Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox In defence of President Forbes Burnham
DEAR EDITOR, Editor’s note; this is the conclusion of Mr. Talbot’s letter as carried in our edition yesterday. His missive was a response to Mr. GHK Lall. Mr. Lall’s reply follows. My final examination of Mr. Lall’s emotional diatribe is to look briefly at several points he made . · He claimed that Mr. Burnham was a maximum leader and the political nemesis of Indians. But he failed to mention that Mr. Burnham and Dr. Jagan were very cordial and respectful to each other. He failed to tell us that it was the modus operandi of the PYO and other organs to celebrate the Black man as the Indian’s nemesis and not the policy of the government.
· In his “fairness” he failed to demonstrate the evil of LFSB. If this man was so antiIndian and such a political nemesis to them why did he see to it that all religious holidays important to that population are national celebrations. Why did he usher in Enmore Martyrs’ Day as a national holiday? These are items towards “social cohesion” that Mr. Lall just flew by at break neck speed, to keep that bias narrative of evil Forbes Burnham alive. · It would be nice for Mr. Lall to tell us which school of thought that allowed him to rate Mr. Burnham a mere 20 out of a 100. Burnham partook in the formation of CARICOM and helped steer the forming of the Nonaligned Movement. He is still the only
Guyanese Head of State to be invited to the White House on an official state visit; Guest of Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II; and in his reign it was the only time in our history that saw world leaders visiting our shores. If Mr. Burnham was ranked so low on the world stage then why was he so sought after by leaders such Indira Gandhi, her dad Mr. Nehru, Fidel Castro, and others? Before President Nixon visited China, Guyana was the first Western State to ink diplomatic relations with China. I recalled as a small boy in Primary Four when President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, visited our nation to show appreciation for Burnham’s support for his nation’s independence and Continued on page 6
The Minister wants corruption to be stamped out DEAR EDITOR, It is heartening to know that the Minister of Communities, Mr Ronald Bulkan, has warned the Regional Executives and other Regional Executives against corrupt practices during a meeting to refine the 2017 Work Programmes. But mechanisms should be put in place to stop the corrupt practices already taking place. I have written two letters to the media where I outlined the unacceptable practices of the Region 6 Tender Board and the poor budgetary planning which was inherent in the 2017 Region 6 Estimates. In fact the planning of the capital works was mostly done by two individuals who grossly neglected to reflect the priority projects submitted by many of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) much to the chagrin of the Chairpersons and Overseers. These NDCs were asked
to provide proposals which were then unceremoniously thrown aside. This happened at my NDC as well. I was told by the Vice Chairman, Mr Dennis Deoroop that he and the Region’s Engineer went through all the areas and they know exactly which project should be given priority. I specifically raised this at the Budget meeting. I asked why the excavation of two main drainage canals in the Kilcoy/ Hampshire NDC were not in the Budget and was told by the Regional Chairman that the Region will use their excavators to do the work. I have been hearing this for the past four months while my NDC has been experiencing flood after flood! What is the use of talking about community empowerment and local government when the NDCs do not have a say in the formulation of the Region’s Budget? I do hope that the Region
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6 REO will give an unbiased account to Minister Bulkan as to what actually is taking place at the Tender Board and who actually formulated the 2017 Budget. I know that this REO has said on many occasions on his TV programs that he is committed to wipe out corruption in Region 6. It is time for him to walk the talk! In conclusion, I must submit that to get rid of corrupt practices they must be nipped at the bud and as the Minister stated there must be a commitment at all levels to achieve the highest standards of accountability and transparency. I must congratulate Mr Bulkan for realizing that corrupt practices do exist and for taking such a stance and making such a commitment. Haseef Yusuf Regional CouncillorRegion 6 NDC Chairman (Kilcoy/ Hampshire)
Kaieteur M@ilbox Government considering relocating Walter Roth Museum DEAR EDITOR, It was with great sadness that I read your article captioned above concerning the Walter, Roth Museum of Anthropology. As one of its co-founders with the late Dr. Denis Williams I wish to humbly state my opinion regarding this proposal. The collections stored and displayed in this building are not only very fragile but in 1980 when the anthropological collections from the National Museum were removed to the Walter Roth Museum there was considerable damage and loss of artifacts as a result. Even after the death of Denis Williams in 1998 when the collections in his home on which he was working were removed, there was damage and loss of a considerable amount of his archaeological collections. Some had to be dumped as a result of lack of identification and also mixture of collections, as the storage facilities there then, were inadequate. We do not as yet
have the expertise required for the removal of such delicate and very ancient artifacts dating back to some 7,200 years ago. I therefore appeal to the authorities concerned to please reconsider this move. I attach herewith a History of the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology. HISTORY OF THE WALTER ROTH MUSEUM OFANTHROPOLOGY Founded in 1974, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology formed in the mind of the late Dr. Denis Williams, Archaeologist, Writer and Artist, when pottery sherds and stone axes turned up on his Issano farm in the Mazaruni River of Guyana. Having worked as a draughtsman for archaeologists in Africa he recognized the importance of these artifacts and his study on the archaeology of Guyana, which culminated with his Prehistoric Guiana posthumously published by Ian Randle Publishers in 2003. It was some five years
later that the artifacts from his Mazaruni River excavations were housed at 61 Main Street, Georgetown the former Attorney General’s Chambers. This building was up for demolition in 1978 and being the then Chairman of the National Trust of Guyana, Denis Williams intervened and the building was handed over with the words – you will be walking on carpet in there. Rehabilitation commenced, as the building, which is believed to have been built by architect John Sharples between 1845 and 1913, wasalso considered to be a museum as it displays some of the historical architecture of colonial Georgetown. It is now listed as one of our historical landmarks. Originally this museum was planned for Bartica because the majority of Denis Williams’ research at that time was conducted along the Mazaruni River and its tributaries. In 1980 the Continued on page 7
DEAR EDITOR, I am providing preemptive notice (Saturday, August 13) that I am unwilling to continue any dialogue with Mr. Tyrone Talbot. KN did say that due to the length of his writing on August 13th that the other part would follow. I neither know nor I care what he has to offer, but I did learn a few things from his last writing. To put it politely, I refuse to deal with anyone who seeks to rationalize the irrational and defend the indefensible. There is no logic or anything of the constructive that would emanate. Thus there is no sense in further engagement; nothing that recommends otherwise. Whenever there is a distinct lack of association with either
honesty, or objectivity, or reality, then I move on. I have done so before, I do so again today. Rather regrettably, it is emphasized to me once again, and in sharp focus, why this country is where it finds itself. It is in this state because of those who pride themselves on being apologists, propagandists, and contortionists in service of what has made this land wretched and deplorable. There are overpopulated armies comfortably ensconced on their
respective side of the political, ethnic, and social fence. They like it there; and that is why it has gotten more thickly populated in the last 50 years, or more. Fellow travelers are found so easily. It is why this country lurches from election to election learning nothing, and going nowhere in the intervals between. Rather sadly, barring a significant partnering with truth, and revolutionary mental adjustments, then more of the same is in store. GHK Lall
Here is the reason why Guyana is where it is
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
This new government’s attitude resembles Jagdeo’s behavior DEAR EDITOR, The issue of the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) grant/subvention existed since the college opened its doors. The money acquired from the State was always held in a special account and audited quarterly by the Auditor General Office. The Bharrat Jagdeo government had instructed Anand Goolsarran, then Auditor General to audit the books of the college, and was advised against same on the ground that the laws do not permit the State into the financial welfare of a non-state institution. The college is presently being advised by the Ministry of Education that in
order to uplift the subvention, seven years of its audited statements have to be provided. Outside of this not being the business of the State, the seven years being asked for the government did not give any money to the college. Additionally the CLC is now being asked to provide a budget for 2017 when the money for 2016 has not yet been received. It is the view that some operatives of this government want to use the college for political mileage. On the one hand the public is being told by the government that the grant has been returned, given that it is placed in the National Estimates, yet at the same time the government has
moved to make it difficult for the college to access same. Those laying out such conditions for disbursement are aware said condition was rejected by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), the college’s owner, when same was put to it by the Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar administrations. The GTUC held a special meeting on a Saturday morning, and in attendance were President Granger, then Leader of the Opposition and shadow minister of Labour Basil Williams, now Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. The case was placed before them, the principles outlined and explained, including the role the State
In defence of President Forbes... From page 5 the fight against Apartheid. · On the issue of elections fraud, the jury is still out of that and while I have access to lots of information this particular subject evades full exposure. However, Burnham was not the only rigger of elections; if we are to accept he did. This was done in 2011 and 1997. It was almost pulled off in 2015 so lecturing us about Burnham rigging elections is yet another weak analysis of Burnham displayed by Mr. Lall. Mr. Editor, I have taken much of your precious column space refuting a gentleman I hold in esteem. It is this respect that forced me to decide to take on his bias and revisionist narrative. Even as he spoke of voting for the first time last year, he managed to make it about Mr. Burnham and not about the generation behind his (mine) and the one behind mine. We wanted change (jury is still out on that) and his vote for that ticket has afforded us a chance to dream. Mr. Burnham had
many flaws; chief among them was his monarchical constitution of 1980 which no succeeding government wants to truly bury. He was wrong when he pulled up the railroads and shipped them to India for Tata buses and not realizing that he could have opened up Guyana’s interior for faster development. B u r n h a m ’ s nationalization of many key industries hurt our economic development; it scared potential investors away. These, along with his government’s failure to insure some fundamental rights such as freedoms of press are spots on his legacy sheets. As examiners and recorders of history it is incumbent on us to be objective in such analysis of Mr. Burnham and sadly Mr. Lall did not do exercise this. His review/analysis is at best very callous and can be seen (to use his word) as an “odious” rebuke of Guyana’s first Prime Minister’s tenure. Mr. Burnham and all our leaders deserve to be looked
at in totality and not have parts of his legacy picked apart to propagate a false narrative. If we continue down this road of emotive analysis of our past leaders we will never arrived at the healing point. If we continue to tell our next generation that somehow one ethnicity bears the lion’s share for peace and bridge building, peace will be hard to achieve and not bridges will be built. While I am not a grand celebrant of Mr. Burnham, he did do much towards social cohesion and national unity. He had ideas others did not support and he had no partner in the opposition to help build a nation. His adversaries smiled in his face and behind his back set about sabotaging his efforts. We cannot blame him for others not wanting to sit at the table and nation build. Any analysis of our leaders must be holistic and not pigeon holed to suit any negative propaganda. Tyrone L. Talbot
plays in auditing state money in state and non-state institutions. At the conclusion of this engagement both men urged the GTUC to remain steadfast in our position and told us that we would have their support. Today the GTUC and CLC are being told, through the conditions set, that they have to disregard fundamental principles. The CLC has two objectives. These are providing trade union education, and workers education. 98 percent of the work the CLC does falls in the realm of workers education, since more than 80 percent of the persons who attend the college are not members of trade union. The curriculum is also designed specifically to enable and build the capacity of citizens/workers to perform in the work environment, including targeting those who deserve a second chance. The CLC, while owned by the GTUC, has never confined itself to providing only trade union education,
similar to the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) which was originally owned by the GTUC, and now owned by the State. The trade union movement is a major social partner in the society and plays leading roles in societal development, which our history will show. It is the first mass-based organisation in the 20th century and to its credit had laid the foundation and fought for internal selfgovernment, universal suffrage (one man one vote), improved working and living conditions, fundamental rights and freedoms, minimum wage, etc. Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddie and Janet Jagan understood and respected our contributions to and roles in society despite differences on some policies, programmes and governance style. From the time the APNU+AFC has taken office, there has been no engagement at the policy level as to the direction and future of the college or the federated body and our roles in
partnering with the State in training and educating workers/citizens in the nation’s overall developmental agenda, including production and productivity. The society needs to note that history has shown in any environment where political leaders are deliberately moving to weaken and breakup non-state institutions, use the people/ taxpayers’ money as a bludgeon in effort to silence non-state leaders, they will succeed in destroying society’s foundation, the people’s free-spiritedness and the right to knowledge and self-determination, in pursuit of imposing their authoritarian instincts to control and dominate every space, what we do, think, and have access to. The college and trade union movement began witnessing such behaviour under Jagdeo and it continues today under a government, whose parties condemned it when they were in the opposition. Lincoln Lewis
From page 4 written a letter to the press either in Canada or Trinidad or Guyana. This is my first. It has been about a few months and a year of the new government and I cannot say I see better government coming. Mr. Nagamootoo has been a big disappointment to his people. If there was a Nagamootoo type in Trinidad or Canada, he would have been the object of ridicule all the time. Like most business people, I follow the political trends as my father did. I read the Guyanese newspaper everyday; hardly missing out. I find Guyanese in Canada talk more about Guyanese politics than Guyanese in Trinidad.
I really don’t know why. In Canada, some Guyanese are talking about a third party. I think that is a topic in the letter pages right now. People are mentioning name like Freddie Kissoon and Nigel Hughes. I can see the need for a third party as the years go on because I don’t see any real break with the past. I do like Freddie Kissoon. I don’t think any Guyanese in Canada and Trinidad that read the newspapers miss out on what he has to say. Mr. Kissoon informs the world what goes on in Guyana. For all my years in Guyana, I have never met him though I have seen him driving. I have been told he does
not socialize. That is very strange for a man who is a national icon. I would like to see Mr. Kissoon try his hand in politics. Guyana needs politicians that care about people especially the lower rung of the economic ladder. Politics is not my forte at all but I do love and enjoy this country and would like to expand our business here. I believe the time has come for newer politicians to shape Guyana’s future. There was some hope with the AFC but I believe the AFC got lost in the wider politics of the PNC. Let me say I am not a supporter of the PNC or PPP and my father was the same too. But Guyana, like Trinidad, needs new blood. We have it in Canada. Justin Trudeau is going to win the next two elections. For cricket fans, I am the third cousin of Rangy Nanan who recently passed away Lakeraj Tagore Ramnath
My father said one day...
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
City Hall needs revenues to improve Government considering... its services to the citizenry
DEAR EDITOR, The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is in great need of financial resources to conduct its daily operations. This is no new information that the Council is divulging. The constant financial binds the organization finds itself in have been the norm from ages past. Today, yet another plea is being made by the Council for rates payers to honour their civil responsibility and pay their fair share of rates and taxes. An increase in revenue collection will ensure that the usually cash strapped organization distances itself from such a classification and become more financially independent in the future. It is basic knowledge that in order for any economic venture to be considered sustainable its revenues must at all times be more than its expenditure. Anything other than this ideal situation will eventually lead to the failure of such a venture. And though it is not the widely accepted notion, the effective operation of City Hall must be handled as if it were such a venture. This will only be achieved when the collections rates are improved and new revenue streams come on board to cushion the
current system. The M&CC earns the greatest percentage of its income from rates and taxes coupled with markets revenues. As such it is pertinent that these main sources are sustained and increased. Likewise, it is equally important to implement new revenue streams that will be used in conjunction with the current sources. It is for these reasons that the Council has recently been advocating for things such as container fees and parking meters, amongst a few other avenues being considered. Implementing both of these systems will augment the City’s ability to garner much needed revenues which in turn will be used for the development of the facilities and infrastructure in Georgetown. It is often a travesty and embarrassment when the Council finds itself with an empty purse. This results in the delay and sometimes the non-payment of staff and contractors, which in turn renders the Council incapable of offering high quality services. Revenue generation, moreover frequent revenue
The Indian Action Committee will not be silenced DEAR EDITOR, The Indian Action Committee (IAC) has noted the response by Lincoln Lewis (SN- 13th August 2016) to the organisation’s letter to the Editor regarding President Granger statement and the proposed establishment of the communal Lands Commission which is supposed “to rectify the anomalies and resolve the conservancies which, up to now, surround thousands of hectares of communal lands which were purchased in the Post-
Emancipation village movement. “ The IAC will not be intimidated by this type of baseless attack and will not dignify the false assertions made by Lincoln Lewis. It seems as if the IAC has no right to query and articulate the concerns of its constituents as the organisation attempts to seek clarification on the legality of this proposed communal Lands Commission. The IAC will not be silenced nor be intimidated. Saira Alli Secretary, Indian Action Committee
generation is key to ensuring that the Council moves from being cash strapped to providing frequent and quality services. Equally important is the fact that improved revenue generation will allow the Council to attract and keep the necessary human capital required for effective administration in the M&CC. The recently implemented revenue generation ventures of City Hall should therefore not be viewed under a suspicious lens. In fact, these very same revenues will be channeled into other services including the maintenance of road ways, collection of garbage, the rehabilitation of markets and vending spaces. And while the citizenry is being called upon to do their part in paying up their taxes, corporate Guyana and other donor agencies are also being asked to come on board and assist. As we continue to work diligently to advance the interest of the citizens of Georgetown and develop our Garden City, it is important to do so in a sustainable way. The first step towards this kind of development entails getting our finances in order. The Council has a number of development projects to be implemented, but before these can be executed financial support is needed. The Council welcomes the opportunity to benefit from any national or international funds available to implement these projects. Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown
From page 6 archaeological collections of the National Museum were transferred to the Walter Roth Museum. These included a collection of stone axes and implements from the Caribbean collected by Sir Everardim Thurn between 1879 and 1882, decorated pottery collected by Dr. Walter Roth in 1930, beads and other artifacts collected by his son Vincent Roth in the 1950s, a collection of burial artifacts recovered by J.J. Quelch from Plantation Mon Repos in 1894 and a collection of pottery from Joanna Creek in the Corentyne collected by Arthur Goodland in 1964. Collections from Cornelius Osgood, Archaeologist from Yale University, were unfortunately destroyed in the 1945 fire at the National Museum. The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology was officially opened to the public in February of 1982 by visiting anthropologists from Puerto Rico including Prof. Allegria who cut the ribbon to declare it open. Dr. Clifford Evans and Dr. Betty J. Meggers, Archaeologists from the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, later donated a type study of the seven ceramic phases they recorded during their 1952-1953 investigations in then British Guiana and Dr. George P. Mentore, Guyanese Cultural Anthropologist donated an ethnographic collection from his research among the Waiwai of southern Guyana. The museum now holds collections from all of the ten Administrative Regions of Guyana. With knowledge of the prehistory of Guyana
increasing through these investigations it was decided that children should be involved and the Junior Archaeology program with the theme Knowledge Makes A Country, was launched by Jennifer Wishart, Anthropological Officer in 1987. These were known as corresponding members to whom publications were mailed and from whom letters were received. Georgetown members met at the museum monthly to discuss the latest findings and as they moved into Secondary Schools were taken on field trips to archaeological sites where they were taught excavation techniques; participated in hands-on exercises in linguistic anthropology and cultural anthropology. It was directly as a result of this awareness program that a member from Kara Kara in the Linden area reported that in the vicinity of Omaimines bones of a prehistoric animal were recovered. This report resulted in the donation by Mr. Vieira of similar bones from the Cuyuni River area to the museum and the display of the Mega-T in the National Museum Mr. George Simon, who had conducted archaeological investigations with Dr. Williams for many years, obtained his MA in Field Techniques in Archaeology from the University of London. Mr. Simon is known for his early investigations on the Central Guiana Coastal Plain, and more recently his work with Dr. Mike Heckenberger, and his University of Florida team on the Berbice River. Following the death of Dr. Williams in 1998, Dr. Mark
Plew, Archaeologist, Boise State University continued his work in Guyana. Dr. Plew founded the Denis Williams Summer School of Anthropologyin 2007. This field school enables students to experience hands-on training in archaeology. Mostly designed for university students a twoweek in the field exercise is carried out and lab exercises are conducted based on their findings at the museum. This training includes use of texts on archaeology which are provided for the course. In 2011 the school was awarded its first scholarship with Ms. Louisa Daggers pursuing her MA in applied anthropology at Boise State University, Idaho. Ms. Daggers, who returned to serve as Guyana’s first female archaeologist and Administrative Manager of the Walter Roth Museum, is now the Coordinator of the Amerindian Research Unit at the University of Guyana with which the Museum collaborates. In 2016 the field school was joined by two students from Belize who are pursuing their master’s degrees in biology at the University of Guyana. The Museum’s journal Archaeology and Anthropology was launched in 1978 with Dr. Williams as its editor and continued until his death in 1998. A few issues were produced by his assistant editor Jennifer Wishart . This journal has now become an online journal produced by Boise State University and edited by Dr. Mark Plew, Boise State University, Louisa Daggers and Jennifer Wishart. Jennifer Wishart
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Fully functioning Integrity Commission by year end By Jarryl Bryan It has been over one year since the coalition took office and the Integrity Commission is still without a Chairman and Commissioners. However, President David Granger has given a commitment for a functional Commission by this year end. He made this commitment during the weekly televised programme ‘The Public Interest’. According to Granger, amendments to the legislation to strengthen the Commission will be brought before the National Assembly after it comes out of recess in October. Granger made it clear that the system they inherited from the previous administration would not work. According to the President, the commission functioned like a “post office”, whereby officials would submit their returns and no action would be taken. “We want a properly functioning Commission,” he said. “Right now, what we inherited from the previous administration is unworkable. And you can see the attempts the previous administration made, appointing chairpersons, it was poorly funded and administered and
- Work ongoing to tighten loopholes - says Pres. Granger
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
the results are a dysfunctional organisation.” According to Granger, there was a perception that the previous administration was simply using the integrity commission for nefarious purposes. Rather than preventing corruption, Granger stated that the commission was either being used for political purposes or
President David Granger
not being used at all. “But we are looking at tightening the legislation to make sure that persons who may have committed illegal acts are actually prosecuted,” he said. “Right now it does not happen. So we are working on the legislation, it will be brought to cabinet and I expect that before the end of this year there will be a
functioning integrity commission.” “We are going to create functional laws, a functional organisation structure and I expect by the end of this year, when parliament resumes in October, we’ll be able to bring that legislation before the National Assembly. But (it) has to be corrected. We cannot go into it with what
we had before.” Granger also clarified any misconceptions about how the Integrity Commission would operate with other agencies that might guard against malfeasance in high office. According to Granger, there was no risk of the commission’s functions overlapping with those of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), since SOCU’s mandate includes private citizens. Currently there is an Integrity Commission in place. It is, however, functioning without a Chairman and the requisite Commissioners. These officials were not appointed under President Donald Ramotar and under President Granger they are yet to be appointed. At present, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who took over the Governance portfolio, is spearheading efforts to improve the commission. Last year, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had stated that a review of the commission’s mandate was underway by the coalition government. He had asserted that this was to see how to give it powers to not only take statements, but also
investigate the truthfulness of the declarations. Under the laws, public officers including the President, Permanent Secretaries, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General, Commissioner of Police, Army Chief-of-Staff, Heads of the Services Commissions, Foreign Affairs officials, Judges, Magistrates and Department Heads are required to declare their assets. Also required to submit declaration forms of their earnings and gifts received are Regional Executive Officers, the Chief Elections Officer, Mayors, Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of state companies, Registrars of Lands and the Commissioner of the Guyana Revenue Authority, along with Presidential Advisors, and Heads of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Guyana Forestry Commission. According to the Integrity Commission Act, Chapter 19:12; public officials must report to the commission any gift received that is worth more than $10,000. That report must include the name Continued on page 65
Sunday August 14, 2016
As SARU draft Legislation gets on board…
Dem boys seh...
Banking industry concerned about stolen state assets pledged for loans By Kiana Wilburg What recourse will banks have where assets have been pledged as collateral for a loan and are subsequently found to be recoverable under the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) legislation? This worrying question was brought to the forefront by a representative of the banking community during consultations on the SARA Draft Bill on Thursday last at the Pegasus Hotel. According to UK Asset Recovery Expert, Brian Horne, there is adequate protection in the draft legislation for cases of third party interest. Horne, who is a Guyanese by birth, and has worked in more than 22 countries in the field of state assets recovery and the successful prosecution of the defaulters,
stressed to the banking officials present at the consultations, that if the property was stolen from the state, then it remains recoverable. He noted, however, that this would not be done in an arbitrary manner. Horne said that the bank may be in a position to argue that in good faith, it conducted the proceedings with the client and as such, would be able to seek protection under the law and recover its moneys in such a circumstance. Legal Officer of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Nazla Faizoul also expressed worry about the disclosure of clients’ information. She said that the banks are a bit concerned about the extent to which they may in the future; have to divulge
client’s information. The Legal Officer said that at present, they can receive a customer information request from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as well as an Order of Court from the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). Faizoul said that when the SARA Bill is passed, the resulting entity can present banks with either one or two types of orders for client information. She noted, however, that banks would like to have the assurance that whoever is assisting SARA with investigations that they treat the information collected from financial institutions with the same level of confidentiality. “We live in a very small country and I do note in the Bill that if we tip-off our clients, then we can be held
liable and fined or imprisoned… So I wanted to impress upon the authorities that we try to limit as much as possible those who may have access to the information provided because at the end of the day it is client’s information.” Horne assured the GBTI official that there are provisions in the act which state how the Director is to handle information from financial institutions. He said that it is expressly stated in Section 22 of the draft Bill. The UK Expert stressed that the Director has powers which would allow him to dictate how the information from financial institutions is to be parceled out for investigation and has control over who has access to it and who is restricted from it.
Montrose granny murder PI near end The prosecution is winding down its case in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) for which Colin Alleyne is charged with the murder of Danrasie Ganesh, who was found dead in her Montrose, East Coast Demerara home. Alleyne, 23, of Timehri Cemetery Road, East Bank Demerara, is accused of killing the 77-year-old woman on August 1, 2015. The accused appeared in court last Monday, for continuation of the PI. This newspaper was informed that Alleyne behaved in a disorderly manner as he usually does. Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul sitting in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court adjourned the PI until
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MURDERED: Danrasie Ganesh
MURDER ACCUSED: Colin Alleyne
September 27. Danrasie ‘Carmen’ Ganesh’s battered body was found in her home on the day
in question, by relatives who went to check on her after she failed to answer neighbours’ calls.
The gruesome murder was captured on surveillance camera. It was reported that Ganesh’s killer, believed to be Alleyne, clubbed her on the head with a tyre wrench and dragged her into a corner, where she collapsed. It was then the killer wrapped a hand-towel around her neck, kicked and stomp the old woman until she laid motionless. Alleyne was captured three weeks after the murder at Guyhoc Park, Georgetown. He reportedly told detectives that a male relative of Ganesh made him $700,000 to kill the old woman and steal documents pertaining to her property.
A disabled AG costing Guyana When people get full eye, that is dem want wha dem see, sometimes dem does get embarrass. Gerry got some nice looking flight attendants. All of dem does got man looking at dem and wishing. Nutten was one of dem men. He sit down in de plane and he see this flight attendant. He ask she wha she name and she tell him. “Natasha Benz, sir” Minister: “Lovely name ...any relation to Mercedes Benz?” Flight Attendant: “Yes sir, very close” Minister: “How close?” Flight Attendant: “Same price”. That is wha mek Nutten tie up de deal wid Larry. He needed de money but he didn’t bargain to get ketch. Now he might even got a job much less de flight attendant. Another one is AG Willie. Dipcon, a company that couldn’t even finish a road project, did sue Donald Ramotar government. Anil is a man who does only go in court when he got an easy case. So he does share out de government money to dem lawyer who is he friend. This AG Willie was too lazy to check and see which case dem got in de system suh when de court give Dipcon judgement, he claim how he didn’t know. Dem boys seh that all he doing is mekking Soulja Bai pay out money. De other day he didn’t even let de court case run its course. He settle. He, like Anil, always hiding when it come to arguing a case in court. Or he blind, and deaf too. And this man getting top dollars. Dem boys want to know if Soulja Bai paying him to sit down in office and talk. That is why dem boys seh that de law cannot be fair. Dem seh that de government does crucify de petty thieves and appoint de great ones to high office, not that dem boys calling anybody a thief. But dem seriously watching Nutten and that drug bond deal. Talk half and keep watching de cockishness.
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PS under investigation issues statement to clear name
After consultation with my attorney, I have been advised that it is now appropriate and has become necessary for me to address the false and unsubstantiated allegations and imputations being published by the electronic, broadcast and print media. I wish to strongly condemn a series of vile, sensationalist, untrue,
EDITOR’S NOTE: Contrary to Mr. Omar Shariff’s claim that sections of the media in Guyana are publishing lies and false information about his assets, there is detailed evidence of his assets. Kaieteur News has secured a record of his transactions and his assets. It was this that the newspaper used to report on Mr. Shariff’s assets and his financial transactions. We publish that statement without alteration. propagandistic, and, in substantial and material respects, misleading news reports carried by sections of
the electronic, broadcast and print media in Guyana following a decision by the Special Organized Crime Unit
to launch an investigation into a personal matter related to tax remittance and compliance regarding my
legitimate business operations over the past few years. The latter being an engagement between my business and the tax authority from as early as 2007. The distortion of this personal income tax matter to make it appear to be theft and embezzlement of public funds was without any factual Continued on page 11
DOCUMENT THAT CONTRADICTS MR. SHARIFF’S STATEMENT
Sunday August 14, 2016
Omar Shariff
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Kaieteur News
PS under investigation issues statement... From page 10 foundation and mischievous by those who did so. I would like it to be known that I have not been involved by myself or in collusion with others in any theft or embezzlement of public funds. I am unable to discern from where the publications have concluded that I was holding billions of dollars in my accounts; this is simply not true. The continued publication of these have caused me and my family great concern security, hardship and otherwise. I have an inherent deep respect for the fourth estate’s role and its right to pursue
truth and facts surrounding any matter of public concern, with its concomitant responsibility. However, when that right is abused, manipulated and a deliberate agenda is seemingly pursued to achieve character assassination, the distortion of facts and the Goebbelsian peddling of misinformation, there is cause for concern not only for myself and family but also for the many law abiding citizens who can become ensnared and victims of such grave injustices. The fact that selected media houses continue to publish detailed information which they purport to be true (but which is materially and substantially
false) about my alleged assets, accounts and their contents, is indicative that one or more persons at a high level of the investigation is not only leaking information but is pursuing an obvious agenda against me by seeking to try me in public, impugn my integrity and reduce my standing as a professional. I am disappointed that information I provided to SOCU and which SOCU took from my home pursuant to a search warrant has found its way into the public domain and has been deliberately skewed, distorted, misrepresented and misinterpreted for obvious sensationalism, implying I had stolen billions of dollars of
public funds and owned billions of dollars’ worth of property and shares in public companies; none of which have any factual underpinning. This is simply not true. I wish to make it pellucid that, since the commencement of the investigation by SOCU and other agencies, I have cooperated fully at every level of the process. I have provided all of the information asked for while making myself available to answer any and all questions about my business, its revenue and related tax matters. I have also informed the Ministry of the Presidency at
the earliest convenient opportunity of the private matter. When instructed by my subject Minister Joseph Harmon, I proceeded on my annual leave to allow the probe to take place unhindered. Finally, I deny all allegations which seek to link me and my business to money laundering, tax evasion and any corrupt practice that arise as a result of misuse of public funds or the breakage of the law. I wish to iterate my confidence in the Government and my expectation of the investigating bodies and all concerned with probing this matter that due process and justice will prevail and the rule
DOCUMENT THAT CONTRADICTS MR. SHARIFF’S STATEMENT
of law maintained. I am confident that I will be vindicated at the end of this matter. I call on the media to practice the tenants of fair, impartial, balanced and responsible journalism as they exercise their right to follow up this matter. And, I call upon the individuals within the organs of the state to exercise restraint in agenda setting and the divulging of information for sensationalism which compromises not only the state organs themselves but also the banking system, citizens’ confidence in the rule of law and Guyana as a maturing democracy.
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
CSEC 2016... CXC Operations Director, Stephen Savoury
CXC records decline in candidates but increase in subject entries Although the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has recorded a slight decline in the number of candidates who registered for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination this year, there has been a noticeable increase in the subject entries. This observation was made by CXC Director of Operations, Mr. Stephen
Savoury, when CXC on Friday announced the release of the 2016 results during a live broadcast from Anguilla. “When we look at the statistics we see that interestingly enough for 2016, even though there was a small decline in the actual candidate entries, we saw an interesting dynamic development, where the subject entries for our candidates have increased,” said Savoury. According to the Operations Director, CXC has noticed the increased subject taking trend with interest. In fact he disclosed that “it helps us to be able to understand and ask ourselves why this is happening and we think we have the answers based on our conversations with principals and ministry officials.” And the plausible answer that CXC has been able to derive is that more candidates are striving to ensure that they matriculate. “More persons are recognising that in order for them to take the step to the next level of their education attainment, which would be university and college, they need to be able to have four and ideally five CSEC subjects in order to make this progression, and therefore
we are seeing more persons attempting more exams as the years progress,” Savoury explained. And according to him, “this is an interesting dynamic that we believe will continue to go forward.” The local Ministry of Education has had some discussion about candidates sitting an increasing number of CSEC subjects. The CSEC subjects, which are delivered by CXC are examined for certification at the General and Technical Proficiencies, which provide students with the foundation for further studies and entry to the workplace. In order to ascertain each individual candidate’s performance, CXC applies a six-point grading scheme, which is used to report on the performance of the candidate under six overall and profile grades which fall under ‘Overall grades’ and ‘Profile Grades’. The ‘Overall Grades’ are classified as I, II, III, IV, V, VI while the ‘Profile Grades’ are A, B, C, D, E and F. CXC Registrar, Dr. Didacus Jules, during an interview with this publication, had disclosed that while he is aware of calls being made to limit the number of subjects
candidates write at CSEC, the matter has not come up for deliberation at the level of CXC. “We don’t consider it to be a matter under CXC’s purview; this is a matter for parents, the schools and ultimately the Ministry,” said Dr. Jules. However, he said, “our view on it is that you should not put a limit on people’s capacity; whatever subject you feel you can do you ought to be allowed to do.” The CXC Registrar underscored that one factor that must remain clear is that the number of subjects that are undertaken do not determine whether a candidate is able to secure the status of top regional performer. “That is the bottom line,” Dr Jules asserted. Meanwhile, Savoury, at Friday’s forum, also revealed that in terms of candidate entries by gender, females outnumbered the males. This translated to females being 77,544 and males being 55,130. However, Savoury noted that while female candidates outnumbered their male counterparts in the majority of territories, Suriname was an exception – the male candidates outnumber the females. But according to him, “I suspect the Suriname numbers will change drastically and the ladies will continue to dominate.” According to Savoury, C X C ’s m i s s i o n i s t o provide the Region with syllabuses of the highest quality, valid and reliable examinations and certificates of international repute for students of all ages, abilities and interests. And he made it clear that “we take that mandate seriously at CXC.” CXC is also tasked with providing services to educational institutions in the development of syllabuses, examinations and examinations administration, in the most cost-effective way, Savoury noted. And he noted that “we believe that this is an important aspect of what we do, and as we continue to go forward our guiding principle in this regard is to place emphasis in a number of areas. We believe that fairness in our examinations, accuracy of our marking, reliability of the data and quality output are paramount to keep us focused on the task we have to perform.” It is expected that the Ministry of Education will this week officially release the results of CSEC and CAPE results of local candidates.
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Kaieteur News
Education Ministry’s budget expenditure amounts to $15.5B in six months In the first six months of 2016, a sum of $15.5 billion, or 38 percent of the total budgeted sum of $40.3 billion, was expended in the education sector. This is according to information provided in the Ministry of Finance’s half year report on government spending. According to the report, the Ministry of Education recognised the need to promote the pure sciences, in an effort to mitigate the dearth of related professionals across an array of fields ranging from the social to the economic sectors and investments to equip schools with both teachers and laboratories. “These interventions have contributed to 384 more students opting to sit for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Science subjects in 2016, reflecting a 9.1 percent increase over the 2015 levels,
with 46 percent of the total increase attributed to physics. Of that amount, $1.9 billion was spent on the capital programme efforts to integrate Information Technology (IT) in schools continued, when nine IT labs were established in selected primary schools,” the Ministry outlined in the report. Additionally the Ministry reported that six schools, the National Centre for Educational Resource Development, and the Ministry of Education Complex have been connected to the Government’s fibre optic network through the eGovernment Project. “An additional 40 sites are expected to be connected to the network in the final half of the year. This intervention will result in increased access to information, via
connectivity, as well as reduced service costs. “ The Ministry noted that money was also expended to facilitate the hinterland food feeding programme and towards rehabilitation and expansion of several school building. One such school is the Kato Secondary School complex which has been under review by the government due to shoddy works done by contractors According to the F i n a n c e M i n i s t r y, t h e completion of the Kato Secondary Complex continues to face challenges. “A recently completed audit has indicated that the school will require extensive works to make it habitable.” Additionally there is ongoing construction, rehabilitation and maintenance will continue during the second half. Facilities earmarked including
Bishops’ and St. Rose’s High Schools and science laboratories in Annai, North West, Canje and Woodley Park. Meanwhile focus continues to be placed on ensuring that our children are well rounded learners. Technical and vocational education and training continue to be an ongoing endeavour within all technical institutes and training centres. At present, 202 persons are enrolled in electrical engineering courses, 212 in motor repairs and 111 in Information Technology/ Computer Science. Further, the Kuru Kuru Training Centre has expanded its training programme to include a garment construction course. In the area of teachers’
training, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) is currently involved in curriculum revision for Physical Education, Music, Art and Information Technology, as these programmes will be offered as majors from September. Overall, it is anticipated that another 415 teachers will graduate from CPCE this year to supplement the over 5,000 trained teachers currently employed in the public school system. In the area of music education training, significant progress has been made as nine of the ten regions have already received training, through the Ministry of Education, benefitting 90 teachers. Earlier this year, at the budget presentation Minister OF Finance Winston Jordan
pointed out that “the transformation of any economy is dependent on the ability of its citizens to think cortically and apply appropriate solutions to advance the economy.” To this end, the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to meeting the needs of a modern economy were emphasized. Under the Secondary Education Improvement Project, he said that a total of 1,125 tablets will be distributed to seventh grade students and math teachers in eight pilot schools, facilitating better learning outcomes through the use of technology. He promised too that school participation in the national science fair will be expanded and partnerships with the private sector will be pursued.
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
REVIVAL OF GUYANA’S MUSICAL CULTURE By PAT DIAL In June last, two Steinway pianos were acquired by Government. One was the upright type to be used by the National School of Music and the other was a Grand Concert Piano which would be at the National Cultural Centre and will be used for national and public events. The arrival of these two Steinways is one of the most important items of cultural news for the year but yet the media and the educational establishment gave little notice to this event. Two generations ago, the musical life of the country was very vibrant. Such vibrancy was evident in all three of the mainstream musical traditions in Guyana. The three mainstream musical traditions are of course, the Folk, the Western, which would include classical music and the Indian, with its very ancient classical department The Folk Tradition was found in the villages. In the predominantly
African villages, there was always a band with string and percussion instruments and with a repertoire which had much Folk music. These bands played at weddings, parties and the Old Year Night dances. They were particularly active at the August Monday Emancipation celebrations. In the predominantly Indian villages, Indian Folk music like Chutney and Biraha and songs used at Rites of Passage - that is, occasions such as death, weddings and janeos (name-giving), were performed with much audience participation. There were no organized bands as in the African villages, but players of the various instruments would bring along their instruments such as harmoniums, drums, sarangis (a violin type of instrument), tampuras, jhals, dantals and even sitars, and come together as a band for the occasion. Some of these very performers would regularly play and sing in the
mandirs. Professor Vibert Cambridge, one of our most distinguished educationists who taught at important American universities, collected a great deal of Guyanese Folk music and information about performers. The Guyanese educational/cultural establishment and the University of Guyana would do well to develop closer involvement with Professor Cambridge. Classical and religious Indian music was much alive around the mandirs and masjids. Though today Bollywood music predominates, two generations ago many people played and sung classical and they improved their skills when gramaphone records became available from the 1920’s by studying great performers like Allahudin Khan and Ali Akbar Khan or highly skilled singers who, for example, would have rendered Mira’s bhajans. Our Western musical tradition
was the most important and pervasive and included church and religious music which used compositions from composers like Bach and Handel and even the Gregorian chants. Classical music was widely played and enjoyed and the radio carried many hours per week of classical music. Indeed, in Georgetown, the militia band gave regular public concerts and sometimes even the private orchestras would offer free public concerts. There were also regular Sunday afternoon concerts at the Town Hall where performers like Lynette Dolphin and Rosemary Ramdeholl performed and many young people had their first introduction to Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart and other composers at these concerts. In the schools, much more time was devoted to music and the musical culture was very strong. There were many excellent private music teachers and pupils of both
the primary and secondary schools did the Royal School of Music examinations. The piano and violin were the favourite instruments. Popular music was also much played and enjoyed, and there were several professional orchestras and bands which played at social occasions. With such a strong and vibrant musical culture, Guyana produced many world-rated musicians such as Rudolph Dunbar, the first nonwhite man to conduct the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Ray Luck and the several members of the Loncke family, and even the militia band was rated as one of the best military bands in the British Empire. Into the reasons for the disastrous decline of the musical culture of Guyana, we shall not go. But certain measures could be taken to revive it. These would include the State taking very positive action in recognising the three main Musical Traditions of the Continued on page 16
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Six fatal accident convictions recorded at City Courts for 2016 - DUI, speeding proven to be major factors
Juliano Seunarine Ravin Singh
Winston Cramer
Driving under the influence (DUI), speeding and inattentiveness were proven to be the cause of several fatal accidents by Magistrates presiding in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. For this year to date, some six convictions for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving were handed down in those courts. The perpetrators, Ravin Singh, 28, of Grove, East Bank Demerara; Clyde Barker, 32, of Lot 244 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara; Seon Greene of Lot 58 Russell
Clyde Barker
Street, Charlestown; Sherwin Hopkinson, 37, of Lot 78 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown; and Juliano Seunarine, 28, of Tain Corentyne, Berbice, were given a combined total of 17 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty at the conclusion of separate trials. Singh was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Hopkinson and Seunarine were each jailed for four years. Greene was sent to jail for four years and six months, while Barker was imprisoned for three years. Continued on page 16
DEAD: Mohamed Khan
DEAD: William Trim
PAGE 16
Domestic violence victim continues to battle for life
Almost two weeks after she was attacked and left lying unconscious on her bed by her estranged partner, who later succumbed to poison, 25-year-old Shareema Khan continues to battle for her life. The mother of three of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, is a patient of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Intensive Care Unit. She depends on a machine to breathe. Khan almost lost her life when Bhawanie Harrinarine called “Moon” sneaked into the woman’s home and chopped her in her bed before stabbing her 50-year-old mother, Bibi Shameela Shamshudeen, on August 3, last.
Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Harrinarine, a fisherman, escaped but later turned up at the West Demerara Regional Hospital after consuming a poisonous substance. He died the following day. Shamshudeen was hospitalized and later discharged. Kaieteur News was told that Shareema Khan nods when spoken to and would occasionally move her body a little to indicate she can hear. Waheeda, the older woman’s sister, said that her sibling informed her that she was asleep when she heard her daughter screaming for her. “She (Shamshudeen) said that she went into the room and went on the bed and
hugged her daughter. Then she felt her skin was wet. The light was off, so she couldn’t see. When she went to put the light on, this boy come and start stabbing her,” Shamshudeen said. The suspect then escaped from the house. It was the mother’s younger daughter who rushed to neighbours and informed them of what had happened. Shamshudeen’s husband, Mohamed Ibrahim, said that he was at work when one of his daughters called and urged him to rush home, since her mother and sister were bleeding Continued on page 66
Govt. prepared to give favourable consideration to illegal immigrants – PRESIDENT GRANGER The Government of Guyana is prepared to give favourable consideration to persons fleeing from their respective countries to Guyana, provided that they abide by the State’s rules and regulations. This was according to the Head of State, President David Granger during Ministry of Presidency’s weekly production of “The Public Interest”. The President was at the time responding to a question asked by a reporter on whether the Government is planning to address the issue of persons coming to Guyana illegally, since a number of these cases would have engaged the attention of the courts over the past few months. He was quizzed specifically on the Government’s plan to deal with the issue, in terms of the humanitarian side of it. “From a humanitarian’s point of view – yes, once we find migrants who are fleeing economic or political persecution and who are prepared to abide by our laws, we will attempt to give favourable consideration,” the Head of State said. He added that the
administration is not going to ‘simply’ open the borders for a ‘flood’ of migrants; people who just casually drift in and out. He reiterated that if there is evidence of political and economical persecution or economic deprivation, the government is prepared to give favourable consideration to not only to Venezuelan Nationals, but also persons from other countries as well. The President stated that migration is a very ‘ticklish’ matter and the administration has to be cautious on how it addresses the issues at hand. “As you know migration is a very ticklish problem; we don’t want to have people who guilty of any wrongdoing or involved in terrorism coming to our country. Right now there are problems on our border,” He added that there is a group terrorising some of the Indigenous folk in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni Region. “So we have to be very careful. So yes, we’re prepared to accept Venezuelans or people of any nationality on humanitarian grounds, but at the same time, we have to protect
President David Granger our citizens from abuse.” President Granger said. Just a few days ago, five Venezuelan women were charged with entering Guyana illegally. They were fined and deported to their country. The women entered into the country by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer. They pleaded guilty to the charge and, through the use of an interpreter, the magistrate informed the women that they were fined $20,000 each and would be deported.
Six fatal accident convictions... From page 15 However, religious leader, Winston Cramer of Lot 62 Go Slow Avenue Tucville, Georgetown who was also found guilty of the said offence, was fined $100,000 with an alternative of 18 months imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $500,000 compensation to the wife of the deceased. On August 10, 2015 Cramer was driving his motor vehicle along Quamina Street, Georgetown when he failed to stop at the intersection on Camp Street. As a result, pedal cyclist Lennox Allicock was struck down after Cramer’s vehicle collided with a motorcar. Allicock was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he died a few days after. Before passing sentence on Cramer, the Chief Magistrate said she considered that the deceased’s wife told the court that she was willing to accept compensation for her daughter,
who was injured in the accident. She also considered the seriousness of the offence; the fact that a life was lost and the findings of a probation report in Cramer’s favour. Before Singh, Barker, Hopkinson, Greene and Seunarine were sentenced, the Magistrates also took into consideration the fact that lives were lost and the need to promote road safety. They also considered the prevalence of the offence in today’s society and that the drivers were not paying keen attention on the roadways. The convicts were all informed that they fell below the competence of a careful driver. Seunarine was under the influence of alcohol when he struck down and killed 84-yearold Cristobel Hughes, the mother of Attorney Nigel Hughes. Seunarine was driving a motor vehicle on August 15, 2015, and as he approached Lamaha Street at the intersection with Pike Street, he failed to stop, colliding with the
REVIVAL OF GUYANA’S... From page 14 country and giving them material support; restoring music in the schools as a mainstream subject; music again being a serious subject in the teachers’ colleges; accepting music as one of the five or six CXC subjects for Public Service employment; importing musical instruments such as the piano, violin and guitar with duty-free concession; having the few remaining piano tuners to hand on their skills, and the Grand Concert Piano should be protected and unauthorized persons should be prevented from interfering with it.
vehicle in which Mrs. Hughes was travelling. Hopkinson was convicted for causing the death of 78-yearold William Trim by dangerous driving on March 5, at Aubrey Barker Public Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. On the day in question, Hopkinson was driving a minibus at a fast rate of speed when he collided with a motorcar being driven by Trim. Barker was driving a motor lorry which struck down 12-yearold Ezekiel Murray while he was walking along the Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara on April 10. The lad was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the hospital, where he later died. Greene was the driver of a taxi, which collided with pedal cyclist Mohamed Khan. The accident occurred on May 31, 2015 at Sandy Babb and Railway Streets, Kitty, Georgetown. Khan sustained multiple injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Singh, a father of two, was the driver of a motor lorry which struck down 73-yearold Rajmattie Ram of Triumph, East Coast Demerara on July 14, 2014 at Robb Street, Georgetown. At the time of the accident, the elderly woman was holding onto her grandson’s hand as they attempted to cross to the other side of the busy roadway. She sustained severe head and bodily injuries when she was dragged a short distance before the truck came to a halt.
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Kaieteur News
See the ability and not the disability By Sharmain Grainger
Some people are born with it, some develop it from various circumstances, but they all have to eventually try to embrace their fate in order to live a normal life. But is living a normal life for a person with a physical disability even possible in our society? Well, many believe it is possible but sometimes very
Although she is now an independent adult striving to build a life for herself, she is hoping that she will see the day when others see her disability as secondary. August has one arm, but there is hardly anything a twoarmed person does that she can’t, and with complete ease. Styling her own hair for instance is a breeze and she always prefers an “up do”
Letita August does not see her disability as a challenge
hard to realise. This is in light of the fact that once a person with a physical disability is able to accept his or her fate, their existence is usually not a big deal. It, however, becomes a big deal when people without disabilities look down on them. Having a physical disability, or any disability for that matter, does not make an individual any less of a human being. Even if an individual’s disability is intellectual or sensory they deserve to be respected. However, many people with disabilities have been victims of stigma and discrimination. Letita August can speak all too well to the challenges some disabled people face.
because her shoulder length hair, if worn down, can be a recipe for a very sweaty day. August is currently employed as a part time office assistant at the National Commission on Disability located at Croal Street, Georgetown. “It keeps me occupied....this is better than just sitting at home and watching TV,” August noted during a recent conversation with me. But before gaining employment there last year, August recalled trying a few other places to no avail. She had all the necessary requirements but once her physical disability was observed she was asked questions such as: “You
think you can do this work? How will you be able to do this in your condition?” She was essentially turned down countless times. She often left job interviews very demoralized. In fact August, who is now 23 years old, has grown tired of answering questions about what happened to her one arm. “I wish one day people can see me for my ability and not just my disability,” exclaimed August who has been advocating for persons with disabilities to be respected by society. August, who was born and raised in Linden, Region 10, moved to the capital city in 2012. She currently lives in South Ruimveldt with her brother and uncle. At first glance you wouldn’t even notice that one of her arms is missing. In fact I only noticed it after she asked to take a photograph of me. I was surprised but intrigued at the same time, and of course I wanted to know more. Although August rarely takes time out to share her story and would much rather tell curious individuals she had an accident, she didn’t seem to mind telling me all. She was just about two years old and like most toddlers was eager to explore. That meant, at times, even attempting to climb trees. It was just this she was attempting when she fell and hit her right arm causing some bruising. To the naked eye the bruising was normal enough, but what her parents didn’t know is that she was diabetic. So instead of healing, her bruises became worse. “It started to become black and blue and so on,” recounted August, who was just about two at the time. Her right arm had to be amputated. At first it was a challenge getting used to her missing arm, but being the feisty child she was, she quickly adjusted. By the time she was a teenager growing into an adult she didn’t even see the
The Baccoo Speaks The holidays are for fun things but some people do not know that fun does not include dangerous things. Tell that to the young man who is going to borrow a car and crash. He was not even a certified driver. This accident would result from the fact that the young man would believe that he is on top of the world and would drive faster than necessary. He would collide with another vehicle. ** Another domestic violence incident would see another woman being seriously hurt. And as is the case, the man would try
to take his own life. This is going to happen in the eastern part of the country. The man would be alcoholic and would accuse the woman of infidelity. The rest would be the usual mode of attack; physical and brutal. ** Another river accident will occur in the Mazaruni. Boats traversing that corridor to Bartica for supplies always believe that there is no other vessel on the waterways at that time. This crash would occur in the dark. There would be one casualty.
need for another arm. But it wasn’t very easy to brush off conversations about her missing arm while attending school at Wisburg Secondary. “I used to get teased and so, but after a while I didn’t let people tease me without representing myself...not because I have one arm means I was gonna stand up and take nonsense,” she asserted. And she had been standing up in her own way for all people with disabilities. Today August says to person with various forms of disabilities “not because you have one arm, or one leg ,or whatever it may be, don’t
think it is the end of the world. Life still goes on; adjusting might take a while but life still goes on,” she insisted. But according to her, one of the greatest challenges a disabled person can face is being denied a job. “People at some point have to realise that not because somebody has a disability they can’t do a good job just like a person without a disability. We might try to do the job even better...if I didn’t have the confidence that I could do something I wouldn’t apply for it,” she said. She pointed out that while family members are always
willing to be supportive, she, like many other people with disabilities, feels a sense of pride when they can earn their own money and take care of themselves. Currently the Commission on Disability is looking to garner support to have the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities implemented. Guyana has signed unto the Convention and has until 2020 to embrace the recommendations of the Convention which amplifies the need for persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life.
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Kaieteur News
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
The Chinese woman I hugged in Montreal Last Monday after the court case of in which Kwame McCoy and company are charged for a nasty attack on me in May 2010, David Hinds and I exited the court yard together and I suggested we hop across the street to grab a bite at DEMICO. David said he was late for a Rodneyite grounding session with some youths. So he went in a southern direction. I took a northerly route. There and then this neatly dressed gentleman came up to me and related a story. In journalism you meet the world’s weirdest people. Any practicing media operative in the business for more than ten years could easily write a book of experiences of life’s crazy moments with crazy people. People want you to write about their issues, but in many instances these descriptions contain large doses of personal vendetta, fantasies, fictions and maliciousness. As they say in common parlance, “they try a thing.” If you don’t know they are “trying a thing” you and the media house you write or broadcast for can end up getting sued for billions of
dollars. But the cardinal rule in journalism is that you must at all times listen. When you listen, you may be able to separate fact from fiction. Journalists tend to dismiss pleas of innocence quickly from men accused of rape. You carry around this feeling that the guy is a devil trying to save himself and he wants to use the media. But at all times you should listen; you may end up with the biggest scoop of your life. During the May 2015 general elections, I would have a periodic car clean-up at a wash bay not far from the AFC’s office. Since I was in the AFC office, then it meant I didn’t have to waste time hanging around until the wash was finished. Some friends came up to me to tell me this guy who once washed my car was jailed for 45 consecutive years in the High Court for inserting his fingers in the vagina of an underage child. I was told he didn’t have a lawyer. Well, he was their friend, so they could be just trying to help him. Their point was that the child’s mother had sought revenge against the accused who treated her badly in the
past. When I read the deposition, my blood ran cold. This man should never have been charged. The evidence was not almost non-existent; it was non-existent. I adopted the cause of the wash bay guy and arranged for a lawyer to file an appeal. No matter what the circumstances are, a journalist should listen. In the case of the gentleman last Monday, his story went like this. In a situation of revelry, he said a woman slapped him after accusing him of touching her buttocks. He said he slapped her back because her accusation was ridiculous. He said lots of revelers were doing their thing and maybe he accidentally touched her. He didn’t know she went for the police, but he was charged for slapping her and fondling her. He indicated that the police at the station believed the woman. For some reason, when I listened to him and looked at him, I felt I should
take an interest. But I didn’t. I remember most vividly a commotion outside Survival Supermarket on Sheriff Street in which the wife of one of Guyana’s most prominent dentists accused a customer of touching her buttocks as he opened his car door. The man was vehemently denying the allegation as I walked out of the supermarket and onto the scene. The then magistrate at Providence Court, Leslie Sobers, spoke to the woman and told her he witnessed the incident and that the man did not touch her deliberately. She was
unmoved. I spoke to her and told her who Sobers was. But she was still unmoved. She wanted the police to come in. Sobers said he had to leave to attend court and I had to teach at UG. I don’t know what became of the matter. There was an incident in 1980, my wife and I always laugh about and will never stop talking about. We were holidaying in Montreal and I had my hand around my wife’s neck. This was in the heart of the tourist district. There was a sudden push because of the largeness of the crowds. After
Frederick Kissoon I regained my step, my wife was nowhere in sight and I had my hand around a Chinese woman. I never knew and will never know how that happened. It was one of the most embarrassing moments and the most mysterious episodes in my life.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 14, 2016
Let us not be distracted … our economy is growing The Business Support Organisations such as the PSC and the GMSA have been asking for our response to the consistent yammering of the opposition, of their claims that the Guyana economy is tottering, that Government has no plans for the forward movement of the agriculture sector, or the manufacturing and food production sectors or of the fisheries and timber sectors. The indisputable statistics are now out which prove that the economy has indeed grown in the first half of 2016. In fact, the trend of positive movement in the gold mining sector and with bauxite sales picking up, it is very possible that our growth figures will pass 4 percent by this December. Last June, just before the release of the half-year report, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin was invited by the GMSA to speak with their members and clear the air with respect to the trajectory of the national economy. Below is an abridged version of his address. Globally Guyana is ranked 124th out of 188 countries on the Human Development Index, according to the UNDP 2015 Human Development Report. This ranking is based on four criteria - life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. The same report indicates 1.2% percent of our population is in severe multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty factors in deprivations in areas such as health care, education and standard of living, in addition
Minister of Business, Dominic
to simply looking at income levels. On the World Bank’s Doing Business 2016 Index which measures the ease of doing business in 189 countries, Guyana is ranked 137th. In 2015 Guyana’s economy grew at a rate of 3%, down from 3.8% in the previous year and 5.2% in 2013. Our GDP for 2015 was approximately US$3.2B. Our total public debt stood at US$1.5B at the end of 2015 and this
year’s budget deficit was G$40.9B. UNEMPLOYMENT The rate of unemployment is generally defined as the percentage of the total labour force that is unemployed and is seeking work or willing to work. For years we have not been compiling and publishing this data. Every successful economy in the world pays very close attention to unemployment data, because it is one of the main benchmarks used to assess the Government’s performance. But how can this government craft a comprehensive targeted strategy to address unemployment when there was no available data to indicate the extent and locations of the problem? We are, however, beginning to put measures in place to reduce unemployment. In Guyana, the sectors that provide the best opportunities for direct employment are bauxite, sugar, rice, gold and timber. GUYANA IS NOT IN CRISIS Most of the private sector seems to embrace the opinion that this economy is in crisis. Please do not get distracted by this because it is a notion! Guyana recorded 2 percent national growth for the period January to June 2016 which was largely attributed to the mining and quarrying (65.7%). Gold production grew by 94.3% and bauxite by 2.9%. Positive growth was also recorded in the “other crops” sector including livestock (0.8%) and fisheries (2.1%). There are many reasons we could ascribe to the growth Guyana recorded in 2013 (5.2%); in 2014 (3.8%) and 2015 (3%). You are aware
of many of those circumstances such as private sector unease during the election year as well as the period (2014) during the prorogation of parliament. In 2016 January to June, the manufacturing sector contracted by 14.1% mainly due to reduced rice and sugar production. El Nino played a role in this, as did the loss of some overseas markets. However, there are many reasons for us all to be very optimistic that the budgeted forecast of 4.4 percent growth for year 2016 will be realized. The forecast for gold production in 2016 has moved up to 650,000 ounces, and the outlook for the forestry sector is not bleak. The Guyana economy is not in crisis. Take a look around. Venezuela’s socio-economy is in crisis, Brazil’s is in trouble with negative growth for the second consecutive year; Trinidad and Tobago is projecting negative growth of 2% again; Barbados is unlikely to grow by more than half of a percentage point this year; and Suriname’s economy grew by just 0.2% in 2015. A green economy, powered with affordable and renewable energy, driven by foreign earnings derived from exports of a range of value-added goods and services, is well within our means. So is the sustainable growth of this economy and the sustainable exploitation of our natural resources. Guyana is now a signatory to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which is made up of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Kaieteur News
My column
Going back on promises is a no-no Transparency was supposed to be the watchword of the new administration. President David Granger had given the promise that everything his government does would be transparent. And this was as a result of the numerous secret deals and other things that the previous administration pursued in secrecy. However, it is as people say. “Talk is cheap.” Others say, “If you talk the talk you must walk the walk.” There are now some in President Granger’s Cabinet who are not walking the walk. At issue is the decision by the Ministry of Public Health to rent a bond being fashioned by Larry Singh, an entrepreneur who is no stranger to controversy. This situation was so unnecessary. For one, the government has its own bond that it had constructed at Diamond to store pharmaceuticals. The Donald Ramotar administration constructed this bond for $400 million. It was touted to be the largest in this corner of the world; it was supposed to be operated and managed electronically and it would be able to effectively manage the distribution of drugs to every medical centre and clinic in the country. Prior to the construction of this bond, the political opposition was up in arms because the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) was sole sourced and the reports stated that the government paid the New GPC $100 million a year. So this new state-of-theart bond was constructed, but it appeared never to have been put in use. Owner of the New GPC, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, in a recent press release said that he was storing the drugs for free from 2003 to 2015. If that were the case why then was there this rush to construct a bond? So we come to the issue at hand. Public Health Minister Dr George Norton enters into a sole sourced
arrangement with Larry Singh. Dr Norton was aware that an end to sole sourcing was something that his government had campaigned for when it was in the opposition. Needless to say the reaction was expected. It turns out that Dr Norton had explained to his Cabinet colleagues that the New GPC was charging too much and that this new arrangement would actually save money. He claimed that he was paying the New GPC some $19 million per month. He got the green light to pay $25 million in advance money to Larry Singh who was going to take $12.5 million a month. But Larry’s bond is still being fashioned. New GPC said that it had not received a cent, and that it only moved to charge for its storage because it recognized that the government was going to change its bidding process. The New GPC statement read, inter alia, “After the Ministry of Public Health indicated a substantive and substantial alterations (sic) in the old bidding procedure for pharmaceuticals on March 1, 2016, they approached the NEWGPC to continue providing storage for pharmaceuticals for the Ministry of Public Health and the GPHC. “At that point the corporation indicated it would charge the government a rate of $237/ sq foot for the state of the art storage facility. At this time, contrary to the asseverations of the Minister in Parliament, the NEWGPC has not received a single cent from the government for the rentals due since March 1, 2016 even though there are substantial quantities of pharmaceuticals being stored in the warehouse.” President Granger, commenting on the issue, said that he was told that the idea behind the deal with Larry Singh had to do with saving money. However, he has ordered a probe. Further, the Attorney General has been told to review the arrangement.
Minister Raphael Trotman who is charged with conducting the investigation said that he did find a cheque drawn to the New GPC. President Granger has ordered that the cheque be paid over to New GPC. But what was it that made Dr Norton lie to the National Assembly? For one, nothing is secret in the country. Second, the fact that Larry Singh had to be paid had to be made public in the National Assembly. It turned out that he lied about certain things, even to the point of denying the public the right to view
the contract he signed with Larry Singh. Now he is to apologise to the House, giving the opposition something to make even more noise about. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says that an apology is not enough, that Dr Norton must face the Privileges Committee. I wouldn’t disagree, although Governments have been known to protect its Ministers. There is still a big question in my mind. Why has the government not used the bond it constructed? The amount of money spent on what is a white elephant is
more than the government spent on hosting the jubilee. People fumed at that expenditure, but they remained silent at the fact that there was a greater expenditure that remained a white elephant. There has been wasted expenditure in other areas. The most recent was the Kato Secondary School. In some countries people would end up in jail. Not so in Guyana. And before I forget, I owe the Inter-American Development Bank a huge and unqualified apology. I stated last week that the IDB
Adam Harris funded the construction of the Kato Secondary School. I was wrong. I therefore apologise to Ms Sophie Makonnen and her organization.
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Iwokrama…the jewel of the jungle (An Address by His Excellency Brigadier David Granger to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development) The Guiana Shield – a vast area of over 2.7 million km² – can be considered as God’s ‘second’ Garden of Eden. The Shield is one of Earth’s most biologically diverse; one of earth’s largest remaining blocks of tropical forest and one of earth’s
oldest geological formations. The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD) is near to the geographical centre of the Guiana Shield and a priceless jewel in the jungle of our country.
Iwokrama is an idea whose time had come. The 11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held in Malaysia in October 1989, took note of the degradation of earth’s environment and the threat this posed “to present and
future generations.” The Heads of Government issued the Langkawi Declaration on the Environment which emphasized that the “responsibility for ensuring a better environment should be equitably shared and the ability of developing countries to respond be taken into account.” The Cooperative Republic of Guyana immediately took that responsibility into account. We boldly embraced the idea that a ‘small’ fish could make a ‘big ‘wave in the world. We committed 371,000 hectares of our forest – an area larger than Malta, the Maldives or Montserrat – to be used as a model for conservation and sustainable development. Our gift remains an unmatched gesture to global environmental governance. Iwokrama was established seven years after the Langkawi Declaration. This came with the passage of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development Act, by Guyana’s National Assembly on 14th March 1996. The Act set out to: …develop, demonstrate and make available to Guyana and the international community, systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilisation of the multiple resources of tropical forests and the conservation of biological diversity. Iwokrama, therefore, is embedded in our territory, in our law, in our economy and in our political culture. The ‘Centre’, today, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its legislation, not its conceptualisation and gestation. The ‘Centre’ has demonstrated how the forest can be used for conservation and scientific investigation. It has shown how a single, small country could contribute to mitigating climate change while promoting sustainable development. Iwokrama is: · the core of our country –
President David Granger
Guyana’s ‘green heart;’. · the cradle of biological diversity – home to some of world the world’s rarest flora and fauna. The Paris Agreement, which was agreed on in December 2015 and which I signed in New York at the United Nations in April 2016, represents an important landmark in international cooperation to address climate change. The ‘Agreement’ has had a long gestation but, now that it has been signed and sealed, we anticipate that greater international political attention and financial resources will be devoted to biodiversity. Iwokrama is part of the lungs of the Earth. It is a global resource helping to mitigate climate change. Guyana looks to the international community to commit more resources to the Centre to allow it to continue to be a model of sustainable development. The Convention on Biological Diversity – the multilateral environmental agreement to which Guyana is a signatory – calls for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of its benefits. These international commitments reinforce our resolve to ensure the harmonious development of the great natural capital of
this blessed country. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, sustainable development Goal 15, mandates us to: “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”. Iwokrama, with its rich biodiversity, is pivotal to positioning our economy onto a green growth pathway. It is our key to preserving our environmental patrimony. The pursuit of sustainable development cannot be achieved unless there is an unobstructed obligation to the protection of our biodiversity. Iwokrama, with yet undiscovered and unexploited resources, is essential to our economic existence. Guyana will continue to seek support for the establishment of an International Institute for Biodiversity at Iwokrama to complement the work of the ‘Centre’s’ efforts and education on sustainable development. The Institute will allow for students and researchers from the Guiana Shield, the Continent, the Caribbean and the rest of the world to come to Iwokrama to study its biodiversity and to increase their knowledge and understanding of our vital ecosystems. Iwokrama can teach the world lessons on biodiversity. Sanctuaries for the conservation and preservation of our rich flora and fauna will be established. It is my Government’s intention, with the support of international partners, to make Iwokrama into a worldclass institute for biodiversity research – a centre of excellence to serve the educational needs of our students for generations to come. Guyana has a responsibility – and it will uphold that responsibility – to support Iwokrama. It is part of our patrimony. It is central and integral to Guyana’s green development agenda. I join in extending congratulations to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development on its twentieth anniversary. I thank all those who have been involved in promoting the Centre’s objectives.
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Kidney Stones: Very Painful, Very common By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I have often heard female patients say that they prefer the pains of labour than those that come from kidney stones. Every one in five men and one in 10 women will have kidney stones in their lifetime. This rate is increasing and is expected to increase given our trend of unhealthy living. Some persons have kidney stones and never realize. For others it’s one of the most painful experiences in life. As some stones move, they cause intense pain. Patients will often have to visit the emergency room or their doctor to have the pain controlled as regular pain medications often fail. Today we will discuss this common condition and bring some clarity to misconceptions that are usually peddled about kidney stones. WHATARE KIDNEY STONES? Kidney stones are just what they sound like: small stones that form inside the kidneys. They form when salts and minerals that are normally in the urine build-up and harden. Kidney stones usually get carried out of the body when you urinate. But sometimes they can get stuck on the way
out. If that happens, the stones can cause: *Pain in your side or in the lower part of your belly *Blood in the urine (which can make urine pink or red) *Nausea or vomiting *Pain when you urinate *The need to urinate in a hurry HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE KIDNEY STONES? If your doctor thinks you have kidney stones, he or she can order an imaging test that can show the stones. An ultrasound of your abdomen is the most common test that is ordered to detect kidney stones. HOWARE KIDNEY STONES TREATED? Each person’s treatment is a little different. The right treatment for you will depend on: *The size, type, and location of your stone *How much pain you have *How much you are vomiting If your stone is big or causes severe symptoms, you might need to stay in the hospital. If your stone is small and causes only mild symptoms, you might be able to stay home and wait for it to pass in the urine. If you stay home, you will probably need to drink a lot of fluids. Plus,
you might need to take pain medicines or medicines that make it easier to pass the stone. There are specific medications that help open your urinary tract and make it easier for the stone to pass. Your doctor will decide on these medications according to your condition. Stones that do not pass on their own can be treated with: *A machine that uses sound waves to break up stones into smaller pieces. This is called “shock wave lithotripsy.” This procedure does not involve surgery, but it can be painful. * A special kind of surgery that makes very small holes in your skin. During this surgery, the doctor passes tiny tools through the holes and into the kidney. Then he or she removes the stone. This is called “percutaneous nephrolithotomy.” Ï% A thin tube that goes into your body the same way urine comes out. Doctors use tools at the end the tube to break up or remove stones. This is called “ureteroscopy.” WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING KIDNEY STONES AGAIN? Drinking enough fluid will help keep your urine less concentrated with waste products. Darker urine is more concentrated, so your
urine should appear very light yellow to clear if you are well hydrated. Most of the fluid you drink should be water. Most people should drink more than 12 glasses of water a day. Water is better than soda, sports drinks or coffee/ tea. If you exercise or if it is hot outside, you should drink more. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which make the urine less acid. When the urine is less acid, then stones may be less able to form. Eating meat – especially in excess – causes your body to produce urine that has more acid, which can then increase your risk for kidney stones.
You can reduce excess salt in your diet. What foods are high in salt? Everyone thinks of salty potato chips and French fries alone. There are other products that are salty: sandwich meats, canned soups, packaged meals, and even sports drinks. You want to try to get to a normal weight if you are overweight. But, high-protein weight loss diets that include high amounts of animal-based protein, as well as crash diets can add to the risk of stone formation. You need adequate protein, but it needs to be part of a balanced diet. Your doctor can advise you on your diet and prescribe medications that
Dr. Zulfikar Bux will decrease your risk of having kidney stones. Drinking plenty fluids and eating healthy are your best options in your fight against kidney stones.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 14, 2016
SUNDAY SOMEONE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR KATO ‘DISASTER’ -AG CHAMBERS BEGINS SCRUTINY OF CONTRACT FOR POSSIBLE CULPABILITY OF CONTRACTOR – OTHERS A “grotesque” waste of taxpayers’ monies is how Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, describes the work done on the Kato Secondary School by Kares Engineering Inc. The Minister told this newspaper Saturday that he is appalled at the substandard job and insists that “someone must be held accountable for this disaster.” Patterson recalled that the construction of the Kato Secondary School was conceptualized due to the recognition of several benefits. For one, he said that the school, when completed, was intended to accommodate approximately 400 students and would serve children from other communities such as Monkey Mountain; Kurukubaru; Kopinang; and Itabac. He said, “This would have led to a reduction on the strain currently seen at the Paramakatoi Secondary School. In some cases, children are forced to travel outside of the region due to overcrowding and a lack of facilities. In other cases, parents are warned that their children might have to remain in primary school. Cases like these should no longer be acceptable. The Kato Secondary School was expected to be the outlet to easing these tensions.” Patterson said that it was hoped that upon
President David Granger thinks that his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo, is presenting himself as a stumbling block in the pathway of Guyana’s journey to social cohesiveness. The Head of State said that his government is trying to do its part to unify Guyana but noted that there are those who seemingly do not want to see the achievement of that goal. Granger said that his government knows that Guyana has a real problem of division and that is why it saw the need to set up a Ministry of Social Cohesion. While many have opined that the Minis-
its completion, the school would also have a dormitory to house more than 250 students; an industrial arts department; two science laboratories; a library; and other state-of-theart facilities, which are all necessary towards building brighter futures. He said that the school was also a precondition for the Kato Hydropower Project, which would have benefited from nearly €2M in funding from the European Union. The Public Infrastructure Minister recalled that the contract for such an ambitious undertaking was awarded in late 2012 to Kares Engineering Inc. Work commenced in 2013, with a completion date set for April 2015. He said that the project has been plagued with delays and a subsequent audit of it revealed severe structural defects. From the findings, Patterson said that it was revealed that approximately 60 percent of the project was in defects, with another 30 percent just over the borderline. Only about 10 percent of the project was deemed structurally sound, he said.
try of Social Cohesion has done nothing significant so far in connection with its mandate, Granger boasted that the Ministry has been making strides. In this regard, the President spoke of the initiatives that the Ministry has taken so far. He pointed to inter-faith forums and said that the Ministry continues to spread awareness through education. Granger said that the comments that Jagdeo made would do no good for the country and go contrary to the efforts of the Ministry of Cohesion. Jagdeo told an attentive gathering in New York that currently in Guyana, “There’s an assault on our democracy, there’s an assault on people of Indian origin, there’s an assault on supporters of the PPP (People’s Progressive Party). What we thought would never return to Guyana, in just one short year has returned with full force, and even worse in some regards than the Burnham era.” The President said, “The Leader of the Oppo-
I AM SEEKING TO UNITE GUYANA; JAGDEO WANTS TO DIVIDE IT – PRESIDENT GRANGER
sition needs to temper his language.” He added that it is never good when people who are supposed to be responsible in society go about preaching divisiveness. Granger said that while his government is making every effort to promote unity, “there will be extremists who continue to speak in divisive terms and this is what we need to put an end to.” BRASSINGTON SPENT ALL PROCEEDS FROM GT&T ON BERBICE RIVER BRIDGE, MARRIOTT The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government left nothing in the public jar from the billions it made off of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company over the years. The National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) sold the Government’s investment in GT&T in 2012 for US$30 million of which the sum of US$25 million was received. The remaining US$5 million was to be paid within a period of two years. Kaieteur News had previously reported that NICIL dumped all the money it received from the sale into the Marriott Hotel. However, it has been found that the money NICIL received from the sale of GT&T shares was not all it threw behind the Marriott Hotel. Government also utilized the money it received in dividend payments over the years. Government’s shares in NICIL began being managed by NICIL in 2002. Since then, NICIL collected and kept all dividends from GT&T. Instead of putting the money into the Consolidated Fund, former Director of NICIL, Winston Brassington, kept it and treated it as NICIL’s revenues. At the end of each year, Brassington held an Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Companies Act and allocated dividends. Government, being the only shareholder in NICIL, received a portion of what Brassington treated as NICIL’s revenues. During the period 2002-2011, NICIL received $5.261 billion in dividends from the GT&T shares, or an average of $526.1 million per annum. Auditor Anand Goolsarran conducted a forensic audit into the affairs of NICIL. With regards to GTT, Goolsarran noted, among other things, that “GTT proceeds were kept in NICIL’s bank account for several years before being used on the (Marriott) hotel. Goolsarran stated this based on Brassington’s own admission. MONDAY WITH MASSIVE OIL FIND, GRANGER SEEKS URGENT SETTLEMENT OF BORDER DISPUTE Now, more than ever, Guyana has to make
swift moves to protect itself against Venezuela’s persistent claims, says President David Granger. The President says Guyana has its wealth to protect and the Government must ensure that investors in the budding oil industry feel secure with their investment. Granger said that there is reason to believe that the discovery of commercial oil is what caused Venezuela to issue its most recent decree and accompanying behaviour. ”Oil gives a main reason why the settlement is so urgent.” Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro on May 27, 2015 issued a decree, extending Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territorial waters. A map which was issued, accompanying the decree, shows that the claim includes the area where the US giant oil company, ExxonMobil has found Oil and continues to operate. ”I do not know what goes on in Mr. (Nicolas) Maduro’s (President of Venezuela) head and I am sure he now has other preoccupations, but Guyana needs to assure its half a dozen oil explorers that their investments are safe,” said Granger. ”That is one of the main reasons why the settlement of the territorial controversy is so urgent…I will like the UN (United Nations) Secretary General to take the matter to court.” Under the Geneva agreement that was signed between Guyana and Venezuela over 50 years ago, the UN Secretary General had the role of Good Officer. Granger said that he has had several engagements with Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, both face to face and via letters. The President said that on each occasion he impressed the need for the UN Head to play his role as outlined under the agreement. ”Simply because Guyana has been bleeding and it is unfair to Guyanese people to have to survive under this cloud,” said Granger. The President noted that Guyana has had its territorial waters invaded by the Venezuelan navy and continues to be subject to diplomatic harassment which caused investors to shy away. KATO SECONDARY $1B FIASCO…STUDENTS IN LIMBO AS SCHOOL WITH ‘STRUCTURAL DEFECTS’ REMAINS CLOSED The tranquil village of Kato is located in Potaro-Sipiruni, Region Eight. Nestled in between mountain ranges, rolling hills, plunging valleys and winding rivers, it is home to approximately 200 households. Its tranquility was disturbed in 2013 when construction started on the Kato Secondary School project. Kares Engineering Inc. had won the contract to construct the ultimate secondary school, but after three years the (Continued on page 33)
Sunday August 14, 2016
(From page 32) school remains closed during to structural defects. According to the Tashao of Kato, Clifton Perrieira, there are concerns about where students in Kato and the adjoining areas will go. The whole concept of building Kato Secondary had been because of overcrowding at Paramakatoi Secondary. “My concern is for the children who are supposed to be attending school and they cannot,” he said. “There are some children (in the region) and they are suffering a lot in terms of transportation, coming back to their various villages. So we were hoping that this building would open early.” Kaieteur News also spoke to Marcia Fredericks, a Kato mother of six. Her story was a despondent one, as she stated that while one of her daughters passed her grade six assessment examinations, she does not know where the child will attend school. ”I have a child that passed her grade six assessment. And they told us that the dorms over there are filled and they told us the school would be opened next year, I don’t know when. MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN NISMES CRASH, PILLION RIDER ESCAPES DEATH A 27-year-old motorcyclist was killed in an accident early Sunday on the Nismes, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Public Road while on his way home with his girlfriend, Salome Glasgow. The dead man has been identified as Timothy Assing, a father of one of Lot 4 Old Road, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Assing was killed on the spot when the driver of a route 32 mini bus, bearing registration number, BVV 2309 reportedly lost control of his vehicle and collided head-on with his motorcycle. Both rider and pillion rider were thrown off the bike. Assing’s girlfriend escaped with minor injuries while the minibus driver was detained. Reports are that the minibus collided with the motorcyclist in the wee hours of yesterday morning after the bus was seen swerving on the roadway. Eyewitnesses say that when the minibus was reportedly pulled from a nearby trench after the crash, several beer bottles rolled out of the front seat. The dead man’s brother, Samuel Assing
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said that his sibling and Glasgow were returning home from a ‘lime’ in Wales, West Bank Demerara, when the tragedy occurred. He was informed by Glasgow that they were heading north on the West Bank Demerara Public Road when they observed the speeding minibus on the opposite side of the road. ”She (Glasgow) said that he (the bus driver) driving all over the road and Timothy didn’t know what to do,” Assing said. TUESDAY MINISTRY OF HEALTH CERTIFIES UNFINISHED DRUG STORAGE BOND – AVOIDS TENDER PROCESS FOR RENTAL – SECRETLY ADVANCES $25 MILLION In a stunning case of the coalition government betraying its ideals of transparency and accountability, Minister of Health Dr. George Norton, Monday, dodged questions about a multi-year agreement which has been handed to a firearms company to store pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, the government was forced to admit that it entered into the multi-year agreement by sole-sourcing the contract, arguing that it was an emergency and that it could not go to tender because the rental space was badly needed. But more than that, the government has doled out millions of dollars for a building still under construction.
The company, Linden Holdings Inc, is yet to complete the storage bond, but it has already been paid $25 million as a security deposit. The owner of the company is one Larry Singh, who runs a firearms and ammunition store located above a restaurant and bar on Middle Street, Georgetown. When the Parliament Committee of Supply was convened to consider Financial Paper No.1/2016 to clear spending from the Contingency Fund, Minister Norton faced unrelenting questions from the Opposition PPP about the rental. Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill first asked the Minister to name the company and its principals. It was at this point that Minister began to stutter and to dodge the questions. Minister Norton could not state the name of the owners of the rental company, nor could he provide an address of the storage bond to the Committee. In a confusing twist of events, Monday, in Parliament, Minister Norton said that while the company is named Linden Hold-
ing Inc, it’s address was in fact not anywhere in Linden, but 176 Middle Street, Georgetown. But the storage bond is actually not at that location. The storage bond is located at 29 Sussex Street, Charlestown, the Minister said. Kaieteur News observed that the inside of the proposed storage bond is still being designed to accommodate the pharmaceutical drugs. Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill, asked if the bond was a specialized facility to store the drugs. The Minister responded in the affirmative, going as far as saying that it was according to standards set out by the United Nations health arm – PAHO/WHO. Questioned by Opposition Parliamentarian, Dr. Frank Anthony, about whether there was a certificate from PAHO/WHO, Minister Norton quipped that PAHO/WHO is not a certifying agency. Mr Anthony then wanted to know who then was the certifying body. Minister Norton then acknowledged (Continued on page 34)
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Kaieteur News
(From page 33) that it was his own Ministry, and not an external agency, that was the certifying body. GOLD, QUARRYING FUEL ECONOMIC GROWTH …BUT AGRICULTURE SECTOR SHRINKS BY 10 PERCENT - MINISTER JORDAN Guyana’s economy grew by two percent in the first half of 2016, with astronomical performances from the gold industry accounting for the increase. While there is overall good news for the economy, the agriculture sector has shrunk over the same period. This is according to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who reported on the contents of the 2016 Half Year Report on how Guyana’s economy has performed during a press conference. The report was also laid in the National Assembly Monday. ”This very good performance was attributed largely to growth in the mining and quarrying sector. That sector grew by 65.7 percent, (from June 2015 to June 2016). Gold increased, half year to half year, by 94.3 percent.” ”Bauxite increased by 2.9 percent. Other growth poles were other crops, which grew by two percent, Livestock by eight percent and fisheries by 2.1 percent.” Jordan compared the two percent growth rate to the corresponding period last year. At the time a 0.9 percent growth rate had been recorded. However, Jordan revealed that Guyana’s agriculture sector contracted by 10 percent, during the period January to June 2016 when compared to the same period last year. He stated that this was because of the shortfall in sugar production. Jordan re-
vealed that this has caused a domino effect on the manufacturing sector. ”Sugar was down 30 percent, rice down 26.2 percent. Forestry was down 13.1 percent. As a result of these critical areas, rice and sugar the manufacturing sector contracted by 14.1 percent, because these two sectors dominate the manufacturing sector.” Notwithstanding this, Jordan insisted that the outlook was still good. He noted that with the projected returns from gold (650,000 ounces), the negative returns from sugar and rice ought to be offset. WOMAN DELIVERS TWINS IN MID-AIR A doctor and pilot had their hands filled Monday morning when a woman, on board a flight from Mahdia to Georgetown, delivered twins in mid-air. This occurred
Sunday August 14, 2016
on an aircraft belongi n g t o R o r a i m a A i rways. The woman, 33-yearold Melinda Fraites went to the Mahdia Hospital after experiencing labour pain but was eventually transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), when her blood pressure started to fluctuate. Accompanied by a d o c t o r, F r a i t e s w a s placed on a flight to the city. However, her twin babies—a boy and girl couldn’t wait any longer. They had to be delivered by the doctor at 8,000 feet in the air. At the hospital Monday, Fraites was given medication and urged to rest since her blood pressure was still high. Her babies were in the incubator and are said to be “stable.” She has one older child. WEDNESDAY CONTROVERSIAL PARKING METER PROJECT ON HOLD The Parking Meter project which was slated to commence on September 1 this year, has been put on pause to give elbow room for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to consider the recommendations put forward by the government. This was revealed by the Mayor of the City of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green during the Council’s Weekly Statutory Meeting held at City Hall on Monday last. It was reported that during the meeting, Councillors were given packages containing the review and the recommendations put forward by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Mayor Chase-Green, stressed that the contract is legal and stated that the Town Clerk will arrange a ‘special’ Council Meeting to review the report and to look at the way forward for the project. She told the media that there will be no launching on September 1, 2016 – a decision that was agreed upon – because there is some work that needs to be done. HEALTH MINISTRY’S DRUG BOND FIASCO… GOVT. ENGAGED IN BLATANT ABUSE OF CONTINGENCIES FUND –FORMER AUDITOR GENERAL Government’s advancement of $25M for an unfinished security bond for the storage of drugs and other pharmaceuticals represents a clear case of abuse of the Contingencies Fund. This is according to former Auditor General (AG), Dr. Anand Goolsarran. The Chartered Accountant made it clear that advances should only be made from the Fund when the matter is urgent, unforeseen, cannot be postponed without jeopardizing the public interest, and no other provision has been made for it. Elaborating further, Goolsarran said that he made a number of observations regarding Financial Paper One that was laid in the National Assembly on Thursday last. That Paper detailed advancements made by the Government from the
Contingencies Fund. The Former Auditor General said that there was significant under-budgeting by the Government. ”Having realized this, the logical course of action should have been to request from Parliament a supplementary estimate. This means that you would have required the approval of the House before spending, and this money would have been taken from the Consolidated Fund. Instead, the Government chose to access the Contingencies Fund to meet the shortfall.” US$5.7M SETTLEMENT WITH BK… GOVT. SETTLED BECAUSE OF FEAR OF LOSING APPEAL – BULKAN Sparks flew in the National Assembly on Monday, as former Attorney General Anil Nandlall took his successor Basil Williams to task for the recent settlement that government made with the joint venture group – BK International and Puran Brothers Disposal. This was in relation to the group’s management of the Haags Bosch Landfill site. The out-of-court settlement was made by government with BK International. BK’s contract to manage the dumpsite was terminated last year, resulting in the contractor’s move to the court. A total of $1.1B will be paid in three parts. Government on Monday sought supplementary money from the National Assembly for the second tranche of payment for BK which will cost some $501M. Nandlall, who was the Attorney General at the time the contract was cancelled, questioned Government’s decision to “just give up” and in the process agree to a billion-dollar payout. He pointed out that after filing an appeal, the government then agreed to “compensate” BK with some $1.1B (US$5.7M) from the state’s coffers, without even waiting for the verdict of the appeal. In view of this, he also queried whether Williams was the defender of the state or the defender of Brian Tiwarie, owner of BK International. However, Williams defended himself against the onslaught, pointing to “the mess” left by the PPP. He stated that because of the coalition’s experience with the Rudisa Beverage Company, a decision was taken to settle with BK. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan also rose to defend the decision to settle. Describing it as a fresh approach to allow for better waste management initiatives, Bulkan stated that ending the contract and having a responsible operator for the site were the main considerations in settling. “It was felt that had we gone the latter (to hear the appeal), the sum to be paid would have been greater. Secondly, it was to free the site of the encumbrance that was there, which is the contract that was in place.” THURSDAY MINER SHOOTS WIFE IN MOUTH, KILLS SELF A 73-year-old gold miner shot his 42 yearold reputed wife in her mouth Wednesday night before turning the gun on himself at their Lot 24 North Road, Georgetown home, located several doors east of the popular Baroombar. The incident occurred just about 19:30 hrs. The injured woman has been identified as Sarojni Warnauth, while the dead man has been identified as Theodore Adams (Continued on page 35)
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closed that the utility company has recovered some $1.8 Billion from outstanding debts since the change of its administration, 10 months ago. Dr. Van-West Charles said that GWI has embarked on debt collection through “an intensive programme of disconnection”. He noted that the disconnection of defaulters coupled with the “discovery of people who are getting water by nefarious means” has largely contributed to the recovery of the billion-dollar sum. He issued a warning to would-be defaulters and said “we want to say to those entities that are using water illegally that it is time you recognise that we have an aggressive programme going on.” FRIDAY NO PAST, CURRENT OR FUTURE PRESIDENT WILL ENJOY IMMUNITY FROM SARA INVESTIGATIONS – DR. THOMAS
(From page 34) called ‘Totie’. Warnauth underwent emergency surgery at a private hospital. The bullet was said to be lodged in her throat. According to information received, Adams and his wife had an argument when he picked up the gun and shot her to the face, in the presence of her 10-year-old daughter. The woman and her daughter somehow managed to run and lock themselves in a bedroom, before escaping through a window. They were rescued by nearby residents and rushed to the hospital. The gold miner reportedly shot himself just under his right ear minutes after the woman escaped from the house. The man’s licenced firearm was discovered at the scene. HEALTH MINISTRY’S DRUG BOND FIASCO…PPP TO TAKE MINISTER BEFORE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE FOR “LYING TO PARLIAMENT” Tweaking the facts seems to have landed Minister of Public Health; Dr. George Norton, in hot water. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be moving a motion to have Norton taken before the Committee of Privileges, when Parliament comes out of recess in October. This was disclosed by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press con-
ference at the party’s headquarters Wednesday. Jagdeo announced that this step will be taken because the Minister lied to the National Assembly on Monday while defending sole sourcing a contractor to provide drug storage space in an unfinished bond. A sum of $25M has already been advanced to the company, Linden Holding Company, as a security deposit. In addition, Government will be paying $12.5M per month. On Monday, Norton had claimed that this decision was partly taken because a $19.2M rental fee had been paid to New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) in the past for drug storage and this fee was deemed too costly. According to Jagdeo, however, this is a blatant lie, as there was never a rental agreement whereby New GPC, the sole provider of drugs to the state for years under the PPP, was paid for storage. He also blasted Norton for saying that pharmaceuticals are currently being stored in the bond, and listed this as another reason for the motion. GWI RECOVERS $1.8B IN 10 MONTHS FROM OUTSTANDING DEBTS At a press conference held by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Wednesday, Chief Executive, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles dis-
If an official is found to be stealing assets from the state, then rest assured that he or she would be investigated by the soon to be formalized State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA). And this is regardless of the office or status held by the individual. This was made pellucid Thursday during a public consultation process on SARA’s draft legislation which was held at the Pegasus Hotel. The event attracted numerous legal luminaries inclusive of Chief Justice (ag), Madame Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Madame Justice Roxanne George, head of Guyana’s Bar Association, Attorney-atLaw, Gem Sanford-Johnson and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar-Ali-Hack. Also present were Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, members of the Banking Association, Head of the Human Rights Association, Mike McCormack and members of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. During the consultation, a number of serious concerns regarding the Bill were raised. This newspaper particularly questioned how the Bill proposes to deal with the issue of officials who enjoy a certain level of immunity, but are fingered in corrupt acts. The SARU Head said, “In order to bring an end to this, we cannot say that it is okay for some officials to steal what belongs to the state and for others to be placed before the courts when they do it.” He continued, “And that is why I am saying that no one would be given a free pass. Regardless of whether you were a former cabinet member or a present one, a past president or current, there is just no way you could enjoy some immunity from investigations once you are found stealing the state’s assets.” HEALTH BOND FIASCO… SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MINISTER PUBLICLY APOLOGISE– TROTMAN Following the ap-
pointment of the Cabinet Sub-Committee to probe the controversial medical supplies bond and the related contract, the Chairman of that committee, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, has completed his report, and will soon be presenting it to President Granger. Trotman told media operatives during the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing Thursday morning at the Ministry of the Presidency, that it has been recommend that the Ministe r o f P u b l i c H e a l t h , D r. G e o rg e Norton, offer a public apology over statements that he made in the National Assembly last Monday about the payment for services of the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) and about the new storage bond already being in operation. Previous reports have indicated that the Minister misled the National Assembly, and by extension, the nation, since this publication was able to ascertain that no drugs or pharmaceutical supplies were being stored in the bond. ”We are recommending that in view of the statements made by the honourable Minister of Public Health and based on his explanations – which we have accepted, that he gives perhaps, a public apology, and to explain that his statements were in the context of the advice he had received, and we are advising that the press be given all relevant documents, including correspondence between the Government of Guyana and New GPC Inc; copies of the lease and photographs that we have,” Trotman stated. Minister Trotman had 48 hours to compile the report with the help from the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. A review of the contract was one of the recommendations made in the report, Trotman disclosed Thursday. REINSTATEMENT OF GPHC’S CEO…KHAN TO REMAIN ON JOB UNTIL MATTER RESOLVED AG TO MEDIATE BETWEEN MINISTER AND BOARD A mediator has been appointed by Cabinet to intervene in the discord between Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) regarding the reinstatement of Michael Khan as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The appointed mediator is Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams. At Thursday’s post Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that (Continued on page 36)
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(From page 35) “Cabinet received a report from the Honourable Minister of Public Health on the state of affairs at the Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown.” According to Harmon, “among the issues raised in the report were the relationships between the subject Minister and the Board of Directors of the Corporation.” He noted that the decision of the Board of Directors to reinstate the CEO of the hospital has gained the attention of Cabinet. And Harmon noted Thursday that “Cabinet, having deliberated on the matter, appointed the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister (Basil Williams) as mediator to inquire in all the issues raised in the report.” Williams is also tasked with making recommendations to Cabinet which will allow for a resolution within one week, Harmon said. This publication also understands that currently Khan is abiding by the decision of the Board to remain on the job pending Cabinet’s resolution. FIVE ARRESTED AS GEA SEIZES ILLEGAL FUEL Officials of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) on Tuesday intercepted and seized almost 300 barrels of illegal fuel, believed to have been transported from neighbouring Venezuela. The illegal fuel bust took place at Airy Hall, on the Essequibo Coast. Acting on information, an official from GEA was alerted to the unlawful activity. On investigating he found five men in the boat where the fuel was housed. They were questioned, then arrested. The boat was later seized and transported to a GEA compound. The fuel was removed from the boat. The boat with the illegal fuel belongs to an Essequibo businessman who sells domestic gas, gasoline, kerosene and other petroleum and hardware products. The men who were arrested were attempting to conceal the illegal fuel at a bond at Golden Fleece that belongs to the businessman in question. Upon learning of the incident, liaison to the Prime Minister’s office, Karan Chand and coordinator of Agriculture in Region Two, Naith Ram, visited the scene on Wednesday and managed to unearth information relating to the incident. Chand stated that the operation was illegal and steps must be put in place in order
to avoidarepeat.Thepolicewereinformed,butmembers of GEA are also conducting investigations. SATURDAY US FULLY SUPPORTS STATE ASSET RECOVERY CONCEPT Consultations on the draft legislation for the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) recently received unequivocal support from several of Guyana’s international partners. Specifically, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway told a gathering on Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel that he is extremely pleased that the nation is taking this important step. In his opening remarks, the diplomat congratulated all those who played a part in getting the Bill to its final stage and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Office of the Attorney General in hosting the consultations. Regardless of one’s religious or cultural beliefs, the envoy asserted, it is agreed by all
that the rule of law is necessary for the prosperity and safety of any nation. With this understanding in mind, he said that the consultation process on the draft legislation is the product of a democratic government. He said that in a society where democracy rules, new laws that are being considered would engage all stakeholders in the process. Holloway said that the United States fully supports the concept of a State Asset Recovery Law, and such a Bill will better enable Guyana to deal with corruption “whether it is by past, current or future perpetrators against the state and its assets.” NORTON DELIVERS GRAVE BLOW TO GOVT.’S ACCOUNTABILITY IMAGE WITH CROOKISH BEHAVIOUR – CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT The image of a new type of Government that would actually adhere to the principles of accountability and transparency is what the APNU+AFC painted before the citizenry during the May 11, election campaign season. But the recent revelations that the Public
Health Minister, Dr. George Norton misled the nation on what appears to be an extremely shady deal has essentially stained the “clean accountability image” of the administration. This is the assertion of Chartered Accountant, Sasenarine Singh. In an interview with this newspaper, the columnist said that the Health Minister has, by his very actions, tainted his reputation beyond repair and has delivered a grave blow to the Government’s image with his crookish behaviour. Singh said that it is unthinkable that Dr. Norton would entrust $25M in tax dollars to a man for his warehouse in Sussex Street and it is not even completed. The Chartered Accountant said that what is even worse is that the contracted company for the drug bond, Linden Holding Incorporated, has no experience in the storage of drugs. Singh said the fact that Norton actually avoided the tendering process and steered the contract into the hands of a particular company, clearly shows that the deal reeks of “a kickback scheme”. He insists that the Public Health Minister simply cannot be trusted anymore if this is the manner in which he chose to operate with the nation’s moneys.
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Kaieteur News
The Importance of Monitoring and Evaluation By Kiana Wilburg
Governments are increasingly being called upon to demonstrate results. It is expected of them to show that they are making a real difference to the lives of their people and that value for money has been delivered. Citizens are no longer solely interested in the administration of laws but also in the services that are rendered. Critically, they are more than ever interested in outcomes, like the performance of the economy and the creation of jobs. In this regard, the Government of Guyana has recognized that to ensure that tangible results are achieved, the way that it monitors, evaluates and reports on its policies, projects and programmes, is crucial. This was acknowledged recently by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan as he addressed a workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). Jordan was delighted to be delivering remarks at this Monitoring and Evaluation Training Workshop. He recalled that in the 2015 Budget Speech to the National Assembly, and, as previously stated by His Excellency President Granger, under this Government, emphasis will be placed on building a robust public sector that places a premium on transparency and reporting for greater accountability and good governance. The economist noted that while Monitoring and Evaluation is a relatively new management tool to Guyana, it has been recognized across the globe, in both developed and developing countries, as one of the most essential elements in ensuring effective public financial management. As a country with limited financial resources, he said that the need to ensure value for money, through targeted and effective programming, becomes paramount. Jordan said that it is the commitment of his Administration to ensure that M&E is institutionalized across the central government. He said that throughout his own career, spanning over 30 years in public finance and related areas, he has always been and will continue to support all tools that allow for more effective public finance management. The Minister of Finance articulated, “I understand that this is the 18th and 19th cohorts of public servants being trained in key concepts in M&E. I know that changing what is known as ‘the public service culture’ will take time.” Jordan continued, “However, those who know me, know how impatient I am with getting results. Therefore, in the pilot agencies - Health and Education - (which together account for nearly one-third of the 2016 Budget), as well as the other agencies that have already been exposed, I will be looking for sector-wide adoption of the tools acquired.” He added, “I intend to not only champion the utility of M&E under this Administration, but also to advance this line with my Cabinet colleagues and all Ministers. For you, and the almost 900 public servants at the workshop, I urge that a special session be arranged and devoted to showcasing the changes you have been able to make in the institutions and programmes that you represent, as a result of exposure to this training.” Furthermore, the economist said that his administration has pledged greater accountability and transparency to the people of this country, and intends to ensure that we deliver on these promises. The Finance Minister said that the population deserves no less. He emphasized that people must enjoy well delivered services for the taxes that they pay. He said, too, that it is the job of public servants to ensure they
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan
serve creditably and effectively. Jordan noted that there may be missteps along the way, but it should never be in doubt, as Government intends to uphold the highest tenets of good governance and open government. He recalled also that during his 2015 Budget, he addressed issues of strengthened public administration, in which he emphasised the need for faster, smarter and more effective systems. Jordan said that to make this a reality, it will depend on the public servants to change the way they work and deliver services to the public. He explained, “For example, I have already tasked one of the key institutions under my remit, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), to become less desk-bound in their approach to tax collection and to go out and collect the taxes from those noncompliant individuals and companies, in order to effectively discharge their responsibility as a Revenue Authority.” The Finance Minister asserted that the Government intends to be evidence-driven in its decision-making and policy development, strategic in its thinking and planning and, importantly, data-driven in its actions. In respect to the latter, Jordan revealed that Government has taken immediate action already to ensure that the Bureau of Statistics can execute one of its mandates of making reliable data available to the population to drive informed policy development and decisionmaking. He said that the words “I think” and “I feel” have no place in guiding policy implementation. The economist said, “We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result; implementing programmes without data and evidence is simply shooting in the dark. In other words, wasting resources.” He continued, “We need to stop guessing and become analytical as officers responsible for delivering services to the public; we need to be informed about our target group and design policies and programmes to address the needs of the public in practical and effective ways. When you provide advice to your seniors and supervisors and policy makers, it must be data-driven.” The Finance Minister emphasized that Monitoring and Evaluation must be viewed within the wider context of results-based management, and within the national context; good governance and accountability will guide the outputs and outcomes of Budget Agencies. He noted that the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) of 2003 speaks of CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
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Let us not be distracted … From page 28 Each of these goals is further broken down into a set of very specific, targeted and time-bound objectives and we are committed to these targets. In addition, we fully intend to prioritize the development and improvement of infrastructure in order to make our economy more attractive and more competitive. This includes our national transportation network such as roads, aerodromes, bridges and ports; our energy infrastructure; our information and communication technology infrastructure; and our sea defense. This is the platform on which Guyana will become a model for sustainable economic development, and this is the model that our government is asking you to believe in and to invest in, because the private sector is an important stakeholder in Guyana’s economy. But as a government we cannot expect you to invest in a vision, even if it is a shared vision, unless you are confident that we know what we are doing and we have solutions to the problems you face. Even though our economy is not in crisis, the indicators do reveal several areas in which a lot of work needs to be done if we are to encourage investors, local and foreign. Those areas
include: * Reforming the taxation regime * Revamping the Customs logistical process for importing and exporting goods * Improving electricity services from application to supply to charges The Ministry of Business is currently working with a team from the World Bank on a programme to tackle the indicators laid out in the “Doing Business” Report. Legal and ICT consultants were recently engaged to identify the legislative requirements through which we could better regulate and protect our businesses, and the ICT deficiencies that need to be corrected to allow government to provide better services for businesses. We are also working on developing an electronic trade facilitation system for processing in one transaction, all imports and exports, licenses and permits. It’s called the Single Window Automatic Processing System (SWAPS). The business associations have been calling for this system for many years now and we intend to fast track this acquisition. A lot of money will have to be spent and none of it will happen overnight, but we will see these reforms through, because we know that these are the things needed to transform our country.
Guyana has been receiving a lot of attention since the 2015 announcement by ExxonMobil of the find of large quantities of hydrocarbons in our EEZ. Companies and individuals from around the world are now giving us a closer look. When oil flows, money flows and everyone wants to participate. We welcome the attention and the benefits. Word gets around about the experiences of international companies in different countries and we must all bear that in mind. Our private sector needs to make the necessary preparations for increased economic activities even before oil production. We cannot sit back and expect to benefit from what will happen. I urge you to learn fast about how the oil industry works and what the demands of an offshore oil industry are likely to be. While the prospect of Guyana becoming an oil producing nation is certainly an enticing one, the benefits could be illusionary if we allow ourselves to be misled into believing that this will automatically transform our economy and provide the good life to all of us. Let us not be distracted from pursuing our own vision for Guyana’s economic development because it is that vision that will show us the ways to maximizing the benefits.
From page 45 the Programme Performance Statements being submitted by the Budget Agencies. Jordan said, “If you are part of Government, then please ensure that you read and internalise at least this section of the Act. I am aware that many of you join the public service and never make an effort to become familiar with the FMAA. This has to change.”
Going forward, he said that the Ministry of Finance will be looking to expand its actions in the area of M&E. He said that these will include finalizing and disseminating the national policies to guide the conduct of monitoring and evaluation across central government, thereby ensuring standardization in the conduct of M&E functions; adequately staffing the core
M&E unit at Ministry and the focal points at the sector ministries to ensure effective implementation and roll-out of the plan; and expanding training in M&E beyond the basic level to intermediate and advanced levels. In short, he said that it is all geared towards firmly institutionalizing the culture of M&E across all Government funded programmes and projects.
The Importance of Monitoring and Evaluation
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NAREI aiming to increase breadfruit population locally
Permanent Secretary George Jervis, Dr Oudho Homenauth and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder
The National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) recently acquired over 1,000 breadfruit seedlings to increase the plant production locally. This is in keeping with government’s agenda of creating a green economy, says Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer of NAREI. Dr. Homenauth, during an interview with the Government Information Agency, on Thursday, revealed that the Institute will be expanding its operations at Bartica, Region Seven to include at least 30 acres of
breadfruit plantation. Further, seedlings would also be distributed to farmers. The seedlings are being housed at NAREI’s Nursery situated at Mon Repos, ECD. Dr. Homenauth related that on Wednesday, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and Permanent Secretary, George Jervis during a visit to NAREI inspected the seedlings and were updated on the progress of the project. The acquisition of the different varieties of breadfruit seedlings is a direct result of a call made by President David Granger at last year’s National Tree Day
in Bartica, Dr. Homenauth reflected. He noted that the President has been encouraging persons to venture into the agricultural sector to promote entrepreneurship. Breadfruit, which is preferred to be consumed as chips or ‘boil and fry’ by most Guyanese, could be an alternative to plantain chips. There are a small number of enterprises that are processing breadfruit into flour. According to Dr. Homenauth, in Guyana, breadfruit is grown on a small scale, mainly by farmers or
From page 8 and address of the donor, the description and approximate value of the gift and the official’s opinion on whether the gift is personal or a state gift. The commission can determine whether the official can retain the gift or deliver the gift to the Minister of Finance. Penalties for noncompliance with this section of the Act relating to gifts include a fine equivalent to or
more than the value of the gift and imprisonment for three months. A Code of Conduct is also being formulated, which according to Nagamootoo, will be merged with the Integrity Act. Included in the code are provisions that public officials should desist from accepting lavish or frequent entertainment from persons with whom government may have had
official business. This grouping includes suppliers and contractors, or recipients of resources or job assignments from the state. Having these accountability measures in place will be a crucial test for the coalition, as having public officials held accountable for their conduct had been one of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change’s campaign promises.
Fully functioning Integrity Commission...
residents for personal consumption. The limited availability of planting materials, access to market, land, flooding, and little knowledge on how to cultivate this crop are all factors that affect the production of breadfruit locally. He added that breadfruit is primarily grown in a mixed cropping system. The average age of the crop is 20 years. It is found predominantly in the Pomeroon River (Region Two); Haslington and Victoria (Region Four), No.7 and Ithaca (Region Five); Bartica (Region Seven); and Linden (Region 10). He noted that already government in partnership with the private sector is promoting the use of breadfruit. These efforts are being made within communities, schools, etc. Some of these efforts are: The Carnegie School of
Home Economics in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had embarked on a workshop aimed at highlighting the benefits of breadfruit. The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) promoted breadfruit as a main dish at the 174th Emancipation celebration and highlighted the benefits of the said fruit. During Linden Town Day, different dishes made by breadfruit were presented by students. Planting materials for breadfruit are not readily
available owing to the botanical characteristics of the crop and the lack of knowledge to propagate it. Currently, efforts are being made by NAREI to educate farmers and to provide planting materials. There are various advantages presently for farmers interested in the cultivation of Breadfruit. Through intervention by the government, Farmers will be able to access planting materials and have the support of NAREI. Currently there is a demand for breadfruit locally for processing.
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Domestic violence victim continues...
Shareema Khan
From page 16 profusely. “She was crying, so right away I know it was something serious and I rushed home. When I go, I saw two relatives hoisting my wife to put her in the car, and I rush upstairs and bring down my stepdaughter,” the man recounted. While Ibrahim could not say what caused the attack,
he said that he was informed that his stepdaughter, (Khan) and her estranged partner had an argument sometime back, during which time he had threatened her. “He (suspect) walked out and left his girl when she was pregnant. He didn’t want the child; he said that the child was not his, so she moved back with us and we say we will take care of the baby. The
child is now one year old,” the man said. He added that although the suspect refused to financially support the child, he would still go to their home to visit the baby. “He always going there and molesting her (Khan) and his family also disown this baby.” Khan has three children. Harrinarine was the father of the smallest.
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Standard for road tanker wagons available The National Standard ”Requirements for the transport of petroleum and petroleum products by road tanker wagons” – GYS 512:2016 has been recently developed by the Technical Committee – Mechanical Engineering of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). This standard is a pursuant to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Regulations and it applies to the transport of petroleum and petroleum products by road tanker wagons licensed by the GEA. The standard defines a road tanker wagon (RTW) as a composite unit consisting of a propelling motor and cab together with one or more tanks fixed to a chassis such that bulk transportation of petroleum can be done. Petroleum and petroleum products include petrol, diesel, bunker-C and any other heavy oils, liquefied gas, petroleum gas, aviation fuel, kerosene and any other hydrocarbon-based fuel source of product of the petroleum refining process, whether in liquid or gaseous form. In Guyana, although tanker wagons transport many of the above products on our roadways daily, they are usually associated with the transport of gasoline, diesel and kerosene from the main bulk fuel terminals to gas-stations countrywide. These tankers are either owned by the main distributors of fuel or by
private fuel dealers, including owners of gas-stations. In the standard, the construction of a road tanker wagon is specified, focusing on aspects such as brakes, tanks, fifth wheel assembly, outlets and valves, joints, pressure relief system and vapour recovery. To be classified as fit for purpose, these construction requirements must be met. For verification, the standard states that all road tanker wagons shall be verified (or calibrated) by the GNBS, such that the minimum and maximum carrying volumes are established, in order to ensure that the declared carrying volume is within the said range. Further, where the tanker wagon is equipped with discharge meters, these shall also be verified by the Bureau. It is important to note that the verification of a tanker wagon is conducted biennially (every two years). However, in the second year, prior to the acquisition of a license to operate from the GEA an inspection is conducted by the GNBS and a certificate is issued. This inspection is done to ensure that the tanker wagon is maintaining all requirements. Meanwhile, the standard also requires that inspections and retesting be carried out by the GNBS prior to further use, if the tanker shows evidence of dents, corrosion or leakages which may render it unsafe; the tank has been in an accident, it has been out
of operations for more than a year or safety measures have not been exercised in the use of the tanker wagon. Internal inspection, lining inspection, pressure, leakage and thickness test requirements are all included in the standard. To ensure safety on the roadways during the use of a tanker wagon, the standards provide general safety requirements, and information on the design that is appropriate to reduce accidental damage. It also list appurtenance relating to safety including fire extinguishers, warming signs, placards, and lighting. In addition, because of the flammable nature of products being transported by such a vehicle, onloading, off-loading, first aid and firefighting training shall be administered to person(s) using a tanker wagon. Further, the standard requires that they also have a contingency plan. In order to meet the requirements of this standard and to reduce the possibility of verification and inspection failure, owners of tanker wagons are encouraged to acquire a copy of this standard and familiarized themselves with the requirements therein. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190062, 219-0065, and 2190066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or facebook/gnbsgy
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NDCs have been delinquent in submitting work programmes- Minister Bulkan There are concerns about why work is not proceeding apace in some Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). However, the answer to why this is occurring is actually quite straightforward. According to Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, many of the NDCs have been delinquent in submitting work plans for projects in their communities. This, Bulkan stated, is the principal reason for works not being executed. “The budgetary allocations for the 2016 budget… well, once parliament votes on it, they are all available for the regions to access,” Bulkan said in a recent interview. “There is the tender procedure, which is proceeding unimpeded.” “The capital budget for the NDCs… they have to submit a programme. And some of them have been delinquent in submitting their programmes. So once we are
(PPP) had claimed that subventions were deliberately being withheld due to politics. PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee had argued that NDCs needed funds for cleaning trenches, works on community roads, environmental sanitation, maintenance and other civil works. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrel, had recently said that once plans are approved by the Ministry, subventions would be released. He had explained Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan
in receipt of the proposed works, we respect the authority of the council.” “That’s the whole idea of local government elections and local democracy. You know what the priority for your area is. The central government is providing funding, and then there is a
safeguard mechanism, so there are records to say (you) submitted to do this bridge or do this road. It helps bring accountability to the system.” In order for the release of subventions, NDCs are required to submit work plans. In recent times the People’s Progressive Party
that once the work programmes comply with the statutory guidelines established by the ministry, approval will be granted and the local bodies would receive 50 per cent of their subvention. The remaining 50 per cent, McGarrel had further indicated, would be released once more than 70 per cent of the work programme had been completed. With regards to Rohee’s allegations, McGarrel emphasised that no particular group of NDCs is being singled out or victimized.
The Local Government Elections held last March had resulted in ties in six Local Authority Areas – the proposed town of Mabaruma and five (NDCs, namely Woodlands/Bel Air, Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen, Gibraltar/ Fyrish, Industry/Plaisance and Woodlands/Farm. The Minister of Communities had made appointments of a Mayor for Mabaruma and chairpersons for the NDCs. A Mayor had even been sworn in, but after the intervention of the PPP, the High Court had quashed the appointments.
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Antigua rolls out new sensitisation programme ahead of CCJ vote ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) —Antigua and Barbuda says it has adopted a three-month programme aimed at re-energising the public education campaign ahead of the referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) following the carnival activities. The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) said it has worked with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in adopting the three-month programme. “We did not want to compete with the 60th Carnival as we felt it was an important rendition of our summer festival. Instead, we decided to intensify our activities immediately after the festivities. This second phase of our campaign will be all-inclusive and broad-based, as we shall not leave any stone unturned,” said NCC
Chairman Ambassador Dr Clarence Henry. Earlier this year, Antigua and Barbuda launched the public education programme as the country is to decide whether to retain the Londonbased Privy Council as its final court or have it replaced by the Trinidad-based CCJ, which was established in 2001. The CCJ, which also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement, also has an Original and Appellate jurisdiction. But while many of the Caribbean Community countries have signed on to the original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana are signatories to the appellate jurisdiction. Henry described the new programme as “quite
comprehensive” and will include town-hall meetings, visits to Barbuda, radio and television appearances, newspaper articles as well as the launch of the NCC website. “It is important for us to engage the stakeholders and the general public as it is crucial that this sensitisation/ public education campaign is intensified. We are encouraging all registered electors to participate. “Accordingly, we will return to the airwaves, begin in earnest the town hall meetings as part of an active road-show covering the length and breadth of Antigua and Barbuda,” he added. The NCC chairman said the exercise is a necessary step ahead of the referendum and is urging the general population to ensure that they are informed of the issues surrounding the CCJ.
Court upholds Venezuela opposition leader’s 14-year sentence
Caracas (AFP) - A Venezuelan court upheld the 14-year sentence of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez last Friday, in a move likely to increase tension in the crisis-hit South American country. Lopez has repeatedly declared himself innocent of the charge of inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014, calling himself a political prisoner. “This is certainly a political trial. Unfortunately, the government’s interest takes priority over the justice system,” Lopez’s lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez told AFP. “They upheld his sentence under the same terms,” Gutierrez said, referring to the 14-year sentence. A 45-year-old USeducated economist, Lopez was arrested in February 2014 amid a wave of pro- and anti-
Sunday August 14, 2016
Venezuela turns to the ‘Jesus Christ of economics’ for salvation
CARACAS, Venezuela — As Venezuela grapples with an economic and political meltdown, President Nicolas Maduro has turned for guidance to an obscure Marxist professor from Spain, who the president describes as ‘the Jesus Christ of economics’. Officials in the ruling party told The Wall Street Journal that the economist, Alfredo Serrano, has pushed for more state controls on manufacturing and food supply (as opposed to pursuing more orthodox methods like freeing the currency), and that has “largely shaped the president’s response to the country’s economic crisis.” Maduro also plans to ‘talk up’ the price of oil to $70, a result that could seemingly only be achieved with divine intervention in the face of increasing global production and falling demand. He is reportedly calling oil ministers in OPEC and nonOPEC countries to talk about cutting production, while Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran have reported near record output over the past several months. Venezuela’s oil production, on the other hand, has been declining for years, falling from 3.3 million barrels a day in 1997 to about
Nicolas Maduro
1.9 million barrels a day in 2016. While Venezuela holds the world’s largest known oil reserves, it cannot afford to produce the oil it needs to sell in an economy that has plunged into a deep recession and fast running out of cash even to feed its own citizens or keep the lights on in its major cities. Venezuela is the world’s
worst-performing economy this year. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank estimate that the country’s gross domestic product will shrink by about 10% in 2016. And the IMF recently forecast that consumer-price inflation could hit 480% this year and climb to a mind-blowing 1,640% in 2017. (Caribbean News)
excess of 23 weeks of imports. EPOC says it expects IMF staff review of the 13th quarter which is currently being done to conclude with a positive recommendation to the IMF Board. However, it has pointed to three main challenges. Among them is what it says is the challenge to fund the further reduction in the Personal Income Tax threshold without disrupting the primary surplus generation or investor and consumer confidence with punitive taxes. According to the committee, the tax break is to
cost an additional $16 billion starting in April next year. For this fiscal year, the government imposed more than $13 billion in taxes to fill the gap left by the tax break. The first phase took effect last month with the second leg to be implemented next year April. EPOC has also identified challenges with regard to reducing the ratio of debt to gross domestic product to an acceptable level as well as public sector reform to free up $20 billion for investment in infrast r u c t u r e .
Jamaica To Pass 13th IMF Test, But Tax Break Listed Among Major Challenges
Leopoldo Lopez
government protests that swept Venezuela and left 43 people dead. The gover n m e n t accused Lopez, one of leftist President Nicolas Maduro’s most hardline opponents, of inciting the violence. His sentence, handed
down in September after a closed-door trial, was strongly condemned by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union. During his 12-hour July appeals hearing, Lopez once again declared himself innocent.
The Gleaner - The committee monitoring Jamaica’s programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says while key indicators are pointing in the right direction, finding money to fund the tax break programme is a major challenge. In its latest communiqué, the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) said, among other things, that the primary surplus target is being met while Net International Reserves is in
$30M student loan ‘stress’ Daily Nation - Student Revolving Loan defaulters owe approximately $30 million. Maintaining that the Student Revolving Loan was not broke, Minister of Education Ronald Jones admitted that the Government-run system was “stressed” as he held a press conference Friday to announce the Barbados Scholarship and Exhibition winners. “Yes, the Student Revolving Loan Fund is under some stress,” he said. “That stress has been precipitated by those persons who owe Student Revolving not meeting their commitments, and as well we’ve had in the last three years substantial demand,” he explained.
Sunday August 14, 2016
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Thousands return to Manbij after IS militants flee city
Children flash victory signs as they play in Manbij. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Reuters - Thousands of displaced residents streamed back into the northern Syrian town of Manbij yesterday after U.S.-backed fighters ousted the last Islamic State militants from their former stronghold, residents and U.S. allies said. The U.S.-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Friday they had seized full control of the city near the Turkish border after the departure of the last of the militants, who had been using civilians as human shields.
Hundreds of cars and vehicles carrying families and their belongings flocked into the city from makeshift camps and villages in the countryside, where many of the city’s residents took shelter during the two-month campaign, according to an SDF official and relatives who were in contact with residents. “Thousands are coming back and shops are opening. Today is the first day life is returning to normal,” said Sharfan Darwish, spokesman for the SDF-allied Manbij Military Council told Reuters
from the city, adding they were working to restore basic services. Pro-SDF news sites showed jubilant families who had been trapped in the city during the fighting talking about how harsh life was under Islamic State and its imposition of strict dress codes in public. Their footage showed men shaving their beards and veiled women setting fire to niqabs they were forced to wear in public that covered their entire face apart from the eyes.
Reuters - Mali, one of the world’s poorest countries, has identified 13,000 fictitious workers on the state payroll who had cost a total of 30 billion CFA francs ($50 million / £39.4 million), according to the information minister. A source in the West African state’s finance ministry told Reuters yesterday these were mostly workers who had either died or left to go and work for international organisations. The source added that prosecutions could follow, but for the moment the
priority was to get stolen money repaid. The landlocked desert nation and an important gold exporter, Mali has suffered from endemic corruption and instability over the years, and more lately from multiple insurrections by Islamist groups in the north, as well as infighting between armed factions. Information Minister Mountaga Tall made the comments about bogus state employees on state TV and radio late on Friday. “The Foreign Minister
conducted a physical control combined with paying in cash ... (and) detected about 13,000 staff that were either fictitious or irregular,” he said. “The savings that can be made if all measures are taken ... will be around 30 billion CFA francs,” Tall added. He did not give a breakdown of the figure. The source at the finance ministry also could not provide such details. Investigating and striking off ghost workers are among the requirements of Mali’s programme with the IMF.
Mali aims to save $50 million by striking 13,000 ‘ghost’ workers off payroll
Turkey says no compromise with Washington on cleric’s extradition Reuters - Turkey will not compromise with Washington over the extradition of the Islamic cleric it accuses of orchestrating a failed coup, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said yesterday, warning of rising anti-Americanism if the United States fails to extradite. Yildirim’s comments, at a briefing for local reporters, were the latest to take aim at Turkey’s top NATO ally and coincided with a report that an Istanbul prosecutor wrote to U.S. authorities asking for the detention of cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkey says Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in rural Pennsylvania since 1999, masterminded the failed July 15 putsch when a group of rogue soldiers
commandeered tanks, warplanes and helicopters in an attempt to overthrow the government. Gulen has denied the charge and condemned the coup. “There is no compromise apart from this chief terrorist coming to Turkey and being prosecuted,” Yildirim was quoted as saying by staterun Anadolu Agency. “The only way to prevent the rising (negative) sentiment against America is for the U.S. to hand over this man and make sure Turkey’s justice system holds him accountable.” Turkey’s foreign minister said last week documents had been sent to the United States and that Turkey had received “positive signals” about Gulen’s possible extradition.
Turkey has not said clearly whether it has filed a formal extradition request. The White House said yesterday that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden would visit Turkey on Aug. 24, the first trip by a high-ranking U.S. official since the abortive coup. Yildirim said a U.S. technical team would visit Turkey on Aug. 22 to discuss legal issues relating to the possible extradition, according to Anadolu. He said Secretary of State John Kerry is due in October, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. Yildirim said he believed there would be a “positive outcome” with Washington on the extradition, Anadolu said.
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TO LET 2X3 Bedrooms fully furnished luxury apartments for rent (short & long term stay). Call: 665-3505
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785 Jadesco Offers: Architectural designs, 3D modeling, building estimation/ quotation, rehabilitation works & general construction. Call: 612-0468, 629-3605, email: jadesco15@gmail.com
VACANCY One nail Technician- Call: 609-7458 Checkers, labourers, pump attendants & accountants. TI certificate needed (Berbice). Call: 330-2399; 623-5920 One Trainee A.C, Refrigerator, Technician –Call: 231-0655 Sales clerks between 1828yrs, sound secondary education, experienced in sales, send application @ 35 North Road, Georgetown. Call: 225-8831
One four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market. Call: 623-7731; 629-0636; 645-3489 2 Bedrooms bottom flat furnished with Wi-Fi, etc at Liliendaal E.C.D - $70,000 monthly. Call: 676-6409 1 Newly refurbished, 1 bedroom apartment @ lot 529 Section “B” Block “X” Great Diamond H/Scheme, E.B.DCall: 689-1518 anytime; 2164200 after 19:00 hrs 2 Bedroom apartment for rent (semi-furnished) @ Dennis Street, Sophia, (water & light inclusive). Call: 6626567; 691-4340
1 Male janitor/cleaner. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Cleaner/ helper to work for salon/ spa.Call:227-4799/231-0734 Kitchen Assistant: 2 males &female, experienced a plus, must be able to work weekends. Call Mr.Khan: 695-6550; 656-9313 1 Live- in housekeeper (long termemployment).Call:697-8797 Full/Part time service staff @ Indian Dining Restaurant, relevant experienced mandatory. Call: 654-7683
Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!!
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM Aidan’s Car Rental: 4WD pickup. Call: 698-7807
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
2009 RX8, Allion, Music Bus, Small bus, Motor cycle, Benz. Call: 265-4979
Register now for summer courses in cosmetology and nails between 2nd -25th August – Cost $15,000 Call Abby: 619-7603 Nails & hair station to rent. Call: 689-0888
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Harmony Inn- furnished apartments and rooms (long term & short term) affordable prices- Call: 668-0306/6947817/ 218-1400
2 Storey house & land , 3 bedrooms, size 20x30. 2 inside bathrooms @ Best Village, W.C.D. $15 millionCall: 609-5620, 664-4415 House & land 2 storey concrete building (4 bedrooms; 2 self-contained), semi-furnished @ Grove & Diamond N/S. Call: 216-1861, 657-2300, 614-0578
LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M & $1.6M with titles, Farm (110ftX55ft) -$3.2M. Call:6585897; 673-2692
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Low down payment, cheap reates,special offer for the summer. Call: 690-6494
One 2007 Fielder stick gear $2.7M negotiable. One B12 Sunny $300,000- Call: 6165974, 618-8703 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 2008 Toyota Axio -$2.6M, unregistered. Call: 691-7475
ACCOMODATION
Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and other electronic items. Abdul Electronics. Call: 2250391 East Side Animal Clinic: Vaccination, treatments, surgeries. Lot 147 Section ‘A’ Block ‘Y’, Golden Grove, E.B.D. Call: 592-621-1865, 592651-2245;592-216-4414
VEHICLE FOR SALE
East Ruimveldt corner $15M. East La Penitence $13.7M 2 storey, Aubrey Barker road (corner) $30M- Call Shawn (Broker) 231-2199, 618-7483
Experienced & qualified teachers for secondary level @ Academy of Intellectual Minds Pouderoyen & Parika branch. Call: 264-3176; 668-7705
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
SALON
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street, Georgetown: 1 experienced cashier, apply in person with written application.
Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
2010 Premio -$3.3M, 2010 Noah & Voxy -$2.5M, 2004 Mitsubishi canter 2 ton $2.4M, unregistered & fully loaded. Call: 642-7295 3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 2009 BELTA -$2.3M, 2011 BLUEBIRD -$2.7M, 2009 IST -$2.7, 2012 RACTIS $2.6M, 2009 ARUIS -$2.5M –CALL: 617-2891 Bargain! White, 2005 Toyota RAV 4 66,000KM, fully loaded, price $2M. Call: 642-6721 One 4 wheel drive, automatic, extra cab, Toyota Hilux, GSS series. Call: 614-0107; 692-8923
Transported property, 5L Hilux pick-up, 1-complete music set. Call: 265-3586
Honda Civic M/Car “SS” series -$1.3M, very good condition- Call: 696-2815
2 Storey wooden & concrete 5 bedrooms, (2 selfcontained), concrete fence & garage. 1 Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107
One Corolla Feilder Wagon year 2010 - $1.7M. Call: 2254816; 676-6379
Lot 764 Sixth St, Plantation Paradise, Dazzle H/Scheme, E.C.D-Call: 255-3437 One 2 storey wooden building, located at 29 Delph Street C/Ville on land size50X115, ideal for business. Call: 616-5084
1 AT Carina No. PFF 8179 Contact 226-2995, best offer Toyota Belta 1300CC, one owner, PLL 9400 + Series, 2006 model - $1.7M negotiable. Call: 655-0767 1-2006 Nissan Dump Canter, 1-Potable trailer. Call: 6626567; 691-4340
Furnished wooden house & land & neighbouring land 60X100 -$20M Negotiable, Sol separately also M.M.Z, W.C.D. Call: 655-0767 2 Storey concrete building, upper East Bank Demerara, 80X60X30 (transported) parking more than 20 vehicles, serious enquiries only. Call: 653-8754 MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Computer parts; tile cutter; cleaning detergents concentrate and household appliances for sale; price negotiable- Tel: 618-8672 ADORABLE FLUFFY PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 615-0146 Purple Heart: 30X80 -$25,000, 32X80 -$28,000, 34X80 $28,000, 36X80 -$28,000, Free Delivery- Call: 688-9712; 6510717; 671-2490 CAT 320 BL excavator, 428 CAT back hoe, CAT930 Front End, 9 Wheeled Pneumatic Roller -Call: 2750538; 683-7225 Double Steel Drum Compactor, CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF55 Truck, 400 GLS, Bitumen Kettle. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Desks and benches in good condition, ideal for school, privatelessons,etc.Call:683-3887 1-43 Cabin Cruiser, 1-48 Yamaha Outboard engine. Call: 661-6938; 259-3164 One 8" by 6 ft jouter, price $170,000 & drill press -$40,000, 1- Mitsubishi Canter -$1.2M. Call: 618-3359; 662-6326 2 Storey concrete building @ Samatha Point, Grove. Call: 682-1126; 613-7596 Gold & Diamond land @ Potaro Mining District (Kuribrong). Call: 682-1126; 613-7596 Trawler –Call: 682-8724; 6165954 1 Perkins V8 Turbo Charge 170KVa Generator in working condition, Call 223-7380 D4H CAT Bulldozer, Mack 8 Cubic Yard, cement mixer truck, all in working order. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Audi A4-$3.7M, BMW-$2.3M, Ist-$1,895,000,,Fielder$1,895,000, Spacio-$1,995,000. Contact#650-0402
EDUCATIONAL
Elevator (good condition), Diesel Generator (23KVA, 110/220V). Call: 231-1284; 223-9719
IAE: Register for full time school (Grades 7-11) CSEC lessons; adults and school leavers CXC classes. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742
Prime commercial building for sale @ Broad & Charles Streets, Georgetown, 68,000 square feet. Call: 592-2316694 Antique household items, plants, ceiling fan, computer monitors, sauna and much more. Call: 231-1284; 223-9719 Continue page 71
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Kaieteur News
BLAIRMONT ESTATE WORKERS PROTEST UNFAIR DISMISSAL
From page 70
The protesting workers
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Teepee Suites Apartments: Lot 7 Princes Street, Charlestown, Guyana. Call: 592-223-7903/email: teepeesuites@yahoo.com
Sugar workers attached to the Blairmont Sugar Estate on Friday picketed the estate expressing their disappointment over the process which led to one worker being fired and another being sent on six weeks’ leave. The workers, led by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) are calling for the disputes to be taken to stage four of the agreements GuySuCo has with the union to settle disputes involving workers when a compromise cannot be met. Stage four involves the discussions between Chief Industrial Relations Officer and senior management from GuySuCo. The union is claiming that Dharamdeo Brijwala, a c a n e h a r v e s t e r, w a s
wrongfully dismissed while Khamal Seosahai was unfairly treated in being placed on suspension. Brijwala and a fellow worker, Nizam Ali had an altercation and had agreed to resolve the matter, but management got involved. Brijwala told Kaieteur News he received a harsh penalty while his colleague got merely a pat on his shoulder. “Me and the guy get call early morning on de fifth, suh we go to the field manager and he see me fuss. He seh dem had one hearing on de 28th and den he seh ‘you have been summarily dismissed’ suh me left shock shock, cause me nah do nothing wrong. De other guy go in and dem talk, and when he come out meh ask wha dem tell yuh, and he seh dem give he
warning. Both ah we get charge for de same thing, suh how come me get lay off and he get warning.” While Ali was not on the picket line, he did show for work and joined the 942 other harvesters on strike. Worker’s representative Sevuraj Bridgelall says following the dismissal, union reps met with management and put forward a case that both workers should have received the same penalty. “It was totally unfair what they did. Both of them get charge with the same thing suh how come dem collect da penalty?” Meanwhile, Seosahai who was sent on leave says he is being disciplined because he answered the Assistant Factory Manager in
representing his rights. According to the workshop mechanic, back in May he was part of a protest over payment. “De engineer manager call me and address me as ‘you’ so I seh talk to me properly, use meh name, and he mek one whole big problem because me ah fight for me rights. We know we rights and dem does victimize you when you want fight for it.” GAWU’s Regional representative Harvey Tambron says both matters will be taken to stage four of the agreement between GuySuCo and the union. The strike got the support of 943 cane harvesters and 45 workshop workers. Of the 385 punts of cane expected to be cut yesterday only 130 were cut.
Charges dismissed against Egdhill for dumping derelict vehicle A City Magistrate on Friday dismissed the case against PPP/C member of Parliament Juan Edghill, of encumbering the city parapet in front his home with a derelict vehicle, brought by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. The charge was dismissed by Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Edghill was represented by Attorney- at- Law, Sase Gunraj. According to the charge, police said Edghill, a former junior Finance Minister, on April 17, last, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, blocked the southern parapet of Sugar Cane Street by parking motor vehicle PFF 527, in breach of city government by-laws. Edghill denied the charge. The court heard that the
Juan Edghill vehicle was in a neglected state with deflated tyres and overgrown grass surrounding it after it had been parked there for some time. The Prosecution had
indicated that a city officer warned Edghill and gave him two weeks to remove the vehicle, but he did not. The parliamentarian was placed on self-bail and ordered to return to court to face a trial. However after weeks of trial, the parliamentarian has been acquitted of the allegations. In a statement following the end of the matter, Edghill noted that while the dismissal represents victory for him, he is however seriously concerned about the abuse of the judicial process to target, intimidate and victimize Guyanese for political and other purposes....’’ “I am urging that we continue to build a society where social justice, fairness and equity are upheld by all,” he posited.
Hair station rental at convenient location, Georgetown, Call: 638-1106, discounts given to newcomers, persons with experienced & clients 2 &1 Bedrooms to rent student only out of town welcome; WiFi, semi-furnished. Call after 6pm: 668-5880 Three bedrooms and two bedrooms apartments @ Granville Park, E.C.D –Call: 604-0883; 681-3660 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 2 Bedrooms house; upper flat with parking & E-networks available, fully grilled @ Section D Non-Pariel E.C.DCall: 678-3073 between 6:008:00pm 3-4 Durban Street Lodge: unfurnished -$40,000 & $80,000 monthly, furnished for visitors US$600 & $US1, 000 monthly (verandahs, parking). Call: 677-6938; 6976421 Bottom flat for business in Robb Street Bourda ,Prime business area. Call: 226-1647
FOR SALE 1 Play station 3 with accessories -$70,000-$75,000, 1 used wall-divider in good condition. Call: 657-7077 English Made Double Charge Cement Mixer, durable body & attractive price –Call: 6815988; 225-3019 ROAD TO BELWASA & A DIP AT THE SANGAM. AVAILABLE @ AUSTIN’S BOOK STORE- TEL: 2267350/7 & AT LATCHMANSINGH DRUG STORE. TEL: 226-5053
Two Bedrooms fully furnished apartment for vacation rental- Call: 6786690 Lamaha property for rent: four bedrooms self contained spacious & comfortable in a secured area, serious enquiries only. Call: 689-4041
WANTED Cashier to work in supermarket and one live in domestic to work in Trinidad. Call or text 1868- 683 1528 Buying non-working appliances such as: washing machine, pressure pumps, refrigerator, treadmill, pressure washer. Whatsapp: 661-8802 One experienced cashier apply @ Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 commerce Street. Experienced female bartender, live in/live out waitress, cooks & bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge, Garden of EdenCall: 652-0074 Experienced diesel mechanic wanted to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717 1 Male cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 1 Handyman to work urgently, four days per w e e k w i t h g o o d p a y, between the age of 30 to 40yrs old. Call: 641-3687 One security guard, apply to Millenium Manor Hotel 43 Hadfield Street W/ Rust . Experienced driver to work with a Firm @ G/ Town, able to drive all types of vehicles, ages 30-50. Call: 226-9764 1 Office clerk to work with firm G/town. Must be computer literate & have experienced in office procedures. Call: 226-9768 Private guard, attractive salary, night. Call: 222-4529; 689-4041 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 223-7500. Monday-Saturday 8:154:15pm
1-2 Storey house, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining, 2 living. Call: 694-3338
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Music Set, 6 mid range, 5 base,5 horn (top box), cash offer at reasonable price. Call: 687-7376
1 Air brush compressor, 1 high frequency facial steamer. Call: 216-2465; 6296757
Pekingese pups mixed with dachshund for sale $20,000. Call: 614-0562
Technicians: refrigeration, washing machine, gas stove/electronic- Call: 2254822/ 629-4946 FOR SALE 1-Leylad DAF-45 $1.5M, 1Cat 928F Loader-$6.9M,1Hyster Forklift-$1.5M, Light To w e r- $ 8 0 0 - 0 0 0 . Contact#650-0402
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Berbice woman Businessman makes placed on remand for generous contribution to community marijuana trafficking Roselin Fernandes of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was remanded to prison after she was discovered being in possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking. The woman who was arrested after she was found to be in possession of over 36 grams of cannabis, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The court heard that on August 11, last, police ranks acting on information received went to Lot 42 Stanleytown, where a search was conducted. According to
information, a plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were discovered under a board in the bathroom of the home. Additional checks were made in the house and police subsequently found 19 small plastic bags containing similar items. The items found were weighed and amounted to a total 36.464 grams of cannabis. Fernandes was then told of the offences committed and was subsequently arrested. She is expected to return to court on August 26.
David Hunte (left) presents Millik Fausette with his prizes. Last week, a Pourderoyen, West Coast Demerara businessman awarded several successful Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) students with monetary prizes and shared out hampers to the elderly as a way of giving back to his community. David Hunte, who is the proprietor of ‘Good Times Bar,’ was also instrumental in organizing a team which cleaned several drains and parapets in the village. One of the students, Millik Fausette received a cellular phone and $10,000 cash. The lad scored 534
marks at the national examinations and secured himself a place at the Bishops’ High School. Several elderly women were given hampers containing food supplies and toiletries. They were also treated to facials, pedicures and manicures.
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German far-right leader wants to send refugees to islands outside Europe Reuters - The head of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) says Berlin should send rejected asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to islands outside Europe and turn its refugee office into an emigration bureau. The influx of over one million migrants last year fuelled support for the AfD, which now has seats in eight of Germany’s 16 state assemblies and is expected to make a strong showing in state votes next month in Berlin and MecklenburgVorpommern. Party leader Frauke Petry made the suggestions in an interview with the Bild newspaper published yesterday. “Illegal migrants and asylum seekers whose applications are rejected will be accommodated on the two islands outside Europe that are protected by the United Nations,” Petry added, without naming the two islands she had in mind. German media interpreted her remarks as a reference to Nauru and Manus, two Pacific islands where
Australia funds camps to hold asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach its shores by boat. They are told they will never be settled in Australia. “I propose the transformation of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees into an office for emigration, which ensures that all illegal migrants leave this land as soon as possible,” Petry added. The refugee office has been overwhelmed since last
year with hundreds of thousands of asylum applications. Known for her fiery speeches to AfD supporters, Petry sparked an uproar earlier this year when she called for German police to be allowed to use firearms against illegal migrants. Most of the more than one million migrants who arrived in Germany last year are refugees escaping war and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
TORONTO (Reuters) Days after police foiled what they called a terrorist plot, a Canadian law enforcement body was preparing to make the case for reopening the federal bomb analysis centre, which was shut in April for budget reasons. The Calgary Police Commission was expected to make its case for the Canadian Bomb Data Centre in a resolution at the Canadian Association of Police
Governance annual general meeting today. The event comes three days after police say an alleged Islamic State supporter detonated an explosive device and was killed in a raid in the province of Ontario. The resolution, by the police oversight body from the city of Calgary, Alberta, did not mention the Ontario incident. But it said the center had been a valuable tool and was all the more necessary now.
“Terrorism and the threat of terrorism is increasing both domestically and abroad, making it incumbent upon governments and law enforcement agencies to amplify rather than diminish efforts,” read the resolution. If passed by the association, which comprises municipal police boards and commissions, the resolution is not expected to be binding on the federal police force that ran the centre.
Frauke Petry
‘Threat of terrorism’ sparks call to reopen Canada bomb centre
Sunday August 14, 2016
Grenada opposition calls for harsher punishment for murder and rape
Nazim Burke
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — A group of opposition leaders in Grenada have called for harsher sentences to be imposed by the courts for severe crimes like rape and murder. Leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Nazim Burke, said, “The NDC leadership is very confused about the punishment for rape in Grenada, and we can’t be the only ones left confused by the current trends in rape in sentencing.” According to Burke, who plans to raise the issue in parliament, the government has remained silent when sentences for rape crimes are so disproportionately weak. “Our court system must punish severe crimes like rape and murder more harshly than minor infractions such as theft. Judges must use discretion when imposing jail terms that meet the requirement of justice especially in case of rape,” he said. In Grenada, the credibility of the victims is often on trial as much as the guilt or innocence of the accused. “All the victims are asking for is a system where the punishment fits the crime where the rapist, the real offenders go to jail and those who are not criminals are treated accordingly,” Burke added. (Caribbean News)
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Action packed day envisage... Guyana’s Olympics gold medal... (From page 74) Ret u r n R o s e t t a , S u p e r Bowl are some of the runners in the H1 and lower 1200M event for West Indies bred horses for a $400,000 first prize and trophy. M a s i q u i t a D r, B i r d man, She So Special, Mansoon and Bridal Stone corner are among the more that 12 horses enter for H and lower 6 furlongs Guyana Bred and H 3 We s t I n d i e s B r e d maiden and 3 years nonearners of over $150,000. Th e w i n n e r ’s t a k e is $350,000 and trop h y.
The other events have more than 15 horses entered for each race With the J class event is now for J 2 h o r s e s 4 years and over and all L class winners 4 years and over. The first p r i z e i s $350,000 and trophy over 6furlongs. The L and lower 1100M event is now for maiden horses over 6 ½ furlongs for a winning purse of $250,000 and trophy. A number of foreign and overseas based jockeys will be in action with some already in the country. Major sponsors on
board for the event include Government of Guyana, Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall, Nand Persaud and Company, Digicel, Hand in Hand and the America Promotional group “Live By the Henny” of New York City. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers and Trophy Stall. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed, Jr. (Samuel Whyte)
Sunday August 14, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't make mountains out of molehills if you want to avoid conflict. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. Children may cause limitations. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive. You're likely to encounter new partners if you take short trips. You may find a rare antique today. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Changes regarding your image will bring you greater confidence. You need to get out and be an observer. You can become obsessed with detail and must be sure to divide your time appropriately. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You will be uncertain of your feelings. You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move today. You haven't been watching your spending habits and you may have been neglecting your duties. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Travel and family gatherings should be in order. You are exceptional at presenting your ideas. Be sure to use your charm and diplomacy when dealing with potential new clients. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Jealous colleagues may try to undermine you. You may have difficulties with in-laws or family members. Limitations with females could lead to unfortunate circum-
stances. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't forget to read the fine print. Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections. Get help setting up a reasonable budget. Look into ways of making extra cash. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You need to spend less time daydreaming and more time accomplishing. Don't get intimately involved with a coworker. New emotional connections can be made through business contacts. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your charm will attract members of the opposite sex. The experience will be good. When the work is done, they may serve you for a change. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports. This is a great day to start that new health regimen you've been talking about. You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You could be quite erratic regarding your personal relationship. You are best not to retaliate if members of your household are trying to pick a fight. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today is not the day to try to comer people by giving them ultimatums. Involvement in groups of interest will bring you in touch with important individuals. Channel your efforts into achieving your goals.
(From page 76) worldwide, Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). Gaskin took to the pool last Wednesday and created quite a (local) stir after he had placed second in the 100M heats in a time of 58.57secs. Naturally Guyanese were consumed with euphoria until (sports) journalist, Rawle Toney, clarified the issue. Gaskin placed 2nd in a 3 man race in the 100m butterfly heat but has registered a slower time than that of the Youth Games last year. As such, his time was not enough to see him through to the next round. Once again, Guyana’s hopes of breaking that Olympics gold medal jinx have been dashed. There are still a few local swimmers yet to contest in the event but the unbelievably high standard exhibited by the likes of Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a
Ethiopia’s Diro loses... (From page 76) more than 20 seconds off her personal best. But it did not mark the end of her Rio Olympics after officials nonetheless granted the favorite a spot in Monday’s final. Australia’s Genevieve Lacaze, who finished second with a time of 9:26.5 to qualify for the next round, complained that the mishap had obstructed the track. “She was like a road block,” the 27-year-old said. “Someone ripped out her heel and, instead of getting out of the way - I guess you don’t think about others too much when you’re in the Olympics - she just stopped and was a roadblock for about four girls.”
total of 26 medals, and other top notched swimmers, certainly does not spiral our hopes. Further, athletes, Winston George and Brenessa Thompson were the two latest casualties in the 400m and 100m respectively. St Lucia Amateur Boxing Association President, David Christopher, has travelled to Brazil with a contingent from that country and he opined that the standard of boxing on the whole is in a bad state. “The bouts here in Rio are of poor quality; there is nothing much in the area of skill and craft here. “The boxers fighting in the lighter weights (56-59, 6064-69 kg) offer a little hope but as I said, it’s nothing like the old school,” was how he put it. Yet local punchers failed at the qualifying rounds! Cricket coach, Mark Harper, lamented the fact that Parris is now forced to earn his living driving a taxi and wondered aloud if he may not be eligible for a government grant. Another popular cricketer, Neil Barry, spoke of what sports could do for the hu-
man index even as he lamented the (lack of) foresight of local (sports) administrators. The Olympics games represent the highest level of sport excellence and most countries invest heavily (and intelligently) to accrue major accolades. Several Caribbean countries have managed to win Olympic gold medals including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and quite recently, Grenada, among others. Guyana is still in the wilderness hoping for that lucky break. Unfortunately, there will be no lucky breaks; we will be required to go the conventional route that requires shrewd planning, stringent preparation and unerring sacrifices. One must not ignore the all important ingredient, adequate funding. This is a reality we cannot evade nor avoid. Otherwise, 4 years down the line when we field another team of hopefuls at the 2020 Olympics, our application will be reviewed and once again we will hear those dreaded words, ‘Denied!’
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Sunday August 14, 2016
GAW continues to support DCC youth Camp Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan presented a cheque towards the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Youth school vacation camp. The donation was made on behalf of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team and its owner, Mr. Bobby Ramroop of the Limacol and CPL Group. This is the second consecutive year that the team has supported the summer camp. DCC players Christopher Barnwell and Paul Wintz represented the Amazon Warriors in this year’s CPL. At the handing over ceremony, Khan encouraged the youths to make the best use of the camp and the opportunity it presents for them. The Trinidadian
reminded them that they are personally responsible for their own success and the advancement of their cricketing career and that whatever they put in will determine whatever they get out of the game. President of DCC, Alfred Mentore, accepted the donation on behalf of the Queenstown based Club and extended gratitude to Khan, the Amazon Warriors and Dr Bobby Ramroop for their continued support and commitment to the annual Camp. The former National Youth batsman stressed the timeliness of this contribution which will come in very handy in offsetting cost and contributing to the success of this programme.
The Youth Camp is in its first week and programmes for the other two weeks include lectures on Umpiring, History of cricket, Public Speaking, Food & Diet along with Fitness and Health. M e n t o r e a l s o encouraged the youngsters to make the best of the Cricket Camp, and emphasized that participating in sports is a good way of learning and encouraging personal discipline and responsible behavior amongst young people. He also emphasize the need for many more such camps which will foster the growth of the game, an important nursery for the young kids and an introduction phase where youths learn the basics and
Omar Khan, Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, presents the donation to DCC President Alfred Mentore as Ian John, Coach Garvin Nedd and some of the participants of the Summer Camp share the moment. fundamentals of the game. The camp is being led by Coach Garvin Nedd, a former National off-spinner
who is the most successful youth coach in Guyana. Nedd is being assisted by former West Indian batsman
Travis Dowlin who has always given solid support to the club and its programmes.
Cycling: After 2012 heartbreak, Action packed day envisaged for $30M in 2016 Guyana Cup race meet China win track gold RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) Four years late maybe, but Gong Jinjie and Zhong Tianshi claimed China’s first Olympic track cycling gold medal on Friday when they outpaced Russia in the final of the women’s team sprint at the Rio Games. The Chinese broke the world record in qualifying for the final and while the victory margin was only 0.294 seconds in the final they were always too strong for Russians Anastasia Vo i n o v a a n d D a r i a Shmeleva. Germany’s Mirian Welte and Kristina Voegel beat Australian duo Anna Meares and Stephanie Morton for bronze, denying Meares a sixth Olympic medal. It was a joyous moment for China, and Gong especially. Four years ago in London, riding with Guo Shuang, she was celebrating victory over Germany in the final only to be disqualified for an illegal lane change. Gong and Zhong were also denied a world championship gold in March when they were demoted to silver behind Russians Voinova and Shmeleva because of another technicality. That decision left coach Benoit Vetu so furious that he broke his hand smashing it against a table. ‘OLD WARRIORS’ This time there was no
Jinjie Gong (CHN) and Tianshi Zhong (CHN) compete in the women’s cycling track team sprint at Rio Olympic Velodrome in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. (Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports) mistake and he was pumping his fist in happiness as his charges raced home. “We are like old warriors who have kept fighting. This medal is not just for the two of us, because there are many people behind us who have worked very hard,” Gong, whose helmet was adorned with a Chinese doll mural, told reporters. “We achieved a dream as cyclists and Chinese people as well. We wanted to conquer the world record and win the gold medal.” They celebrated by holding a Chinese flag aloft while their French coach Vetu roared his approval. “We knew that we were
ready. We broke the world record twice before coming here,” Vetu said told Reuters. It was a disappointing day for Meares. “We are really, really heartbroken. We were agonizingly close. We gave everything we had. Credit to China and Russia, they are in a league of their own,” she said. The 32-year-old wants to bounce back in Saturday’s keirin. “Form takes a back seat in the keirin. It’s much more unpredictable. A lot of elbows get thrown, it’s serious competition. We’re pretty good at that,” she added.
The day has finally arrived and all systems are in place for the much anticipated 10th Annual Guyana Cup 2016 Horserace Meet at the Port Mourant “Big Yard” Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice today. All is set for the King of Sports, a record 120 horses have entered and thousands of turfites are expected at the edge of their seats, the atmosphere promises to be electrifying as the bugle sounds, the gate is released and away they go for the start of Guyana Cup 2010. Not to forget that $30M is up for grabs in the richest horserace meet in Guyana. The mega event is organized by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stables in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club. The main A3 feature event will see the winner cantering off with an unbelievable $4M along with the Banks DIH trophy from a sumptuous $8M package over 1800M. The winner will also take home an extra $500,000, while the winning jockey will ride away with $200,000 bonus. A look at the A class event will see 15 of Guyana Top runners in contention for the massive takings on offer. The Jumbo Jet Stables leads the entries with four horses with the likes of No1 ranked Kings Knight, Jack in My Style, Climate Change and Blame the Jockey, they have a good chance of taking
the coveted prize back home. The Sheriff stable has always being in the reckoning and with three top runners in Spit Fire, Plum Plum and Princess She Not, they are in with an excellent chance to take the crown. The Elcock and Poonai stable has a very formidable duo in double defending champion CP Got Even and Because I Say So looking good and ready to defend their crown. The Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Stable also has two runners in the impressive Golden Blue Echo and the newly Imported Brace Sky out of the USA. The Jagdeo stable has a formidable duo in Just Call Me Boss and Goodwill Boy and are expected to be in the money. One cannot forget that Guyana only A class animal Score’s Even of the Simple Royal Stable is back to full fitness and seems unbeatable. Lady Budapest of the Bactowar stable seems to be in its best form since coming to Guyana and will be in the reckoning. The event is expected to be a scorcher and a ding dong battle in anticipated. The 3 year old co-feature 1600M event for West Indies and Guyana bred horses over 7 ½ furlongs will be two events in one. Among the entries are Witchy Poo, Red Rocket, Isn’t She Charming, Firing Line, Caricom Dancer, Golden Kiss, She Is In
Control and Lil Axe competing for the $2M and trophy. The Guyana Bred winner will have a chance to w i n $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 . The two year old event for Guyana Bred horses has a $400,000 first prize and trophy over 1100M, among the starters are Super Cat, Royal Jet, Perfect Gold, King Stanley, Awesome Cash, Flash Again, Natural Beauty, Genuine Risk, Seven Dust, Who Shock the Shariff, Miss Olympic and the Rocket. The E and lower 1300M event for a take home of $800,000 and trophy will see Release the Beast, Because I Say So, Plum Plum, Perfect Wind Storm, Keep On Swinging, Precise Gold, Good Will Boy, Right To Rule, Mass Media, Red and L o v e l y, M a n s o o n , California Strike and Wise Secret among others competing. The G1 and Lower and West Indies and Guyana open event is for horses that haven’t started since August 30th 2015. The winning prize is $650,000 and trophy over 1200M. Big Man Boss, Captain Crook, Campador, Got To Go, Quiet Strom, It’s My Choice and Valtimore have entered. Cat Messiah, Miss Lova Lova, Appealing Harvest, Quiet Saucer, It’s My Turn, B r i d a l S t o n e C o r n e r, Midnight Blues, Amazing Run, Quiet Dancer, Sweet (Continued on page 73)
Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
India skittle West Indies to clinch series 2-0
Miguel Cummins returned figures of 6 for 48 on the fifth morning, West Indies v India, 3rd Test, Gros Islet, 5th day, August 13, 2016 ©AFP (Reuters) India crushed West Indies by 237 runs on the fifth and final day of the third test in St Lucia on Saturday, clinching the series after the home team collapsed to 108 all out. The win gave the touring team an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series and ended a streak of six consecutive series defeats outside Asia. India had not won or drawn a series outside the sub-continent since defeating West Indies in the Caribbean in 2011. They have now won three straight series in West Indies after losing seven of their first eight in the Caribbean. India won the third test despite losing a day to rain at the Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet. West Indies’ total of 108 was their second lowest against India, after they made 103 in Jamaica in 2006. The tourists batted for nine overs at the start of play on Saturday, adding 60 quick runs before captain Virat Kohli declared on 217 for seven. That left West Indies needing 346 for victory, a target that never looked remotely possible after both openers went cheaply, Leon Johnson for a duck and Kraigg Brathwaite for four. Number four Marlon Samuels looked uncomfortable against the pace attack, taking 21 balls to get off the mark. Samuels eventually advanced to 12 before being removed by paceman Ishant Sharma, the third time in a row he was clean bowled in the series. Number three Darren Bravo was the only batsman to offer significant resistance. He made an assured 59 before falling to paceman Mohammed Shami, caught at short leg. Shami finished with figures of three for 15, while Sharma and spinner Ravindra Jadeja collected two wickets each.
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Builders Lumber Yard, Jai Signs join list of sponsors for Boyce/Jefford Classic VII
Builders Lumber Yard and Jai Signs and Designs joined the list of sponsors for the upcoming Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VII yesterday when both companies handed over their contributions for the A u g u s t 2 7 - 2 8 Championship scheduled for Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden. Chief Executive Officer of Builders Lumber Yard, Mahammad Salim expressed his appreciation for the sports event. Salim stated that he will continue
Builders Lumber Yard’s Company Secretary, Dorsel Boson (right) hands over the contribution to Chairman of the Boyce and Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce with the Branch Manager, Nafeeza Salim (centre) sharing the moment at the their Lombard Street location. to support the meet based on its continued growth over the years. Meanwhile, Jai Signs and Designs continued to have its name attached to the
Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic with their contribution. Both organisations are longstanding sponsors of the event.
Ledecky smashes 800m record to claim freestyle treble (Reuters) Katie Ledecky of the United States finally succumbed to her emotions on the podium after destroying the field in the 800 meters freestyle on Friday and smashing her own world record to complete a rare Olympic swimming treble. Ledecky led from the start and inexorably stretched out the gap over her opponents to finish in eight minutes, 4.79 seconds, beating her previous mark of 8:06.68 set in Austin, Texas in January. Britain’s Jazz Carlin won her second silver medal in 8:16.17, and Boglarka Kapas of Hungary took the bronze. Ledecky, defending Olympic champion at the distance, added to her golds earlier in the week in the 200 and 400 freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle relay, plus a silver in the 4x100 relay. The only previous woman to win the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle at the same Games was American Debbie Meyer in 1968. “I have to wait another four years to have this moment and I just wanted to enjoy it all and put my very best swim out there,”
Ledecky said after her final race in Rio. She said that Meyer had sent her a video message of support via her mother before the race. “I try not to think about the history of it much, but just to be mentioned in the same sentence as her is incredible,” she said. Ledecky sliced 1.89 seconds off her own record in the longest event of the w o m e n ’s s w i m m i n g program. It was the seventh world swimming record of the Rio Games, and the second by Ledecky, who achieved a similar feat in winning the 400 freestyle. Since winning the 800 in London four years ago, she has been invincible, and anything but a victory for the 19-year-old would have been one of the biggest shocks of the Games. Carlin and Kapas fought a dogged struggle for second, with Spain’s Mireia Belmonte Garcia challenging them for much of the way. Ledecky, who cried during the post-race media conference, said she and coach Bruce Gemmell had also burst into tears after the
USA’s Katie Ledecky reacts after winning and setting a new world record. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci) race. Ledecky is moving to Stanford University later this year. “Bruce doesn’t cry very often but it was a very happy moment and it’s been a pleasure to share this journey with him,” Ledecky told the media conference, saying she would be setting ambitious goals once at Stanford. “It’s been a great four years and I know I can have another great four years and I know that I will have a lot of people supporting me.”
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Usain Bolt wins Guyana’s Olympics gold first-round 100 heat medal bid once again denied? in entertaining fashion By Michael Benjamin
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago and James Dasaolu of Great Britain compete in the Men’s 100m Round 1. (Getty) (Yahoo Sport) RIO DE JANEIRO — No offence to Michael Phelps and Simone Biles, but the Main Event of the Rio Olympics arrived Saturday afternoon and he didn’t disappoint. Usain Bolt made his first appearance at these Games, trying to turn a third Olympic Stadium on a third continent into his house, and he electrified Rio like he did London and Beijing before it. The Jamaican breezed through his first-round heat of the 100 meters, the signature event of the signature competition (athletics) of the Olympics, ringing up a time of 10.07 to easily move into the semifinals on Sunday afternoon. The finals are Sunday night. It was a welcome sight to the tens of thousands of Bolt fans who packed the stadium just after noon on this sunsplashed Saturday. Bolt has been battling injury and inactivity and no one was entirely certain how he
would look. This may not be the vintage Bolt of Beijing or London, but it was enough. He essentially jogged through the second half of the race, looking around to see if anyone could even challenge him. They couldn’t. Mission accomplished, both in moving on to the next event and leaving every competitor at the meet well aware that there is another gear or three in reserve. In the 100, psychological warfare is always fair. Bolt is trying the unprecedented task of capturing a third consecutive Olympic title in the 100. He already owns the world record of 9.58 and the Olympic record of 9.63. While he is unlikely to best those marks, at age 29 the task is simply to continue his reign of domination. And to do it with his signature flair. Saturday was step one. M e a n w h i l e , Yo h a n Blake also won his heat to advance to the 100m semi-
finals, while Nickel Ashmeade copped the second automatic qualification spot in his heat. Blake cruised to 10.10s, ahead of Jax Harvey, who is also a former representative of Jamaica now running for Turkey. Ashmeade, running out of Lane three in Heat three finished behind the surprise winner from China, Xie Chenye, who ran to a personal best of 10.08s. A relaxed Ashmeade clocked 10.13. American Justin Gatlin won Heat two in 10.01s, ahead of Daniel Bailey of Antigua and Barbuda who copped the second automatic qualifying spot in 10.20 seconds. Kemarley Brown, formerly of Jamaica, now representing Bahrain, won his heat in 10.13 seconds. Meanwhile, 21-year-old American Trayvon Brommell also qualified. The semi-finals get under way tonight at 7:00 pm local time.
Ethiopia’s Diro loses shoe in tight steeplechase RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) E t h i o p i a ’s Etenesh Diro got tangled up with two other runners in Saturday’s 3,000m women’s Olympic steeplechase and stopped to tear off her damaged right shoe and sock, but she kept on running to finish seventh. Diro, a 25-year-old who placed fifth in the event at the 2012 London Games, broke down in tears, after finishing in 9 minutes 34.7 seconds, (Continued on page 73)
Etenesh Diro (ETH) of Ethiopia reacts after the race. ( (REUTERS/David Gray)
Anyone applying for a (USA) visa after numerous failed attempts could relate to the frustration or even anger of being denied the document and some persons go to the extreme to be successful. Some pay millions to go through the famous ‘back track’ route while others risk life and limb to attain their goal. Human beings could be intensely determined whenever they wish to accomplish something and history is replete with those that battled life’s many vicissitudes and eventually prevailed. However, it is also sound reasoning that one must adhere to the understanding that unless the applications are different the end result will always be the same. Ever since time immemorial, Guyanese sports personalities have attempted to win an Olympic Gold medal and like an application for a non-immigrant visa, have been turned down (denied). Yet as the years progress local administrators continue to apply the same archaic strategies and are astonished when they produce the same results. The modern Olympic Games were founded in 1894 when Pierre de Coubertin sought to promote international understanding through sporting competition yet it took Guyanese athletes just over a century before they made an impression at these games when, in 1980, bantamweight pugilist, Michael Anthony Parris, returned to Guyana amidst much pomp and ceremony after winning a bronze medal at the Olympiad in Moscow. The feat was certainly not of the best at that level since Parris had failed to clinch the silver, or even the coveted gold medal. Nevertheless, it was a momentous occasion for all Guyanese and the nation was excited. Parris returned home to a hero’s welcome and paraded along the streets of Georgetown where thousands shared the joy of the moment. The Government of that era, headed by President LFS Burnham, fittingly rewarded Parris with a house (where he still resides) and the nation felt forever grateful to their hero. Four years later, in 1984, Gordon Carew attended the Los Angeles Olympics and successfully got past the 1st and 2nd rounds before losing his quarter final bout. Unfortunately, most of the team chose to defect and Carew was the only competitor that returned. I was merely 18 years old and in the embryonic stages of my (amateur) boxing career when Parris returned to Guyana with the accolade. Despite ending the tournament as third best in his division, Parris was promoted to a local hero status and an excited nation welcomed him at the Timehri Airport, parading him along the streets of Georgetown where thousands shared the momentous achievement. There was absolutely no acknowledgement of Carew’s patriotism; he literally crept into the country and became lost among the crowd yet Guyanese were angered by the large number of defections and the scathing remarks were many. Ironically, no one hailed Carew’s ‘patriotism’ and it was as though it never really mattered. A slick boxer of immense class, Carew went on to battle in the amateur ranks and after a tough tournament against a Cuban
Guyana’s lone Olympic medalist, Michael Parris boxer during an exchange programme, he vacated the amateur arena and entered the professional stage. In those days, professional fights were few and far and Carew left for Barbados to better his fortunes. Things did not work out for him and he returned to Guyana a few years later, the worst for wear. Soon afterwards he hung up his gloves. Meanwhile, the defectors settled in their adopted homeland and have improved their fortunes and are still living comfortably. I would prefer not to discuss Carew’s fortunes and his reward for his demonstration of staunch patriotism. Over the years, several other boxers have represented this country at the prestigious Olympics with similar negative results. Our respective flag bearers were athlete Aliann Pompey (2000 & 2004), swimmer Niall Roberts (2008), boxer, John Douglas (1996), athlete, Winston George (2012), boxer, Alfred Thomas (1988), athlete, Earl Haley (1984) and in 1972, judo practitioner, Gordon Sankies performed the honours. Following the initial celebrations, Parris, as far as I know, never received any added consolation for his achievement. Last year October he attended the World Olympians Forum (WOF) in Moscow where he had joined other dignitaries from around the world in discussions aimed at improving the fortunes of fellow Olympians like himself. The sad thing is that Parris’ selection was in default after Geoff Sankies, who had been Guyana’s representative, fell ill and could not make the trip. Fast forward to 2016 and once again Guyana has fielded a team to the Olympics currently underway in Brazil. One notes that once again boxing, the sport that has brought Guyana Olympic glory as well as other prestigious accolades at other similar events will not be represented since our boxers all failed at the qualifying stage. In some countries this would have generated a national inquiry. Our swimming contingent consists of Jamila Sanmoogan, Hannibal Gaskin and Dolphin Swim Club coach Paul Mahaica, a representative of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA). Sanmoogan and Gaskin, with entry times slower than the qualifying mark, were accepted by dint of the universality places afforded by the governing body of swimming (Continued on page 73)
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 14, 2016
PAGE 81
All 3 Jamaicans through to semis in women’s 400m
Bartica residents support Green Sensitisation Walk The Mayor and Town Council of the newly accr e d i t e d t o w n o f Bartica recently held a m a j o r G r e e n Sensitisation Exercise in the form of an Emancipation Walk. T h e G r e e n Wa l k commenced at the Stelling Square and concluded one hour later at the Bartica Regatta Pavilion. Dozens of residents came out to support the walk whilst also using the event to garner some valuable exercise as the walk route took them through the flat and hilly areas of Bartica. Prizes were awarded to the groups that participated and among those were Bartica Hospital, The Red Cross, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Citizens Bank, Churches Chicken
Shericka Jackson (file photo) Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall (right) leading residents during the recently held walk.
and PYARG. Residents walked for a Cleaner, Greener Bartica,
Sustainable Mining and a Healthier life. Many more sensitisation
exercises are planned by the Mayor and Town Council in the coming weeks.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — All three Jamaican women won their heats to proceed to the semi-finals of the women’s 400m, to be held at 6:35pm today. Running in Heat 1, Stephenie Ann McPherson clocked 51.36s ahead of the other automatic qualifier — Patience George of Nigeria.
In Heat 7, Shericka Jackson ran to 51.73s ahead o f Z a m b i a ’s K a b a n g e Mupopo, while Christine Day won in 51.54 seconds. Americans Allyson Felix, Natasha Hastings and Phyllis Francis also won their races. Defending champion Felix clocked 51.24 seconds
Marian Academy’s Hemraj Resaul, Jordan Beaton champion duo in Jamaica ITF tennis A few weeks after competing in the local GBTI Independence Jubilee Open, 19 junior players left Guyana’s shores for Jamaica to participate in the Blue Mountain and subsequent ITF Junior Under-14 circuit tournaments. Eight athletes remained for the Under-14 Tournament. Hemraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton both of Marian Academy Secondary played their best tennis to win the Boys Doubles title in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 against the Jamaica and Antigua’s top seed duo, Damani King and Aron Fields. The match was highly anticipated by spectators who followed the Guyanese team after both Resaul and Beaton were ousted in the singles semifinals to King and Fields, respectively. Damani King def Hemraj Resaul 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 and Aron Fields def Jordan Beaton 6-1, 6-3. In the finals King def Fields 7-5, 6-1 to t a k e t h e t i t l e . The Doubles finals commenced with King/Fields opting to receive after winning the
toss. Guyana’s Resaul/Beaton duo forced a quick lead holding and breaking service to command at 2-0. King/Fields set foot on the score board after breaking service to trail at 12. Resaul/Beaton broke their opponents serve to maintain a 3-1 advantage. Unshaken by Guyana’s move, King/Fields fought to break serve, to trail at 2-3. The atmosphere of the games changed after Resaul/Beaton broke serve to go 4-2 up, with King/Fields positing a two game streak by breaking and holding service to cement the first tie in games at 4-4. Beaton’s command at the baseline, matched with Resaul’s volley techniques, propelled the Guyana duo to capture the first set at 6-4. From the onset of the second set, the Resaul/Beaton pair were clearly focused and determined on securing a victory. They proceeded to hold serve in the first game. King/Fields played relentlessly to even the games to 1-1 by holding serve as well, something that was fairly unfamiliar in the
Jordan Beaton
match as it was only seen at 4-4 in first set. Resaul/Beaton powered through to a two game leap after maintaining a grip on service and breaking serve to lead their rivals at 3-1. The move, which had seemed to stun King/Field, minutely backfired as Resaul/Beaton loss their service game, allowing their opponents to edge closer to score at 2-3. Nevertheless, the p o t e n c y o f B e a t o n ’s
Hemraj Resaul
groundstrokes, coupled with Resaul’s agility at the net allowed the Guyanese pair to pounce on their opponents’ weaknesses to enjoy a resounding three game gallop to triumph. Beaton/Resaul were crowned champions at 6-4, 6-2. After the match, the Guyanese pair lamented that it was a real test of their mental strength to pull through the first set having been defeated in the singles semis but they
played not just for themselves, but to make Guyana proud. The two have been developing a strong partnership for years and it is highly anticipated that they will become national doubles champions in the near future. For now their focus is on the upcoming IGG for tennis which will be held in French Guiana during October 27November 1. Since there is no facility where the IGG team can start
intensive training for the tournament, they will train within their club schedules with their coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan. The countries that will participate in the IGG are Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Martinique. Results of other local players at the tournament are b e l o w : U14 Singles Main Draw Quarterfinals: Aron Fields def Vijay Sharma 6-0, 6-0 Damani King def Joshua Kalekyezi 6-1, 6-2 Boys U14 Doubles: J. Kalekyezi/ Viraj Sharma (GUY) def R. Fairman/C. McNair (JAM) 6-2, 6-0 D. King/A. Fields (JAM/TRI) def J. Kalekyezi/Sharma (GUY) 6 - 2 , 6 - 0 D. Kalekyezi/N. Lowe (GUY) def E. Nwokolo /D. Reeves (JAM/TRI) w/o Boys U14 Doubles Semif i n a l s : D. King/A. Fields (JAM/TRI) def J. Kalekyezi/Viraj Sharma (GUY) 6-1, 6-0 Boys U14 Consolation Singles finals: Viraj Sharma (GUY) def D. Kalekyezi (GUY)
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Sunday August 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Stunning Phelps, Schooling wins Singapore’s first gold (Reuters) In just one performance, Singapore’s Joseph Schooling beat swimming great Michael Phelps, took home his city state’s first Olympic gold medal and became an instant millionaire. Known at home for smashing national records and taking multiple titles in regional competitions, Schooling had held the hopes of Singapore, a Southeast
Asian island nation of less than six million, which had only won two silvers and two bronzes since it joined the Olympic fold in 1948. “It’s been a hard road, I’ve done something that no one in our country has done before. I’ve received a lot of support and that’s phenomenal,” Schooling told reporters. “It’s been a tough road, I’m not going to lie, the
first guy through the wall, it’s always bloody,” he said. Watched by his mother and president Tony Tan in the stands, the 21-year-old beat Phelps, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh in the 100 meters butterfly final on Friday, to grab the gold while the others completed a remarkable three-way dead-heat for silver.
C’bean Squash C/Ships in T&T
Guyana teams in line for medals! T h e G u y a n a M e n ’s squash team began its quest for the Men’s Team title yesterday having to play both their pool matches on the same day. Placed in the most difficult pool, with Jamaica and Cayman Islands, Guyana faced an uphill task to try and qualify for last night’s semi-finals. In the morning match up, and without Sunil Seth who is out with an ankle injury, Guyana took on defending champions Jamaica. In Jamaica’s line-up were Men’s Individual Champion and its runner up, Chris Binnie and Lewis Walters respectively. First up was Guyana’s number two player Richard Chin against Lewis Walters in what turned out to be a huge win for Guyana, Chin claimed the match by three games to nil. Chin did not compete in the individuals and was well rested for the team event. Next on was former National Champion Nyron Joseph who was up against Jonathan Walker at the number five position. Nyron would go on to dispatch Walker in three straight games as well. With Guyana up two matches to nil, it was Alex Arjoon, playing the number one position, who had to face Chris Binnie, and while he put up a valiant effort, he lost in three tight games. Jason Khalil would go on next but lost his bid to close out the match with a three-nil lost to Julian Morrison of Jamaica. It was then left up to Kristian Jeffery to play the
decider, and wasted no time in racing to a 3-1 win against his opponent Dane Schwier, allowing Guyana to claim a 3-2 match win. The evening saw a bigger challenge with Guyana coming up against Cayman Islands who had in their lineup, individual men’s semi-finalist Cameron Stafford and former world rater Mark Chaloner. The playing order quickly saw Guyana go down 3-0 in matches as Chin, Joseph and Arjoon all lost the first three matches against Chaloner, Alex Garner and Stafford respectively. However, both Chin and Joseph were able to capture key games which came back to benefit the team later on. Jason Khalil then won his match in four games, before Kristian Jeffery playing the final match won his match in four
as well. This meant Guyana lost 3-2 and the pool was all tied up in match wins as Jamaica and Cayman had played to a 3-2 Jamaica win. On count back, Guyana advanced along with Cayman Islands on net games (2 to be exact). They will now play in tonight’s semi-final against Bermuda. T h e w o m e n ’s t e a m continues to roll on, as they defeated hosts Trinidad and Tobago by a five-nil margin yesterday afternoon. Mary Fung-A-Fatt, Larissa and Akelia Wiltshire, Victoria Arjoon and Taylor Fernandes all had wins for the ladies. They will now play Barbados today in a virtual final to decide the ladies team winner. The Veterans team also emerged victors on Friday as they defeated OECS by three matches to one.
Singapore has spent millions trying to win more medals at the Olympics, including offering a Foreign Sports Talent program which grants promising foreign athletes citizenship, as well as a S$1 million ($743,494.42) prize for gold medals. Schooling left the country at 14 to train in the United States and now studies at the University of Texas in Austin, whose programme is led by twotime U.S. Olympic men’s head coach Eddie Reese. He was inspired to aim for the Olympics as a sixyear-old after a dinner conversation about his grand-uncle, Lloyd Valberg, a former national highjumper who was also Singapore’s first Olympian, according to local media reports. “This moment is not about me, it’s all about my coaches my friends my family that believed that when I was a six year old kid that I could do it,” he said. Schooling won Singapore’s first medal at l a s t y e a r ’s Wo r l d Championships in the 100 butterfly. He also broke two Asian records. On Friday he set a new Olympic record of 50.39
Joseph Schooling of Singapore celebrates after winning. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci) seconds. Like many of his contemporaries in Rio, who grew up idolizing Phelps, he keeps an old photo of himself as a bespectacled teenager with the American that was taken at a meeting in Singapore after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I’m excited just to see how m u c h f a s t e r h e goes,” Phelps told reporters about Schooling. “It’s up to him where he wants to take it. As big as he wants to dream, as hard as he wants to work, to do whatever is in his head.”
Jones, Jailall shine as rain ruins ECB Academy 2-day fixture National U17 pacer Joshua Jones and lefthanded batsman Orlando Jailall struck half centuries before rain halted play in the Essequibo Cricket Board Academy two-day game between Shane Wong XI and Mahindra Persaud XI which is being sponsored by Golden Fleece Rice Investment. Jailall slammed an unbeaten 58 to guide Shane Wong XI to 110-6 off their allotted 30 overs, batting first at Imam Bacchus ground, Affiance. Skipper Wong got 18 as Joshua Jones snared three wickets. Jones then stroked a fine 63 as Persaud XI responded with 127-5 in 30 overs. Silvan Williams made 22. Trailing by 17, Wong XI closed the first day on 72-4 off 20 overs, batting a second time. Jailall was unbeaten on 48, while N. Ramotar made 20. Persaud picked up two
Joshua Jones wickets. H o w e v e r, c o n s t a n t rainfall prevented further play on the second day, but the players were given fitness drills by Coach Forbes Daniels with assistance from Jones. Speaking with the players yesterday, Region two Chairman Davenanand
Ramdatt urged the youths to take the game seriously and to focus on their education. He encouraged the organisers to seek assistance from his office for such ventures in the future. Meanwhile, Anil Lamb informed that he journeyed from his home in Upper Mazaruni to be part of the clinic since he was informed about it via Kaieteur Sport. An ECB Academy Golden Fleece Rice Investment XI will take on Imam Bacchus XI in the limited overs game today to conclude the programme. The Academy XI will come from, Mahendra Persaud (C), Joel Fortune (VC), Joshua Jones, Orlando J a i l a l l , S h a n e Wo n g , Renesh Persaud, Temall Jaikaran, Khushial Hameraj, Saeed Hakh, Sudarshana Moniram, Devendra Persaud, Bhadesh Parsotam, Rayon Roberts and Aruin Promlall.
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 14, 2016
PAGE 83
Palm Court adds spice to Guyana Cup Fans reminded of Berbice Bridge closure All systems are in place for the 10 annual Guyana Cup Horserace meet today at the Port Mourant Turf Club. Fans are also reminded that the Berbice River Bridge will close from 1:30pm today and open until 3:30pm. More sponsors joined the fray for the event, which is dubbed the biggest horserace meet of the racing calendar locally and the most lucrative sporting event of the year in Guyana with over $30M on offer. The event which is organized by the Jumbo Jet Business Enterprise and friends is being staged in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club with support from the Government of Guyana.
The latest business entity to swing into action for a spot on the event is entertainment giant Palm Court of Georgetown. They join business heavyweight Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall and Digicel in playing major parts. The Grand Stand has been rehabilitated and extended to accommodate the thousands who are expected to throng the venue on race day. The venue has also been spruced up to cater for the absolute comfort of all, with running water and additional lavatory facilities. Over 100 stalls are now available at the venue with a number of new ones built or refurbished to accommodate the volume of horses set to
compete today. A number of foreign and overseas based jockeys will be in action. Among the jockeys expected to be in the saddles are overseas Ronald Alli, Noor Mohammed, and Brian Blake and Nicholas Patrick. The overseas based Michael Semple and the local brigade that includes the likes of Rupert Ramnauth, Randolph Richmond, Yap “Old Boy” Drepaul, Navin Ally, Rad Drepaul, Junior Semple, Andy Ramnauth, Mahendra Sukhoo, Michael Sancho, Prem Chandra, Winston Apadhu, Nacimento, T Baker, Takurdial, Michael Sancho, Junior Sookhan, Russel Chichester, Ajai Sansarran and John
The Antigua Trio: Dave, Sylvester, Alzarri the only Josephs to Play Test Cricket for WI When Alzarri Joseph made his test debut at the Daren Sammy’s National Stadium in St. Lucia against India, he joined his compatriots Dave and Sylvester Joseph; the Antiguans are the only players with that surname that have the distinction of playing at the test level for the West Indies. Dave made his test debut against the touring Australians led by the legendary Steve Waugh in 1999. Strange enough that was the pugnacious right hander’s only test series. Unlike Dave, Sylvester ‘Bouncing’ Joseph never had the pleasure of playing in a full test series, he only had five test matches, playing against different opponents. Today, Kaieteur Sports and Statistician Charwayne Walker looks back at several other prominent players with that surname that just failed to wear the maroon at the test level for the West Indies. Harold ‘Mystery Man’ Joseph, this Trini genius toured Zimbabwe in 1981 with the West Indies under26 B team and Australia for World Series Cricket in 1981/82. Ray Joseph, this Guyanese speedster was the leading wicket taker when young England toured the
Keon Joseph Caribbean in 1980. He also played County cricket for Northamptonshire in 1985. His career best was 6 for 114 vs Jamaica at Sabina Park in 1984. Dawnley Allister Joseph, this pugnacious right hander was the leading run scorer when the Brian Lara led B team toured Zimbabwe in 1989. He also featured for the President XI against Australia 1991 at Warner Park, St. Kitts, Pakistan 1993 at Bourda and England 1994 at Bourda. He opened the batting for the West Indies under-19 in 1985 against young England. Career best: 149 vs Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club 1989. Ly n d e n A n t h o n y Joseph, this Guyanese fast
bowling all rounder toured Zimbabwe with the Brian Lara led West Indies B team in 1989. The following year 1990, he played at the English County Level for Hampshire. After capturing 23 wickets in the 1992 Red Stripe Cup, Joseph was spectacular for the West Indies (A) against England (A). Injuries caused him to miss the final unofficial test at the mecca Kensington Oval. He still topped the bowling averages with 12 wickets, he also represented the West Indies under-23 against India at Warner Park, St Kitts in 1989 and against Australia at Arnos Vale, St. Vincent in 1991. Career Best: 6 for 551 vs Jamaica at Sabina Park 1992. Jensen Joseph, West Indies (A) vs India 1995 toured Florida 1995 with West Indian A Team, Elder Brother of Dave Joseph. Keon Joseph, this Guyanese speedster played at the ICC Under-19 Youth World Cup in New Zealand in 2010. He just featured in two President XI matches for the West Indies against India in St. Kitts. Unlike his predecessors mentioned above, Keon is still active and will want to join Alzarri, Dave and Sylvester and keep the Joseph name on the test scene.
Rovin DeSouza of the Jumbo Jet accepts the sponsorship from Sasha Lewis, Manager at Palm Court. Rodriguez among others. Incentives will also be available for the top Jockey the runner up, the top stable
and champion trainer. There will also be free programmes and parking for vehicles.
The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed Junior. (Samuel Whyte)
Champions Leicester stunned by Hull in Premier League opener
Hull City’s Abel Hernandez scores their first goal. (Reuters / Russell Cheyne) (Reuters) Leicester City became the first reigning Premier League champions to begin their title defence with a defeat when they were beaten 2-1 at promoted Hull City, who shrugged off an injury crisis to cause an upset on the opening day of the new season on Saturday. Robert Snodgrass thumped home a left-footed winner in the 57th minute after Leicester, who lost only three games last season, failed to clear their lines. Riyad Mahrez’s second-half penalty for Leicester had earlier cancelled out Adama D i o m a n d e ’s a c r o b a t i c overhead kick. “They played better,” Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports. “We tried to do our best, our effort
was amazing but it was individual, not as a team.” Hull, who were promoted through the second-tier playoffs last season, came into the new campaign among the favourites for relegation and without a permanent manager after Steve Bruce quit last month. They took the lead, however, against the run of play in the first minute of first-half stoppage time when Diomande leapt in tandem with Abel Hernandez to meet Kasper S c h m e i c h e l ’s p u n c h e d clearance from a Curtis Davies header. “We tried to win but sometimes it’s not possible,” Ranieri added. “We made some mistakes and have to
think about where we made them.” Mahrez scored from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half after Tom Huddlestone had clipped Demarai Gray on the edge of the area, before Snodgrass slammed home the winner, providing some respite for Hull, who had only 13 fit senior players available. “Leicester knew the togetherness, the mentality and the character we showed (last season),” said Snodgrass, “and I think that’s what got us through in the end.” Hull’s interim coach Mike Phelan said: “It was great to see everyone pulled together and we got a result that surprised a few people.”
t r o Sp India skittle West Indies Usain Bolt wins first-round 100 heat to clinch series 2-0 in entertaining fashion
The India players celebrate the wicket of Leon Johnson, West Indies v India, 3rd Test, Gros Islet, 5th day, August 13, 2016 ©Associated Press
Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica reacts before the start of his 100m heat. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Action packed day envisaged for $30M in 2016 Guyana Cup race meet Kings Night
Port Mourant Turf Club ready for today’s action.
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