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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
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
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
The oil industry has a chance to prove that EDITORIAL it does not have to be exploitative and The warnings are out predatory when operating in weak countries “The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is considering serious sanctions for errant broadcasters, who continually defy the rules for responsible dissemination of information during the elections period”(KN December 13). The GNBA must do that first and quickly (consider) and then move to implement the “serious sanctions” that it mentions. This environment, this country cannot afford otherwise, does not have the capacity to absorb the surge tides that are sure to flow. Local broadcasters, as is their right, should be allowed to do all the talking and sharing that they wish in the public domain, but only within the limits of what is conducive to maintaining temperateness and calmness in the countless discussions and offerings placed before the public in the run-up to elections. But if and when broadcasters don’t, then the GNBA must stop talking and considering, and be ready to act forcefully and authoritatively. There must be no exceptions for instances of “errant broadcasters”. This is said by this publication, regardless of which side of the platform such negligence or recklessness or irresponsibleness originates. This society is too much on tenterhooks with its multiplicity of suspicions, rumors, distrusts, and sharp, piercing volumes. It is not even 2020, and there is a sense of the intensity of the passions that rage just below the surface gurgling. With such emotions and sentiments at a low-grade fever pitch from now, only the greatest of care, the most watchful attention would be acceptable to manage what is promised, and what could leech out from now. There were dress rehearsals of what is in store when the immediate social aftermath of the no-confidence motion is recalled. The peoples of this society went from a Christmas footing to the slipperiest, most agitated of footings in a flash. All the ancient bigotries came to the fore; all the ugly, unappealing nakedness of Guyana was placed on uncaring public display: this is who we are, this is how we are, at the core, and this is how we will be. Some of the same were kindled and rekindled in the preludes to court decisions, and in their heaving aftermaths. The people themselves do not need much inciting or any additional leverage, for those are there in the thoughts and words of Guyanese among their own, and out of earshot. Since that is out of bounds for any oversight body, it must stay there, and not wend its wicked way into the streams of public conversations. This is tendered, because if any broadcaster, any entity, any group is given the tiniest of spaces to exploit—through hesitancy or lack of strength or will from the direction of the GNBA—then it will be. The suggestive and inflaming and consuming can all be brought to bear, through sweetly skilled or bluntly crude angles and thrusts that inflict further disputatiousness and disharmony on a society that already has had more than its share of both. As was also carried by KN (December 13), the GNBA has indicated that, though temporary ban/suspension is not a definite course of action for those found in breach, the authority will use those powers at its disposal. This paper goes on record to say politely that this is not enough, as it affords broadcasters the opening to ply their divisive wares in classic hit and run guerilla fashion, while the limits of official patience and discretion are probed. “Temporary” and “not a definite course of action” sound (and are) weak and vacillating, which only encourages the adventurism of heedlessness in practitioners, some of whom forget, in a hurry , the professionalism and the due care demanded at this most sensitive of times.
Dear Editor, Guyana is an opportunity for the oil industry to prove to the world that it does not have to be exploitative and predatory when operating in weak or fragile countries. The size of the initial spike in growth due to oil revenue is not a useful indicator of whether Guyana will evolve into a successful country (a Singapore) or into a disappointment (an
Equatorial Guinea). Is Guyana less likely to succeed if the predicted growth rate was 46 percent instead of 86 percent, or more likely to succeed if it was 126 percent instead of 86 percent? The answer is no. The important question and the challenge facing Guyana is how to translate a spike in revenue into sustainable and equitable growth—growth
This is not the wisest of steps, since the technology has furnished the channels like never before: wide open, far reaching, cheap and convenient, and which facilitates opportunities and means to cultivate untold mischief. We are no strangers to mischief and, if anything, we have become more sophisticated in concocting and delivering
that transforms the lives of the majority of the people, especially those of the poor, and growth that heals our disabling ills (such as racial competition/conflict, high levels of interpersonal violence, rampant corruption, as well as ad-hoc and chaotic decision making). For Guyana to benefit from its oil revenue, we needed to have seen major
changes over the last four years. We needed to have seen a sense of urgency and a different mode of behaviour. But, unfortunately, Guyana’s leaders do not seem to understand the situation and what is needed, and Guyana has not prepared or transformed itself so it can properly benefit from its oil. Our leaders have been passive and not active and (Continued on page 6)
such mischief, with the objectives of directing the largest number of citizens, sometimes along the most problematic pathways. The damage is done before we know it or can reverse course thus, decisive action should be the norm for those who fumble, since more than enough cautions have been issued, and none should or could claim ignorance or innocence.
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Questions on that US $10B Bill for Republic Bank’s endeavor to Production and ies depending on depth and oil industry (Floating adhere to compliance and Storage Offloading) vessel volume. DEAR EDITOR, A new FPSO can cost bewas built by Exxon (in Reference is made to your Singapore) and billed to tween US$200 and $500M. A anti money laundering is extreme advertisement as well as front Guyana for US $1B. Similar used tanker converted into a DEAR EDITOR, The Republic Bank of Guyana has proudly declared in their Annual Report of 2019 “Customers remain our most valued stakeholders, and our priority of strengthening relations has been demonstrated through our efforts to understand and empathise, while presenting solutions to challenges as they arise – all with a view to delivering satisfaction; and meeting and exceeding service expectation.” Yet, every day there are frustrating customers who are denied access to their money that they have entrusted to the safe keeping in this bank. This institution’s endeavor to adhere to compliance and anti money laundering is extreme. Every customer becomes a suspect of anti money laundering. One must be able to support the source of their funds for deposit with documentation of how this money was acquired and when you provide the documentations you must have them notarized by another to support your identity. A customer who opened the account, provided their name, date of birth, home address, and signature with a physical Republic Bank of Guyana agent can not be authenticated by the bank after that account is opened. A notary public declaration is required thereafter to verify the identity of the individual and any further documents bearing that client’s name and signature. If this is not extreme, then what is? Every time you present to the bank after you are denied access to your account because of their meticulous
compliance policy you are requested to present another piece of documentation. You are first given a list and upon presenting that list of requirements you are given even another list. By the time you return the second list the first list becomes outdated and you are required to complete it all over again. This is the tactic of delaying that they have been using for a while now. They deny all activities, incur a charge for no activity, dispute the documentations and entrust you with further expenses due to travelling and JP services. The ridiculousness of the bank’s approach is an ongoing dilemma. Many have voiced their frustration. The agents claim they are only following protocols and blame it on an upgrade. Meanwhile the Bank has a glorifying Annual Report by ‘squeezing the small man’. My father has an account with this bank for the sole purpose of direct deposit including his NIS benefits. For more than 6 months he is denied access to his account. A 70+ year old is denied access to his funds and receives a penalty for account inactivity. Why is this? He has one on his children as beneficiary on the account just so that in an unpredictable event he can have someone access his funds for him. The amount of information required of the beneficiary is unbelievable and extensive. Every time the beneficiary sends the required document even more is required. The bank claims it’s an anti-fraud prevention act. Notably the beneficiary is not a resident of Guyana so for
me to elaborate the magnitude of complication associated with this is beyond words can explain. In simple language the bank is requesting all professional, financial and personal original documentations from this individual except for their Medical records. I trust that will be next!!!! Because postage to Guyana is always on delay and the Bank wants original documents the dates never align with their policies, so this is an unending, revolving process. To further enhance their superiority and extreme authority in the act of anti-fraud and anti-money laundering this bank like many others do not receive documentation electronically. They request original documents in hardcopy. Exactly what they are – Paper pushers. Their remark in the Annual Report of 2019 about the future outlook “As Guyana prepares for first oil in 2020, the Bank remains willing to support governmentled initiatives to diversify some of the traditional underperforming sectors of the economy.” is a bunch of words that is void of meaning. They are the underperformers – it is about time they recognize that electronic documents is an upgrade as must as they are forging ahead with digital developments. In the end they scan your documents and electronically save them. Why not reduce the paperwork and save the planet if there is aspiration of future outlook? The bigger question is – What is the role in banking in Guyana? Sharmilla
page story on scrutinizing the preparation costs of Liza I and 2 for oil in which Guyana is being billed some US$10B. How will Guyana be able to pay this bill? It will take many, many years before we can pay off this debt. As I read in news reports, similar preparation and development of oil & gas in deeper waters just off the coast of Brazil costs substantially less. Obviously something smells fishy in this bill. It must be investigated. A forensic audit is needed. International forensic experts and lawyers in the oil business must be sourced to scrutinize every aspect of this bill. I also note that the FPSO
vessels with larger capacity was built for other countries at half the cost. This also smells fishy and needs scrutiny and forensic audit. Just for public understanding, a FPSO is a floating offshore vessel used by energy companies for production and processing of hydrocarbons (oil and gas)..It brings up oil from under the seabed, process, and stores it. Then the oil is transferred (offloaded) to tankers. A FPSO can be built from an old or used oil tanker. In fact, KN reported that Guyana’s FPSO for Liza 1 is built from a used tanker. The cost of an FPSO var-
FPSO will cost substantially less. Investopedia states that a purpose-built FPSO producing some 250,000 barrels per day (BPD) costs around $800M. The Liza 1 FPSO can produce around 100K BPD and it is a used tanker. Clearly, there are problems with the bill of $1B. It is estimated that the cost of Guyana’s FPSO can’t even come close to US$1B. So why was the country built $1B and why is there no investigation? Drawn your own conclusion! Unless the FPSO for Liza 1 is scrutinized thoroughly, the bill for the LIZA 2 FPSO will be even higher. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Appealing to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture to save our rice crops DEAR EDITOR, The recent breach of the sea defence between Dantzig and Fairfield in Region 5 has caused salt water to intrude into the irrigation system as far as No. 10 up the Mahaica River. This salt water is now trapped in the irrigation canals with nowhere to go since all outlets to the Bellamy Canal have been sealed off. Hundreds of acres of rice land located in the backlands of Broek en Waterland, Dantzig, Glazier’s Lust, Prospect and High Dam cannot be cultivated because of the presence of the salt water in the irrigation system. The solution to this problem is to reopen the Dantzig Canal for a few days during the low tide for the sole purpose of draining the salt water out of the irrigation sys-
tem or pump the water out via the Dantzig Canal into the Bellamy Canal. I have spoken to the Regional Chairman of Region 5 about this situation. He indicated to me that he had raised this issue on several occasions with the officials at MMA, but all his pleas have fallen on deaf ears. In the meantime, many farmers are in a quandary since they depend on rice cultivation for their livelihood and they also have bank loans to repay. In view of the foregoing, I am hereby appealing to the Honourable Minister of Agri-
culture to instruct the little lords at MMA to take immediate action to get the salt water out of the irrigation system so that the farmers could continue with their normal lives and put food on the table for their families. Yours Sincerely, Janaknauth Panchu
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Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
First Oil AheadWill we hit a Boom and Boom or a Boom and Bust? This will either go as the moment our nation becomes a developed nation or fell into the resource curse trap DEAR EDITOR, I am writing this letter to outline a few concerns that I have as we move to close out 2019 and move into 2020. For Guyana, 2020 will be a watershed moment in Guyanese history as 2020 brings with it ‘First Oil.’ This moment in our history will either go as the moment our nation took a major step towards becoming a developed nation or as the moment our nation fell into the resource curse trap as many other nations have such as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Venezuela. In essence we can either push our economy into a boom and boom period or fall victim to a boom and a bust. I think that working in our favor is the fact that there are many who wish us well, and in doing so are pushing the conversation in their own way to help us, these groups include the Diaspora of Guyanese abroad, the International Community and our brothers and sisters in our Region; however we ourselves must band together to overcome internal divisions especially ethnic divisions and complete the work needed truly take advantage of the resource that we are about to exploit.
Let’s take stock of the current situation - we have Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) signed with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission that is now housed under the Ministry of Natural Resources, we have a Department of Energy housed under the Ministry of the Presidency and we have a Natural Resources Fund. We have also done some capacity building in our Guyana Revenue Authority, Environmental Protection Agency and Maritime Administration Department. Comparing this to Ghana, we see that Petroleum exploration and production activities are regulated by a number of laws in Ghana: — The Petroleum Commission Act, 2011 (Act 821) (‘Petroleum Commission Act’); — The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Law, 1983 (PNDCL 64) (‘GNPC Law’); — Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Law, 1984 (PNDCL 84) (‘Petroleum Exploration Law’); — The Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204) (‘Local Content Law’); — Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act
815) (‘PRMA Act’); — Petroleum Revenue Management (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 893) (‘Amended PRMA Act’); — Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (L.I. 1652) (‘Environmental Regulations’); and — Petroleum Income Tax Act, 1987 (PNDCL 188). Similarly the Government, regulatory and/or oversight bodies principally responsible for regulating oil and gas activities are - the Minister of Petroleum (the ‘Minister’) provides the overall policy direction in the management of oil resources in Ghana;the Attorney General, under the Ministry of Justice, assists the Minister in the negotiation and drafting of petroleum agreements (the ‘Petroleum Agreement’) and the required laws and regulations regulating the oil and gas sector; the Petroleum Commission (the ‘Commission’) regulates and manages the utilization of petroleum resources in Ghana, it also coordinates the policies put in place by the Minister,in regulating the utilization of petroleum resources, the Commission has the authority to make regulations, issue permits and carry out necessary inspections and audits related to the activitiesof petroleum companies operating in the upstreamand midstream sectors; the Environmental Protection Agency (the ‘EPA’) is responsible for enforcement
of Ghana’s environmental laws, the EPA ensures that exploration and development of oil and gas is undertaken in an environmentally friendly manner; the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (the ‘GNPC’) is responsible for the development, production and disposal of petroleum; the GNPC is required to ensure that Ghana obtains the greatest possible benefits from the development of petroleum resources,the GNPC participates in petroleum operations on behalf of Ghana with contractors under the Petroleum Agreements; the National Petroleum Authority (the ‘NPA’) is also given a broad mandate to regulate, oversee and monitor activities in the downstream petroleum industry. In particular, it sets prices and supervises the bulk storage and transportation of petroleum products. (I should note that the content on Ghana was taken from the fact sheet put together by Bob Palmer, Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP which I came across while searching online.) Clearly just using Ghana as an example, we have a high volume of work ahead of us to put in responsible management of our Oil & Gas sector. The risks of not doing this can be found in Equatorial Guinea. I recently read an old article from Human Rights Watch, which I would encourage every Guyanese to read, titled “How Equatorial Guinea
Turned Corruption into an Art Form.” In the article it starts out by stating that Equatorial Guinea has the highest per Capita GDP in Africa but then goes on to say that it went from one of the poorest countries in Africa to one of the richest, but still the lives of the ordinary citizens have not been transformed. The researcher that the article’s author was interviewing actually found some alarming trends - despite its oil wealth, the trend in Equatorial Guinea’s Health and Education sectors were that vaccinations and school enrollment rates had decreased over the past 20 years since the country found oil. It should be noted that unless new reserves are found the country’s oil reserves will run out in 2035. What went wrong? The article goes on to say that money was siphoned off in infrastructural projects for instance the country has five major airports and on one tiny island of just 5,000 people, Annobon, the government built a US$112 million seaport, but the island has no high school. I shared the information about Ghana and Equatorial
Guinea to say that we as Guyanese need to let go of our divisions and work together to ask for the appropriate legislation to govern the sector, as well as increased capacity in our Ministries and agencies minus the missteps such as the lack of a Local Content Legislation, the Petroleum Commission Bill which placed too much power in the hands of the subject Minister or the Natural Resources Fund legislation that needs more national buy in. We need to put the resources into our Revenue Authority to and our Auditor General’s Department so that when the bills for exploration costs come in they have resources to audit and give the nation the confidence it seeks. If and only if we build the regulatory capacity to manage this Oil & Gas Sector well then we will experience the Boom and Boom period that we should benefit from, otherwise a Boom and Bust period synonymous with the Resource Curse awaits us. Yours Respectfully. Nicholas Deygoo, President Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The oil industry has a... From page 4 seem to rely on trickle-down economics instead of implementing transformative policies. They have been bickering and fighting, which already is a sign of the resource curse. They have created false expectations as part of their electioneering, instead of creating and implementing a new realistic vision for Guyana. It is likely that the election results will spur even more fighting, and the international community will have less leverage to rein in our bickering leaders, who now think they are oil rich and can ignore Washington, London and Toronto (and instead can buy new friends in Beijing and Moscow, as well as in Lagos and Luanda). Respectfully Yours, Dr. Jan Mangal Oil & Gas Consultant Former Petroleum Advisor to the President
Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur M@ilbox Why is the former Minister of Foreign Affairs attributing his destruction of the Service to the one who built and elevated it? DEAR EDITOROle people often say some people like to put their curse on you. To hear Mr. Clement Rohee in his letter, “Foreign Affairs, the G77, ACP, Sugar and the President” speak of the Foreign Service and refers to a period he calls the “Burnham dictatorship” one wonders (KN, Dec 14, 2019). Why is the former minister of Foreign Affairs attributing his destruction of the Service to the one who built it and elevated it to a standard where it was second to none in the Caribbean. There was no “diplomatic gallivanting” of the Forbes Burnham administration. His Foreign Policy, in a Cold War era and the period of struggles against colonisation and apartheid, was studiously conceptualised and executed with precision by personnel of competence. It was during the period of Mr. Rohee as Minister of Foreign Affairs the Service began a drastic decline, evident in he who held the portfolio coming after greats like Fred Wills, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Rashleigh Jackson and President Desmond Hoyte. President Hoyte held the portfolio after Mr. Jackson’s resignation. Qualitatively and quantitatively in the field a n d h a v i n g the intellectual acumen to adroitly function in same Mr. Rohee could not put his small toe in these men’s shoes. T h e F o r e i g n S e rvice foundation and international alliances we have were put in place by the Forbes Burnham administration. It was also during this period Guyana represented sister Caribbean countries on the international scene. This was the level of respect and admiration for our intellect and ability. Even after leaving office he is still mixing up the names of countries. In his initial letter he refers to the “Constitution of the Republic of Guyana.” If he is talking about this country, its name is the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and having served in
the Foreign Service he more than most should know the importance of name and having it properly attributed. Regardless of what any may think of Mr. Burnham during his time, Guyana was a leader, mover and shaker on the international scene, holding its own as an equal partner and shaping the global landscape to bring about our quest, as a small nation, for worldwide comity (i.e. peace and harmony). As the Jamaicans would say “Wi likkle but wi tallawah. ” We did not have to fear that leaders or representatives would chuckle or knit their brows at our intellect and ability to grasp and respond to issues. We fearlessly held own and earned our respect to meaningfully participate and influence. We have the achievements to show. Undoubtedly, some may not have liked us, a constant feature of human behaviour, but they damn well respected us. That changed when Mr. Rohee arrived at South Road. There are some things about Dr. Cheddi Jagan I admire but on his choice of Minister of Foreign Affairs he made a serious blunder in selecting Mr. Rohee. To head this ministry, it requires much more than the ability to sell the party’s news-
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paper, possessing a party card, and being a contributor in the party’s newspaper. This remains a blot on Guyana’s foreign service legacy and an unmitigated disaster of the Cheddi Jagan Government. This is not to say what Rohee may be saying could not be reviewed for merit or demerit. Should one be informed by “The Desiderata” of Kahlil Gibran, all, “even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story,” and Mr. Rohee should speak. But to seek to use President Granger’s action to make a quantum leap and take a broad swipe to the Foreign Service during the era of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham is incredulous and unacceptable. You can say what you want about Mr. Burnham but when it comes to the Foreign Service, respect due! Minette Bacchus
More medium scale mining concessions - As GGMC amnesty under threat of cancellation periods draws to a close With the amnesty period for medium scale miners set by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) coming to close, head of the Commission, Newell Dennison, has warned there will be more cancellation of concessions if miners fail to pay up by the end of December. Dennison told Kaieteur News that the response to amnesty set by GGMC is less than expected. So those in fault are likely to lose the concessions if they fail to pay. The concessions will most likely end up on the public domain and gazetted for other persons to secure. Just last month the GGMC, through an order by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, cancelled 24 medium scale mining concessions due to outstanding rental fee payments. The Prospecting Permit Medium Scale (PPMS) Exemption Order, was published in
The Official Gazette on October 5, 2019. The Order came into effect on September 15 last.With respect to the 24 concessions cancelled, the Order states that they will be reserved for disposal by the bidding and lottery processes. Further, those miners/ companies listed as defaulters are Metallica CC (Guyana) Inc.; Wyette Amsterdam; Carl Baldie & Stephen Edwards; Troy Broomes & Searomance Parasram trading in the name of Central Mahdia Mining Association; Michael Daniels; Erlene Francis; Dana Maria Jones, Youlanda Charles & Marvin Layne trading in the name of LCJ Ikeraku Mining Syndicate; Dalgleish Joseph & Deon Stoll; and Qukice Nelson. In an advertisement published in Kaieteur News by GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison, the mining authority has called on current medium scale concession holders who still owe the Commission to make their payments
with haste, noting that it has already made numerous requests for the payments to be settled. The GGMC has provided a grace period that commenced October 1, 2019 for all medium scale property holders who are in arrears and whose properties have not already been published as cancelled in The Official Gazette.It noted that the grace period ending December 31, 2019 will not be extended. All other property holders who fail to complete their payments by that date, the ad states, will have their properties cancelled. Following repeated requests for interventions by the Minister of Natural Resources for relief to miners, the Ministry of Natural Resources says it has directed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to grant a final amnesty for miners who are in arrears in terms of payment of rental for medium scale properties.
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Sunday December 15, 2019
GCCI executive proposes public/private Guyana must not become another partnership to build natural gas plant Angola; where Presidents children got Executive member of the Georgetown Chamber of Comricher and citizens left poorer -Datadin merce and Industry (GCCI), By Kiana Wilburg Angola, a South African nation with plush, tropical Atlantic beaches, is awash with natural resources. It has diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, uranium, and feldspar. But its greatest asset is oil. Since it was first discovered in 1955, oil has a blessing and a curse. For the friends and family of former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, it has been a blessing. But for most of its citizens, it has been a curse as they remain desperately poor. In fact, the former President who served from 1979 to 2017 paved the way for his daughter, Isabel, to become
Africas richest woman. She opened a shell company, and within a two-year span, the former President gave his daughter several contracts, four of which were worth over US $22 billion. As for his son, he was put in charge of Angolas Sovereign Wealth Fund and allegedly transferred US$500 million from the fund to an account in Britain. Considering this state of affairs, Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin says that Guyana must ensure that it closely guards the oil wealth to come from the same fate. He is ho p e f u l t h a t Guyana can take a page from Botswanas book where there is the efficient management of the oil resources as opposed to what occurred in Angola. “We can only hope that we get it right,” Datadin added. HOPING TO BOUNCE BACK As a result of the rape of the oil resources, Angola has had to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan to restructure and diversify its economy.
The Fund said that the US$3.7B loan will cover a period of three years and will not only be dedicated to the diversification of the economy but also to curbing corruption. The IMF also said that the loan aims to help the southern African country restructure state-owned enterprises and take other measures to improve economic governance. It was reported by Angolan news agencies that the nation had experienced a surge in growth because of oil exports under former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, but poverty and cronyism persisted. A fall in commodity prices years ago tipped the economy into crisis and showed that it was too reliant on oil. President Joao Lourenco, who succeeded dos Santos, has distanced his administration from his predecessor, pledging to fight corruption and meeting with government critics. (https:// www.voanews.com/africa/ imf-approves-37-billionloan-oil-rich-angola)
Deodat Indar, has said that Guyana can have a natural gas plant if it wants. One of the ways he suggested is a Public Private Partnership (PPP). This is basically a partnership between the government and the Private Sector. This proposal was brought to the table after it was revealed by the media that “Oil Companies are ready to talk natural gas but Government is still without a plan”. The GCCI executive stated that he is in support of the idea that Government is without a plan. He said that the issue may be that the government lacks “technical competence” as to what is needed to construct a natural Gas Plant or what models will be needed for an onshore facility. Indar also explained that a natural gas plant is a very risky and expensive undertaking which could cost more than half a billion US dollars. He said that because of its high risk and cost it is considered to be a frontier investment and calls for a consortium approach.
Executive Member of GCCI, Deodat Indar A consortium approach means that the risks and costs will be shared by different parties. The executive said that there are a number of local companies of the private sector that can partner with the government to set up a natural gas plant. The executive said the private sector can provide funding, “the technical competence” and experienced personnel to run the plant.
The Government on the other hand can provide “at minimum the investment regime”. The former president of GCCI said that Guyana should not waste its natural gas because it is very significant and highly profitable. He said if the government is thinking along the lines of industrialization then a Natural Gas Plant is needed. In fact, Indar said that “it (Continued on page 64)
Sunday December 15, 2019
For every 100,000 citizens, 286 are incarcerated- UNDP report -prisons still plagued with over-crowding, lack of staff
The 2019 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) report, 286 of every 100,000 citizens is incarcerated. The report which was released on Monday, examines several areas including access to healthcare, gender equity and the inequalities in human development in the 21st century. While the report discloses that literacy and school dropout rate experience an 85.6% decline, ranking the country at 123 out of 189, almost half of the country remains unskilled. The Ministry of Finance mid- year report, which was released in August, reported that there were 2069 inmates distributed across the five prison facilities in Guyana. The overall figure comprises 724 male convicted inmates between the ages of 18 and 35. These are namely at the Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri prisons. The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) currently has the
manpower of just over 500 officers. However, despite this, it is still understaffed by 101. The mid- year report did not highlight the reason for the GPS being short staffed. But it noted that there was a recruitment drive in the first half of this year which boosted its capacity. Components to rebuild the Camp Street Prison, including steel cells, have already been procured. The expansion of the Mazaruni Prison is ongoing and the project remains on track for completion in the second half of 2020. These upgraded facilities are intended to alleviate the overcrowding situation across the prison system. The procurement of equipment is intended to improve the safety of officers and inmates, including body scanners, has already commenced. Reports revealed that the issue of overcrowding is being addressed from all angles. These include, but are not limited to, releasing offenders on parole, Presidential pardons for non-violent offenders and the greater use of alternative
sentencing. Earlier in this year, the United States (U.S) Department decried that state of affairs as it related to the living conditions in Guyanas prisons, noting that it posed a serious threat to human life. According to a document the country had published on human rights practices in Guyana and other countries around the world, “Prison and jail conditions particularly in police holding cells, were reportedly harsh and life threatening due to overcrowding, physical abuse and inadequate sanitary conditions.” The Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, called on the magistrates to grant more bail to first offenders and those who commit petty crimes. This, he stated, would not only help in ensuring there is not overcrowding in prisons, but with the social effect imprisonment would impose. “The minute you put a man in jail, he graduates by talking to the senior convict. That also graduates him into more negative behaviour,” the minister stated.
Dem boys seh...
It cheap fuh slap Soulja Bai Guyana is one of de countries wheh dem got a system to penalise people. Some does complain how dem judges and magistrates don’t have rhyme and reason when dem passing sentence. Dem boys find out that at least one magistrate know wha she doing. A prisoner think he is a bad man suh he slap a lance corporal. Right away de magistrate fine him $20,000. Imagine de prisoner think that de fine was too high. That is when somebody tell him that if he did slap a constable de fine woulda be $10,000. That is when de man realize that if he slap a corporal he would pay $30,000. De fine does raise wid every
rank. A sergeant would cost a man $40,000; an inspector $50,000; a Chief Inspector $60,000; and an Assistant Superintendent, $70,000. By de time you reach de Commissioner is about $130,000. Dem boys notice that after that man get de fine fuh slapping de lance corporal and people calculate de penalty not anodda person try to slap a policeman. But then dem boys get ideas. Dem didn’t got de courage fuh do it dem selves but dem get a li’l boy fuh put up he middle finger to a politician. De boy end up in de lockups. He only come out when Jagdeo seh how he pardon de boy. But that don’t tell how much people got to pay when
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dem slap a politician. Of course people start to bet but nobody don’t want to tek de chance. One man seh that if anybody want to find out dem mustn’t tek chance. Dem should slap a junior Minister. One man actually ask a magistrate how much fine he would impose on a man fuh slap a junior Minister. De magistrate smile. He seh that de higher de Minister rank, de lower de fine. You gun pay a small piece fuh slapping Jagdeo. That is when dem boys realize that if a man slap Soulja Bai he wouldn’t pay a cent in court or spend a day in jail. Talk half and slap senior politicians
Energy Dept. taking Guyana on dangerous adventure while President -Ram Granger sleeping at the wheel leum agreement.”
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, is convinced that the Department of Energy is taking reckless decisions as these relate to the sale of Guyanas oil. His comments come on the heels of a Bloomberg report which states that Guyana is expected to receive bids for its oil from at least half a dozen traders, tomorrow. They hail from Houston, Geneva and London. Bloomberg said that Guyana which has no experience in trading oil, sent letters to refiners around the globe inviting them to bid for three million barrels of lightsweet oil. But there is a catch. Bloomberg found out from its sources the buyer must take the “unusual role” of handling “all operating and back office responsibilities” related to exporting the crude. It said that this was outlined in a document it perused. On top of that, Bloomberg highlighted that the bids must be offered “face to face”. The news agency said that such a voyage is rare for traders, who do most of their business on instant-message platforms
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram and by phone. Considering the foregoing, Ram asserted that Guyana has officially embarked on a dangerous adventure while President, David Granger is asleep at the wheel. The Chartered Accountant said, “I have never heard of a face-to-face bidding process. It certainly does not exist under the Procurement Act which I think ought to apply to the marketing of Guyanas share of the oil that we obtained under the petro-
Ram said that the Bloomberg revelation raises questions about who is really advising the Energy Department on these matters. The Department which is housed in the Ministry of the Presidency is led by Dr. Mark Bynoe. Ram said, “If he is allowed to take Guyana on such a dangerous limb, his management of ExxonMobils Stabroek Block petroleum agreement can be as disastrous and costly as (Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael) Trotmans negotiations and signing of the agreement.” In other words, instead of protecting the limited gains under the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Ram opined that the Granger administration seems to be allowing Dr. Bynoe, someone with no experience or expertise in oil and gas, to take the country on a dangerous adventure. “This needs to be stopped. It is grossly irresponsible and it is a path that even Bloomberg had to describe as unusual,” the concerned citizen concluded.
Persons should not be able to pay their way out of a court case- magistrate A recent case in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts moved Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus to give a general comment. Persons should not be able to pay their way out of a court case, she said. This was in reference to 23-year-old Denzil George of 1007 Block E South Sophia. The mason was charged for robbing a man of articles amounting to $130,000. It was alleged that on December 9, 2019 at Block E South Sophia, Georgetown, while being armed with a cutlass, George robbed Akeem Hodge of one gold chain valued at $60,000, one gold band valued at $40,000 and $30, 000 cash. He pleaded not guilty. The police prosecutor told the court that on the day in question, around 19:35hrs, the defendant was in company of other persons when he while being armed with a cutlass dealt Hodge several lashes about the body and relieved the victim of the items mentioned in the charge. George then made good his escape and the matter was reported. The following day based on the identification of the victim and eyewitnesses the police were able to arrest the defendant. The alleged stolen articles were not recovered. George was later positively identified by the victim. Based on the fact that the defendant allegedly used a cutlass to commit this act and the prevalence of this issue in the area, the prosecutor objected to bail. Moreover, Hodge, who was present in court for the hearing said, “Your worship I dont know this young man personally but I would like to give him a chance. I dont want him to go to jail. His family approached me and they said they will pay me back for the items.” The victim added that the family proposed to pay $65,000 and they will pay the remainder at a later date.
Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus However, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus responded, “Given the prevalence of this offence and given the season, persons may believe that they can pay their way through to settle matters when they are apprehended for an offence.” “The court is not willing to condone such actions because what will happen if someone cannot pay compensation, they will be sentenced. Lucky for you in your case the defendant can pay something.” George was granted bail in the sum of $50,000. The matter was adjourned to January 13, 2020 when the parties will report to the court for the remainder of the compensation money to be handed over and settle the matter.
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PNCR stalwarts among casualties in ambassadors’ shakeup
Cheryl Miles
Hamley Case
Clarissa Riehl
Bayney Karran
The recent announced shakeups in the Foreign Service would affect a few stalwarts of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). From reports, ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop, a former Vice President under the PNCR and chairman of the party, and Clarissa Riehl, a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and a high-ranking party executive, are among the two names who will no longer be ambassadors. The other ambassadors
and representatives whose contracts will not be renewed are Bayney Karran, Hamley Case and Cheryl Miles. Ramsaroop is the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago; Miles is the Ambassador to Venezuela; Karran heads the embassy in China; while Case is the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Riehl is the High Commissioner to Canada. President David Granger had made it clear earlier this month that ambassadors and other representatives should be rotated and not be posted
for prolonged periods on overseas missions. The shakeups came after the Ministry earlier this month confirmed a report by Kaieteur News that DirectorGeneral Audrey JardineWaddell will no longer be there and will be reassigned. She is expected to be appointed an ambassador. “The Government of Guyana has recently undertaken a number of administrative actions with a view to promoting greater efficiency in the discharge of the core mandate and
essential functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a critical moment in the nation’s history,” the Foreign Ministry had said. Among other things, the designation of DirectorGeneral will be replaced by that of Permanent Secretary, similar to what obtained in other ministries. Charlene Phoenix, who joined the Ministry in 1996, was appointed as Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with effect from 2nd December 2019. It was initially disclosed
Cammie Ramsaroop that Jardine-Waddell, who served as Director-General since 2015 when Elisabeth Harper stepped down to run as Prime Ministerial candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), has been transferred as part of a “rebalancing” of the ministry. The Ministry had also announced that a decision has also been taken to bring an end to the services of a number of Heads of Missions, especially those who might have enjoyed an extended tenure of duty beyond the official limit. “As it is well known, the tenure of an ambassador is approximately three to five years. However, for a variety of reasons and factors, some of our ambassadors have been abroad for as long as two decades.” The decisions were taken, the ministry explained, because the situation has become an impediment to other younger and rising Foreign Service Officers whose performance and
professional competence might require that they should be appointed to the summit of the Foreign Service. On Friday, former Foreign Minister and now Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, said a number of ambassadors will no longer be staff members of the ministry. He said that most likely they will have to find other opportunities… other jobs. With regards to Miles, Greenidge said that her contract has been terminated and the ambassador has been instructed to wrap-up at the end of December. Her termination would come as Guyana gets ready for election and with a major case before the World Court on the border claims by Venezuela. Guyana is insisting that the matter was settled more than100 years ago and that Venezuela, now in the throes of economic turmoil, has been bullying Guyana.
Guyanese should have... From page 3 holding, a 12.5 percent interest in the Canje Block, and Cataleya Energy Corporation which has a 25 percent working interest in the Kaieteur Block. As it awaits the commencement of its drilling programme for 2020, Cataleya has pursued several Corporate Social Responsibility projects, with the largest of them being the establishment of a US$1.25 million reservoir in Nappi, Central Rupununi,
Region Nine. With the capacity to hold 4.5million cubic metres of water, the reservoir is considered an essential project as it aims to reduce the vulnerability to drought while building resilience in Nappi and the neighbouring communities. The Nappi Dam Project has received high praise from the Granger administration for being a commendable Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
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Marcus Bisram saga…
I don’t care who the magistrate is…I want the trial to start now - defense attorney Sanjeev Datadin The petition to the Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonnette Cummings-Edwards by the family of Faiyaz Narinedatt to have Senior Magistrate Alex Moore removed from presiding over the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the charges of murder against Marcus Bisram has resulted in a media frenzy over the last two days. Bisram is charged with counseling and procuring the murder of Narinedatt in November 2016. He is now scheduled to appear tomorrow at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. The family of the deceased Narinedatt have complained that Magistrate Moore is being unfair to State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings and they had additionally stated publicly in the media that they have full faith in the actions of the prosecutor. Attorney-at-Law for Bisram, Sanjeev Datadin, has since said it was indeed an unusual situation. He said he was unaware of any other instance where members of the public had been so bold as to seek to have a Magistrate removed.
He said much of what he saw in the media about the contents of the petition was simply false. He said it was very sinister that the petition seems to be couched in terms very similar to the complaint made by the DPP. He said members of the media had made him aware of a complaint to the Chancellor by the DPP to have Magistrate Moore removed. He said that from what he learnt was stated by the DPP in the complaint was remarkably identical to the contents of the petition. He said it was unfair that persons are allowed to use innuendos and false fact to insinuate that the Magistrate is somehow in his favour. “I didn’t get that impression at all and in fact, the Magistrate had requested an apology from me for saying that Prosecutor Goodings’s submissions were trash”. He said getting into that tit for tat in the media served no benefit to his client. He said it was a matter which is now for the consideration for the Chancellor and he hoped she would investigate all sides
before she made a conclusion. He said he, however, wanted to make one thing clear: “I don’t care which Magistrate is hearing the matter. I just don’t want the hearing delayed. “The CCJ ruled in an application I had filed on behalf of Bisram that due to the peculiar facts of the case proper measures be put in place to expedite the hearing of the PI to avoid undue delay. The DPP is in flagrant breach of this direction from the CCJ.” Datadin said that the DPP was ordered since December 2, to provide the defence with witness statements. “They have simply ignored the court’s order and they have failed to do so. On the last occasion the matter was heard before magistrate Peter Hugh the prosecutor failed to appear and failed to give any proper instructions to the police officer sent to hold for her in Court. “The only instruction she sent was to adjourn the matter to January 7, 2020. She had previously asked for three weeks to photocopy the witness statements to serve on the defence. This is nothing but a blatant attempt to delay the PI,” Datadin said. He said he made clear to
Attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin
Killed: Faiyaz Narinedatt
In Jail: Marcus Bisram
the prosecutor and the Court he had no objection to any of the statements the prosecution would bring not to the statements, not to the video evidence not to any audio recordings not to any photographs. He said he wanted to cross-examine one witness only and that would take less than an hour. That was the reason the Magistrate said he could be finished before the end of the year. “It was not that the Magistrate wanted to rush things but the proceedings were likely to not take much court time if he consented to the evidence.” Datadin said his client wants his PI to commence
now. “We don’t care who is the Magistrate.” He said the continued actions of the state would have consequences. Datadin said he would be filing a petition for bail on Monday in the High Court because the DPP is simply not ready to proceed and is trying to blame and sully the name of everyone else to hide this fact. Bisram was extradited from the US recently after allegedly fleeing there. A Guyanese, he is accused of ordering the murder of Narinedatt, a carpenter almost three years ago. Narinedatt reportedly
rebuffed sexual attempts from Bisram and slapped him. It was then that the order to have him beaten and ejected from a party place in Berbice was issued. Narinedatt’s body was found on the public road in Berbice, initially suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run. The Government of Guyana had asked the US to extradite Bisram, a millionaire for trial. The US arrested Bisram in New York and held him and after a court battle, the businessman was sent back here. His lawyers want an early trial. Several other persons have been charged with murder too.
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Cop drowns, colleagues saved after boat capsizes in river Ill-fated: The police boat involved in the incident.
The corporal after he was pulled from the water.
Dead: Corporal Peter Scipio
A
n unfortunate mishap in the Berbice River has led to the unexpected death of a Corporal of Police attached at the Central Police Station. Dead is Corporal Peter Scipio, of Angoys Avenue, who served as the electriction/technician for the Guyana Police Force (Region Six). Reports are that the incident took place just around 10:00 am yesterday. Scipio, the captain of the boat and 10 other ranks, joined the vessel to venture up the Berbice River for a drug eradication exercise, however, tragedy struck. According to reports, the men were making their way in the fairly rough waters when the vessel struck an
unidentified object below the waters. The vessel came to an abrupt stop and capsized, throwing the men in the water. Kaieteur News understands from that point, the ranks managed to overturn the boat and re-enter, however, Captain Scipio was nowhere to be seen. A police source told this publication that the current pulled Scipio down under. Ranks began to search for their colleague but it was nearly 15 minutes later that his body surfaced. He was pulled from the water but appeared to be dead already. Meanwhile, relatives of the Corporal were too in shock to speak with the media when they showed up at the Central Police Station. The Guyana Police Force,
meanwhile in a late statement, said it is mourning the death of Special Corporal 11907 Chakumba Scipio, 43, of Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice who met his demise during a boat mishap in the Berbice River about 09:30hrs. “Investigation revealed that a team of police ranks under the command of a Chief Inspector and two civilians departed New Amsterdam en route to Sand Hills in a police vessel powered by a 150 hp engine and captained by the now deceased who was a certified coxswain, to investigate several thefts that were reported in the riverine community.” As the boat was in the vicinity of Bermine, it was reported to have suddenly swayed and Scipio fell
overboard and went under the water. The statement said that despite valiant efforts to rescue him; it proved in vain. His body was later retrieved by ranks of the
Coast Guard and is at the Arokium Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination. Scipio who was the Divisional Electrician and Coxswain, joined the Force in
1999. He was the father of three daughters. His spouse passed away several years ago. An investigation has since been launched into the matter.
Traffic Dept. hauling in more bad boys conductors, drivers
Late deployment
These mini excavators, which belong to the Anna Regina Town Council, were deployed to Richmond three days after the community was hit with a major flood. The question remains, however, if the council was aware that heavy rainfall was imminent
during December, why weren’t the excavators deployed months in advance, prior to the rainy season. On the contrary, they were only deployed after a disaster occurred, which resulted in millions of dollars in losses for residents.
The polices Traffic Department is paying keen attention to reports of misbehaving drivers and conductors. In fact, says Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles, a number of them have been arrested and detained. For example, the polices attention was caught a few weeks ago when a conductor was caught on video dancing on a moving minibus. The minibus was hauled in and the conductor arrested. Another video showed shocking scenes of a conductor hanging part of his body out of the door of a moving minibus. Seconds later, the video panned to the driver opening his door and doing a few moves…all the while the vehicle was in motion. The police also acted then. The Traffic Chief was on Tuesday responding to questions about the lawlessness on the roadways. Minibus drivers and conductors especially have been coming under the spotlight with no let up, it seems, of the careless and dangerous driving. From the overtaking of long lines of traffic to sudden switching of lanes and stopping to drinking and driving, the situation had become intolerable. Isles, who was appearing on The Legal Mind aired on Kaieteur Radios 99.1 and
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles 99.5FM, disclosed that the police force is working on a few mechanisms including a Whatsapp number for citizens to send in their photographs and complaints about traffic lawlessness. The Traffic Department has been under pressure to reduce the traffic accidents and lawlessness on the roadways amid a number of accidents that saw Road Safety week last week being one of the most deadly on records.
Sunday December 15, 2019
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---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
Rejecting the PPP’s twisted narrative
N
ot unexpectedly, the PPP is using the current elections campaign to try to con the nation about what transpired during its long 23-year reign. Today I want to deal with the PPP, which I continue to believe presided over the worst government in postcolonial Guyana and the Anglophone Caribbean. Some PPP leaders and commentators have, in the past, answered this charge by listing the many projects the party initiated while in government. I am never swayed by that chat, because those projects often mask the real intent and outcomes of governance. Let’s not ever forget that Germany under Hitler, the USA in the era of slavery and segregation, South Africa under apartheid and Europe as colonial masters, all “developed” during those periods of human depravity. The PPP likes to cite the PNC’s authoritarianism and electoral malpractice, and to berate persons like myself whenever we fail to mention that fact. For them, there was nothing redemptive during that period of our country’s history. While I have absolutely no problem with acknowledging the negative impact of that period on our country’s profile—after all, I spent part of my youth actively opposing it—I will not allow the PPP to use it to cover their own equally and, in some respects, worse behaviour when they held office. Here are some truths that the PPP would never acknowledge. When the PNC went on the rampage, a critical mass of African-Guyanese leaders and followers actively resisted the African-based PNC government. From Linden, to Georgetown, to Buxton and the East Coast Demerara villages to New Amsterdam to the West Coast Demerara villages, African-Guyanese at the urging of some AfricanGuyanese leaders and on their own, put their bodies, their livelihoods and their
lives on the line to “manners” the government and ultimately bring it down. Walter Rodney was not the only African-Guyanese leader to confront and fight the PNC; many did so before he returned to Guyana in 1974, and after he was assassinated in 1980. Most of us are still alive to tell the story of that time. When some misinformed non-PPP commentators repeat the nonsense that Rodney founded the WPA and that the WPA died when Rodney died, they do not realise that they are feeding the PPP’s narrative that it is the PPP and the PPP alone that fought for the defeat of the PNC’s authoritarianism and for the return of electoral democracy. That narrative has ethnoracial implications, for it writes the African-Guyanese masses out of that period of our history. I am boldly arguing that when our country descended into the pits of the PNC’s dictatorship, it was the WPA from 1974-1992 that led the fight against the regime. If one were to judge by the bold and radical forms of struggle by that party and its ability to mobilise public resistance across ethnic and social-class lines, and by the sheer extreme weight and intensity of the regime’s response, there can be no doubt about my argument and conclusion. It is not that the PPP didn’t contribute to the struggle of that time, but its resistance was muted and compromised by ideological and tactical considerations aimed at the party’s survival, rather than bringing down the government. So, the PPP has no sole ownership of the 1992 moment, for that moment is also written in the blood and sacrifices of many non-PPP actors. It is fair to say that given the ethno-racial nature of elections in Guyana, the PPP became benefactors of the long struggle of others who bore the brunt of the PNC’s wrath. I even make bold to say
that the PPP engineered a virtual coup in 1992 when, because of its electoral victory, which had little to do with its struggle against the dictatorship, it monopolised all the political power-space that the WPA and others fought to create. And that very act has had serious implications for the PPP during its tenure. What the PPP did was to take the very institutions of the dictatorial regime and used them to further its twin objective of ethnic dominance and party hegemony. When the PPP came to power in 1992 it did not change a single pillar of the dictatorial regime it had replaced. It is for that reason that its claim of freeing Guyana from the clutches of dictatorship is not grounded in reality. Here were politicians of the old school, like the Jagans, who were so preoccupied with settling scores with the PNC, that they could not see how they were setting the stage for a reproduction of the same old regime that they so hated. The Jagans never introduced into the PPP government any transformative element—they kept the same constitution, the same coercive apparatus, and they practiced the same politics of domination and exclusion of the other. In effect, they replaced PNC paramountcy with PPP and IndianGuyanese hegemony. By the time Dr. Jagan died and Mrs. Jagan handed the leadership of the party and government to a group of PPP leaders - led by Jagdeo, who had not struggled for anything, had no proper political upbringing and so had no ideological fidelity to transformative politics - the stage was set for the PPP to take the old dictatorial order to a new and dangerous level. This group, who activated the politics of revenge and dominance, was aided and abetted by PPP stalwarts who were smitten by the doctrine of PPP’s manifest destiny. The
The Baccoo Speaks Four men on bicycles are patrolling the streets early in the morning looking to prey on people. During one such attempt, a passing motorist who is a licensed forearm holder would intervene. One of the men would attempt to retaliate with equal intent but he would be wounded. The police would later make an arrest. ** The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit would be very
busy making interceptions using intelligence information. The unit would make another major bust, this time on the western side of the city.
All told most of the drugs confiscated in the past month would surpass all the interdictions made earlier in the year. ** This is not the time for sorry, but sorry is never far away. There have been accidents, but this one is going to hurt more. A man going home from work with his pay will be struck down on the roads. His family would be devastated.
Jagdeo group pushed our country to places the PNC did not and could not go, because of the resistance it faced in its time. The Jagdeo group carried political and physical blows to African Guyanese that pushed elements in the latter to desperation. Some left, some surrendered, some accommodated the PPP and a small group picked up arms. The PPP then used the latter as the excuse to physically eliminate hundreds of African-Guyanese young men. Whether these men were criminals, freedom fighters or hustlers is beside the point. What is important is that their murders by the State was politically driven—their demise was meant to quell dissent among African-Guyanese and send political messages to the leadership that the PPP meant business. Those 400 and more men were used in the same way the plantation owners used to display the bodies of rebels against slavery in public places as a warning to other rebels of what awaits them. For all Mr. Jagdeo’s protestations about his party’s innocence regarding the murder of those 400 men, the majority of us know that they are the PPP’s trophies. The Jagdeo group was intent on proving to its supporters that it could govern Guyana, without fear, in the
heart of the PNC’s support base. They had accomplished what Jagan could not do in the period 1957-64, when he said the PPP was in office, but not in power. The Jagdeo group could now boast that the PPP was both in office and in power. That’s why many Indian Guyanese gave thanks to Jagdeo and the Phantom groups. And that’s why Jagdeo remains popular among the PPP’s base. The outcome was the willful marginalisation, demoralisation and assault on the collective dignity of African Guyanese. That is why they wailed and wept in public when the PPP lost power two years ago. In the economic sphere, the PPP also merged the state with economic phantom groups which disproportionately benefited from the economic projects the PPP likes to boast about. Nobody doubts that they initiated economic initiatives, but who benefited? Certainly not the country at large! These economic initiatives were used to transfer state resources to PPP members and supporters who were mainly of the IndianGuyanese elite. If the PNC made the party paramount to the State, the PPP went much further—it merged the State with economic criminality, party hegemony and ethnic domination. The outcome was the em-
Dr David Hinds powerment of a mainly Indian Guyanese, mega-rich elite and the concomitant dispossession of the rest of the society, in particular, the political-ethnic outgroup. And what is most dangerous, it did so under the guise of democracy. The PNC, through its declarations, such as the Sophia Declaration, made clear that it favoured authoritarian governance. The PPP practiced dictatorship while maintaining that it was democratic. So, when I say I don’t want to see the PPP anywhere near to power on its own, it’s not because I hate that party—I just hate what it did to Guyana. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyan acaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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A wife strangled in Germany and two dead women in Guyana By Michael Jordan The former American soldier looked me straight in the eye and told me that he was no killer. Maybe so, but surely he must be one of the unluckiest chaps I have ever met. How many guys end up being accused of brutally murdering their wife, their ex-girlfriend, and a teenage girl, in two different countries? I’d called him for an interview about these three stillunsolved murders. Half an hour later, this bearded, bespectacled guy was sitting in our interview room, and we were talking about his former wife’s murder in Germany, and the two dead women in New Amsterdam. ”I killed no one,” he told me. “There are people in New Amsterdam who know what happened to those two young ladies. There are people that know who is responsible for my late wife’s death, and they know it’s not me.” From what he says, his troubles began around April 2004. Back then, he was a Specialist in the US Army, married to 30-year-old Chevonne Talbot, and living at a US base in Germany. According to him, he was also serving in Iraq and his marriage was on the rocks. ”I came back from combat in April of that year to find that I no longer had a wife; that someone (else) was in my place.” The ex-soldier said he found out about his spouse’s infidelity from provocative text messages that were sent to her. The ex-soldier said that he confronted her and later told
Alexis ‘Keisha’ George
Nekescia Rouse
Chevonne Talbot
his wife that he wanted a divorce. But on October 12, 2004, Chevonne Talbot was found lying face-down on the bathroom floor in the army housing unit at Hainerberg Housing Area, in Germany, where the couple had lived. It was her husband who found the body. “I found her dead. I found her in the bathroom. From the way her body was positioned, she looked like she was trying to enter the tub and slipped. I moved her and tried to resuscitate her. I called my unit and they dispatched the MPs, and they dispatched the ambulance… and half an hour later, they pronounced her dead.” But a bathroom fall hadn’t killed Chevonne Talbot. Someone had tied a scarf tightly around her neck and also used it to bind her hands behind her back. An autopsy would reveal that she had died of ligature strangulation. Her husband gave the police a statement, and it is this statement that reportedly
turned him from grieving spouse to murder suspect. According to the ex-soldier, he had told police that it was he, and not his wife, who was having an affair. This apparently led detectives to believe that he was concealing a motive for the crime. He admitted that he had also tried to kill himself after her death. ”I became a suspect because of that lie. I had no reason to want her dead when I had already made up my mind, six months before her death, that I was divorcing her.” Several months later, he was charged with murder. However, he was eventually freed on May 1, 2007, since, according to the ex-soldier, he was able to account for his movements at the time of his wife’s death. He said that a female prosecution witness, who was also his next-door neighbour, also placed him away from the scene. ”There was conflict in the time of death, because I showed up at work early and left work and came back a few hours later; and what was being said was that I went home, killed her, and came back to work. “But that young lady next door told investigators that there was no way that she (the wife) could have been dead before two o’clock in the afternoon, because she saw her taking out the garbage at around two. I found her two hours later. Her testimony debunked the testimony of the pathologist who said that she died in the morning. ”She was the person who gave me my salvation, because without her testimony of seeing my wife at two o’clock in the afternoon, I wouldn’t have been in this interview with you, I would have been at Fort Leavenworth doing 99 years.” And according to his story, there was a prime suspect in his wife’s death. He said that the individual was a male friend of his wife. He claims that the individual told investigators that he was watching television at the
time when Mrs. Talbot was slain. The former U.S. soldier returned to Guyana in December 2008, and shortly after, started a relationship with 25year-old Nekescia Rouse, who lived at Smythfield, New Amsterdam. He says that it was a one-week affair. “I flew into Guyana a few days before Christmas 2008. I was walking down Main Street, New Amsterdam, and I saw her. It was brief…one week…but from there we developed a friendship.” But at around 06:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2009, a resident of Smythfield, New Amsterdam, stumbled on a gruesome scene. Lying in a yard, under a tree was the mutilated body of a young woman. She was identified as 18-year-old Alexis ‘Keisha’ George. About 30 minutes later, the body of another woman was found in a house some 150 metres away. The second victim was Nekescia Rouse, the former soldier’s ex-girlfriend. Both women had lived with Rouse’s mother at Smythfield. They had both sustained stab wounds to the neck and other parts of the body. Investigators suspected that the women were attacked in the house in which Rouse’s body was found, but that Alexis George had managed to run outside before collapsing and dying in a neighbour’s yard. It was unclear how the killer(s) had gained entry to the house to attack the t w o v i c t i m s , though there were suggestions that the individual (s) had entered via a verandah door. One detective surmised that the women knew their killers. ”There was no forced entry to the house. Whoever did this was more or less invited in or frequented the premises.” Detectives scoured the murder scenes and even searched inside a septic tank for the murder weapon. They never found it. They learned that Nekescia had gone out with
friends on Valentine’s Night and had returned home during the early hours of the Sunday on which the women were slain. According to reports, June Rouse, Nekescia’s mother, had received a rather strange call on her mobile phone at around 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, February 15. The caller, whom she did not recognize, reportedly enquired, ‘where Nicky deh?’ Shortly after the murders, police detained seven individuals from New Amsterdam. Among them was the retired US Army soldier who had been accused, then cleared, of killing his wife in Germany. A former policeman who had gone out with Nekescia Rouse on Valentine’s Night, and who had frequented the home, was also taken into custody. The former soldier told me that he had called Nekescia on February 14, to wish her ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’ He estimates that this call was made some 12 hours before she was slain. Like the two slain women, he was also living in Smythfield, New Amsterdam. But he also claims that at the time of the tragedy, he was stricken with kidney stones. The painful condition, he says, had kept him in bed and practically unable to move around. He says that on Sunday, February 15, 2009, several armed policemen came to the house where he was staying. According to the man, he had known the purpose of their visit, since someone had already called him to inform him of Nekescia Rouse’s murder. He alleged that without mentioning the double-murder, the policemen said they wanted to search the premises. “One detective said that he saw blood on my clothing. They took my sandals, because they said they saw blood on the sandals. No blood was ever found on my belongings.” According to his story, without being read his rights, he was booked; and without ever producing a writ, police kept him in custody for over 72 hours. “I never thought that I would spend the next six days and nights handcuffed and locked behind prison walls.” He said that he was moved from one police station to the next…”every day, sent to someplace more inhumane.” On February 20, 2009, he
was eventually released on $100,000 station bail. The former soldier says that police never returned his belongings. Investigators apparently are yet to unearth any tangible evidence to implicate anyone in the double-homicide. He insists that he could not have committed the heinous double-murder without someone spotting him, since there is only one way in and out of the area where the victims lived. But the ex-soldier complains that although “my integrity has been cleared,” there are still some individuals who continue to tarnish his name. He was reportedly also t h r e a t e n e d . ”I’m constantly vilified. Wherever I go, I’m accused of being a murderer,” he says. You know what? I’ve spoken to killers before. I’ve spoken to a guy on death row; an affable, smiling guy, who they say gutted a woman like a fish and tied a crankshaft and cement block to her body so it could sink in the Demerara River. He says he didn’t do it. There’s another gentleman — an upright individual in society— who missed death row by the skin of his teeth. I believe, in my bones, that he strangled an 11-year-old girl and tried to make it look like suicide. He says he’s innocent. And at the time when I did that interview, I wasn’t sure if this man was innocent or not. But about a week later, I spoke to a pastor who told me about a disturbing encounter he’d had with an individual who was questioned by the police about this case. The pastor told me that the individual had issued violent threats to him. That interview left me with a sense of unease, an eerie feeling that the circumstances surrounding a strangled woman in Germany, and two others young women knifed to death in Guyana, may possess a common thread. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 592-225-8465, 592-2258473 and 592-225-8458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address kamarangnight @gmail.com.
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
David Madray and the jokers in the pack: A memoir moment
M
y wife and I had left ‘Fix-It’ hard ware store at Quamina and Main Streets, and had crossed over to the avenue that separates the eastern and western sections of Main Street when this gentleman approached us. He said; “Hi, Mr. Kissoon, do you remember me? After telling him, I didn’t, he responded; “I saved your life on Branch Road, Mahaicony.” He described for me what happened and I instantly recalled the incident, but I could not place his face. It was during the election campaign of 2015. I was the main speaker at a meeting on Branch Road, Mahaicony. It was two nights before voting day. I couldn’t understand why a meeting was held at that particular spot, because it was deserted, with residences far away. We stood around waiting for folks in the neighbourhood to come, but none came. As I moved toward my car, preoccupied with the ignorance of putting a public meeting there and talking about it, I felt a violent push that sent me onto the parapet. A tractor literally came upon me. As I watched the tractor driving away, I was literally stunned
and couldn’t move. But I heard the violent cuss words directed to me by the driver. He was blurting out my name with unmitigated rage. We thanked the gentleman that saved my life and left for Georgetown. I never saw the fellow again and I never wrote about the incident. I figured I was saved and life goes on. It was not until a few weeks ago, when he introduced himself to me and my wife, that I saw him again. I am glad I met David Madray. He saved my life during the 2015 election campaign and through my foolishness, I never got to thank him afterwards. I remember his parting words as he went northwards on the Main Street avenue. He said; “When I meet Khemraj Ramjattan I will tell him about it” to which I said; “you do that.” I really would like to see David Madray again and have him to lunch at my home. One should never part company with someone who saved your life. I have a friend, Raymond Persaud, a Eugene Correia Airport engineer, who told me he knows someone who lives in Branch Road who should know the Madrays. Raymond
told me, he will ask his friend to make contact with Mr. Madray to tell him I want to meet with him. If Mr. Madray is reading this, please make contact. My home numbers are 222-1615 and 222 1616. My cell is 614-5927. I don’t have WhatsApp or a Facebook account, but my email is fredkissoon@yahoo.com. Election campaign time has come again. And David Madray came to mind. The 2020 campaign will be five years since the last campaign, and those who didn’t even get a scratch much less had their life endangered, now have power and they lord it over the nation. They drive extravagant vehicles and the chauffeurs have to open the door to every entrance they face; not only the car door. Life is so paradoxical. The jokers in the pack end up with power. One wonders what is still going through the minds of Hillary Clinton and Jeremy Corbin. Look who beat them – Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. It is election time once more, and I remember the words of my friend Dr. David Hinds. He said if APNU+AFC loses, all those who were given big jobs but never got a scratch
fighting for changes, will quickly go back from whence they came. It is election time once more, but I will be missing in action. I doubt I would be on the campaign bandwagon in any meaningful way. Will I miss the action in 2020? Yes, because I think the 2015 campaign has created indelible moments on the walls of my mind that will forever intrigue me. I came into 21st century Guyanese politics as a child of the Walter Rodney movement. The dreams, promises, hopes and longings were plentiful as I watched Rodney deliver his message as a fresh-
man at UG in the Large Lecture Theatre in 1974. Rodney promised a dreamer like me what I thought Cheddi Jagan could have delivered. Walter died in 1980 when I was still young, but the dreams lived on. I nourished those dreams on the 2015 campaign trail The Rodney magic is gone. The 2015 magic turned into a nightmare. I am now in my sixties with grey hair and my optimistic mind has shrunk enormously. Will I campaign for the third force? I might; I might still look for traces of yesterday’s dreams.
Frederick Kissoon (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
Fight to keep Guyana safe from its past continues
T
he Government early last week is sued a statement just after an online news outlet published a story headlined: “PPP ‘likely’ to win next elections but tighter anti-corruption efforts needed – US expert”. The Government accused the said outlet of ‘cherry picking’ words and phrases from the long report by the ‘expert’ which had been published in April this year. Government
has also said that the PPP’s resort to quoting from this report “illustrates that the PPP is attempting to distract (the public’s attention) from their beleaguered presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, and their recent disastrous manifesto launch. It is very important for you, the public, to know that this ‘expert’ has repeatedly published his own opinions labeled as research, and he unashamedly refers to past
articles that he wrote as reference. His attempt to attain some semblance of autonomy came with an admission that the PPP regime has left a legacy of corruption, victimization, nepotism and a narco economy. The Government’s statement agreed: “This is the PPP’s real and true image, and that is in their DNA. The PPP is not to be trusted, it is not reformed, and it is the same old cabal with the same
kleptocratic agenda. No highpriced Washington lobbying firm with a bucket of whitewash could mask that from the Guyanese people”. This Government is interested in the real development of every part of this country. We are in a nationwide development overdrive. The PPP on the other hand, cannot wriggle out from under the weight of its international reputation for being obscenely and grotesquely cor-
rupt. REVAMPING OLD MONEY-DRAINING PROJECTS The aforementioned report pre-supposes that with the PPP in government in 2020, certain major projects would resurface, awarded to Chinese companies and funded by oil revenues. These include the abandoned US$800Million Amaila Falls hydroelectric plant; re-opening of sugar estates that the PPP itself had closed before 2015; re-construction of the disastrous Skeldon sugar factory; and construction of electricity transmission infrastructure. The greatest fear we walk around with is that a PPP Government will AGAIN dispossess Guyanese loggers in Region 10 and in the hinterland, and owners of barges and tugs that haul stones from the quarries. These hard-working folks in Kwakwani and Rockstone, e.g. faced unfair competition from BaiShanLin (BSL) and other concerns because they (companies) had so much money they were able to shove the Guyanese out of business. They could do nothing except stand aside and watch as BSL just snatched their right to earn a living from the products of their own soil. CONFIRMATION The report conceded this: “Under the APNU-AFC government of David Granger (2015-2019), the nation is making meaningful, if slow, progress in combating corruption and reforming its institutions”. So, the PPP cannot do much else except try to whitewash its disastrous mismanagement of the Guyana economy for 23 years. The evidence is there, and the Minister of Citizenship, former Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix, said that there is no doubt that the following crimes skyrocketed to an alltime high under the PPP:· Rampant contraband smuggling across borders · Narco trafficking and gun-running · Gun-involved crimes at an all-time high incl. armed robberies · Drug-fuelled death squads who roamed the streets · Over 400 unsolved murders in the early 2000’s ·High rate of human traf-
ficking · Bribery · Inter-personal violence · Piracy · Rapes The police force was starved of resources and requisite training, and their weapons, equipment and facilities were not upgraded in decades. As a result, they were outmanned and outgunned by the criminals they were supposed to protect the citizens from. Morale was low and they had enough reasons to fear for their own lives. That was the Guyanese reality pre-2015. Since then, the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) was established to tackle drug trafficking and the police keep increasing the numbers and frequency of narcotics seizures, with over 800kg of cocaine, 65,000kg of cannabis, 1,900kg of heroin seized in 2017 and 2018. Out of 503 cases taken to trial, 227 resulted in convictions, and they are working on increasing these numbers. Intelligence gathering has received a boost from the Safe City camera system along with ramped up police training. Also, this Government has been relentless in our drive to keep Guyana compliant with the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF and CFATF) that were set up to stem worldwide Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). Meanwhile, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has forecast staggeringly high growth for Guyana over the next 12 months. In a recent Economic Overview of the Caribbean, ECLAC said that Guyana’s growth rate in 2019 is likely to be 4.5 percent, but in 2020 (hold on to your hats), it will be 85.5 percent. This same prediction was made earlier this year by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ECLAC also said that the Guyana Government will receive approximately 14.5 percent of all oil revenue in 2020. The fight continues on all fronts to keep Guyana safe from the PPP!! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Kaieteur News
My column
Oil expectations are high, but there is a ‘but’ For the past few weeks I have been hearing about first oil before Christmas. Perhaps oil is being pumped as I write this column and the announcement would be made sooner rather than later. I did mention that Guyana is extremely lucky to be the most talked-about oil-producing country at this time. For decades there was the search. Except for a small find by Hunt Oil in the Takutu region, there was nothing. Wells were drilled almost all over the country but they proved to be dry, until the find offshore. Of course, there was the view that if there was oil all around Guyana, it was highly unlikely that Guyana would not have oil. A decision to drill one well before another made Guyana an oil-producing country. Otherwise, it might have been decades, or never would Guyana have been considered an oil producing nation. The country did not have the money for the exploration, nor did it have the money for the drilling. The big oil companies came and put their money into things. Suddenly there were demands, because people saw the oil as Guyana’s wealth ExxonMobil, the largest of the operations offshore put in its money and is hell bent on recovering that money in the shortest possible time. It is here that some Guyanese have problems. In its quest to recover its money in a hurry,
perhaps before the bottom falls out of oil, the oil company is taking out seventyfive per cent from every barrel it pumps. That Guyana is getting two per cent royalty is due to the belief that initially, its leaders concluded that there was no oil. The decision to ask for a one per cent royalty was merely a token. The country was prepared to accept any money it could get from the exploration which was expected to come up empty. That is all history. The result is that Guyana must now play catchup with all that is needed for a country developing an oil industry. It needs to have auditors for the accounts that would be submitted. But more, the country needs to ensure that all the provisions to earn its fair share are in place. It has never been easy to fashion laws in the country. Fashioning oil laws is a whole new ball game. Things like ring fencing were never heard about, with the result that there are no provisions in the initial agreement signed with the oil companies. Of course, Guyana would be shafted in the early years because it can do nothing about the present agreement in place until it comes up for renewal. In the not too distant past, I heard people say that unless Guyana can get its fair share, then a decision should be taken to have the oil re-
main where it is. That would have been foolhardy, because it would have been unlikely that any new investor would have come. It is not by accident that not much is being said in the face of the criticisms of the oil contract. The politicians know what happened and they know the consequences of any untoward move to halt oil production. One newspaper has made it a duty to provide all the information it could on the current oil contract. There was much talk about local content, until realization hit that Guyanese were in no position to take advantage of the opportunities. That is where the Trinidadians came in with their knowledge and seem to hold pride of place in the arrangements with the oil companies.We weren’t trained as oil engineers, so there is the race to produce people who could actually hold a place in the industry. We have some people working on the offshore facilities, but as President David Granger noted, oil does not provide employment for many people.From calculations, once the books are correct, Guyana would get 12.5 per cent of the proceeds from oil that comes up—two per cent royalty and a share of the twenty-five per cent in profit share. There is going to be money to be had, but in some quarters what would be had
is small compared to what should be had. Some believe that Guyanese should be living like the citizens of Kuwait and some believe that we should be like the people of Saudi Arabia. Reality is a far cry from that. That might happen years down the road, but not in the foreseeable future. An examination of some of the African countries that found oil but remained poor, would reveal that their leaders were corrupt to the bone. They took money that could have gone to national development and salted it away. In yesterday’s issue of the Kaieteur News there was the story of Angola. I looked at the money that went to the former President’s daughter and son, and saw money that could have done so much for that country. Some of the African leaders took as much as US$500 million and placed it in their private accounts. They bought mansions in other countries. They splurged for their self-gratification while their people starved. As fate would have it, for now Guyana does not have leaders of such corruptibility. And in any case, there are mechanisms in place for the
country to recover that money. Our leaders are compelled to explain their wealth. Last week, in Trinidad, a family was called on to explain its wealth. The outcome of that would be interesting. I can see millions of dollars going back to the state. For Guyana’s part, revenue from the oil business is already trickling down, although not to the extent that people expect. But again, these are early times. Guyana is moving to sell its share of the oil. It had no prior experience in selling oil, but it is learning. Tomorrow, bidders are coming in for a face-to-face bidding exercise. That is a start. Come next year, the oil contract comes up for renewal. It would be interesting to see what Guyana seeks. The bottom line is that Exxon and the other oil companies will have to recover their money. There is going to be a limit to how much Guyana will be able to get from its oil, at least for the first twenty years. I would have disappeared from the earth by the time Guyana gets money from oil. But then again, oil is under threat in the face of global warming. Guyana’s find may
Adam Harris have come a little too late. I am sorry it did not come twenty years earlier. But then again, we might have had super-rich politicians, and we would have remained little better than we are today. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
Guyana’s Green Economy By HE David Granger Guyana is the largest state in the Caribbean Community. Its forests cover more than 85 per cent of its land mass. It is a ‘net carbon sink,’ that is, its forests sequester more carbon that the country’s human activity g e n e r a t e s . G u y a n a ’s economy, despite this, is a heavily dependent on agriculture and on the extractive sectors – bauxite, gold, diamond, timber. The high dependence on agriculture and exhaustible natural resources places Guyana’s natural assets at risk of erosion. Guyana therefore needs a sustainable model of resource exploitation and extraction in order to check the depletion of its natural assets so that these assets will also be available to future generations. A ‘green’ economy is necessary to ensure the sustainable
management of its natural resources and assets. A ‘green’ economy is also needed to wean this country off of its addiction to fossil fuels. The importation of these fuels exacts a heavy burden on the economy. Guyana, in 2012, expended the equivalent of 24% of its Gross Domestic Product on petroleum-based products. GREEN STRATEGY Guyana’s Green Development Strategy will be developed as a template for the ‘greening” of Guyana. Guyana will have ‘green’ economy. We will transition our economy rapidly towards renewable, clean and cheaper sources of energy. We will craft a comprehensive Coastal Zone Management Plan to protect human habitation, our coastal economic sectors and coastal ecosystems. We will create ‘green’
enterprises and jobs and we will inculcate ‘green’ education in our schools. Guyana’s ‘green’ development strategy will rest on four pillars: · Energy: Guyana will rapidly accelerate the transition towards renewable sources of energy as part of its ‘green’ development thrust. Guyana will invest in solar, wind, hydro and biomass sources of energy over the next five years. Guyana has: - the potential for generating hydro-electricity with more than one hundred sites which are suitable for the development of hydro-electric power stations; - the potential for the development of wind energy from wind farms along the 425 km long coastline. - the potential for Solar energy since irradiation levels are high, making it ideal
for the establishment of industrial scale solar farms; - The potential for producing energy from bagasse and other sources of biomass with potential for energy generation. · Environmental security: More than 80 per cent of Guyana’s population resides on the coastland and most of its agriculture, including all of its sugar production and almost all of its rice production, are grown on the coastland. Guyana’s fishing catch is, mainly, sold, processed, consumed or exported from the coastal belt. Guyana’s coastal plain is flat and below sea level making it prone to sea defence breaches, flooding and intrusion of salt water into residential and agricultural communities. The sea defence protecting the coastline is fragile. It requires repair in many areas. Drainage and irrigation systems in many areas are in need of repair. Coastal zone management, therefore, is essential to our economic survival. We will, as part of the Green Development Strategy, develop a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of our coastal sea defence, drainage and irrigation systems. A ‘green’ economy must be a clean economy. Our communities must evince cleanliness and healthiness and free of litter. Our waterways must be protected from pollution. Municipal and neighbourhood councils must have solid waste disposal plans. Citizens must enjoy the good life in a safe and clean environment. We will, therefore, rigidly enforce laws against littering. We will promote the use of bio-degradable packaging materials. The Regional, Municipal and Neighbourhood Councils must ensure that there are adequate, properly managed
and safe solid-waste dumpsites and sewage processing facilities in every region. · Ecological services: Guyana’s forests provide ecological and environmental services to humanity. Guyana, in recognition of its responsibility to contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change, signed the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016 at the United Nations in New York. Guyana committed then to improve its timber management, to maintain a high level of timber legality and to increase value-added production in the timber sector as a means of ensuring that our forests make an effective response to climate change while yielding sustainable economic benefits for our country. Guyana’s Protected Areas will also make its contribution to environmental conservation. Protected Areas will be established in every Region of our country. We will place an additional two million hectares of land and waterways under conservation. Ecological parks and natural reserves will also be established to protect and preserve our natural habitats, our flora and our fauna. · Enterprise and employment: Green development is good for business. Guyana’s green revolution will spawn a wide range of business and employment opportunities. Electric cars, hybrid vehicles, energy-saving devices, solar home systems, organic health foods, recycling plants, environmentally-friendly buildings, ‘green’ construction materials, bio-degradable packaging materials, sustainable agriculture and ‘green’ financing options are just some of the areas around which new enterprises and jobs will be created. GREENWAVE Guyana must move onto
the crest of a green wave. Green jobs are the next wave of job-creation. A ‘green’ economy will, of necessity demand a higher level of skilled personnel. The education system, therefore, must be in a position to supply the trained personnel needed by a ‘green’ economy. The business community, financial sector, entrepreneurs and young people are pivotal to the success of our strategy to create a green economy. A green economy: - represents an investment opportunity for our business community; - represents an emerging target market for our financial sector that will spur entrepreneurial activity; and - creates knowledgebased jobs for the graduates of our schools and universities; - will ensure a clean and healthy environment for households and families; - will reduce our fuel import bill allow the economy to harness its underutilized resources – sun, water, wind and biomass. The good life is about promoting sustained economic growth. The good life is for this generation and for future generations. The good life, therefore, requires a commitment to sustainable development, something that is mandated by our Constitution which states: In the interests of the present and future generations, the State will protect and make rational use of its lands, mineral and water resources, as well as its fauna and flora, and will take all appropriate measures to ensure and improve the environment. The good life is therefore compatible with concern for sustainable development and consideration for the environment ‘Green’ solutions are needed to address the challenges and threats facing the country, particularly those caused by climate change such as improved coastal zone management, flooding, drought, environmental degradation, deforestation, conservation of protected areas and waterways and the provision of environmental A ‘green’ economy is good for Guyana. It will lead us to the good life. There is no better vision of the next 50 years of Guyana’s growth than to usher in a green economy. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Necrotizing fasciitis: The deadly “flesh eating” disease By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
N
ecrotizing fasciitis is a rare but seri ous bacterial infection that affects the fascia; which is tissue beneath the skin and surrounding muscles and organs. It’s sometimes called the “flesh-eating disease”, although the bacteria that causes it do not “eat” flesh, but release toxins that damage nearby tissue. It can start from a relatively minor injury, such as a small cut, but gets worse very quickly and can be life-threatening if it’s not recognized and treated early on. I have seen lives lost because of this disease, as patients didnt recognize it and present early for care. Today I will discuss this deadly condition so that we can understand the importance of early detection and treatment. WHATARE SYMPTOMS OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS?
The symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis develop quickly over hours or days. They may not be obvious at first, and can be similar to less serious conditions, such as flu, gastroenteritis or cellulitis. Early symptoms can include: · a small but painful cut or scratch on the skin · intense pain that’s out of proportion to any damage to the skin · high grade fever and other flu-like symptoms After a few hours to days, you may develop: · swelling and redness in the painful area the swelling will usually feel firm to the touch · diarrhea and vomiting · dark spots on the skin that turn into fluid-filled blisters · If left untreated, the infection can spread quickly through the body and cause symptoms such as dizziness, weakness and confusion. WHAT CAUSES NECROTIZING FASCIITIS? Necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by several differ-
ent types of bacteria. The bacteria live in the gut, throat and, in some people, on the skin, where they do not usually cause any serious problems. I n rare cases, the bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis if they get into deep tissue, either through the bloodstream or an injury or wound, such as: · cuts and scratches · insect bites · puncture wounds caused by injecting drugs · surgical wounds. The infection can also be spread from person to person, but this is very rare. Anyone can get necrotizing fasciitis, including young and otherwise healthy people, but it tends to affect older people, and those in poor general health. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT NECROTIZING FASCIITIS? Necrotizing fasciitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. You should go to your nearest emergency department as soon as possible if you think
you have it. Doctors may do blood tests and scans to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Often, a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis can usually only be confirmed by having an operation to examine the affected tissue.\ HOW IS NECROTIZING FASCIITIS TREATED? Necrotizing fasciitis needs to be treated in hospital. The following are the main components of treating this deadly disease: · surgery to remove infected tissue this may be repeated several times to ensure all the infected tissue is removed. Amputation of affected limbs may be necessary sometimes. · antibiotics usually several different types are given directly into a vein · supportive treatment including treatment to control your blood pressure, fluid levels and organ functions · patients with necrotizing fasciitis often need to be looked after in an intensive care unit and may need to stay in hospital for several weeks. · while in hospital, they
may be isolated from other patients to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. CAN NECROTIZING FASCIITI BE PREVENTED? There’s no vaccine for necrotizing fasciitis, and it’s not always possible to prevent it. The following measures may help to reduce your risk: · treat wounds quickly after stopping any bleeding, clean wounds with running water and pat them dry with a clean towel · keep wounds clean and dry after a wound has been cleaned, cover it with a sterile dressing, such as a plaster, and change the dressing if it gets wet or dirty · wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water alcohol-based hand gels can also help, but washing with soap and water is generally best · If you’re in close contact with someone who has necrotizing fasciitis, ask your doctor if you will need a course of antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK
Dr Zulfikar Bux LIKE WITH NECROTIZING FASCIITIS? Necrotizing fasciitis can progress very quickly and lead to serious problems, such as blood poisoning and organ failure. Even with treatment, it’s estimated that 1 or 2 in every 5 cases are fatal. People who survive the infection are sometimes left with long-term disability as a result of amputation or the removal of a lot of infected tissue. Do take steps to decrease your risk of getting this deadly disease, and advise others, so that we may avoid loss of lives from it.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
Potential Health Benefits of Dandelion Dandelion are a family of flowering plants that grow in many parts of the world. Theyre also known as Taraxacum spp., t h o u g h Ta r a x a c u m officinale is the most common species. You may be most familiar with dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to leave your lawn or garden. However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelion are revered for their wide array of medicinal properties. For centuries, they ve been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders. Here are 10 potential health benefits of dandelion, and what science has to say about them. 1. Highly Nutritious tIn terms of nutritional content, the dandelion patch in your backyard can join the rankings with the rest of your vegetable garden. From root to flower, dandelion are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. Whats more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. Dandelion root is often dried and consumed as a tea but can also be eaten in its whole form. 2. Contain Potent Antioxidants Dandelion are full of potent antioxidants, which may explain why this plant has
such broad applications for health. Antioxidants are molecules that help neutralize or prevent the negative effects of free radicals in your body. Free radicals are a product of normal metabolism but can be very destructive. The presence of too many free radicals contributes to disease development and accelerated aging. Therefore, antioxidants are essential for keeping your body healthy. Dandelion contain high levels of the antioxidant betacarotene, which is known to
presence of various bioactive compounds like polyphenols within the plant. Inflammation is one of your body s natural responses to injury or illness. Over time, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to your bodys tissues and DNA. Some test-tube studies have revealed significantly reduced inflammation markers in cells treated with dandelion compounds. A study in mice with artificially induced inflammatory lung disease showed a signifi-
SUMMARYThe dandelion plant contains bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce blood sugar in animal and test-tube studies. More research is needed to determine if the same effect would be seen in humans. 5. May Reduce Cholesterol Some of the bioactive compounds in dandelion may lower cholesterol, which may decrease heart disease risk. One animal study resulted in dramatically reduced chol e s t e r o l and triglyceride levels in mice
provide strong protection against cellular damage and oxidative stress (3Trusted Source). Theyre also rich in another category of antioxidants called polyphenols, which are found in the highest concentration in the flower but are present in the roots, leaves and stems as well (4Trusted Source). SUMMARYDandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases. 3. May Help Fight Inflammation Dandelion may be effective in reducing inflammation caused by disease due to the
cant reduction of lung inflammation in those animals that received dandelion. Ultimately, more research is needed to clearly define dandelions role in reducing inflammation in humans. SUMMARYSmall animal and test-tube studies suggest that dandelion have a significant anti-inflammatory capacity, though more research is needed to better understand how dandelion affect inflammation in humans. 4. May Aid Blood Sugar Control Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are two bioactive compounds in dandelion. Theyre found in all parts of the plant and may help reduce blood sugar. Test-tube and animal studies show that these compounds can improve insulin secretion from the pancreas while simultaneously improving the absorption of glucose (sugar) in muscle tissue. This process leads insulin to improved sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels. In some animal studies, chicoric and chlorogenic acid limited the digestion of starchy carbohydrate foods, which may also contribute to dandelions potential ability to reduce blood sugar. While these early study results are encouraging, more research is needed to determine if dandelion work the same way in humans.
that were treated with dandelion extract. A rabbit study evaluated the impact of adding dandelion roots and leaves to a highcholesterol diet. Rabbits that received dandelion had noticeably reduced cholesterol levels. Though these outcomes are intriguing, more research is needed to determine dandelions potential effects on cholesterol in humans. SUMMARYSome animal studies have shown reduced cholesterol levels after consuming dandelion. More research is needed to understand how this plant affects levels in humans. 6. May Lower Blood Pressure Some people claim that dandelion may reduce blood pressure, but supporting evidence is limited. Traditional herbal medicine practices use dandelion for their diuretic effect based on the belief that this can detoxify certain organs. In Western medicine, diuretic medications are used to rid the body of excess fluid, which can lead to lowered blood pressure. One human study found dandelion to be an effective diuretic. However, this study was done over a short period and involved only 17 people. Dandelion contain potassium, a mineral associated with lowered blood pressure in those with previously el-
evated levels. Thus, dandelion may have an indirect effect on blood pressure due to their potassium content. Its important to keep in mind that this effect is not unique to dandelion but applies to any potassium-rich food consumed as part of a healthy diet. SUMMARYDandelion may lower blood pressure due to their diuretic effect and potassium content. However, very little formal research has been conducted to support this claim. 7. May Promote a Healthy Liver Animal studies have found that dandelion have a protective effect on liver tissue in the presence of toxic substances and stress. One study revealed significant protection of liver tissue in mice exposed to toxic levels of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Researchers attributed this finding to dandelions antioxidant content. Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce levels of excess fat stored in the liver and protect against oxidative stress in liver tissue. However, the same results should not be expected in humans due to differences in human and animal metabolism. Further research is needed to determine how dandelion impact liver health in humans. SUMMARYAnimal studies have shown that dandelion protect liver tissue from toxic substances and oxidative stress, but more research is needed to determine their effect on liver health in humans. 8. May Aid Weight Loss Some research indicates that dandelion and their bioactive components may support weight loss and maintenance, though the data is not entirely conclusive. Some researchers theorize that dandelions ability to improve carbo h y d r a t e m e tabolism and reduce fat absorption may lead to weight loss. However, this notion has yet to be scientifically proven. One study in mice showed weight loss associated with dandelion supplementation, though it should be noted that this was an accidental finding and not the main focus of the study. Another study in obese mice revealed that chlorogenic acid, a compound found in dandelion, was able to reduce body weight and levels of some fat-storage hormones. Yet again, this research did not specifically evaluate
dandelions role in weight loss and obesity prevention. More focused, humanbased research is needed to determine a clear cause-andeffect relationship between dandelion and weight management. SUMMARYSome animal studies have shown that bioactive components in dandelion may support weight loss, but no human studies have evaluated this effect. 9. May Fight Cancer Perhaps one of the most intriguing health claims of dandelion is their potential to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in many different organ systems. One test-tube study revealed significantly reduced growth of cancerous cells that were treated with dandelion leaf extract. However, extracts from dandelion flower or root did not lead to the same result. Other test-tube studies have shown that dandelion root extract has the capacity to dramatically slow the growth of cancer cells in liver, colon and pancreatic tissue. These findings are encouraging, but more research is fundamental to fully understand how dandelion may be useful in treating or preventing cancer in humans. SUMMARYSeveral testtube studies have found that dandelion is effective in reducing the growth of cancer cells in various organ tissues. More research is needed to draw conclusions about its efficacy for preventing or treating cancer in humans. 10. May Support Healthy Digestion and Treat Constipation Traditional herbal medicine utilizes dandelion to treat constipation and other symptoms of impaired digestion. Some early research seems to support these claims. One animal study revealed a significant increase in the rates of stomach contractions and emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine in rats who were treated with dandelion extract. Additionally, dandelion root is a rich source of the prebiotic fiber inulin. Research indicates that inulin has a strong capacity to reduce constipation and increase intestinal movement. SUMMARYResearch indicates that dandelion may increase contractions and movement of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, acting as a treatment for constipation and indigestion. This effect is likely due to the prebiotic fiber inulin.
Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens Master Peter, and the two ubiquitous young Cratchits went to fetch the goose, with which they soon returned in high procession. Such a bustle ensued that you might have thought a goose the rarest of all birds; a feathered phenomenon, to which a black swan was a matter of course, and in truth it was something very like it in that house. Mrs. Cratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing hot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce; Martha dusted the hot plates; Bob took Tiny Tim beside him in a tiny corner at the table; the two young Cratchits set chairs for everybody, not forgetting themselves, and mounting guard upon their posts, crammed spoons into their mouths, lest they should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped. At last the dishes were set on, and grace was said. It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, looking slowly all along the carving-knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast; but when she did, and when the long expected gush of stuffing issued forth, one murmur of delight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by the two young Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife, and feebly cried Hurrah!
There never was such a goose. Bob said he didn’t believe there ever was such a goose cooked. Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness, were the themes of universal admiration. Eked out by the apple-sauce and mashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family;
indeed, as Mrs. Cratchit said with great delight (surveying one small atom of a bone upon the dish), they hadn’t ate it all at last! Yet every one had had enough, and the youngest Cratchits in particular, were steeped in sage and onion to
the eyebrows! But now, the plates being changed by Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the room alone, too nervous to bear witnesses, to take the pudding up and bring it in. Suppose it should not be done enough! Suppose it should break in turning out. Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard and stolen it, while they were merry with the goose, a supposition at which the two young Cratchits became livid! All sorts of horrors were supposed.Hallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eatinghouse and a pastrycook’s next door to each other, with a laundress’s next door to that! That was the pudding! In half a minute Mrs. Cratchit entered, -flushed, but smiling proudly, with the pudding, like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top. Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said, and calmly too, that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved by
Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage. Mrs. Cratchit said that now the weight was off her mind, she would confess she had had her doubts about t h e q u a n t i t y o f f l o u r. Everybody had something to say about it, but nobody said
or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family. It would have been, flat heresy to do so. Any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a thing. At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth swept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted, and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a shovel-full of chestnuts on the fire. Then all the Cratchit family drew round the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half a one; and at Bob Cratchit’s elbow stood the family display of glasses. Two tumblers, and a custardcup without a handle.
Wake up early and be happy At other times when I get up early, The sun is now peeping out, I find the air so nice and cool, It feels so good to move about. That is why I now try every night, To sleep so as to rise early; Then I can greet the sun coming up, Which makes my whole day so happy.
Junior page STRING OF LIGHTS FINGERPRINT FRAME
Disassembled the frame. Wherever you want to make the prints, do using the ink pads or paint. Press the finger into the pad/paint and then transfer onto the frame’s mat. Ensure you do 1 inch into the border and no more, unless the photo is small. Now draw on bulb stems and string them together with the sharpie! Allow the ink to dry then attach the photo you wish to use or frame.
SUPPLIES NEEDED: · Frame with white mat border ·colored ink pads/ paint (pour into flat container) · fine tip sharpie ·little thumbs to help :)
These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob propose”A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all the family reechoed.”God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
FUN WITH POETRY
by Uncle Roy Sometimes I feel like sleeping late, And get up after everyone, But when I do rise and come outside, My eyes burn from the bright sun.
Sunday December 15, 2019
INKY Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru . The heavy lines surround areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in the clue, either using addition (+) or subtraction (-) as shown in the clue. For example, 12+ means you can add the values together to produce 12. Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Use part of the time in the coming weeks to prepare for the New Year Never Give Up! It is well known that preparations for the Christmas holidays will take up much of our time and energy in the weeks before these holidays that are celebrated above all by most people. But we will be doing ourselves a favour if we use some of the time in this month to help us decide on our agenda for the coming year. Having set your long-term goals, e.g. acquiring an education which would be best suited to your own desires in life, getting a job that would make the most use of your special talents, and then living a life that would be most useful to yourself and those close to you, you should try to make decisions on the short-term activities
necessary during the next 12 months that would make the biggest contribution towards these. Another important part of your life is the personal relationships that you share with those closest to you, i.e. your family, your friends, and the people in any organisation in which you participate. Try to think of the ways by which you can improve these relationships, paying special attention to your own shortcomings that may have disturbed these. It may be necessary in some cases to approach any individuals with whom you have experienced some problems, and do your part to return to a cordial association with them.
Apart from this, you should see the need to look at yourself in a practical manner, search for the ways in which you can do with some improvement, and decide on the ways you should be performing better. This will call for a humble and sincere approach to your own personal qualities, and strive to find ways to improve. These suggestions must be part of your New Year resolutions, but should be dealt with in a much more serious manner than is normally done with these. We hope you take the above in this way, and can guarantee that this will make your New Year a fruitful and happy one.
CROSS FIGURES Here are Cross-figure (a.k.a. crossnumber or figure logic) puzzles by Yochanan Dvir.
They say never give up, never give in, Keep fighting that fight, so the devil doesnt win; Through the hurt and the pain, the sorrow and the shame, Always remember that tomorrow is never the same. Hold on bravely to your hopes and dreams, For your fears are always less than they seem, So to all of those who feel like they are losing the fight, And to those who feel like there is no hope in sight, Remember to take a moment to look at the sky, For theres something up there bigger than you and I. Despite the bleak clouds and the pouring rain, You and I know that the sun still remains; It will shine again just like it does every day, And all the dreary darkness will fade away; So hold your head high and feel the warmth, It will remind you of what you are truly worth.
The time spent in preparing yourself for a better year ahead will be well rewarded. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Goodluck!
BRIDGES
Masyu
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How to Tame Frizzy Hair FRIZZY HAIR DOS: • When you come out of the shower, towel dry your hair very gently and start brushing slowly from the bottom of your hair moving upwards. Then, blow dry your hair with a round brush. The round brush technique really helps to smooth the cuticles and take out the frizz. • Use a soft cotton t-shirt instead of a harsh towel when drying your hair. A towel with a rougher texture will ruffle the hair cuticle and result in frizz. A soft, more malleable fabric like cotton reduces the risk of damage whilst preventing frizz. • Use a little bit of argan oil after blow drying and spread it evenly throughout the hair to flatten frizz. If there are still some frizzy hairs left at the top, use a tiny bit of hair wax and smooth them down. Be sure to keep this in your purse so it’s handy when you are out. • Get a haircut or trim every 6-8 weeks. Split ends and breakage can be a major cause of unwanted frizz. A trim will eliminate the frizzy-look of breakage and revitalize a healthy, shiny mane. • Sleep on a silk pillowcase. A standard cotton pillowcase can pull at the hair fibers and create friction while you’re sleeping, which can result in frizz and tangles in the morning. Silk, on the other hand, is a smoother, more gentle texture that keeps the hair’s moisture intact and won’t create unnecessary frizz. • If you’re having a hair emergency when you’re out, you can just take some water and pat the hair down. It’s a temporary solution, but hey, whatever works! FRIZZY HAIR DON’TS: • Don’t ever brush your hair when it’s dry. It’s just going to create a frizzy mess, especially if you have naturally or wavy hair. Instead, brush the hair thoroughly with a widetooth comb when the hair is damp to smooth out tangles. Brush from your ends up towards the roots to reduce the risk of damage. • Stop feeding your hair alcohol. If you look at the ingredients of most of your products you’ll notice that most drugstore products contain alcohol, because it’s really cheap and effective for them to use. Learn more about using natural products vs. drugstore products here. • Don’t overprocess your hair. Heat tools, harmful bleaches, and dyes create breakage, which opens the hair cuticle and leaves room for excess moisture to enter, leading to frizz. Try to change your hair routine to use less heat, such as achieving heatless curls and avoid bleaching your hair as much as possible. We hope these tips will help you achieve the frizz-free hair of your dreams. If you give these tips a try, be sure to let us know which worked by DM-ing us on Instagram or hashtagging #myluxyhair. You can also reach out to us over email with any questions at info@luxyhair.com. https://www.luxyhair.com/blogs/hair-blog/how-totame-frizzy-hair
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
Concerns expressed a decade ago still ... From page 35 allow anyone, including BCGI and the politicians, to trample on their rights without resisting, it will only be a matter of time when they will want to dictate their life and that of their families. Bauxite workers have a right to a union of their choice and to demand that this be respected just as they have a right to a just pay and better working conditions. The employer has the responsibility to respect the union of their choice, pay a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work and ensure their working environment is free of occupational health and safety hazards. Our forefathers and
mothers struggled for this and they must not fail to do the same. BCGI, which is owned by RUSAL and the GoG, has a responsibility as the employer of bauxite workers to operate/manage within the confines of the laws. The GoG under President Jagdeo cannot hide behind RUSAL by not taking responsibility when it retains part ownership of the bauxite company and is guardian of the Laws of Guyana. Workers’ rights are enshrined under Article 87 of the ILO Convention which speaks about freedom of association at the workplace. This Convention was em-
braced by the Guyana Government in 1966 and BCGI must respect it or face the brunt of Guyana’s laws. The Guyana Constitution respects the right of workers to join a trade union of his/ her choice. Therefore, the arrogance of BCGI in wanting to derecognise the union must be seen as an affront to the workers’ constitutional rights and all citizens of Guyana must collectively and continuously hold them to the law which is supreme. T h e p a s s ion demonstrated by the bauxite workers is exemplary and worthy of emulation and support by
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Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
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More public servants benefit from Spanish course A number of public servants recently benefitted from the Sixth Edition of the Spanish course, “Dissemination of the Colombian culture through the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language”. Offered by the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Colombia, the course provided students with personalized lessons and an in-depth look into the Spanish language and culture. The course was taught by Professor Félix A. González Montejo, of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.
WTO helping Guyana build capacity to handle goods dumping The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), recently facilitated a national capacity building workshop on trade remedies. The forum is to provide public and private sector representatives with an introduction to trade remedies as well as an overview of safeguard measures, antidumping measures, subsidies and countervailing measures, and special economic zones and the subsidies and c o u n t e r v ailing measures agreement. Trade remedies, explained the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, are measures used to counter instances of unfair trading practices such as dumping by exporting countries that can suffocate local industries producing similar products. “Guyana presently does not have domestic legislation or a regime to investigate and discipline such practices. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is also currently engaged in efforts to have legislation related to anti-dumping and countervailing measures enacted. “The workshop sought to build an understanding of the issues and to help the relevant agencies acquire the necessary skills to investigate instances of unfair trading practices.” In recent years, there has been increasing concerns about the quality of goods arriving in Guyana with indications that dumping of nearexpired and low quality ones were happening in Guyana.
Participants engaged in exercises to further their understanding of trade remedies and unfair trading practices.
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Kaieteur News
22 out of 42 accident victims struck down by police officers to receive justice Police ranks take an oath to uphold the law. But it appears as though some of them clearly have no respect for regulations governing the roadways. It was recently revealed that police ranks are the cause of 22 out of 42 road accident victims to be hospitalised at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Though the accidents were not fatal, victims are still lying in the Georgetown Public Hospital; some of them have been deprived of making an honest living as they can no longer work due to the nature of their injuries. They are calling for justice; for these “speeding” cops to be found and prosecuted. Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, has heard their cries. In fact, the Traffic Chief, himself, visited the hospital where he interacted with the victims. And, he has vowed that Justice will prevail. Speaking with several accident victims last Friday from their bedsides, the patients said that they were at wits to get their issues addressed. The victims complained that they believe that their matters will go cold as no one from the police force is checking up on them regularly. An accident victim, 32year-old Bonita Brown, of South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown recalled that on November 2, last, she was struck down by a speeding police officer while standing in the vicinity of Mandela Avenue waiting on transportation. The woman said that after the accident, police ranks visited her at the medical facility to check up on her recovery. However that was only done for a week. “When someone gets
Donna Clarke
involved in an accident it is not something easy to go through. I does get sleepless nights due to the amount of pain I am feeling. Before my accident, I used to work as a security guard, but now I can’t do that because my job required long standing up… “I cannot stand long on my feet anymore because my back would hurt,” she explained. Another accident victim, 52-year-old Anthony Matthews, stated that he also was struck down by a police rank while on his way to work on November 14, 2019. The man resides a Lot 44 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Relating the circumstances surrounding the accident to this publication, Matthews stated that on the said date around 06:15 hrs, he was standing on the Diamond Public road waiting on transportation to head to work when the
accident occurred. “I deh standing on the road stopping minibuses to see which one would take me to town, and then one of the minibus stop. After the bus stop I had to cross the road to get into the bus. But while crossing the road this police officer on a yellow motorbike came from behind this bus and ride straight into me.” Matthews continued that after the accident, he was admitted at the GPHC for five days before he was discharged. However after being discharged from the hospital, he still continues to feel intense pain in his lower abdomen and would usually visit the medical facility to receive treatment. According to Matthews, after the accident police ranks visited his home and assured him that he would receive justice. However, this has not been the case. According to him, it has been weeks since
he has received a visit from anyone in the police force. Due to the pain he is feeling, he was recently re-admitted to the hospital. Another typical case is that a 42-year-old Campbellville, Georgetown, resident Donna Clarke. The woman was alleged struck down by a police officer on May 15, 2019, in the vicinity of Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, around 19:30hrs. The woman, whose right leg was fractured in four places, said when the policeman struck her down, he skidded and ended up hitting three other persons. She claims the cop was speeding. Those persons were reportedly treated at the same hospital and sent away. The woman underwent three surgeries on her leg. She also had to undergo a corrective surgery on her upper right thigh due to the pain she was feeling in the area. Due to the impact the woman thigh was punctured and pus had started to form in the open area. Although the woman was discharged from the hospital, she was readmitted as she could not cope with the pain. The woman said that after the accident police ranks visited her at the city hospital and would at times take baskets of food stuff for her. “I did not ask them for foodstuff, I want justice and up to a day like today I did not receive that. And I believed that because it was one of they own ranks that struck me down. I will not get justice but what I know that with all bad things that happened there is a GOD and he is watching everyone.” The accident victims believe that their road to justice is a long one ahead.
Sunday December 15, 2019
Bandits return to crime scene with armed driver for bike Residents in D’Urban Street were yesterday treated to a scene straight from the movie screen after a brazen daylight robbery turned into an accident and an armed confrontation. According to information received, a 32-year-old woman driver was on Princes Street when two men on a red and black motorcycle pulled up alongside her. In a spilt second, the pillion rider reportedly snatched the two gold chains she was wearing and sped off in the direction of Camp Street. The victim drove in the direction of the robbers and caught up with them in George Street. It was reported that at the sight of the robbers, the woman panicked and crashed into a parked car. The robbers also attempted to avoid the collision but ended up crashing their bike into a passing minibus. Both men fell, got up and fled on foot. A burgundy car pulled up shortly after.
The driver and two men, suspected to be the bike robbers, exited. They attempted to remove the bike from the scene but a confrontation ensued with them and the bus driver, who insisted that they wait until police arrived. It was then that the driver of the second car drew a handgun, sending onlookers scattering. Meanwhile, his two accomplices rained blows on the bus driver who had a tight grip on the bike. The beaten driver eventually released the bike and the three men retrieved it and made good their escape. Assistant Commissioner Edgar Thomas disclosed that they are gathering CCTV footage from nearby cameras to ascertain the identities of the suspects. The bus driver was reportedly not seriously injured in the incident. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, treated for minor injuries and sent away.
Drivers’ exams system as robust as can be - Traffic Chief The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is evaluating its system for drivers’ exams. According to Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles, a team is reviewing the current system with the aim to make recommendations for further improvements. As of now, the system is as robust as can be. The official made the disclosures on Tuesday while a guest on ‘The Legal Mind’ on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99.5FM, hosted by Senior Journalist, Leonard Gildarie. Questioned about “anecdotes” of drivers’ licences for sale, the official explained that it is a tough system. Under arrangements, pastors and church leaders are invigilating the theoretical drivers’ exams and even marking them. It means that applicants have to attend classes and sit through the exams. Years ago, there were stories of citizens paying to have their names marked present for the exams. They never attended classes or wrote the exams. Afterwards, they would pay certifying officers of the police force to issue them with approvals. Those approvals are then taken to the Guyana RevenueAuthority (GRA), which is the agency that issues the licences. A number of persons invigilating the theoretical parts of the exams found themselves
before the courts several months ago after a number of breaches in the exams system were discovered. It was discovered that more persons wrote the exams that were present to do so. According to Isles, there have been cases of wrongdoings in the past which was investigated by the police’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Isles said that since taking over the Traffic Department, he has not encountered any major cases. According to the Traffic Chief, persons have to present their IDs when writing exams as part of the checks and balances. The exam papers are then sealed and sent to various commanders of the regions and then eventually to the invigilators for scoring. Isles admitted that the system will not be a 100 percent as there can be collusion. Citizens have claimed from time to time that while persons are passing their theoretical exams, they are failed at the practicals. They believe it is a systematic racket to get them to pay a raise. In recent times, the issue of the drivers’ licence system came to the fore amid a number of deadly accidents. There were questions whether the drivers were properly certified and calls for an investigation.
Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Tips for the installation and use of decorative lights this holiday season Whether it's for the decoration of your home at Christmas, a party or any special occasion, decorative lights can really add to the atmosphere. However, as with any electrical outfit, decorative lights also need to be properly installed to ensure they don't become a threat to your family or your home. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards, under it Products Compliance Programme, monitors Christmas Tree and Decorative Lighting outfits according to the requirements of the National Standard to ensure that this commodity complies with the relevant requirements and is safe for use. The following are some tips to consider when purchasing decorative lights: Look for the safety approval mark Decorative lights for sale must comply with relevant safety standards. It is illegal in many countries to offer decorative lights for sale without the necessary safety approval. Decorative lights must be tested for safety and approved for use by an independent testing and certification body. Indoor or outdoor use If you are going to use the decorative lighting outdoors make sure it is suitable for outdoor use. Never use indoor lighting outside because the insulation on the wires is not suitable for wet or windy weather and may result in fires, electric shocks and/or injuries to
people. Checking your lights before use If you are re-using lights from a previous occasion, when you first take them out of storage you need to ensure that they are free of defects such as damaged wires, burntout bulbs or loose connections. For new lights lay the lights along the floor and check that no bulbs are loose or missing. Plug in the light set temporarily to check if all the bulbs are working. You must unplug the light set from the power source before replacing the bulbs. Use new bulbs of the same type and wattage to avoid the lighting set overheating which could cause a fire. When preparing your lights: • never turn on the light set while it is in the box • always unplug the light set before replacing the bulbs • do not modify or cut a set of lights including the plug and fuse elements Regularly monitor your lighting for faulty and burntout bulbs and replace them immediately. Putting up your lights When mounting your lights… • Keep them away from paper, cardboard, curtains, material and other flammable material to minimise the risk of accidental fire especially if you want to leave your lights turned on overnight. • Do not place the lights near metal foils – eg foils from Christmas trees or other decorations
• Always use plastic clips or hooks to mount the lights – never use metal pins, nails or staples to mount your lights • Do not connect one set of lights to another unless it is designed for that purpose – connecting lighting sets can cause overloading of the circuit. When setting up outdoor decorative lights... • Only use lights intended to be used outdoors. • Weatherproof your extension leads with handy accessories that cover and protect plugs. • Use extra low voltage lights (12V or 24V), especially for on fences, roofs and downpipes. • Secure the lights firmly to ensure they aren't broken or damaged in wind or storms. • Turn off your decorative outdoor lights during storms and rain. General decorative lighting safety hints: • Always turn the lights off when you go to bed. • Do not attempt to alter or make modifications to the lights. • Fully unwind any extension cords to prevent overheating. • Test your safety switches regularly to ensure you're protected. The GNBS encourages users to enjoy their beautiful decorative lighting displays, safely. For further information on this subject, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit the Bureau’s website: www.gnbsgy.org
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SERVICES
FOR SALE
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
Fully equipped engineering, machine shop, maintenance, fabricating & repairs to Agricultural Marine & Mining components. Call Tel# 2271813
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar
Red CRV- 2007 model. Contact 666-7895
Need a land surveyor? We do surveys for: Boundaries, Leases, engineering, cadastral, topo etc. Call: 6622677 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.2M. Tel# 648-1635 Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109 Transported land for sale in Rose Hall Town.Call#6031441. Lot 1397 Section A, Block X Great Diamond Housing Scheme (110x62) Tel# 2316345, serious buyer Parfaite School Street $4.5M, Parfaite $1.5M, Schnoord 140x66 $6.3M, Schnoord 50x100 $4.5M, Providence $4.7M Call: 666-2366 480 acres of Transported Water Front Land, situated at Hogg Island. Contact # 6174004
FOR SALE/RENT
PROPERTY FOR SALE
American Pool Tables. Tel #651-9039/277-0578
Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 666-8052
TOURS Suriname- Old years firework celebration tour trip 12-292019 - 01-03-2020.Call/ Whatsapp #639-2663/6732348/665-5171
One Kitchen/Canteen at Land of Canaan #668-0306 $20,000 monthly, suitable for catering/ preparing guest meals
Kitchen Assistants, apply at Shanta’s Puri Shop, 225 Camp St. Tel#672-4170
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 bedroom semi furnished apt @ Laluni St, Queenstown Georgetown, Parking, Hot water shower, 1 bedroom a/c, US$1200. Tel#624-0118
Newly constructed 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, house overlooking the sea for sale, ECD#675-1510/613-7964
Drivers- with tractor, motor bus, minibus, must have all three licenses, preferably living around Georgetown. Tel# 641-5075/225-1429/6241147 (2) Two experience sales girl, Stall A Bourda market. Tel# 227-3407 Experienced Driver, Waiter, Cashier, Cleaners. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with hand written application, 5 Commerce St Industrial Electrician to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717 One (1) Welder, must know grill work. Call: 625-5763
1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Mason- Experienced in casting, block work and plastering. Available on call/ Tel# 619-3296/231-2060
WANTED
VEHICLE FOR SALE
07 BMW MSport Edition, less than 87,000km, drives great, 2.9M neg, for more information call: 648-6567/ Facebook.com/AriaImports
Installation, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 627-3206
FOR RENT
One apartment with two rooms for rent at Market Street, Mon Repos, EBD. Tel# 220-7330/614-0005
Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966
10 ft canter for hire. #626-1157/ 687-3538
Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
One experienced Bartender, One Security guard, Servers/ Waitstaff. Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose & Anira Sts #225-0808 Ext 100
CAR RENTAL DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 TO LET Rooms tolet, 1 bedroom- 3 bedroom, working people: $30,000,$32,000,$35,000, $55,000 monthly, 2 month security. Call: 623-0076 2 bedroom cottage @526 11th St Paradise ECD, working couple preferable. $50,000 #694-2398 Rooms in Albertown #2253234 Newly constructed 2 bedrooms apt in a safe and healthy environment. Call #698-6496/622-6512 WANTED Labourer to work on cash crop farm. Tel# 695-6139/638-7420/ 679-7552 Business location suitable for small restaurant. Call: 6103988
Wanted- Lorry Drivers to sell water #682-1048/233-5255, preferably on East Bank / West Coast Live in Female Shop attendant 18-25 yrs and waitress, salary $20,000 weekly # 610-3974 Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Providence, Uitvlugt, Herstelling, Diamond, Farm, Tuschen and other area. Call: 666-2326 VACANCY Truck & Hauler drivers, Excavator operators, Engineers, Labourers, Security & Procurement Officers Accounts & Marketing Clerk. Apply @ chungsvacancy@yahoo.com Cashier/Waitress, Assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street, next door to Survival Cashiers/Supermarket helpers, apply in person with written application @ Nirva Superstore, 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel# 227-5771 One (1) Clerk for TSI Eccles Industrial Site Office, English1 Mathematics -2, Quickbooks. Call: 615-9132 Evening Vacancies at DemBake: 1 Production Supervisor (P.M.), 2 Separation Clerks (P.M) and 1 Accounts Clerk. Email CV to: admin@demerarabakery.com or call 266-5848 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132 Room attendant, Door Staff, 25-50 yrs, 233 South Road, Lacytown. #225-0198
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
ALBOUYSTOWN IS NOW BEST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN CITY BY PAT DIAL This year marks the 120th anniversary of the ward of Albouystown's integration into the City of Georgetown. From the time of its integration into the City, it was always regarded as one of the most important wards and stood out after Kingston and Stabroek, The importance of Stabroek and Kingston revolved around the fact they were the centres of business and administration in the country and also because the upper classes lived in those areas. Albouystown's importance was of a different nature. Albouystown was one of the estates owned by Mr Albouys. It is interesting to know that Mr Albouys' will is still preserved in the Deeds Registry. The estate was managed by a Company and the names of the Directors are preserved in the street names. Some of the Directors owned land in other parts of what later came to be integrated in the City and their names were also preserved in the street names. This accounts for Campbell Avenue and Barr Street in Kitty, as well as being street names in Albouystown. Albouystown was the food basket of Georgetown. It, together with La Penitence, supplied the City with fresh milk, chicken, eggs, mutton, ground provisions and vegetables. It was also the home of many of the tradesmen who provided the City with its tailors, goldsmiths, guttersmiths, carpenters, vatmakers, joiners and son. It also provided the City
with entertainment facilities. Its Punt Trench was the venue for Sunday boat and punt picnics where there were always string bands in attendance and dancing. Since the City had no public swimming pools part of the Punt Trench known as "Deep Clay" for good swimmers and "Shallow Clay" for children and learners was used as the City's swimming pool. At Easter, other than at the Seawalls, thousands of kiteflyers would line the Punt Trench Dam for a day of picnicking and kite flying. Unlike today, kite flying was once the major Easter entertainment for Guyanese. It should not be forgotten that Albouystown was home to the largest Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and African settlements in the City and they participated in each other's cultural activities and festivities. There are Cumfa drummers still in Albouystown. There are other phases which the Ward experienced, but time and space preclude us from writing about these. In Albouystown until the 1960s, the owners lived on their property with probably one or two tenants and thus the yards, houses, streets and drains were well-kept. It was still a place that people from elsewhere would happily rent or buy property. Then in the 1960s the country was overtaken by racio-political violence and people from elsewhere came into the Ward. A good proportion of the inhabitants of the Ward felt it was unsafe to remain and left their houses, renting them at low rental.
Almost immediately Albouystown came to be known as a "slum area" and property prices rapidly fell. Now, after half a century, the reputation of the Ward has quickly changed. It has now become a place that a number of investors have quietly been buying up any property which goes on the market. Why has this been happening? With the new Oil wealth which would be pouring into Guyana within months, land prices in the capital City of Georgetown are beginning to skyrocket. In Albouystown, a property which not so long ago was sold for $10 millionin any case a give-away pricenow fetches $20million which is still cheap. The reason for the rising prices is that Albouystown is centrally located. It is quite close to the City centre which is the hub of business and administration of the country. Further, it is on the way to both international airports - Ogle and Cheddi Jagan- and is close to them. There are also plans to convert Independence Boulevard into a highway from Ogle to Saffon Street. The Ward is also quietly experiencing a renewal since the new owners are demolishing the old slummy structures and leaving the land without as yet building while prices rise or they may build modern buildings. Another plus Albouystown has is that its infrastructure compares very favourably with other Wards. Its streets are all asphalted and many residents own motor cars. The drainage has improved since the drainage
trench alongside the Ruimveldt Police Station has been dug and the Sussex Street and Princes Street canals have been opened again
to the river. Despite property prices are rising in Albouystown, there are still many bargains that are available and young people should
try to exploit these opportunities since both the Central Government and City Hall are committed to the renewal and modernization of the Ward.
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Sunday December 15, 2019
178 graduate during GITC’s 53rd graduation exercise
O
ne hundred and seventy-eight students graduated from the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) on Friday at the institution’s 53rd Graduation Ceremony and Prize Giving Exercise. The graduates completed programmes in Data Operations, Masonry, Metalwork Engineering, Plumbing, Motor vehicle repairs, furniture making, electrical installation and welding. Chairman of the GITC and Government Technical Institute (GTI) Board, Mr. Vincent Alexander, said that the graduates are now certified with both a National Vocational Qualification certificate and a Caribbean Vocational Qualification certificate. He asked the graduates to understand the standards they were exposed to and realise that they were not just for certification purposes but also for purposes of work. He also encouraged them to be tolerant of each other as individuals and communities. The graduates were urged by Mr. Alexander to keep studying and to stay abreast with developments in their particular field so that they can remain relevant. The administrator of the GITC, Mr. Dexter Cornette, said that the theme for the graduation, “embracing change, strengthening capacity”, teaches that it is essential to remain relevant to create impact.
The graduates at yesterday’ graduation
Professor Michael Scott
He said that this year, the centre graduated its largest batch in history. Also historical is the enrolment for the 2019-2020 year which totals 401. While highlighting the successes and challenges of the institution, Mr. Cornette noted that the GITC intends to focus more on developing the soft skills and work ethics of its students to make them more employable. He added that the institution will be adding two new programmes, specifically Office Administration and Refrigeration and AC Repair.
Delivering the feature address was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Michael Scott. He said that the graduates should always acknowledge that other people such as their relatives and spouses have caused them to be who they are. He said that the graduation exercise marks the provision of employable people in the new dispensation within Guyana. He told the graduates that this phase of education has ended but education continues. He encouraged them to
set themselves another target. His advice was, “It’s better to aim at something and miss than to aim at nothing and always hit it.” The graduates were advised that the journey now begins for continuous enhancement. The graduates were then given the Charge by Dr. Astell Collins who said that Guyana has embarked on empowering the unutilized human resource and that they are part of that process. He charged them to be the best that they can be as they enter into another phase of life.
P&P Insurance Brokers makes donation to 12 Charities
T
welve charitable or ganizations across Guyana got a financial boost when P&P Insurance Brokers on Friday donated $125,000 to each of them. The presentation took place at its office at 273 Lamaha Street, Georgetown. The organisations that benefited from the donations were Bless the Children Home; Caanan Children Home; Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre; Uncle Eddies Home; Friends of the Archers Home; the Dharm Shala; David Rose School for Handicapped Children; Cheshire Homes Guyana; Hauraruni Girls Home; Tina Insanally Foundation; Bal Nivas Shelter; and Joshua House Children Centre. The donations are an annual contribution made to assist the organizations in the discharge their responsibilities and assist in
furthering their charitable work. According to the Executive Director, Vikash Panday, it is customary for the company to take time off and in
the spirit of Christmas, make monetary donations to various organizations. He said that the sum of $125,000 will be donated to each organization.
He added that one of the organizations that was a regular recipient is now defunct, but instead of reducing the contribution, the company replaced it
with another organization; Joshua House Children Centre. Additionally, Panday stated “We also wish to emphasize that this is only a
small part of our community outreach. During the year, day in and day out, P&P assists in medical, education and sports amongst others.”
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Court hears wife joins man to stab Green Bartica Development Plan… neighbour GEA invites Bids for A couple of 15 DUrban Backlands Georgetown, was on Thursday charged and remanded to prison after the court heard of their alleged brutal attack on their neighbour following a dispute. Kenese Bobb and Kemo Harlequin were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. When the charge was read to them they were not allowed to plead to the offence as it was made indictable. It was alleged that on December 10, last, at DUrban Backlands Georgetown, the couple unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jermaine Sampson with the intent to main, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm to the victim. Bobb is a 24-year-old salesgirl while Harlequin is a 28-year-old fish cleaner. The couple has two children. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, relating the facts of the charge, told the court that the defendants and the victim are known to each other as they live in the same area, accessing their respective homes through the same yard. On the day in question, Harlequin had a misunder-
Consultancy Services for Ikuribisi Hydro Electric Project
Kenese Bobb and Kemo Harlequin standing with Sampson. Bobb subsequently intervened. The couple later went to the victims home and reportedly started to pelt it with glass bottles. This drew Sampson out of his home in an attempt to talk to them. However, Bobb and Harlequin held unto the victim and pulled him down his step. The couple being armed with kitchen knives then allegedly inflicted several stab wounds on him. The court was told that Sampson is still hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Bobb said that she was
just a peacemaker in this matter, only trying to part the fight between the men. She added that she even received a puncture wound to the hand during the incident. However, Magistrate McLennan remanded the couple to prison until the next court date. At that point Bobb broke down in tears. The magistrate instructed the probation officer to speak with Harlequins mother who was present in court so that the children can be placed in her care pending the outcome of the matter. Harlequin and Bobb will return to court on January 2, 2020.
The Guyana Energy Agency has released an invitation for sealed bids for the provision of consultancy services for environment assessment and management plan for Ikuribisi one megawatt Hydropower Project. The proposed Ikuribisi Hydropower Project entails the installation of a one megawatt hydropower plant and construction of a transmission line between the plant and the Bartica Power station. This assessment is expected to ensure that the environmental implications of the project are analyzed and understood prior to commencement.
The power system is expected to run as an energy storage plant with a reservoir, which can serve as a seasonal storage system, hence limiting power outages. The site for this project is in the town of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The project will provide electricity from a renewable energy source to serve the demands of Bartica, since the town is considered the gateway to the interior locations. In addition to hydropower, a 1.5 MW solar farm is being developed to displace diesel generators. The hydropower plant will add additional capacity to the grid to meet the
towns growing demand which currently ranges from 2 MW to 3 MW. Additionally, environment assessments offer guidance during the permitting phase of projects and ensure that the installation, operation and decommissioning of assets doesnt have significant effects on the environment. This project forms a collection of energy initiatives to support the Green Bartica Development Plan. The plan, which is an initiative of the Ministries of the Presidency and Communities, involves a holistic approach to sustainable economic growth in the township.
GCCI executive proposes public/private ... From page 8 must be built” because if industrialized, the cost of energy in Guyana will be reduced significantly. In the past many persons have said that Guyana is not prepared for its Oil and Gas Industry.They have also said that Guyana is not competent
to maximize its benefits from its oil and gas resource. However, Indar made it clear that this is “old talk” and should be eradicated from the mouths of Guyanese and even foreigners who eye Guyana for investment. He said that from 2015 a number of local companies
have invested millions of dollars in educating itself with the expertise and “know how” to maximize benefits from the Oil and Gas Sector. Indar said that this investment is an ongoing process which enables locals to become more involved and also to benefit from their wealth.
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Veterans will boost squad, help young players: Bravo CHENNAI, India, CMC – All-rounder Dwayne Bravo has hinted at the return of seasoned Twenty20 campaigners Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and believes their presence will have a significant impact on the young West Indies side. The 36-year-old Bravo on Friday confirmed he had ended his retirement and would be available for West Indies selection, and said once the highly-rated trio also were back in Windies colours, it would augur well for the unit. Left-hander Gayle made himself unavailable for the current tour while it is understood off-spinner Narine and all-rounder Russell are not yet fit enough. “If Russell is back, myself,
and Narine is back … we don’t know what the Universe Boss (Gayle) is doing but you never know,” Bravo was quoted as saying after announcing the end of his retirement. “He can also be available. We will love to have him around as he’s a father figure for all of us and we respect him. Having a Chris Gayle in the team is always special, but it’s up to him to make his decision. “But, like I said, we’re looking forward to put the squad together. Whenever we put an XI on the field, it will be an XI that people will come to watch.” Bravo has not played for West Indies in 15 months while Gayle has not turned out in a T20 International in 10 months, following the
England series in the Caribbean earlier this year. Russell has been plagued by an injury which abruptly ended his World Cup campaign last June while Narine last played in August when India toured the Caribbean. Bravo, a veteran of 450 T20s, said he expected the younger players to accelerate their development with the seasoned players alongside them. “We just have to talk to them and allow them to make their mistakes and allow them to figure out their game,” Bravo pointed out. “Give them the opportunity and let them know that they belong to the system. What used to be the problem in the past is if a player played two-three
Sunday December 15, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Ideas for creative projects may be flooding your mind, but they may be too general or vague to grasp. Make a list if you like, but don't feel you have to start anything today. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Have you been getting strange vibes from someone close to you? Chances are this person isn't upset with you. He or she may be worried about upcoming changes in the professional environment. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A current or potential love partner may drop out of sight and not return your calls. You could panic, wondering if your friend has lost interest. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A gathering of psychics, artists, and spiritually oriented people could take place in your home today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A class you've wanted to take may open up, and you'll want to register right away. You might have a few difficulties. If you try to sign up by phone, the line may be busy. If you enroll online, the website might crash. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Do you have a lot of money in investments? Even if you have only a savings account or home equity, you could be a bit disconcerted when the stock market takes a nosedive.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A love partner may seem distracted. Don't jump to the conclusion that your friend has found someone else. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Equipment could give you t r o u b l e t o d a y. Yo u ' r e probably good at working with it, but when it comes to troubleshooting, you might not know as much as you should. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A friend's lack of communication and perhaps even shortness with you could bring up your insecurities and have you wondering if this person still cares about you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A member of your group may have gone away without telling anyone where he or she was going. This could be worrisome for the rest of you, but don't fret. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A strange, unexpected call or email could puzzle you. You may not know t h e caller, the information might not make sense, or it might bring news that doesn't feel right. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Is your financial situation confusing? Are you starting to panic about it? You may be getting worked up over nothing. Get all your paperwork together, focus on the facts, and see what's really happening.
Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 130 runs ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Sri Lanka Under19s defeated West Indies Under-19s by 130 runs in the Under-19 Tri-Nations Series at Coolidge Cricket Ground here yesterday. Scores: SRI LANKA 234 for nine off 50 overs (Nipun Dananjaya 91,
Ravindu Rasantha 43, Dilum Sudheera 27; Matthew Forde 4-31, Avinash Mahabirsingh 2-42). WEST INDIES 104 off 34.4 overs (Kevlon Anderson 25, Mbeki Joseph 20, Kimani Melius 20; Kavindu Nadeeshan 4-17, Dilum Sudheera 3-10).
Bajan Applewhaite... West Indies star Dwayne Bravo. games and they didn’t perform, he gets dropped. “In these format, you expect players to fail, especially when you’re a toporder player because your role and responsibility is to get the team off to a flier and that takes a lot of risks. You just have to give players opportunities and back them – whether they’re performing or not.” West Indies are are preparing for the defence of their T20 World Cup title at the showpiece in Australia next October.
Stage set for scorching... From page 71 and he will be hoping for more support along with that of the entire community to get past the tough and resolute Paradise side. With $500,000 along with an impressive trophy up for grabs, the foundation for the teams to entertain the loyal fans with a top brand of football has been laid. The runner-up, third and fourth place teams will receive $200,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies. The competition resumes with more quarter-final action next Sunday, at the Golden Grove Community Centre ground. The fixtures then are: BV versus Ann’s Grove, while Golden Grove play host to Brusch Dam.
From page 66 said. The course which commenced last Tuesday at the National Racquet Centre was aimed to equip Tennis Coaches, potential Coaches and Teachers with theoretic and practical skills required for training juniors Tennis players. The successful
Candidates would qualify to participate in beginners and Intermediate Coaching courses (Level 1) to be held at some point in the near future. The participants each collected a Certificate of participation after the final session ended yesterday. (Sean Devers)
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Bajan Applewhaite Australia build 417-run lead completes GTA Tennis Course in first test vs New Zealand
President of the GTA Essequibian Sam Barakat (extreme left) the four participants (missing is Andre Erskine) Coach Applewhaite is at right. The Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) ‘Play Tennis Course’ concluded yesterday afternoon at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) auditorium at Lillendall on the East Coast of Demerara. The participants of the four-day Course were Andre Erskine, Rebecca Mitchell, Mark McDonald, Orande Dainty and Dawn Duke. Three assignments were done yesterday during sessions which commenced at 08:30hrs and concluded at 17:30hrs. They were tested on their
level of play, a written Test and a group lesson test. The sessions were conducted by Director and Head Coach of Advantage Tennis Services, Damien Applewhaite. The Barbadian, who has been involved in Coaching for 19 years and was the first ITF Level three Coach in the English speaking Caribbean, said the students have to be graded and their grades will then be sent to London. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) who partners with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of
Tennis Professionals (ATP) who governs professional tennis will then certify them. Applewhaite said he was delighted the conduct this Course and was assisted by local Coaches Shelly Daly and Andre Lowe. The 5-time Davis Cup member who represented Barbados at junior level informed that their results should be back from London in about three weeks. “The new Coaches had a decent standard which improved over the four days of the Course,” Applewhaite (Continued on page 65)
Top Notch racing at Port Mourant today - Banks DIH among sponsors, over 60 entries All systems are in place and an action pack day of racing is anticipated when the Port Mourant Turf Club stages their grand one day horserace meet at the Club’s facility at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. Over 60 horses have been entered for the day’s action which has over $4M in cash trophies and other incentives up for grabs. A top notch field has been assembled for the feature event which is for horses classified ‘B’ and Lower over 1600M for a winning purse of $600,000 and trophy. Among the lot are Don’t over Look, Just Call Me Boss, T and T, Chamelli, Goodwill Boy, Lucky Star and Kentucky Woman. The race for animals classified G3 and lower will see the animals racing over 1600M for a winner’s purse of $300,000 and trophy.
The likes of Santa Crush Crus Lady, Not This time, Silver and Things, Miss Olympic, Storm Dancer and Absolution are in the line of for the H and lower event for 2019 nonwinners over 1000M for a winner’s take of $300,000 and trophy. There is a race for ‘twoyear-old maiden Guyanabred’ horses over 1000M for a winning purse of $240,000 and trophy. A field of 14 horses has been entered for the J and lower and 2-year-old Guyanabred horse 1300M contest. Perfect Pleasure, Fresh Cash, Big Three, General Quarter and Flash The Cash will be looking to cash in on the see $240,000 and trophy available. Animals classified K and lower will run over a distance of 1200M for a winner’s prize of $140,000 and trophy.
The L class animals will be running over a distance of 1500M with the winner getting $120,000 and trophy. Non winners in the L class category will have their chance as they compete over 1300M for a first prize of $100,000 and trophy. A number of sponsors are on board including Banks DIH, Jagdeo Construction, Jumbo Jet, Kascon Construction, Rajendra Jagdeo, Mahesh Narayan Racing stable, Trophy Stall, Randi Persaud Racing Stable, Darmindra Dharamjit Racing stable, Kamo Rice Farmer, Anil Mechanic Works and Sunil Tickaram of the USA. Last minute queries can be made with Kris Jagdeo on 624-6123; R. Gajnabi on 6439696; Turbo Jagdeo on 6187278; C. Ramnauth on 6971979, or Dennis DeRoop on 640-6396.
PERTH (Reuters) - Marnus Labuschagne and Joe Burns notched half-centuries before New Zealand’s unflagging attack yielded late wickets, but Australia had built a near insurmountable lead of 417 by stumps on day three of the first test yesterday. Australia reached the close at 167 for six with Matthew Wade on eight and Pat Cummins on one. New Zealand quicks Neil Wagner and Tim Southee shared the spoils with six wickets between them. Australia suffered a late collapse but remain in a strong position. The highest successful run chase in test history is 418, achieved by the West Indies against Australia in 2003. “Bit disappointing to lose wickets tonight but in the grand scheme of the game we are in a good position and in control,” Burns told reporters. Burns (53) and Labuschagne, who has now passed 1,000 test runs in 2019, did the bulk of the heavy lifting in an 87-run partnership. South Africa-born Labuschagne’s bid for a fourth straight test century ended when he mistimed a pull short on 50 off Wagner, who persevered with aggressive short-pitched bowling. Australia’s tactical approach to bat carefully and set New Zealand a big target was exemplified by Burns, who did not score until the 25th delivery he faced. His patient knock, however, ended when he was undone by a searing short delivery from Southee. Steve Smith, who scored a massive 774 runs in the Ashes tournament in
Colin de Grandhomme was adjudged caught off a snorter from Mitchell Starc. (Getty Images) England this year, fell shortly before stumps for 16 to continue a recent barren run. David Warner, who passed 7,000 test runs, was Australia’s sole loss in the middle session after he miscued a pull shot off Southee on 19. His sluggish 63-ball innings was in contrast to his majestic unbeaten 335 in the last test against Pakistan in Adelaide. Even though they lost late wickets, Australia’s commanding performance gave them a stranglehold on the day-night contest. The hosts gained a sizeable 250run first innings lead after bowling New Zealand out cheaply on the stroke of tea. New Zealand, in reply to Australia’s first innings 416, were dismissed for a tame 166 with veteran Ross Taylor playing a lone hand with 80. Mitchell Starc claimed his second five-wicket haul in as many tests after missing most of the recent Ashes series. He led a disciplined attack which was short-handed after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the Perth test having
suffered a hamstring injury on day two. Taylor acknowledged that New Zealand faced a daunting prospect with widening cracks marking the Perth Stadium pitch. “It’s going to be tough but the strength of the side over the last few years has been the fighting spirit,” he said. Both teams are without a paceman after debutant New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson, himself a replacement for injured spearhead Trent Boult, damaged his calf on day one. Oppressive weather conditions continued for the third straight day as the temperature peaked at 41 degrees Celsius. New Zealand have only won one test in Australia since their sole series triumph across the Tasman Sea in 1985-86. Scores: Australia 416 & 167-6 (57 overs): Burns 53, Labuschagne 50; Southee 463 New Zealand 166 all out (55.2 overs): Taylor 80; Starc 5-52.
Mitchell Starc trapped Colin de Grandhomme leg before to claim his 13th fifth-wicket haul in Test cricket. (AFP)
Sunday December 15, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket set for today The fourth edition of the Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket tournament is set for today at the Number 56 Village Community Center Ground on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice. Organiser Gobin Harbhajan, who is also the Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Prime Minister Regional Representative and also a Regional Councilor, says the Youth Enhancement initiative has been a success since the inaugural staging in May of this year. He explained that businesspersons and other individuals throughout East Berbice/Corentyne Region have been approaching him to contribute or join hands in his drive to help youths and adults. The tournament seeks to get persons involved in sports at a competitive level and also to ensure that persons are engaged in constructive activity in preparing for competitions. The first edition was staged in May, the second in August and the third in November. Eight teams will be competing in the 10/10 softball cricket competition at the Number 56 Village
Community Ground on the Corentyne. The teams are Grill Master, May Flower, Unstoppable, Turbo United, Number 55 Village, Number 57 Village, Number 58 Village, Number 59 Village and Crabwood Creek. At stake are both cash and trophies for the top four teams. Grill Master are the defending Champions. Harbhajan says he was asked to have this tournament at this time of the year since organisers have not been forthcoming with other traditional sporting events on the Corentyne at this time of the year. “People look forward to things that they can actually participate in.” “I have always been open to any assistance. It’s not about one community, I would be happy to see other individuals in other communities follow my footsteps and be leaders, what I found over the years is that we have too many people complaining. I believe that if one can use their energy to criticize, they can turn their negative into positive and become a role model, one such family who reached out to join me in
this tournament is Mr. and Mrs. Lalsaran and Family (Shirley’s Supermarket) who took their time to assist me in organizing this event.” Some of the other sponsors on board are Shamie Rampersaud of USA, Mr. and Mrs. Bancedar (Videsh of Canada), Kamlawattie Jaipersaud of Canada, Nand Persaud and Company among others. Harbhajan says he has noticed that the figures as they relate to suicide on the Corentyne are relatively high. He is of the view that many persons have idle time on their hands. “They need to get themselves involved in activities other than alcohol drinking and illegal drugs use. Making a start and taking the lead will help the youths to use their spare time to do something constructive,” he said. “My objective is as the Prime Minister Rep and Regional Counselor is to do something about the situation because too many youth and adults have idle time and we have so many abandoned playgrounds all over. So, I want to invest my time into the Number 56
- Eight teams to battle
Members of the sponsorship group and organisers display the trophies on offer during today’s action. Village Community Ground as a start.” He added that since the staging of the first tournament in May, several villagers have been asking for a repeat and
also the business community has contacted him indicating their intention to support similar initiatives. “They have been encouraging me to continue
with my drive and they are willing to sponsor trophies and so on to ensure that the idea grows and becomes successful,” Harbhajan explained.
Petra Organisation/ KFC/Goodwill Schools football tournament
Robertson hat-trick leads Annai Secondary to comprehensive win; Lodge Secondary thump Marian Academy By Zaheer Mohamed Amir Robertson banged in a hat-trick to lead Annai Secondary to a comprehensive 9-1 victory over Annandale Secondary, while Lodge Secondary beat Marian Academy 6-1 in the opening fixtures of the Petra Organisation/ KFC/Goodwill Schools football tournament yesterday at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre, Providence. Annai Secondary dominated the contest from the onset and took an early lead when Junior Rodrigues found the back of the net from
an angled shot within the 18yeard box. Annandale Secondary had a fair chance to equalise moments later, but their free kick from just outside the area went over the bar. Annai’s Secondary Vito Jackson forced a fine save from Annandale’s goalkeeper Shawn Edwards before Annai goal-keeper Leston Smith denied Annandale when he punched a free kick over the bar as the game gathered momentum. Italo Benjamin handed Annai their second goal in the 24th minute when he collected a pass on the left
From left Curt Edwards, Earl Grant, Dorwin George and Shemroy Myers.
side of the area and calmly slotted home as his team enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the break. Annai increased their pace following the interval and Benjamin was denied moments in the second half courtesy of a fine save from Edwards. It was not long before Annai extended their lead as Raul Swan beat Edwards with a floated free-kick from outside the box in the 52nd minute, while Benjamin netted his double two minutes later. Annai’s ruthless display in front of goal continued as Amir Robertson slotted home his first from inside the box in the 57th minute, while Rodrigues netted his second in the 64th after he collected a pass from mid field and worked his way into the area, beating Edwards to his left. Annandale then wasted a decent chance to score as a cross from the right side of the box was sent over the bar before Rodrigues netted in the 67th minute from inside the area. The energetic Rodrigues then completed his hat-trick with a fine solo effort, working his way into the area before slotting home.
Amir Robertson, Italo Benjamin, Raul Sway, Junior Rodrigues and Brimley Moses. Colin Henriques pulled one back for Annandale when he made no mistake from the spot in the 72nd minute, while Brimley Moses completed the scoring for Annai in the 78th minute. Recently crowned Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers U18 Schools’ football champions, Lodge Secondary announced their presence with an excellent display, beating Marian Academy 6-1 in the second fixture of the evening. Both teams had their fair share of possession in the opening exchanges; Lodge Secondary gradually grew in confidence and Dorwin George put them ahead in the 25th minute when he slotted home from inside
the area before Earl Grant stretched their advantage two minutes later. George netted his double in the 30th minute to hand Lodge Secondary a 3-0 lead at the break. Marian Academy showed more purpose in the second half and Daniel Lowe reduced their deficit when he converted from the spot in the 49th. That proved to be Marian Academy only goal as Lodge Secondary stitched in three more goals to sound a stern warning to their rivals. Shortly before Marian Academy keeper Dwayne Best made a brilliant save from a cross, Lodge custodian Roberts pulled off a brilliant save to deny their opponents. Curt Edwards then
extended Lodge Secondary advantage in the 66th minute when he collected a cross from the right side of the area and beat a diving Best to his left. George completed his hattrick when he found the back of the net from the inside the box in the 68th minute while Shemroy Myers found the back of the net from inside the area with a fine solo effort one minute later. The tournament got underway following a march past which was attended the President of the Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde. Forde wished the teams well and lauded the organizers. The competition continues tomorrow.
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Sunday December 15, 2019
Kaieteur News
GFF Super 16 Cup kicks off today at Eve Leary
YBG Titan Bowl
Marian, Saints, Arima, Kwakwani and Bishops’ advance
- Milerock tackle Pele; Guyana Police Force takes on Timehri Panthers
By Franklin Wilson All roads lead to the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary today where the first two teams will walk the plank or be booted from the 2019/2020 edition of the GFF Super 16 championship, when the dust is settled on the first of eight days of battle. All systems are in place for what is anticipated to be an exciting evening of football and despite the fact that both Milerock and the Guyana Police Force are Elite League teams taking on Regional Member Association opponents, the David vs Goliath match ups can very well have endings similar to that of the bible story. Police for that matter has already boasted that their opponents, Timehri Panthers in this evening’s main attraction, does not stand a chance but on the day, the vital stats reveal that it would be 11 vs 11 using the same ball to get the better of each other. Whichever team can put together the best combative plan is likely to emerge as the victor and book a place in the quarter finals. Police boasts the likes of Trayon Bobb (Guest player) who will combine efforts with Pernel Schultz, Daniel Wilson, Jermain Junor, Trevon Lythcott and Jamal Harvey among others under the guidance of Coach Dwain Babb. Former National player, Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite has been guiding
Action between Bishops’ High School and St. Rose’s in the under-16 division on Saturday.
the technical and tactical development of Timehri Panthers and would relish this platform to showcase his charges development. While his side is a relatively young one, Braithwaite, no stranger to this level of rivalry would no doubt have a point to prove and fans can look forward to a keen tussle between the home team and the East Bank side which features the likes of the Khan brothers, Tyrone and Tyrell, Tyrone Burnette, Ishmael Pulsaram, Shanon Samnauth along with guest players, Kelon Major, Lloyd Matthews and Colin Seymour. Today’s curtain raiser from 18:30hrs pits a former knock-out artist in Pele FC against Milerock. The latter team would start as favourite given the fact that they have been playing in the GFF Elite League. But while Pele would not have been that active, like Timehri Panthers, they would not have any pressure on them so it is anticipated that the youths they would be featuring would come out and
give it their all. Coach Dennis ‘Cow’ Hunte did not reveal his guest players but did say that Lodge High School’s Captain Derwin George, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers School League in leading his team to the championship title, would lead Pele’s charge in this re-building phase of the club. Over four million in cash and prizes are up for grabs, the teams in contention are defending champions Den Amstel, Buxton U n i t e d , R i v e r s Vi e w ( B a r t i c a ) , Western Tigers, Santos, Riddim Squad, Guyana Defence Force, Mainstay Gold Star (Essequibo), Eagles FC ( We s t Demerara), Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United and New Amsterdam United. Sponsors on board to date are MACORP, Pegasus Hotel Guyana, HJ 94.1, THAG, Extra Beer & Extra Energy, Impressions, Sleep Inn Hotel, MP Sports, BASIF, NAMILCO and ECV Investments Ltd.
Day two of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) 10th Titan Bowl schools’ knockout basketball tournament continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue with six matches Friday evening. St. Stanislaus College and Marian Academy successfully got past their opponents in the girls’ division to advance to the next round. Saints dribbled past Queen’s College 40-27 lead by Leana Benons who netted 18 points, while grabbing seven rebounds and six steals, while Naiomi Barkoye top scored for Queen’s with 14 points. Marian girls bounced past Kwakwani Secondary 39-23 despite a superb individual
performance from Shania Sears who put up 19 points along with 10 rebounds. Aaliya Singh was top girl for the victors with nine points and five rebounds. In the under-16 division, Arima Secondary beat President’s College 40-17, Marian Academy won against Saints 42-34, Bishops’ beat Rose’s 35-34 while Kwakwani blew away Plaisance Secondary 68-5. Kevon Phillips led Arima’s charge with 11 pts with assistance from Kasim English with eight. St. Stanislaus College were going head to head with Marian Academy before being left in the dust in the final minutes of play. Jether Harris sunk 28 points and picked up 23 rebounds for the
victors, while Mustapha Kadir had 16 points and 27 rebounds for Saints. The Bishops’ High School edged St. Rose’s High 35-34 in extra time with Keron Bacchus netting 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for Bishops, while Chris Perez had 20 pts and six rebounds for Rose’s. Kwakwani Secondary stamped their authority on Plaisance Secondary in their massive 63-point win. Clint Adolph (14 points) and Elijah David (15 points) both got into double figure points during the dominant display by the perennially competitive side. The YBG Titan bowl is schedule to conclude tonight at the CASH. (Calvin Chapman)
Nigel Hinds Financial yearend Basketball starts Saturday in Berbice The Ye a r e n d Basketball Championship sponsored by Nigel Hinds Financial is set to start on Saturday December 21st in Berbice. The event is sanctioned by the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association and will be contested at the New Amsterdam Basketball court and the Ithaca Basketball court featuring four teams from the Berbice area starting at 7:00pm each night with two games scheduled.
On Saturday’s opening night Hopetown take on Ithaca Hardliners at 7:00pm, while at 8:00pm Rose Hall town Jammers tangle with Canje Knights. On night two, Sunday 22nd at 7:00pm the action moves to the west side at the Ithaca Basketball court. Canje Knights challenge Ithaca Hardliners, while Hopetown battle Rose Hall Town Jammers. The winners will advance to challenge in the championship round.
Jether Harris of Marian Academy top scored with 28 points in his team’s win over Saints.
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Sunday December 15, 2019
ASATT Invitational Swimming Championship T&T – Day 3
Team Dorado rake in 9 medals inclusive of 4 gold Guyana’s leading swim club, Dorado Speed Swim Club (DSSC) continued its good showing on day three of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and To b a g o ( A S AT T ) Invitational Swimming Championship being held by the Marlin’s Swim Club at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. On Friday, the team captured a total of nine (9) medals – 4 gold 3 silver 2 bronze – continuing their medal haul performances from Day one and two. Following are the
medalists from Day 3: Event 44 - Boys 11-12 400m Individual Medley Gold - Elliott Gonsalves Bronze - Stephen Ramkhelawan Event 44 - Boys 13-14 400m Individual Medley Gold - Raekwon Noel Event 48 - Boys 11-12 200m Freestyle Silver - Elliott Gonsalves Event 52 - Boys 15 & Over 200m Freestyle Bronze - Daniel Scott Event 64 - Boys 11-12 50m Breaststroke| Silver - Elliott Gonsalves Event 69 - Girls 11-12 200m Backstroke
Alex Bentham (left), Vladimir Woodroffe, Elliott Gonsalves, Stephen Ramkhelawan - Boys 11-12 4x50 Medley Relay.
Two shock results at UDFA/GT Beer Christmas Football opening - Topp XX upset Botafago 1-0, Coomacka down Net Rockers 2-1, two games on tonight There were two shocking results to kick off this year’s 7th GT Beer Christmas championship being staged by the Upper Demerara Football Association in Linden as Topp XX needled their way past Botafago, while unknown Coomacka upset highly ranked Net Rockers 2-1 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. To get the tournament off to a surprise start Topp XX would steal the advantage w h e n v e t e r a n Tr a v i s Waterton with his trade mark shooting found the back of the net from a free kick awarded in the 26th minute. That goal would be the lone one of the game and when the final whistle came it was Topp XX earning a big win in their group play and putting themselves in a position to advance. The other game would also produce an unlikely
victory as Coomacka would first shock Net Rockers with an early goal through a 6th minute strike off the boot of Jamal Whyte. That early setback would only be nullified through a second half effort from the experienced Denzil Pryce in the 68th minute. From then it was a tough affair and when regulation play ended it was 1-1. In the extra period of play Coomacka would gain the lead once more from a shot taken by Kenston Thom that would prove the decider as Botafago were unable to level the scores and the result would see Coomacka gaining an important win. Game one tonight is in G r o u p B a s Wi n n e r s Connection face Hi Stars from 19:00hrs and the other brings together Group C action when Aroaima collude with Amelia’s Ward Panthers from 21:00hrs.
Silver - Monique Watson Event 70 - Boys 11-12 200m Backstroke Gold - Vladimir Woodroffe Event 76 - Boys 11-12 4 x 50m Medley Relay Gold - Alex Bentham, Elliott Gonsalves, Vladimir Wo o d r o f f e , S t e p h e n Ramkhelawan
Raekwon Noel (left), Monique Watson, Vladimir Woodroffe, Elliott Gonsalves, Stephen Ramkhelawan - DSSC
Kaieteur News
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Sunday December 15, 2019
Four countries for Patrick Ford Memorial
Alesha Jackman
Abiola Jackman
Alford McDonald
The second Annual Patrick Ford Memorial boxing tournament will be staged on February 15, 2020 with four countries set to participate. The tournament, which was birthed last year, will have Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago battling each other according to promoter Alford McDonald of McDonald Promotions. Last year only Trinidad and Tobago and the host nation participated. Then Caribbean Bantamweight
- Jackman sister in champion Keevin Allicock took care of Trinidadian nemesis Anthony Joseph, while former Caribbean middleweight champion Desmond Amsterdam edged Trinidadian Aaron Prince in the main bout. McDonald disclosed that international bouts are being arranged for Caribbean Champions Alesha and Abiola Jackman. “I am personally impressed of the Jackman’s achievements so far. We have to keep exposing these two young women and we at
McDonald Promotions will continue to do our part to assist in their development,” McDonald declared. The competition was organized by the Guyana Boxing Association to honour the contributions of featherweight boxer Patrick Ford, the first Guyanese to fight for a world title. It has been held in conjunction with McDonald Promotions ever since. Ford challenged Salvador Sanchez on September 13, 1980 but lost via a point’s decision after 15 rounds.
Minister Norton presents gears to young cricketer
Minister Norton presents Ms. Sarah Amin with the cricket kit. The teen’s mother, Shameza Amin is in the centre.
The Hon. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton on Wednesday last, presented a cricket kit to young female player Ms. Sarah Amin. Amin, who plays for the Guyana Female Under-19 Cricket team, received her gears during a simple handing-over exercise at Minister Norton’s Main Street, Georgetown office. The items, which included a bat, helmet, gloves and pads, were provided by the Guyana Cricket Board. The proprietors of Trophy Stall have also committed to providing the young cricketer with additional gears needed for her athletic development. Minister Norton, who also holds responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, explained that a request for the items was made by the teen’s uncle, during an outreach exercise in Sheet
Anchor, East Canje, Berbice. “I am very happy that we are able to assist Ms. Amin. I know that she has great potential, and I am hoping that she will continue to practice and develop her talents,” Minister Norton said. The teen’s mother, Ms. Shameza Amin expressed sincere appreciation for the items. “Sarah continues to do very well. My brother has always pushed me to ensure that I continue to help her grow as a cricketer. As a single parent, it is not always easy, so I am very grateful for these items,” the cricketer’s mother added. Sarah Amin, who attends Cummings Lodge Secondary School, also expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that it will lend support to her pursuing her dreams of becoming a star cricketer and making Guyana proud.
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 15, 2019
PAGE 75
GFF-ALWAYS Championship Cup 2019
Fruta Conquerors remain undefeated, second round kicks off today Fruta Conquerors turned in another flawless performance in their final first round match of the GFF-Always Championship Cup 2019, trouncing Foxy Ladies of Den Amstel 7-0 in yesterday’s feature match at the GFF National Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The opening match of the morning’s double header produced a goalless draw between Lady Panthers and Santos Football Club. It was another dominating display by the Fruta Ladies as they recorded their fourth win in as many matches, following up on their 10-0 hammering of Santos, 8-0 whipping of the Guyana Police Force and
5-0 triumph over Lady Panthers FC. Captain Lakeisha Pearson led the demolition act yesterday with a hattrick, taking her overall tally to seven (7). The Captain was well supported by forward Tiandi Smith who also tapped in a pair which has now taken her personal tally to ten (10) in the league. The Foxy Ladies were almost flawless in the first half as they kept the Fruta girls at bay, letting in a single goal which was scored by Pearson in the 17th minute. However, as the minutes ticked away, the more experienced Conquerors ladies kept the pressure on their opponents which they could not have handled,
592 Beer Inter-Village Football Tournament
Stage set for scorching quarter-final doubleheader today Organisers of the inaugural 592 Beer InterVillage Football Competition have pulled out all the stops to make the event a memorable one for teams participating in the tournament. In an effort to adequately compensate the teams for their steadfast support, the Organisers have decided to increase prize monies on offer for the respective winners, rightly providing them the enticement during the business end of the tournament. Tonight the quarterfinals commence with an anticipated exciting doubleheader at the Buxton Community Centre ground. In the opening encounter, the Clive Andries led Friendship will aim to defend home turf when they square off against Mahaica. This clash will be followed by the other surviving team from the community with Buxton playing host to Paradise and this encounter promises to provide sizzling action for the expected large turnout of supporters from the area. Andries, a former national youth cricketer and national footballer, is the leader of a side that is loaded
with natural talent and many expect them to go all the way. He will have as support the likes of Delon Wright and Okenie Fraser, two players that are having solid performances to date. On the other hand, Mahaica will be led by the experienced Eion Abel, who has been a thorn in the flesh for opposing sides, while Azuma Roberts is his main henchman. In the Buxton versus Paradise affair, this game is a definite headliner and too close to call. Buxton will need all the home support to get past a determined Paradise unit led by the big central defender Quincy Adams. He is a player that can be utilized in any position, but has preferred to do his thing in defence, marshalling the troops with his vast experience. His main support will c o m e f r o m Ty r e k e Cummings and along with a few other players that are capable of turning a game on its head, they present a formidable opposition to the host. Eon Costello is one of the key players for Buxton (Continued on page 65)
Tiandi Smith (right), Lakeisha Pearson, Abioce Heywood and Jimmaica Hunte – Fruta Conquerors FC allowing Conquerors to hit the target on six unanswered occasions which has taken the team’s tally in the competition to thirty (30) goals without conceding any.
Pearson completed her hat-trick when she found the back of the nets in the 55th and 57th minutes, Smith tapped in her two in the 50th and 52nd minutes, while the other goals were scored by
Jimmaica Hunte (32nd) and Abioce Heywood in the 45th minute; Heywood now has six (6) goals in the league. Meanwhile, second round action will commence today when Fruta
Conquerors take on Lady Panthers in the feature clash of the day from 11:3Ohrs. The final first round match commences at 10:00hrs between Foxy Ladies and Santos.
Petra Organisation/ KFC/Goodwill Schools football tournament rt Robertson hat-trick o p S
GFF Super 16 Cup kicks off today at Eve Leary
Action between Annai Secondary and Annandale Secondary.
leads Annai Secondary to comprehensive win; Lodge Secondary thump Marian Academy
Lodge Secondary during the march past.
YBG Titan Bowl
Marian, Saints, Arima, Kwakwani and Bishops’ advance
Play between St. Stanislaus College (offence) and Marian Academy in the under-16 division on Friday night. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.