Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 06, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Sugar workers, their families and the PPP DEAR EDITOR, As the sugar industry started to scale down under this government, I want to give my fair share of the take on this. As we all know, sugar is not profitable in Guyana anymore. But due to circumstances, the PPP had to get the industry rolling. Rolling in the sense that no matter what happens to the economy, sugar must stay. But we all know that was just a merry go round for political come around. I won’t deal with the EU cut in prices, but with what has been happening since APNU+AFC took government in May 2015. Tears are flowing from the eyes of many sugar workers and family members as they are wondering, what they are going to do for Christmas, etc? As I have said over and over, sugar workers need to think for themselves and not allow the PPP and those political commentators to tell them what to do or how to think. Workers need to sit and reflect as to who are the ones that have brought this hardship to them and downfall to the sugar industry. I can recall in May 2015 it

was announced to the nation by GuySuCo and the PPP that the corporation was bankrupt and due to that, the entire industry would have to be close in a few days. Although the PPP, GAWU and GuySuCo knew that the industry was cash-strapped, they never told the workers and their families before the elections what the state of GuySuCo was. Why? Because they would have lost thousands more of their votes. So, they decided to keep it as a secret and fool the workers along with their families. I am not hearing the PPP and GAWU or the political commentators saying anything of this nature. I am not hearing the PPP and GAWU telling the workers and their families, we are the ones that fooled you all for our personal reasons and gains. No, they won’t do that, because they have no respect for the sugar workers and their families. The PPP is parading around the villages showing sad faces as if they care for the workers. It is sad to see people who created this crisis that the workers are facing, going around as if they never did any wrong when in

Would a one-party govt. work in Guyana’s culture? DEAR EDITOR, I read a recent letter, which seemed to suggest that a oneparty government might help to mend our “divided and broken country”. This may work in some cultures, but not in all. Would this be regarded as ‘democratic’ in the true sense of the word? Given our culture and mindset, would it work in Guyana’s? In the late-1990s, I was discussing Guyana with a once passionate advocate and hard-working activist for the political party which eventually produced the first post-Independence President. This woman had since taken up residence in America and said she did so because “they would not listen”. I gathered speaking from grassroot level and seeing things as they were could not persuade those in charge to change the mind set. She and several former supporters became frustrated and fled. The top politicians did not listen then, would they listen now? One wonders. We can but try and see. Geralda D.

government. The PPP pumped billions of dollars into the industry to safeguard their political future, especially as a government, because we all know that the PPP strongholds are within the sugar belt. So they didn’t care at that moment what the consequences would be for the industry and economy in the years to come. All they care for is political power. If this government had wanted to close the entire sugar industry down, then they would have used the recommendations in May 2015. They would have told the workers that the PPP announced such, and they had to do that, because the PPP was the government then. But no, lo and behold this government did not do that. This government is seeking ways and means to

p r e s e r v e t h e i n d u s t r y. This government wants to make the industry profitable again, and that is why they have decided to close a few estates that are not profitable and keep those burning that are making their targets. Ye s , I s e e t h a t t h i s government will seek ways for those workers that will lose their work to regain employment. Yes, I see alternatives will be put in place for those workers. How can we trust the PPP? All of their MPs told the supporters of the party, the entire country and world at large that they will never take the raise this government gave them in their MP salaries and they will put it in a special account. What a shame and disgrace that today many of them collected that raise in salary? The PPP cannot be

Guyana must urgently... From page 4 never done this. Sugar workers must first recognize they were engineered to their current predicament by the PPP. The passage of two-plus years of the Coalition’s administration would not have improved their situation had the PPP been in government, except, that a PPP government would have kept the estates open at the expense of billions of taxpayers’ dollars, and as they did to the Diamond estate, gradually close out the severely distressed estates when it was politically expedient to do so. Sugar workers must understand that Guyana’s sugar industry is coming to a close, and the most they can do is see what they can get at the negotiating table. They also need to thank the Peoples Progressive Party for effectively reducing their lives and available

opportunities to next to nothing, when they had the opportunity to do much more than sink US$200 million into Skeldon, which marked the beginning of the end of the industry. The PPP did not save them then, and they will never be able to provide alternative options for sugar workers, because if they did want to, they would have done so when they had the chance. Sugar workers can expect nothing from the PPP except another 23 years of using. Sugar workers must understand that the industry was founded on the exploitation of sugar workers, and this will never change. Craig Sylvester

trusted anymore with the running of this country. We all know that not everything is okay in the sugar industry or country. Nowhere in the world will everything be okay in a country after decades of corruption. Things will be difficult at times and we need to work to ensure we have better days ahead. We need to cooperate to build our land. We need to be each other ’s keepers towards the future. We need to stand with each other for a better Guyana. Let’s not allow the PPP to darken our minds and empty our brains towards thinking positive. We must open our minds and heart a n d l o o k a t w h a t ’s happening. Let’s look at the positives that are taking place in every region of this country. Let’s look at what the future holds under this hard working and people’s government. Our future will be bright under the APNU+AFC government, but things take time, and time is precious, so don’t waste it. Let’s unite and

work for a better Guyana under this government. I will make yet another call on the leader of the PPP - who seems to so care so much for something that he destroyed - to take his parliamentary salaries since January 2017 and donate it to the sugar workers and their families of Rosehall Estate. I will call on the leader of the PPP to demand that all his MPs that took the raise in salary to bring back the monies, along with their salaries since January 2017, and donate it to the workers and their families of Rosehall estate. I call on GAWU, who is now kicking up a storm after years of neglecting the rights of the workers by failing to truly represent them, to take all of their union dues since January 2017 and donate it to the workers and their families of Rosehall Estate. Take the challenge so the world will see that you all care about the well being of the workers and their families. Abel Seetaram Regional Councillor Region 5

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 06, 2017

APNU+AFC Govt. fails to deliver ICT promises in three consecutive years - Comes with more “bluff and fluff” for 2018 - PPP/C MP By Abena RockcliffeCampbell A consortium of “bluff” and “fluff” projects; that is People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Gillian BurtonPersaud’s description of Budget 2018. She told the National Assembly as much when she made her contribution to the Budget debates. Burton-Persaud said that despite the fact that it has not been able to deliver on many of its promises, the government has the audacity

to come with “more bluff and fluff.” Burton told the National Assembly that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a very important component of a country’s developmental process in this modern system of things. She said that the government is holding back development in its failure to provide good and proper ICT systems. Bluffs of 2015-2016 To prove that Government is lacking in the implementation of its ICT

measures, Burton-Persaud went as far back as 2015, when APNU+AFC first assumed office and chronicled the journey to present. She noted that the APNU+AFC chose to rebrand the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project into a One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT) project after realizing that 40,000 laptops were expected from China. “They decided that it was good to give it to the teachers; but some teachers got the laptop and some were asked to pay

Three more held for Kescia Branche’s murder - death of ‘witness’ being treated as accident, says Acting Crime Chief The mystery of exactly who murdered Kescia Branche remains unanswered, as Acting Crime Chief Paul Williams revealed yesterday that three more suspects are now in custody. They join taxi driver Matthew Munroe, who was detained last week, after returning from an overseas vacation. Police have obtained permission from the High Court to detain him further. They have impounded the driver’s vehicle, which had sustained damage, and had a missing bumper. Munroe reportedly told police that he had driven into a pothole on East Coast Demerara. He was reportedly unable to show police the location. “There were some others who were arrested and released and based on that information we have arrested others,” Williams told Kaieteur News, while

continuing to express optimism about an eventual breakthrough. Kaieteur News understands that police were preparing to take DNA samples from one of the detained men. Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine said that investigators had recently received some more information on the Branche case. “We were able to work on that information, and soon that file should be sent for further advice.” Meanwhile, Acting Crime Chief Williams also confirmed Norbert Lamazon, a Le Repentir Cemetery security guard who recently passed away, had been interviewed as a possible eyewitness. However, Williams said that they were at present treating the guard’s death as an accident. “As it relates to the gentleman, he was a witness

Kescia Branche who had given a statement, but that (his death) is deemed as an accident; so far, there is nothing to indicate foul play. Lamazon, suspected to be a hit and run victim, was reportedly admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation last Friday. He succumbed the following day. The 22-year-old Branche was found badly battered on November 5, last. She succumbed without regaining consciousness.

$30,000 per laptop but they are still to make way into the education system today.” She then turned attention to 2016 when the government touted the creation of an information hub in Government agencies. Burton- Persaud questioned, “What has become of that? How many hubs are there in the government agencies?” Burton even noted that there was a $326M allocation that was designed to facilitate interconnection within agencies, state building and education facilities. “What happened to the setting up of ICT hubs in communities? We are yet to hear how many communities benefitted from that. Burton-Persaud reminded government that it had promised to enable communities to transcend from poverty to the good life using information technology. “To date I am not aware that anybody was able to transcend from poverty to a good life with ICT, the hardship continues.” 2017 Burton-Persaud said that in 2017 the government managed to continue its trend of reneging on promises. She said that the government had promised to transform Guyana by the creation of a digital economy through ICT. She also noted that there was supposed to be several services offered online to citizens. But nothing ever materialized. In fact, Burton-Persaud said that it is even hard to access ICT in the Chambers of the National Assembly. She said that in 2017 the government also encouraged citizens to take advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunities that the World Wide Web (WWW) offers. “They even promised the liberalization of

PPP/C MP, Gillian Burton- Persaud telecommunication sector to open new frontiers of innovation; lots of flamboyant words but no action.” “How can you access the WWW when you cannot get electricity, no lightning-fast access speed; you cannot sit home and do business because of blackout. The ICT programmes are simply marking time in Guyana. Yes it is nice to tell people they can get jobs and expand businesses online but how can they do that with the slow internet, how?” Burton-Persaud noted the fact that there are limited jobs in Guyana. She said that the government should be happy that jobs are available for citizens to make use of online. She said that the least the government can do is to make sure that it provides what is needed for persons to take advantage of the many opportunities. “ICT is not at the finger tips of single mothers who may want to work from home, why not?” Burton-Persaud said, “In order to keep glorious

promises of utilizing ICT and all that it has to offer, we have to ensure that the components are there to keep it alive and keep it vibrant are in place, and that is not so.” Burton-Persaud recalled attending the first digital wealth summit in Guyana. She said that at that forum, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, promised young entrepreneurs that apart from having good connectively, before the end of the year, a particular payment system will be made available in Guyana. “We still are waiting.” 2018 Burton-Persaud did not speak much on the provisions and measures for ICT in 2018. She said that is because there is nothing much to speak of, “just more bluff and fluff.” She said that she perused the Budget several times and saw little that speaks to ICT. “There is nothing much listed that speaks specifically to ICT. Why? I perused up and down and see snippets but nothing bold that says this is the project for ICT in Guyana.”

Rift in Govt. over GuySuCo’s... (From page 3) required over the next three years 2018-2020 to ensure that the sugar production targets are met. Mr. Speaker, despite the magnitude of subsidies there has been no positive impact on the financial state of GuySuCo. The economy simply cannot afford this.” Looking forward, he said that there will be improvements in productivity, with cane yields expected to rise from the current levels of 55 tonnes cane per hectare to 78.43 tonnes cane per hectare in 2018, a 41% increase. “The improvement in yields will see the three remaining estates attaining close to their productivity potential. Sugar production will rise from 115,447 tonnes sugar in 2018 to 145,247 tonnes in 2020, an increase of 26%.”

Wednesday December 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Headmistress targets money paid to resigned teacher …Regional officials now get involved There are questions now over the controls at the regional levels when it comes to the monitoring of teachers. In recent years, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been raising questions with overpayments to not only contractors, but also staffers within the state ministries and agencies. In many cases, the contractors were paid off and the works signed off. However, checks by state auditors found that various aspects of the job were incomplete and therefore the contractor would have been overpaid. In the case of staffers, auditors were finding cases where persons would have left the jobs but were being paid months later. In many cases, the accounting officer – the Permanent Secretaries and the Regional Executive Officers (REOs)-- would be hardpressed to explain their efforts to recover the monies. Year after year, the queries would come when the accounting officers appear before Parliamentarians to answer the red flags raised in the annual reports of the Auditor General. A recent case is now raising serious concerns. A Temporarily Unqualified Mistress was hired by the Ministry of Education to teach at the Kuru Kururu Primary School, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, in 2015. Her closed contract was up in July. Before that, the teacher had applied for a renewal of her contract from the Region Four administration. Then she was offered a job in the media that same month. So that was the end of her teaching career.

The teacher thought the matter was over as she had submitted a letter of resignation to the school. However, in late November, the troubles of the former teacher started. She was called by the headmistress and told that she had been overpaid. In fact, the headmistress said that over $300,000 had been credited to the former teacher’s bank account. She was told to withdraw the money- all $303,000 of itand hand it over to the headmistress immediately. However, the former teacher became highly suspicious as the headmistress started to become aggressive, threatening to send education officials and the police to Kaieteur News where the former teacher is now working as a reporter. The headmistress even made contact with the teen’s family who became worried and appealed to her to hand the cash over to the headmistress. Contact was made with the Region Four administration where the Regional Executive Officer, Pauline Lucas, advised that the monies be handed over to the Triumph, East Coast Demerara office of the regional administration. Lucas indicated that it is irregular that the former teacher did not receive a letter informing her that she had been overpaid. The REO urged that the regional office handle the matter. Over the weekend, the texts from the headmistress to the former teacher continued. The former teacher visited the Triumph office this week where a regional education official said that indeed the

overpayment was flagged at the regional level. The official disclosed that the matter was flagged after accounts staffers noticed that the pay sheet for the KuruKururu school had no signatures for several months for the former teacher as receiving her salary. The regional administration contacted the headmistress last month querying the payment and making it clear that somebody had to pay. However, interestingly, the region’s officials also said that it is strange that for consecutive months, the school did not notice that a staffer was being paid despite not being on the job. Significantly, when the regional administration accounts department finished their calculations, the $303,000 had been reduced to just over $200,000 that was owed by the former teacher. The difference represented an increase and other incentives paid to the former teacher. It meant that the former teacher would have been none-the-wiser had she been forced to hand over the entire amount that was asked for. The situation would not be dissimilar to what had transpired in the payment of Old Age pensions where millions of dollars were paid to ghost persons. Auditors would have faced a tough time dealing with it with tens of millions believed stolen. There are also cases in the regions where persons were hired to work as community workers but there are little records of them existing despite payments being recorded as being made.

Budget 2018 caters for construction of Embassy in Brazil Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, is looking forward to the construction of a Guyanese Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil. During a recent interview with Kaieteur News, Greenidge indicated that Budget 2018 carters for the construction of the Embassy. Greenidge said that Guyana was given land on which it could have constructed an embassy but took too long to begin works and the land was given to another country. He added, “We do not want that to happen again so I am happy that there is appropriation in the Budget.” Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1968. Bilateral relations between the two countries have developed through mutual understanding and trust, including cooperation in the technical and military areas. Earlier this year, Guyana and Brazil held bilateral discussions on a range of issues including the construction of the Linden to Lethem road, linking the two South American nations.

The importance of infrastructural links with regard to the promotion of trade and investment was underscored during the deliberations with the Guyanese ministers and Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Aloysio Nunes. Moreover, in the area of infrastructure, focus was placed on steps to be taken jointly to advance the paving of the Linden to Lethem Road as a complement to the work already initiated covering the Linden to Mabura Hill segment and the bridging of the Essequibo River at Kurupukari. While in Brasilia earlier this year, Minister Greenidge and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson used the opportunity to meet with members of the Guyanese community living in Brazil to update them on developments in Guyana and the prospects for the future. Next year will mark 50 years since the two South American neighbours established diplomatic relations.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 06, 2017

Online commentators question quality of budget 2018 debates

A snapshot of the Parliament’s live streaming of the budget debate yesterday. Picture shows some of the comments made by online commentators. “A waste of fresh air,” “Poor representation,” “Utterly disgraceful” –Those were just a few of the phrases used by online commentators regarding the quality of the debate during a session of yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly. The second session of yesterday’s budget 2018 debates saw presentations from Ganga Persaud, Colin Croal, Komal Chand, John Adams, Ronald Bulkan, Cornel Damon, Jermaine Figuera, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Hemraj Rajkumar. Commentators held the view that a point by point examination of the budget was lacking on the part of Opposition Parliamentarians. House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland was forced to remind some of the presenters that references to their colleagues on the eastern side of the House could be deemed inappropriate. As it relates to the presentations, Opposition Member,

Opposition Member, Cornel Damon

Opposition Member, Ganga Persaud

Dharamkumar Seeraj used the 20 minutes allocated to him to speak to a number of issues related to the agricultural sector. He expressed the view that the sector continues to be marginalized year after year, from cuts to the budget, to the poor implementation rate in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Seeraj also stated that there was hardly any mention of the budgetary measures for

the sector by the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder. As for Opposition Member, Cornel Damon, he did not speak to a single issue that was noted in Budget 2018. He lamented that the budget is a cut and paste one but failed to show how. He also stated that the budget was poorly crafted and cited no parts of the budget to support his argument. Instead of offering recommendations regarding issues which needed to be addressed by the budget, he was quick to suggest that the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan should take a course in crafting budgets. Opposition Member, Ganga Persaud also struggled to make a point by point analysis on the budget. He said that the Government is turning the local government elections issue into a toy. The government is one which thinks big but acts small, plans big but implements nothing, he said. Like Damon, he failed to provide evidence of this.

Ranks will pay for... (From page 3) tactical ladders, 200 police flak jackets, 20 bulletproof shields, 20 anti-riot suits, 30 laptops, 40 desktop computers, 10 copy machines, 30 sound lever meters, five diesel generators, several spare parts and battery backups. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently detailed its Christmas security plan for Georgetown while other divisions have separately promised more beat patrol ranks, greater focus on high-risk areas of the community and traffic management systems.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Wednesday December 06, 2017

The so-called tax amnesty is really an amnesty on penalties and interest. It allows individuals, firms and companies who have not filed their returns or paid their outstanding taxes to do so without incurring the severe penalties which are imposed under the law and which have been increased since the Granger administration took office. The opposition is suspicious of the announced tax amnesty. They feel that there is something surreptitious afoot. So the question has to be asked as to just who benefits from the tax amnesty. The Pay-as-You-Earn (PAYE) workers have their taxes deducted at source. So it is not likely that many of them are going to owe the taxman massive taxes on which penalties and interest are to be calculated. Those therefore benefitting the most from the amnesty will be those persons and companies who owe millions on which the penalties and interest have to be calculated. The amnesty therefore will disproportionately benefit the large tax defaulters than it will the ordinary worker. And this precisely is the basis of

the suspicion of the parliamentary opposition. They suspect that this tax amnesty is intended to help some big company and businessman aligned to the ruling coalition. The truth of the matter is that the outstanding taxes still have to be paid. The penalties for late submission of returns or outstanding taxes have always been punitive but have become more so under the present government. These penalties are self-defeating. This is so for the GRA and it is for the City Council. The Council is offering an amnesty on interest to defaulting ratepayers. That makes sense since all ratepayers benefit. The interest on outstanding rates is a problem for delinquent ratepayers. There are businesses who for one reason or the other may have not paid their rates for a few years. When they do decide to pay, they find that the interest is so prohibitive that they cannot afford to pay. And so they do not pay and the interest becomes compounded and the overall amount owed skyrockets. They eventually lose the property. The rates on properties

used as businesses in the City are extremely high. It is far too high. It is that way because there is cross-subsidization of residential ratepayers whose rates are very low indeed and who have a high delinquency rate. Many businesses want to put themselves in order but cannot because of the amount of interest which they owe. They cannot afford to pay this sum. And so the Council loses also when the businesses cannot afford to pay the interest on the back rates. The amnesty offered by City Hall therefore makes sense. It will help all concerned. The same cannot be said of the amnesty announced by the Minister of Finance. That amnesty will not prevent the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from squeezing taxpayers. Anyone who has had to deal with GRA knows that you do not put a lime into the hands of the taxman. By the time he finishes squeezing that lime, not a drop of liquid is left in its cells. Similarly when the GRA is finished with your pockets, they are bone dry. A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and

DEM BOYS SEH

From a shaat crook to a baccoo The media in the USA has gone wild on Trump, Dem calling him all kinds a names. Dem calling him an idiot, a liar, dishonest , unholy, unhealthy and unethical. Dem even call him a mad man, Dem seh he insane and not fit to hold the office of president of de United States. Dem seh he is a danger to all mankind. Dem boys seh we got people wid Trump qualification and style right here. De only thing is dem don’t have de body and height like Trump. In Guyana dem boys does call dem Shaaty. Pee Pee Pee had one and he do a skundle of bunt. Dem boys still waiting to see him behind bars in pumpkin jump suit. Soulja Bai got he shaaty too. This one look like a baccoo and talking like a

baccoo. He suh shaat and ee jumping to defend that criminal enterprise oil company. Dem boys want to know how much he draw down. He had to draw down big fuh trying to jump suh high.. This company rab every country blind, lef nuff people disabled in every race. Dem kill animals and nuff fish in dem oceans. De shaat mad man in Soulja Bai camp eyes pass people. He should not even be representing the de kids in de orphanage or de men and women in de mental asylum much less representing our money. He seh all who against that thiefing oil company is jokers. Imagine a thief man walk in you village and you ringing a bell and alerting de people. Then you village councillor of all people calling you a co-chore

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Kaieteur News

Well, well shaat man dem boys seh look in de mirror to see de biggest joker. De Waterfalls paper expose so much wha de oil company do around de world yet this idiot ain’t see it fit to address those issues. Instead, he seh he govt gun spend de two cent dem gun get on developing Guyana and its people. Dem boys want to know who ask him or de govt anything about that. Idiot, nobody asking how y’all plan to spend de li'l money wah y’all gun get from the oil. People asking and hoping how de govt plan to deal wid that scampish company and prevent de tax thief from leaving us more broke than yesterday. Talk half and hope he don’t join de odda shaat crook in a pumpkin jump suit.

said, "John, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "Do you want me to do with your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and mail them to the Guyana Revenue Authority and write on the envelope, "Now you have everything." Tax penalties are intended to be disincentive for people to avoid not paying their taxes or filing their returns late. But

it has had the opposite effect. It has become so prohibitive that it actually discourages people from paying their taxes. It is very much like the penalties for traffic offences. Instead of reducing road violations, it actually encourages them since it is cheaper to bribe the corrupt traffic cop than pay the fine. Last year, the Minister promised firm action against tax dodgers. But he must have now recognized that the penalties and interest which have to be paid are so high that

many people simply do not pay because it would leave them penniless. The amnesty on penalties therefore is an offer being made to ask defaulters to put themselves in order without going broke. Who will be the main beneficiaries we do not know. Time will pronounce on that one.

Wednesday December 06, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Engineer’s Estimate puts St. Rose’s High demolition at $30M Receiving 13 bids yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday was the Ministry of Education. These bids were obtained for the demolition of a three-storey timber building, the St. Rose’s High School.

The Ministry of Business for the design and production of a promotional package for the operation and management of Industrial Estates also received bids.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Marketing Corporation saw bids for the supply and delivery of industrial Gas Fryer.

Receiving four bids was the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for the supply of resource kits for the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme, Information Technology. Securing bids from six companies for the construction of a regional administration building was the Region Ten Democratic Council. Some of the bids received were in excess of $300 million.

Further, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, National Data Management Authority (NDMA) for the conversion of authority’s generator room into a computer laboratory, obtained bids.

Additionally, projects continue to attract foreign companies. As such, bids were received for consultancy services, to provide system planning and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to the Guyana Power and Light. Bidding for this project were two international companies.

Securing bids for the supply and delivery of radiology supplies was the Ministry of Public Health.

Receiving huge bids for the procurement of security services was the Ministry of Education also, by 11 companies.

The Ministry of Education, Under the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support (UGSTSP) also secured four bids for the purchasing of equipment for the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD).

Receiving bids for repairs to structures on the 63 Beach was the Guyana Tourism Authority.

The Transport and Harbours Department received one bid for the acquisition and supply of spare parts for vessels by one company.

Receiving two bids yesterday was the Ministry of Natural Resources for consultancies to develop a REDD-Plus Strategy and Strategic Environmental and Social Study (SESA) for Guyana.

Two bids were secured for the acquisition and supply of spare parts for vessels by the Maritime Administration Department.

The Education Ministry also secured bids for the construction of its office building on 21 Brickdam, Georgetown.

>>>> Continued on page 28 <<<<

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Wednesday December 06, 2017

Wednesday December 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Accused ‘Boyo’ killers profess innocence, to face High Court trial By Feona Morrison Before a packed audience at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the three men accused of the July 2015 murder of Regent Multiplex Mall owner, Ganesh ‘Boyo’ Ramlall, professed their innocence only to be informed that they will have to go on trial before a judge and jury at the High Court. Lennox ‘Soldier Man’ Roberts, 32, of 2279 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo; Fazeel ‘Javed’ Bacchus, 21, of 7 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara; and Kurt ‘Banana’ Erskine, 35, of 285 Section ‘C’, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara; were further remanded to prison at the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry. According to reports, Ramlall, of Lot C La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara, was reportedly shot seven times about the body after bandits attacked his home on July 5, 2015. The 48-year-old businessman had reportedly just returned home from a barbecue at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, when he was accosted by four men, one of whom shot him to the head and chest before relieving him of jewelry and a wallet before escaping. Bacchus and Roberts were charged two weeks after the murder. They were among 10 men arrested after police smashed a terror gang on July 14, 2015 at an apartment at First Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara. That SWAT team-led operation resulted in the death of wanted man Rolston Morrison, called ‘Sadam’ and ‘Mappy’. Erksine was charged the following year in March. Yesterday, Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool overruled no-case submissions made at an earlier court hearing by Attorneys-at-Law Bernard DeSantos and Lyndon Amsterdam who represented Roberts and Erskine respectively. She upheld submissions made by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes who represented the state in the matter. The Magistrate ruled that after reviewing all the evidence presented during the inquiry, she was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence against the three to put them on trial. According to the Magistrate, both lawyers highlighted important issues as it relates to the charge before their clients. However, the Magistrate pointed out that it is her view that the issues be cleared up by a jury after proper directions on the law

MURDER ACCUSED: Fazeel Bacchus

MURDERED: Ganesh Ramlall

MURDER ACCUSED: Kurt Erksine

MURDER ACCUSED: Lennox Roberts

by a trial judge. Before the men were formally committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes at the High Court in Georgetown, they professed their innocence. In compliance with certain sections of the law, the Magistrate asked each of the accused if they had anything to say in answer to the murder charge. Erksine and Roberts told the court that they were innocent of the charge and that they would reserve their defence for the High Court. They both gave unsworn statements and declined to call witnesses. Bacchus, who had no legal representation, appeared puzzled even though he told the Magistrate that he understood the question he was being asked. For a moment, Bacchus elected to remain silent. A short while later he informed the Magistrate that he would like to say something. As the court waited for his response, Bacchus began making certain gestures while standing in the prisoner’s dock and began looking around the courtroom. That wait was in vain. Bacchus then told the

Magistrate that he would remain silent since he did not want to say anything that would get him into further trouble. But minutes after, Bacchus, who armed himself with a sheet of writing paper, told the Magistrate that he would like to write a statement in his defence and give it to her. Magistrate Liverpool informed Bacchus that the court will not accept the statement since it would not be in keeping with the law. Bacchus was told that anything he wants to say has to be said aloud in open court and that the court cannot accept privately a written statement from him or anyone else. The murder accused, who appeared visibly upset, shouted, “Me ain’t kill nobody. Why am I being charged with murder?” Bacchus, who said he has been in prison for the past 29 months, said that prison is not a safe place for him because it is a “cowboy place.” Nevertheless, in the interest of Bacchus, Attorney Hughes informed the court that in his report to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) he will highlight that the accused has expressed fear for his life.

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Teachers’ salary negotiations…

Task Force seeks to complete work by December 20 The Task Force established to fast-track salary negotiations that will bring to fruition a salary hike for teachers of the public school system, has given itself a December 20, 2017 deadline to complete its work. But the Task Force, which comprises key officials from a number of ministries and representatives of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU], has thus far missed at least two of its scheduled meeting. The Task Force headed by former Acting Chief Education Officer, Ms. Genevieve Whyte-Nedd, was slated to meet on Thursday of each week. However, reports reaching this publication suggest that the Task Force, which was brought into being at the behest of President Granger, is gearing to speedup its work by convening a meeting today and possibly tomorrow, too. But, according to reports, the work of the Task Force could be negatively impacted by the absence of some key Ministry officials who are a part of its membership. This is in light of the fact that the presence of these officials may be required to support their respective Ministers during the ongoing 2018 national budget debate. In addition to WhyteNedd, the members of the Task Force are Mr. Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education; Ms. Adele Clarke, Permanent Secretary (ag), Ministry of Education; Ms. Jacqueline Simon, Human Resource Manager, Ministry of Education; Ms. Kelly-Ann Hercules, Legal Officer, Ministry of Education; Mr. Frederick Mc Wilfred, Political Advisor,

Ministry of the Presidency; Ms. Gail Williams, Senior Personnel Officer, Ministry of the Presidency Department of Public Service; Dr. Hector Butts, Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Emil Mc Garrell, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communities; Mr. Mark Lyte, GTU President; Ms Coretta Mc Donald A.A., GTU General Secretary; Ms Samantha Alleyne, GTU Treasurer and Mr. Lancelot Baptiste A.A., GTU Administrative Secretary. This publication has been reliably informed that the Task Force meeting slated for today will see the members of the Task Force commencing discussion on the financial aspect of a remuneration package that was submitted by the GTU since in December of 2015. It was in that very month that a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU], signed between the GTU and the Ministry of Education, under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, expired. This happened after several missed negotiation dates and what has been described by some stakeholders as outright disrespect for the negotiation process, that the GTU decided to agitate its 6,000 odd membership to engage strike action. Strike action was in fact slated for November 2 and November 3, last, but was cancelled after fruitful discussions between the Head of State and union executives a few days earlier. President Granger, as an intervening measure, met with executive members of the union, and coming out from that meeting he instructed that the Task Force be established. This publication has learnt that thus far the members of

The members of the Task Force the Task Force have been able to agree on the non-salary aspect of the GTU proposal, save and except for the Whitley Council leave, which is still to be discussed further. In a solicited comment yesterday, Lyte, the GTU President, who sits on the Task Force, said, “From our perspective, we are progressing nicely; so far the discussions have been very cordial.” But according to Lyte, “I don’t know what will happen when we get to the financial aspect but we are hoping for the best.” In its proposal, the union has asked for, among other things, a 40 percent across the board increase for teachers for last year; 45 percent increase for this year and 50 percent for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers. Lyte confirmed yesterday that the Task Force is expected to deliberate on percentage increases today. He, however, noted that whatever is agreed upon at the level of the Task Force will have to gain the attention and approval of Cabinet before it becomes payable to teachers. In the interim, Government has announced that teachers will benefit from six to eight percentage increases retroactive to January 1, 2017.

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Guyana-born, Queens businessman/ activist dead at 68 U S (newsamericasnow.com) Need a cosmetologist. Must Renowned Guyana-born, PLANNING AN EVENT? be rounded Call; 693-1817 Queens businessman and BIRTHDAY PARTY, Ramesh D. 1-Shop assistant & a female activist, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, Kalicharran, passed away in cook to work in interior, 1ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL New York City on December male/female to look after layer DIAMOND TENTS: 216bird in the interior Call: 699- 3, last, News Americas has 1043; 677-6620 learned. He was 68. 4718. Kalicharran, known to Property for rent - 2 storey Legal Secretary/Clerk. Must many as ‘Kali,’ owned a house at Republic Park, E.B.Dhave CXC English and be popular real estate company $1200US. Call 647-1773 Computer Literate. Tel#600- on Hillside Avenue in Queens 3 bedroom top flat at 592 9030 in the 1990s and also ran a Macaw Road, Tucville. Tel successful tour company, Kali Webcam models wanted. 665-3622/610-5437 Make up to 100 US an hour, Travel and Tours, which Apartments in Diamond 18 interested Whatsapp. 592- promoted many successful Avenue to rent. Call 656-4211/ 693-8397 tours to India. 680-5944 The staunch Hindu also We buy lands in Eccles, was a major activist in the Rooms in Alberttown- Call: Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Covent Garden & Parfaite community and supported 225-9223 Harmonie, Uitvlugt $3M Call: many causes including for representation in Queens of 651-1969,656-0701 the Indo-Caribbean holidays Investors for Tilapia Farm. of Diwali and Phagwah. Double your investment Kalicharran also founded within 2 years. Tel# 665-3622/ the Gyaan Bhakti Satsangh 610-5437. Mandir; convened a meeting of Hindu Priests from which Maid and Hire Car Driver. Call: was born the USA Pandits’ 225-9223 Parishad. He was a founding One housekeeper to live in 7 member of the IndoEDUCATION days a week in Georgetown. Caribbean Federation which Day Care and Pre-K classes Flexible with days off if hosts the annual Indian available in Diamond Call needed. Call: Savvy 688-8118, Arrival Day celebrations at Canadian School 216- 622-5554. Phil Rizzuto Park, Richmond 6921,216-6922 Hill, New York. TOLET He was also a founding Study in USA/Canada 100% acceptance. Micrographics, 1 and 3 bedroom apartments. member of the Maha Lakshmi Free Wi-Fi, recently Mandir of 121-15 101 Ave., Vreed-en-hoop 264-3057 renovated. 641-3318 Richmond Hill, New York; and Special Christmas Computer a founding member of the programs 9 course diploma in Indo-Caribbean Council, computers $35000, promoting the rights and computerized accounting welfare of Indo-Caribbeans in $35000 Micrographics Vreedthe USA and the Caribbean. en-hoop 264-3057 Earlier on, with a view to bringing a number of VACANCY organizations to work Outdoor antenna installer & together, ‘Kali’ launched an network technician. Email CV Indo-Caribbean ethnic radio to jobs@awngy.com Tel: 2272001 Confidential Cabs. Vacancy exist for one experienced dispatcher. Tel#231-5784 695VEHICLE FOR SALE 1961. Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Experience cleaners and Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, bartender. Call: 225-8572 NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, Between 7 am and 9 am CAR RENTAL RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 1-Female office assistant to PROGRESSIVE CAR One(1) Mitsubishi Canter 14 work in office between the R E N TA L : S U V F O R feet 7.5 ton 50% down age of 30-45 Contact Cell: RENTAL- $4,000 & UP payment and no interest. 623-8078, 220-1787 PER DAY- CALL:643Contact 650-0402 or 603-1402. Minibus Driver living in G/ 5 1 2 2 / 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , Unregistered Axela 2011 Town with company. 664-0802 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM $2.5M, dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra (1) Security Guard. Tel #227- DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 1717 cab $2.1M. Call: 617-5536 225-7126/226-3693 One Female Accounts Clerk. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ 19 Seater pitbull bus, never Apply in person at Alabama YA H O O . C O M / W W W. worked passenger, original Trading. 65-66 Robb Street, DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM seats. Excellent Condition. Bourda. 664-0802 One waitress to work WING’S CAR & PICKUP FOR SALE/RENT afternoons from 17:00hrs RENTAL: LOW DOWN (5:00pm) and weekends. PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES, American Pool Table. Call: Pleasant personality SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 277-0578 welcomed. Contact : 602-4733 690-6494 FOR RENT

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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY-$19,000PERPOUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 Model M Bush Truck with winch & dump, 1 CAT 306 Excavator, 1 Honda ATV 475cc (carburetor, doubleshocks & power-steering). Contact: 663-0510. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 One Hilux Surf in excellent condition. Cost $2,200,000 negotiable Contact : 612-2592 Masilla Expoxica Marina, part “A” and “B”, good price Contact : 677-6679, 662-7965 One massive six month old male American bully/Pitbull ready to be trained. 629-7426/ 233-0570 400 lb 5" Nylon sein, 60 lb lead, 20 lb Catguts sein. Price $280,000 Contact 672-1775. Khan Fridge, freezer, stove, beds, washing machine, microwave, furniture. Call 6713004. 2 ft x 2 ft fullbodied porcelain tiles approximately 3200 Sq ft. Contact: 641-4952/662-1991. I- Leyland DAF cement mixer truck $2.9M,1-caterpillar skid steer $ 3.4 M,1-Bmw 318 I, $2.7M 1-mitsubishi canter $ 3.6 M Contact 650-0402/6031402 (1) Riverside land with house ,(1) 3ton Dump Canter, (1) TL500 Bedford flatbed truck, (1) Model ‘M” truck with winch Tel: 629-2912 Corner Property at Festival City Empire. Tel 665-3622/6105437 LAND FOR SALE

SALON

Eccles(Corner Lot) $5.5M Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Uivlugt $3.5M Parfaite Harmonie $3M & $1.5M Herstelling $2M Tel# 6560701/ 651-1969

- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property @ 76 Providence E.B.D with Grocery store & half liquor license for home/ business. Price Negotiable. Call: 667-6877

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Renowned Guyana-born, Queens businessman and activist, Ramesh D. Kalicharran programme called “Sangeet Mala (1520AM) in the mid1980s. That program was eventually superseded by other radio programs and sponsors. Kalicharran also wanted to tell the world, including New York political leaders, that the Indo-Caribbean community in New York is a force to be reckoned with, and that they cannot afford any longer to ignore their needs and concerns. One way to demonstrate strength and unity was through a massive community mobilization called the Phagwah Parade. He, along with Dharmacharya Ramall, Dr Satish Prakash and other leaders founded the annual Phagwah Parade, which is today the biggest Indo-Caribbean community mobilization. He was also a founder member of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and served as the Caribbean Regional Coordinator. GOPIO represents 23 million Indians who live outside India (Indian Diaspora). He functioned as the coordinator of the International Commission for Restoration of Shrines and Places of Worship. Kalicharran’s community activism and advocacy played an important role in bringing the Indo-Caribbean community’s concerns to the attention of the New York political establishment. In recognition of his sterling efforts in this area, he has received many citations and awards from NY State Assembly, New York City Council, Queens Borough President Office, the U.S. Congress, as well as from the Guyana president. Many other citations were given to him by NGOs, including Flushing Cultural Council, Guyana Festival Committee, India Tourist Board, Guyana Watch and Federation of Indian Associations. He also received the Continued on page 29

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Engineer’s Estimate puts St. Rose’s... From page 11 Receiving bids for nine rehabilitation and procurement projects was the Ministry of Public Security. The first bid received was for the rehabilitation of the Ruimveldt Police Station.

For the procurement of vinyl and curtains the Ministry of Public Security received seven bids.

The Ministry of Public Security also received bids for the procurement of construction materials in two lots.

Bids for rehabilitation works of the Cove and John Police Station also received bids by the Ministry of Public Security.

Bids were also obtained by the Ministry of Public Security for the procurement of desktop computers for the Guyana Police Force.

The last bid that was received by the Ministry of Public Security was for the provision of supplies for the crime laboratory in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Mentally ill man gets 12 years for killing mother he thinks is still alive

The Public Security Ministry for the procurement of equipment maintenance and electrical field materials for the communication branch in two lots obtained four bids.

Receiving procurement bids also was this Ministry for disposable food containers for the Guyana Police Force.

Bids were also received by the Public Security Ministry for the procurement of office supplies to the Guyana Police Force.

Having suffered from prolonged mental illness, 39year-old Adrian McKenzie still thinks his mother is alive even after pleading guilty to hammering her to death seven years ago at their Sand Creek Rupununi home. McKenzie, who was initially charged for the November 16, 2010 murder of his mother Ethel Andrew, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court in Georgetown about a month ago. He was jailed for 12 years for the offence yesterday. According to reports, the man who was 32 years of age at the time was arrested hours after he had allegedly beaten his 62-year-old mother to death with a hammer. Based on reports, McKenzie went home in a rage and was involved in an argument with his grandfather when his mother intervened. A heated argument ensued among the three during which McKenzie dealt his mother a lash in the head with a hammer. Government Psychiatrist Dr. Bhiro Harry, who evaluated McKenzie prior to

JAILED: Adrian McKenzie him being sentenced, told the court that the man still believes that his mother is alive although she died seven years ago. According to Dr. Harry, McKenzie has a history of mental illness but was mentally fit when he pleaded guilty to the offence. But despite his challenging mental state, a prison officer told the court

that McKenzie is a model prisoner who would attend church regularly. The prison officer said that McKenzie has a passive personality and has been displaying abnormal behaviour during his incarceration. The probation officer testified that McKenzie left school after failing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). She, however, said that he became a certified electrician having attended vocational training. The killer, who was represented by Attorney-atLaw Maxwell McKay, was very remorseful. He apologized for his dreadful act and requested to be taken to another prison since he needs some “space.” McKenzie, who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, will be seen by Dr. Harry twice monthly during his time in prison. The state was represented by Attorneys-atLaw Mandel Moore and Orinthia Schmidt.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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Govt. refutes claims of soldiers guarding Granger The Ministry of the Presidency yesterday said it firmly rejects and condemns as iniquitous, malicious and misleading, the contents of a letter written by an anonymous author, headlined “Heavily armed military officers guarded the President when he came to speak to school students”. This letter was published in the Stabroek News on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. A link to that letter was then shared by the Editor in Chief of the Stabroek News, Mr. Anand Persaud, on his private Facebook Account, with the caption, “very disturbing…to say the least.” In the first paragraph of the letter the writer states, “What I witnessed was nothing short of mind boggling in terms of the level of security amassed around the President during his time at the school. “Army officers too numerous to count and heavily weaponized guarded the building. It reminded me of a recent event at Queen’s College where new students were asked to be present in the auditorium to hear the President speak. “Their parents were kept outside in the yard for almost two hours. When the President arrived heavily armed officers were stationed at all the doorways to the auditorium and in and around the school.” To debunk the contents of the letter the government released a number of images captured at the two events mentioned. These images confirm that the accusations made in the letter are untrue. Footage is also available for both events at the Press and Publicity Unit at the Ministry of the Presidency. Security for the President is provided by the Presidential Guard Unit, which is a Unit of the Guyana Police Force. Security is not provided at any time by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),

The scene at the school.

Ministry of the Presidency stated. Therefore, no ‘Army Officer’ would have been at either of the events in the capacity described. Further, the President attended both events referenced with a reduced security detail based on the security needs assessment for those types of events. At the graduation ceremony of the St. Joseph’s High School on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 there were no armed officers in the venue. A similar detail was assigned to provide security services for the President at the orientation ceremony for new entrants into the Queen’s College Secondary School on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The Ministry rejects the untruths, which were carried in this letter without any attempt by the publication to verify the aspersions and statements made. “It is filled with several spurious and wild claims, which are not only unfairly injurious to the Head of State and the Government of Guyana but also the reputation of the members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force.”

Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon, in an invited comment today, rubbished the claims in the letter. He said that nothing could be further from the truth. “Presidential Guards are a Police Unit and there are no military officers who are in the President’s Security detail when he travels in this way. The cursory glance by anyone who was there at those two events would have shown that only Police Officers were in black clothes. “There are no military officers with any big guns as the letter is seeking to suggest at any of these two events,” he said. Minister Harmon said that despite the recent threats to the President’s life, the Head of State has not increased or changed his security detail. He has been moving around the country frequently and questioned why a newspaper that parades itself in a cloak of credibility would risk its reputation by publishing the letter with name of author withheld, without seeking to find out whether its contents were based in fact. “I think that that its totally rubbish and that Stabroek

News as a responsible newspaper, when something like that would have come to them, the easiest thing for them to do was to make a call to the Ministry of the Presidency or DPI [Department of Public Information] or Press and Publicity Department of the Ministry of the Presidency and they would have gotten the facts. “But the question I would have is, why would Stabroek News carry such a letter and the clear insinuation in it that the President is seeking to have dictatorial powers? “It really leaves one to ask the question, why would something like this appear in the news and it affects the President himself… I want to debunk that nonsense that is written there as utter rubbish and it should be condemned to the garbage heap,” he said. Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, in an invited comment, said that the Army does not hold responsibility for the security of the Head of State, nor has

it ever been asked to provide that service. “We have not provided security for the President for that activity or any other activity. When the President visits our location on Bases, we have a closed space here and we provide security in the confines of our Bases for the President, but that’s what we do and even in those cases you have the Presidential security present,” he said. Brigadier West said that

Stabroek News, at no time, made contact with the GDF to ascertain the veracity of the contents in the letter. While noting that he is not at liberty to decipher the agenda behind the letter, he said that the GDF’s role is to provide security for the nation, ensure that the integrity of the borders is maintained, aggression is defined and the normal functions of the institution are carried out to ensure a peaceful country.

Guyana-born, Queens businessman... From page 26 Bharat Gaurav “Life Time Achievement” award from the Sarv Brahman Sabha of Jaipur India and in 2012, he was among several awardees at the Global India Business (GIB) ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan. A viewing was planned for yesterday and today, at Bernard Dowd Funeral Home 165-20 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432. A funeral service is set for tomorrow at Bernard Dowd Funeral Home. It will be immediately followed by cremation at St. Michael’s Cemetery 72-02 Astoria Blvd. East Elmhurst, NY 11370. Kalicharran is survived by his wife Judith Kalicharran; children Jagdesh, Nadesh and Romanee, two grandchildren, five brothers and three sisters.

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Retired Deputy CEO now Training Security guard confesses Manager of Public Service college to killing waitress

Retired Donna Chapman (2nd left) with her former colleagues. Retired Deputy Chief Education Officer, Donna Chapman, was yesterday honoured by the Region Four Department of Education for her 39 years of service to the education sector. According Education Minister, Nicolette Henry, having retired from the post on November 30, last,. Chapman is now the Training Manager of the Bertram Collins College for the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency. The moment at the National Cultural Centre was bittersweet for some of the Education officers who benefitted from Ms Chapman’s

training and mentorship. According to some of the educators, Chapman was more than an educator. “...She made us a believer in ourselves,” said Elly Peterkin, an Education Officer. “To me, Ms Chapman is a disciplinarian and a mother figure who believed in us when we did not believe in ourselves.” “She shaped us into having an appreciation for high standards in the education system,” said Stembiso-Grant, Education Officer Region Four.

Just one day after Marissa Fraser’s semi-nude body was discovered in a trench at No.5 Village West Coast Berbice with multiple stab wounds; investigators have made a breakthrough into the investigation. A 38-year-old Security Guard has since confessed to the barbaric killing of 22-yearold Fraser of No.4 Village Public Road, West Coast Berbice. This was confirmed by the Divisional Commander Lyndon Alves. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect who was arrested Monday has since told investigators that he was in the company of Fraser and two other males at a wedding house. She later left with an individual by the name of Deon Clements. He was driving a car bearing license plate number PMM 7850. “This thing had to do with jealousy you know. After she left with the individual, he said he got annoyed. He then saw her on the No.5 Public Road later that night under the influence and made sexual advances towards her. She refused and they fight up then he pulled out the said scissors that was found on the scene and stab her up,” a

DEAD: Marissa Fraser police source disclosed. Fraser reportedly, after returning home around midnight ventured out back and was walking alone along the No.5 Public Road when her attacker confronted her, the source said. Three persons were held in connection with the woman’s murder. However during the investigations, information gathered by investigators led to the suspect who eventually confessed under intense questioning. Charges are expected to be laid shortly. A post mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted today by a

government Pathologist on the West Coast Berbice. The lifeless body of Marissa Fraser, aka ‘Rehana’, a part-time waitress was discovered halfnaked in a trench at No. 5 Village, West Coast Berbice, yesterday morning by a passerby. Fraser was found with multiple stab wounds about her face and body. She was last seen imbibing with a group of “village boys” after she left her No. 4 Village residence. A pair of scissors was found near the dead woman’s body. An eyewitness had told this publication that the young woman was in the company of several men from the said village where her body was dumped. Fraser ’s aunt, Dolly Sibdhanny, had divulged that her niece was at home yesterday afternoon and left at approximately 18:00 hrs and subsequently returned just around midnight. She left shortly after. A police report revealed that the part-time waitress that worked at a local bar at Rosignol Stelling was stabbed eleven times. She was clad in a black and white dress without any undergarment.

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New social media guidelines for Caribbean journalists BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – New social media guidelines for Caribbean journalists and media practitioners were launched yesterday with public the United Kingdombased Public Media Alliance (PMA) warning that social media can no longer be ignored. The PMA, which is the largest global association of public service broadcasters, launched the “Social Media guidelines” in collaboration with the UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Office. “Social media can’t be ignored and it can no longer be an afterthought, it is now an integral part of the output for any 21st century media house. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, are all platforms where citizens seek information and news. “To survive and thrive, established media companies need to embrace social media platforms as an intrinsic part of their daily editorial, production & commissioning processes. Public broadcasters and established media houses

have a reputation for trust and credibility, these new guidelines ensure that journalists use the same principles when using social media platforms,” said the PMA, whose members are the organisations that communicate daily and free of charge through television, radio and online. The PMA, formerly the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, has a long tradition of producing editorial guidelines for broadcast journalists. It said many of the basic rules still apply to social media but new media technologies also require new rules and guidance. With funding from the UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Office and the Jamaica-based RJR Gleaner Communications Group and support from the Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), CBU, the PMA said it worked with media professionals in the Caribbean to develop the new guidelines for social media use by professional journalists.

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CWI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships

Top versus bottom from tomorrow at Providence as Jaguars face-off with Volcanoes By Sean Devers Although with Devon Smith, the tournament’s leading scorer with the most centuries in the history of Regional First-Class cricket in their side, Windwards Volcanoes languish at the bottom of the points table on 21 points. The cellar dwellers faceoff with leaders and three times defending Champions Guyana Jaguars on 86.4 points (25.4 points ahead of second placed T&T’s Red Force) as they head into the sixth round of the CWI Digicel Regional four-day Championships from tomorrow at Providence. The teams come off contrasting results in their last game with the Jaguars devouring Barbados Pride by eight wickets on home turf, while Volcanoes imploded against Jamaica Scorpions,

losing by 10 wickets at Sabina Park in Jamaica despite Smith’s century. Since the inauguration of Franchise cricket, the Jaguars have played 35 games and only lost thrice; once to Barbados in 2014 and twice to Leewards Hurricanes last season and led by the region’s best Captain Leon Johnson, Jaguars start today’s contest as firm favourites. Apart from Smith, who scored 116 out of a total of 200 in Jamaica and registered his highest First-Class score of 212 against Guyana in Grenada, Guyana’s biggest threat could be the adverse weather here at this time of the year. While Smith is a Regional Run Machine, he usually struggles on the slow tracks in Guyana and without senior batsmen Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, the batting will resolve around the Grenadian left-hander. Tyrone Theophile, Miles Bascombe, Tarryck Gabriel, Kyle Mayers and Roland Cato will need to contribute against a Jaguars attack that has bowled brilliantly this season. The 19-year-old Kemo Paul swung the ball prodigiously to take nine wickets and the Man-of-theMatch in last round, while the genuinely quick Keon Joseph grabbed six scalps in the same game. One of the most pleasing aspects of a team usually dependant on spin, is at the halfway stage Guyana has the most fast bowling points (10.4). Every wicket taken by a pacer earns his team .2 of a point. When the sides last met in the second round in St Lucia, Sherfane Rutherford

Devon Smith had 6-32, Romario Shepherd took 4-28 and Paul 2-28 in the first innings, while spinner Veerasammy Permaul captured four scalps, Joseph had two and 19-year-old Rutherford, who scored 51 from 58 balls, took two more wickets and the Man-of-theMatch award as Guyana won by seven wickets. Vishaul Singh (119) and Anthony Bramble (90) also got runs for Guyana in St Lucia on the best track in the Region. The Windwards ‘think tank’ will be keen to remind their bowlers that last season Guyana fell for 95, which remains their lowest total against the Islanders and second lowest overall and a lot will depend on Pacers Delorn Johnson, Sherman Lewis and Mayers. The spin should be taken care of by experienced offspinner Shane Shillingford one of only five bowlers (which includes Permaul) with 300 Regional wickets and Audy Alexander. Guyana’s batting is formidable, especially now that the openers have finally given their team a firm

foundation for the other batsmen to launch from. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Chanderpaul Hemraj, both with three fifties each, put together 115 for the first wicket in the last game, while Singh has two tons and an unbeaten 97 in St Kitts, Paul, Shiv Chanderpaul and Johnson have all reached three figure scores this season with Johnson getting three fifties in addition to his 165 in Trinidad. Chanderpaul, level with Stuart Williams with 20 Regional centuries, is only behind Smith’s 26 Regional hundreds and against Jamaica in 1996 became the only batsman with a triple century since 1966 when made an unbeaten 303. Bramble has two fifties in addition to 23 dismissals behind the stumps, while Night watchman Gudakesh Motie made an unbeaten 72 in his last innings. While Guyana has 10 titles with the last three in a row, the Windwards are the only team yet to win a title although, as a part of the Combine Islands, Vivian Richards won the 1981 title. Teams - Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Captain) Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Vishaul Singh, Shiv Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Akshaya Persaud, Romario Shepherd Volcanoes: Tyron Theophile (Captain), Devon Smith, Tarryck Gabriel, Miles Bascombe, Shermon Lewis, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Roland Cato, Shane Shillingford, Audy Alexander, Donwell Hector, Dennis Smith, Kenneth Dember.

Taylor eyeing maiden century after signing new deal MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – West Indies Women captain, Stafanie Taylor, has signed a new two-year deal with Sydney Thunder and says her objective is to notch her maiden Twenty20 hundred, in the new Women’s Big Bash League campaign which bowls off this weekend. The stellar right-hander, who also bowls penetrative off-spin, has been a key member of the Thunder squad for the last two seasons and was central to their title-winning success in the inaugural 2015/16 season. “I’m really excited to be back at the Thunder. It is a really great group to be a part of and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again,” Taylor said. “I’m hoping this year I can score my first Twenty20 century; that’s my goal for this season.” Taylor is one of the leading players in the women’s game, with over 4028 runs and 127

wickets in 108 one-dayers, and 2474 runs and 68 scalps from 80 T20 Internationals. The Jamaican has managed 661 runs and 12 wickets in her first two seasons with Thunder and general manager Lee Germon said she remained a definite asset to the franchise. “Stafanie is hugely respected on the international cricket scene for her ability and leadership,” he noted. “As captain of the West Indies side, she will complement our strong leadership group. She will bring experience and power as a batter, and guile as a bowler in our line-up.” Taylor joins a the likes of Indian strokemaker Harmanpreet Kaur and New Zealand star Rachel Priest in a Thunder line-up led by Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell. Thunder raise the curtain on the new season with a clash against Melbourne Renegades at Sydney North Oval on Saturday.

Wednesday December 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Miller, Beaton called up to West Indies ODI squad ESPNcricinfo - Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller has been called-up to West Indies’ ODI squad for their three-match series against New Zealand later this month. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who were part of West Indies’ ODI team against England in September, kept their places, while uncapped fast bowler Ronsford Beaton also earned a spot in the 15man squad. Miller, who has played 46 ODIs and 9 T20s, last played for West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, against Zimbabwe. In the 2016-17 Regional Super50 - West Indies’ domestic 50overs tournament - Miller picked up nine wickets in nine games, at an average of 32, but also had an economy rate of 3.67. Beaton, who was included in the West Indies A squad for a home series against Sri Lanka A, impressed in this year’s Caribbean Premier League, taking 11 wickets in 10 games. Fast bowler Rayad Emrit earned a maiden call-up to a full-strength T20 squad that also included Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine. Samuel Badree, who was unavailable for West Indies’ previous T20 assignment in England, also made a return. Emrit finished the 2017 Caribbean Premier League as the third-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in 12 matches, at an average of 21.20. Wicketkeepers Andre Fletcher and Chadwick Walton were also rewarded for a stellar CPL 2017. Walton was the highest-run scorer in the tournament with 458 runs in 12 games at an average of 41.63 and a strike rate of 145.85, while Fletcher managed 286 runs in 10 matches. Courtney Browne, Cricket West Indies’ selection chairman, said Miller’s inclusion was done with one eye on preparing an experienced team for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in March next year. “Miller has played ODI cricket previously. Along with his vast experience in our domestic competitions, we felt that he is the right fit to form a part of our ODI bowling unit at this

time,” Browne said. “With the World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, we felt that this is not the right time to introduce an inexperienced slow bowler. This series against New Zealand and our CWI Regional Super50 Cup next year are the only chances we will have for preparation prior to the World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to be played next March in Zimbabwe. “So these matches will be used to help us identify the players that will play during the qualifiers, and this is why we have also taken the opportunity to introduce Ronsford Beaton. Though, he is more known for his pace and variations in T20I cricket, we believe he can add value within our ODI bowling unit.” Emrit, Browne said, was picked to fill in an allrounder’s slot in the T20I side. “The selection of Emrit is to fill one of the allrounder roles. He has always been on the fringes of selection and now gets his opportunity. He is a whole-hearted player, and has been a consistent performer in our domestic competitions and so the opportunity has now presented itself for him to join our T20I squad.” West Indies’ limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour begins on December 20, with the first ODI in Nelson. The T20s will begin from December 29. ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt.), Jason Mohammed, Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams T20 squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton and Kesrick Williams. Ins and outs ODI squad

In: Shannon Gabriel, Ronsford Beaton, Nikita Miller Out: Jerome Taylor, Miguel Cummins, Devendra Bishoo

T20 squad In: Samuel Badree, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher Out: Ashley Nurse

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Wednesday December 06, 2017

Russia banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang

Russia’s elaborate and extensive doping scheme during the 2014 Sochi Olympics has gotten them banned. (AP Photo) Yahoo Sports - After meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday, a 14-

person International Olympic Committee panel announced it has banned Russia from the

2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. The panel had been mulling a confidential

IOC report that detailed Russia’s official doping program during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and the extensive cover-up. This ban was a long time coming, and certainly deserved. The McLaren Report, released in two parts by the World Anti-Doping Agency in July and December 2016, detailed the doping and subsequent cover-up by the Russian state. It started as far back as 2011 and involves at least the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, though the IOC panel was only asked to rule on the doping that occurred during the 2014 Olympics. Over 1,000 athletes were involved. The doping, and the hiding of the doping, were extensive. (In fact, “extensive” is somehow an understatement.) At one point, small rods were used to pry open the sealed tops of urine testing containers, fluids were switched and the caps replaced, with the containers being exchanged through small holes in a wall.

Russian officials would add substances like salt to the clean, switched urine samples to make them appear more real. This is just the tip of a very elaborate iceberg of doping and cover-ups. On top of that, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency, Russia’s antidoping organization (Rusada) was not compliant with WADA’s rules as of last month. Add it all together, and the IOC had no choice but to act in some way, and they chose to enact a full-scale ban. There were other punishment options. The IOC panel could have simply fined Russia, which would have amounted to a slap on the wrist. There were also scenarios that could have

resulted in some Russian athletes competing if they met certain standards of testing, or the individual Winter Sports governing bodies could have examined and permitted individual Russian athletes to compete. The ban is far from the end of the story, though. Russia can appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the country is considering an allout boycott. In fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that an all-out ban would be “humiliating” for Russia, and could possibly provoke a boycott. Of course, since Russia is now completely banned from the games, a boycott doesn’t really seem like it would be that effective.

Wednesday December 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Holder out of second Test with suspension HAMILTON, New Zealand, CMC – Still reeling from their heavy innings defeat to the Black Caps in the opening Test, West Indies were dealt another blow yesterday when captain Jason Holder was ruled out of the second Test after being suspended by the International Cricket Council for an over-rate offence. The ICC announced that West Indies had been hit by a slow over-rate penalty after being adjudged to be three overs short of their target during the opening Test which the Windies lost by an innings and 67 runs inside four days on Monday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. While the players were fined 30 per cent of their match

fee, Holder, as captain, was hit with a 60 per cent fine. Under ICC regulations, players are players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl within the specified time, with the captain fined double. The 26-year-old Holder also had a similar offence during the opening Test against Pakistan in Jamaica last April, meaning the current one was his second within a 12-month period, resulting in a one-match suspension. Holder has been a key player for the Windies, with his steady medium pace first change and more than handy lower order batting which has already brought him two Test hundreds. However, he experienced

lean returns in Wellington, scoring zero and seven and picking up one for 102 off 34 overs in New Zealand’s innings of 520 for nine declared. With West Indies left to chase a series-equaling win at Seddon Park at the weekend, Holder on Monday urged his side not to panic as they looked to take something away from the series. “I think we’ve done reasonably well in the year. We’ve done some good things in this Test match as well so there’s no need to panic,” he said before the suspension was announced. “It’s only one Test match gone – we lost that obviously – so this this is a chance to put things right in the second Test match. Hamilton will be probably

similar conditions to what we had [in Wellington] in the second innings. “I’ve played there before, it’s a good batting surface so hopefully our batsmen can put up a really good first innings total and try to control the game from there.” Holder’s absence could open the door for the other allrounder in the squad, Raymon Reifer, to make his debut. The left-handed batsman and left-arm seamer was part of the Test tour of England and Zimbabwe, but failed to break into the squad. It is now expected that opener and vice-captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, will step up to lead the side in Holder’s absence. The second Test bowls off on Saturday.

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Fung, Prabudial spearhead Tourist XI to consecutive victories Outstanding performances by Mark Fung and Nigel Prabudial spearheaded Tourist XI to consecutive victories when the Rafman Ally 15-over softball tournament continued on Sunday last at Success ground, East Coast Demerara. Tourist XI defeated Fabulous XI by 93 runs. Batting first, Tourist XI managed 165-5. Hackim Majeed stroked 52 and Sham Boodram 44; Brandon Zambia had 3-34. Fabulous XI were bowled out for 72 in 9.3 overs in reply. Fung grabbed 5-8. Tourist XI beat Accomplishment by 134 runs. Tourist XI batted first and scored 185 all out in 14.4 overs. Fung made 58 while Suraj Tagaram contributed 44. Prakash Tagaram had 245. Accomplishment were bowled out for 51 in 11 overs in reply. Nigel Prabudial bagged 5-8 and Michael Tikaram 3-8. Fabulous XI overcame Accomplishment by 93 runs. Fabulous XI took first strike and posted 218-7. Stephon Felix slammed 87 while Bharat Singh made 85. Accomplishment were sent packing for 125 in 12.4 overs in reply. Felix claimed 4-24. The competition continues on Sunday.

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Wednesday December 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Anderson, Root give England a sniff in Adelaide

James Anderson ripped a trouser leg attempting to take a catch off Mitchell Starc... ©Getty Images ADELAIDE (Reuters) England were 178 runs from a stunning comeback victory in the second Ashes test after James Anderson grabbed five wickets and Joe Root steered the tourists to 176 for four at close of play on an extraordinary fourth day yesterday. Root, who eked out a half century under the Adelaide Oval lights, will probably need to stay out in the sun for much of the fifth day if he is to lead England to a first test win in Australia in nearly seven years. Root will resume unbeaten on 67 with Chris Woakes (five not out) keeping his skipper company after Dawid Malan was bowled for 29 by a Pat Cummins snorter shortly before the close. “We’re delighted to be in a position to have any chance of winning the game,” said Anderson, whose 5-43 gave him his first five-wicket haul in Australia. “There’s a huge amount of work to do but we’re in with a chance, which we didn’t think we would be after the first couple of days. It would be huge for us.”

Australia skipper Steve Smith will be hoping his bowlers can keep up the pressure on the final day and help him avoid the ignominy of becoming only the second captain to lose a test after not enforcing the follow-on. “I think we’re still reasonably confident, obviously the last two days haven’t gone to plan but I think we’re still in front of the game,” said Australia bowling coach David Saker. “But it’s getting closer a n d c l o s e r a n d J o e ’s batting has played a large part in that.”Anderson and Woakes (4-36) had fired E n g l a n d ’s r e s u rg e n c e when they did the lion’s share of the work of dismissing the Australians for 138 at tea with a brilliant display of seam bowling. GROUND RECORD Set a ground record 354 to level the series after last week’s 10-wicket Brisbane defeat, England made a steady start before losing openers Alastair Cook (16) and Mark Stoneman (36) in the last half an hour of the second session. It was to the third session that Australia’s quicks would

have been looking to make serious inroads into the England batting, however, and when James Vince was quickly caught in the slips off Mitchell Starc for 15, it looked to be going to plan. England had started to enjoy the best of the DRS system, however, with Root first overturning an lbw decision off the bowling of Nathan Lyon and seeing a Smith review fail when the Australian suspected an inside edge. Smith left his team with no referrals for what could be a tense final day a couple of balls later when he pursued an lbw decision against Malan only for the tracking to show the ball would have gone over the wickets. Root, cheered on by the vocal Barmy Army of England fans, made the most of the reprieve and reached his fifty with a lovely back cut for four, one of nine boundaries he peppered throughout his 114ball knock. Scores: England 227 and 4 for 176 (Root 67*) need another 178 runs to beat Australia 8 for 442 dec and 138 (Anderson 5-43).

Sueria Manufacturing Inc makes massive... From page 41 Caribbean which mandates its cricketers to make positive differences in the lives of others as part of efforts to develop all rounded personalities. The 2017 Christmas Village would involve the transformation of the Rose Hall Town Primary School Compound into a fantasy dreamland for children with over 10,000 fairy lights, 20 feet Christmas Tree, the Nativity Scene, Christmas Star, numerous inflatable Christmas Characters, Santa and his Sleigh, plyboard cut out Christmas Characters, Christmas House, Toys Store, Children Games, Trampoline and Bouncy Castles among others. Children would also benefit from toys,

free Christmas cake, compliments of Namilco, while lucky families visiting the Village would be given the opportunity to win some very attractive prizes. Vice President mark Papannah and Asst Organising Secretary Ravin Kissoonlall both expressed gratitude to Mr. Frank Sukhu and Sueria Manufacturing for their support, while hailing Sukhu as an outstanding friend of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club. Kissoonlall committed the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club to organising a Christmas Village and Charity Programme of the highest standard, while assuring Sueria Manufacturing every item donated would be used for the intended purpose.