Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Kato School was never certified by supervising firm -Contractor mislead Min. of Education in progress reports - consultants
By Jarryl Bryan The “completed” works on the Kato Secondary School by Kares Engineering, never received the final stamp of approval from the supervising firm, Design and Construction Services Limited (DCSL). This is according to DCSL, the consultant tasked with ensuring that Kares constructed the school according to contract stipulations. DCSL’s Managing Director, Ravi Ramlakhan, made this comment in response to the draft technical report on the School which was compiled by Rodrigues Architects Limited, headed by Albert Rodrigues. The consultant said that Kares Engineering never completed the job to its satisfaction and as such, it did not issue a Certificate of Practical Completion. After a Ministry of Public Infrastructure sponsored trip to the Kato School complex in Region Eight on Wednesday, this publication had highlighted a number defects throughout the complex. The tour also facilitated experts from Rodrigues Architects Limited. And from independent observations, the school was riddled with cracks in the base structures for stairs and railings, sinking ceilings, uneven stairs, mould build up and termite infestations. In response to these conditions being highlighted, Kares Engineering had stated that to date, it is not in receipt of a complaint or request for corrective works. DCSL, however, contradicted Kares’s claims. The supervising firm said in its report that after Kares claimed to have “practically completed” the works in April, 2015, an official was dispatched to verify this. “Our senior Project Manager, Patrick Pitt, visited
Director of Kares Engineering Inc. Radesh Rameshwar the site from April 26 to April 29, 2015 and produced a Site Visit Report dated May 4, 2015. (This contained) a list of defective and outstanding works. However, the contractor failed to complete the works.” In spite of Pitt’s report to DCSL, Kares Engineering still insisted that it addressed the outstanding work. However, repeated site visits by Pitt only served to produce more updated lists of defects. DCSL subsequently reported that Kares began to skip out on meetings between them and the Ministry of Education. “He was finally made to attend a meeting at the Ministry on August 25, 2015 and yet again, he gave a commitment to address the defective works on site. The contractor mobilized on site from September 2 to September 18, 2015, but even after this, the defective works remained to be completed.” In view of its failure to complete the job it was contracted to do, DCSL reported that the Certificate of
Practical Completion was withheld. This certificate is crucial, as it marks the point where the contractor has completed his contract and can hand over the building to the Ministry. MISLEADING REPORTS DCSL also reported that Kares Engineering would often report directly to the Ministry and submit erroneous or misleading progress reports. These progress reports were designed to ensure that the then Ministry of Education keep itself up to date with the construction, which began in 2013. According to the consultants, however, they frequently had to intervene to
Then Project Manager for DCSL, Patrick Pitt disprove the statements made by the firm and “(set) the record straight to the Ministry.” DCSL, which has its offices in Anira Street, Queenstown, described the company’s actions as “highly inappropriate and challenging”. The consultants also stated that Kares would discuss and negotiate strategies and approaches for the construction directly with the Ministry. “The contractor appeared to have a substantial amount of work through other projects with the Ministry of Education and as such, was well known to the Ministry.” “Therefore, he appeared to enjoy a certain familiarity
with the Ministry,” DCSL said, hastening to add that it was not suggesting anything improper. “But his direct communication and his soliciting of decisions from the Ministry at times undermined us as consultants, and should not have been encouraged.” DCSL also reported its difficulties in getting work programmes from Kares. This work programme is essential in order for the consultant to be able to evaluate the contractor’s work progress. “In spite of giving the contractor several verbal and written instructions to submit a detailed, revised work programme for the project, he was slow to provide this information. We formally
reminded (Kares) of his contractual obligation.” According to the consultant, this was done by way of letters dated September 19, 2013; November 11, 2013; and December 4, 2013. The consultant reported that a programme was finally submitted later that month, with a revised project completion date of July 31, 2015. In addition, DCSL reported that Kares Engineering was reminded, on several occasions, to submit monthly valuations, in order to ensure that spending on the project could be tracked. “It would appear that initially the contractor did not see the value in submitting monthly valuations as he had not done sufficient work to counter the recovery of the mobilization advance (advance payment to Kares).” “(The contractor) tended to be more motivated by his need for cash flow in his submission of valuations than supporting good financial management of the project.” Construction of the school started in 2013 under the previous administration and the edifice was scheduled to be opened in January 2016. This was delayed following the discovery of the defects.
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Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
THE DEA TH PENAL DEATH PENALTTY IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE. The recent spate of senseless murders in Guyana has prompted calls for the death penalty which is still the law. But there has been a moratorium on its use since 1997. Although many have been convicted of murder and sentenced to death, there has been no execution since then. Most death sentences have been commuted to life in prison. Since the turn of the century, more than 140 countries have abolished capital punishment. The European Union and Britain have been at the forefront in the fight to abolish the death penalty which they deemed barbaric and an abuse of human rights, globally. Despite such efforts, there was a 28 percent increase in the number of executions in 2014 compared to the figures in 2013. There were 2,466 death sentences in 55 countries in 2014, with a total of 678 executions. This figure excludes China, which executed more persons than the rest of the world combined. According to the Dui Hua Human Rights Foundation which monitors human rights abuses in Asia, China executed 2,405 persons by lethal injection in 2013. Guyana’s commitment to the United Nations three years ago to place a moratorium on the death penalty was renewed by the government amidst a worldwide effort to abolish capital punishment. Death penalty or not, people will continue to commit murder. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that there are fewer murders or heinous crimes in countries with the death penalty. Capital punishment has not deterred murderers. While some support the death penalty, others do not, because in the United States many persons, mostly blacks were convicted wrongfully. Some were put to death before science could prove their innocence. Regardless of the circumstances, no individual should take the life of another person. Guyana is a religious society and most Christians believe in the Biblical phrase ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ But the Bible also talks about ‘an eye for an eye’ which literally suggests that society should punish those in the exact same manner they used to cause harm to others. While some feel the reciprocity is justified, others believe that ‘an eye for an eye’ would leave the world blind. In the United States there is currently great sensitivity on the issue of the death penalty as is the case in Guyana. The reason is in America, an average of ten persons is being released every month from prison because they were wrongly convicted. Several states have abolished the death penalty. However, the government’s position on the death penalty is unclear. The President has reiterated that he does relish taking lives wantonly, and that he has no intension to order the execution of anyone unless guided by public consensus in a referendum. He also said that he would not enforce the death penalty at the present time, and that the Government is not in any rush to remove the law from the books because the threat and the countering of terrorism require the existence of the death penalty. His decision came in the wake of calls by the European Union, the United Nations, and several human rights organizations to continue the moratorium on the death penalty. It is the belief of many that before any decision is made about the death penalty, it must be debated by the public. There are strong arguments for and against the death penalty which suggests that it would not be an easy decision one way or another. However, whatever decisions the government makes, it must be supported by all. It is a very sensitive issue.
Saturday August 06, 2016
Is Minister Broomes being vindictive?
DEAR EDITOR; On Saturday, July 2nd 2016, an operation led by Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Brooms, at Puruni Landing, Cuyuni Mazaruni, Region 7 included some members of the Police Force, GGMC Officials and Media Operatives. The visit at Puruni Landing saw the closing down and nailing up of one shop which is being rented by a Brazilian national called “Junior”. It must be noted that Puruni Landing is not a gazetted landing for business. Let’s see how it all started and how we ended up at Puruni Landing. A few months ago there was a lead story in all the media houses in Guyana and Social Network under the headline “Minister Brooms sweeps Bartica”. In the middle of night, Minister Brooms and her team, back then, went to a popular night club in Bartica named “Platinum Nite Club”, managed by “Junior”, a Brazilian National. Minister Brooms, with her unprofessional conduct and layman behavior ordered the
bright lights turned on in the club, nobody to leave the night club and went ahead and order the arrest of all the “girls” whom Miss Brooms alleged were being held against their will by “Junior” much to the upsetting of party goers. There were exchanges of explicit languages from both sides. The girls were arrested and taken to Georgetown along with Junior. In the end, Minister Brooms failed miserably in her attempt to secure a conviction against Junior and his “queens on prostitution and trafficking” in person allegations. Ever since the unprofessional conduct of Minister Brooms, the domino effect is still being felt by the vendors who sell at nights in front of the night club and taxi drivers who all maintain their families, pay their mortgages and utility bills as business at Platinum Nite Club remains in slow motion. Vendors and taxi drivers are afraid to speak out over the slowdown in business at the night club. Now the case of Puruni Landing. Out of respect for
concerns raised by some members of society in Bartica over the unfounded allegations of trafficking in persons and prostitutions against Junior and the night club and for the sake of peace Junior went to Puruni Landing where he is renting a shop to this date. Up come Minister Brooms on the above date mentioned, went to Puruni Landing with her team and proceeded to nail up windows and doors of the very shop that is being rented by Junior in the name of looking for prostitution activities and trafficking in persons but failed again. After a thorough search of the shop and noting illegal was found by Ms Brooms and her team, she ordered the closing down of the shop. Puruni Landing has over two dozen shops presently. Are some members of the police force, Geology and Mines Commission and media operatives being used by Minister Brooms to carry out her personal vendetta against her opponents as the following question deserves an answer:
a) Was the operation on July 2nd at Puruni Landing a Governmental or Ministry of Natural Resources operation? b) On what grounds did Minister Brooms and GGMC used to order the closure of one shop out of 24? c) Are tax payers being used to finance operation for personal reasons? d) Who authorized this operation? It is alleged that Minister Brooms’ words to Junior and his girls were that she is acting on behalf of the President who give her the power and that she can do anything she wants. The shop in question is licensed and all other documents are in order and is said to expire in 2017. I call on the Brazilian Embassy to intervene on behalf of its nationals with a view to ensuring that the rights of their citizens are not being violated by Miss Brooms. Junior has been living in Guyana for the past 7 to 10 years. All of his employees, as a legitimate businessman are Guyanese. Minister (Continued on page 5)
Questions about changes to the Amerindian Act DEAR EDITOR, I am not convinced that the Parliamentary Natural Resources Committee and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs will be able to work together for the betterment of Indigenous communities if they can’t find a common ground to facilitate the revision of the Amerindian Act. The subject of mining has always been a matter of serious concern for Indigenous communities. It has been raised many times by representatives of various communities of the Middle Mazaruni, Upper Mazaruni, North West among many others. In fact, most of these meetings were tightly controlled by the former Ministry of Amerindian Affairs who promoted their party political agenda and sidelined many vocal village leaders for those who offered praises and political support towards the former administration. The current Executive
body of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) must not continue to allow political interference. Put that aside, the NTC must be a strong and independent organization. Editor, where mining is concerned Indigenous communities like Isseneru, Kako, Micobie, Chinese Landing, Arau and many others have the experience of how adverse the Amerindian Act can be when it comes to mining and Indigenous land rights. Politicians are influential people who resort to political games to make the revision of the Amerindian Act looks like it was only being done for a handful of villages. This is not true; many communities have been demanding the revision of the act. However, village leaders, Indigenous advocates and organizations must take a stand to represent and show the realities of situations in Amerindian communities. Editor, I disagree with these
politicians when they based the questions and answers segment of large scale mining on villages that support their respective political parties to justify that there is no present form of large scale mining on Amerindian Lands. The truth is not being told, the Indigenous Peoples Affairs is well aware that the GGMC had granted prospecting licences to a company to do uranium drilling in the Mazaruni area including on Amerindian lands. If mining is to commence to extract the uranium, specialized equipment are to be used, is that not termed large scale mining? Yes it will be. Will the Amerindian Act have the power to protect if the government gives the mining rights to the conglomerate? The answer is NO. There will be no exception of Amerindian communities under the current Amerindian Act to safeguard themselves from large scale mining.
However, more details have to be provided by the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs to persuade the opposition that it will be in the Amerindians best interest or else the opposition will always have an excuse to play political games. Editor, if these two politicians had taken time to visit the Middle Mazaruni, they would have realized that the issue of large scale mining may not be in Regions one and nine and the foreign countries where they frequently visit but in an area which do not support government policies that work against them. As Indigenous peoples, we look forward to the betterment of our communities. Political, racial and economic barriers are being broken and should remain in the past where Guyanese politicians hope to keep us divided based on ethnicity. Dwight Larson
After 14 months, GECOM is still to pay these people DEAR EDITOR; The May 2015 General and Regional Elections have come and gone but several persons in the hinterland regions who provided transportation services to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on that day have not as yet being paid. In February 2016 three residents from the Mabaruma sub-region approached me to assist them in getting their payments
from GECOM. I tried my best by first visiting GECOM’s Chief Accountant office in Kingston many times but was unsuccessful to this day. I then sought the assistance of GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally by way of letter dated the 9th May, 2016 .Dr. Surujbally responded to my letter by way of letter dated May 11, 2016. In his letter by way of response Dr. Surujbally said, “I
have forwarded your letter to the acting Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud, since the substantive chief election officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfiled, is on leave. Mr. Vishnu Persaud and/or Mr. Lowenfiled (when the latter returns on May 25th from vacation) will investigate the matter raised in your letter and advice you accordingly.” To date GECOM has not addressed the payments owed
to the three residents of the Mabaruma sub-region of Region 1 (Barima-Waini) for transportation services provided. This is disappointing. I therefore advised persons in Regions 1 and 9 with transportation facilities not to provide transportation services to GECOM in the future unless they are paid up front. They all agreed. Peter Persaud.
Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
WHY IS OUTPUT FROM THE HEALTH SECTOR SO WORYING?
DEAR EDITOR; The health sector of Guyana has been criticized under both the PPP and now today under the PNC led Coalition Government for not delivering to the people. However, to deliver to the people requires skillful and talented leadership. Even for a layman like me, it is extremely clear that something is really wrong with our health sector today in 2016 under Dr. George Norton and his deputy Dr. Karen Cummings. This situation is especially worrying at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). On April 21, 2015, in the run up to the May 2015 elec-
tions, two leading candidates on the Coalition list Dr. Surendra Persaud and Dr. Cummings outlined that the GPHC needs to be “run like a corporation (business) rather than a state agency”. They were both absolutely correct then. Since May 2015, the GPHC has been run exactly like a heavily politicized state agency. So were the PNC and AFC just talking in 2015 and had no intentions of delivering on their words? If one looks at the list of voting board members on the GPHC board one can find a notable medical figure in Dr. Max Hanomon. Also there were some other valid repre-
sentatives – Treasury (Ms. Sonya Roopnauth), Workers (Mr. Kempton Alexander) and Ms Collette Adams (Deputy PS at the Health Ministry). But when you look at the rest of the board, they lacked real talent, skills and experience to aid in the process of turning around the GPHC into quasi business rather than an extension of the PNC, the GDF, the AFC and their political lackeys in Congress Place and AFC House. Let us start with GDF Colonel Patrick West, who is the Commander of the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM), the reserve arm of the GDF. With the threat to our
The achievements are highlighted DEAR EDITOR; This is the time of the death anniversary of Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and the time is taken for a reflection on his life. The Burnham government had developed a national policy which envisaged Guyanese controlling the commanding heights of our economy by harnessing local resources for our benefit. It was this vision, bolstered by a dream that led to the establishment of institutions like the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) which operates out of the University of Guyana (UG). In 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Suresh Narine, who explained just how important IAST is to the development and advancement of our People. Guyanese are encouraged and delighted about the abilities of our fellow citizens and the potential of our natural resources; to see these being taken advantage of and put
to productive and developmental use, must make us all proud. This is because over the past few decades, due to several factors, Guyana allowed large transnational corporations to now control most inputs and outputs of our economy. Using indigenous materials, the institution is working to address the major factors limiting the development of paved roads in Guyana due to the exorbitant cost of stone aggregate and binding materials (such as bitumen). Working to improve the process of “firing of coastal clays” for the production of aggregate materials and for combination with lime, fired rice husk, and other binder materials this is expected to produce wear-resistant concrete-like binders. From improving road building techniques to the discovery of the antibacterial effects of passion fruit by Professor Raymond Jagessar which is indeed good news
Is Minister Broomes being... From page 4 Brooms has left Georgetown, journeyed all the way to the interior to close down one shop. I call on the Government of Guyana to investigate allegations of open and blatant discrimination against Brazilian Nationals. I am afraid Miss Brooms is lighting a
candle she won’t be able to out. Allegations of all forms and kinds continue to be leveled against Minister Brooms. I urge the President, to act as the Minister’s conduct is increasingly coming under public scrutiny. She is without limits. Sherwyn Delano Downer Mining Advocate
for healthcare industry, reminds us once again, of Mr. Burnham’s belief that “Yes we can” is made reality. It was this belief in our ability and desire to prove ourselves that put Guyana on the road of converting our rice into flour, our processed carambola (five-finger) entering the European market, the mass production of plantain chips, earlier condemned but are today in our supermarkets, though imported from Central America. In the Metropolitan countries the demonised rice flour is sold as Health Food. Gerber and Kellogg, major food brands, have converted rice into cereal for adults and baby foods. Mr. Burnham’s advocacy for the use of our local herbs as staple tea was not met with much enthusiasm. Today these ‘bush teas’ are sold in the supermarkets, most, if not all with imported labels. Jamaica sells us Cerassie tea, which we call corilla, Britain and USA sell us lemongrass tea, all of which are growing in our backyards. The potential for local job opportunities has not escaped me. 31 years after his departure Mr. Burnham’s dream lives on, as Guyanese we continue through the IAST, to do Research and Development to harness our nation’s resources for the benefit of all. K Sharma Solomon.
territorial integrity in active play, the role of the GDF and GPM has to be more militarily focused. I am told that Colonel West, who is an active member of the joint services, has the responsibility to train some 1,500 part time soldiers as back up to the GDF over the next 12 months. When will he find the time to help turnaround the GPHC? It is clear Colonel West is in the wrong place at the wrong time and like a loyal soldier is only following orders blindly, warming a chair, enjoying the board meals and collecting a stipend. What he will not be able to do, is to strategically intervene as a change agent into a process that needs urgent expert at-
tention. Notice, I did not knock the Colonel’s military competence since I think he will do a great job helping President Granger resuscitate the GPM. However, I am not sure about his skills at hospital administration and therefore his place on the GPHC Board is being seen as nothing else but a militaristic intervention into Guyana’s main hospital. When compared to experts like Dr. Morris Edwards or Dr. Surendra Persaud or Dr. Hardat Persaud or Dr. Brian Niles, Colonel West comes across as a novice in hospital administration. But who cares; this is the GDF time and we “pun tap”! If this country is to progress and socially
heal, this mistake must be corrected. The GPHC cannot benefit from this GDF man and thus this is another job for the boys. I wonder in which hole Minister Ramjattan has found himself hiding as he watches this invasion of the GDF continues? Then you have Cleopatra Barkoey, who is not even on the voter’s list so it is clear that she could be a phantom who had no interest in Guyana before May 2015, but got pulled in because of the family and friends connections. So they cuss former President Ramotar about his family and friends but today they are doing worse than Ramotar. What hypocrisy? What does Ms Cleo (Continued on page 6)
Anand Goolsarran as a columnist
is inappropriate The watching of accountability by Mr. Anand Goolsarran is testimony to the dangers of having persons who are employed by the government or have a private practice to be granted access to the national newspapers and allow the individuals to publish columns on a weekly or regular basis for a fee or otherwise. The particular column that reaffirmed my negative opinion on this practice is pitifully displayed in Anand’s Accountability Watch Column dated Monday, July 25, 2016, in Stabroek News on page 21 and captioned “Three welcome developments, The appointment of the Tax Chief,...” Conflict of Interest is the catch phrase in Guyana today, though, like the term terrorist used in the United States, it escapes a universal definition. When one examines Anands’s comments on the Appointment of the Commissioner-General, it is blatantly obvious that the focus of the watch was not so much on the individual appointed, but on “a Canadian based Guyanese Chartered Accountant of good repute”, according to Anand (this does suggest that the CommissionerGeneral appointed does not meet the Accountability
watcher standard of good repute). Whether the good repute applicant was flown in at the expenses of the tax payer or came using his/her own funds – again, points to some intimacy between the accountability watcher and the applicant. It was noted by Anand that the unsuccessful applicant was qualified as a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), MBA and a Certified General Accountant (CGA). Anand further revealed that the applicant owns an accounting and tax practice in Canada, worked with several international firms… and is also a Certified Fraud Examiner who is pursuing a law degree from the University of London; not a law degree from one of our non-global Caribbean Universities. Readers, please note that the article by Mr. Goolsarran is supposed to be about the appointment of the now Commissioner-General of the
Guyana Revenue Authority in the person of Mr. Godfrey Statia; not of an unnamed applicant known to Mr. Goolsarran; who was not appointed to the position and whose non-appointment seems to displease Anand. It is interesting to note that the person who was appointed as CG of GRA, unbeknownst to some readers of Accountability Watch is qualified as a CPA, MBA, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), has a law degree from the Hugh Wooding Law School, University of the West Indies and also has an (Continued on page 6)
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DEAR EDITOR; Speaking on last week’s edition of the TV programme “Public Interest”, President David Granger, made some startling disclosures. He said, “Employment is not something to be provided by the government. There is self employment and we are working with villages to generate more employment in those villages, but it is going to be agro- based employment”. These statements must have shocked the most ardent supporter of the Coalition Government. After all, the creation of jobs, especially, for young people, was one of the major planks of the APNU-AFC platform promises. In their 2015 Election’s Manifesto, theAPNUAFC promised, “The aim of your new government is to create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the shortest time possible. Our young people cannot wait “five more years” for jobs for which they could be adequately trained and get better pay and greater job satisfaction”. In fact, many of their billboards around the country promised jobs. Some are still standing at various points in Georgetown. During the 2015 Elections campaign, speaking as Opposition Leader to students of the University of Guyana, Mr. Granger said “This government [PPPC] has no strategy to deal with jobs for young people. One of the big-
gest problems facing young people is jobs and we have a strategy for providing young people with jobs. Now in Government, the President sings a completely different tune. This is but one of dozens of promises made to the electorate during the 2015 general elections campaign which the Coalition Government has abrogated. I doubt that in the post -Independent Caribbean a greater fraud has ever been perpetrated against the electorate than that upon the Guyana electorate at the 2015 elections by the APNU-AFC. The Coalition Government has not only failed to deliver on multiple promises but in many instances they have done or are doing the opposite of what they promised. It is the undoubted responsibility of a government to create jobs, directly, as well as, indirectly. Governments create jobs, directly, through the pursuit of policies and projects specifically designed to create jobs; through the expansion of the public sector; through the expansion of state institutions; through the expansion of state-offered services; through capital/ infrastructural projects and via various other government-driven initiatives. For example, the PPPC government’s Infrastructure and Housing policy alone
generated several thousand jobs. Indirectly, it is the government’s duty to create the type of environment that will conduce to the growth and expansion of the private sector and the attraction of local and foreign investments that will ineluctably lead to the creation of jobs and proliferation of job- creating opportunities. President Granger is perhaps the first head of state who does not view job creation as an obligation of government. Speaking on her government’s 2011-2012 National Budget, Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar said, “The budget will increase infrastructural development specifically in areas that will provide jobs in the engineering and construction sectors”. In recent times, no other head of state on the global stage has spoken more comprehensively about a government’s duty to create jobs for its people than President Barack Obama. At every convenient forum, President Obama, has emphasized the uncompromising duty of a government to create jobs. Indeed, President Obama, often cites the millions of jobs created during his two terms after the great economic decline of 2008, as one of his most signal achievements. During his final State of the Union address, President Obama,
Arya Samaj Apologizes to Viraat Sabha DEAR EDITOR, In an article published in your media on July 31 pertaining to our application for pandit accreditation (to perform licensed marriages according to Hindu rites and sanctioned by the state), our organization inadvertently identified the Viraat Sabha as obtaining special privileges from the state to accredit its affiliated pandits. It was really another Hindu organization from Region 3 affiliated with the government that enjoys
such special favors and that indeed got its pandits to be accredited as licensed marriage officers. The Central Arya Samaj regrets the error and apologizes to the Viraat Sabja for our unintentional mistake. We still wait for words from the state on our pending application. Since our letter of complaint, we are yet to hear from the President or the line Minister to address the issue. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu President
WHY IS OUTPUT FROM THE HEALTH... From page 5 bring to the GPHC to help it turn around? Is she another political friend like her colleague in Region 5 that was parachuted military style into the hospital to generate loyalty rather than help the people of Guyana? Then lastly on this board is one Mandy Sukdeo, who has a certificate in a DENTEX program (dental assistant). This lady is so influential in the Granger administration that she also sits on the Cheddi Jagan Airport Board. But then when you recognize that her trainer and friend in the DENTEX program is a close relative of an AFC Minister in the Granger administration, the loose ends tie up. So the
Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
AFC led by Mr. Ramjattan who used to cuss down Jagdeo about nepotism has today morphed into a creature worse than Jagdeo with its nepotism. This Ramjattan led AFC has bypassed a management expert in hospital administration Dr. Surendra Persaud and nominate a dental assistant to serve them at this strategic level in the health sector. Shame on the AFC! This same Minister also placed Mandy Sukdeo on the Cheddi Jagan Airport Board. I am surprised that he did not put her on GPL Board also because it appears she has skills on all fronts. The Guyanese people need to know that nepotism is alive in Guyana thanks to the AFC and the Granger administra-
tion. So while all the people voted for change in 2015, what they got instead was exchange. Is it more clear why the output from the health sector will continue to be worrying in 2016? Do we understand why between now and 2020 there will be absolute misery for the people when they visit the Georgetown Hospital? Nothing will change because Dr. Max Hanoman alone cannot do it; he needs a competent, and appropriately skilled, experienced and well-focused board to help him and that he does not have; thanks to the Granger administration. This is a case of giving Dr. Hamonan a basket to fetch water. Good luck to him. Jai (Harry) Lall
boasts “We are in the middle of the longest streak of job creation in history; more than 14 Million new jobs; the strongest two years of job growth since the 1990’s”. To kick-start job creation in the U.S., President Obama presented to Congress, the American Jobs Act. This initiative was designed by the Obama administration, specifically, to create jobs for Americans both directly and indirectly. In his speech proposing the Act, he said “The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working. It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for longterm unemployed. It will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business. It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers for their products and services.” Indeed, undoubtedly, job creation is one of the most critical issues in the ongoing U.S. Presidential campaign.
Quite apart from President Granger’s flawed view that it is not the government’s obligation to create jobs, his shoving off that responsibility to the citizens (self-employment) and the private sector, is yet another indicia of how far removed from reality the President actually is. That the economy is contracting; that the private sector is recording declining level of business activities and, consequently, profits; that the private sector is shedding staff to survive; that new investments are non- existent; that the new regime of increased taxation and anti- business policies of the government have had a debilitating factor on commercial activities; that SOCU and SARA are driving fear in the private sector - are all factors of which the President seems unaware but which have rendered the private sector incapable of creating jobs and have killed the self-employment opportunities which the President anticipates will proliferate. Ironically, the President cites agriculture to be the greatest generator of these jobs. Yet, his government has implemented policies and
taken positions that spell doom for the agro-sector. The refusal to aid the rice and sugar industries and the imposition of VAT on capital agricultural equipment are just a few. The truth is that Guyana’s agricultural sector will never move beyond its current stagnant state unless there is a shift to agro-processing. This shift will only take place with the availability of affordable energy. When the APNU-AFC voted down the Amaila Falls Hydro project in the tenth Parliament, they killed this potential. The same can be said of the Government’s posture on self-employment which the President now touts. For example, when the government hounded Bai Shan Lin out of the forestry sector, they devastated dozens of small selfemployed loggers who depended upon the company for market for their logs. The President, in attempting to abdicate his government’s responsibility to create jobs, has certainly become a victim of his own political artifice. Anil Nandlall Attorney-at-Law MP (PPP)
Small contractor cries out for equal treatment DEAREDITOR; I write to you on issues that abound in Region 8- Potaro/ Siparuni District. I am a small building contractor with the desire to work assiduously if given the opportunity by officers in the aforementioned region. I have tendered for a chance to get a contract with Regions 1, 2, 7 and 8 but so far I have not been successful. This is due to the fact that there is not a balanced playing field and as a small contractor I believe I have not
been treated fairly, had this been so, this letter would not be necessary since I would have accepted my fate. I happen to know that a lot of skullduggery is practiced in at least one of the Regions and that is Region 8. I was personally approached to share my payment with a certain officer before I am approved, being a contractor. At a smaller scale this can never be possible and editor, even if I was a large scale contractor I won’t
encourage such lawlessness. Sir, I was successful in my bid for maintenance of a building in Bartica, another project and another one in Region 7. I crave your paper’s intervention in this matter so that the changes that are fought for can become a reality and corruption can be eliminated from our society altogether. Thanking in anticipation for a speedy intervention. Small contractor
Anand Goolsarran as a columnist ... From page 5 accounting and tax practice in the United States. Mr. Statia was also a Deputy Commissioner for several years at the Inland Revenue Department in the 1980s, which was headed by Mr. Mr. Edgar Heyligar, as was Mr. Khurshid Sattaur the former head of GRA (The GRA resulted from the merger of two departments, the Inland Revenue Department and Customs and Excise Department). Based on Mr. Goolsarran’s close examination of the original vacancy notice, he concluded that external candidates were placed at a disadvantage as the requirement for “15 years` ex-
perience in customs administration, eight of which must be at an executive level”. As there was no provision for equivalent external experience. It seems to me the author/s of the vacancy notice saw no need to state the obvious, more alarming is Anand’s implicit view that non-external candidates were not placed at a disadvantage. In addition to highlighting the good repute of the unsuccessful applicant, Monsieur Goolsarran in his article described the CommissionerGeneral selection process as “in some ways this could be considered as bid rigging” What a giant leap by our accountability watcher, percep-
tion and reality are both ignored - in a most tainted and vicious manner by our “watcher”. Our national newspapers should be very careful in appointing columnists and commentators who are employed by the Government or carry on private practice that includes Government and Corporate Sector clientele – Goolsarran, Ram and Lucas come to mind. Let these denizens of Guyana limit their opinions to “Letters to the Editor”. To paraphrase Mr. Goolsarran, using the last sentence of his article “failure to relinquish his positions is posing a serious conflict of interest”. Nigel Hinds
Saturday August 06, 2016
$29 million fraud at GPL
Finance Officer tells court Duncan signed off on cheques payable to himself Finance Officer of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, Loris Nathoo, has confirmed that larceny accused and former Vice Chairman of the company, Carvil Duncan, had signed off on the cheques payable to himself. Duncan, 73, of Lot 1977 Lanstead Road, Festival City, Georgetown, is accused of conspiring with another to commit simple larceny. It is alleged that between May 7, and May 8, 2015 at Georgetown, Duncan conspired with another senior official to steal the sum of $27,757,500, property of GPL. It was also alleged that on March 31, 2015, Duncan stole $984,900 belonging to GPL. Duncan is currently out on $1M bail. He is on trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Leron Daly. Yesterday, Finance Officer, Nathoo, confirmed that some of the signatures on the cheques belonged to Mr. Duncan. He was at the time responding to questions by Police Prosecutor Shavonne Jupiter. The GPL official explained that the cheques must be approved by two signatories from the Board of Directors. He told the court that there are two categories of managers on the Board, Class A and Class B. At all times, the Finance Officer explained that the cheques must contain two signatories from either Classes of the board before they are approved. Questioned further on the issue, the witness essentially told the court that the company has no policy to against officials paying themselves. The matter is set to continue on August 9. Duncan’s Attorney, Charles Ramson Jr. is scheduled to cross examine Lorraine Bancroft, the Corpo-
Former Vice Chairman of GPL, Carvil Duncan rate Secretary to GPL’s Board of Directors on that date. On the last occasion, Bancroft told the court that it is the shareholders who are authorized by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) by-laws to fix remuneration for the power company’s board of directors. Bancroft, an Attorney by profession, testified that the bylaws of GPL provide for its shareholders to decide on salaries for board members. But that testimony was challenged by Ramson Jr. The lawyer suggested to Bancroft that the by-laws do not state that shareholders can decide on salary structures for board members. In a copy of the statute provided to Bancroft by Police Prosecutor, Shellon Jupiter, the Corporate Secretary maintained that it makes such provision and read aloud a section to support her assertion. Bancroft said that board meetings would be held once per month and explained that special meetings are held when necessary. According to initial reports, two former senior officials (Duncan and former CEO Aeshwar Deonarine) are accused of being part of a multi-million-dollar fraud at
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GPL. The men are alleged to have illegally transferred close to $30M to their personal bank accounts from GPL. The Government had asked the police to investigate the two senior officials last July. It was reported that the men paid themselves almost $29M without authorization. In light of investigations, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave. The discoveries of the suspicious transfers were made by independent auditors who were probing the PetroCaribe Fund, which hold proceeds of oil shipments taken from neighbouring Venezuela. It was while tracking payments to GPL that auditors unearthed the strange transactions. Deonarine, who had been responsible for administration had reportedly wanted to receive the same level of pay as the then DCEO (Technical), Colin Welch, but his approaches to the Board of Directors were rebuffed. He had reportedly offered to repay the money, but GPL was supposed to have waited until it was transferred from his US bank account. However, police have since issued a warrant for the arrest of Deonarine after he purportedly fled the country. Deonarine’s name has since been dropped from the charges against Duncan after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew the charges against him because he has fled the country. This was done so that the court could proceed with Duncan’s trial.
Shipment of Yellow Fever expected by month-end Guyana is still awaiting a shipment of Yellow Fever vaccine to continue to meet its vaccination demand. According Chief Medical Officer (CMO) (ag), Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, the Public Health Ministry expects the anticipated shipment to arrive by “mid to late August.” She, however, asserted that the Ministry is continuing to find doses for nationals travelling to the continent of Africa who must be immunised against contracting Yellow Fever. A number of countries on the continent have reported outbreaks of Yellow Fever which prompted a number of countries in other continents to issue travel advisories. An increased demand for the Yellow Fever vaccine has left the Ministry’s vaccination stock depleted. Aside from the stock available for those travelling to Africa, the only other doses available are those intended for young children who have never been immunised against Yellow Fever. But accordin g t o D r. Gordon-Boyle many persons may not currently have need for the vaccine if they would have been immunised as a child. In the past it was requested that persons be immunised every 10 years but according to the Acting CEO, based on the exi s t i n g Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation (WHO) guidelines “once you are vaccinated once, it is for life.” Given the fact that Guyana is able to boast of a vibrant immunisation programme, which includes
Acting CMO, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle Yellow Fever vaccination, Dr. Gordon-Boyle is confident that “the dangers for us travelling is minimal.” She, however, considered that since an international travel certificate is required by a number of countries “it is causing unnecessary panic.” “We have not had an outbreak and most of the Caribbean countries are vigilant with th e i r v a c c i n a t i o n programme,” emphasised Dr. Gordon-Boyle as she emphasised that Guyana been reaching out to a number of countries to relax their demands for the international travel certificate. Among the countries the Ministry has already been looking to for support in this regard is Trinidad, Jamaica and Suriname. “Jamaica has already eased and we are hoping to get others to ease that burden for us too,” related the
Acting CMO. Among the persons who have been seeking the vaccine are people who have arrangements to travel to the United States and other countries that do not require persons to be vaccinated. But according to the Acting CMO, she had not heard of any reports of persons being turned away from countries such as the United States if they do not produce a travel certificate. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe and Caribbean territories do not require persons travelling from Guyana to produce an international Yellow Fever certificate. Outbreaks of Yellow Fever have been reported in Angola. There are reports of the disease spreading to the Democratic Republic of C o n g o , N i g e r, N i g e r i a , Mali, among others. Guyana and all of its n e i g h bouring territories (Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela) have been listed as territories that have the ideal conditions to transmit the disease. Yellow Fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected Aedes type mosquitoes. The yellow in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigues. According to WHO, a small portion of patients who contract the disease develop severe symptoms and approximately half of those die within seven to 10 days.
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Kaieteur News
Board reinstates Michael Khan as GPHC’s CEO - Health Minister to “straighten” situation “We can ill afford to have things go wrong at the Georgetown Public Hospital,” said Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. The Minister was at the time reacting to a move by the Board of Directors of the hospital to reinstate Mr. Michael Khan as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). This publication understands that the Board of Directors instructed Khan by way of letter to resumed duties yesterday. Khan was sent on administrative leave last year to facilitate a forensic
audit into the procurement process at the hospital. But according to reports reaching this publication, the audit, which was conducted by Junior Finance Minister, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma, had cleared Khan of allegations of wrongdoings. However, the Board was reportedly divided on Khan’s reinstatement and had therefore written to Minister Norton to preside on the matter. At Thursday’s post Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, also weighed in on the matter pointing out that “Cabinet has not been informed by the
Minister of Public Health that a decision has been taken for anyone to resume duties based on clearance by the audit.” He speculated that while the audit would have made several recommendations, only one might have been given attention (thus far). He said, “Sometimes when we use the word ‘cleared’ you have to look at it very closely. You might have been cleared of one allegation but there are several others that have not been addressed. We would have to look at that very closely,” added the Minister of State. Minister Norton,
AG meets with reporting entities ahead of FATF/ICRG visit Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, met, yesterday, with insurance companies and brokers as part of ongoing sensitisation meetings in preparation for the Financial Action Task Force FATF/ ICRG on-site visit. Minister Williams and a team from his Ministry met with a number of supervisory and reporting entities in relation to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amended) legislation. At the FATF Plenary and Working Group meeting held in Korea from June 18 to June
24, last, the FATF/ICRG report stated that Guyana has substantially completed its action at the technical level. In line with the procedures for removing jurisdictions from ICRG review, the entity recommended that an on-site visit take place to the country prior to the October 2016 meetings. This is in order to verify that the implementation of its AML/CFT reforms have begun and are being sustained, and that there is political commitment to sustain implementation. The on-site visit will relate
to the verification of the implementation of seven reforms therefore, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Special Organised Crime Unit, Bank of Guyana, Guyana Securities Council, the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies, the Supervisor of Insurance, Money Transfer Agencies and the Commercial Banks will be visited. Once the FATF/ICRG CoChairs conclude that Guyana has satisfied its on-site verification, then a motion will be moved in its October Plenary to remove Guyana from the FATF/ICRG’s review list.
Mr. Michael Khan
Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton
GPHC Chairman, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman
commenting on reports that Khan has been reinstated by the Board yesterday, said that it isn’t logical that such a decision could have been made when the findings of the audit and the reason that Khan was sent home in the first place, are still being discussed. The Minister intimated that “they have disregarded my authority.” He, however, assured “I have it all under control.” “While there is a Board with a Chairman who I appointed...it is not an executive Board,” explained Minister Norton who also pointed out that the CEO of the hospital is the one tasked with its day to day operation. But according to Minister Norton, based on his observation “we have persons who are not familiar with their roles
and have been doing what they are not supposed to do, and we will have to straighten that out.” Minister Norton said, too, that he has already sent a letter to both the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman, and Mr. Khan summoning them to his office over the situation. But Dr. Hanoman, in an invited comment, yesterday, said the decision to reinstate Khan was a principled one. “We are more concerned with the principle of the matter more than the person,” said the Chairman. “There was an investigation and based on that a decision was made.” “The GPHC will continue to look at the best policies that will facilitate the betterment of GPHC and patient care. It is in this light that decisions
were made for the way forward,” added Dr. Hanoman. Meanwhile, this publication understands that Paul Clarke who had reportedly turned up at the hospital claiming he was appointed the Deputy CEO, has since not returned. Clarke had raised concerns when he informed officials at the hospital that he was appointed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Trevor Thomas. Thomas has since dismissed these claims and Government, through Mr Harmon, disregarded the appointment. The Acting CEO of the Hospital, Mr. Alan Johnson, has reportedly proceeded on one-month sick leave, and Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Sheik Amir, is currently filling the gap.
Saturday August 06, 2016
The newspapers around the world are awash with stories of domestic violence and murder resulting from infidelity or the refusal of partners of a relationship to reconcile after breaking- up. ‘Blow’ and unrequited love are breaking up relationships and resulting in violence and deaths. You would think that this would also be the cause of the high incidence of divorce in the world. You would be wrong. The greatest threat to marriage is coming from unusual source: the growing independence of women.
Women are increasingly deciding that they are not going to be treated as any man’s property. They are opting for flexible relationships. They are setting the ground rules before jumping in relationships. They are not getting starry-eyed over any man. If a man does not measure up, he has to go. A great many women are now refusing to get married. Many of them are viewing marriage as a form of servitude to which they are not prepared to be subjected. Women are now surpassing men academically
in many disciplines and are challenging the domination of men in the corporate Boardrooms. The number of women professionals are increasing and with it a growing independence. Some women are even questioning whether they need men at all. There used to be a time when it would be unusual to find women going to a bar or a club alone. This would raise eyebrows. Things have changed. Women are not only going to the clubs and bars alone, they are dancing by themselves and are buying their own drinks. They are showing that they do not
Dem boys seh...
Monopoly mek politicians tun thieves This crop of politician, when dem did small dem use to play a game name monopoly. That game had nuff money. It had jail too. De game had a spot when you land pun it, it seh go straight to jail, “Do not pass Go”. And every time you pass go you use to collect a bright small piece. Yesterday, dem boys hear about Bishop Ten Edghill when he was a pompous minister. He was on a plane sitting next to a cowboy from Texas. He was going to Miami to meet Brassington. Dem boys hear after the plane tek off drink orders were taken from each passenger. The cowboy who was sitting next to Ten Edghill asked for a whiskey and soda water, which was brought and placed before him. The flight attendant then asked Ten Edghill if he would like a drink. Ten Edghill tell de attendant, “I’d rather
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be raped by a dozen brazen whores than let liquor touch my lips”. The cowboy, when he hear that, immediately handed his drink back to the flight attendant and, with a huge smile on his face, said “Sorry ma’am, I didn’t know we had a choice”. But if dem boys had a choice nuff of dem politicians, now and before, would never pass ‘Go’. Dem have to go straight to jail fuh de things dem did and doing to Guyana. Imagine, to this day nobody can find de GTT money that dem use to pay over to de govt every year. Dem boys want know how Brassington and Jagdeo ain’t got to jail yet. And dem boys deliberately use de word, ‘yet’ because dem certain Soulja Bai sending dem to jail. Is only time. Talk half and keep you children from that game.
need men to enjoy themselves. We are hearing a lot now bout “girls’ night out”. If the boys can go out with their male friends, the girls are doing the same. When men try to get” fresh” with them by offering to buy them a drink, the women are refusing. There used to be a time in the West Indies when it was unusual to find a women going to cricket without a man by her side. The Caribbean Premier League has been a revelation. Women are buying their own tickets and going to cricket. They are having a good time at the cricket. They are doing the same at concerts. We might be entering a period when women will not need men. In fact, with test tube babies, women really do not even need men to make children. The institution of heterosexual marriage is being threatened by the growing independence of women. The
situation is not likely to get better. Many states in the United States of America are passing samesex laws and this will further destroy the institution of heterosexual marriage. The religious community has been a great defender and promoter of the institution of heterosexual marriage. The religious community must be concerned about the future of the institution of marriage because many faiths actually proclaim the virtues of marriage. The undermining of the
institution of marriage is a serious development for the religious community. This is a serious development for the religious community. They must take stock of what is taking place. If the institution of marriage becomes extinct, the next victim could be established religion.
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Kaieteur News
What kind of authority Surajbali has at GECOM? My understanding of the nature of GECOM is that it is not a private body although it is independent of Government. I know it is funded by money from the State. If my description is correct then, Steve Surujbally is a highly paid public sector employee even though I am aware that in the technical sense of the term, he is not a mainstream public sector worker. But I would insist his salary does not come from private employers. I may be wrong but I am told when take-home pay and allowances are added up, Dr. Surujbally’s package is well over a million monthly. I am curious as a layman to know how large or how restricted is the authority of the Chairman of GECOM within the operations of GECOM. Let me digress briefly. I worked at the University of Guyana for 26 years and my knowledge of the authority of the Vice-Chancellor over the entire university is deeply clear. If the Faculty of Technology does not pay the paper vendor, the Vice-Chancellor can order the Finance Director to pay the man immediately. I know the jurisdiction the Governor of the Bank of Guyana has. He can direct the accountant to pay a restau-
rant that delivered food but is still to receive payment. Does Surujbally have similar power at GECOM where he is chairman? Since May 2015 GECOM is still to pay three interior residents for transportation services supplied during the 2015 general elections. These are social, the morbidities of this country I hate with the deepest of emotional rage. Those three persons are not even in a distant way, wealthy people. Why in this country do ordinary people have to live in a torture chamber? Let us say they had to wait weeks after the election. But fifteen months and still no remuneration? I keep emphasizing the point that such endless wait cannot have a scientific explanation because the smallness of the population does not allow for this to happen. The explanation is simple and commonsensical. If I have to mark 10 papers, the school will get the spread sheet the same day. If I have to mark 200 papers, the school cannot get the marked sheet hours after. The reason is time. It takes more paper work to pay a thousand persons than if the employees were just ten. In a country with a small population like Guyana, the ministries take months to pay
contractors, business places and others that have done work for the Government. Mr. Larry London who was in charge of the Durban Park project admitted that over $200 million is owed to small contractors. His explanation had a touch of cynicism. He said paper work is the culprit. What paper work? As an educated Guyanese who has lived for over sixty years I can say there is no such nonsense as paper work. These contractors are not paid as yet because of brain work, psychological work, not paper work. Postcolonial Guyana is psychologically broken. Where was the paper work when in July 2015, a vast amount of accounting was quickly done to calculate salary increases for every junior and senior minister? Where was paper work when the increases were quietly gazetted? If paper work is the answer to governmental slowness then those salary hikes, done in July 2015 should have been completed in July 2016 and then gazetted in July 2017. Amerindian rights activists, Peter Persaud, wrote the Chairman of GECOM for the monies owed to these people. Surujbally responded to Persaud pointing to the juris-
diction of the Chief Election Officer. My question is, if Surujbally is Chairman of GECOM, why can’t he get GECOM bureaucracy to move in the direction of paying these people shortly after Persaud wrote him? We know about the three persons from the interior because Persaud highlighted it. But there must be dozens even hundreds of small earners that GECOM still owes. This columnist is saying in the most unambiguous way that I believe others are
still to be paid by GECOM. When you take into the analysis that the CARIFESTA Secretariat still owes low income persons, and the Durban Park project still owes dozens of contractors, one is forced to ask the question; ‘How can any country be so insensitive and cruel to its low income citizens?’ What irks me is that Surujbally and his Chief Election Officer are people with huge salaries so it makes you wonder if they could be bothered with three small persons from Mabaruma. Surujbally
Frederick Kissoon wrote back to Persaud to say that his CEO is on vacation. I wonder if it is an expensive holiday.
Angoy’s Avenue resident shot dead up Canje River An Angoy’s Avenue resident who traversed between his residence and various points up the Canje River, was reportedly shot dead Thursday evening at Cartina’s Burg, some 75 miles up the Canje River. Dead is Andel Daniels, 19, of Caracas High Dam, West Canje Berbice. Reports are that the teen would frequent between his home and the Canje River where his relatives originates from. He and others would reportedly do farming, at Catina’s Burg some two miles from Ikura and a further 20 miles from Bara Cara. According to the teen’s grandfather, Lowell Amsterdam, who resides at Bara Cara, the family is not sure what happened. He was at the High Dam residence with other family members. Amsterdam said that they received a call sometime around 21:30 hours that Andel was shot and seriously injured and that he was being transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital. They journeyed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where they waited. He reportedly died on his way to the hospital. Reports are sketchy.
However it was reported that the lad and others were hunting when he got shot. It was also reported that he was descending some stairs which collapsed. Daniels who was carrying a gun at the time was shot when the gun went off. After he got shot he was placed on a canoe and ferried to Ikura. From there he was taken to the medical center at Bara Cara and then to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The matter was reported to the Central Police Station and a team of officers was dispatched immediately to conduct investigations. Adel’s mother, Gould Marcell Amsterdam, called ‘Massa’, 37, who was seven months pregnant at the time, went missing since August 2010. The woman, who was a neighbourhood police rank at the time and a mother of three, was reported missing after she left to go and visit the father of one of her children, who lived next door. The lad leaves to mourn two brothers and one sister. He was the eldest. The gun has not been recovered. Investigations are ongoing.
Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Walter Rodney COI Report riddled with unverifiable evidence, fictitious conclusions – Harmon By: Kiana Wilburg After six hours of debate, Parliamentarians from the Government’s side of the House refused to lend support to the Opposition’s motion on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report. This motion was brought before the National Assembly on Thursday by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. The Member of Parliament said that it is a victory in the name of transparency and accountability to have the report debated in Parliament. She said that it is morally and ethically right that the Guyanese legislators do this, and the time is now to support the motion which she believes is of great importance to the nation and its people. The Opposition Member said that it is important to have a debate on the matter in the “House of Democracy” so as to right an injustice that was done to a revered Guyanese scholar, Dr. Walter Rodney on June 13, 1980.
— it flies in the face of natural justice
Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira
The late Dr. Walter Rodney
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Teixeira recalled that the government laid Volume One of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry in the National Assembly on May 12, last. She said, too, that the Commission in its Report presented its findings including 11 significant recommendations. The Opposition Chief
Whip then called for the House to adopt the report and its findings. She also called for the Government to take measures to implement the recommendations in the report to ensure that the democratic architecture of the state is preserved and strengthened. Teixeira noted that many
individuals in certain sections of the society had challenges with the CoI process saying that it was riddled with confusion. She recalled with dismay that some persons even challenged the integrity of the process and that of its Commissioners. The Opposition Member said that such a process
UK teachers train 136 local tutors
One of TRTT’s leaders, Tom Gilbody Limited Resource Teacher Training (LRTT), a charitable organization out of United Kingdom (UK) yesterday issued certificates to 136 local teachers who participated in a one week workshop at School of the Nations. The participants are from various schools around the country. LRTT delivers in-service training to teachers in
countries with limited resources. The program seeks to address the issue of lowquality teaching and learning, by providing a model of highquality, low-cost teacher training. Training is based on tested strategies which use international practice while considering local challenges and context. Tom Gilbody, one of TRTT’s team leaders, explained that there are 22 volunteers in Guyana, 19 teachers and three team leaders (also teachers)— working along with local teachers and students in an effort to improve the education system. A team departed Georgetown yesterday afternoon for Lethem where a one-week workshop will be held for teachers in that region. Every year, during the summer holiday, professional teachers travel in groups to different countries to assist children and local teachers. This year, 160 teachers from the charitable organization are in eight countries,
- Additional training to be offered in Lethem offering their help. The countries that benefited are Guyana, Ghana, Uganda, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Rwanda and Tanzania. All the volunteers are professional teachers in their respective countries and they are mostly from the UK. “The project runs for four weeks.
On summer vacation, they join the team and pay their own expense and if they cannot afford, they do fund rising,” Gilbody said. To date, 30 schools have taken part in training, ranging across government schools and low-cost private schools at both the primary and secondary levels.
which was intended to bring the truth to light, was subjected to aspersions being cast by some persons on the evidence given by witnesses in the matter. In spite of what the “naysayers” believe, Teixeira stressed that many Guyanese felt vindicated by the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry. But her call for support on the motion from members of the Government side met absolute rejection. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that successive governments have attempted to bring closure and an end to the speculation of the cause of Rodney’s death and the culpability of that death. Harmon said that the House would recall that the PPP led by Donald Ramotar appointed a COI into Rodney’s death on February 6, 2014. He said that the CoI had a number of terms of reference one of which included to inquire into the cause of the explosion that led to Rodney’s demise , ascertain whether it was an act of terrorism and who were the perpetrators. The Minister of State said that the APNU and the AFC opposition at that time supported the establishment of the CoI but stressed that the terms of reference remained a serious area of concern. The Parliamentarian said, too, that what was also contentious was the approach in the selection of the Commissioners for the Inquiry. Harmon also spoke extensively about the fact that
there was a lack of consultation with the then APNU and AFC opposition members on the appointment of the Commissioners and the terms of reference. The Minister of State said that information on the process and the information coming out of the CoI were manipulated and used during the May 11elections to hoodwink the nation. Harmon said that he and his colleagues could not throw their support behind the findings of the CoI Report, as it would contribute to a well orchestrated attempt by the PPP to deceive the nation. The politician said that the CoI failed to fulfill its mandate outlined in the terms of reference. He said, too, that the report is riddled with opinions, conjecture, unverifiable evidence and fictitious conclusions and would fly in the face of natural justice. Harmon emphasized that the CoI into Rodney’s death missed a great opportunity for moral clarity on this 36-year-old anomaly. He added that while the Government cannot support the motion in its entirety, it is prepared to capture some of the recommendations in the report. Other speakers on the motion included, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; PPP’s Komal Chand, Joseph Hamilton and Cornel Damon; Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.
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Politicking, poor design destroys Hope Canal Bridge The problems associated with the shifting Hope Canal Bridge located at Hope on the East Coast of Demerara, are a result of poor design and not the failure of the contractor, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder said. The Minister said that records show that DIPCON Engineering Company, the contractor of the bridge, expressed reservations to the previous government with respect to the design of the structure, but the concerns were ignored by the previous Board of Directors. “The contractor apparently expressed hesitation in implementing the project. It is clear that the Board disregarded these concerns and proceeded in their haste to have the project commissioned for political purposes. This is unacceptable,” the Minister said. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) Board of Directors, under the previous administration had requested the consultant, Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants (CEMCO), to state the
reasons for the problems identified with the bridge approach. In their response, CEMCO stated that the contractor’s work complied with the design and specifications of the project. Given CEMCO’s declarations, it would have been virtually impossible for the NDIA Board, under the previous administration to withhold DIPCON’s retention in light of the consultant’s letter; as it was stated clearly that the contractor complied with the design and all specifications of the project. Honouring the contractor’s request for final payment by the current board of the NDIA was therefore in keeping with its contractual obligations. “To now blame the current Board for bad decisionmaking is unethical and an attempt to score cheap political points,” the Minister of Agriculture said. DIPCON Engineering was recently accused of employing methods contrary to what was required under the contract and of not enforcing a ‘pre-loading’ strategy in the construction of the foundation for the
Teen on trial for raping four year old Tevin McKenzie, 19, of Corentyne, East Berbice is on trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed jury on two counts of rape of a child under the age of 16. The state’s case which is being presented by Attorneyat- Law, Stacy Goodings is that he committed the acts on July 8, 2015. The victim is said to be a four-year-old. McKenzie is also charged with engaging in sexual activity of a child.
approach road. Addressing this accusation, the Minister said, “The consultant’s letter also answered the claim about the contractor not utilising the pre-loading methodology in the compaction of sand at the bridge approaches...It is unclear how the media could have arrived at the conclusion that DIPCON was in breach of the original contract.” Minister Holder said the actions by the previous NDIA Board of Directors remain detrimental to the country’s economy, as the Ministry of Agriculture is now forced to make additional financial inputs into the Hope Canal Bridge to rectify substandard works which could have been catered for during the defects liability period of the project. The canal was initiated in the aftermath of the 2005 great flood. The project encountered several setbacks, missed many deadlines, including the original 18-month period for construction after its commencement in February, 2011. The timeframe for completion was further extended from June 2013 to August, then to December, then to June 2014, then to September and again to December of 2014. The bridge is one of four components of the Hope Canal Project, the others being the Northern Relief channel, 10.3kilometres in length from the sea defence embankment to the East Demerara Water Conservancy; a high level outfall sluice; and a conservancy head regulator.
Saturday August 06, 2016
State Attorney to prosecute Jennifer Westford’s multimillion-dollar fraud case
An Attorney-at -Law attached to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP), is scheduled to enter an appearance on behalf of the State in the case for which former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford, and her assistant Margaret Cummings are charged with the misappropriation of over $600M from the State. The announcement came yesterday when the matter was called up before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The court heard that State Attorney, Teeshana Lake, will be prosecuting the case, when the matter is called on the next occasion. The matter was previously in the hands of Police Prosecutors. The matter was adjourned to August 11, for continuation. Lake’s appointment follows a public debate on whether Police Prosecutors are equipped to debate in court with Attorneys-at-Law and Senior Counsel, in matters of interest to the State. Particular mention was made to Westford’s case in which the defendants are represented by trained Attorneys-at-Law and even Senior Counsel (SC), while the state is represented by police Prosecutors without comparative legal training; clearly disadvantageous to the state. Many lawyers raised concern over the issue. Responding to questions at a Press conference, former Home Affairs Minister
Dr. Jennifer Westford Clement Rohee noted that the police are at a disadvantage, because of their limited training and experience in the field of law. “The experience is important. But the experience, together with the legal training, is probably the best way to go,” Rohee stated He added that in the Justice Sector Improvement Programme, which is a companion of the Citizens’ Security Programme, it had been a recommendation that Police Prosecutors should be seconded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s Chambers.” The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary stated that between three and five of these Prosecutors were seconded to the Chambers, in what was expected to be an ongoing process. He noted that the whole idea was for Police Prosecutors to move over in their entirety to the DPP chambers, though he admitted that they were not necessarily trained lawyers. Rohee stated that while it was recommended that the DPP Chambers have Police Prosecutors seconded to it; the force’s budget should have provisions for a contingent to be sent for legal training annually. In fact, (Minister of Public
Security Khemraj) Ramjattan, did say, that they would spare no ends in training police. So in keeping with that undertaking, and in keeping with the Justice Sector Improvement Programme, I think that is the course that should be taken.” “More police should be sent for training to be lawyers first of all, particularly in prosecution matters. And then on their return they should be posted to strengthen the DPP’s Chambers, to make it a stronger and enhanced autonomous body,” he opined. Rohee pointed particularly to the need for skilled prosecutors in high profile cases, such as the one which implicated his colleague Dr. Westford and her assistant, Margaret Cummings. Dr. Westford is a current Member of Parliament for the PPP. She and Cummings are facing 24 simple larceny charges. The charges allege that between August 2011 and April 2015, while being employed in the Public Service of the Government of Guyana, they stole the sum of $639.4M belonging to the state. They allegedly received the money by virtue of their employment.
Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
CANU CoI Report unlikely to Rohee Claims AFC being be made public - Harmon sidelined by APNU
With the full report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into allegations made by alleged self-confessed drug trafficker, Barry Dataram, submitted, it is highly unlikely that this report will be made public because of sensitivity information it contains. This was according to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon this week. Earlier this year, Dataram claimed that there was major drug network existing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which sees key officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) playing a key role in the smuggling and trafficking of illicit substances in and out of Guyana. A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was set up to investigate these claims. Minister Harmon was asked last Thursday, when the report was likely to be made public. He responded by saying, that that the report is with the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and it would therefore be his call when the report would be made public. “I think it’s a matter of how you deal with it as it
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon would affect reputations of persons who are in office and so on, because these are allegations that are made against public officials and the investigation would have actually dealt with the allegations already out there,” he stated. He added, “Sometimes the public makes a judgment based on what has been put out there in the allegation, so now the inquiry has to deal with those allegations; it has
to deal with public perceptions and it has to deal with the fact that there are people who are in public office who can be affected or damaged by these reports,” the Minister of State said. Asked if a major shakeup is in the cards for CANU, Harmon stated that he does not know whether this will happen, however, he stated that ‘the architecture’ of the fight against drugs will undergo some changes with the establishment of the National Anti-narcotics Agency (NANA) which will result in ‘greater’ levels of coordination of the agencies that are involved in fight against illegal drugs. “The drug dealers and so on out there can be assured that the Government is going to take a very firm stance on the matter, and that we’re going to increase the sort of coordination of these agencies because you know, at least three or four agencies are involved…So you need some coordination of the activities of these entities if we are to ensure that the fight against drugs is intensified as the President wants it to be.”
Do not allow your decisions to be swayed - Traffic Chief tells BIT Graduates
(From Left Sitting) Police Inspector Glenn Campbell; Heavy Equipment Operator Instructor, Tottil Saygon; Traffic Chief, Dion Moore; and Technical Officer of BIT, Richard Maughn during a photo op as the graduating ranks exhibit their certificates. Stressing that flexibility can help as well as harm, Traffic Chief Dion Moore told 31 ranks attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who recently received the requisite training in becoming Certifying Officers, not to allow their decisions to be swayed by a superior or a friend.
He called on them to exercise by sound judgment. The Traffic Chief made this statement during a graduation ceremony held to recognise the achievements of the ranks that went through rigorous training. The Certifying Officer Course #1 of 2016 commenced on Monday June
20, 2016 at the Guyana Police Force Officers’ Training Centre (GPFOTC) and concluded on Thursday, July 29, 2016 at Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC). Training was made possible by collaborative efforts among the Board of Industrial Training (BIT); the Continued on page 19
…Ramjattan says Rohee on campaign to create division General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Clement Rohee, is of the opinion that the policy initiatives of the Alliance for Change are being ignored by the A Partnership for National Unity. Rohee made his position known on Wednesday during a press conference at Freedom House on Wednesday. He said that the rejection of the AFC policy initiatives is manifested in its promise to increase the salaries of ranks of Guyana Defence Force, and the Guyana Police Force by 25 per cent. Additionally, he said that the Granger-led APNU has sliced off a huge chunk of the former Ministry of Home Affairs’ responsibilities and embedding them at the Ministry of the Presidency. Rohee added that Guyanese would wish to learn about the degree of influence the AFC “chicken-hawks” wield at meetings of the National Security Council and the Defence Board. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan is also the Leader of the Alliance for Change. According to Ramjattan his party has not dealt with any issue regarding increasing the salaries of ranks.
PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee
Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan
He said, “His (Rohee) whole campaign is to create division but we remain a united coalition government. I am sure that the APNU section would want more than just 25% increase but the problem is, the revenue is not available. In fact the AFC initially wanted to double the salary but the harsh reality as indicated by the Ministry of Finance is that we can’t.” He said, “The PPP/C and Rohee are simply trying to position themselves as caring to the disciplined services. It is laughable how they are
trying to create dissention in the government but we remain entirely united.” The Security Minister also weighed in on the issue of moving security responsibility from the former Ministry of Home Affairs, now Ministry of Public Security to the Ministry of the Presidency. Further he said, “This new coalition government will not be fettered by what the PPP had as its Ministerial architecture. Both the APNU and AFC partners agreed to a Continued on page 19
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Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
“Corentyne Family robbed, terrorized; Four in police custody”
The home that was robbed Police in ‘B’ Division have arrested four suspects in connection with an armed robbery of a Corentyne Family at Sea well Turn, Corentyne, in the wee hours of Friday morning. Six armed bandits stormed the home of popular businessman Deoram Woarti of Lot 2, Seawell Turn, Corentyne at about 3:00 am Friday morning. According to the owner of the two story home, he was in bed when he heard the sound of someone walking on his roof. He said that his sons’ aged 18 and 21, who occupy the top flat of the home, raised an alarm after realizing that bandits were on the building. “Me big son seh don’t do we nothing. Then
a shot fire and meh lil son try fah hide but them push de room door and drag he out.” Woarti disclosed to Kaieteur News that they were beaten with a cutlass and a piece of wood by three of the bandits who demanded that they hand over cash and jewellery. The traumatized victims handed over an undisclosed quantity of local currency and gold jewellery, one tablet and other valuables to the perpetrators who escaped into a nearby savannah. According to the Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, police recovered two spent shells at the scene of the crime as investigations continue.
Bandits pistol whip, terrorize mother and son during robbery A woman and her 14-yearold son were gun-butted and robbed Thursday night, when three armed bandits gained access to their home through a verandah. This was around 21:30 hrs, approximately 20 minutes after the woman’s husband left their Second Street Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home, to pick up a relative, who was staying a few villages further up the coast. The victims are Hurman Ganpha, 14, and his mother,
Carol (only name given). The men escaped with a camera, two cellular phones and an undisclosed amount of local and Canadian currency. According to information, the gunmen used a ladder, which was left in the yard by construction workers, and climbed onto the verandah. The door was unlocked. “My son was on the couch with his cell phone and I was in the kitchen when I saw an object in the house. Then someone started pointing a gun. I was going
to scream and he hit me in my head with the gun and then he hit my son in his face with it,” Carol recalled. She said that the men kicked her son and placed a knife to her throat, threatening to kill her if all the valuables were not handed over to them. “They searched all the rooms and my son gave them all that he knew we had because they say they will kill me. When they finished, they were asking for gold but I didn’t had any to give. I had sold my gold because it doesn’t make sense you have it and can’t wear it,” the woman said. She added that just as the men were about to leave, they cut a sheet and tied both her and her son. But they managed to untie themselves and called for help. Carol believes that the men might have been sent to her home by someone who would have visited her place some time back and noticed the ladder. “My sister came in the country and she went to a birthday party. My husband left to go and pick her up when these people come into my home,” she said. She added that the men were all masked and might have been waiting on her spouse to leave. Investigations are ongoing.
Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
40,000 visited Guyana in 2015 - Minister of Citizenship Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, revealed that over 40,000 visitors including those from CARICOM territories entered Guyana in 2015. The Minister, at the time, was responding to questions on the monitoring and management of visitors to the country at the continuation of Parliamentary Sectoral Committee Meeting on Foreign Services held at Public Buildings on Wednesday. The meeting chaired by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, featured a list of questions on the management of immigration services and the role Department of Citizenship and Foreign Affairs Ministry plays in monitoring the system. In answer to the issues raised, Minister Felix noted that only 168 passengers were rejected entry into Guyana last year. The figures, he said, that is minimal in comparison to vast number of persons who were landed. According to Felix, Immigration Services landed over 40,000 passengers; CARICOM nationals arriving in Guyana in 2015. “So we just don’t prevent people...We just don’t refuse landing willy nilly. There are always good reasons and there’s an interview process undertaken and that determines whether or not a person will be landed.” The Minister specified
that one condition which could cost a passenger nonentry into Guyana by the Immigration Services is the lack of sufficient funds. Teixeira then queried the measures used by the immigration officials to determine that a passenger has insufficient funds to enter the country for the purpose for which they applied. She noted that insufficient funds cannot translate as currency alone, since there are other means of concluding a person’s finances. She identified cheques, credit cards and jewellery. “What is the policy of the Government with regards to people entering Guyana with credit cards...once you put down insufficient funds, there must be a limit,” Teixeira further queried. Felix then noted that of the thousands of applications processed, the immigration services would only choose to deal with doubtful cases. In providing further details on the issue, Minister Felix quoted Section 3 (1) of the Immigration Act which essentially specifies that any idiot or epileptic, or any person who is insane or mentally deficient, or any liable to become a public charge amongst those who are to be denied accessed. Meanwhile, an official attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ) decision on the Shanique Myrie case, which has binding legal
effect for Guyana, laid down guidelines that must be considered in refusing entry for Caricom nationals in any particular territory. According to an excerpt taken from the Executive Summary in the CCJ ruling of the Myrie case, the official outlined that the Conference Decision entitles a Member State to limit the free movement of a national of another Member State, if such national is “undesirable” or would become “a charge on public funds”, the Court indicated that this entitlement must be construed as an exception to the right of entry. “Consequently, the scope of the refusal and the grounds on which it should be based must be interpreted narrowly and strictly, and the burden of proof must rest on the Member State that seeks to invoke either ground. The concept of undesirability must be concerned with the protection of public morals, the maintenance of public order and safety and the protection of life and health,” the official noted Myrie is a Jamaican woman, who claimed damages against the State of Barbados on the grounds that she was treated unfairly when she arrived at the Grantley Adams Airport in March 2011. Myrie was awarded BDS$77,240 by the CCJ which ruled that subjecting her to a cavity search, locking her up in an unsanitary cell and deporting her, ran contrary to the rules of the revised Treaty of Chagaramas.
From page 13 GPF and GITC. Moore told the graduating Ranks that they are servants of the state who will be bestowed with the power to serve after their names have been gazetted during the following weeks. He advised the officers to exhibit a high level of tolerance when dealing with members of the public and to exercise flexibility and even caution when dealing with certain matters. The Chief told officers that decisions must be made base on their judgement and as such, they should not allow their decisions to be swayed by a superior or a friend, but only by a sound judgement
that is influenced by the knowledge and skills they have acquired and developed during the training. The Traffic Officer stated, “I trust that you would have grasped all that was taught and that you will put it into practice so that not only the traffic department will benefit but the country at large,”. He echoed the call made by Technical Officer of BIT, Richard Maughn, “to go after knowledge continually” and urged the graduating batch of Certifying Officers to keep reading so as to widen their knowledge. Meanwhile, Maughn during his remarks, stated that training gives an
individual the opportunity to learn new things in a given time, and that learning brings about an enduring change in that individual’s performance. It was on this note that Maughn stressed to the Ranks, that the lessons learnt during the course should aid them in the efforts of the GPF to carry out its mandate to ensure that vehicles traversing our roadways are fit for safe usage, and the persons driving those vehicles are fully competent to do same – this he pointed out will contribute significantly to safer roadways and by extension, a safer country for all.
From page 13 Citizenship Ministry. And Rohee should know that the APNU-AFC has every right to deal with how the ministerial architecture will be positioned. We are not going to be cribbed and confined by what existed under Rohee.” He said that the new arrangement helps him to emphasize his own efforts in managing the Police Force,
Fire Service and Prison Service which come under his portfolio. “We in the coalition government want it that way and I, too, am supportive of that. Rohee is so vexed that new Ministers having taken over from him... and are doing such good jobs, he cannot bear it.” Moving onto the issue of his party’s representation on the National Security Council
and the Defence Board, Ramjattan said that it isn’t a case of not having representation. “At both these fora the AFC representatives’ inputs are recognised by the others of the highest quality. We matter there and we are respected for our suggestions and recommendations; both myself and the Prime Minister.”
Do not allow your decisions to be swayed...
Rohee Claims AFC being sidelined by APNU
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Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Murder accused granted bail
A man who is accused of killing his wife back in 2009 and has been incarcerated since then, has been granted bail following an application by Attorney at Law Mursalene Bacchus. The man,Azam Khan, 50,a former cane cutter of No 72 village Corentyne,Berbice, is accused of chopping his wife HeerawattieTekram to death on November 6, 2009 at their No 72 village home. After Khan was charged he appeared before Magistrate KrisendatPersaud in the Springlands Magistrate’s Court and was committed to stand trial in the
Berbice High Court on June 24, 2011. The deposition was then sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in May 2012. In August the DPP sent a letter to Magistrate Persaud to reopen the PI. However by then Magistrate Persaud was off the bench. The DPP then sent a letter dated January 28, 2015 to the Registrar of the Supreme Court to discontinue the Committal. Attorney at law Bacchus challenged the decision by the DPP to withdraw the committal contending that she does not have the power to do so.
On October 27, 2015 the matter was heard before former Chief Justice Ian Chang. However Khan remained incarcerated in the prison. The DPP subsequently made a NolleProscei in April 2016 and advised that a new charge be laid against the accused. Attorney at Law Bacchus then made an application in the High Court on the May 18, 2016 through a Constitutional Motion for bail under article 139.3 of the Constitution which states that “if a person is not tried within a reasonable time he shall be placed on bail.”
The matter was heard before Justice Franklyn Holder in the Berbice High Court on July 28, last. After listening to the arguments, the Judge concluded that Khan’s constitution right whichstates, that he be tried within a reasonable time was contravened. Justice Holder then ordered that Khan be granted bail in the sum of $500,000 and
that that a new PI be held, which should begin within 14 days of the order. He also ordered that the matter be concluded within 120 days. The judge also ordered that Khan lodge his passport if he is in possession of one. He should report to the Springlands Police Station at 15:00 hrs every Monday until the conclusion of the trial. He must also be in court every day of the PI.
If Khan fails to adhere to any of the orders given by the judge he will be arrested and detained until the completion of the trial. The allegation is that, on the day in question Khan left for work, but returned and following an altercation with his wife he chopped her to death. He then returned to work. The woman’s body was found by her two children.
Guyanese soldier tops Physical Instructors’ Course in TT
Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, flanked by Lance Corporal Carmichael (left) and Lance Corporal Henry. Guyana Defence Force 31 Special Forces Lance Corporal (LCPL) Brentnol Carmichael, one of two GDF ranks, was adjudged the Most Outstanding Male, at the conclusion of the 2016 edition of the Physical Training Instructor Course. This course was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the University Of The West Indies. This feat was the result of his dedication and commitment which vaulted him ahead of the 66 other participants on the course. For his achievement, LCPL Carmichael received his Diploma and the trophy recognising the award. He was one of two GDF ranks who were students on the course, the other being Lance Corporal Darrin Henry of Base Camp Ayanganna. “My goal was to dedicate myself and earn the Diploma.
As a soldier and a representative of the GDF, I knew that I had to work hard. I had to do my very best, not just for myself, but because I was an ambassador of the Force,” he said. “I was surprised when the announcement of my achievement was made. Yet, I realised that the award reflected the commitment I had made to deliver my best in all that I had to do.” Carmichael and Henry said that the overall experience was great. “We learned new things and made new friends, in addition to enjoying the hospitality of the Trinidadians,” reflected Henry. Both soldiers agree that theirs is now the responsibility to teach their fellow soldiers the importance of keeping fit, and also, to incorporate the techniques they have learned in helping to train their peers in the
Force. Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips congratulated the newly certified Physical Instructors on their success on the programme. “You have done yourselves and the GDF proud. You have also kept the flag of Guyana flying high. Congratulations!” he said. “I can see that your exposure was well-rounded and that you were prepared to manage physical activity as well as to understand how to plan, officiate at, and manage sports events. I am certain that the GDF will benefit from your knowledge as you ensure that our soldiers are always physically prepared.” Brigadier Phillips said that the GDF remains committed to exposing more ranks to training on this course which is held annually.
Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Barbados tourism officials travel to London to discuss impact of Brexit BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy will next week lead a delegation to meet with airline officials and tour operators in the United Kingdom to discuss the potential impact of the Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Chief executive officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., William Griffith, who made the announcement, said over the past month, Barbados has been gathering information from all its major suppliers in the United Kingdom, and indications are that there has not been any short-term impact since the June 23 so called Brexit vote. Britons voted by a 52-48 margin to leave the European Union after 43 years, a decision that also led to the resignation of then prime minister David Cameron. He has since been replaced by Theresa May, Britain’s second woman prime minister. Griffith said that the team delegation that will also in-
clude officials from Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), “will be meeting very shortly with the leadership of BA and Virgin Airways as well as our top 10 tour operators in London to examine this issue. “We will also be seeking to discuss new strategies towards preserving our market share so that we are strengthening our position to fiercely defend our airlift in this legacy market,” Griffith said. The UK remains Barbados’ main source market, representing 36 per cent of visitors to the island. Meanwhile tourism officials are also looking to boost business locally during the traditionally off-peak summer season. CEO of the Barbados Tourism Inc., Stuart Layne, said they are working to remove the “notion of seasonality” and promote the island as a year-round destination. “There’s this concept in Barbados of a winter season, and you hope you get through the summer to get to
another winter season. And what we’re hoping to work on over the next few years is removing that notion of seasonality as far as that is feasible. And therefore, the winter season, yes that is important but we will also do really well in the summer.” Layne’s counterpart at the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA), Dr Kerry Hall, told reporters that her department is also working to enhance the local tourism product to attract visitors throughout the year. “We don’t want this destination to be seen as somewhere you come when it’s cold up north and when it’s warm down south. So we’re trying to create the types of experiences, a lot of things to do on the island… so that people will look at Barbados as somewhere where something is always happening, and it’s not necessarily ‘somewhere to go to spend my winter’, but it’s somewhere to go because it’s a fascinating destination,” Hall said.
Brazil’s suspended president ‘sad’ not to be at Rio opening
Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo Brazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff said yesterday she was “sad” not to be present at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rousseff, who was suspended from office in May pending her trial by the Senate this month on charges of breaking budget laws, said on
her Twitter account she was “sad not to be at the party ‘live and in color’ but I will be following it, rooting for Brazil”. Rousseff turned down an invitation to the opening ceremony last month, saying she would not play second fiddle to interim President Michel Temer, who will declare the Games officially open.
Temer, her former vice president, took power in midMay when Rousseff was sent for trial in the Senate. The leftist leader, who has insisted she has done nothing wrong and calls her removal a coup, is expected to be dismissed from office in a final hearing at the end of this month. (Reuters)
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Kaieteur News
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Learn to drive with Fast Learners Driving School Today. Sign up on Facebook or call 690-6868 C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Register now for summer courses in cosmetology and nails between 2nd -25th August – Cost $15,000 Call Abby: 619-7603
One (2) family house lot 32 Ann’s Grove housing scheme, land 100x50 $20M negotiable- Call: 623-5423 East Ruimveldt corner $15M. East La Penitence $13.7M 2 storey, Aubrey Barker road (corner) $30M- Call Shawn (Broker) 231-2199, 618-7483 House & land for sale $8,000,000, 422 Fourth Street, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Call: 677-0792 2 Storey house & land , 3 bedrooms, size 20x30. 2 inside bathrooms @ Best Village, W.C.D. $15 millionCall: 609-5620, 664-4415 Modern 3 bedrooms flat house in Eccles with ACs, water filtration, automatic gate, alarm, pressure pumpCall: 600-1398, 645-0405 House & land 2 storey concrete building (4 bedrooms; 2 self-contained), semi-furnished @ Grove & Diamond N/S. Call: 216-1861, 657-2300, 614-0578 Good Hope-(2)storey concrete building, Tain(2)storey concrete building, Tel:231-9690,231-9693 call between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs (Mon-Fri). Parfaite Harmony & Tuschen, each -(2) storey wooden & concrete building. Tel:231-9690,231-9693 call between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs (Mon-Fri). 2 Storey wooden & concrete 5 bedrooms, (2 selfcontained), concrete fence & garage. 1 Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107 Lot 764 Sixth St, Plantation Paradise, Dazzle H/Scheme, E.C.D-Call: 255-3437
LEARN TO DRIVE
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM
PROPERTY FOR SALE Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
3 Bedrooms concrete house located in 3rd Ave Diamond, land size 60X120, asking price -$28Million negotiable- Call: 645-6498 House & land for sale in Plantation Peter’s Hall -$8M. Call: 617-6015; 269-0493 ACCOMODATION Harmony Inn- furnished apartments and rooms (long term & short term) affordable prices- Call: 668-0306/6947817/ 218-1400
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Toyota IST-$1,895,000, Toyota Fielder-$1,895,000, Toyota Spacio-$1,895,000, BMW 318i-$2.3M, Audi A4-$3.7M. Contact#6500402 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games, applications & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
VEHICLE FOR SALE SALE! SALE! 2010 IST $2.4M, 2009 NOAH -$2.5M, ARUIS -$2.5M- CALL: 6172891 3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 2009 RX8, Allion, Music Bus, Small bus, Motor cycle, Benz. Call: 265-4979 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 Toyota Vigo, excellent condition, $2.1M negotiable Call: 668-4553 1 Toyota Fielder Wagon 2003 in good condition $1.5M negotiable- Call: 615-6944 RZ minibus $1.2M, 192 Car $850,000 and unregistered bluebird 2009, fully automatic, 31,000KM $3.2M- Call: 265-0204, 6765428 2005 Tacoma -$2.4M, Massey Tractor from Canada: MF 165 -$1.7M, MF 135 $1.2M –MF 265 $2.2M, 165 Loader -$2.3M – Call: 6825230; 628-9596
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:2259032;647-2943;604-5198 ADORABLE FLUFFY PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 615-0146 Elevator (good condition) Diesel Generator (23KVA, 110/220V). Call: 231-1284/ 223-9719 Antique household items, plants, ceiling fan, computer monitors, sauna and much more- Call: 223-9719/ 231-1284 1 Frigidaire cooler, 1-2 shelves glass case, 1-3 shelves glass case. Call: 660-7790 Purple Heart: 30X80 -$25,000, 32X80 -$28,000, 34X80 $28,000, 36X80 -$28,000, Free Delivery- Call: 688-9712; 6510717; 671-2490 1-210 Hyundai excavator, good condition, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 610-0515; 216-1390; 6128009 Baby Chicks for sale on the Essequibo Cost, lowest price anywhere. Call: 626-9589 Dachshund pups (mixed) seven weeks old-$20,000. Call: 614-0562 1 Perkins V8 Turbo Charge 170KVa Generator in working condition, Call 223-7380 Sign & copy center, Marathon Moto, Phase1 7½ HP & Transformer. Call: 6952199; 680-5266; 672-3886
Unregistered Nissan Bluebird 2006 -$1.95M negotiable & 2010 Toyota Allion. Call: 644-9277 One 4 wheel drive, automatic, extra cab, Toyota Hilux, GSS series. Call: 614-0107; 6928923 Honda Civic M/Car “SS” series -$1.3M, very good condition- Call: 696-2815
LAND FOR SALE Tushen $2.2M, $3.5M, Parfaite Harmonie- Call:6421252 Land for sale at Eccles and Diamond. Call: 609-7766 Continue page 23
Saturday August 06, 2016
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World Bank Board approves new environmental and social framework WASHINGTON, — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new Environmental and Social Framework that expands protection for people and the environment in Bank-financed investment projects. The safeguards review included the most extensive consultation ever conducted by the World Bank. It concludes nearly four years of analysis and engagement around the world with governments, development experts, and civil society groups, reaching nearly 8,000 stakeholders in 63 countries. The framework is part of a far-reaching effort by the World Bank Group to improve development outcomes and streamline its work. “The World Bank Group’s mission is to end extreme poverty and reduce inequality in the world, and this new framework will be a critical factor in helping us reach those goals,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “These new safeguards will build into our projects updated and improved protections for the most vulner-
able people in the world and our environment. We also will substantially increase our financing of the safeguards to make sure this works as intended – with enough funding for both implementation and building capacity in countries so that they can a play a more active role in protecting people and the environment.” The framework brings the World Bank’s environmental and social protections into closer harmony with those of other development institutions, and makes important advances in areas such as transparency, non-discrimination, social inclusion, public participation, and accountability – including expanded roles for grievance redress mechanisms. In order to support the new framework – and meet additional oversight demands – the World Bank is on a trajectory to substantially increase funding for the safeguards. Strengthening national systems in borrowing countries is recognized as a central development goal by the World Bank and most of its
shareholders. In line with this goal, the framework places greater emphasis on the use of borrower frameworks and capacity building, with the aim of constructing sustainable borrower institutions and increasing efficiency. “The new framework embodies the World Bank’s commitment to environmental and social protections and responds to new and varied development demands and challenges that have arisen over time,” said Alex Foxley, World Bank Executive Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and Chair of the Committee on Development Effectiveness, a committee of the World Bank Board that oversees policy matters. “The experience and capacity of many borrowers has improved and our requirements have been updated to reflect the realities of today. The framework is designed to boost development outcomes in Bank projects by placing strong emphasis on sustainability, responsible use of resources, and monitoring and evaluation.”
Establish Laboratory to determine bauxite quality – Councilor Charles Sampson. RDC Councilor Charles Sampson is advocating the establishment of testing facilities to determine the quality of bauxite that is leaving Guyana, “ We don’t know what quality of bauxite is being moved out of this country. There are different qualities of bauxite so do we know by way of analysis, not by Bosai saying this or that, what quality is shipped? Based on whatever quality is shipped, that is how Bosai pays the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) royalties”. “We do not know whether by Rusal or here at Bosai, what quality of bauxite is being shipped out, we don’t know, we are being fooled, and the only way that we could know is by having a laboratory established.” Sampson said that unless this is done, our country would be robbed of much needed royalties. Emphasizing that our bauxite resources are not infinite, Sampson urged that people with the requisite knowledge of bauxite be invited whenever meetings are held with the Management of the bauxite industry. Sampson was at the time highlighting some of his concerns at the RDC’s statutory meeting. A former employee of the bauxite industry with some 20 years of experience, the councilor is also advocating for a
dust collector for one of the kilns. He said that when the dust collectors were installed for two kilns, he had questioned their efficiency and whether if one of the collectors went down if the other would kick into operation. Sampson said the answer was no, as the dust collectors are not interlinked. He added that the company has dust collectors for the calciners but not the dryers, which also emits dust in the atmosphere. He said that it is equally important to have collectors for the latter. “They got some days when they drying bauxite and you crossing the bridge and your whole face white or brown. “When they loading the ship, you know how much dust does go into Silvertown and West Watooka?. You pass the bauxite plant in the night and you would see how the place white, not with mist or vapor but with dust.”
Councilor Sampson alluded to some of the health issues caused by the dust pollution, and faced by residents in the mining town. The pollution, he contends, is not faced by people in any other part of the country. Most of those health issues he claimed are respiratory. Sampson is exhorting Bosai to “kill” the Dryer and ship the bauxite with “high moisture”. Another councilor Emanuel Barkoi in support of such a move said, that RUSAL does not dry the bauxite from Aroima, but ships it damp. Barkoi is presently employed with the Berbice River Bauxite Company. Regional Chairman Rennis Morian said that the Ministry of Natural Resources should be engaged as regards the monitoring of the quality of bauxite leaving Guyana, and that the EPA monitor the environmental issues.
LAND FOR SALE 457 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, Acres 457=0.295 or 12,850.259FT. Call: 609-208-8282 House lot for sale @ Triumph Railway Embankment. Call Bibi: 6173365; 603-9547; 220-6799
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WANTED
Transported land with fruit trees, fenced, fill high -$4.3M @ Richmond Essequibo Coast, next to School–Call: 682-5230; 628-9696
Salesgirl & porters. Apply with written application at 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville.
50 Acres of land @ Plantation Elizabeth Ann, Right Bank Demerara River. Call: 680-5266
Experienced cashiers needed to work in general store on the East Coast (willing to train)- Call: 645-4238, 2740285 Wanted land to buy @ Tushen, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Parfaite Harmonie. Best price offered- Tel: 642-1252
WANTED Cashier to work in supermarket and one live in domestic to work in Trinidad. Call or text 1868- 683 1528 1 Driver to work sweeper truck at night around town. Call: 218-1156; 218-1455 General Manager for Seafood Business. Must have at least 5 years experience at Supervisory level. Whatsapp or message C.V info to 696-9386. Plant Manager for seafood business. Must have 5 years experience at Supervisory level. Whatsapp or message C.V. info to 696-9386. Data entry Clerk for Seafood Business. Knowledge of Quickbook is necessary. Whatsapp or message C.V. info to 696-9386.
Drivers & Labourers for garbage trucks Contact: 6707920 One used Nissan Bluebird Sylphy to purchaseCall:676-1697, 225-6138 One live-in experienced waitress 18-25 years, salary $70,000-$80,000 monthly. Boarding & lodging freeCall:610-5043 One lorry driver. Experience in selling water- Call: 6781234 Experienced cashier, apply with written application @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce Street. 1 Driver for East Bank Area – Call: 233-2745 Driver with valid driver’s license & good command of English Language. Sales experienced will be an asset. Call: 659-1004 Merchandiser with good command of English Language, previous experience will be an asset. Call: 659-1004 Experienced fiber glass workers on E.C.D – Call: 6223250; 665-9747 Urgently needed 1 watchman and 1 saw man for Interior. Call: 681-3801 Driver for canter truck must be from W.C.D -$25,000 weekly. Call: 684-8231; 6619447 2 Live in waitresses to work in Bar at Berbice– Call: 6046606; 692-4649 One driver/mechanic, one electrician with elevator wiring experienced. Call: 227-1830 Female caregiver needed for elderly woman, night job 6:30pm-6:30am. Call: 6161636; 264-2524 Female janitors between ages 30-45yrs. Call: 225-8066
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 2 Bedrooms bottom flat to rent lot 5 Wallers Delight, W.C.D -$45,000 monthly. Call: 6744929; 662-0187 2 bedrooms furnished top flat front house for rent Tel # 6381112, 647-3054 Hair station rental at convenient location, Georgetown, Call: 638-1106, discounts given to newcomers, persons with experienced & clients 2 Bedrooms apartment inside, grill, light, water, toilet & bath @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$30,000 monthly. Call: 689-7701; 266-1151 Two bedrooms upstairs apartment for rent in Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme -$45,000 monthly – Call: 602-7135 1-3 Bedrooms house upstairs and downstairs with yard space @ 61 AtlanticVille. Call: 227-3407 La Grange Public Road: 3 rooms @ top & 2 rooms @ bottom (whole/separated). Toilet & bath inside; available from September. House @ C/Lodge. Call: 6190673 258 Block ‘Y’ Section ‘C’ Golden Grove E.B.D, top flat -$60,000 monthly –Call: 6806399; 694-4276 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 One two bedrooms apartment in ‘B’ Field Sophia, parking available –Call: 6508827; 621-5781 Space for rent @ Ashmin’s Building –ideal for commercial use/office. Call Today : 601-3395 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
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Paraguay recalls ambassador in diplomatic dispute with Venezuela (Reuters) Paraguay yesterday recalled its ambassador to Caracas after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made disparaging remarks about Paraguay amidst a leadership dispute in South America’s Mercosur trade bloc. Earlier this week, socialist Maduro accused Paraguay of being part of “an extreme right wing alliance” aimed at blocking Venezuela from assuming its role as head of Mercosur as scheduled during the second half of the year. A statement by Paraguay said its decision to call Ambassador Enrique Jara back to Asuncion for talks was “based on the statements made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro about the government of Paraguay.” Maduro had accused Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil of entering “a triple alliance” against his government, a loaded term referring to the nineteenth century war in which Paraguay faced off against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the bloodiest
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro attends a meeting with representatives of international and national mining companies, at the headquarters of the Venezuelan Central Bank in Caracas, August 5, 2016. military conflict in Latin American history. On state-run Venezuelan television this week, Maduro said, “now we are being pursued by the triple alliance or Latin American torturers. We are being pursued by the corrupt, drug-smuggling Paraguayan oligarchy.” Venezuela is under increasing international
pressure to address an economic and political crisis in which Venezuelans are short of food and Maduro is accused of unfairly jailing opposition leaders. Maduro dismisses such accusations as a U.S.-backed campaign against him and says the economic crisis is the result of an “economic war” led by Washington.
Colombian government and rebels agree on demobilization plan
Colombia’s lead government negotiator Humberto de la Calle (R) and Colombia’s FARC lead negotiator Ivan Marquez shake hands after signing the protocol and timetable for the disarmament of the FARC in Havana, Cuba, yesterday. (Reuters) Colombia’s government and leftist FARC rebels took another step toward ending more than a half century of conflict yesterday, agreeing on a U.N.supervised security protocol, timetable and other details for disarming the estimated 9,000 guerillas. The announcement came after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the government of President Juan Manuel Santos signed in June an historic agreement that stated they had reached deals on all major issues and established a de facto ceasefire and the parameters for the rebels to disarm and rejoin civil society.
Under the agreement, FARC troops will gather at 26 locations around the South American country and hand over their arms within six months of a final peace agreement going into effect. “The FARC will have handed in all their arms to the United Nations within 180 days,” Humberto de la Calle, chief negotiator for the government, told reporters in Havana. Yesterday’s agreement stipulated that 50 FARC members would be free to monitor the process nationwide, and another 10 in each of the 26 locations. Under the agreement, the United Nations would have
final say on any disputes. After more than three years of negotiations hosted by Cuba over such thorny issues as land reform, war crimes and drug trafficking, the two sides are close to a final accord that would be put to a referendum vote. If ratified, it would end the longest-running and last significant guerilla conflict in the Western Hemisphere. “When we finish the agenda points, that is to say, when everything is agreed, that is when we will send the texts to Congress and convene the plebiscite,” Santos said during an event in the Pacific port city of Buenaventura on Thursday.
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Voters condemn South African ruling party to worst election outcome
Locals cast their votes during the local government elections at the Johannesburg city hall, South Africa. (Reuters/James Oatway) (Reuters) South Africa’s ruling party was in a close race early today in two major cities after losing one other key municipality in its worst electoral performance since the end of apartheid. The African National Congress has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at its helm. But its grip on power is being shaken against the backdrop of high unemployment, a stagnating economy and a series of scandals that have dogged President Jacob Zuma. The party was still leading in the overall count in the nationwide municipal vote, with 98 percent of ballots counted. But it lost to the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) in the municipality of Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the city of Port Elizabeth, a key manufacturing hub and port city. “We’ve lost Nelson Mandela Bay, we’ve
conceded that we’ve lost it,” Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said. The DA was also narrowly ahead in the country’s economic hub of Johannesburg, while the ANC held a slim margin in Tshwane, home to the capital Pretoria. The DA, which last year elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as part of its efforts to shake off its image as a party that mainly serves white interests, has retained c o n t r o l o f C a p e To w n , which it has held since 2006. “Now we’ve got to do everything in our power to make sure where we govern we govern well,” said Maimane, who declared that his party had won in Tshwane, well before the final tally. Final results are due late today. The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved and the opposition has accused
Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focusing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession. “The ANC may just become a rural party,” said William Gumede, chairman of the Democracy Works Foundation, a think tank. Voters are losing patience with Zuma, who rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand currency plummeting. The rand has since recovered, and received a boost from the peaceful vote. Zuma survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he breached the law by ignoring an order to repay some of $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since apologized and said he will repay some of the money as ordered by the court.
Japan protests after Chinese ships sail near disputed islets (Reuters) Japan protested to China yesterday after Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels entered what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around a group of disputed islets, the Japanese foreign ministry said. Beijing claims the uninhabited, Tokyocontrolled East China Sea islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, and occasionally sends its coastguard vessels near them. But this is the first time Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels have sailed together in the area, in what appeared to be increased assertion of jurisdiction over
the islets, a foreign ministry official said. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama summoned China’s ambassador to Japan, Cheng Yonghua, to lodge a strong protest, the ministry said. China on Friday also accused Japan’s new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops massacred civilians in China during World War Two. Ties between China and Japan, the world’s second- and third-largest economies, have been plagued by the territorial row, the legacy of Japans’ wartime occupation of parts of China and regional rivalry.
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T&T Govt. ready with new FACTA legislation PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago government says it has prepared legislation that will allow the country to be in compliance with the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA is a 2010 federal law to enforce the requirement for United States nationals including those living outside the US to file yearly reports on their non-US financial accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN). It requires all nonU.S. (foreign) financial institutions (FFIs) to search their records for indicia indicating U.S. person-status and to report the assets and identities of such persons to the US Department of Treasury. Stuart Young, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, told reporters that the legislation, which will be tabled when the Parliament resumes after the holiday period, would require the support of the opposition since it would need a special majority to take effect.
“We as a government have done all that we have to do. There are two parts to it, the signing and the execution of it. The inter governmental agreement which the Minister of Finance (Colm Imbert) has been given the green light to go ahead and do and then the laying and passing of legislation”. He said that the legislation “requires a special majority. The legislation is ready. It shall be laid in time when Par-
liament re-opens and it is really going to come down to what position the opposition takes… “But I think as the world recognises, as the financial sector recognises….it will be
a great travesty if the opposition does not support that legislation which is really… an American requirement that will then lead to effects on all of us…who wants to conduct business with banks in the United
States”. Young said that the government plans to hold discussions with the opposition noting “as a responsible government we will have conversation with the opposition”.
He recalled that the matter had been before Trinidad and Tobago since 2010 when the People’s Partnership government of then Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar was in office.
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Saturday August 06, 2016
Dwarika full of praise for T&T Under-15s From page 30 Leewards in fifth with 9.9 points. Jamaica (0.3) occupied the cellar position and had the unenviable record of losing every match. The young Red Force cricketers also snatched the lion’s share of individual awards at stake with fast bowler Jayden Seales adjudged the “Player of the Series” after scoring 131 runs and taking nine wickets. Sameer Ali emerged the best bowler with a highest tournament aggregate of 11 wickets, including a match haul of five wickets for 17, recorded against Guyana at Tanteen. Ali, a right-arm wrist spinner and all-rounder Seales were later chosen on the West Indies Under16 squad for a tour of England starting later this month. On their triumphant arrival back home early Thursday, coach of the team Glen Dwarika was full of praise for his charges who he said were focused and disciplined throughout the tournament. He singled out captain Leonardo Julien, who copped the “best wicket- keeper” honours for marshalling his troops in an exemplary manner, with astute field placing, rotation of his bowlers with great effect, and for batting with maturity well beyond his tender age. Coach Dwarika said apart from the tournament awardees, left-arm orthodox bowler Nicholas Ali emerged as one of the stars also, bowling with admirable control and guile es-
pecially in pressure situations. ”All in all, the entire team made Trinidad and Tobago proud, the batters did their job, the bowlers defended the scores very well, and the fielders were exceptional in taking the catches and minimising the runs scored by their opponents,” said a proud Dwarika. He said the Under-15s were also a credit to the investment made in them by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, who made scarce resources available for their preparation. ”Parents of the boys need also to share in the success for ensuring their attendance at coaching and training sessions, despite the long distances they had to travel. Some parents even made the trip to Grenada which also impacted positively on their performances,” said Dwarika. The experienced youth coach also said that the recently concluded first Blink b-Mobile Future Stars Programme with world batting record holder Brian Lara among the tutors can be credited with helping the youngsters immensely. ”Lara, along (with) the batting and bowling coaches including Gus Logie, Kelvin Williams, Rajendra Dhanraj, Tony Gray, Surujdath Mahabir, Raphick Jumadeen, and David Williams played a great part in mentoring the boys, building their mental strength and giving them motivation,” said Dwarika. (T&TNewsday)
Tuesday August 06, 2015 ARIES (MAR. 21- APRIL 20) Your mate may not have been honest with you. Either way, you're up for a passionate encounter with someone special. TAURUS (APR. 21- MAY 21) Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event. You can be sure that any dealing with large institutions should go well. You must steer clear of overindulgent individuals. GEMINI (MAY 22-JUNE 21) You can make financial gains if you are prepared to take a risk. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today. CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) Your personal life will be under the gun and you may want to avoid the questions your lover is going to want to ask you. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Stick to your own projects and by the end of the day you'll shine. Don't let your emotions take over. Observations will be far more productive. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Get together with friends who like to participate in indoor sports. Limitations will set in if you haven't followed the rules.
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LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Only offer to do the things you have time for. Luxury items will cost you more than you can truly afford. Don't give in too quickly. Instant romance could be yours if you go out with friends. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Be careful not to get involved in other people's personal affairs. Be careful if a friend asks you for advice. You could find yourself caught in a one sided relationship. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 DEC. 21) You will find the excitement gratifying. Your ability to charm others will bring added popularity. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.JAN. 20) Patience will be of utmost importance. Your ability to deal with humanitarian groups will enhance your reputation. Be willing to listen, but don't be fooled. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 -FEB. 19) Courses dealing with psychology or health care will be of interest. Attend to things that you should have done yesterday. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. You may be likely to have difficulties with females.
Leicester players in driving seat ahead of new season
The car gifts comes following a promise in May by Srivaddhanaprabha to reward the Foxes Leicester City have been struggling to get into gear in pre-season following defeats by Barcelona and Paris SaintGermain. But now the Foxes players have been given the perfect gifts to help get them back on track ahead of the new season - after the firstteam squad were rewarded with £105,000 supercars. A fleet of 19 protonic blue BMW I8s - which cost a total of £2million were seen outside the club’s King Power Stadium yesterday. And the cars are understood to be gifts from Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha to the players following their stunning Premier League title victory back in May. The Thai businessman improved on a promise he made in the days following the club’s title win, which did consist of buying standard road cars worth around £30,000 each to the playing staff. But the arrival of the supercars, worth exactly £104,990 each from the local
Coach Gilbert satisfied with... From page 32 for TV host Mark Young who is coordinating the programme and thanked Guyana Waste Disposal and Hunter Portable Toilets for providing toilets, Sparta Boss FC, Big Boss Trucking Service, Dynasty Night Spot, and several other individuals who have contributed. Unlike last year, no girls are a part of the Camp this year due to absence of female coaches. Five-year-old Omar Pedro, son of former player Ola ‘Solo Tall Boy’ Pedro, is the youngest member of the camp and looks very skillful at such a young age. (Sean Devers)
BMW garage in Leicester will come as a massive boost to a team looking to get back into the fast lane ahead of tomorrow’s Community Shield. Claudio Ranieri’s side have been training ahead of the Wembley showdown with Manchester United - where they look to add another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. When asked at his pre-match press conference whether he would get a car, Ranieri smiled: ‘Some gifts are only for them? Not for me? I
want to speak with my owner. ’I am thinking about the match, not about the cars.’ Leicester will be hoping to win the Community Shield for the first time since 1971 when they take on the FA Cup winners in the season’s traditional curtain raiser. Following on from Wembley, the Foxes’ get the new Premier League campaign underway on August 13 when they take on newly promoted Hull City in a 12.30pm kick off. (MailOnline)
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Kaieteur News
Saturday August 06, 2016
Rangana Herath: Sri Lanka spinner Gianni Infantino: FIFA President cleared in ethics probe takes hat-trick as Australia collapse FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into his expenses, recruitment and alleged sacking of whistleblowers. Infantino took charge of football’s world governing body in February after the disgraced Sepp Blatter resigned.FIFA’s Ethics Committee found no “conflicts of interest” and no breaches of the organisation’s ethics code. “The benefits enjoyed by Mr Infantino were not considered improper,” it said. Infantino said he was pleased with the decision, adding he “would like to thank all those who co-operated with the ethics committee to ensure that the facts were heard and the truth prevailed”. BBC Sport learned last month that Infantino, 46, was under scrutiny from the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee. At the time, the Swiss lawyer was said to be “very confident” no further action would be taken, with sources close to the former UEFA Secretary General describing the allegations as “absurd” and “baseless”. ”Mr Infantino’s conduct with regard
to his contract with FIFA, if at all, constituted internal compliance issues rather than an ethical matter,” the ethics committee added. What were the allegations? A leaked internal FIFA memo outlined a series of claims relating to Infantino. The claims were that he: * Left himself exposed to claims of a possible conflict of interest by using private jets laid on by a World Cup bidding country * Filled senior posts without checking people’s eligibility for the role * Billed FIFA for mattresses, flowers, a tuxedo, an exercise machine and personal laundry * Demanded FIFA hire an external driver, who then billed the governing body for driving Infantino’s family and advisors around while he was abroad Analysis - BBC Sport news correspondent Richard Conway Supporters of Gianni Infantino spoke throughout this investigation of his confidence over being cleared. He has no case to answer but the
Swiss Italian has been damaged by the process. Questions concerning his judgement have been raised. Taking private flights to Moscow and Doha was judged to be within the rules - but is it wise for a man elected on a platform of renewing trust and faith in FIFA to accept such offers? Doubts over his political nous were raised again this week after he was pictured laughing and joking while visiting Marco Polo del Nero, the head of the Brazilian football confederation and a man who has been indicted by US authorities over corruption claims. Infantino hasn’t signed his employment contract yet either - another matter which continues to weigh him down, given reports he rejected an initial salary offer for being too low. Despite all this he can be expected to capitalise on being cleared by the ethics committee and relaunch his stuttering presidency. The question for many will be has lasting damage already been done? (BBCsport)
Rangana Herath became the oldest bowler to take a Test hat-trick as Australia were dismissed for 106 on day two of the second Test in Galle. The left-arm spinner, who is 38 years and 139 days old, is the second Sri Lankan to take a Test hat-trick. Adam Voges, Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc - after a third-umpire review - fell to Herath in the 25th over. Herath finished with figures of 4-35 as Australia were bowled out for their lowest Test score against Sri Lanka. Previously, the oldest man to take a hat-trick was England’s Tom Goddard, who was 38 years and 84 days old when he struck against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1938. Herath’s hat-trick is the first by a Sri Lanka player in Tests since 1999, when Nuwan Zoysa struck against Zimbabwe with his first three deliveries of the game. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera also had a superb day with bat and ball, taking 4-29 in Australia’s first innings and top-scoring with 64 in Sri
Herath’s hat-trick helped dismiss Australia in 33.2 overs. Lanka’s second innings before falling to left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc (650). Perera then narrowly missed out on a hat-trick after dismissing nightwatchman Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja in Australia’s second innings before captain Steve Smith survived the hat-trick ball as the visitors, chasing 413 to win, finished on 25-3 at the end of a remarkable day in
which 21 wickets fell. Only once have two hattricks been taken in the same Test, when Australia leg-spinner Jimmy Matthews achieved the feat in each innings against South Africa at Old Trafford in the triangular Test series of 1912. Sri Lanka 281 & 237: D Perera 64, Starc 6-50. Australia 106 (D Perera 4-29, Herath 4-35) & 25-3: D Perera 2-9. Australia need 388 more runs to win. (BBCsport)
Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Rio opens Games with ode to forests, favelas and funk
The celebrities were also out at the event including 12-year-old Brazilian rapper MC Soffia who performed. Brazil unfurled a vast canvas celebrating its rainforest and the creative energy of its wildly diverse population in welcoming the world last night to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, all to the pulsating beat of samba, bossa nova and funk. Brazil’s interim President Michel Temer declared open the first Games ever in South America. But in a display of the deep political divisions plaguing Brazil, he was jeered by some in the crowd at the famed Maracana soccer stadium. The opening ceremony was decidedly simple and low-tech, a reflection of Brazil’s tough economic times. In one of the world’s most unequal societies, the spectacle celebrated the culture of the favelas, the slums that
hang vertiginously above the renowned beaches of Rio and ring the Maracana. There was no glossing over history either: from the arrival of the Portuguese and their conquest of the indigenous populations to the use of African slave labor for 400 years. The clash of cultures, as the ceremony showed, is what makes Brazil the complex mosaic that it is. Home to the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, Brazil used the ceremony to call on the 3 billion people watching the opening of the world’s premiere sporting event to take care of the planet, plant seeds and protect the verdant land that Europeans found here five centuries ago. Unlike the opening ceremonies in Beijing in 2008 and London 2012, a finan-
Fireworks exploded from the stadium as the Opening Ceremony for Rio Olympics 2016 kicked off. cially constrained Brazil had little choice but to put on a more “analog” show, with minimal high-tech and a heavy dependence on the vast talent of Brazil and its Carnival party traditions. While the Rio 2016 organizing committee has not said how much the ceremony cost, it is believed to be about half of the $42 million spent by London in 2012. The show drew homegrown stars, like supermodel Gisele
Bundchen, who walked across the stadium to the sound of bossa nova hit “Girl from Ipanema” and Paulinho da Viola, a samba songwriter who sang the national anthem with a string orchestra. Everyone performed for free. Loud cheers erupted when Brazil’s beloved pioneer of aviation Alberto Santos-Dumont was depicted taking off from the stadium and flying over modern-day Rio. The joyful opening contrasted
The team of ten Refugee Athletes - representing the world’s stateless competitors - also got a huge cheer during the ceremony.
with months of turmoil and chaos, not only in the organization of the Olympics but across Brazil as it endures its worst economic recession in decades and a deep political crisis. Temer, flanked by dozens of heads of state, played a minor role in the ceremony, speaking just a few words. The leader who was supposed to preside over the Games, President Dilma Rousseff, was suspended last May to face an impeachment trial and tweeted that she was “sad to not be at the party.” The $12 billion price tag to organize the Games has aggrieved many in the nation of 200 million and in Rio, where few can see the benefits of the spectacle or even afford to attend the Games. Due to Brazil’s most intense security operation e v e r, s o m e a m o n g t h e 50,000 attendees faced two-hour-long lines as Brazil staged its most intense security operation ever. The creative minds behind the opening ceremony were determined to put on a show that would not offend a country in dire economic straits but would showcase the famously upbeat nature of Brazilians. It started with the beginning of life itself in Brazil, and the population that formed in the vast forests and built their communal huts, the ocas. The Portuguese bobbed to shore in boats, the African slaves rolled in on wheels and together they plowed through the forests and planted the seeds of mod-
ern Brazil. ”They’re talking about slavery? Wow,” said Bryan Hossy, a black Brazilian who watched the ceremony in a bar in Copacabana. “They have to talk about that. It’s our story.” The mega-cities of Brazil formed in a dizzying video display as acrobats jumped from roof to roof of emerging buildings and then on to the steep favela that served as the front stage for the ceremony. From the favela came Brazilian funk, a contemporary mash-up of 20th century rhythms, sung by stars Karol Conka and 12-yearold MC Soffia. “This is a conquest. The people on the periphery are having an influence, it’s a recognition of their art,” said Eduardo Alves, director of social watchdog Observatorio de Favelas. Before the entry of a few thousand of the 11,000 athletes that will be competing in the Games, the playful rhythms of the ceremony gave way to a sober message about climate change and rampant deforestation of the Amazon. Actresses Judi Dench and Fernanda Montenegro lent their voices for a classic poem about hope for the future. Each athlete was asked to plant seeds that will eventually grow into trees and be planted in the Athletes Forest in Rio in a few years. Brazilian runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. (Reuters)
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Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
More sponsors on board for Rose Hall Town Week
Coach Gilbert satisfied with TFY0 threeweek Football Clinic and Training Camp
RHTY&SC Executive Member Mark Papannah (left) receives a copy of the Logo from Digital Edge CEO, Sherwin Sinclair. Plans to host the biggest and most successful Town Week in the history of Guyana are going full steam ahead as more sponsors come on board for the 46th anniversary celebration of Guyana’s smallest township, Rose Hall Town. To date, Digital Edge, the Rose Hall Branch of Republic Bank, F&H Printery of Georgetown, Hephzibah Ministries of Rose Hall Town, R. Das and Sons Supermarket of Alness and the Government Information Agency have all join hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club for the Town’s anniversary which is scheduled for September 14 – 25 next and it promises to be memorable one for every resident of Rose Hall Town. Mr Sherwin Sinclair, CEO of Digital Edge has donated 100 copies of the 46th anniversary logo while Republic Bank (Guy) has donated funds for the publication of an 11 feet x 6 feet banner to inform residents of the upcoming activities. Pastor Alvin Aladdin of
Hephzibah Ministries and the Management of R. Das and Sons have also sponsored banners as a part of the public-relations campaign to promote the event across Berbice while the RHTYSC would also be working along with Mr. Azeem Khan, Communication Officer of GINA to produce a Television documentary on the history of Rose Hall Town, its development over the years and achievements in education, youth development and sports. The documentary would be launched during the Town Week official opening on the September 14. B Division of the Guyana Police Force which has a close working relationship with the club has agreed to offer security for the Town Week celebrations, operate a booth at the Career and Business Fair while members of the Force and the Community Policing Groups would also be part of the March Past at the opening ceremony. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster who is spearhead-
ing the Town Week activities stated that plans for the grand celebrations are on stream and as usual, they have been able to attract numerous donors. Among the events scheduled are the Opening Ceremony, Day of Sports, Medical Outreach Programme, Launching of Booklet on Rose Hall Town, Public Exhibition, Honouring Outstanding Residents, Opening of a Family Recreation Park, Educational Competitions, Steelband Concert, Rose Hall Town Cuisine Competition and a Career and Business Fair. The events would be organised by the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 Teams. Foster has expressed gratitude to the donors for their support and assured that all the events would be properly organised with the objectives being achieved.
South Korean archer Kim Woo-jin sets first world record of Games
South Korean world champion Kim Woo-jin set the first world record of the Rio Olympics with a score of 700 in the 72-arrow ranking round. The 24-year-old’s score exceeded the mark of 699 set by his countryman Im Dong-Hyun at London 2012. Patrick Huston was the first Briton in competitive action at the Games, finishing 38th out of 64 archers. The ranking round decides the draw for the Olympic round, in which archers
compete in a knockout tournament. ”It’s just the ranking round, so today’s not really big happy. Getting the world record is important but tomorrow’s matches are more important,” said Kim, referring to the men’s team title which is decided today. The knockout rounds of the individual competition begin on Monday with the final scheduled to start on Saturday, August 13th. (BBCsport)
Kim Woo-jin poses at the Sambodromo after his world record
The participants and Coach Gilbert yesterday at the Camp The Tavel Foundation Youth Organisation (TFYO) launched its 2016 three-week Youth Football Clinic and Training Camp last Tuesday at the Roxanne Burnham Recreational Facility, East Ruimveldt Back Road and Coach Sampson Gilbert expressed satisfaction with the first week of activities. The first week included classroom work and football drills and attracted 30 youths between the ages of 7-17. Registration is free and the organisers said they catered for 50 participants with registration being extended to next week Tuesday. Gilbert who is also President of TFYO told Kaieteur Sport that the programme which runs every week day up to Friday August 19 from 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 15:00hrs, provides tuition in areas such as football skills, social etiquette, life skills with focus on general discipline, career development, conflict resolution, first aid and injury treatment, remedial reading and drug education among other topics. According to Gilbert, the tutors include Lawyer Nigel Hughes while assistance would also come from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, the Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection, Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports. ”We are using football as a tool as we strive for a holistic development process. Most times by watching how the youths react in the game provides a window to their minds and could give an indication to their behavioral pat-
Five-year-old Omar Pedro dribbles the field during yesterday’s TFYO’s Clinic tern off the pitch” Gilbert said. The eloquent Gilbert, who attended the St John’s College and participated in the international year of the child activities, disclosed that this influenced his desire to work with the younger ones and to help build their minds. ”That made me reach out to the youngsters at the Fruta Conquers FC when I was a Coach there” said the Secretary of the Guyana Football Coaches Association. Gilbert revealed that his initial budget of $1.5 Million catered for 10 Coaches to be hired to micro manage the youngsters who are from all areas and not just East and West Ruimveldt. Gilbert, speaking in his capacity as TFYO President,
informed that every student is provided with lunch and water while there are an adequate number off balls and gear. ”With a culture of keeping the surroundings clean being intensified after the clean-up campaign, this piece of land was cleared and our club was allowed to utilize it so we decided to hold the Camp here this year. We have gotten a few sponsors but we are encouraging others to come on board to help keep these youngsters meaningfully occupied which will keep them away from crime and other social ills as they grow into young men,” Gilbert added. Gilbert was high in praise (Continued on page 25)
Saturday August 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
GASA name 2016 Goodwill Swim Meet Team for St Lucia
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has named its team that will compete at the XX11 Goodwill Swim Meet which is set to be hosted for the first time by St Lucia, later this month. A contingent of 28 swimmers and five officials have been named for what is anticipated to be a challenging competition with th e likes of defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, Barb dos, Suriname, Bahamas and the host nation, competing.
This developmental competition provides exposure for the younger swimmers at the regional evel. According to the GASA, the team was selected after the annual Independence Meet, a bit earlier than usual to give the athletes additional time to prepare. The association in a release stated that they are expecting gold from 9-10 female age group champion Aleka Persaud who currently holds the 50 Meters butterfly record; Leon
Seaton, the first 11-12 age group swimmer to record a time of 29.84 seconds in 50 meters freestyle, the association noted is also another gold medal prospect. Medals hopefuls also include boys 10-11 age group competitors, Raekwon Noel, Lajuan Munroe and Paul Mahaica; 13-14 boys Nathon Hackett, Nikhil Ramnarine and 15-17 age group girls Kenita Mahaica and Anna Isaac. These athletes have all promised to fly our Golden Arro
head at this Goodwill. The squad is currently training twice daily, a morning session which sees the swimmers in the pool at 06:00hrs followed by an afternoon session under the guidance of experienced coach, Mr. Sean Baskh who has
promised to bring home a lot more gold medals than previous years since he has a more vibrant team this year. The team is schedule to depart on August 18 and return on August, 22, next. Following are profiles of the Team Guyana Members.
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Saturday August 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
DCC Annual School Vacation I’ve been axed as skipper, Sammy announces Camp starts on Monday It’s that time again - The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will be hosting its Annual School Vacation Cricket Camp from August 8- 26 at the Club’s ground and pavilion on Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, G e o r g e t o w n . The daily activities will commence at 09:00hrs and conclude at 15:00hrs. The camp is open to any youngster between the ages of 10 and 16 years who have an interest in cricket and are looking to improve their skills and knowledge of the game. The camp will run from Monday to Friday for just over two weeks, and will include classroom type instructions/lectures and on field fitness and cricket exercises. Registration and atten-
dance attracts a small cost while snacks and beverages will be provided free of cost. The Club also bids farewell to Sachin Singh, Qumar Torrington and Ashmead Nedd, as they leave for England to participate in the Under-16 West Indies Tour. These youngsters are products of the Club’s Annual Camp that has been a part of their calendar of events for the past six years. DCC President, Alfred Mentore has extended best wishes to the players as they embark on their international tour, and pointed out that the success of these players is testimony to the importance, need and benefits of the Annual Summe r C a m p . Mentore further stated that the players have continued the high standards set
by its predecessors and the rich legacy of DCC in continuing to produce talented players for Guyana and the West Indies. ”I take this opportunity to encourage the corporate community to join in sponsoring the Camp as the club seeks to identify new talent and ensure the longevity and continuity of this great sport that we all love,” said the former national youth cricketer. The Camps serves multiple purposes for youths, families and the community and is a great social cohesive opportunity to keep children occupied, away from social ills and an ideal get away during the school h o lidays to help prevent them getting involved in delinquent activities.
Leewards struggle, Windwards thrive while T&T eye victory
Kingstown, St Vincent CMC - Leaders Leeward Islands were facing a daunting task in order to win their final round three-day game of the Regional Under-19 Championship, after another impressive batting showing by Jamaica on the second day yesterday. Set 316 for victory at Stubbs, the Leewards finished the day on seven without loss, still requi ing a further 309 for victory on Saturday’s final day. For the second straight day, however, Jamaica dominated proceedings, dismissing the Leewards for 178 in their first innings afterthey resumed on 138 for four. Jaeel Clark top-scored with 37 after failing to add to his overnight score as the Leewards lost their last six wickets for just 40 runs. Leftarm spinner Jeavor Royal, who started the day with four wickets, finished with five for 60 while off-spinner Michael Frew picked up three for 73. In their second turn at the crease, Jamaica piled up 243 for six before declaring for the second time in two days, with Dominik Samuels hitting an unbeaten 62 and Jordane Hill
Michael Frew and Michael Frew both getting 52. Wandering at 63 for three, they were lifted by a 46run fourth wicket stand between Samuels and Hills, while Samuels and Hill added 83 for the fifth wicket. Samuels has so far faced 173 balls and struck two fours w h i l e H i l l , t h e o p e n e r, counted eight fours in a knock which came from 88 deliveries. Frew’s knock was an attacking one, coming off 73 ball and included two fours and three sixes. At Arnos Vale, second placed Barbados were put under pressure after falling meekly in their first innings and then watching as Windward Islands produced a strong second innings performance to carve out a handy lead. Resuming the day on 32 for two in response to the Windwards’ first innings of 198, Barbados folded for a disappointing 152, with Dominic Drakes top-scoring with 59 off 84 balls with four fours and
four sixes. Tottering on 108 for eight, Drakes arrived at number eight to rally the innings in a 32run, ninth wicket stand with Jarion Hoyte (2). Fast bowler Darron Nedd (3-19) and leftarm spinner Rasheed Fredericks (3-40) combined to wreck the Barbados innings. With a lead of 46 runs on first innings, the Windwards were then propelled by halfcenturies from Emmanuel Stewart (76 not out) and Alick Athanaze (76) as they reached 170 for three — an overall lead of 216 runs. They were stumbling at 17 for two before the pair put on 143 for the third wicket to prop up the innings. Stewart has so far faced 141 deliveries in 201 minutes and struck five fours and two sixes while Athanaze lasted ten fours and two sixes of 93 balls. In the other game at Sion Hill, Guyana were battling to avoid an innings defeat after being forced to follow on by Trinidad and Tobago. Resuming from their overnight 289 for nine, T&T were bowled out for 296 and quickly bundled out Guyana for a paltry 85, with off-spinner Jonathan Bootan claiming seven for 23. Ronaldo Renee, who topscored with 20, put on 30 for the first wicket with Joshua Persaid (17) before 10 wickets tumbled for 52 runs in a dramatic collapse. In their second turn at the wicket, Guyana thrived as Bhaskar Yadram carved out an unbeaten 67, to leave his side 109 runs away from making T&T bat again.
Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC — Darren Sammy has been sacked as West Indies Twenty20 captain, four months after leading the region to unprecedented second T20 World Cup triumph. In a video posted on his Facebook page yesterday, the 32-year-old said he had received a call from new chairman of selectors, Courtney Browne, informing him he would no longer lead the squad or be a member. ”I got a call yesterday morning, it was probably 30 seconds, from the chairman of selectors telling me that they’ve reviewed the captaincy of T20 and I won’t be captain anymore of the T20 team, [and] my performances have not merited selection in the … squad,” Sammy said in the video. ”That’s okay, I’ve always believed West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy. They are looking to the future and I wanna wish the new captain — I don’t know if it’s out yet so I won’t call any names — all the best as he looks to lead West Indies cricket and take it forward. Only last April, Sammy was revelling in the glory of having led West Indies to the capture of the T20 World Cup in India, when they beat England by four wickets in a dramatic final in Kolkata. Four years ago, Sammy had also created history when he oversaw the regional side’s triumph over hosts Sri Lanka, in the 2012 T20 World Cup final. Though already axed as one-day captain and
“Obviously, throughout my captaincy, winning the two [T20] World Cups has been the highlight” © Getty Images dropped from the team, Sammy said the latest development did not mean the end of his international career. ”Obviously, throughout my captaincy, winning the two World Cups with my team has been the highlight and these memories I will cherish for a long time,” the St Lucian said. ”This is not me retiring from one-day or T20, it’s just me thanking the fans and my players and the coaches I’ve worked with and WICB for … yeah, letting me lead the side for the last six years. But for now the captaincy has come to an end and thank you people.” He added: “The direction Darren is headed, the direction God has for me is not dic-
tated by any man so there is a more in store for Darren Sammy. I’m just embracing life every day.” While West Indies excelled in the recent T20 World Cup, Sammy struggled, scoring eight runs from three innings and sending down three overs and taking one wicket. Overall, he has scored 534 runs in 50 T20 International innings at an average of 15 and strike rate of 148. He has taken 44 wickets at an economy rate of seven. He led West Indies in 47 T20Is, pulling off 27 wins. Sammy once also led the Test squad before being axed two years ago and dropped from the side. He subsequently retired from the format.
Dwarika full of praise for T&T Under-15s
West Indies Cricket Board 50-Overs regional champions, Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-15 cricketers played unbeaten, winning all their matches outright to totally dominate the West Indies Cricket Board 50-Overs re-
gional tournament which ended on Wednesday in Grenada. The TT lads swept their five matches and ended with 31.5 points, well ahead of sec-
ond placed Barbados who were tied with Guyana on 20.8 points, in second spot. Fourth were the Windward Islands (13.5), followed by the (Continued on page 29)
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 06, 2016
Annual Grenville Felix Memorial Cycle Road Race set for Berbice tomorrow Cycling action will continue in Berbice tomorrow when the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) in association with the Felix family brings off the 3rd Annual Grenville Felix Memorial 50 mile road race which is open to riders, countrywide. The event which is coordinated by FACC Coach Randolph Roberts is held in honour of the late engineer who passed away three years ago at the age of 96. Felix was one of Guyana’s first and oldest engineer’s at the time of his demise and worked with the Bookers and Guyana Sugar Corporation apart from various parts of the world. This is the 5th cycling event being held in Felix’s honour, the first two were held in celebration of his b i r t h d a y. T h i s w a s subsequently changed to a memorial event following his demise. According to Roberts this year race is expected to be bigger with more incentives at stake. Competitors will move off tomorrow from outside Felix’ former home as a child at Betsy Ground, East Canje but will be given the flag from his residence at Canefield East Canje, Berbice. They will then
Race coordinator Randolph Roberts (2nd left) receives the cheque from a representative of the Felix Family while other family members savour the moment. proceed to Nand Persaud and Company Limited at No. 36 Corentyne before turning back to finish in front of his Canefield residence. The nation’s leading cyclists are expected to be on show, attractive prizes are at stake with the first eight to cross the line being rewarded. The top three juniors and females will also receive prizes while there will also be prizes for top veteran riders.
Eight sprint prizes are up for grabs. The Grenville Felix Memorial lien trophy is at stake but for a rider to keep same, they must three times. When the race was held for Felix’ birthday and open to Berbice cyclists only, Andrew Hicks and Neil Reece were the respective winners. Mario King took the first race when it was opened to riders nationally.
Wolf’s Challenge Cup Softball Superior Woods overcome Albion Masters by 60 runs; matches continue tomorrow Superior Woods defeated Albion Masters by 60 runs when the Wolf’s Challenge Cup softball tournament continued on Sunday last. Playing at Malteenoes Sports Club, Superior Woods batted first and posted 156-7 off their allocation of 20 overs. Surujlall Kumar made 41, Peter Persaud 22 and Rudolph Johnson 22 not out. John Sumir claimed 3-23. Albion were bowled out for 96 in 17 overs in reply. B. Lanchand got 36 as Roy Persaud snared 4-8 and Peter Persaud 3-18. H S Masters edged Regal Masters by 11 runs. Batting first, HS Masters managed 143-4 in 20 overs with Danny Mohanram scoring 64 and B. Lakeram 25; David Harper took 2-26. Regal could only manage 132-6. Mahase Chunilall made 30 while Mahendra Hardyal contributed 21; B. Lakeram captured 3-13 and M. Arjune 2-23. Wolf’s Warriors overcame Fisherman by three wickets. Fisherman took first
strike and got to 139-9. G. Persaud struck 53; H. Dhanraj had 3-20. Wolf’s Warriors replied with 140-7 in 18 overs. Raghunandan Narine made 30 and F. Bacchus 25. At Gandhi Youth O r g a n i s a t i o n , M i k e ’s Wellman defeated H S Masters by 28 runs on Monday. Wellman batted first and rattled up 192-9. Eon Lovell scored 41, Nandram Samlall 39, Wayne Jones 27 and Richard Persaud 25; Rudolph Johnson grabbed 425. HS Masters responded with 164-5. Peter Persaud slammed 51, Johnson 32 and Oslyn Batson 32. Latchman Kallicharran had 2-18 and Wayne Jones 2-21. The competition continues tomorrow with Floodlight facing Savage Masters (10:00hrs) and Superior Woods playing Savage (13:00hrs) on pitch one. On pitch two Wellman will battle HS Masters (10:00hrs), Wellwoman will challenge Blue Divas (13:00hrs) and 4R Lioness will entertain Enterprise Divas at 14:30hrs in the female segment. At
GYO, Fisherman Masters will take on Regal Masters (10:00hrs) and 1:00pm Parika Defenders will battle Tropical Springs (13:00hrs). At Jailing Ground, Albion Masters will face Wolf Wa r r i o r s M a s t e r s a t 11:00hrs.
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D’Andrade defends Emancipation 5k title G u y a n a ’s Tr i n i d a d based, Lionel D’Andrade defended his Emancipation Freedom 5km Run in Sangre Grande, Trinidad in 17:20 with Trinidadians, Colin Pereira second in 17:30 and Joshua James (18:3) third in the 14th Edition of the race. D’Andrade was made to work harder this time around, but showed superior tactics to pull away from his rivals with ease to defend his title. A victory next year for D’Andrade will see him take home the ‘Challenge Trophy’. D’Andrade said experience was key to bringing home the gold. “This year was more competitive but experience made me win this evening. I
say I taking it easy today. It’s only two weeks now I start back training after a whole month’s rest,” he said. ”I just took my time and know when to make my move. I know when the guys tired and know then to make my move. I just run and hold with them and then tried something and realised they ain’t coming so experience gave me a win,” D’Andrade explained. The Emancipation F r e e d o m r u n is in celebration of Trinidad & Tobago’s Emancipation Day holiday. The Road Race had a turnout of 200 participants running for freedom as they c e l e b r a t e d Emancipation Day.
Lionel D’Andrade
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17
Double header and March Past to usher in UDFA leg today The commencement of action in the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) leg of the Guyana Football Federation NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League is set for today. Officials from t h e G F F, N A M I L C O , UDFA and National Sports Commission are expected to be present at the Wisburg Secondary School ground for what is anticipated to be a colorful opening ceremony and march past from12:00hrs. Old rivals Topp XX and Milerock will square off in the first competitive match of the
league which would be followed by a clash between reigning UDFA
Under-17 champions Eagles United and Sliver Shattas.
t r o Sp
Rio opens Games with ode to forests, favelas and funk
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Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lights the Olympic flame to bring the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to an end.
IOC President Thomas Bach, front row ninth left, and other dignitaries stand during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210