as a Board Member of CH&PA and these documents and files will be a permanent pub-
lic record. I expect to be victimised and vilified but I stand on solid ground free from fear or want. To paraphrase Kwame Ture, ‘our job is not to make the unconscious but to make them conscious of their unconscious behavior.’ I sat in the public gallery during the reading of the state asset recovery bill. From the looks of things, many on the governing side of the aisle were not conscious. Some were even sleeping. Mark Jacobs
The Pope’s innovative ways of reaching out to people DEAR EDITOR, It is nothing surprising for me when Pope Francis comes up with innovative ways to reach out to people especially with his down to earth message of love and unity. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened TED Talks yesterday and to see him giving his message of unity, love and tenderness. The pontiff has been very creative in his approach to his pontificate by using modern medium to communicate the Gospel message to the world. Hence, I would tend to think that Pope Francis rises to the modern times so that he can reach out to thousands of people in an effec-
Notes on the attitudes of some... From page 6 Ø Take more pride in the work we do Ø Offer more value for money spent Ø Do not tender outside of your Experience and Capacity. On the Government side they should continue to strengthen the system so contractors are held accountable for their action on projects. Ø Black List poor performance Ø Must be more rigid with their enforcement on project sites Ø Must have the Inspectorate Board operable as soon as possible o Board must have Trained employees o Must have employees with high ethical standards if not they too can become corrupt and pressure contractors unnecessarily o Must be equipped to do random checks on site to review projects. Ø Must review the evaluation process with a view to make the process more independent. So if you have five evaluators on a project, independent evaluation must be done. This can only happen if they are not aware who the other members are that sit on the valuation committee since it will give
torate. I have no problem with the government terminating the life of the board, legally or illegally. What i do have a problem with is deceitful statements – e.g. they are interested in making state boards more youthful. Progress, however that is defined, was being halted by Board members. Two of the youngest board members were removed - Mark Jacobs and Sherod Duncan. Two names included in the new list of members are from the same generation as Hamilton Green, who was re-
past and current performances. Engineer estimates, in my view, so as to allow the government to get a guide for budgetary purposes and what a project will actually cost. Contractors needs to tender at a price that will get the job done in keeping with the requirements and the Technical Specification The government is doing a great job in trying to stamp out some of the issues we had in the procurement system. There are a lot more to be done but we all have a role to play in this process. We all as contractors need to take full responsibility for our action and raise the bar when it comes to our quality and timely execution of projects. The government cannot do it alone. Komal Singh
tive and faster way. Let me briefly express the message that he delivered to the world on TED Talk. This message fits well with the Season of Easter. Firstly, he emphasised the need for unity and peaceful coexistence. “The future you” is his tagline to convey the message of unity knowing well the atrocities which are divisive done to the people in the world. This message is crucial as he prepares for a two-day visit to Egypt at the end of this week. It is crucial as experts on the country say he will face a series of difficult choices while he’s there. The trip could be one of the most delicate yet of his four-year papacy.
For the Pope “unity” has been key factor in his Papacy. As he puts it, our life is not just that passes by but it comes in contact with many people with peaceful interaction. Secondly, his message of love is communicated powerfully throughout his papacy. Although, the Pope himself promotes technology, he is well aware that technological innovations have blinded the humanity to see our neighbour who is suffering. We watch the stars and planets orbiting in the far distance but we also need to see people who are orbiting us to see our help. Thirdly, his message of tenderness is crucial for our
times. He emphasises the use of our eyes and ears to see and listen to the children, the poor and those who are afraid of the future and also to listen to our common home, the mother earth. Tenderness is to use our hands and hearts to comfort others to take care of them. The message of unity, love and tenderness is important for our modern times irrespective of religions . Although, the Pope speaks as a Christian, this threefold message could apply to every individual and every country in the world, because our issues are similar with variant intensity. Rev. Jerri Melwin Dias SJ Diocese of Georgetown
Something is rotten in the state of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I managed to get my hands on an interesting and informative document produced by Guysuco titled “Reorganisation Plan” dated May, 2016. Going through its pages I was amazed to see that the sugar corporation was advising the State, at that time, in wooing private buyers to take over Skeldon Estate it was suggested that potential investors be told about the lucrative opportunities to set up a refinery to produce white sugar for the Caribbean market. Worst yet, I saw that the authors of that plan recommended that the Government support the investors to get Common External Tariff (CET) protection in CARICOM as a means to secure their investment.
For me, Editor, I was dumbfounded to see a state-owned enterprise taking such a stance. While publicly we are told by Guysuco officials that the estate is a time bomb, the private interests are being told seemingly a different story about the windfall they would have should they purchase the estate. Editor, I am tempted to believe the latter than the former and it seems the wool is being pulled over all our eyes. It is disturbing for me as a proud, patriotic Guyanese than rather to seek to have the ‘windfall’ benefitting all our
men, women and children, we will allow seemingly a foreigner to come in and repatriate billions of dollars outside of our shores to the benefit of their shareholders. Any sympathetic and caring Government would not adopt such a position which is not in the interest of its people. It is a most bitter pill for me to swallow that the Government being aware of such information is pushing ahead to sell such a prized national asset. It seems to me Editor, “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. Patricia Persaud
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GAPE Executive acknowledges inaccuracies in engineers’ estimates -841 children escape separation from home In light of the disturbing numb e r o f c h i l d a b u s e figures recorded during the first quarter of this year, the Ministry of Social Protection is pulling out all the stops to ensure that by the end of the year, the upward trend is reversed. One tactic employed by the Childcare and Protection Agency is the
strategic execution of ‘parenting courses’ at maternal clinics all across the country. “What is going to happen is, we are going to have qualified peop l e going to these centres and doing training,” the a g e n c y ’s D i r e c t o r, A n n Greene said. She explained during an
interview, that the training would be conveniently executed on the days that expectant mothers and mothers with their children, are scheduled to attend clinic. Topics that are expected to be covered by the programme include – proper child development, punishment versus
discipline and abuse – how parents can protect their children by not becoming perpetrators. As it is, mothers followed by fathers, are the leading architects of the various forms of abuse meted out to children. “People don’t really understand it too well. Parenting is not what you do to a child, it is what you can do for a child,” Greene asserted. She said that often times, parents fail to properly communicate with their children. “This paves the way for children to go against the wishes of the parent, because they don’t understand the things that their parents understand. And the parents in turn, fail to explain things properly to their parents.” Nonetheless, it would appear as though the CPA has made tremendous progress as it relates to parents falling in line. During the first quarter of this year alone, the CPA managed to prevent 841 children from being separated from their families. This was facilitated through the intervention of the agency, which ensured
Director of the CPA, Ann Greene that increased support was provided to the families of the affected children. A huge part of the support dealt with providing adequate services for better parenting. “These children w o u l d h ave had to be removed from their families because they were at risk,” Greene said. It was explained that because the parents of these at risk children were willing to do better, the CPA had no problem in working along with
them to conduct programmes aimed at creating better parents. “...and we were able to change some of the things that were creating the vulnerability for children at home,” Greene stated. It was reported that during the first two months of this year, the Childcare and Protection Agency was able to install the new visiting committee for children’s residential care institutions. The committee, according to reports, is a recognised body authorised to visit and examine all established c h i l d r e n ’s h o m e s a n d institutions. “It consists of no less than 17 responsible citizens who will work for no more than three years,” a Government agency said. Works to monitor these facilities have commenced, to ensure that these institutions are up to minimum standards. Failure to be “up to scratch” would result in the children’s homes being refused licences for operation, as stipulated under the Childcare and Development Service Act. Guyana has approximately 66 children’s homes.
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Dem boys seh... Contractor calls on Govt. to blacklist incompetent contractors SOCU mek Jagdeo and A prominent contractor for the State has urged the administration to consider blacklisting contractors with poor performance records. Managing Director of Gaico Construction Inc., Komal Singh, is also calling for Government to be more rigid in their enforcement at project sites. The calls were made by the contractor in a letter to the Editor and would come at a time when there are questions over the performance of government engineers. Last week, a number of tenders opened for several contracts, indicated that the engineer’s estimates were way above the prices tendered. It raised questions about the methodology used by the State’s engineers to arrive at their costs and even possibilities of corruption. However, Gaico, a contractor who worked on the East Bank Demerara four-lane extension to Diamond and is involved in river dredging, said that the fault should not be laid fully at the feet of the government engineers. The company said that had government awarded a project to someone whose
prices are above the engineer’s estimate, there would have been attempts to justify these. “Very ironic, but yet some of us are ready to cast blame on the government or the engineer sometimes.” Singh, who said he has been a contractor in business for 25 years, stressed there is some truth about the low pricing and at the same time this can realistically be proven right or wrong by some simple analysis during the evaluation process. “I agree that some contractors’ prices are ridiculously low in some cases and the rule of low price tender should not apply for award in those cases. Understanding why engineer’s estimates will vary from the contractors’ prices can be a complex task.” He said that the engineers who prepare estimates use realistic market value to arrive at a rate or in some cases, past prices. It was pointed out that when a contractor tenders, it will vary significantly due to key factors. These include whether the contractor owns a quarry; owns equipment, has
experienced workers and other logistical factors and whether the materials have to be imported. “The position that these engineers sit in at the Ministry is not an easy position and they constantly have to be mindful on how they value projects so as to avoid being accused. I do agree that there needs to be some more training for some of the engineers in this area which I am sure is being addressed by the Government.” Singh believed that whenever a contractor has a price which appears to be lower than the engineer’s estimates, a red flag should be raised. “At the end, if they are not satisfied that the contractor can actually execute the work for the price they tendered, then they should be called in to make a justification on how they plan to execute before award. At the moment, the current Procurement Act states clearly that contract should be awarded to the Lowest Qualified and Responsive Tender. So government cannot easily disregard this…if not there is another section of the
contractor fraternity who will accuse the government of favoritism.” However, low prices alone are not the problems. The contractor urged his peers to step up to the plate and stop colluding with some site engineers and Clerk of Works. He wants them to expose those that are bent on corruption. It was also urged that contractors should only take work that they have the capacity to handle. From the government side, Gaico said in addition to blacklisting contractors for past poor performance, more random visits should be paid to work sites. One of the priorities of the administration must be to have the Inspectorate Board operable as soon as possible with trained, screened employees involved. A review of the evaluation process to make it more independent would be another way forward, Singh said. “So if you have five evaluators on a project independent evaluation must be done. This can only happen if they are not aware Continued on page 14
Babbie plan suicide
Always remember two people and two things in life. De two people is you mudda and you fadda. De two things is, “Take care of you thoughts when you are alone, and take care of your words when you are wid people.” Jagdeo, that scamp, now that he deh alone he got nuff thoughts, all is about mischief and he mouth does bring it out every time he deh wid people. De Chat-3 is another one. He playing tricks wid he thoughts and games wid he words. He think he had a right to carry home de people of Guyana law books but he words land him before de courts. Is only time fuh Jagdeo and de rest of dem, except Brassington, de fat crook who deh hide away in Miami. Dem boys seh he wouldn’t have to go before SARU, SOCU or de police, he heading straight to jail, just like how people in monopoly does go straight to jail. Do not pass GO. In Brassington case he should just walk in de jail fuh de things he do to Guyana fuh Babbie, Jagdeo and de rest of de kavakamites. Indeed Babbie and Jagdeo is a couple who help demself tremendously wid Guyana’s wealth and property. When SOCU call Jagdeo de other day, de first thing he do was to call Babbie and tell him listen, “If anything happen to me you can’t rob me. I got full trust in you.” Babbie tell him, “Boss, I got so much trust that I can kill meself and lef everything fuh you.” When Jagdeo hear that he seh is better we commit suicide together so we don’t have to go to jail. De plan was de two of dem to jump off de tallest building in Guyana. Soon morning de next day dem go pun de roof of de Marriott. De hold hand and seh at de count of 1-2-3 dem gun jump. On de count of 3 Babbie jump off and Jagdeo stay up. As Babbie was falling Jagdeo see him open a parachute and land safely. Question. Who betrayed who? Talk half and ask who did trust who.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Appeal filed to overturn life sentence of 19-yr-old convict By Rehanna Ramsay An appeal has been filed to overturn the life sentence of 19 -year-old Deosaran Bisnauth. Bisnauth, of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court. The trial ended on April 18 last. The teenager, who is nicknamed “Strokes Mouth,” was originally indicted for the murder of Robert Mangal called “Trevor.”
According to the facts of the case, the incident occurred on July 6, 2013, at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The two people were said to have been imbibing in a shop, at the time of the altercation. During the trial, Bisnauth was represented by Attorney- at-law Bernard De Santos (S.C). The lawyer had petitioned the court for mercy prior to the sentence. In his plea of mitigation, De Santos had asked the court to consider his client’s age and the fact that he was just 16 years old at the time of the incident.
However, when he was given a chance to respond the guilty verdict, the teenager told the court he had nothing to say. Bisnauth, was therefore sentenced to serve a term of life in prison. Obviously upset with the court‘s ruling, Bisnauth’s relatives expressed the opinion that they were dealt a raw deal by the court. Relatives of the 19 year- old convict turned to prominent, Attorney- at-law, Nigel Hughes, in an effort to have the sentence overturned. An appeal was filed on Friday last.
According to information obtained by the newspaper, in addition to contending that the sentence was excessive the appeal is based on claims that the trial judge misdirected the jury on a number of matters including the law and elements of self defense; the law on elements of provocation; on the medical evidence and he failed to put adequately the offence to the accused. During his trial, Bisnauth had claimed that he acted in self-defence after the victim charged him with a rum bottle at the shop. But an eyewitness’s account revealed that Mangal was unarmed at the time of the incident. The account given by Karran Bharrat Chattergoon, called Manoj, stated that the victim was unarmed, but Bisnauth picked up a piece of wood and dealt the man
Deosaran Bisnauth “about three lashes across his back” after which, he (Mangal) fell, facedown to the ground. Additionally, a medical doctor testified during the trial that he examined Robert Mangal, following the incident.
Dr. Roy Samlall said that there were signs of assault and intoxication when the victim was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Samlall said that Mangal was also unresponsive. The witness noted that upon examining the patient, he found that there was an injury to the right side of his head and swelling to his right elbow. According to Dr Samlall, a CT scan was ordered and conducted on the victim. The scan revealed that there was bleeding in the right temporal lobe and blood clots in the brain. The witness told the court that the injuries were considered life-threatening. As such, Mangal was placed in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), for further medical monitoring until the day he died.
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Cash payment might have contributed to ‘ghost teachers’ situation The possibility of payment being made in cash to teachers in areas such as the Berbice River is not unlikely and therefore could be conducive to activities of a criminal nature. Former Chief Education Officer, Mr Ed Caesar, who was given the task to head a Commission of Inquiry [COI] into the education system, in an invited comment to this publication yesterday, “This is the Berbice River we are talking about...As far as I am aware [teachers] are paid in cash.” A day earlier Caesar handed over a preliminary report of the COI to Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine during which he made some very revealing disclosures about the education system. Several issues of financial mismanagement were found during the Commission’s sojourn in the Berbice River. Caesar said, “We have seen pay sheets with names of teachers who, as far as the head teachers are concerned, don’t exist. We are seeing ghost teachers so to speak...and recently one of the schools called and said to us another name has been added,” said Mr. Caesar of a school’s payroll. “We have seen the name of a person being transferred from a school that doesn’t exist to another school. So financial management has to be addressed, and be addressed seriously, or else we will have other kinds of issues.” Moreover, a
Mr. Ed Caesar recommendation coming out of the COI, Caesar said, “is that departments of education must monitor things like that; departments must know who are the persons on the Ministry or departments’ payrolls.” He continued, “Our education department must keep themselves abreast of how finances are used; how grants are utilised. It is very important that they go down that road.” When asked if the Commission would have been able to uncover what had become of the money paid to ghost teachers, Caesar’s response was, “I don’t know.” He, however, considered that there are a number of things that could have been happening, including the possibility that teachers are employed but are not sent to the schools where their names are recorded. He said that the possibility exists that “these
names [ghost teachers] could have just appeared on the payroll or pay sheet of schools and the schools were not made aware that these teachers even exist...” But according to Caesar, the head teachers of all schools should always be aware of each person on their payroll. “When a head teacher signs that pay sheet she is really saying these are my teachers and I have paid them. When she signs the pay sheet and these names are on there, she has to be careful,” asserted Caesar. Given the various considerations that could have resulted in the presence of ghost teachers in the system, Caesar emphasised that there is dire need for the education departments to take action. “They have to look into the matter carefully and see where the deficiencies are and have them corrected. This thing has to be looked at very carefully. Let us say the names are there and monies are collected and these people are not working anywhere that is another indictment,” noted the COI Chairman. According to him, each education department ought to have a comprehensive list of all teachers and all the schools in the system. “I don’t know where the money is going; I don’t know if the people are somewhere else...The only way we can know is if a proper investigation is done. It has to be investigated... “We are speaking about
hard earned dollars; we are speaking about service...If people are employed and they are giving service somewhere else the head teacher must know; it is a responsibility of the head teacher you can’t keep the head teacher in the dark,” ,” asserted Caesar. In the case of the irregularities, Caesar is convinced that the regional officer[s] responsible for the region should be given a chance to bring clarity to the
situation. Even as he emphasised this, he did note that there has been a clear indication that efforts are being made to improve the education system, particularly in the Berbice River. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, upon learning of the situation of the ghost teachers in the system on Friday said, “It is high fraud and it should be dealt with. I think it is beyond the powers of the Ministry of
Education and it is something that requires the attention of the people who are trained to investigate.” But Technical Adviser to the Minister, Mr. Vincent Alexander, asserted that “the approach the Ministry will take is the approach Mr. Caesar spoke to. The Ministry will ask the departments to investigate and give us the specifics...We cannot make a commitment or take further action without specific information.”
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
GAPE Executive acknowledges inaccuracies in engineers’ estimates Public procurement refers to the purchase of goods, services and works by Governments and State-owned entities. The public procurement process is the sequence of activities starting with the assessment of needs through awards to contract management and final payment. Since public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of the taxpayers’ money, the process is expected to be carried out efficiently and with high standards in order to ensure that high quality services are delivered and at the same time, ensuring the public’s interest is safeguarded against wastage and most importantly corruption. For years, concerns have been raised over the public procurement system in Guyana. Numerous letters have been written, alleging that there exists corruption at various levels of the process. Numerous red flags have also been raised in the past with the most recent being the subject of engineers’ estimates where contactors themselves, questioned the competence of the State engineers – who are dubbed the “gatekeepers” of the peoples’ monies. Contractors are consistently bidding below – in many cases by millions of dollars – the engineers’ estimates. One contractor explained that if bidders consistently bid way below the engineer’s estimate, it signals that works can be done at a cheaper cost. It can further be deduced that
the engineers’ estimates are not a true reflection of the cost to carry out a project. This was reported, taking into consideration that there have been known cases in the past where the engineers’ estimates were being deliberately ‘inflated’. Another contractor believed that the engineers must be catering for “superior” materials. “Unless they making the engineer’s estimate to cater for superior quality materials, this is obviously utter rubbish because obviously, those materials are not available locally. “The engineers are supposed to be looking out for the State’s interest to ensure that we (the state) don’t pay contractors way above (what) we can afford. It creates an impression that these engineers are incompetent or worse yet, corrupt,” the contractor alleged. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the weekly postCabinet press briefing in the Georgetown last week, admitted that there were deficiencies with the engineers’ estimates. He used the forum to call on the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), to address the matter to ensure that there is public confidence in the presentation of these estimates. Speaking to Kaieteur News via telephone yesterday, an Executive Member of that association acknowledged the call made by the Minister. However, the official requested that the government’s wishes be presented in writing.
There needs to be an official request by the government, the member opined. “All we heard is that they need GAPE to get involved but nobody contacted us. They’re not coming forward and tell us exactly what they want,” the engineer said. Commenting on the issue of engineers’ estimates, the member noted that in some cases, these estimates are inaccurate; this has to do with the methodology used by the engineers. The veteran engineer who claimed to have provided “over 100 engineer’s estimates” said that the methodology used to create these estimates should include several factors including the current cost of the materials, labour costs, use of machinery, transportation, and profit. The member noted, also, that the engineers are not all to be blamed for the disparity. Some contractors, the members said, are bidding extremely lower just to be selected for the job. Once awarded, the contractors then proceed to cut costs by carrying out the job using inferior materials which results in “substandard work”. The member said that the association for years has been calling for support and has been providing recommendations to the government to better the field of engineering in Guyana to ensure public confidence. However, these calls were answered and the recommendations never acted upon.
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Questions raised over contractor of $97M collapsed monument The collapsed monument.
The recently collapsed Indian Arrival Day Monument at the junction of Palmyra has raised many questions. The project which was estimated to be completed by May 5, for the upcoming Indian Arrival Day celebrations will no longer meet its deadline after the catastrophe that occurred on Tuesday evening. Regional Chairman David Armogan said that the Government was tasked to prepare the site and complete the ground work for the monuments to be placed. “I was made to understand a contractor was given this contract to make sure all things are in place for May 5 but that cannot happen”, Armogan posited. He lamented that “the government of Guyana, during last year had put out a public tender for the construction of those bases that have to house the monuments and that some contractor from Linden was given the contract. The contract is in the vicinity of $70 million. This is to prepare and construct the base of the site but this is not likely”. Armogan is of the view that work done by the contractor is substandard. He stated that it is a structural problem. He further mentioned that they have been trying to speak with the contractor at a regional level but he has remained tightlipped on the matter. “He keeps telling us that he has a contract with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and he has to
deal directly with that agency.” However, when calls were made to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure they have since distanced themselves from the project. The Ministry says that the project falls under the Culture, Youth and Sport agency. When Kaieteur News tried to make contact with Marlon Chapman who claimed to be the Supervisor of the company on Wednesday and also claimed to be the contractor the previous day, he told this publication via telephone, “I don’t know what is going on” and hung up. The Regional Chairman argued that problems as such will arise when contractors are not selected based on their past record. “There are contractors in this region that have the ability and capacity and know how to execute those projects. “The money would have remained in the region but unfortunately we have a contractor coming from Linden. Nobody knows about him. I have never heard about him.” He stated that projects are awarded based on the most responsive bidder, one who has the machinery, money and capacity to execute the job to the standard that is acceptable. When this publication contacted the Ministry of Education, we were told that a response will be provided shortly by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on the issue. During another visit to the site, the area seemed desolate with no workers in
Equipment parked at the site on Thursday.
sight. Machinery that was reportedly rented from Eron Lall Construction & Rental Services was seen at the construction area, which gave an indication that the machinery does not belong to the contracted company. Cumberbatch told reporters that the company will take responsibility for the mishap. He stated, “These men were working and someone made a faulty move and the thing collapsed”. He also refused to provide the name of the company but recent investigations by this publication revealed that the name of the company is Alternative Contracting Enterprise based in Mackenzie, Linden. The owner has been revealed as Derek Wilson. The company reportedly came into being in 2008. With a second visit to the site, this publication noticed what seemed to be a “weak” foundation with three-inch concrete hallow blocks used to make the cone of the edifice. An experienced person in construction related that the steel rods looked extremely far apart, with no solid base to withstand the structure within, hence causing it to collapse. The Design Consultant for the project is Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services. The Supervisory Consultant is FEPCam Inc. The investigation revealed that the cylindrical wall was built with six-inch hollow blocks instead of a reinforced concrete in accordance with the design drawing.
Further, the vertical reinforcing base is placed mostly at block joints rather than in the core. The hollow core block work has also started to fail. It is showing signs of large cracks. To compound the
shortcomings, reef sand was used as the compacted fill. This material is high in clay content hence the slippage and subsequent collapse. Tenders were reportedly put out late last year for the project with companies from
Berbice also bidding, however, the company from Linden was selected. The Monument is said to have cost in excess of $97 Million with the Indian Government making a contribution of US$150,000.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Cubans cushioning commercial businesses in the city The spending power of many Guyanese continues to weaken and commercial businesses are feeling the squeeze. Kaieteur News understands that the business generated by Cubans who come to shop here is cushioning the effect of business slowdown in this sector. EasySky, which is represented locally by Roraima Group of
Companies, began flying to Guyana late last year. This is the airline that brings Cubans. Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Eddie Boyer, said that many businesses have been reporting benefits from Cubans. He said, “There is a lot of traffic from the Cuban and I think Roraima has told us that it is almost US$3M per week. I mean it is quite a lot.”
Boyer said that there are a multitude of factors that influence the spending power of people. “If we export more, people in the export industries get jobs and money. That has slowed down.” Boyer said that a lot of businesses are recording a cutback. He pointed out that this is because of the decline in sales. “People have indicated that to us. If you are
talking specifically what the Cubans bring to the market, that I would say has helped to cushion the blow of the declining economy. But that is only that commercial sector.” Recently, hundreds of Cuban passengers were stranded in Guyana for several days after the Honduras-based Easy Sky airline was temporarily grounded. Just about 433
passengers had been stranded in Guyana since last week. Cubans fly to Guyana weekly to shop large quantities of clothing, electronic and other items. There has been an influx of Cubans visiting these shores. Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge noted last December that the presence of foreigners, who travel here particularly to shop, demonstrates a “closer cooperation” between Guyana and the Spanishspeaking island. He said Cubans do not require visas to visit Guyana, and those arriving here are not only interested in trade. He noted that there are
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Eddie Boyer Cubans who come here just for the purpose of tourism.
Contractor calls... From page 9 who the other members are that sit on the evaluation committee since it will give each member the opportunity to do their independent evaluation without the influence of others opinion. Finally they will all meet to discuss and defend their evaluation results.” With regards to the evaluation, Gaico said it is not a good idea to award a contract without ensuring that the contractor is financially stable. He said that there are contractors who will take the advance payment to clear personal commitments thus starving the project for cash. “Overall, the evaluation process should be clearly documented to capture some key components about the contractors and on the tender price. This will remove all the controversy as it relates to
low prices and contractors past and current performance. Engineer estimates, in my view, is for government to get a guide for budgetary purposes and what a project will actually cost. Contractors need to tender at a price that will get the job done in keeping with the requirements and the technical specification.” The contractor believed that the government is doing a “great job” in trying to stamp out some of the issues in the procurement system. “There is a lot more to be done but we all have a role to play in this process. We all as contractors need to take full responsibility for our actions and raise the bar when it comes to our quality and timely execution of projects. The government cannot do it alone.”
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
TIGI bemoans Govt’s sloth to provide key information on ExxonMobil’s operation Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) is bothered by the fact that the Ministry of Natural Resources is yet to provide a response to a letter sent to it over a month ago. The institute said that the Ministry did not even have the common courtesy to acknowledge receipt of the letter. The letter questioned the operations of ExxonMobil. It is titled, “documentation to be required and used to assess Exxon’s application for a Production Licence” TIGI said that as Guyana engages in its quest for Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) candidacy, it is important to ensure that the Ministry of Natural Resources is committed to the endeavour. The Institute continued, “Considering that the EITI is a global standard to promote open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources, and knowing of Guyana’s stated interest in implementing this standard, TIGI wrote to the Minister of Natural
- Trotman says “no disrespect intended”
President of TIGI, Troy Thomas Resources requesting clarification on whether he had asked ExxonMobil to submit a feasibility study of its proposed Stabroek Block development. This request was as it proceeds with the evaluation of the company’s application for a production licence.” TIGI said that the letter was delivered on March 29, 2017. “We obtained acknowledgement of receipt almost a month later by calling to enquire on April 27, 2017. However, even after this time, we were unable to obtain
a clear response about whether or not a response is forthcoming.” Yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said that the Ministry did not ignore the letter. He said, “I am not aware of it so I have to find out.” The Minister continued, “We are not hiding or running from anybody. We have been meeting with as many groups as physically possible. So I will engage them; I will look for the letter certainly. No disrespect meant. I will locate the letter on Tuesday and respond to it as soon as I can.” “But I can assure you that it is nothing deliberate.” In the letter, TIGI “respectfully” referred the Minister to Section 33 (1) of the Petroleum (Production and Exploration) Act of 1986. TIGI President Troy Thomas said that while that Section of the Act gives the Minister an opportunity to direct companies, which have applied for a Petroleum
Production Licence to carry out investigations and studies, to assess the feasibility of the proposed project, the accompanying Regulations make it clear that such investigations include “economic feasibility Studies relating to the recovery, processing and transport of petroleum from the discovery block or blocks in the prospecting area. Thomas said, “Considering the structural stability of oil prices at low levels and their upward stickiness; the increases in US shale gas production; the bearish outlook for oil by industry experts; and the extreme uncertainty about a temporal extension of the OPEC (Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cuts and the effectiveness of such an extension if it were to happen; TIGI imagines that the Government of Guyana would want to know with a high degree of confidence that production licences are only issued for projects that are economically feasible. “TIGI is also keen, as might be the Government of Guyana, that the extraction and production of oil in the Stabroek Block would yield a
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
return that is consistent with the expectations of Guyanese.” Thomas noted that even with an extension of the production cut by OPEC, a record increase in non-OPEC production would prevent any significant increase in oil prices. Thomas said that TIGI is also aware of the moral hazard that arises when profitability margins are tight as they must be in the current economic environment. He said that in such situations, profit maximising companies will be inclined to take greater risks, especially if they are not contractually required to themselves underwrite those risks. Thomas said that the development of the Stabroek Block oil fields by ExxonMobil and its partners, production is being aggressively fast-tracked despite the contrary extraction paths implied by the persistently weak market fundamentals. He said that both the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil have announced that” production would begin in 2020, even though ExxonMobil will only be able to make a ‘financial decision’ sometime in mid-2017, according to its Country Manager, Jeff Simmons, in an outreach to the media fraternity. It is therefore all the more important for citizens, civil
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman society and agencies such as TIGI to ensure that the coincidence of interests between government and ExxonMobil does not belie the former’s commitment to the national interests in regard to both the financial returns and safety and environmental security.” TIGI requested that the Minister share with it the types and particulars of the studies and investigations he has requested as part of the process for evaluating Exxon’s production licence application. “We further wish to know if the documentation listed under Section 10 (e) of the Form for Application for a Petroleum Production Licence” as prescribed by the Regulations accompanying the Petroleum (Production and Exploration) Act of 1986, and in particular subsection (f) of Section 10 (e), will be required in the evaluation of ExxonMobil’s application.” (Abena RockcliffeCampbell)
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Loan for Sheriff St. upgrade diverted to housing projects - Finance Minister Parts of a loan fund raised originally for a road rehabilitation programme by the previous administration is now being re-shifted to the housing sector for its expansion. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan on Friday disclosed that the government is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to reprogramme the housing sector’s over US$30M from a loan approved in 2012, under the previous administration. The Finance Minister, who was at the time addressing the official launch of the Ministry of Communities’ Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond, programme at Perseverance on East Bank Demerara (EBD), explained that the loan was for a road rehabilitation programme that included the upgrade and widening of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue. He explained that this loan has been plagued by a number of problems, resulting in an extremely poor rate of disbursement. Further, the life of the loan will end in March 2018, resulting in the loss of significant concessional resources. The Minister said that instead of facing the loss, the government has decided to re-programme the funds to expand the housing sector, as part of developing new revenue sources for the industry. The more than US$30M will augment the $5B (US$25M) that is expected to be spent in the sector this year, realising the first phase of the Housing Solutions 2017 and beyond programme. Further the money will serve to offset some of the housing supply shortfall, that the country has been experiencing, the minister said. Jordan added that “the housing supply in Guyana has not kept pace with underlying demand.” He said that the accumulated shortfall was due
to factors such as the restrictions on the supply of available land for housing, the lack of financial resources, lack of coordination between infrastructure planning and housing supply, and skills shortage in the housing and construction sectors. “The impact of the housing shortfall is real….the number of people experiencing housing stress is increasing,” the minister said. Solving this critical situation represents a big challenge to the government, given the high cost of construction material and related expenses, but one that the government was committed to investing in since housing, besides being a very basic requirement, also holds the key to accelerating the pace of development in Guyana, Jordan stated. Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson, explained that the Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond, programme will bring resolution to those persons who form the huge backlog of applications at the Central Housing and Planning ( C H & PA ) A u t h o r i t y, some of whom applied for their house lots since 1994. “It is painful to sit and hear the stories of s o m e o f o u r p eople as they visit my office, as I go out to consultation and meet people. It is sad to look into their eyes and to have them say ‘We do not have house lots,’” the minister said. Minister AdamsPatterson said she is passionate about the view that the right to adequate housing is a universal right, and committed to providing affordable housing to all Guyanese. Also addressing the launch were CH&PA’s CEO Lelon Saul, Chairman of the Board, Elsworth Williams and Region Four Chairper-
Ministers within the Ministry of Communities,Valerie Adams-Patterson and Dawn Hastings-Williams and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson turn the sod to officially launch the Ministry of Communities’ Housing Solutions 2017 and beyond programme at Perseverance, EBD. son, Genevieve Allen, who pledged to work with the government and the Ministry of Communities towards the vision of ensuring that all Guyanese own a home. Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry Dawn HastingsWilliams, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin. Prior to the start of the official ceremony, Ministers Adams-Patterson, H a s t i n g s - Wi l l i a m s a n d Patterson turned the sod to officially launch the programme at Perseverance. The Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond programme which is being executed through the Ministry of Communities, caters for low to middle income persons. The programme which is being rolled out this year, in its first phase caters for the construction of 758 housing units; 265 duplexes and 38 town houses in 10 locations in six regions. As the programme progresses, several other housing options are to come onboard, including condominiums.
The Baccoo Speaks The advice to drivers is that they should buckle up. They should also ensure that passengers are buckled in. A man who refused to do so would be seriously hurt when the vehicle in which he was travelling would crash. He would be hurled forward and sustain serious injuries. ** The police are going to
find a body in a swollen waterway.
It would be believed that the man fell into the waterway while intoxicated and drown. A post mortem would suggest otherwise. ** A leading personality would collapse and die suddenly. His death would create a shock because the individual would have been involved in some national activities.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
The pastor with a sordid past – Is this unsolved murder a revenge killing? By Michael Jordan It was close to 30 years after his wife’s murder that the killers paid Pastor Motielall Persaud a visit. They say it was raining heavily that Saturday night, July 30, 2011, when Persaud, known as ‘Brother Martin’, closed his internet café at Lot 22 Armadale, West Coast Berbice. He then entered his car and drove to his home at Lot 36 Railway Dam, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. Arriving there at around 22:00 hrs, the 51-year-old climbed his stairs. Perhaps it was the heavy downpour that prevented Pastor Persaud from realizing that he was not alone, that two men, reportedly masked and clothed in black, were hiding nearby. The Pastor was just opening his door when the men pounced… At around 22:05hrs, Persaud’s brother-in-law, Roopchand, who was also his next-door neighbour, heard an unusual noise. On peering outside, the brother-in law saw the pastor struggling with two men. One was choking Persaud. During the struggle,
Persaud managed to scream out to his brother-in-law that he was being robbed. He then managed to break free from his attackers and open a gate that separated his yard from his brother-in-law’s. The pastor then fled for his life to the brother-in-law’s backyard, where the men caught up with him. Although the pastor put up a fierce fight, the men stabbed him repeatedly about the body. Roopchand alerted his neighbours who then called the police. When they arrived, they found Persaud lying in his brother-in-law’s backyard, bleeding profusely from wounds about his body. Before succumbing, he managed to tell his brother-in-law that the men had made off with his cell phone. The keys to the house were found in the yard and bloodstains were still evident in the grass when I visited the scene. Persaud was the sole occupant of the home at the time since his wife, Gita and sixmonth-old son, MJ, had left for vacation in Trinidad. Checking back further on Persaud’s movements that
Pastor Motielall Persaud and his second wife, Gita night, police learned that he had been among family and friends, hours prior to his death. One of his relatives said that Persaud had joined with them that Saturday afternoon at Cotton Tree. Persaud had hugged and kissed them before leaving at about 18:30 hrs. Detectives scoured the
dead pastor ’s house but found that it was not ransacked, and from all appearances, the men had not entered. This suggested that Persaud’s killers had not intended to rob him. Persaud’s wife, Gita Persaud, also said that her spouse had no enemies. ”He was such a loving person; he got along with everybody. He brought so much happiness into our lives.” The couple had been married for eight years. So who could have wanted ‘Pastor Martin’ dead? A week before his death, his fellow worshippers at the Bush Lot Assemblies of God Church had elected him to be
the Assistant Pastor. A possible motive emerged a few days later. It turned out that he had not always been ‘Pastor Martin’. Back in the nineteen seventies, Motielall Persaud had lived in the Bronx, New York, at 161 St and Walton Avenue, in a building housing several Guyanese. He was also married, but the relationship soured and the two separated. However, it is alleged that the spouse would still visit Persaud to collect money from him. It is alleged that sometime around 1986, Martin gave his spouse a large sum of money. She reportedly returned the next week and demanded more. However, Persaud and his wife reportedly got into an argument over her relationship with another man. In a fit of rage, Persaud strangled her and dumped the body in a garbage dumpster and later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 15 years at Ossining Prison. After 12 years, he was released on good behaviour and deported. On his return to Guyana, Persaud remarried and settled down in Berbice. According to reports, he turned to rice farming and poultry rearing, while also operating an internet café. He also served as deputy pastor for an Assemblies of
God Church. In a letter to Kaieteur News, one of his friends said: “He had paid his debt to society and was fully redeemed. Why, would anyone want to avenge for that long dead exwife from 25-years ago? Another murder to avenge for an earlier one takes us back to the medieval age. The police have a responsibility to find Martin’s killers. Every angle of this murder should be investigated. The knife-stabbing killers must be tracked down not so much for Martin, but for a civil way of life in Guyana. We cannot have people running around killing others. The Guyana police should solve Martin’s murder quickly – or else risk turning Guyana into a haven for revenge killings.” But almost six years later, the murder of ‘Brother Martin’ remains unsolved. If you have any information about other unusual cases, please contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 225-8465, 225-8491 or 225-8473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
What is the relationship between this businessman and the Government? How could people like those in the leadership of the People’s National Congress and the Alliance For Change face so many of us now that they are in government? In my column yesterday, I looked at the performance in government of people like David Granger and Vincent Alexander, who profess undying admiration of Forbes Burnham, and concluded that in power these two men have strayed very far from the ideals of Burnham. In that column, I opined that Walter Rodney would be ashamed to know what Rupert Roopnaraine has become now that Roopnaraine is a part of a government in Guyana. I concluded with some comments on Moses Nagamootoo, a staunch admirer of Cheddi Jagan, with the judgement that Cheddi Jagan would have certainly disapproved of Nagamootoo’s performance as Prime Minister. The original title for this column was, “An outrageous government that lost its way; “but I decided to use the current headline that may arouse more curiosity in readers. Something about the relationship between the key players in government and the owner of that enormous building at Camp and Lamaha Streets needs investigating. I am suggesting that the media and anti-corruption commentators and civil society groups ought to probe this relationship. There is an inexplicable
dimension in this relationship that is intriguing. I am not making any accusations. What the rest of this column is about is a question about the relationship that makes no sense to me. I am entitled to my opinion, once I do not make accusations. First, the Vice-Chancellor of the university. I have no question in my mind that Professor Griffith is not the person to hold that crucial position, given UG’s moribund condition. This is my honest, sincere opinion. Let’s look at what Griffith did. The Guyanese people must question the leaders in government on what Griffith did and square it with criticisms they made when they were in opposition. Griffith proposed to use an initial 84 million dollars in the first year to rent that building. After this, the rent would have been 6 million monthly, plus UG would have had to pay for maintenance. Here now is the part that calls into question the relevance of Professor Griffith to Guyana’s development thrust and the failure of Granger and Vincent Alexander to stay true to Burnham’s vision. Griffith wants this structure to house a School of Business. Nowhere in Griffith’s plan is a School of Oceanography, School of Climate Studies, School of Agricultural Science, School of Oil and Gas Studies, School of Manufacturing Sciences. After fifty years of Independence, the UG Vice-Chancellor wants to
rent a building to start a faculty of business studies. This is a “piss poor’ (as one Guyanese icon described the Guyanese economy) tenth rate banana republic that has a tiny business world which is dwarfed billions of times by our neighbours of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad. One night in Berbice over dinner, Christopher Ram lifted up his hand and told us that you can count on your fingers the number of public companies (private companies) on our stock exchange. All we have done since Independence is export raw materials and buy and sell. This is the extent of our business world in Guyana. Our
migration of young educated people is unimaginable. Yet against this background, taxpayers’ money would have gone into renting a building from a private businessman for a business school, while UG sits on a large estate owned by the people of Guyana. But wait! There is more to come. After UG would have rented the structure, the Ministry of Health would have paid one million dollars a month for space to house a Child Healthcare Centre right in that building. Two other governmental agencies would have rented space too Why with so many places all over the country
that the government owns, would it want to pay rent of about two million dollars? Something is not right here. Something about the relationship between big people in government and the owner of that high-rise is perhaps unusual or not orthodox. Can Professor Griffith tell us if it was his idea in the first place to help the businessman or was it a suggestion from a big-wig in the corridors of power? Where is this big wig from – PNC or AFC? Is there more than one big wig in the act or is there a cabal? The faster the Coalition Government slides down the chasm of morbid mediocrity,
Frederick Kissoon the faster our young educated ones will leave, and the quicker the country will walk towards the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, which is right outside waiting for us.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guyanese girls in ICT will expand our horizons All over the world, especially in member countries of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), people came together on Thursday last (April 27) to spread awareness of the roles that women are playing and will play in the world of ICT. ‘Girls in ICT’ has become a fixture on the annual international calendar since the ITU designated the last Thursday of April as their special day. Here at home, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications spearheaded three major events organized and executed by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) of which the eGovernment project execution unit is a part. The NDMA outreach took in five specially selected female students from each of 10 city schools to tour several tech-intensive agencies and private companies including GuySuCo, the GRA, the NDMA and Digicel. The budding girl technologists came from Queen’s College, Brickdam Secondary, St. Joseph High, North
Georgetown, Christ Church and other Secondary Schools. Simultaneously, nearly 300 fifteen and sixteen-yearold girls attending Leonora Secondary and other schools in that West Coast Demerara catchment area participated in a very successful symposium at Leonora Secondary that was well executed by the NFMU. The young ladies, also budding techies, received video messages via Skype from the ITU SecretaryGeneral, Houlin Zhao, and from famous Hollywood actress turned Advocate for women’s rights in ICT, Geena Davis. Below are excerpts from the message delivered by Minister Catherine Hughes: “I’ve had the opportunity to meet a young lady who is now the Senior Marketing Strategist at Google’s New York headquarters. She is so knowledgeable about the internet and Information Technology that she believes that there is nothing that ICT cannot do. I want you to believe that there are no limits to your future. With everything moving
at such a high speed, you are now being placed in the right positions to follow up what has already started. There is a reality that we are trying to change. There are still a few girls who believe that the field of Information Communication Technology is just for boys and men, and that it is difficult. This day was designed to tell these young women that they are wrong! Don’t let the word technology fool you, or keep you from taking charge of it. You have definitely begun to learn about apps and computer software. Yes, you have! What do you think enables you to text back and forth with your friends and family here and overseas? What do you think WhatsApp and Instagram, or Pinterest and Twitter are? These are ICT applications that were designed to improve communication among people anywhere in the world … and some of the apps were designed with tremendous input of women! You utilize computer applications every day … your phones and tablets have become parts of your lives. You
are so familiar with them and right there you have familiarized yourself with some basic ICT know-how, and you do have some new ideas, I know that. So don’t you want to be able to put some of your own ideas into action – like design an app that alerts you to cyber bullying, or one that tells you if someone tried to access your photographs? The University of Guyana has a very successful Computer Science and ICT programme, but unfortunately only a small number of girls graduate from it. It is apt to note that the best graduating student in 2016 was a young lady! She came out on top of her class of mostly males. And today, the University’s Computer Science Department now has its first female Head! We’d like our next generation of professionals – you - to change this dynamic. The ICT sector is never short of job opportunities, because it always needs new talent. There is always something new being designed, and the next new thing is always around the corner. Young people are starting up new companies right here in Guyana with just an idea, but the bigger companies that opened their doors 30 or 40 years ago have to digitize their businesses to keep up with the rest of the world, to sell their products. They need people with IT skills to run their digitized operations. These are even more job opportunities.” Minister Hughes talked about the 52 Community ICT hubs that are already up and running in
Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes numerous rural and urban areas such as Baracara on the Canje River. Students could go to the community centres to complete their school assignments free of cost, and community leaders could utilize the free internet to make contact with other small towns like theirs in other countries and establish brother/ sister exchange relationships. She spoke to the teenagers about the 102 Secondary schools that NDMA/ eGovernment has already connected to the national LTE networks, and listed the areas where the installation teams will go to next. She also laid out broadly the main reasons behind this initiative. “It is to raise the level of IT instruction in schools … it is to improve our children’s grasp of the numerous ways
the Internet would influence their decisions about their future because when all is said and done, you are the future of this nation.” Minister Hughes implored the female students to consider the real benefits of a career in ICT and the wide scope of opportunities it offers to change themselves and their communities. She spoke about the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) which the NDMA will open shortly in collaboration with the Government of India. The week culminated with a Mentorship Luncheon at the Umana Yana at which the female role models took the opportunity to connect personally with sixth formers and university Computer Science students.
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
My column
Crime is down, corruption is still rampant It is unknown what was really going on in the country during the tenure of the previous administration. Here were the drastically declined Maths and English grades, the dramatic loss of skills as people left the country - either because they were denied employment opportunities or because of the need to be better paid. There are now revelations that seem so stunning as to be unbelievable. And these revelations leave one to wonder at the level of supervision that occurred. When President David Granger assumed office he caused to be held a number of forensic audits in many areas and the results were astounding. Some of the findings have led to serious investigations and some are the subject of police investigation. This past week the findings of a Commission of Inquiry are that there are ghost teachers in the education system. It is as if there are no areas that one can say are fraud-free. I know that there have been head teachers who fiddled with money provided to pay teachers. In one case a head teacher used money paid by parents for their children to write examinations. Needless to say, he went to jail, because there were no sacred cows. Now there is the belief that pay sheets are padded. How this is done is a mystery to me,
since money for the teachers’ salaries are deposited into a bank. The actual pay sheets are sent to schools and the cheques are drawn. The teachers must then sign off the pay sheets. A failure to do so would see the next month’s pay sheets being withheld. For there to be ghost teachers ,the person responsible for preparing the cheques must be held responsible. The head of the school would most certainly know the teachers on the payroll. There is also now the case of the situation with the Guyana Gold Board. For some time now there have been cases of people fiddling with the gold receipts. Different sums were paid to sellers and everyone involved was happy. People sold gold of a certain impurity as pure gold and smiled. The police are now investigating the situation, and if reports are to be believed, some innocent people have been caught up in the probe. One particular incident has taken centre stage and it has spread far beyond the individual. It has caused a senior banking official to lose his job. An underling encashed some cheques that may have cost the bank most of its profits since the money was unsecured. I can only wait to see the profits declared by the bank in the near future. I know that my dividends would be
affected. So here I am taking no part in the transactions but having to pay. I am already paying for those teachers who pursued studies at my expense then moved on to private educational institutions. I paid for those who opted to leave Guyana. I still remember the days when foreign powers came to Guyana to recruit teachers. Those days saw Guyana’s best leaving, many of them for good. But it is not all bad in Guyana. There was the time when crime was at a premium. The crime wave began during the tenure of the previous government and became a campaign issue. The then opposition said that it would put a lid on crime. When it came to office indeed it fought crime with a vengeance. The police began to report declines in the incidence, but the new opposition laughed and called the police report a joke. It did not matter that many of certain crimes occurred in areas controlled by the opposition. Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee accused the police of fudging the reports and those media houses aligned to his party echoed his views. I do notice that crime is down, but there is no corresponding acknowledgement. Instead, there continues to be talk of witch-hunt and victimization. I try to understand the witch-hunt ,knowing that anyone who is about forty years
old began working during the previous administration. Most of them are still in the system doing what they have been doing all the time. They have been arresting criminals if they are policemen and solving crime at a rate that is unprecedented in recent times. They are processing documents for people seeking Government services; they are issuing contracts and some continue to pay for shoddy work. Nothing much has changed to the extent that the people are saying that the new government represents an exchange. No one is stopping to think that the change they desire does not come overnight. They do not realize that when they continue to offer incentives for a service they are sustaining the old habit. There is still the movement of cocaine and marijuana, but at the same time there are the busts that are hurting people. Money is lost with every bust and while former President Bharrat
Jagdeo keeps denying that drug money was helping the economy, there are now people who say that the new Government should relax its fight against illegal drugs and let the economy grow. But while the crackdown is on, fewer people are being killed. Gunshots do not ring out in the night as they used to and civilian life is a bit more comfortable. On the wider scene, we are finding out that the previous administration undertook projects without any feasibility studies, at great cost to the nation. For example, the Amaila Falls road that was to have cost US$16.4 million ended up costing US$100 million. This was money spent by the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. Then there is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project. This was not properly thought out, so after almost US$150 million, the airport would outgrow its
Adam Harris capacity in another five years. It will be able to accommodate no more than four international carriers at a time because there will not be enough parking space on the apron. With that money Guyana could have built another airport from scratch at a more spacious location, perhaps in Region Three or even on the East Coast of Demerara, freeing up the East Bank Demerara Highway. If only there was a little more thought.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
PPP and GAWU’s scare tactics must be challenged The news that a ‘White Paper’ on the future of the sugar industry in Guyana is to be presented in the National Assembly is welcome. GuySuCo is the country’s largest employer. However over the past two decades the company has struggled and incurred losses of more than $40 billion dollars. It is clear that the current business model of the company is unsustainable. In the case of GuySuCo, it is no secret that the Peoples Progressive Party- PPP historically
garnered support from a large segment of sugar workers. Throughout its years in government, the PPP, using its surrogate, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), kept this segment of the population under its thumb and exercised little or no economic foresight to enact the necessary diversification and innovations to keep the industry viable. In 1990, the sugar industry wages were $980 million, but after the contracting of
Booker Tate to run the company, they raised the sugar workers’ salaries to $2.7 billion in 1991, a nearly three hundred percent increase. In 1992, the sugar workers’ salaries were doubled again to $4.8 billion dollars; the PPP after getting into power continued to award more increases which raised the industry wage bill to 12 billion dollars by the year 2000. In 2002, GuySuCo’s Chairman warned that employment costs were so high that the viability of the industry was threat-
ened, but that warning fell on deaf ears and the escalation continued. The industry wage bill in 2006 climbed to $16.6 billion, and since 2001, the sugar industry wage bill has amounted to over 63% of total cost. The Guyanese taxpayers have spent over $500 billion to bailout GuySuCo over a period of ten years. Yet the PPP and GAWU defend this practice solely on the basis that GuySuCo is far too important to fail, instead of proposing methods to restructure GuySuCo to make it viable, or give reasons why too big to fail is a threat to an already fragile economy. As a people we must forge a new relationship with sugar. The company as presently constituted cannot be sustained. In the 1980’s the government of the day saw the wisdom of diversification and GuySuCo’s ‘other crops division’ was established, as the vehicle to diversify the sugar industry. Here is a quote from the Chairman’s (GuySuCo) Statement for 1987. “With regards to diversification, the Corporation continues to press ahead with great enthusiasm. 1987 saw the acquisition of a further 500 pure bred Holstein cows from the USA and, at the time of writing, the rotary milking parlour at the new Versailles Complex is about to be commissioned. Slurry facilities are nearing completion and the Corpo-
ration will shortly be entering into an agreement to purchase a dairy. We concluded negotiations for the purchase of a five ton rice mill which is expected to be commissioned by January 1989. It would be fair to report also, that progress has been made in the development of management systems for the successful cultivation of corn, sorghum and soya beans”. It is apposite to note that in 1987 GuySuCo Crop Diversification Division encompassed six active programmes; rice, livestock, aquaculture, grain crops, vegetables, root crops and orchards crops. That was in 1987, almost three decades ago. The then government had prepared the foundation and started to build a diversified sugar industry in Guyana. GOING FORWARD Estates can be converted to produce value added products like canned fruits and vegetables which can be grown on abandoned sugar cane fields; workers can be leased lands to engage in farming or livestock rearing; a smaller mechanized industry can become productive by producing sugar, bagasse, ethanol and reusable energy that can be used to power the factories and the excess sold to utility companies. Workers can form agricul-
tural co-ops with micro financing and low interest small business loans; water management can be managed by local governments or a new army corps of engineers. Changing some of our factories to ethanol plants can in time give our economy a boost, provide good paying jobs, and end our dependency on expensive imported energy. The scare tactics being used by the PPP and GAWU to agitate the sugar workers about amalgamation and diversification need to be challenged. We can do better and the workers must be educated that amalgamation and diversification is not a death sentence or guaranteed unemployment. The sugar industry in Guyana as currently configured cannot survive, and that is the truth. Guyana is not competitive as a sugar producer, our costs are too high. One definition of madness is; “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Let us face it, a sugar industry in Guyana devoid of diversification is an industry destined to a slow and painful death. Unless we take bold initiatives now and transform the industry in the near term, then like a malignant cancer, it will continue to weaken the economy and eventually drag it to the point of no return.
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
What you need to know about ultrasounds By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine An ultrasound is one of the handiest tools available to help detect medical conditions. It is user dependent and an accurate diagnosis depends on the skills of the medical professional conducting the study. It is therefore advised to do ultrasounds from trained ultrasonographers or radiologists. HOW DOES IT WORK? Ultrasound scanning, also called sonography, is a technique used to see tissues and organs inside the body. It uses high-frequency sound waves, which cannot be heard by humans, to produce images of structures inside the body. The process is very similar to the way sonar is used by dolphins or submarines to detect objects. When sound waves are aimed into the body, some are absorbed by body tissues and others bounce back. The sound waves that bounce back are measured by the ultrasound machine, and are transformed into an image of a particular body area. Ultrasound produces excellent images of organs that are soft or filled with fluid, but it is less effective for examining air-filled organs such as intestines or bones.
Ultrasound is a safe and painless test that usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. WHAT IS IT USED FOR? The most common use of ultrasound is to evaluate the progress of the fetus during pregnancy. Ultrasound also is used to determine if a lump is a cyst, to look at the size and shape of abdominal and pelvic organs, to detect kidney and gallstones, and to look for blood clots in the legs. It can therefore help detect abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen. Ultrasound can be used as a guide when a needle is being inserted into the body to take a sample of tissue for a biopsy or to take a fluid sample as is done in amniocentesis, a test to detect abnormalities in the fetus. It is also used to assess the function of the heart and how blood flows through it. It has now become a vital tool to help emergently detect abnormal bleeding in patients involved in trauma. DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR AN ULTRASOUND? How you prepare for an ultrasound depends on the area of the body being scanned. For example, if your abdomen is being scanned, you may need to restrict what you eat and drink before the procedure. If your pelvis is being
scanned, you may have to drink several glasses of water beforehand so that your bladder is full, which provides better ultrasound images. For all ultrasound procedures, you will be asked to remove all jewellery from the area of your body that will be scanned. HOW IS IT DONE? Ultrasound may be done in a doctor’s office, in a special hospital suite, or at the bedside in the hospital with a portable machine. You may be given a hospital gown, and you will be asked to sit or lie down on an examination table. A small amount of gel will be applied on the skin over the area to be scanned to help the sound waves move into your body. The doctor or ultrasound
technician will slide the small ultrasound instrument back and forth through this gel. The ultrasound instrument, also called a transducer, will transmit ultrasound waves into your body and receive their reflected echoes. This is a painless procedure. You will only feel the instrument against your skin. Reflected sound waves received by the transducer are processed by a computer and will appear on a lighted screen in the ultrasound room. As the scan continues, you may be asked to hold your breath or change position to give the best image possible. After your scan is done, the gel will be wiped off and you will get dressed. ARE THERE FOLLOW UP INSTRUCTIONS?
After your ultrasound scan, you usually can go back to your normal diet and daily activities. However, if ultrasound was used during a needle bio p s y, a s k y o u r d o c t o r about special follow-up instructions. Since a simple ultrasound scan is painless and apparently risk-free, you should not have side effects or complications after the procedure. However, if ultrasound was used to guide a needle biopsy, call your doctor if you have abnormal bleeding, pain, redness or swelling at the biopsy site. Ask your doctor if there are any other specific signs or symptoms to watch for. There are no known risks associated with do-
Dr. Zulfikar Bux ing and ultrasound. Having an accurate diagnosis depends on the skills of the medical professional doing your ultrasound. Ask your doctor to recommend a skilled medical professional to do your ultrasound. This will increase your chances of getting an accurate result.
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SUNDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY SHOCKING REVELATIONS…GOLD BOARD SENIOR OFFICIAL HELPED FORM RASUL’S GOLD DEALING COMPANY A senior official of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) was instrumental in helping embattled gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, form the company that was later issued a licence by the entity. The shocking details are part of the Articles of Incorporation documents, as filed in the business registry. In the Declaration of Compliance, Legal Officer of GGB, Suzanne Bullen, said that she assisted in the formation of the company. She even used the GGB address of Upper Brickdam. The documents said: “I, Suzanne Bullen, of Lot 68 Upper Brickdam, Georgetown, Demerara, being duly sworn, make oath and say as follows: That I am the Attorneyat-Law engaged in the formation of SSS Minerals Trading Enterprise Inc., and I hereby state that all the requirements of the Companies Act, No. 29 of 1991, in respect of the matters precedent to the registration of the said company, and incidental thereto, have been complied with.” Bullen’s role would raise serious conflict of interest questions as she is also the Compliance Officer of the state-owned GGB. Bullen was one of three persons sent on administrative leave by the Ministry of Natural Resources, to facilitate a police probe into alleged money laundering activities by Rasul. Also sent home were General Manager, Lisaveta Ramotar, and her deputy, Andrea Seelochan. Ramotar is the daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar. Rasul is alleged to have close links to senior officials at the GGB who turned a blind eye to his activities. This would be the first major indication of how much of a relationship there was. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police,
which was asked to investigate the money laundering allegations against Rasul, would be looking also to see whether any GGB staffers colluded with the Bartica gold dealer in his activities. RAMSON DOES NOTHING FOR TWO YEARS -GOVERNMENT UNABLE TO REMOVE HIM Even with a new government in place for nearly two years, the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr. is still not fulfilling his duties as set out in the laws governing his office. According to his subject minister, First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, Ramson has not submitted a single report on his work since the APNU+AFC took over. In fact, the Prime Minister added that Ramson is yet to submit outstanding reports since his office was established in 2013. Nagamootoo acknowledged that he is aware of calls by Guyanese for greater transparency and value for money when it comes to the office of the Commissioner of Information. He also admitted that this is one of the offices that have not functioned, yet salaries continue to be paid. ”I have not received any report from him. I have given advice as to what I think should happen. You have the Act that has a defined role for the Minister but you have a con-
tract under which he was employed. The Commissioner had been employed by the Office of the President and as you know, he who hires can fire,” Nagamootoo said. He added, “I don’t have a role in the contract process but I still tendered my advice.” Given that state of affairs, Nagamootoo was asked if he feels his hands are tied in holding Ramson accountable for how ineffective he has been. The Prime Minister said, “The Act states that he is to submit reports and if he didn’t do what he is supposed to do under law, then the Minister will have to go to the other stage of whether or not you can retain such a person… ”Then you will have to go to the agency under which the person is hired. Since only that agency would have the responsibility to do something about it, I have indicated my concern and I have tendered some advice.” MONDAY FEMALE COP CRITICAL, HAND HACKED OFF IN BRUTAL CUTLASS ATTACK Police were on Monday hunting for a cane cutter who chopped off the left hand from the wrist of his lover, Police Constable Alana Hazel, with a cutlass last Sunday night at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
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After the brutal attack, Constable Hazel, 28, who is stationed at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown was found in a trench from where she was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in a police pick-up. She also sustained chop wounds to her face and back and was in a critical condition. Kaieteur News understands that the woman who resides with another man at School Street, Beterverwagting, left her home to visit her 12-year old son, who resides with her sister-in-law in the same village. Her attacker lives a few houses away from the sister-in-law. The circumstances surrounding the chopping are still unclear. However, a friend of Constable Hazel who is also from the area, said she was at home with her son when she heard someone screaming. The woman said that when she ran out she saw ‘Warren’ with a cutlass in his hand and Constable Hazel lying in the trench. ”He (Warren) did mean to kill she. Me and my son lay down in the verandah and I heard the hollering. But by the time I reach out he did done chop she and get away. He hear he son screaming and he still chop she.” GRA NEEDS TO IMPROVE TAX COLLECTION IN MINING INDUSTRIES, OTHERAREAS – TAX ADVISORS Some of the nation’s tax advisors are urging the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to improve its efforts in the area of revenue collection. They believe that there are still a number of areas such as the mining industries, where tax evasion is rampant. According to tax advisors such as Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram, Economist Dr. Thomas Singh and NICIL’s Chairman, Maurice Odle, tax evasion continues to be a major issue that the GRA must work feverishly to stamp out. In a comprehensive report, the team of tax experts said that tax evasion depends in part on the resources and efforts that the Government expends on the enforcement of existing laws. The advisors said too much resources at GRA have been used up in activities not related to tax assessment collection, but rather on the issuance of compliances, manual data entry, and other issues unrelated to the collection of the rightful tax. Going forward, the tax analysts recommended a number of areas which could be looked at. One area which the tax experts pointed to was smuggling. The officials said that Guyana is subjected to major revenue loss from smuggling, not only because of its porous borders but, also, at its wharves and ports of entry. They said that this is especially so for fuel, gold, cigarettes and alcohol, where there are ongoing alle-
gations that collusion and corruption facilitate such tax evasion and revenue leakage. TUESDAY MINISTRY OF LEGALAFFAIRS LAW BOOKS…FORMER AG NANDLALLARRESTED BY SOCU …FORMER PRESIDENT RAMOTAR ALSO QUESTIONED The former Attorney General under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, Anil Nandlall was Monday arrested by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for retaining 15 LexisNexis UK Commonwealth Law reports, that were purchased by the state, for his own use. The unit is also probing computer parts that were purchased that cannot be accounted for when Nandlall was the AG. Nandlall had previously said that the purchase and subsequent acquisition of those documents were authorized by former president Donald Ramotar. The documents which were bought between 2012 and 2015 cost the government over $2.8M at the time they were purchased and is still in the care of the former AG. SOCU has obtained a search warrant to retrieve the law reports but they were unable to locate them since they are locked up at a house owned by Nandlall that is being rented and those tenants are overseas. At a hastily called press at Freedom House after he was questioned by SOCU Monday, Nandlall said he was not returning the books since they were his property. Asked if the agreement that was entered into by himself and former president Ramotar was documented, Nandlall said the arrangement was a verbal one. For his part in the affair Kaieteur News has learnt that the former head of state Ramotar was also questioned by SOCU on the law reports that he signed over to Nandlall. Chronicling the events that led to his arrest by SOCU Monday, (Continued on page 33)
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(From page 32) Nandlall said that sometime around 8:30am Monday while at the Vigilance Magistrate Court he received several calls from SOCU investigator, Trevor Reid. The former AG said that when he returned the call he was asked to present himself at that unit in relation to the ‘law books’, He did. At SOCU, Nandlall said that he was required to give a statement. He said that he is of the view that this latest episode by SOCU is an attempt to silence him. He said that it is no secret that he and the present Attorney General, Basil Williams SC, have had a very contentious relationship and it is his constant criticisms of Williams that has led to the most recent development. $4.6B GPL PROJECT…CONTRACTOR RUNS INTO HURDLES OVER SMART METERS Following the award of the multibillion-dollar contract for the rehabilitation of 328 kilometres of Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) electricity distribution network, it appears as though the contractor is experiencing difficulties in procuring the specified smart meters to be used. The contract was awarded to China National Machinery Import (CMC) and its partner Export Corporation and China Sinogy Electric Engineering Co. Limited at a cost of $4.6B. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union are funding the part-grant/ part loan project. Multiple sources indicated that the company had signalled to the relevant authorities that it would not be able to obtain the required meters from its original source. Due to this, the company has asked to source the meters from China. Additional information received suggests that the company did not provide the procurement entity, GPL, with sample meters to be tested. It would raise serious questions
how the Chinese company was evaluated since no sample meter was reportedly tested to ensure that they meet specifications. WEDNESDAY GOLD DEALER MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE WIDENS… I ACTED ON INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIGHER UP- GOLD BOARD LEGAL OFFICER Legal Officer of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Suzanne Bullen, is maintaining her innocence. The attorney at law is claiming that she was instructed to “help” embattled gold dealer Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul set up his gold mining company. This is what she told investigators. Recently, Kaieteur News broke the story that Bullen was instrumental in helping Rasul form the company that was later issued a licence by the GGB. The details are part of the Articles of Incorporation documents, as filed in the business registry. In the Declaration of Compliance, Bullen said that she assisted in the
formation of the company. She even used the GGB address of Upper Brickdam. Bullen’s role would raise serious conflict of interest questions as she is also the Compliance Officer of the state-owned GGB. Bullen was one of three persons sent on administrative leave by the Ministry of Natural Resources, to facilitate a police probe into alleged money laundering activities by Rasul. Also sent home were General Manager, Lisaveta Ramotar, and her deputy, Andrea Seelochan. Ramotar is the daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar. Kaieteur News understands that the finger pointing has begun. Investigators say that Bullen is claiming that she was told to set up the company and while Bullen is saying this, Ramotar is holding out that she knows nothing about what transpired. The operation started under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government but became finalized under the APNU+AFC government. POLICE PROBE DEEDS REGISTRAR FORALLEGEDLY PAYING HERSELF MILLIONS The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force is investigating allegations of corrupt practices perpetuated by acting Registrar of the Deeds Registry of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority, Azeena Baksh. Kaieteur News understands that it was the Ministry of Legal Affairs that put the matter in the hands of the police. Tuesday, the Ministry said that staff of the Deeds Registry “called upon the Ministry of Legal Affairs to investigate their complaints of alleged financial improprieties” committed by Baksh. The Ministry said that it referred the complaints to CID through Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. According to the Ministry, the Human Resource and Accounting Departments have complained that as Head of the Budget Agency and
sole person in authority to approve and sign off the payroll of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority and one of the main signatories on the Authority’s Bank Account, the Registrar unlawfully paid herself gratuity. It is alleged that she did this well knowing that she was a pensionable employee having been appointed by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). ”Registrar Baksh further unlawfully paid herself a higher salary than was approved by the JSC.” Legal Affairs stated that the Deeds Registry officers have disclosed that these payments started since 2014 and continued up to the present. The payments amount to some $4.5M. The Deeds Registry has also laid over with the Ministry of Legal Affairs documents revealing that Baksh “out of revenue due, owing and payable to the Authority in or around the sum of $8.5M, unlawfully waived the sum of $7M upon the request of an Attorney-at-Law, who paid only the sum of $1.5M. PLOT TO KILL PRESIDENT GRANGER WAS A HOAX The man who accused a businessman of offering him $7M to assassinate President David Granger allegedly offered to pay an associate to lie about being present when the deal was made. Kaieteur News understands that the associate made the allegation during a confrontation police held between him and the so-called ‘hired assassin.’ Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that a confrontation was held between “an individual” and the person who implicated the businessman, but declined to comment further. However, Kaieteur News was told that the individual contacted police to refute the allegation that the alleged ‘hired assassin’ had made against the businessman.
”He came forward (to the police) and said that (the ‘hired assassin’) approached him, and said that he needed him (the associate) to corroborate his story and say that he was present when the proposal (to assassinate Granger) was made,” a source said. During the confrontation Tuesday with the two men, the associate also accused the ‘hired assassin’ of offering him money to lie about being present. The associate told police he rejected the offer. The men were not detained, but police are to send a file on the case to the Force’s Legal Advisor. Prior to this, police had indicated that they were unable to locate the man who had implicated the businessman. THURSDAY $1.1B HAAGS BOSCH SETTLEMENT…MINISTER DUBS BK A VULTURE FOR DEMANDING MORE MONEY Months after agreeing to a billion dollar settlement for work done on the Haags Bosch landfill, a prominent contractor has demanded more, but it is not going down well with the administration. Kaieteur News understands that recently, the contractor – Brian Tiwarie of B.K. International Inc. – wrote the Ministry of Communities, stating that he should receive more money. According to reports, B.K. was asking for $1.191B, some $14M more than the $1.177B (US$5.7M) that the ministry had agreed to pay the company for outstanding works done on the Eccles landfill area. B.K. was reportedly basing its arguments on the fact that the exchange rates had gone up. However, it appears that the demand displeased the ministry. Writing Tiwarie, Minister Ronald Bulkan reportedly last week disagreed and made it clear that request was unreasonable and consistent (Continued on page 34)
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‘Bobby’ Rasul.
(From page 33) with the actions of a “vulture”. The letter to B.K. was copied to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, and to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, among others, Kaieteur News was told.
RASUL’S FORMER EMPLOYEEARRESTEDAGAIN
MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE WIDENS… GOLD BOARD BOSS DENIES ORDERING COMPLIANCE OFFICER TO INCORPORATE RASUL’S COMPANY -INSISTS ENTITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO VERIFY PRODUCTION Days after being sent on administrative leave to facilitate a police probe of money laundering, General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, Lisaveta Ramotar, is insisting that she has done nothing wrong and that her gold breaking declarations record speaks for itself. On Wednesday, in the company of her lawyer, Anil Nandlall, Ramotar, daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, visited the Camp Road headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police, and voluntarily submitted a statement. The statement was later released to the media. According to Nandlall, a former Attorney General under the previous administration, Ramotar indicated to the officers present that she is “ready, able and willing to furnish whatever further information they may request in their investigations,
provided, of course, she possesses, or has access to the requisite information.” The General Manager; her deputy, Andrea Seelochan, and Compliance/Legal Officer, Suzanne Bullen, were sent on administrative leave last week to ensure no interference. However, it was reported over the weekend that Bullen allegedly told investigators that she was directed by a senior official to incorporate SSS Minerals Trading Enterprise Inc., a company belonging to Bartica businessman, Saddiqi
Ricardo Fagundes, called ‘Paper Shorts’, a former employee of embattled gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, was on Tuesday re-arrested by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as that entity continues to probe what appears to be a massive money laundering scheme. SOCU is looking at the relationship between the gold dealer, his friends and associates and an apparent collusion between his two gold mining operations R Mining Inc and SSS Mining and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB). Fagundes was apparently picked up by SOCU agents at the same 25 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty address that was raided where a number of items were seized including a Jet Ski, three luxury motorbikes, cell phones and a large cache of ammunition. A SOCU official confirmed that Fagundes was indeed arrested by that unit and is being questioned in a ‘major’ money laundering probe. Kaieteur News has learnt that Fagundes was re-arrested after it was discovered that he cashed some of the cheques in the $956M fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Bartica branch. At the time when SOCU raided the Sandy Babb Street address Fagundes’s sister, Tessa Fagundes, disassociated her sibling from the embattled gold dealer. Referring to
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SOCU’s latest visit on that raid the woman said that it was the third visit that the unit had made to her brother’s address. The woman said that her sibling no longer works with ‘Bobby’ and that the constant visits by SOCU have been frustrating. FRIDAY FORMERAG NANDLALL SLAPPED WITH LARCENY CHARGE …IN CONNECTION WITH LAW REPORTS Former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall was on Thursday arrested and charged with larceny in connection with 15 LexisNexis Law Reports Of The Commonwealth that were bought by the State for Nandlall’s own use. Nandlall was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts by SOCU agents and as he stood in the prisoner’s dock the charge, Larceny by Bailee, was read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, to which he was not required to enter a plea because of the indictable nature of the offence. In his application for bail, Nandlall’s Attorney Glenn Hanoman said that his client is a well-known public figure and is a former Attorney General, and poses no flight risk. Hanoman asked that Nandlall be placed on self-bail, since it would have been difficult for his client to acquire a substantial
amount of cash at that time if it were needed. Prosecutor Patrice Henry did not object to bail and Nandlall was released on self-bail and is to (Continued on page 35)
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(From page 34) return to court on May 9. Earlier Nandlall was brought to the court in the custody of SOCU, but was returned to that entity after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Magistrate Fabayo Azore refused to hear the matter, as both legal officials indicated that they were not in possession of the case file. In court five, Nandlall’s lawyer was up in arms after Magistrate Azore was unwavering in her position of not hearing the case. There was a ‘testy’ exchange between the magistrate and Hanoman, who said that the law dictates that a matter be heard once a magistrate was available. Magistrate Azore said that she had an appointment, and in fact she had only one case at the time, and Nandlall’s was not it. The court was adjourned and after much intervention by the battery of lawyers that represented the accused, the matter was heard by Magistrate Azore. On resumption of the case, she reprimanded Hanoman for cross-talking to her in the courtroom. She informed him that in her court such would not be allowed to happen, and for his part, Hanoman apologized to the magistrate. Addressing the large media contingent that was in the court environs after his release, Nandlall said that the charge is politically motivated and that it was his constant criticisms of the sitting Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, that has landed him in hot water. He said that he will not be cowered into making his views known about the transgressions of the AG and the APNU+AFC administration. The outspoken former AG branded the charge as ‘nonsense’ and was confident that the matter will get nowhere. Nandlall was asked why the State should pay for the books that he was using. He replied that when he took the job as Attorney General at the time, he did so at a loss of income. It was for that reason he agitated for the State to pay for the law reports that cost over $2.3M. The arrangement, he stressed, had the blessings of the then Head of State Donald Ramotar. However investigators are contending that because the books were bought with State funds they cannot be the property of Nandlall, and in fact, the State should not have entered into such an arrangement in the first place. The Ministry of Legal Affairs is contending that there is no evidence of the agreement between Nandlall and Ramotar, and even assuming that there was such an agreement, the use of public funds in this manner is a flagrant violation of the Financial Management and Accountability Act. It was only recently that N a n d l a l l s u e d Wi l l i a m s f o r $125M for what he deemed were libelous and slanderous claims in
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relation to the said Law Reports. He also secured a Conservatory Order from the Supreme Court, preventing the State and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) from seizing the 15 Law Reports. STATE CONTRACTS…GOV’T ADMITS DEFICIENCIES WITH ENGINEERS’ESTIMATES The APNU+AFC administration is aware of the deficiencies with the estimates being produced by engineers attached to government agencies and ministries, and is working to address same. This was the assertion of State Minister Joseph Harmon at the government’s weekly post-Cabinet Press Briefing held at the Ministry of Presidency, Georgetown on Thursday. Harmon, in responding to questions posed by Kaieteur News, used the opportunity to call on the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) to revisit several aspects that deal with engineers’ competency. He requested that the association “address the matter so that the public can have confidence in the estimates which these engineers provide,” ”The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, I know…they are looking at the issue very carefully…Because in awarding contracts, we’re actually seeing where the deficiencies lie.” Harmon’s remarks would come one day after this publication carried an article captioned, “Red Flags raised over Government engineers’ estimates” which entailed concerns raised by contractors over the competence of government engineers in preparing estimates for state projects. It was contended that all was not right with the Engineers’ Estimates which on many occasions, were way above what contractors were bidding. This was never more evident than last Tuesday, during the opening of tenders for several Government-funded projects, where contractors submitted bids – in some cases, millions of dollars below the announced Engineers’ Estimates. One contractor had explained that if contractors consistently bid
way below the engineer’s estimate, it signals that works can be done at a cheaper cost. It can further be deduced that the engineers’ estimates are not a true reflection of the cost to carry out a project. There have also been known cases in the past where the engineers’ estimates were being deliberately ‘inflated’. Another contractor said, “The engineers are supposed to be looking out for the State’s interest to ensure that we don’t pay contractors way above (what) we can afford. It creates an impression that these engineers are incompetent or worse yet, corrupt,” He added that the “exorbitant” engineers’ estimates make it difficult for contractors to compete. Minister Harmon added another dimension when he spoke about “the fact” that some contractors request extensions. ”The fact that you now have to (request) extensions, and all of these things, speak to.. in very many cases, the competency of the engineer’s estimate which started the project in the first place. So that is a matter which as a Government, we’ve taken on board.” Harmon said. GTT, DIGICELATTRIBUTE POOR QUALITY SERVICE TO UPGRADE EFFORTS Over the past few weeks, Kaieteur News has been receiving complaints about poor quality service being experienced by customers of both Digicel and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). Contacted by this newspaper, the two companies admitted that they were experiencing some technical glitches that have resulted in poor mobile data connection, and dropped calls.
According to Digicel, the interruptions to its services come as the result of “scheduled repairs to the undersea Americas II Cable, North of St. Croix.” The company said that the repairs may affect DSL speeds from April 28 – April 29, starting at 10:00hrs. Digicel’s Public Relations Officer, Vidya Sanichara said that efforts are being made to ensure that the repairs are done in a time effective manner. ”We sincerely apologise for these recent interruptions, and we are working to have the upgrades completed in the shortest possible time,” Sanichara said. Similarly, GTT is also attributing its service interruptions to system upgrades as well. But this is mostly affecting landline services. The company said that it is working to apply the latest generation of networking technologies and equipment to its broadband network, to provide faster speeds, more capacity and enhanced network reliability. ”GTT is partnering with General Data Tech (GDT), a leading systems integrator and tier 1 Cisco partner to upgrade systems and architecture to a level consistent with the best practices of leading global service providers around the world,” the company noted in a statement. In addition to more efficient services, GTT noted that it will also be able to more effectively manage aggressive traffic growth scenarios for many years to come. ”GDT is an award-winning technology integration partner with expertise in the delivery of enterprise network, collaboration, mobility, and data centre technologies to service providers, large enterprises, and businesses of all sizes,” the statement read. GTT’s broadband network pro-
vides access to the Internet for more than 50,000 customers. ”This system upgrade, coupled with GTT’s substantial undersea capacity, will facilitate a substantial improvement in broadband and data connectivity.” The project for upgrading the network is expected to be completed by third quarter 2017. During this time, some customers may continue to experience intermittent outages. The telephone company said too, that it “deeply regrets any inconvenience experienced and commits to making all efforts to minimize the outages during the business day and early evening.” Meanwhile, officials of the Public Utilities Commission said that they have only received three complaints of poor service, against each of the two companies, as it relates to their mobile services. ”For this year, there haven’t been many complaints,” the PUC official emphasized. However, it is the Ministry of Public Telecommunications that is being bombarded with criticisms against the two companies – Digicel and GTT. According to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Derrick Cummings, complaints are usually deferred to the individual companies, which would commit to solving the problems. ”The Ministry is constantly engaging both Digicel and GTT, in relation to better services.” SATURDAY EDUCATION COI REVEALS… GHOST TEACHERS LURKING IN THE SYSTEM – COI CHAIRMAN Sometime ago calls were made for the Ministry of Human Services, now the Social Protection Ministry, (Continued on page 36)
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(From page 35) to launch an investigation into allegations of an Old Age pension list fraught with ghost pensioners. However, a similar state of affairs has now been uncovered within the Ministry of Education. Revelations in this regard were exposed by Mr. Ed Caesar, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry [COI], appointed by Government to investigate the education system. The COI was recommended by Senior Minister of Education, Rupert Roopnaraine. On Friday, a preliminary report into the investigation was handed over to Minister Roopnaraine in the presence of media operatives and other officials in the Ministry of Education’s boardroom. But ahead of handing over the report, Caesar made the starling disclosure about ghost teachers in the system, which he said was discovered during the investigation. The investigation commenced last year. “We have seen pay sheets with names of teachers who, as far as the head teachers are concerned, don’t exist. We are seeing ghost teachers, so to speak…and recently one of the schools called and said to us another name has been added,” said Mr. Caesar of a school’s payroll. As if the forgoing was not starling enough, Caesar revealed, “We have seen a name of a person being transferred from a school that doesn’t exist to another school. So financial management has to be addressed, and be addressed seriously, or else we will have other kinds of issues.”
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Moreover, a recommendation coming out of the COI, Caesar said, “is that departments of education must monitor things like that; departments must know who are the persons on the Ministry or department payrolls.” The Minister of Education in offering his comment on the disturbing development regarded it a police matter. “It is high fraud and it should be dealt with. I think it is beyond the powers of the Ministry of Education, and it is something that requires the attention of the people who are trained to investigate,” said Minister Roopnaraine, as he reiterated “I do believe it is a serious offence.” GPSU’S ELECTIONS RESULTS IN LIMBO – CANDIDATE ACCUSES INCUMBENT YARDE OF STALLING PROCESS It is being alleged that incumbent President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Patrick Yarde is using his influence to delay the electoral process to choose the next leader of the trade union. According to Presidential Candidate, Gregory Gaspar, he has no doubt that Yarde is playing a role in stalling the electoral process. “I have no doubt about that, because Mr DeSouza is incapable of making any decision on his own. For everything, it appears that he has to consult with Mr Yarde. Once Mr Yarde is in the building, he is in his room and they converse.” Herman DeSouza is the Elections Officer
of the GPSU. Gaspar said that for Friday, no ballots were counted. Additionally, he said that at 12:30hrs he had asked DeSouza to produce Statement of Polls (SOPs) and a List of Electors so that his team would know how many votes were cast in each box and the persons that would have voted. However, no information was provided. “When the ballots come in they are supposed to be accompanied with a document that you would have used; as people come in you would tick off their names and so on.” He said that this raises a red flag as to the transparency of the elections. Further, Gaspar said that he was told by DeSouza that there was not enough staff on hand to count the ballots. He said that it is the duty of the Elections Officer to ensure that there are enough
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persons to facilitate the counting of ballots. Gaspar added that he had asked DeSouza for SOPs for entities such as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Guyana Revenue Authority, but that information up to last evening was yet to be furnished, even though those votes were counted on Thursday. “We wanted the official Statement of Polls from him, and up to now (yesterday) nothing. We have received nothing from him.” Gaspar said that he was informed that counting of ballots will be suspended until next Wednesday. He said that such a suspension is unacceptable. When Mr Yarde was contacted on the allegations being levelled against him, he said that the accusations of delay were surprising, since the Union was made to fight a court action which sought to postpone the elections until next month. He said that he has played no part to delay the electoral process. According to Yarde, the Union would have requested leave for a number of members to be away from their offices to work on the elections. However, this process was frustrated and the two days to process the leave had expired, resulting in a number of persons not being allowed to work with the GPSU’s elections office. Yarde said that elections at the Union have been going smoothly for 50 years. However, with the interventions by some personalities, the process this year was affected and has placed candidates and members in a position whereby there is no result to declare. He maintained that the elections come under the purview of the Elections Officer, and as a result, he could have no part to play in stalling the counting of ballots or declaration of results. He said that Mr DeSouza informed him that counting will be placed on a pause since his limited staff members was tired. ”I am the leader of a trade union, so I would not encourage the abuse of labour.” When Kaieteur News contacted the elections office of the Union Friday evening, it was confirmed that all counting of ballots was suspended.
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Guyana ready to partake in first-ever Global Robot Olympics A group of Guyanese are set to participate in the inaugural Robot Olympics slated for July in Washington, District of Colombia (DC), USA. Last week, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger met the group of young participants and informed them that the Ministry of Education and other organizations are committed to supporting their participation in the upcoming event. More than 150 countries from around the world are expected to participate at the Robot Olympics. This initiative is part of the wider Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme, which was started last year under the aegis of the First Lady’s Office. It is being spearheaded by Ms. Karen Abrams, an overseas-based Guyanese. The competitors are tasked with building a robot solution which will address the problem of access to clean water by people around the world. According to the First Lady, “Robotics is an important area of study. This is going to govern agricultural, social, educational and economic
Team Guyana and their robot with Director of Sports, Christopher Jones (at right) development and I am very happy to see how young people are just glomming on this initiative and running with it.” In a video posted on STEMGuyana’s Facebook page, members of the Guyana delegation said that the jobs of the future around the world
will require knowledge of robotics and a deep understanding of technology. A group member said, “Although we have only been exposed to robotics recently we are enthusiastic and motivated to participate.” Another member said that
they believe that competition and cooperation builds character and are looking forward to benefiting from the experience. The group members believe that innovations in the various industries will assist in problem solving, improve
efficiency and create more opportunities for young people. However, Team Guyana is appealing for support in purchasing equipment and gear among other items. Meanwhile, Minister Catherine Hughes has issued
a call to corporate Guyana to get on-board and support the group of young, vibrant and creative Guyanese, who are set to represent the country at such a major platform. “We need to be able to fund this trip and so we are asking everyone who can step forward and make a donation, to consider it your national duty to do so,” she said. Earlier this month STEMGuyana were the recipients of nearly $200,000 in information technology and electronic equipment from IT Company, Cyber Solutions. Co-founder of the company Mr. Ryon Persaud stated that he donated the items because of the youths’ dedication towards winning and learning from the competition. He added that he intends to further build Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Guyana and pledged to s u p p o r t such ventures in the future.
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BIT Training Programmes drive community development in Moruca Recently concluded were three training programmes in the villages of Kwebanna, Koko and Kamwatta in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (Barima/Waini). The programmes were administered and delivered by the Board of Industrial Training in the areas of plumbing, block making, catering and cake decoration. Ongoing are also refrigeration and airconditioning repairs and information technology in the community. Graham Atkinson, Deputy Toshao of Moruca, spoke of the importance of the block making programme done in the village. He stated that given the move from traditional style homes to a more modern style, a skill like block making is fundamental to progressing in the construction arena. The block making group of 13 young men and two young women collectively decided on a community development project to utilize the blocks made and become active contributors in the advancement of their community. The group was also encouraged to develop their own entrepreneurial enterprise and provided the start-up moulds, materials and gear required. Mr. Atkinson also applauded the work of the plumbing trainees, stating that during the practical component of the training, trainees conducted repair works on various
BIT graduates from Santa Rosa and Kwebanna, Sub-District, Region One posing with their certificates. Seated in front are from Left: Technical Officer- BIT, Mohammed Shaheed; Deputy Toshao of Santa Rosa, Graham Hopkinson; Deputy Toshao of Kwebanna, Murine Henry; CEO, BTI, Maria Khelawan; and BIT Board Member and Principal of the Essequibo Technical Institute, Michael Turner. government buildings in multiple communities in the sub-region, with all the materials provided by the Board of Industrial Training. Murine Henry, Deputy Toshao of Kwebana, on speaking on the impact of the catering programme done in that community, stated that one of the clear impacts she saw from the programme was the development of selfsufficiency of the women participating, and their ability to gain confidence in themselves from the learning experience in addition to the acquisition of a practical, employable skill. She applauded the programme for being empowering in many different
ways. The Board of Industrial Training has for over 100 years been at the forefront of apprenticeship training. Chairman of BIT Mr. Clinton Williams stated that this proud tradition of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) has continued through the years via the Apprenticeship programme run in conjunction of some notable organisations in the private
sector, with advances being made in recent years, including incorporating new Masters such as Republic Bank Limited. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, the agency in recent years, has also provided
training programmes such as those done in Moruca, through its narrow skills training profile in a variety of industrial training areas. The purpose of these shorter term programmes were to ensure that all citizens can acquire a technical or vocational skill and gain employment, or upgrade these skills to the next professional level. She noted also, that with this collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, BIT endeavours to make training relevant to the community, to ensure that persons can transfer that knowledge to personal wealth development or growth. In this manner, training, she said, is beneficial to the family, to the community and to the country. In addition to these programmes, community training initiatives have also been implemented in Matthew’s Ridge and Mabaruma, also in Region One, and various other areas countrywide. Just recently, BIT carried out training in Whitewater,
also in Region One. It was through the Village Council, being spearheaded by Toshao, Cleveland D’Souza, that the construction of a guesthouse was included in the community’s development plan. This initiative was lauded by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and that entity’s blessing was bestowed upon the enterprise. The Ministry of Social Protection was engaged, and via its agency, BIT, took up this mantle and engaged community leaders and 14 young persons to be trained for the hospitality sector, and to be employed at the guesthouse, once completed. The training focused on catering and cake decoration, and commenced in November 2016, and completed at the end of February this year, with a graduation ceremony held for the graduates on March 8. Participants were provided all the materials for the training along with a monthly stipend and payment to the trainer.
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Believe in yourself, pause if you have to, rest if you must… but do not quit! - Treasury Secretary tells young essay writers By Enid Joaquin Students of schools across Linden were lectured about the importance of education and admonished to never quit, by Secretary of the Treasury, Dr Hector Butts, in his feature address to winners of the Linden Dream Team Essay writing competition. The competition has become a signature event of the Linden Town Week over the past six years. The award ceremony was hosted at the Egbert Benjamin Hall on Tuesday. Underscoring the significance of education Butts exhorted, “Believe in yourself, pause if you have to, rest if you must, but do not quit! You must establish perseverance; must be tenacious.” Reminiscing on his own school days, Butts said that his mother, although she did not attend secondary school always instilled in him that, “Education is the ladder of Success”. He pointed out that he was put in a “scholarship class” because he was considered “bright”, and that he loved to see stars in his
Winner in the primary division, Lemuel Browne of Amelia’s Ward Primary, receives his prizes.
Wismar/Christianburg Secondary’s Petrina Blair collects her trophy and certificate from Dr. Vincent Adams
books, but got ‘licks’ for laughing at the other children who did not perform as well. Butts said that with his mother’s exhortations, he recognized quite early that if he wanted to succeed in life, he had to take his education
seriously. “Education kept me grounded, and I owe that to the efforts of my mother.” That was his message in a nutshell to the children. The event was graced by Education officials, Teachers,
Region ten Chairman Mr Renis Morian and Dr Vincent Adams, among other special invitees. All used the opportunity to encourage the students whom they also commended for their efforts, and applauded the Linden Dream team for their initiative. President of the Organization Donnette Adams said that more than two hundred and fifty students drawn from schools across Linden participated in the event, but for the first time this year, the primary Schools were included. For the secondary division, participants were categorized as either lower or upper Level. For the Lower level, Dafia McRae of the Wismar/ Christianburg Secondary School (WCSS) secured the first place, followed by Patrice Rose of the New Silver City in the second spot and Chandra Paul Narine of
Linden Foundation in the third position. At the senior Secondary level, Petrina Blair of WCSS was adjudged winner, while Jennelle Inniss of Mackenzie High and Hannah McCalmont, also of WCSS, copped the second and third positions respectively. Lemuel Browne of Amelia’s Ward Primary was adjudged winner in the primary division. Winners received bicycles, tablets, certificates and other tokens of appreciation. All of the fourth form students of the Secondary Schools were given the opportunity to ‘pull’ names out of a bag to secure a chance to access financial assistance from the Dream Team, to assist them in paying for their CXC subjects. They are however expected to meet certain criteria, to qualify for same. Linden star athlete,
Compton Caesar was the recipient of a tablet and supplements, compliments of the Dream Team. Coaches Moses Pantlitz and Johnny Gravesande also received supplements and other tokens of appreciation. Shantoba Bright was notably absent, but it was acknowledged that she was not forgotten. President Adams in her brief address pointed out, “Education is one of the most important things in life - it’s a collective agreement between children their parents and teachers” The Linden Dream Team, formerly the youth arm of the Linden Fund USA has over the years been giving back to the Linden community. It has garnered funds through various fund raising activities, including the popular Wismar Night Dance at the Christianburg Community Centre ground, which is held during the Linden Town Week celebrations. Funds raised are channeled into numerous activities, including those that cater to education and sports.
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Do Diet Sodas Pose Health Risks? In the battle to lose weight, many people switch to diet sodas. But while they cut calories they might also raise the risk of stroke or dementia, a new study suggests. Just one artificially sweetened drink a day seems to increase those chances nearly threefold, compared with drinking less than one a week, the researchers said. Still, only a few people in the study developed dementia or had a stroke, so the absolute risk remains small, the researchers added. Also, “We can’t establish cause and effect, but our results suggest that we look more closely at artificially sweetened beverages to see how they are affecting our bodies and what affect they might have on different diseases,” said lead researcher Matthew Pase. He’s a senior fellow in the department of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine. Exactly why diet drinks might be linked to these conditions isn’t known, Pase
added. Some studies have shown that diet soda is associated with vascular disease, which might have effects in the brain. Other research has found an association between artificially sweetened drinks and weight gain, which might increase the risk for stroke and dementia, the researchers said. Yet another study showed that artificial sweeteners alter bacteria in the gut, which might also have a negative effect, Pase said. “People should be cautious about over-consuming diet drinks,” he said. “Just because they say ‘diet’ doesn’t mean they’re a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.” The findings were published April 20 in the journal Stroke. One stroke expert said the findings are far from definitive. “I don’t think we have the evidence to tell people to stop drinking artificially sweetened beverages, but I don’t think we have the evidence to tell people that
switching to drinking them will improve their brain health,” said Hannah Gardener. She’s an assistant scientist in the department of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Switching to sugar-sweetened drinks, however, isn’t a healthy option, she said. “The evidence is clear that sugar-sweetened beverages are unhealthy for our heart and unhealthy for our brain,” said Gardener, who cowrote an editorial that accompanied the study. In the study, Pase and his colleagues collected data on stroke from among nearly 2,900 men and women over age 45 who took part in the Framingham Heart Study. For the dementia part of the study, they followed nearly 1,500 people over age 60 in the Framingham group. Three times over seven years, the researchers reviewed what people were drinking. Participants reported their eating and drinking habits using food frequency questionnaires.
Get to Know the Mediterranean Diet
Pase’s team followed the participants for 10 years, to see who had a stroke or developed dementia. The researchers found that 3 percent of the participants had suffered a stroke and 5 percent had developed dementia, most of which were cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The investigators adjusted their findings for risk factors such as age, sex, how much participants ate, education, diabetes and a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Robert Rankin, president of the Calorie Control Council, which represents makers of low-calorie foods and drinks, took issue with the findings. “Rather than focusing on results from observational studies, which cannot establish cause and effect, individuals should talk to their health care team to address
known risks for stroke and dementia,” he said. “Beverages are an important consideration, and diet beverages provide safe, reduced calorie options that people can enjoy while working towards achieving their healthy lifestyle goals,” Rankin added. The American Beverage Association concurred. “Low-calorie sweeteners have been proven safe by worldwide government safety authorities as well as hundreds of scientific studies, and there is nothing in this research that counters this well-established fact,” the association said in a statement. “The FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration], World Health Organization, European Food Safety Authority and others have extensively reviewed low-calorie sweet-
eners and have all reached the same conclusion they are safe for consumption,” the association added. Heather Snyder, senior director of medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer’s Association, said this study adds to a growing body of science that shows the importance of diet for the brain. A healthy diet is one that’s good for your heart and includes a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as fish and poultry, but is low in salt, sugar, red meat and saturated fats. “A heart healthy diet is also good for your brain,” she said. Snyder and Gardener both agree that to quench your thirst, the best choice is water. “The evidence is clear that drinking water is healthy,” Gardener said. medlineplus.gov.
Want a Longer Life? Try Biking to Work
The diet followed by people who live in countries around the Mediterranean Sea has been shown to be more than just delicious. The so-called Mediterranean diet can help you limit daily calories so you can lose weight. Plus, it’s a healthy long-term way of eating. The main focus of the Mediterranean diet is on eating plant-based foods. That means including fruits and vegetables in every
meal, and eating them for snacks and dessert, too. Switch from refined to whole-grain foods, including breads, cereal, rice and pasta. Also add legumes like peas and beans. Try to eat a vegetarian dinner one or two nights a week. P e o p l e w h o successfully lose weight while following a Mediterranean diet generally get about a third of their calories from healthy fats, including a
small handful of nuts each day. Other tips: · Switch from butter to olive oil. · Limit red meat to just a few times a month, and have smaller amounts than you’re probably used to — just a 3-ounce serving. · Eat more chicken and fish. In fact, have fish at least twice a week. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are among the healthiest choices. · Choose low- or no-fat dairy products over highfat ones to cut out more saturated fat. As a bonus, if you like red wine, you can say cheers to one glass a day. medlineplus.gov.
Adding a few miles of biking each day to your commute might add years to your life span, new research suggests. The British study found that bicycling to work appeared to halve people’s odds for serious disease and premature death. Researchers from the University of Glasgow in Scotland looked at the commuting habits of more than 264,000 people in the United Kingdom and tracked their health over five years. Cycling to work was associated with a 46 percent lower risk of heart disease over five years and a 45 percent lower risk of cancer compared to a sedentary commute. Risk of premature death was 41 percent lower.
Walking to work was also beneficial, but not to the same degree. Hoofing it was associated with a 27 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 36 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease. However, it wasn’t linked with a lower risk of cancer or premature death, the study found. The study doesn’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between commuting by bike and longevity. Still, “if these associations are causal, these findings suggest that policies designed to make it easier for people to commute by bike ... may present major opportunities for public health im-
provement,” said researcher Dr. Jason Gill in a university news release. He’s with the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences. Gill suggested bike lanes, city bike-sharing, subsidized bicycle purchases and increased accommodation of bicycles on public transit. The researchers said cycle commuting may offer greater health benefits than walking because cyclists cover longer distances, get more intense exercise, and have higher levels of fitness than walkers. For example, cyclists commuted an average of 30 miles a week, compared with 6 miles a week for walkers. medlineplus.gov.
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Beyoncé Has a Destiny’s Child Reunion and Showcases Daring Maternity Look
Say hello to the new FAB FIVE! Beyoncé, who is pregnant with twins, recently reunited with Destiny’s Child band mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Bey posted on Instagram Friday night a photo of the three, who have remained good friends over the years while concentrating on solo careers, promoting Rowland’s new book Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (And Wonder What the #*@& Just Happened). Rowland and husband
Tim Witherspoon are parents to 2-year-old son Titan. Beyonce, who also shares 5-year-old daughter Blue Ivy with Jay Z, included the picture in a set of photos of her showcasing a daring new maternity look; a blush, draping dress and sexy over-the-knee beige stiletto boots. Did we mention she is in the third trimester of her pregnancy! Feet swell! “Beautiful,” replied her mother Tina Knowles Lawson, who was Destiny’s Child’s stylist. This marks the first time all three members of Destiny’s Child have been
photographed together since they reunited last November to join a slew of celebs performing the trendy Mannequin Challenge. Rowland told Vogue Australia in an interview posted Thursday that they chat together “Like all the time. Every week.” “We talk, literally,” she said. “We are truly sisters. They are my sisters. I talk to them, I seek advice from them, I call them when I need them, when I don’t need them I call them, when I want a girl’s night. I call them for everything.” http:// www.eonline.com.
Winfrey delivers “Absolutely Stunning” Performance in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Oprah Winfrey is a force, both on screen and off. The media mogul has everybody buzzing with her new acting role in HBO’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In the film, Winfrey plays Deborah Lacks, the daughter of the woman whose cells revolutionized medical treatment. It’s a role she was intimidated to do. “I’ve done five movies in my life,” Winfrey told us. “So my repertoire is very small. Every time I’m on stage I just feel like everybody here knows more than I do, so you have to then hand yourself over to somebody who knows what they’re doing, so that’s what I did.” “Isn’t that funny?” Rose Byrne told us about her costars fears. “It’s incredibly humbling to hear that from her. Look, I was intimidated by her obviously,” Byrne told E! News. “She had a big undertaking physically and emotionally it was really without vanity this performance, it’s not by any means a glamorous part and she just went
there.” Hamilton’s Renee Elise Goldsberry plays Henrietta Lacks, Winfrey’s mother in the film, but the two never share scenes. “That’s right, I actually did not get to film scenes with her, which makes me, I think, more objective. I think when I tell people she’s absolutely brilliant in this film you have to believe me because I’m not
remembering something that happened on set. I’m really just watching this performance and I’m weeping at the end of this film watching the journey she takes as Deborah Lacks,” she told us. “It’s absolutely stunning.” Goldsberry confirmed what everybody has long assumed: Winfrey is the real deal.
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Canawaima Ferry experiencing mechanical issues ...tug pushes vessel, service unaffected – Terminal Manager (ag) The Canawaima Ferry
The M.V Canawaima that plies the Guyana/Suriname route is experiencing mechanical problems and is being assisted by a tug. However, according to the Terminal Manager (Acting), Deyne Harry, the service is unaffected and passengers have no need to worry. Harry was contacted after a notice was placed in the Saturday edition of the Kaieteur News, informing the general public of the mechanical issues and the improvised method of utilizing the tug. The reason for the notice, Harry said, was to inform the travelling public and not to have them show up and raise concerns over the tug being used. “We don’t want to surprise them,” he said. Harry told Kaieteur News that he was not at liberty to discuss the mechanical issues. He however, noted that the parts needed have already been procured and engineers are working assiduously to get things in order. The M.V Canawaima had experienced numerous mechanical challenges throughout 2016. This resulted in extensive delays
and ultimately closure of operations for four working days. Some of the major mechanical defects experienced last year were broken propellers; burnt engine heads; damage to pistons and rings; broken drive shaft and gears; a damaged gear box; and electrical malfunction which resulted in loss of steering. Last year, also, the starboard engine was completely overhauled. In 2016, the service transported 116,079 passengers with 57,663 listed as incoming and 58,416 listed as outgoing. For last year also, the service would have transported a total of 12,487 vehicles – 6,309 incoming and 6,178 outgoing. Passenger traffic decreased by 5.4 percent in 2016 over 2015. Similarly, vehicular traffic decreased by 4.3 percent. Some of the projections for this year, as announced at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) End-ofYear Press Conference include the docking of the vessel and the replacement of two engines and auxiliaries. It was projected, also, that traffic would increase by two percent.
The service will be looking to install body and baggage scanners, the installation of perimeter lights, the renovation of office spaces, washrooms etc. construction of reservoir (Fire fighting), construction of covered walkway, repairs to staff quarters, and the construction of replacement floating ramp. The Transport and Harbours Department Incorporated was incorporated in Guyana on October 28, 1998. It is one of two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Canawaima Management Company J.V which was incorporated in Suriname. The other subsidiary is the Scheepvaart Maatschappij Suriname NV (SMSNV). Canawaima Management Company is itself, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canawaima Ferry Services Inc. which was incorporated in Guyana. The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) was incorporated to handle the ferry service and terminal facilities on the Guyana side while SMS NV did likewise on the Suriname side. The operations commenced on November 6, 1998.
Private school teacher accused of sexually assaulting teens An investigation has been launched into the alleged rape of two children, age 14 years and 15 years, by a male. Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam, stated that a report was made to the police and the accused was questioned. Amsterdam further revealed that the accused has since been released on bail, as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation disclosed that the accused,
who reportedly teaches at a private school in Berbice and is the son of a Regional councilor, visited the home of the children, who are school dropouts and offered them groceries. It was also revealed that during last week he offered to take the teens on an outing. It is then that he allegedly
committed the act. The youths were reportedly forced to perform oral sex on the man. The incident came to light when the two teens related to their parents what had occurred after returning home from the ‘outing’ and a report was subsequently made.
We are life savers, you should be one too! Donate blood today!!!
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Discharged for murders: but back in court for same crime, spate of armed robberies Two known individuals to law enforcements officers, who were recently told they were free to leave the courtroom after murder indictments against them were discharged are back in court; this time one of them for the same crime and the other for robbing church members at gunpoint. It has been less than six months since Regan ‘Grey Boy’ Rodrigues was discharged of the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing. However, on Good Friday the 33-year-old murder accused was re-arrested by police at a house in Middle Road La Penitence, Georgetown, nearly a month after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered that the case be reopened for the taking of further evidence from police witnesses and to rule on the voluntariness of all oral statements of Rodrigues. Attorney Nigel Hughes has been assigned to prosecute the case. But after hearing that the case would be reopened, Rodrigues went into hiding, since on countless occasions he failed to report to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown. While he was in hiding Rodrigues released at least two video recordings professing his innocence. In one of the videos that were widely circulated on social media, Rodrigues said he believes there is a plot to have him go down for the murder. He had also appealed to the Guyana Police Force to assign new ranks to the case which will see the real killer being caught and brought to justice. According to Rodrigues the Guyana Police Force should investigate their own ranks since they are knowledgeable about what happened to the political activist. “They want I suffer for their crime. This country ain’t got justice that is why people does turn bad. I leave them in the hands of God,” he had stated. After the first murder indictment was read to him in 2015, Rodrigues claimed that he knew the person who killed Crum-Ewing. And that the same person had also asked him to kill Crum-Ewing and Mark Benchop but he
MURDERED: Courtney Crum-Ewing
Regan Rodrigues called ‘Grey Boy
refused and reported that matter to police who never took his statement. Rodrigues was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court last week and hurled a series of insulting remarks at Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar, resulting in the senior cop refusing to testify. This matter continues on Wednesday. According to reports, the bullet-riddled body of CrumEwing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme East Bank Demerara on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach. The police in a statement had said that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer(s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. Magistrate Latchman had pointed out that one of the court’s reasons for discharging the matter was because there was no evidence to support that the firearm tendered during the PI was used by Rodrigues to kill the political activist although she believed the gun, a .32 revolver, was confiscated by police during a raid at Rodrigues’s home. The prosecution’s inability to make out a prima facie was once again highlighted when the Magistrate disclosed that the prosecutor failed to request the court to rule on the admissibility of caution statements allegedly made by Rodrigues. While stating that several inferences can be drawn from those statements, Magistrate Latchman underscored that they did not implicate Rodrigues in the murder of Crum-Ewing.
Meanwhile, three weeks after he was discharged on a murder charge Negus Lamazon, 21, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan again to answer to four counts of robbery underarms which alleged that he robbed four church members at gunpoint of $759,000 in gold and diamond jewellery and cell phones. Kaieteur News understands that approximately 20 persons were attending a farewell and were sitting on the northern pavement of Regent Street on April 10, when they were allegedly robbed by Lamazon and his accomplice Corinth Taylor, who was also slapped with the said charges. Police said the men arrived from the western direction and came off their motorcycles, pointed their guns at the victims and robbed them. Some persons resisted and the gunmen fired about six shots in the air and made good their escape south along Oronoque Street. Kaieteur News understands that two of the men escaped on a motorcycle while the other bandit escaped on foot and left his motorcycle behind. A motorcycle used during the commissioning of the robbery was confiscated by police. An attorney for Taylor revealed that his client was arrested after he went to the Alberttown Police Station to report his motorcycle stolen. On the other hand, Lamazon of D’Urban Street was captured at Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice while en route to Suriname. Both of the alleged robbers have been remanded to prison until May 8. Magistrate Dylon Bess had discharged a murder charge against Lamazon which had alleged that he and Samuel Mc Intyre killed former murder accused Orin ‘Malik’ David who was shot dead in front of his Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown home on August 1, 2016. The charge was also discharged against McIntyre.
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CARING FOR YOUR CHILD’S ENAMEL By Dr. Neromini Fagu As adults, we are told the correct way to brush our teeth in order to remove plaque and food particles, as well as to avoid damage to our teeth and gums. However, sometimes things are easier said than done and while this applies to many adults, it is even more difficult for children. Let us face it, not many children look forward to brushing their teeth, and even when they do brush, it is something of which they make very quick work. While it is important to employ good oral hygiene habits, it is necessary to ensure the correct practices are being taken. The techniques learned during childhood play an important role in adulthood. For example stopping overly aggressive brushing actions can have beneficial consequences later in life. The outer protective layer of our teeth, the enamel, needs to be cared for in order to avoid sensitive teeth later. The following are some tips for avoiding enamel loss when brushing teeth in childhood. VIGOROUS BRUSHING The zest and zeal that we put into brushing our teeth can sometimes be harmful, as the number one self-inflicted cause of worn enamel is brushing too hard. Children
tend to want to get the job done quickly and the most efficient way for them is to brush in a back and forth motion. After all, this is probably how they see others around them doing it as well as seeing it on television and in the movies. However, this method of brushing is not kind to your enamel nor to the soft tissues of your gum. Over time, the continuous application of friction wears away both the tooth structure and gum tissue. It is important to note that forceful brushing does not necessarily translate to clean brushing. The best way is to brush gently and in a circular motion, aiming the head of the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the base of the gums. FREQUENT BRUSHING You might think that brushing every time you eat something is good as it removes food particles from your teeth and mouth thereby staving off the potential for dental diseases, but that is not always the best course of action. While it is ideal to brush three times a day after meals, any more than that and your child might end up doing more harm than good. Children love to snack constantly, a habit which can potentially be detrimental to their pearly whites. However,
instead of brushing constantly throughout the day, you should encourage your children to rinse their mouths with water after snacking. USINGA TOOTHBRUSH WITH BRISTLES THAT ARE TOO STIFF The stiffness of the bristles is an important feature of a toothbrush, as bristles that are too firm can be damaging to enamel and gum tissue in much the same way as brushing too vigorously can be. That is why most dentists will recommend either soft or extra-soft bristles on a toothbrush, because it’s the technique that really matters and not the force of the brushing, nor the firmness of the bristles. USEANAGE APPROPRIATE TOOTHBRUSH Toothbrushes are available in a variety of sizes for children. The dimensions usually correspond with the age of the child. The toothbrush we use should always fit our mouth, and for the growing mouths of children that brush size is going to change until they reach adulthood. Finger brushes work well for infants and are extra soft. After this stage they can graduate to a regular toothbrush that has a toddlersized head. As your child grows, the toothbrush head usually gets
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Safety Standard for Laboratories With the conclusion of Occupational Safety and Health Month (April, 2017) and Medical Laboratories Professional Week (April 23-29, 2017) it is appropriate to feature a National Standard that addresses safety in the laboratory. This standard is the GYS 235:2003 – General Requirements for the Safety in Laboratories. The scope of the standard specifies the general requirements for a laboratory safety management system, which will enable a laboratory to formulate a policy and objectives, taking into account legislative requirements and information about significant risks, which the laboratory can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, to protect its employees and others, whose health and safety may be affected by the activities of the laboratory. Laboratory professionals cannot take for granted their personal safety and the safety of others during the handling of dangerous chemicals and other sensitive materials. They have to be mindful of the possible infections they can acquire from samples collected from patients for testing. To ensure that safety is a key focus in laboratories, the standard firstly requires that the laboratory establishes implements and maintains an Occupational Safety and Health System. Top management shall establish a policy that clearly states the overall safety and health objectives and a commitment to
improving health and safety performance. Other general requirements included in the standard are hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control, legal and other requirements, establishment of the occupational safety and health programme and committee, training, awareness and competence, communication, consultation and documentation. Meanwhile, specific requirements include design for safety, physical requirements such as lighting, temperature and ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment, warning signs and labels, electrical, chemical and fire safety. Other aspects such as management of staff health, design for working with viable pathogens, safe work practices with material of biological origin and the control of equipment related hazards are included in the standard. The GNBS encourages, manufacturing companies, hospitals and other facilities that offer testing services to ensure that the requirements of this National Standard become an integral part of their safety efforts. The Bureau can assist those interested in implementing the standard in their laboratories to demonstrate and maintain good occupational safety and health practices. For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel. 219-0064 – 66 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org
a little larger to accommodate the reach to the teeth at the back of the mouth. Saving your child’s tooth enamel from slowly “disappearing” from their teeth is very simple to avoid, and with the above tips you pretty much have all you need to keep them
on the right path. Some of the tips are even applicable to adults as well. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
Dr. Neromini Fagu
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WANTED One nail technician at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road Ruimzeight. Call: 269-1524/ 656-3561 Contract hire car to work @ GR Taxi. Contact Ganesh: 614-6202 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
VEHICLE FOR SALE SALE! SALE! 2011 ALLION $3.350M, 2011 BLUEBIRD $2.7M, 2010 RACTICS $2.5M,ALLVEHICLESFULLY LOADED&UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 Toyota 212 New Model, Fielder Wagon 07, Spacio, all in excellent condition. Price neg. Tel: 681-6488, 657-5839. Toyota Spacio, PRR series, fully leather, press start alarm, good condition -$1.3M negotiable. Call: 689-7701 1-3 Ton enclosed canter for sale. Call: 613-0830/ 666-2549 Unregistered 2010 Fielder - $2.5M, DarkInterior.Call:617-5536
Veterinary Services, East Side Animal Clinic @ 147 Section ‘A’ Grove Block ‘Y’ East Bank. Call: 216-4144/ 681-7215 TAXI SERVICE For the best house plan prices & designs. Call: 610- GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: +4085/ Visit 37 Camp & Croal 219-5000; 227-1982 & Streets 225-7878 (24HRS) Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Clarke Kent Cabs, located at Computer Technician, FB: Kingston, exceptional Brian.Moe.165; Home and services. Email: office visits at your comfort!! clarkekentcabs@yahoo.com. Call: 231-0800/ 231-0801
Land to buy in: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt and La Pafaite Harmonie. Call: 642-1252 One live in couple to work in Mahaicony River to take care of house and do garden work. Call: 655-9419/ 225-6571
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 Complete Sawmill at Yarrowkabra Linden Soesdyke Highway and 1 F66 – Clarke, Ranger Skidder. Call: 609-8041/ 644-1190 1 Double Stall for sale @ Bourda Market Section D. Call: 665-7896
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012 Space for rent @ Vreed-en Hoop Junction, lessons place, church, storage bond, office, others -$20,000 monthly. Call: 603-6400
Need left hand drivers for garbage trucks. Contact: 6707920
One Diesel welder on trailer. Call: 699-4300/ 228-2734
Cleaners @ Tuschen Scheme $13,000 per week. Call: 662-9341
1 Transported property @ Covent Garden Island E.C.D, Music Equipment: speaker, 1 complete rock, etc. Call: 2653586
Business property to rent near Campbellville Secondary School. Call: 6276480/ 613-6815
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
3 Bedrooms upper flat, fully grilled with toilet, bath, kitchen, parking @ Block ‘8’ Mon Repos, E.C.D -$70,000 monthly. Call: 687-1050
Drivers & Porters to work on water truck - $30,000 per week. Call: 684-8231 We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt, Tuschen. We pay best price and cash. Call: 666-2326 Farm worker (live in) age 40 & older. Call: 265-3586 We seriously pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, La Parfaite Harmonie & other places. Call Ravena: 6845822/ 629-2881 Hiring 1 Maid 18-25yrs, minimum of 2 CXC subjects. Contact Arch Villas of Ulverston Corentyne at jchanglee1@hotmail.com Hiring 1 mason and 1 painter to work at Arch Villas of Ulverston Corentyne. Contact Arch Villas of Ulverston Corentyne, email: jchanglee1@hotmail.com One night security, one cleaner+ male to work as operator in ice factory at Meadowbank. Call: 642-9191
Pups for sale. Call: 216-3408/ 680-0192 1 85 DAF hauler truck with trailer, swap for 1 double axel sand truck or tanker. Tel: 6941258 Computer with Keyboard, CPU, speakers, printed fitter on desk. (Screen not working) - $30,000. Call: 6992067, 270-4286 32 Inches Sony Television not working -$15,000, 2 Sony speakers for stereo set $6,000. Call: 699-2067/ 2704286 7840 Ford Tractor Baldan Rome Plough Chipper, cage wheel, 16inch pump, complete music set. Call: 2282551/ 613-3175 Rottweiler pups. Call: 2202277/220-8904/629-1471
1 RZ Bus Driver age 50-65yrs to work & keep. Call: 2195138/689-9592 (anytime)
Washbay staff living in Georgetown, excellent salary & benefits. Call: 646-8748 Labourers for wood concession -$5,000 per dayCall: 618-0487 One female vegetarian cook in the Interior. Call: 668-6421 Contract Cars and dispatchers. Call: 219-4087 Experienced cook to work in restaurant, preferably from the West Bank, baking would be an asset. Call: 592-678-3400
One & two bedroom apartment available semifurnished. Call: 681-4275/ 2314432 Room to rent with light, water, bed & wardrobe, working single/couple, $28,000 monthly + security. South Ruimveldt Gardens. Call: 6230076
Rent: ECD 3BR $70,000/ 1BR 25,000, Georgetown- 2BR $50,000 & 45,000, EBD 1BR $40,000 /3BR 50,000. Call: 223-2153/623-9999 Luxury home rental: 2, 3 &4 BR Apartments & Homes Furnished, Secure. All Amenities US$600-1,800. Call: 223-2153/623-9999
4 AC Rooms/2 large hall with 1 extra room, suitable for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350
Lodging for students and working professionals in Republic Park Area. Call:2335560 or 619-4824 for details
Experienced bartenders. Call: 225-8572 between 7am-9am A cleaner helper and a cosmetologist needed to work at salon. Call 658-8669 Female kitchen assistant & male assistant with driver’s license to work @ outdoor grill, weekend included. Call: 656-9313/675-2550 Salesgirls @ D.Singh & Sons. Call: 226-1316 One female houseworker, preferably living in C/Ville or close to location, address 25 Craig Street, C/Ville. Call: 2231332 Accounts Clerk for office in Eccles Industrial Site, knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks call 6144358 1 Strong able body security guard. Call: 226-1877/6247436
3 Bedrooms house to rent in Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 667-9499
TO LET
Furnished 1 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824; 233-5560
VACANCY Experienced cook (for canteen), porters, bond clerks, snackette attendants, drivers. Apply: Survival, Lot 10 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty. Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
One top flat 3 bedrooms at Bagotstown. Call: 233-6266
Rental: GT 1BR 30,000, 3 BR Furn 120,000 EBD House 65,000, ECD 2-3BR 50,000, 80,000. Tel: 223-2153/6450944
1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com 1 Car to buy on terms. Tel: 694-1258
CAR RENTAL
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465
PEN PAL You deserve a relationship filled with love and excitement. Call Harmony Singles: 626-2629, 6766312 Male seeking female 25yrs -45yrs for serious relationship. Call: 6873616
ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartments: Fully furnished with Kitchen and AC for short term. Call: 233-2300/ 7182301695/646-3011634 Continue on page 69
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
Protect animals in personal and society’s interest By PAT DIAL Whenever one hears about the protection of animals, as a traditional response, one thinks of the “Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (GSPCA) at present led by Mr. Oliver Insanally. The Guyana Society was established over a Century ago in the early 20th Century and it attracted all the main veterinary surgeons and important persons in Colonial Guyana. At this time it was known as the Royal Society (RSPCA) and was affiliated to the RSPCA in England and membership was something of a state of symbol. Today, the society is less high profile, but its good work has continued and even expanded. This concern with life as a whole and the protection of animals is a comparatively new ethical position in Western Societies. In Eastern Societies, it was deeply rooted long before the Christian era and was a notable teaching in their religions. In Buddhist Countries, as early as three or four hundred years before the Christian era, there were animal hospitals, as for example in Emperor Asoka’s Empire. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, European Civilization made rapid advancements and their understanding that all life is One and that animals are relatives of man became common place. The 19th Century education systems inculcated this idea and in the school readers such as Royal Readers children were socialized into loving, respecting and protecting animals. Since Guyana was a British Colony, the English education system and Royal Readers were transferred to Guyana and institutions like RSPCA were established. This was a Great Civilizing force in Guyanese society. During the Centuries of
Slavery, severe and cruel violence was regularly employed to enforce discipline or merely to drive fear into the plantation slaves to prevent them protesting and rebelling. When slavery was abolished, the Freedmen continued the system of violence since they knew no other and regularly beat up their children and spouses. They also had regular fights over the slightest quarrels with neighbours where cruel violence was meted out to each other. In the 19th Century and into the 20th Century, all transportation was done by animal drawn carts or cabs. Donkeys and Mules drew the carts and Mules in particular did the transport in the sugar industry. The Cabs (Buggies) transported persons. The Donkeys and Mules were very often cruelly beaten and it was only when the RSPCA began functioning and prosecuting the cart-men that some relief was brought to the animals. Over the last two generations, the public’s
attitude to and treatment of animals have improved but they are still far away from the levels of other countries such as England. Many are still unclear in their minds as to why we should protect animals and not wantonly harm them. There are several reasons, the most important being the following: 1. When one kills or ill treats an animal, this harms ones psyche and makes it easier for one to carry over the same behaviour to humans, including children and spouses. Such results in societal discord including increase in violent crimes. 2. Secondly, it is now more and more realized that all life is one and no Man is an island as John Donne, the metaphysical poet, intuitively perceive. The analogy of one small flame lighting a thousand candles is that the same flame exists in them all just as the same life exists in all living beings. To harm or kill other living beings like animals is ultimately to harm one self.
3. Thirdly, all animals have mates and young ones whom they protect and raise to adulthood. One may note, for example, that birds go about in pairs. To kill or harm, say, a bird, would result in leaving the mate alone to die from isolation and grief or may even orphan young birds that would die since there would be no parent to feed them. This harm meted out to animals, whether one recognizes it or not, will have a matching reaction bringing retribution on the wrongdoer. But no one knows what form such retribution will take until it unfolds itself. This process is known as Karma in certain philosophic systems. It is therefore in one’s self interest not to harm animals. We began in this article by mention of the GSPCA and will close by reminding that over the years, it has offered voluntary, high-grade veterinary services to the public, inexpensive medicines and a large variety of pets from which to choose. And all this is basically without charge.
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LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.4M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M with fence, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M. Call: 642-1252 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.6M, $1.2M, Tuschen Phase II -$1.3M, House & land in La Parfaite Harmonie. Can go through the bank $14M. Call: 666-2326 La Parfaite Harmonie Main Road -$1.8M, Last Bridge $1.2M, $1.4M, Herstelling $3.5M, Tuschen Phase II $1.4M. Call: 604-6724 or 6736300
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Subryanville property for sale: 44 fifth Avenue., Subryanville, Georgetown $45M or best offer. Call Mortimer: 625-7669/ Shari 626-4215 10 Minutes away from Georgetown, you can own your own home, now in construction, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, concrete house. Call: 675-1510 Property @ 87E, Albert Street, Alberttown, front lot, size 80X20 price $35Million. Call: 669-8701
Farm (East Bank) -$2.8M, Herstelling (110ftX60ft) -$5M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M. Call: 6585897/ 651-1969
One two story property newly renovated. Call: 6771310
East ½ 84 David Street, back lot for sale- Contact: 84davidstreet@gmail.com
House for sale- 2 flat no flooding, 6ft fence, price $21Million negotiable. Call: 233-5400/ 218-0595
Land for sale: very close to UG’s Back Entrance. Call: 609-0794 Land @ Kitty$15M, Campbellville Corner Lot $14M, ECD $3.5M/$10M/ $12M, EBD $7M /$15M. Call: 231-0861/624-7777 Diamond Section’ A’ $8M, WBD- $1.2M /$3M/$6M, WBD $5M /$10M, FARM 50 acres $14M. Call: 223-2153/ 623-9999 Land @ EBD 8M, 6M, WBD 5M, GT 30M, 25M, ECD $10M. Tel: 223-2153/645-0944
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property @ Mon Repos Area, 3BR $8.5M, 3BR $14M (NEW), 3BR $11M, 3BR + Business $35M. Call: 2232153/623-9999
New property for sale @ ‘BB’ Eccles, 5 bedrooms, 3 Full baths -$38Million negotiable. Call: 623-7963/ 602-9574 1 Business property for sale in La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 686-5083 Foreclosure: Republic Park, 4BR& 28M New Homes Eccles 3BR 28M, G/T 6BR $12M. Call: 231-0861/6247777 Property @ WCD, 2BR $5M, 3BR $14M, WBD 3BR$6M/ $10M/$22M. Call:223-2153/ 623-9999 Property @ Diamond Section A 2BR $8.5M, 4BR $16M, 3BR $12.5M.Call: 2232153/623-9999 Owners Relocating: Kitty, 6BR -$23M, 3BR- $19M, 2BR -$20M, Campbellville 3BR $17M. Call: 223-2152/6247777 Property @ ECD 13M, 23M -WCD 8M ,11M, GT 18M , 40M, EBD 20M. Tel: 2232153/645-0944
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Sunday April 30, 2017
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US and region deepen security ties Daily Nation - The United States has pledged its commitment to deepening its cooperation with the Caribbean region to combat all threats. However, US Ambassador to Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Linda Taglialatela was firm that for the Caribbean to combat new threats a collaborative effort was needed to develop an expanded list of strategic border control action plans. She made the comments while addressing security professionals from across the region as well as Panama, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States at the US Customs Border and Protection (CBP) Border Security Professional Exchange seminar held at the Hilton Barbados this week. Taglialatela explained that ties between CARICOM and the US had evolved over
Deputy premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, Sean Astwood (left), joined by US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS Linda Taglialatela for the historic signing of the information-sharing agreement with CARICOM APIS. (SDB) the years to incorporate not only agreements on trade and
travel, but also on enhanced security and cooperation.
Jamaica refused entry to 507 people, Montague said. deported 138 day.He also informed that lists,” He noted that billions Jamaica Observer - A total of 507 people were refused entry into the island and 138 others were deported for the period April 2016 to March 31, 2017, as the Government continues to implement measures to protect the country’s borders. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security Robert Montague during his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Repres e n t a t i v e s o n We d n e s -
the ministry has introduced facial recognition software into its passport application process, which has identified 473 multiple passport holders, of which 73 are already before the courts. “ We h a v e i n c r e a s e d the number of immigration officers. We will int r o d u c e o n l i n e passport application, e-passports and e-gate for landing in the near future. We have increased cooperation with our partners and upped the use of intern a t i o n a l watch
of dollars were invested in the acquisition of two ships and a surveillance plane. “We have seen dividends already where, recently, three ships illegally fishing in our waters have been boarded. We have chased go-fast boats out of our space,” he pointed out. Turning to the area of terrorism, Minister Montague told the House that the anti-terrorism laws will be amended and a consultant engaged to write a terrorist response manual.
Several discrepancies alleged in GPSU... From page 61 were placed in the ballot box. He said this complaint should be r e v i e w e d b e fore the election process comes to an end. He said that these issues are of critical importance and would suggest that De Souza acted impulsively by c a l l i ng the election on Thursday. Meanwhile, the counting of ballots has been postponed until next Wednesday. This delay was attributed to the alleged interference by incumbent President of the GPSU, Patrick Yarde. However, Yarde refuted the claims saying that he has played no role to frustrate the process and will wait until next week for the counting of
ballots to resume. Further, in a statement circulated to th e m e d i a y e s t e r d a y, D e S o u z a said that it is unfortunate and regrettable that the elections officials have not completed the counting and verification process and is not in a position t o a n n o u n c e t h e e l ected officers of the GPSU Executive Council for the 2017 to 2021 term. The statement said that every effort was made to ensure that the election process was not only free, fair and transparent but also free from fear. It said that it has become apparent that there are individuals determined to disrupt the process, which can only result in the disenfran-
chisement of thousands of members. According to De Souza, when the counting and verification of ballots recommenced yesterday at 09:00hrs, he and his staff were subject to disruption and intimidating behaviour meted out by some candidates who admitted themselves into the building without authorization. As a result, ranks from the Guyana Police Force were summoned. They attempted to resolve the matter. He said that the disruption lasted for six and a half hours. He also opined that the disruption could have been a ploy to deliberately obstruct the declaration of the elections result.
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Trump to order a study on abuses of U.S. trade agreements Reuters - President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday seeking to identify any problems caused by the n a t i o n ’s e x i s t i n g t r a d e agreements, including an examination of U.S. involvement in the World Trade Organisation, a top trade official said. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said his department would work to issue a report in 180 days outlining challenges with these trade deals and possible solutions. Ross singled out the World Trade Organisation as an entity that may need to make some changes, although he cautioned that
the administration had not made any decisions yet. “There’s always the potential for amending organization’s charters like the WTO, particularly when you’re in the position we are,” he said. “We’re the number one importer in the whole world.” Ross raised concerns that the WTO is too bureaucratic and does not hold meetings often enough. He also argued that the WTO has an “institutional bias” in favor of exporters and against countries that are being “beleaguered by inappropriate imports.” Remaking U.S. trade relations has been a top pri-
ority for Trump, who has argued that the United States has been treated unfairly in international trade. Trump said on Thursday that he had been prepared to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, but backed off after calls from the leaders of those two countries. The effects of NAFTA on the U.S. economy will also be examined in the new study. Last month, Trump also issued an order calling for a major review of the causes of all U.S. trade deficits.
Donald Trump
EU sets Britain tough divorce terms, slams budget veto Reuters - European Union leaders endorsed stiff divorce terms for Britain yesterday and warned Britons to have “no illusions” about swiftly securing a new relationship to keep their access to EU markets. At a Brussels summit marked by unusual harmony among the 27 leaders, there was a flash of the cross-Channel acrimony which some fear could wreck any deal when officials accused London of cynically vetoing some EU spending and demanded it back down or face disrupting the start of talks next month. Meeting for the first time since Prime Minister Theresa May triggered the two-year countdown to Brexit in late March, her counterparts took just minutes as they sat down to lunch in Brussels to approve eight pages of negotiating guidelines hammered out by their diplomats over the past month. They greeted the decision with applause, officials said. The text will bind Michel
Barnier, their chief negotiator, to seek a deal that secures the rights of 3 million EU expats living in Britain, ensures London pays tens of billions of euros Brussels thinks it will be owed, and avoids destabilising peace by creating a hard EU-UK border across the island of Ireland. “We are ready,” Barnier said. “We are together.” With Barnier expecting to launch negotiations after the June 8 election May called to strengthen her position, the EU leaders also firmly ruled out discussing the free trade deal May wants until they see “significant progress” on key withdrawal terms. “Before discussing the future, we have to sort out our past,” summit chair Donald Tusk told reporters. He criticised British politicians — who have included May herself — for speaking of a quick deal to reassure expatriates when the legal complexities required much more detailed talks.
Rouhani warns voters to prevent ‘extremism’ returning to Iran Reuters - President Hassan Rouhani told Iranians yesterday they could face greater authoritarianism if they replace him with a hardline rival in May’s election. Rouhani was the surprise winner of the last presidential vote, in 2013, after eight years of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad whose re-election for a second term in 2009 caused mass protests and a severe security crackdown. He now faces serious competition from hardliners, some of whom are close to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has criticised Rouhani’s economic record, saying his detente with the West and concessions on Iran’s nuclear work had yet to yield economic benefits. “We will not let them bring the security and police atmosphere back to the country,” Rouhani told a rally in the city of Yazd, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. “Iranians will prove to the world at the May 19 election that the era of violence, extremism and pressures in our country is over and Iran is pursuing the path of reason.” Among Rouhani’s challengers are Ebrahim Raisi, an influential cleric with decades of experience in the hardline judiciary, and conservative Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Revo-
Hassan Rouhani lutionary Guards commander. Raisi, a close ally of Khamenei, was one of four judges who oversaw the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. Rouhani still retains considerable support, especially among Iran’s large bloc of young, urban voters attracted to his vision of greater social freedoms and an end to Islamic clerical interference in their personal lives, analysts say. However, human rights activists say his administration has achieved little on personal freedoms or freeing political prisoners and has been more focused on reducing Iran’s international isolation. Rouhani said in a televised speech that “freedom is the most important issue for the Iranians” and that he had ordered the intelligence ministry not to “interfere in people’s privacy”.
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
GPL to formally test sample meters after awarding contract to CMC The Guyana Power and Light yesterday responded to two articles regarding the award of the US$23M InterAmerican Development Bank and European Union-funded Power Utility Upgrade Project. According to the power company, it has formally requested sample meters and expects the delivery of these meters on or before May 15, 2017. This contradicts the information provided to Kaieteur News by Chief Executive Officer–Technical of GPL, Elwyn Marshall who said that China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) had presented two meters to GPL and one model was agreed upon to be supplied. CMC and its partner, China Sinogy Electric Engineering Co. Limited, were awarded the multi-billion-dollar contract. Marshall had even said that he does not believe the company would experience problems sourcing the meters since they are available globally. According to the GPL statement, the samples to be provided must be consistent with the proposed meters declared in the bid document. Further, the power company said that the meters will be subjected to rigorous tests to ensure they conform to specifications outlined in the Tender Document and Accuracy tests performed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. The company said that the meters must successfully pass the aforementioned tests before the successful bidder is allowed to proceed with the procurement of the required quantity of meters. The company, however, failed to answer the question posed in both articles that asked why the contract was awarded without ensuring the successful bidder has access to and can indeed supply the quality of meters required. Based on information received by this newspaper, bidders were not required to provide samples of these devices only the winning bid-
der was required to so do. The company defended the contract award in its statement by saying that the Tender Document published for Lot A of the Power Utility Upgrade Project was given the ‘no objection’ by the InterAmerican Development Bank in accordance with the Bank’s policy. Further, the company said that the evaluation process and report were also given the Bank’s ‘no objection’ approval from the Guyana National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and would have received Cabinet’s approval in the last quarter of 2016. It is unclear why there has been a delay in the presentation of sample meters by CMC to GPL since the project was officially awarded in the last quarter of last year and we have already completed the first quarter of 2017 knowing that the project is scheduled to begin in May. According to GPL, the contract which was established between itself and CMC provides for the submission of sample materials to ensure compliance with the specifications stipulated in the Tender Document. These materials include but are not limited to meters, conductors and insulators. The company said this process is to ensure that the materials to be procured will satisfy expected standards. Meanwhile, during the interview with Mr Marshall, he
said that he is not sure if the sample meters were ever tested but explained that it is standard procedure for the meters to be tested. CMC, a Chinese company, is partnering with China Sinogy Electric Engineering Co. Limited to complete the project. The companies are to supply over 20,000 smart meters for the project. Based on information provided the specifications apply to newly manufactured, single-phase and three phase socket-type static watt-hour post-paid meters for direct connections to measure alternating electrical energy and power consumption at a frequency of 60 hertz. The meters are to be suitable to operate in tropical climate and outdoor environment where temperatures may rise to approximately 45 degrees Celsius. In addition to that, the meters are to possess the ability to remotely disconnect or connect electricity using software from a control centre, once they are integrated into a Power Line Carrier Technology (PLC). Among the smart meters, the company is expected to procure and install transformers, cables and connectors. New lines for medium and low voltage distribution network will target areas in Berbice and Demerara. The contract is essentially for the rehabilitation of 328 kilometres of GPL’s electricity distribution network.
New political leader leads party to victory in Curacao WILLEMSTAD, Curacao CMC -The Partido Alternativa Real (PAR) led by its new political leader Eugene Rhuggenaath was Saturday declared the biggest winner following the preliminary count of the general elections held here on Friday. The PAR received 18,362 of a total of 78,815 votes cast in the election that was observed by a four-member team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
It is the first time that Rhuggenaath participated in an election as leader of the party. The PAR was one of 11 parties that contested the poll, two less than the October 5th 2016 poll when three parties won four of the 21 seats in Parliament. The PARTIDO (MAN) party of former prime minister Hensley Koeiman came in second with 16,071 votes. The party placing third, is the current coalition partner MFK of Gerrit Schotte with
15,710 votes. Other parties that have received enough votes for a seat in Parliament are Korsou di Nos Tur (KdNT) of the businessman Amparo dos Santos with 7,438 votes, Pueblo Soberano with 4,029 votes, PIN of former Minister of Traffic, Transportation and Spatial Planning Suzanne Camelia-Römer with 4185 votes and Movementu Progresivo (MP) of Dr. Marilyn Moses with 3885 votes.
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Caribbean countries divided on situation in Venezuela WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — Caribbean countries appeared divided on the need to discuss the ongoing political situation in Venezuela, even as the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) approved a resolution to convene a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the region to consider the situation in that country. Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United States, Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St Lucia, and Uruguay voted in favour of the resolution, while Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Dominica, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Venezuela voted against. Belize, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago abstained during the vote and Grenada was absent from the meeting. The OAS said the place and date of the meeting are yet to be determined.
Delcy Rodriguez Earlier this week, Venezuela said it would withdraw from the OAS in reaction to pressure from the bloc over the Government’s handling of the country’s political crisis. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the Government would launch a two-year process to pull out of the Washington-based hemispheric body of which it has been a member of for more than 65 years.
She said Caracas, “as President Nicolas Maduro has instructed…will present a letter of complaint to the OAS and we will begin a process that will take 24 months”, in a televised address on Wednesday. Rodriguez said Maduro’s Administration has been forced to counter what it sees as an attempt by the OAS and conservative regional governments to topple Maduro. The decision came a short while after envoys to the OAS approved a resolution convening a special meeting of regional foreign ministers to discuss Venezuela’s crisis. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has previously branded Maduro, an elected socialist, a “dictator” for stifling the Opposition that has been demanding that Maduro call early elections. The opposition parties have staged daily rallies for weeks and so far this month, at least 28 people have been killed in political unrest. Several of them have been shot in anti-government protests that have erupted into clashes with riot police.
China welcomes the St Kitts-Nevis citizenship by investment programme BEIJING, China — Les Khan, the CEO of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) has just returned from a trip to Beijing in China as part of his global marketing programme. The aim of the visit was to raise awareness for and to promote investment opportunities in St Kitts and Nevis. He was able to meet key developers and their agents, including visiting the corporate headquarters of two of them, as well as having a number of meetings with senior executives and investors in the various projects. Khan also took the opportunity to meet with an international marketing agent who is promoting both the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) and real estate investment options. This trip reaffirmed St Kitts and Nevis as having a mature real estate market and one that provides the best value for clients. The trip also follows on the robust growth of real estate applications. In his presentations, Khan was able to let prospective investors know some key facts about the efficiency and quality of the citizenship-by-
Les Khan investment (CBI) programme such as its international rankings for quality: • #1 ranking of passports in the Eastern Caribbean • #2 ranking of passports in Caribbean • #5 ranking of passports in the Americas • #1 country for doing business in eastern Caribbean • The most efficient processing CIU • The strongest due diligence and vetting processes • The top 5 ranking in quality of nationality as indicated by Henley and Partners The information was welcomed by agents, along with the advice he was able to pro-
vide on the submission of documentation and what they should be looking for in order to ensure files are expedited. Khan said of the trip: “I was delighted with the level of interest shown by prospective applicants and agents in China. It is a clear demonstration that our reputation as a platinum CBI programme with robust and transparent investment application processes has stood us in good stead. Our standards and processes will ensure that we attract the right number and calibre of applicants to our programme who want to make a positive difference to the economy and quality of life of St Kitts and Nevis.” He noted that, as one of the largest economies in the world, it was important that St Kitts and Nevis continues to grow its relationships with agents and developers. To this end, it is expected that both the St Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) and Khan will be attending several conferences in China, the next being scheduled for Shanghai in June. (Caribbean News)
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Sunday April 30, 2017
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North Korea test-fires ballistic missile in defiance of world pressure Reuters - North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile yesterday shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that failure to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes could lead to “catastrophic consequences”. U.S. and South Korean officials said the test, from an area north of the North Korean capital, appeared to have failed, in what would be the North’s fourth straight unsuccessful missile test since March. The test came as the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group arrived in waters near the Korean peninsula, where it began exercises with the South Korean navy yesterday, about 12 hours after the failed launch, a South Korean navy official said. Tillerson, in a U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea on Friday, repeated the Trump administration’s position that all options were on the table if Pyongyang persisted with its nuclear and missile development. U.S. President Donald Trump said the launch was an affront to China, the North’s sole main ally. “North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a mis-
sile today. Bad!” Trump said in a post on Twitter after the launch. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the U.N. meeting it was not only up to China to solve the North Korean problem. “The key to solving the nuclear issue on the peninsula does not lie in the hands of the Chinese side,” Wang said. In a commentary yesterday, China’s official Xinhua news agency said both North Korea and the United States needed to tread cautiously. “If both sides fail to make such necessary concessions, then not only will the two countries, but the whole region and the whole world end up paying a heavy price for a possible confrontation.” Trump, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, praised Chinese leader Xi Jinping for “trying very hard” on North Korea but warned a “major, major conflict” was possible. The North has been conducting missile and nuclear weapons related activities at an unprecedented rate and is believed to have made progress in developing intermediate-range and submarinelaunched missiles. Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high for weeks over fears the North may conduct a long-range missile test, or its sixth nuclear test, around the time
of the April 15 anniversary of its state founder’s birth. Pope Francis, speaking to reporters, called for another country to mediate the dispute between Pyongyang and Washington, saying the world risked a devastating war. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the test as a grave threat to the international order. “I urged Russia to play a constructive role in dealing with North Korea,” Abe told reporters in London. “Japan is watching how China will act in regard to North Korea.” U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the North Koreans had probably tested a medium-range missile known as a KN-17 and it appeared to have broken up within minutes of taking off. The South Korean military said the missile reached an altitude of 71 km (44 miles) before disintegrating. It said the launch was a clear violation of U.N. resolutions and warned the North not to act rashly. With North Korea acting in defiance of the pressure, the United States could conduct new naval drills and deploy more ships and aircraft in the region, a U.S. official told Reuters. launch, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
South Africa’s Zuma signs anti money-laundering bill FICA into law Reuters - South African President Jacob Zuma has signed the anti-money laundering bill FICA, which allows increased scrutiny of the bank accounts of “prominent individuals”, including himself, into law, his office said yesterday. The country risked being kicked out of global fraud monitor, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), if the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FICA) bill was not signed by June. The bill, intended to bolster the fight against
global financial crime by making it easier to identify the ultimate owners of companies and accounts including those of “domestic prominent influential persons” - was passed by parliament in May. But Zuma sent in it back to the legislature saying he was concerned about the legality of provisions allowing searches without warrants. “The President is now satisfied that the Act addresses the constitutional concerns he had raised
about warrantless searches,” said the statement from the presidency. Opposition parties and civil society groups speculated that the stance was related to a fight between the Treasury, which sponsored the legislation, and the Guptas, a family of businessmen close to Zuma. In December, former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan asked the High Court to rule he was not allowed to interfere with decisions by South Africa’s major banks to close business accounts of Oakbay Investments, owned by brothers A j a y, A t u l a n d R a j e s h Gupta. Gordhan, axed by Zuma as finance minister in March, said in court papers the Gupta family was waging an “organised campaign” to smear him and the Treasury. The Gupta family in turn accused Gordhan of leading a conspiracy to ruin their business interests. The court has yet to rule on the matter. Zuma has said he is close to the family but denies being under their influence.
Sunday April 30, 2017
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Volleyball extravaganza and fund day at Vardy on target as Leicester B Division Police Training College today beat West Brom 1-0 The Felix Austin Police College B Division in collaboration with the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be holding a grand one day volleyball extravaganza, fun day and Bar B Que. The activity will be held today on the Lawns of the Felix Austin Police College, Adventure Berbice beginning at 10:00hrs. All the top Volleyball teams in Berbice drawn from Orealla and Siparuta up the Corentyne River, New Amsterdam, Corentyne and West Berbice are expected to be in attendance, including power house Port Mourant Training School. There will be categories for both males and females and juniors and seniors. Outstanding teams
and individuals will be presented with incentives. The Police Training School and B Division was recently inducted as a member of the BVA. Since then regular training sessions were held at the College, new courts were constructed and balls and other equipment were handed over. Among other activities listed for the day are athletics, football, cricket and basketball. There will also be a number of indoor games including dominoes, whist, table tennis and draughts. Trophies and other incentives will be up for grabs. Bar B Que is expected to be served from 13:00 hrs. Among those expected to be in attendance and a part of
the day’s activities and assist with trophies and the presentation of incentives are B Division Commander Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam, Deputy Commander Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, OC No3 Division (Corentyne) Superintendent Kurleigh Simon, Divisional Detective Officer De p u t y S u p e r i n t e n d e n t Gary Mc Allister, Community Relations Officer Assistant Superintendent Keith Williams, Commandant of the Training School Assistant Superintendent Antonio Fredericks, Assistant Superintendent Elton Davidson and Assistant S u p e r i n t e n d e n t Yonette Stephen among others. (Samuel Whyte)
(Reuters) WEST BROM 0 LEICESTER CITY 1 - Jamie Vardy pounced just before halftime to earn Leicester City a 1-0 over West Brom at The Hawthorns yesterday, to take them closer to Premier League survival. The win lifts reigning champions Leicester, who have spent much of the season facing the threat of rel-
egation, up four places to the relative safety of 11th, nine points ahead of thirdfrom-bottom side Swansea City, with four games to play. Vardy netted in the 43rd minute after Shinji Okazaki snapped up a bad back pass and played him in, and the England striker slotted home his 12th league goal
of the season. Second-half substitute James McClean provided a much-needed injection of pace and trickery on the left for West Brom, but despite plenty of possession they could not find the back of the net, yet they remain eighth despite losing their last four league games and failing to score in five.
Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys are CBR... (From page 78) and to Jermain Fordyce in the 2nd minute and Ford Daniels in the 79th minute from Wisroc/Block 22. Most Valuable Player and most goal scorer (7 goals) went to Delon Lafferman of Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys and Best mid fielder went to Konata Manning and John Waldron aka Brown Boy
both from the winning team. Coach of the Winning team Felix Inniss aka Coot said he was confident that his team would have won and he planned to rehabilitate the playfield in Silvercity as the community project he is mandated to do. Special thanks were given to sponsors Ansa Mc Al under the Stag Brand, Babaloo
Car rental, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, B. Harry Lumber Yard, Star Party Rental, David La Rose aka Glammer, former footballers Lyndon Johnson and Gavin ‘Presser’ Johnson. Also present at the game was the Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland. (Jacquey Bourne)
Infrastructure drives your Sports... Sunday April 30, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may experience financial loss if you don't use good judgment. Your emotional stability may influence the changes taking place in your personal life. You will have original ideas for ways to make extra money. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Use some diplomacy to get your point across delicately. Your personal life will still be experiencing difficulties and you are best to avoid the issues for the time being. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your ability to charm others will bring added popularity. Don't agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you've been considering. Don't vacillate about asking for assistance if you need it. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be emotionally unstable if you let someone you care about get away with verbal abuse. You can sort out any differences you have in an amiable manner. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Get busy on projects that improve your own image; you'll have the discipline to succeed. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You'll find it easy to talk about your feeling today. Don't hesitate to find out what your mate's intentions are. This will not be the day to lend money to friends or family. Look into alternatives that would better suit both your needs.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your need to get away could lead you into greater debt. Put your energy into your work or moneymaking ventures rather than into your emotional life today. Don't blow situations out of proportion. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Plan to do things with your faithful pet or with youngsters who have interesting hobbies. Your emotions are fluctuating, so be careful not to say things you'll regret. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It might be time to do some of those chores at home. Get involved in fitness programs that will bring you in contact with new friends. Investments may not be as lucrative as you thought. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your ability to come up with good solutions for problems related to work will no doubt help you in getting a promotion. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. You will learn a great deal from people with different cultural backgrounds. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You should be able to make major career gains if you plan your intentions carefully. Sit tight. Things aren't as bad as they appear. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be sure to find out all you can before you commit to anything. Try not to hesitate; act on your initial instincts. Opportunities for travel and socializing are evident.
(From page 77) handed over and A beat B and B beats C, it’s about the work that’s being done in terms of development.” Alexander in his remarks noted that the stakeholder collaboration is important as is standard facilities and the relevant accommodation. He also emphasised that good governance, if absent can very well stymie development. Jones in his words of welcome said that the gathering has sent a signal that sports has been placed on the front burner of the nation’s developmental agenda and says to the world that Guyana’s disposition with regards to sports has changed. ”We shall soon see Guyanese athletes revered and heralded as some of the greats in the world. This working group session provides each of us with the opportunity to learn from each other and to meaningfully contribute to the discussion on improving Sports Tourism. As Sports Tourism is an industry that is said to be one of the fastest growing sectors within Tourism according to the World Tourism Organisation. It is important that the economic impact of this Sector is recognised.” During the other sessions a number of pertinent areas were looked at by selected presenters that included Ms. Tricia Fiedtkou of the GOA who dealt with A Sports Perspective; Mr. Ronaldo Vieira of the Brazilian Embassy who looked at the Brazil Experience and Ms. Camille Boodhoo of the Tourism and Hospitality Association who focused on An Industry Perspective.
There were also three works groups involving the participants which looked at the following topics: a) What are the Best practices for marketing and promoting a Sports event? B) What should be the SOPs for hosting visiting teams? C) What should be the role of tourism entities in the planning of Sports Tourism events? D) What are the main obstacles and challenges to
holding a successful Sports Tourism event in Guyana? E) Are Immigration, Customs, Police and Health services important in Sports Tourism? The event was a collaborative effort between the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business, the National Sports Commission in the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Tourism Authority.
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Minister Henry, AG Williams defendants in Court matter Government’s intervention required By Sean Devers The future of Guyana’s cricket now appears to hinge on the intervention of the Collation Government if there is to be any legal elections of the Guyana Cricke t B o a r d ( G C B ) anytime soon since Sports Minister Nicolette Henry and Attorney General Basil Williams are the defendants in the ‘Guyana Cricket Administration Act’ Court case and seem
reluctant do anything. There has not been a GCB Elections since August 2011 after Chetram Singh, who served as GCB’s Presidency for 18 years, was replaced that year. Since then Guyana’s cricket has endured turbulent times with plenty of Court cases and in-fighting between the GCB and its sub Boards. After the resignation of Dru Bahadur in March, ECB President Faizul Bacchus is now the acting GCB President until elections are held.
GCB President Faizul Bacchus After a challenge to the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014 by the GCB, the then Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang, upheld an injunction and
Sports Minister Nicolette Henry issued an order that prevented any elections of the GCB and its membership until the substantive matter is heard. Without elections the
Attorney General Basil Williams present GCB will continue to run Guyana’s cricket until the matter regarding the Cricket Administration Act, which was assented into a Law by former President Donald Ramotar, is heard or the injunction is quashed. In 2014, then Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony had, as was mandated by the ‘Cricket Administration Act’, appointed Pastor Wi n t o n M c G o w a n , a respected cricket historian, to the position of ‘Cricket Ombudsman’ with his duties being to verify the members that were eligible to vote and oversee the GCB elections. This was his only role in the matter since the ICC is very strict on ‘political involvement’ in Cricket. In the GCB Challenge to the ‘Cricket Administration Act’, Minister Anthony and embattled Attorney General Anil Nandlall were named as defends but now that the Government has changed, Minister Henry and Attorney General Basil Williams, who worked on the ‘Cricket Bill’ when he was in the opposition party, have now become the defendants in the case. “The defendants’ role is to have the matter brought up for early hearing or to have the injunction quashed which will then allow for free and fair elections of the GCB to be held,” informed a legal source. To its credit, the GCB has been the first Regional territory to hand out Academy Contracts to the 12 fringe players not in the National team and introduce an eight-team Franchise League with each noncontracted player being paid to play. During its tenor Guyana
has won three consecutive First-Class titles, an achievement the GCB will use to camouflage their flaws and alleged victimization of those who challenge their authority. Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly supporting the GCB, the BCB is opposing them, while the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), divided into two factions; one led by East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) President Bissoon Singh and the other by overseas based Raj Singh, were barred from voting in the last GCB elections. It is understood that the ‘new’ BCB President, who took over after Anil Beharry’s resignation, is now leaning towards supporting the GCB. However, no elections can be held unless Minister Henry and Attorney General Williams take a stance on this matter. But this could not be easy as it sounds since it seems that the parties involved are all playing political games with the future of Guyana’s talented young cricketers. The three weakest areas i n G u y a n a ’s c r i c k e t , E s s e q u i b o a n d We s t Demerara and East Bank are reportedly in favor of this GCB remaining in office, while the Upper Demerara sub Association has no competitions. Bay r o c k i n Wi s m a r is the only functioning club in Linden but plays in East Bank D e m e r a r a c o m p e t i t i o ns. The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) led by former Test player Roger Harper, a strong and vocal opponent of the GCB, has the highest level of Cricket in the Country with the good players from Berbice and Essequibo frequently playing in GCA tournaments. So it is safe to say the Guyana’s best cricketers come from the three areas (GT, E/Coast & B’ce) where the majority of the Clubs feel the present GCB, which is losing members even without elections, must be replaced.
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Boyce & Jefford Relay Classic & Family Fun Day
Football segment could take centre stage today -action starts at 10:00hrs Today’s second staging of the Boyce & Jefford Relay Classic & Family Fun Day set for the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary is anticipated to provide lots of excitement, especially in the 5-a-side Football Competition. The event features a number of the top teams in the shorter version of the sport and among the teams to have signaled their intention to participate are current national Guinness and Petra Organisation / GT Beer champions Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Sophia, Camp Street All Stars, Back Circle, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Agricola Champion Boys, Broad Street Bullies, GDF and Police. The teams from the Army and Police are newcomers to this format, but definitely cannot be underestimated since they possess players who have represented their respective communities in similar competitions and are very familiar with the version. However, the recent form of teams such as Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Bent Street and Sophia makes it difficult to place a wager against any one of them not winning the title. Sparta Boss as is now customary will no doubt
start as favourites to go all the way, but we’ve all seen the tremendous progression of teams such as Sophia, Back Circle and Bent Street so despite the overwhelming favourite tag that will surely be pinned on Sparta Boss, the top prize is certainly not a given to them. Te a m s h a v e b e e n steadily gaining ground, but the Bosses have managed to stay ahead of their rivals and treat every competition with the seriousness it deserves. Some of the notable players expected to appear for them are Devon Millington, Gregory Richardson, Solomon Austin, Sheldon Shepherd and Cleon Forrester. The young Back Circle team which seems to be in the rebuilding mode following the obvious absence of the inspirational Andy Duke has been the surprise to date and have now built up a reputation of being one of the most dangerous teams to go up against. Akeemo Anthony has been the bright spark for the team, while Jermaine Beckles, Stephon McLean and Curtez Kellman are not too far off as well. Bent Street with Konata Manning, Dwight Peters, Colin Nelson, Joshua Browne, Okanie Fraser and
Anthony Abrams in their lineup is another team with the potential to win the title. Sophia will rely on the expertise of players such as Akeem Jaikissoon, Sheik and Joshua Kamal, Shemroy Arthur, Desmond Cottam and Dwayne Lowe to lead them to victory. Agricola Champion Boys is another team that is on the rise and players such as the livewire Kacy John, Domini Garnett, Delroy Dodson and Gordon Grant to lead their attack and a crack at the top prize. The Gravesande brothers Jimmy and Rocky will no doubt lead Broad Street Bullies quest for the first prize and they are expected to receive support from the likes of Jamal Cozier, Keiron Solomon and Darren Benjamin. West Front Road is another team capable of going all the way and among the players expected to be part of the line-up are Captain Hubert Pedro, Randolph Wagner, Michael Oie, Carl Tudor, Jamal Pedro and Roy Cassou and they too are a formidable unit that could destroy any team on their day. Up for grabs is $50,000 for the winners and $25,000 for the losing finalist. Meanwhile, Milo champions Chase Academy have confirmed their
Anthony Joshua stops Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round at Wembley BBC Sport - Anthony Joshua produced the performance of his career to add the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF crown with an enthralling knockout win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium yesterday. A post-war record 90,000 fans at the national stadium were treated to a see-saw contest, Joshua dropping the former unified world champion in the fifth round, before being put down for the first time in his 19-fight career in the sixth. Both men looked in danger of being stopped over two rounds which will live long in the memory, before Joshua delivered the clinical blows in the 11th. The Briton landed a brutal uppercut which gave him the platform to send Klitschko down with an immediate flurry.
‘Dr Steelhammer’ stood, was dropped by a left hook again moments later, and then stood again, only for referee David Fields to save the challenger when pinned against the ropes. Joshua threw his arms into the air as roars rolled down the Wembley tiers. He had come through the stiffest test of his career, while Klitschko had answered questions of his own, showing he remains competitive at world level, even at 41. He will rue not finishing the job when he floored Joshua and appeared tantalisingly close to reclaiming two of the titles he lost in his last fight against Tyson Fury in 2015. After the fight both men were gracious in their comments as they showed respect for each other. “I’m a little bit emotional,” Joshua said. “I
dug deep. I’m only going to improve. Boxing is about character. When you go into the trenches, that’s where you find out who you are.” “I’m not perfect, but I’m trying, and if you don’t take part, you’re going to fail,” Joshua said, who improved to 19-0 with 19 knockouts. “The best man won,” Klitschko said. “Anthony was better than I. It was really sad I didn’t make it tonight. I really wanted it. He got up, he fought back, he won the contest.” Klitschko has the contractual right to a rematch with Joshua, who said after the fight he would like to fight Klitschko, Fury or anybody else. “Tyson Fury, where you at baby? Is that what you want to see?” Joshua said. “I just want to fight everyone. I’m really enjoying this,” the champ stated to applause.
participation in the event and they are expected to take on
Morgan’s Learning Centre, but this time it will be in the
shorter version for a winnertake-all prize of $50,000.
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Massy Berbice successfully host Inaugural Fitness Walk Massy Berbice successfully hosted its Inaugural Berbice Fitness Walk on Sunday 23rd April last, in commemoration of World Occupational Safety and Health Month – April 2017, and particularly, World Health Day, which was celebrated on April 7th. The theme for the event was “Willpower knows no obstacles” which the Group hopes will encourage the community to become actively involved in their own health by exercising regularly and practicing healthy eating habits. The walk covered a distance of 3 kilometers which commenced at Speedy Trading at No. 2 Village, East Canje and concluded at the Group’s Massy Industries Branch, at 3, Strand, New Amsterdam. Participating in the fitness walk to help raise health awareness were staff members of Massy Berbice, president and members of the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Dev. Ass., and Members of the New
Massy staff and other participants after the event.
Amsterdam Lions Club. After the walk, brief remarks were made by Dr. Vineshri Khirodhar from the New Amsterdam Hospital on the importance of exercise and nutrition. She emphasized that in order to improve the Guyanese life expectancy from approximately 64 years,
exercising regularly will play an important role. She also urged the audience to recognize the value of their health. Mr. Roopnarine, Branch Manager of Massy Industry Berbice outlined the vision for the event, indicating that it will be held annually and will become a part of the
calendar of events for Berbice. Mr. Chrispin Bobb Semple, Director of Massy Guyana, in extending congratulation to the organizing committee and the participants, stated that he would like to see this type of activity extended to the Essequibo Branch.
This was immediately followed by a prize giving ceremony where Ryan Balgobin was awarded top prize for being the first front runner, with Collis Crandon in second and Hemnauth Raikha in third. The group also awarded the Lions Club of New Amsterdam for their
organization’s participation in the event, and for having the most members participating. Massy Berbice extends its sincere gratitude to all those who contributed and participated in this event. The Group sent out the call for the wider community to get involved.
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Misbah’s chance to script Caribbean history ESPNcricinfo - Now that the buzz around Younis Khan’s 10,000th run is over, the focus shifts to the dreary business of the Test series unfolding around it today. We a t h e r d e l a y s a n d uninspiringly sedate batting at times from both sides give the first Test a dreary, oldfashioned feel. However, there were absorbing periods that left you wanting more, particularly in the last session of the fourth day, when Yasir Shah beat West Indies into submission just as the Test threatened to meander to a forgettable draw. The build-up to the second Test is not so different to the first, particularly for the West Indies, who must go back to the drawing board. It’s all very well working out the opposition’s weaknesses and setting elaborate plans, but all that is unlikely to bear fruit when you then go on to lose five wickets in the first 30 overs of the game, and
drop straightforward catches, like they did in Kingston. From Pakistan’s point of view, Mohammad Amir’s return to his menacing best would have been heartening as much as Yasir’s world class show that drove home the good work done by the middle order in stretching the lead. Their only concerns might centre on the misfiring top order, a concern only appeased by the fact that it was well hidden in the first Test. In the spotlight In a depleted side that suffers from a paucity of genuine quality, West Indies appear to have found, in Shannon Gabriel, the man who comes closest to matching that description. He was the man his captained turned to every time it looked like the West Indies were out of ideas, with the 29-year old providing the breakthrough - or at least creating chances - more
often than not. His aggression cost him half his match fee in Kingston, but that sort of passion might be appreciated by the West Indies fans. On a Barbados pitch that has traditionally offered more pace and bounce than the Sabina Park surface, Gabriel is perhaps the likeliest to make the sort of telling contribution that eluded his side last game. Ahmed Shehzad, not for the first time, finds his Test career at a precipitous stage. It is a pattern that has regularly repeated itself: inconsistency at the international level, rich form domestically, rinse, repeat. Apart from a pair of fifties, Shehzad has struggled to get going since his return to the highest level during the limited-overs leg of this tour. With Pakistan’s selectors showing impatience at the top order - Kamran Akmal has already been dropped from the Champions Trophy squad - Shehzad must be
Misbah-ul-Haq could add yet another chapter in his captaincy book in Bridgetown © AFP feeling the pressure of playing for his place again. Whether that stifles him or spurs him on may well have a significant outcome on the second Test. Team news West Indies’ squad is unchanged from the one that fell to a seven-wicket defeat in Kingston. Eyebrows were raised when Shimron Hetmyer and Vishaul Singh
were both selected to make their debut in a side that already lacks experience. One of them could make way for Jermaine Blackwood. Pakistan could stick to the side that won the first Test, even though Misbahul-Haq did say they would consider the possibility of playing two spinners. That would also give them a fifth bowling option, so necessary
in an attack that relies on three fast bowlers. Pitch and conditions The forecast for the second Test is better than the it was in Kingston, even though rain is expected on the fourth and fifth days. The surface in Bridgetown is generally hard and fast, and if it is overcast, the toss could assume great importance.
Historic seminar/workshop on developing Sports Tourism
Infrastructure drives your Sports Tourism – Red’s Pereira
Joseph ‘Reds’ Pereira during his presentation. Participants showing rapt attention during Pereira’s presentation at yesterday’s historic seminar / workshop on developing Sports Tourism. By Franklin Wilson History was created yesterday in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel when for the first time ever, stakeholders in and out of the sports arena huddled together to initiate discussions and possibilities on “Improving Sports through Tourism; growing Tourism through Sports”, the theme for the one day seminar / workshop. The keynote speaker during the opening session was Sports Consultant Joseph ‘Reds’ Pereira who
for five years worked as the St. Lucia Tourist Board and someone who started sports tourism in that island. Other speakers during yesterday’s opening session, which was chaired by Guyanese icon Mr. Dave Martins of the Tradewinds fame, were Mr. Vincent A l e x a n d e r, Te c h n i c a l Facilitator to the Ministry of E d u c a t i o n a n d M r. Christopher Jones, Director of Sports. Pereira, a former international commentator and National football coach, in his opening told the
participants, which included federation and association Presidents that the rest of the Caribbean is involved in an ongoing sports tourism programme, noting that it’s not a negative for Guyana but we can turn it into a positive by joining the family of Caribbean nations that are ahead of us. Reminding that there is no quick fix in crafting and implementing Sports Tourism, Pereira noted that there is need for all the r e l e v a n t partners/stakeholders to gel together and push in the
same direction. ”A number of organisations have got to be involved, it’s not just the director of tourism and the tourism department; its component of the associations themselves because it’s the x association and the y association which has got to play that role.” Other components that are vital to sports tourism being successful Pereira informed, is the private sector, advising that later on in this process there needs to be an interaction between the organiser of yesterday’s
event and the private sector. ”It is private sector money that can help with the associations which have got something feasible and can work. There’s no point trying for something that you don’t have linkage to, so we have the associations, we have the private sector; we must involve the various ministries and ministry of sports.” He also noted that adequate infrastructure is needed throughout the country as is will drive the tourism policy. “If you don’t have the infrastructure you can’t move. Infrastructure of course, is part of developing
Guyana, it has to wait its turn I suppose as the politicians would say because there is e d u c a t i o n , t h e r e ’s agriculture, there’s roads, there’s schools, there’s all sorts of things. So I’d like to feel that sports is very important, it should have priority but just can’t have priority. The full partnership of the media in any sports tourism set up I also vital he said. ”We got to be all involved as Martin Carter once wrote. I’m begging the press, I’m pleading with the press that it’s not all about trophies and cheques being (Continued on page 73)
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Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys are CBR Hotshots Stagbowl 2017 Football Champions Silvercity/Alleys/Valley s walked away with the grand prize of $1.2M as they emerged champions of the CBR Hotshots Stagbowl Football Tournament in a final that had fans sitting on the edges of their seats at the McKenzie Sports Club Ground Wednesday night last. The first game pitted Silvertown/Canvas C i t y / We s t Wa t o o k a combined and Blue Berry Hill playing for third place. Jamal Haynes opened the account in the 48 minute for Silvertown/Canvas th
C i t y / We s t Wa t o o k a combined to loud cheers from their supporters. Blue Berry Hill were not daunted and tried to equalize but missed three goals, one hitting the cross bar and some shots wide of goal. The first half ended 1 nil in f a v o u r o f Silvertown/Canvas City/West Watooka. From the sound of the whistle at the beginning of the second half it was evident that the combined team were all out to secure their lone goal and Blue Berry Hill was out to score
goals. Balls were going all over the crossbar and wide of the goal post. However, in the 67th minute Sheldon Holder got passed the goal keeper and nailed the equalizer. The game continued with both teams trying to score the winning goal as the clock ticked, then in the 84 minute Gavin Morrison netted the winning goal for Blue Berry Hill. At regulation time the score was 2-1 in favour of Blue Berry Hill. Romel Bristol from Blue Berry Hill in the 28 minute th
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GAPF/Fitness Express Intermediates/Masters C/ships on next Sunday at Thirst Park
Fitness Express’ Jamie McDonald (right) hands over sponsorship cheque to GAPF’s Osmond Mack. Intermediate and Masters Athletes of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) will on Sunday next take center stage with the staging of the 2017 edition of their championships to be held at the Banks DIH Sports Complex, Thirst Park commencing at 09:00hrs. Public Relations Officer / Organising Secretary of the federation, Mr. Osmond Mack has informed that the weigh-in for athletes will start from 07:00hrs and last until 08:30hrs on competition day for female participants and the lighter weight classes. Athletes will receive an SMS text with more details. Mack has expressed gratitude to Fitness Express, a sports supplements and exercise equipment supplier, for once again showing its support for powerlifting development having come on board as the marquee s p o n s o r o f t h e championships. At a simple handing over of the sponsorship cheque to the federation, Jamie McDonald, Owner of
Fitness Express said he was more than pleased to be partnering with eth federation for another year. ”Fitness Express is pleased to once again lend its support to the GAPF’s 2017 Intermediate and Masters Championships. We believe that these competitions serve to develop Guyanese powerlifting by offering lifters the opportunities to perform within a competitive environment. We are happy to continue our long tradition of supporting the strength sports, and particularly powerlifting, in Guyana.” Mack in response thanked McDonald for powering the championships to ensure that athletes are recognized for their commitment towards competing. Registration for next Sunday’s events has already been closed on April 21 last, however, late registration would be accommodated along with the athlete paying a $500 penalty until today, the final day. Athletes who would have competed at the Novice st
championships are welcomed to participate at the Intermediates and can also compete as both Masters and Open athletes or Juniors/Sub-Juniors and Open, based on their respective ages. Registration forms for t h e 2 0 1 7 Intermediates/Masters Championships can be downloaded online from the GAPF Facebook page and submitted to the following Executive Committee M e m b e r s : Mr. Osmand Mack PRO/Organizing Secretary at Eye Wear Optical, 349 East Street, North Cummingsburg, G/Town or Mr. Martin Webster at ‘S’ Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown. Athletes are being reminded that the current IPF Rules regarding athletes’ attire will be in full effect including the Singlet 4" Belt and Round Neck T-Shirt (Plain). Lifters are also being urged to see 2016 IPF Rules for further details on requirements for both Equipped and Classic Lifting.
From (left) Silvercity Alleys Valleys MVP and top goal scorer Delon Lafferman, Rickland Tallo Hutson, Best midfielders Konata Manning and John ‘Brown Boy’ Waldron. and Jermain Granderson of Silvertown/Canvas City/West Watooka received yellow cards in the 61 and 65 minutes. Just before the final game got started the promoter Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson thanked the fans for supporting and the teams, for coming out to represent their communities. “The aim of this is to get footballers more involved in their community and not just to play football.” He also said that next year the tournament will be bigger and better with fabulous prizes. President of the Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde, who was present, congratulated Rickland Hutson and team for promoting such an exciting and successful tournament. “It is a real pleasure for me to see the excitement from the st
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fans and to see football at this level in the community. The Linden community has a faithful partner in the Guyana Football Federation and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Linden will be treated with the respect they deserve in the arena of football. So rest assured that the international friendly you had a few weeks ago is the beginning of many things to come in the future.” Forde said he looks forward to football growing from strength to strength in Linden. The finalists were then met by the promoter Rickland Hutson, President of the GFF Wayne Forde and the Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland. Both teams fought for goals but their defence upped the ante as the first
half ended nil all. At the sound of the whistle for the second half Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys seemed determined to score and fans were calling on ‘Brown Boy’ to score and in the 50 minute Delon Lanferman netted the lone and winning goal for Silvercity/Alleys /Valleys/Roc/22 tried to equalize with their fans calling on their players and even though Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson tried to equalize he was well marked in the game and was not given a chance and at the end of regulation time it was 1 nil i n f a v o u r o f Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys. Two yellow cards were given in the 6 and 51 minute to Konata manning and Kevin Reagan of Silvercity/Alleys/Valleys (Continued on page 73) th
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Berbice crowned champions after rain ruins final round
Members of the victorious Berbice U17 team display their hardware with executives of the BCB (acting) and the GCB following the presentation ceremony. Berbice were crowned champions of the Guyana Cricket Board Igloo Ice Cream inter county U17 50over tournament after rain prevented any play in the third and final round matches yesterday. The game between Berbice and Demerara which was scheduled for Bourda was called off at 12:23hrs, while the Guyana Under-15 Select X1 and Essequibo match up which was slated for Everest
Cricket Club was abandoned just after lunch. Berbice who won both of their previous games finished with 20.5 points, while Essequibo took the runner up spot with 12.1 points, Demerara and the Guyana Under-15 Select X1 ended on 10.3 points and 2.6 points respectively. Speaking at the presentation at Bourda, Secretary of the GCB Anand Sanasie thanked the sponsor, adding
that Sterling Products through its Igloo Ice-cream brand has been with the Under-17 tournament for some time now. He added that the level of play throughout the tournament was of a decent standard and a 20-man U17 squad will be release shortly to participate in the inter county U19 tournament in preparation for the Regional tournament set for Trinidad and Tobago.
Sunday April 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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GINSENG gives boost to Team Evolution GINSENG on Friday last announced that is has renewed its sponsorship of Team Evolution and will be partnering with the club for another year. This agreement will see GINSENG, a carbonated flavoured beverage with natural ginseng fruit, lending support to Guyana’s leading cycling club until March 2018. GINSENG Brand Coordinator, Sean Abel, said, “GINSENG looks forward to building a winning partnership with Team Evolution in the coming year. These cyclists make up a group that is energetic, health conscious and victorious which makes them a perfect combination for GINSENG. This beverage is known for its herbal benefits that enhance the performance of the human body, and for these cyclists the product
Brand Coordinator, Sean Abel hands over sponsorship’s to Team Evolution’s President, Keith Fernandes. Also in picture Vice President, Stephen Fernandes (right) and Secretary, Andrew Arjoon (left) along with the other team members. helps as a fatigue fighter as well as a muscle relaxer.” He added that, GINSENG also reduces mood swings and helps to boost overall
performance. P r e s i d e n t o f Te a m Evolution, Keith Fernandes, said, “Team Evolution includes a number of
Boyce and Jefford All Stars battle Trophy Stall in 10-over fixture today Exciting action is anticipated at Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary when the Boyce and Jefford organisation stage their relay festival and family fun day today. Added to the series of events are two exciting softball fixtures between Boyce and Jefford All Stars and Trophy Stall and Trophy Stall Angels and Mike’s Wellwoman. Among those expected to grace the venue are Christopher Barnwell, Lennox Cush, Trevor Benn and Ramesh Sunich. The teams will come from-Boyce and Jefford All Stars; Trevor Benn, Troy Benn, Mark Scott, Lyndon Wilson, Lennox Cush, Theodore De Monick, Colin Boyce, Jermaine Neblette, Christopher Barnwell, Alphius Bookie Sr. and Edison Jefford. The Trophy Stall XI will be led by Ramesh Sunich. Trophy Stall Angels; Amanda Roberts, Mathana Cambridge, Nicole Leacock, Akilah Castilo, Aneesa Mohamed, Anna Ceru, Alisa Allen, Ruth George, Basmattie Ramdeo, Lisa Gilkes, Sheneka Grimmond, Laticea Edwards, Sherika Campbell, Akelia Alves and Akema Mc Kenzie. Mike’s Wellwoman; Latoya Smith, Zola Telford, Abena Parker, Amanda Bob
Christopher Barnwell
Semple, Joan Vansertima, Renika Isaacs, Timikea Wilson, Sherrian Fraser,
Monique Benn, Haseena Mohamed, Susan Devanand and Sheneeza Saywack.
talented senior and veteran cyclists who are passionate about the sport. I would like to thank GINSENG for their support and for recognising
our talent and supporting our passion. We are very honoured to be able to represent GINSENG and I can assure you that we will
carry the name with pride.” The team was formed in early 2015 and is one of the leading cycling teams in the country.
‘TopGun’ targets GBA with donation One of Guyana’s leading handgun shooters decided to put down his firearm long enough to hand over a check for support to the Guyana Boxing Association. Harold ‘ To p G u n ’ H o p k i n s o n recently fired in a donation of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the GBA to assist in the hosting of the second edition of the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors tournament scheduled for next month. Hopkinson, the Chief Executive Officer of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. said, he was heartened by efforts of the GBA which propelled him towards supporting the event. “I will always support legitimate and genuine associations,” the marksman said. GBA president Steve Ninvalle, while applauding the donation, disclosed that Hopkinson had again hit the target. “As usual Mr. Hopkinson has scored a bullseye. The executive and members of the GBA are extremely pleased with the support shown which will enable us to be in a better position to properly host the tournament,” Ninvalle declared. The Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors competition is scheduled to be held at the National
Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson Gymnasium from May 12th to 14th. The tournament had its first edition in Guyana last year April after regional administrators called for more focus to be placed on the nursery of the sport.
It is expected that over eight countries would be participating in the event with Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago already fielding teams.
t r o Sp Boyce & Jefford Relay Classic & Family Fun Day
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Football segment could take centre stage today -action starts at 10:00hrs
Sparta Boss (blue uniforms) seen in action in a previous competition.
Anthony Joshua stops Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round at Wembley P.75
Anthony Joshua delivers a wicked uppercut as part of a barrage of blows that dropped Wladimir Klitschko. (Reuters)
Anthony Joshua (right) hammers Vladimir Klitchko to the canvas in the 11th round at Wembley Arena. (AP)
Misbah’s chance to script Caribbean history
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