Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
MANAGERIAL CORRUPTION AT GUYSUCO
DEAR EDITOR, In an earlier letter (‘Changing Sugar Workers in a Declining Industry’, Kaieteur News, November 27, 2015), I examined the changes in work ethics among the ordinary workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, as seen through the eyes of persons who have long been associated with the industry. I was later criticised – and maybe rightly so - for being unfairly biased against the ordinary workers and for not examining the role and performance of managers in bringing the industry to where it is today. The blame for the decline in the sugar industry can never be apportioned equally among all stakeholders – some must take greater shares of that blame. I am still convinced that the lack of strong commitment on the part of our rank and file workers has done more damage than any of the other stakeholders when examined separately. In this regard I risk being accused of prejudice if I should fail to examine the role of poor managerial performance and particularly
the betrayal of trust by some managers, especially in light of the recent revelations about corrupt activities on two of the Berbice estates. In one case operatives of the Prime Minister’s office discovered a large quantity of fertilizers belonging to GuySuCo in the possession of a private individual. This was happening when other estates carried large acreages of unfertilized canes, due to shortages of fertilizers. There are indications that this state of affairs has been going on for some time now. The modus operandi, as described in the media, clearly indicates that what has been happening would have had to involve a number of officials in a well-organised racket. In the second case, a sustained pattern of falsification of technical production data is likely to be far more injurious to the estate and company, than the theft of fertilizers. For those who understand sugar production from both the field and factory’s perspectives, the manipulation of production data can conceal many
This man is uncomfortable with his own persona DEAR EDITOR, Devanand Bhagwan’s letter, “I was a Hindu then Jesus came into my life” (KN 17/12), was an expectation. He continues to prove his love for Hindus in a process that exposes his intolerant mindset. It will be no surprise to see this clearer in his next missive. After deserting Hinduism and embracing his new faith he is still not pleased with himself. He imitates Hindu culture as a core strategy for getting at Hindus. Is this what he calls ‘love’, ‘respect’ and ‘honour’ for Hindus? Mr. Bhagwan appears to be uncomfortable with himself and is therefore urged not to interfere with Hindus, their worship and practices. Pandit Charranlall Nandalall
deficiencies and acts of fraud at several points in the production cycle. Such practices can mislead technicians and more senior managers into believing that all is well, and may actually lead to cases where the concealed problems reach such points that they can no longer be easily fixed. The incidents on the two estates are probably unrelated, but together they point to a potentially more serious and latent problem across the industry. Accusations and actual discovery of acts of fraud and wilful negligence in the sugar
industry are nothing new. And how they have been dealt with, is also nothing new! If this new administration is serious about turning around the sugar industry it cannot take the same approach to acts of managerial corruption, as had been done in the past. To begin with, in both recent instances cited, it required the vigilance and determination of persons outside of the respective estates to uncover the acts of fraud and to initiate proceedings. This says a lot about estates’ ability and willingness to self-audit their
own operations. Usually with each discovered fraud, the number of persons ensnared and the depth of organizational penetration that has occurred gets larger as the investigation progresses. Often the investigation reaches someone who is “untouchable” and collapses. It would often seem that the willingness to proceed with investigations to their logical conclusions is hampered by the sheer number of persons involved. Of course, some are keepers of secrets for others, and to “rat” on one, risks yourself being exposed.
And this is the very reason that GuySuCo has seldom ever been willing and able to successfully prosecute someone for fraud in a court of law. Until such a time that this is done on a meaningful scale, the message would never get through. When a manager who has been found guilty, or complicit in some way of being involved in a fraud, is transferred to another estate, it affects how others who work diligently and honestly, see the value of their position, role and contribution in the Continued on page 23
Local govt. in Guyana doesn’t empower DEAR EDITOR, The opposition PPP objected to (walked out of the debate on) the passage of a bill (media report Dec 18) pertaining to local government reform. It is not clear what the reform is about (was not about empowerment of communities) and why the PPP objected to it. Instead of walking out from the debate and the vote, the PPP should have countered with an amendment to the APNUAFC bill proposing its own reforms to make local government work better. A PPP boycott does not improve local governance; shaming the government for not giving autonomous powers to the local governments would have been far better. Then again, the PPP itself is opposed to empowering local communities. Although APNU, AFC and PPP use language of local government empowerment, none has been willing to devolve power away from the central government to the local bodies; all three parties want to hog power at
the center for themselves fearing powerful local communities. So far, none of parties have consulted with the citizens on determining whether there should be more or less power for them or what kind of governance they desire. They discuss and debate in Parliament without ever once thinking of the view of the constituents; it is as though the people in Georgetown know what is best for the people in Black Bush Polder or Charity or Tiger Bay – how arrogant! Consultations with the people would have yielded views for draft legislation with a view of amending several acts of the (fraudulent) Constitution to give greater autonomy and responsibilities to local government. Nearly useless local government reform (hardly anything to do with power) is being forced upon the population without giving them additional powers to manage their destinies. The three parties need to allow the local communities to
take charge of their own affairs and govern their own communities with power to tax, spend, pass bills, enforce laws, control local schools and be in charge of sanitation, etc. That is real local government reform. In neighboring Trinidad, the newly elected PNM government is holding public forums to give greater responsibility (in fact autonomy) to local government to run their own affairs and be in charge of all matters falling within their jurisdiction (education, sanitation, law enforcement, tourism, markets, tax, spend, etc.). Guyana should do same as is also the case in the US, Canada, India, Australia, etc. Guyanese Americans in Richmond Hill and Flatbush have a lot of power to manage affairs in their communities. The Trinidad government plans to emulate that model and add more powers to the people in their local areas. The PNM government plans to give people the power in the local communities to approve budgets and expenditures.
The local bodies will be tasked with the responsibility of collecting and using for the development of their own areas with additional revenues coming in from the central government. Empowering local government will lead to significant improvement in citizens’ lives. It is not late for PPP (and PNC and AFC) to suggest legislation in parliament to give full powers to the communities. Vishnu Bisram
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
Brassington puts Guyana in begging position to collect outstanding US$5M for GTT shares By Abena Rockcliffe Financial analysts are questioning why the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) consented to an agreement that forces Guyana to petition a United Kingdom (UK) court to resolve financial issues. As it is, Guyana’s options in trying to recover the outstanding US$5M from Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group are limited. Datang owes Guyana this sum from the sale of Government’s 20 percent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Company. To recover this money Guyana finds itself in a begging position. Up to recently, no known actions were actively being taken to recover the sums owed. This is despite the fact that the payment is long overdue. Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington, failed to get the Chinese company to settle its debt. Kaieteur News has been constantly trying to contact him but all attempts proved futile. Because NICIL’s management has been unable to secure the outstanding sum, the board of NICIL has intervened.
Minister of State , Joseph Harmon Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is a NICIL board member, told Kaieteur News that the board soon found out that its options are limited. He said, “We have only two options one of which is to take Datang to court.” However, the Minister said that if the court route is pursued, the government will have to spend millions of dollars to get the outstanding sum from the Chinese company. Harmon said, “The jurisdiction, set out in the agreement itself, is the United Kingdom so we would have to go and get a lawyer in the UK and so on.” Alternatively, the govern-
ment has another option which is to seek the intervention of China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin. Harmon said that is the course currently being pursued. The Minister indicated that the board asked him to speak to the Chinese Ambassador in Guyana since Datang is a China state-owned company. Harmon added, “…And it is a big company. They should not want the embarrassment associated with nonpayment.” The Minister said that he has undertaken the task to speak to the Ambassador. Asked if the new board of NICIL has been able to verify that the sale to Datang was above board Harmon said, “We know it was a sale. I do not know if it was fully above board but it was a sale. I know this based on the documents seen at the board level of NICIL. Those documents showed that it was in fact a sale.” Despite the fact that Datang owes this sum, it continues to receive handsome dividends from GT&T. Before Government sold its shares to NICL, it was receiving from GTT, a consistent annual dividend of about US$2.5M, making it the most successful investment ever undertaken by any administration in this country. When asked if Datang has been receiving the dividends that the Guyana government used to pocket, GT&T’s CEO Justin Nedd asked, “Why do you say that it is US$2.5M?” The suggestion is that the dividends could possibly be more, given the expanded GTT operations. He said that the certificate which represents the transfer of shares has been presented to GTT. He said that is all of GTT’s business; the rest is
NICIL Head, Winston Brassington
China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin
between Datang and NICIL. Nedd said that GTT needs not concern itself in getting to know whether government has been paid or not. The GTT shares were sold by NICIL to Datang for US$30M. That was three years ago. Of that amount, Datang paid over US$25M. The remaining US$5M was supposed to have been paid
over within a two-year period, but this did not happen. Available records do not reflect a payment from Datang that constitutes a final payment for the shares government had owned in the telephone company. The name Datang had previously remained obscure as a result of the confidential agreement which was entered
into in early 2011 with the PPP Government. It only came to light following the finalization of the sale. Datang had come in for scrutiny after it was discovered that the company actually featured in a US intelligence report as a company with links to the Chinese Military and was accused of spying. The then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government had also found itself on the receiving end of a barrage of criticisms when it was discovered that the money secured through the Datang deal with NICIL, was in fact used to press ahead with the construction of the controversial Guyana Marriott Hotel. When the shares were initially placed on the market, GTT employees had offered to buy them, but this was rejected by the Jagdeo government, which was adamant that the shares had to be purchased en bloc.
Railway service could... (From page 3) would have to be explored in detailed studies, though it has been implemented in countries around the world. Ferguson’s comments come amidst the daily frustrations many commuters experience along the city’s thoroughfare and the EBD. With regards to the EBD and the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), government has already put out a tender for consultants to conduct a feasibility study into a new structure bridging the two banks. Already, foreign and local consultants have bid publicly for the project.
The new project frame work, as set out by the Ministry, will examine the three possible sites for the new bridge, namely Houston, EBD to Versailles WBD or New Hope EBD to Laurentia Catherina, WBD or a site close to the existing bridge structure. In keeping with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s mandate, any proposed bridge design should include a navigational clearance of 100 meters wide with navigational aids, an air draft of 50 meters of vertical clearance, adequate marine collision protection at navigating channels, and an estimated length of 2,250 meters.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson
Coalition Govt. condoning pattern... (From page 3) historic tragedy on Guyana’s already damaged reputation.” Eminent Guyanese scholar, Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye S.C, is also one who fears that Dr. Ashni Singh may very well walk away scot free despite of his financial crimes. He recalled that the ruling by former Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, did not include a single repercussion for the defaulters who illegally spent the State’s monies. Sir Fenton said that Chang’s ruling should have provided further remedy or relief. He opined that the former Chief Justice Ian Chang could have delivered certain sanctions, apart from only stating
that the expenditure was unlawful. Based on Chang’s ruling, Sir Fenton said that Dr. Singh’s actions constitute a misdemeanor in public office. The former Attorney General said that the ruling that the expenditure is illegal has “placed Guyana in a national tragedy, simply because the money belonging to the people, has been unlawfully spent, and there is no means of recovering it at the moment and those who committed the offence are without any sanctions.” The consequence, he said, is that the rule of law has been subverted. But Chang had told Kaieteur News that it is not his business to deliver disciplinary measures against the
defaulters. He said that is the responsibility of the National Assembly. He had said that the only option is for the APNU+AFC to take the case up in a criminal proceeding, but his job was simply to decide whether the matter was in breach of the Constitution. Though Chang had ruled that the former government acted unlawfully, he declined to grant the conservatory order sought by the plaintiff, former Opposition Leader David Granger. The order sought to prevent the then PPP government from spending more monies which did not receive Parliamentary approval. Chang had said that the order was “misconceived and must be dismissed.” He had advised that a con-
servatory order must now (in 2015) relate strictly to future constitutional or statutory spending excess and not past excesses. He had said that if the order was granted it would in effect be an injunction against the then Government spending permitted by the Constitution and the Financial Management and Accountability Act, rather than a conservatory order against non-approved spending for the past financial year, one he noted as “a classic case of the grant of an injunction as a conservatory order.” Chang had said that for those reasons, the application for an interlocutory conservatory order could not have been granted.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
Suspected Russian warplanes kill scores in Syrian city - rescue workers
A man helps a woman making her way through the rubble of a damaged building after what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in Idlib city, Syria December yesterday. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah Reuters - Air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes killed scores of people in the centre of the rebel-held city of Idlib in northwest Syria yesterday, rescue workers and residents said. They said at least six strikes had hit a busy market place in the heart of the city, several government buildings
and residential areas. Rescue workers said they had confirmed 43 dead but that at least 30 more bodies had been retrieved that had still to be identified. Over 150 people were wounded with some of the serious cases sent to hospitals in Turkey. “There are a lot of corpses under the rubble,” Yasser Hammo, a civil defence
worker, said via an Internet messaging system, adding that volunteers and civil defence workers were still pulling bodies out. Footage on social media and the pro-opposition Orient TV station showed makeshift ambulances rushing with injured civilians through an area where people were searching for survivors
among the debris of collapsed buildings. One local resident, Sameh al-Muazin, said he had seen mangled bodies in the main Jalaa street of the city, adding that people feared a further round of intensive bombing. “Everyone is afraid that this is just the beginning,” he said. Idlib, the capital of a northwestern province of the same name, became an important centre for rebelcontrolled northwest Syria after it was captured earlier this year by a coalition of Islamist insurgent groups known as Jaish al Fateh which includes al Qaeda’s Syrian wing Nusra Front. Russia began a major aerial campaign on Sept. 30 in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its ally, who earlier in the year suffered a series of setbacks including the loss of Idlib province and other areas of crucial strategic importance. Moscow says its air strikes target Islamic State militants but rebels and residents say they are causing hundreds of civilian casualties through indiscriminate bombing well away from the frontlines.
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Give women combat roles in armed forces, says PM Cameron Reuters - Women in Britain’s armed forces should be allowed to serve in close combat roles by the end of 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday. Wo m e n m a k e u p 1 0 percent of the country’s military force but are currently not allowed to serve in units whose primary purpose is to engage with and kill enemies. That policy is already under government review, and yesterday Cameron said he wanted to see the rules changed when the review delivers its findings in mid2016. “We’ve already lifted a number of barriers in our Armed Forces with the introduction of female submariners and women reaching the highest ranks in all Services,” he said in a
David Cameron statement. “We should finish the job next year and open up ground combat roles to women.” Earlier this month the United States said it would let women serve in all military combat roles.
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Kaieteur News
Jailed Venezuela opponent says Maduro’s exit should be priority Caracas (AFP) - Ousting President Nicolas Maduro should be a priority of Venezuela’s new legislature that meets in January, jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said in an interview yesterday. Lopez told the daily El Nacional that Maduro must be removed before his term formally ends in 2019. Opposition candidates won a resounding two-thirds majority in the December 6 elections for the National Assembly, ending 16 years of leftist progovernment majority. “The first step we must take is to consolidate the opposition leadership’s commitment that Maduro must leave before 2019,” Lopez said, answering written questions sent by the newspaper. Next is to determine how
Nicolas Maduro to do this legally, and there are “several constitutional mechanisms that can be applied according to the circumstances,” he said. Lopez is being held at the Ramo Verde military prison on
the outskirts of Caracas after being sentenced to nearly 14 years for inciting violence at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead. One of the opposition’s first moves when the new National Assembly opens on January 5 will likely be to pass an amnesty law for what it says are some 80 political prisoners who have been unjustly jailed. Maduro has vowed to veto any such bill, but there are enough opposition votes in the National Assembly to override the veto. The most prominent jailed opposition figure is Lopez, 44, the Harvard-educated leader of the Popular Will party. Maduro, 53, is the handpicked successor of the late leftist icon Hugo Chavez. Maduro was narrowly elected to a six-year term in April 2013.
Monday December 21, 2015
Lebanese militant leader killed in Israeli raid in Syria – Hezbollah Reuters - An Israeli air strike killed Samir Qantar, a Hezbollah militant leader, in Damascus on Saturday evening, the Lebanese group and Syrian state media said yesterday. Israel welcomed Qantar’s death, saying he had been preparing attacks on it from Syrian soil, but stopped short of confirming responsibility for the strike that killed him. A former national security adviser to Israel said he doubted the strike would escalate hostilities between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, whose last major confrontation was in 2006. Israel has formally kept out of Syria’s civil war which started almost five years ago but has bombed Hezbollah targets there without publicly acknowledging these sorties. Hezbollah, a powerful Shi’ite Muslim group that has sent hundreds of fighters to Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad against rebels trying to topple him, said Qantar was “martyred” in an Israeli raid on the residential district of Jaramana in the Syrian capital, but gave no details. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is due to
Samir Qantar
speak today evening as both supporters of the group and Syrian loyalist groups said the death of Qantar would be avenged and not be in vain. Three Katuysha rockets that were fired from Lebanon struck open areas in northern Israel, causing no damage or injuries but bringing immediate retaliation from Israel, which fired artillery rounds into southern Lebanon amid increased tensions along the two countries’ borders. The Israeli army said it held the Lebanese government responsible for attacks emanating from its territory and that it would
“continue to act against any attempt to harm Israel’s sovereignty and the security of its citizens.” Jailed in Israel for his part in a 1979 raid in Israel that killed four people, Qantar, a Druze, was repatriated to Lebanon in 2008 in a prisoner swap with Hezbollah, which he is then believed to have joined. Yaakov Amidror, Israel’s former national security adviser, predicted Hezbollah would seek to exact “small revenge” for Qantar’s killing, but said Hezbollah, like Iran, was likely too busy fighting in Syria to afford a new front with Israel.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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PARDON THEE BUT RELEASE ME! Eleven women prisoners will be reunited with their families at home this Christmas, compliments of a pardon granted by the President. The pardon is a reserve power under the Constitution similar to the much- criticized power of prorogation of the National Assembly. No one is however questioning the right of the President to pardon prisoners. There have, however, been criticisms over some of those pardoned in the past. Last year, male prisoners who were said to have committed non- violent crimes such as stealing cellular phones were released. This flummoxed many people since the very act of taking away a cellular phone from someone is a violent act. The
act of breaking into someone’s home and stealing their phones is an act of violence — physical violence against property and emotional violence against the victims and their families. Again this time, the public is being told that the criteria for granting the pardon to the eleven women to be released today will be that they must not have committed nonviolent offenses except those involved in trafficking in illicit drugs and people. It would be interesting to learn exactly what offenses those persons who will be released committed that are deemed non- violent and outside of drug and people trafficking. There have been criticisms of the exercise of pardoning prisoners. It is said
this sends the wrong signals to criminals. It tells them that they stand a chance of being freed if they commit nonviolent crimes which supposedly entail crimes such as fraudulent conversion, simple larceny, criminal contempt, aiding and abetting the commission of a criminal act, escaping from custody, possession of narcotics, driving under the influence, dangerous driving, tax evasion and fraud, burglary, larceny, bribery, indecent exposure, immigration offenses, using obscene language, illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy to commit an offense and breach of peace. This is a short list of nonviolent offenses from which those likely to be pardoned may be drawn.
Dem boys seh...
Brassington singing ‘What a friend we have in Jordan’ If a man go to de gate and he see a sign ‘Beware of de dog. It bites’; de man gun stand up at de gate and call or he gun pick up a stick to protect himself. Uncle Sam tell Soulja Bai people that Brassington going away fuh good, that he done buy de plane ticket. Dem boys feel that Soulja Bai people would do like de man who read de dog sign and protect himself. De least dem coulda do was keep de man in de country till dem done investigate him. De people lef him to run way. And to mek matters worse, Uncle Sam tell Soulja Bai people that Brassington not coming back. It could only mean that somebody protecting Brassington and dem boys got a suspicion. Some of dem even believe that de man tek nuff money. Soulja Bai meeting wid dem Tuesday and somebody should explain to him why dem behaving so. All over de place people talking how dem waiting fuh see who gun get put before de court because that was de election promise and de people read but all de corruption.
Basil de Willie is a lawyer; Rum Jattan is a lawyer; Moses is a lawyer. Dem know crime when dem see it and dem know that people got to get prosecute. But all of dem ain’t saying nutten. Li’l Joe believe that some of he mates collect money from some of dem who get investigate. That is why people seh that dem vote fuh a change and dem getting an exchange. It can’t be that some of dem stupid. De auditors ask Brassington fuh information pun de Marriott, he give dem de records fuh Sun and Sand. When dem ask him fuh information pun NICIL he give dem information pun de Berbice Bridge. De auditor get vex and dem tell he that he mekking dem a skull cap. Then he tell dem that dem must give him four more days. Dem boys seh that de auditors know he stalling. But as dem seh, de devil got a friend. That is why Brassington singing ‘What a friend I have in Jordan.’ Talk half and don’t hold you breath fuh dem charges.
The President’s right to pardon prisoners is without challenge. So too is a President’s right to prorogue parliament. The President’s right to compassion is also without challenge. But what about the forgiveness to those who were offended by the criminal acts committed by those who will now be pardoned. He who feels it knows it. Have the victims of these non- violent crimes been consulted to determine whether they are in agreement with the pardon. They do not have to but has any consideration been given to reconciling those pardoned with their victims? There is also the issue of the categories of persons who have been pardoned. What about those who have committed violent crimes in a fit of passion? What about if those persons are truly remorseful, that is what if the violent act was not pre-meditated but committed the crimes for which they were convicted in a fit of passion? We have in this country on special events released persons who are on death row. Burnham did this when Guyana became a Republic. Among the persons released were those on death row. After Operation Urgent Fury, the American invasion of Grenada in 1983, those involved in the toppling of the
Prime Minister Maurice Bishop were subject to a kangaroo trial and some of them were sentenced to death, later commuted to life. Bernard Coard, the Deputy Prime Minister was sentenced to death. This was commuted to life imprisonment in 1991. Coard’s wife who was also originally sentenced to death was released on humanitarian grounds. Bernard Coard was also later released. Coard was himself later pardoned. The Privy Council in 1993 ruled that delays of more than five years between sentencing and execution constituted inhuman and degrading treatment. This could be the basis of releasing the person. In Guyana persons have been languishing in death
row for over twenty five years. Some have died while awaiting execution. These days, we are reading about persons being sentenced to over one hundred years of imprisonment. These persons will never be able to serve out their time. If someone has served more than twenty five years in prison, has been a model prisoner, has constitutionally been subject to inhuman and degrading treatment by virtue of their incarceration, if the families of their victims approve of their release, should those prisoners not also be eligible for the mercy and compassion of the President?
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Father burnt while trying to rescue kids from Lusignan blaze A Lusignan family of nine had their Christmas plans shattered by a devastating fire that destroyed their twoflat wooden house around midnight Saturday. The fire which started just before midnight, quickly engulfed the house at Lot 99 Lusignan Pasture, East Coast Demerara, disturbing the peaceful rest of Patrick Sebastian and his family. By the time a fire tender from Georgetown arrived, it was only to douse the embers. Sebastian himself sustained burns while trying to rescue two of his daughters from the burning building and had to receive treatment at the Georgetown Hospital. He recovered enough to revisit the site yesterday where he spoke to this newspaper in the presence of his teary eyed wife and daughters. Sebastian could not say what caused the fire but he recalled that he and his family turned into bed at around 21:30 hours on Saturday. He and his wife occupied a bedroom on the bottom flat while the children, including two nieces, slept upstairs. He said that just before midnight, one of his nieces hurried downstairs and aroused them, screaming that the mattress in her room was on fire. Sebastian said he scrambled out of bed and
What is left of the house. Sebastien displays his scorched back. went to investigate. “Now they say that the mattress on fire so I come out and open the door and pick up a bucket of water fuh go upstairs. While going up, I realized that I got to get the kids dem out.” He said that as he was heading upstairs towards the room where the fire had started, two other children who were in the other room were already making their way to safety. “Dey push past me and I say ‘Go!’ because the place was smoking. When I go
up, de whole upstairs on fire, all over. So come I get burn (in my back) because when I see de fire and I go fuh throw de water, de fire come to me like this, so rather than tek it in me face, I turn. So I just throw de bucket and I come out,” Sebastien explained. So intense was the blaze that the family had no time to save anything. “Fifteen minutes, eight million dollars gone. Dat is loss of the house plus other valuables,” the house owner said.
In the wake of continuing death treats…
Child Care Agency urges woman to come in for protection The Sceon Beckles custody case is still engaging the attention of the Child Care and Protection Agency, despite some suggestions that the agency is not doing enough to return the child to his mother. “This is a serious matter of domestic abuse and we are looking at the interest of the children, to ensure that they are safe in whichever environment they are in,” the official said, adding that they are ‘treading softly’ on the issue because of its sensitive nature. Selman Beckles, a mother of two, is caught in a nasty custody battle with her estranged husband, George Selman. It is alleged that the mother of two has received threats to her life. She has filed for divorce and had her spouse served with a restraining order. But in the midst of constant reports of domestic abuse, a court ordered that the Child Care and Protection Agency hand one of her children over to her spouse.
The order was made based on evidence presented in the court. “So the agency did not take the child away from her. We reluctantly did what we were told. However, now we are watching over the interest of the children,” the official said, adding that the issue has captured the attention of many non-governmental organizations. Beckles, who remains in hiding with her other son, yesterday alleged that the death threats have not ceased but have only escalated. “He is threatening to kill me, my sister and my brother just because he thinks they know where I am. He told them that once he finds me he is going to kill me,” she said. She stated that she was afraid to put her life and the life of her son in the hands of the police and Ministry. “The protection order doesn’t protect me...look where I am,” she said. The protection order has instructed that Selman should not be within 100 feet of
Beckles and her children for a period of ten years. He was restrained from harassing her. However, Selman had to be barred by a policeman from assaulting her at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court sometime after the order was issued. Selman’s lawyer had also stepped down from representing him after allegedly hearing his client utter similar threats. A senior official at the Ministry of Social Protection had indicated that they had done all they can to assist Beckles and it was now up to her to accept their final offer of help for protection. The source said, “hiding won’t help her…This man has friends and he is very aggressive”. “I don’t know...I’m still considering what they have proposed,” Beckles said when questioned if she had decided to accept the Ministry’s proposal. Beckles’ husband is a prison official at the Georgetown Prison. Domestic violence is currently a prevalent issue in Guyana.
He told Kaieteur News that he was living at the house since 2012 and his dream of a Merry Christmas 2015 with his family is shattered. Sebastien had planned to have a barbeque for his daughters on Boxing Day, but he is now faced with the task of finding alternative accommodation for his entire
family. He is upset that one online news outfit published that the fire was started by two children playing with matches. “Come on man, twelve o’clock in the night, will two kids be playing with matches?” he asked. “Dem two girls, (who
occupied the bedroom where the fire started), when you see dem hit pon the bed, they forget whether is day or night,” he stated. Sebastien said that he has no problem with the response of the fire service to the incident and is anxiously awaiting the report from their investigations.
At the age of 71…
Veteran agriculturalist willing to pass on expertise At the age of 71, agriculturalist Neil Persaud still yearns to pass on his vast knowledge to his country. Persaud, known as ‘Mannie’ says he is versed in practically all aspects of agriculture and his input would be phenomenal, and, once given the opportunity, will make a worthwhile contribution. “I would show Guyanese what I can do, today all I am thinking of is to offer my services to anybody.” The Richmond, Essequibo resident is also a livestock expert and still practices in this field. He received training from the National Agricultural Research Institute) (NARI), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Letter T Estate and the Livestock Development Company (LIDCO). He believes that his knowledge is a blessing from God. Persaud even rubbed shoulders with former Presidents, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Hugh Desmond Hoyte. He lauded the late Guyanese leaders who had utilized his services and he’s now offering his services to the new government. Persaud says he received
Neil Persaud
most of his early training from Dr. Moses Ramnarine and his late grandfather who was an immigrant from India. Sharing some of his experiences, Persaud recalled delivering a blind calf and another calf which was experiencing difficulties during delivery. His most fascinating experience, however, was the time when he said he
performed artificial insemination on a heifer. Persaud says he wants regional and government officials to take up the challenge in utilizing his service, which he argues can make a difference in agriculture and cattle rearing. Persaud lives at Richmond Housing Scheme and spends his time rearing his cattle.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
Tips for a safe, festive Christmas
Hire car, HC 5367 which had five occupants
The accident in Berbice in which two persons were burnt to death. Inset: Neru Bankay. By: Romila Boodram It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time for increased crime, fires, and accidents outside and within the home. Kaieteur News spoke to police, fire and health officials who offered several tips for a safer Christmas. Robberies As if holiday shopping isn’t stressful enough, taking extra precautions against pick-pockets, burglars and bandits can seem like a burden. However, a few preventable actions can help persons to avoid becoming victims of crime. During the holiday season, the Guyana Police Force is calling on all persons to be extra careful as they go about their shopping. “Thieves often prey on those doing holiday shopping because they know that they have cash on them,” a police officer noted. He said that as much as possible, shop in the daytime with at least one other person and where necessary, park in well-lit areas, and near other vehicles. Owners of small cars should avoid parking next to large vehicles- Bigger cars can block their vehicles from view, providing cover for thieves and possibly causing hindrances in the case of an emergency. The police officer advised persons to keep their wallets or purses close to their body, and limit the amount of cash they carry to what they’ll need for the shopping trip.
“Don’t become complacent while in the store. Notice the people around you, and don’t load yourself down with bags. Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. You will be ready to unlock the door and will not be delayed by fumbling and looking for your keys.” According to the officer, drivers should make sure all windows are rolled up and doors are locked when exiting the vehicle, and consider purchasing an alarm or other security devices like a steering wheel lock that are made to deter car break-ins and hijackings. “Petty thieves are attracted to expensive phones so people should keep their devices hidden when they are in public and don’t wait until Christmas Eve to do last minute shopping because that’s when it’s crowded and most pickpockets happen,” the officer advised. As it relates to home invasion, the police officer is advising neighbours to keep an eye out for each other as this can save lives. “When you see strange people in your neighbourhood, call up your friends and neighbours and warn each other. When you are leaving, secure your home- if you have to put 20 padlocks on your door, don’t hesitate.” On December 15, last, neighbours prevented a major tragedy from happening in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD). One of two bandits was (Continued on page 24)
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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TRUMPED UP LEGAL LETTERS If you use the terms “reverse back”, “overexaggerate”, “dilapidated ruins”, “new innovation” and even “foolish virgins” you need to know these are tautologies, essentially expressing something by repeating or saying it in a different way. This is all well and good you might say, but what about lawyers and their “cease and desist” letters? This phrase has to be repetitious and redundant, not to mention, tautological as well. Actually, it is also a Siamese Twin. This is a term which, in the context of the English Language, is a pair or group of words used as an idiomatic expression. Some like “spick and span” might be obsolete. While we know one of the meanings of span (as in “The movie spans a period of a hundred years”), the meaning of “spick” has been lost in time but can be found in common usage still especially by people with limited word-spans who recently learnt to spick English. “Cease and desist” is like “aid and abet”, “by hook or by crook”, “nook and cranny” and is almost as widely used as “head and shoulders” although when you receive one it can be more annoying and embarrassing than dandruff. In fact, sometimes the
receiver of a “cease and desist” letter towers head and shoulders above the sender and changes the equation by seizing the initiative and resisting the demand to desist from whatever caused the issue in the first place. Since lawyers are perhaps the most hated and ridiculed professionals and they generally use “cease and desist” letters to cow underdogs into submission, there is a rising tide of public opinion when lawyers and their clients get their comeuppance. One of the more popular “biter bit” stories is about Starbucks, the coffee giant. According to Staci Zaretsky in AboveTheLaw.com, the Starbucks big time lawyer, Anessa Owen Kramer of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn sent a “cease and desist” letter to Jeff Britton, the owner of Exit 6 Pub and Brewery in Cotteville, Missouri, over a beer named “Frappicino.” She comments, “As the world knows, the lords of coffee sell a frozen drink (a coffee Slurpee?) by the name of ‘Frappuccino’. Yes, the names are similar, but to be confused enough to think you could order the nectar of mall-hopping teenage girls at a bar, you’d have to be pretty drunk. Rather than cower in fear over the legal consequences threatened by
America’s coffee monarch, Britton decided it would be in his best interests to write a response on his own, without the assistance of legal counsel, because he didn’t need no stinkin’ lawyer.” Jeff Britton’s classic, supposedly written under the influence of several of his Frappicinos, includes: “It has recently come to Exit 6 Pub and Brewerys attention that there were 3 check ins to the beer with a very similar name to the ‘F Word’. Unfortunately it was only similar to the F Word because we meant to call it the same thing. Lucky for us, we’re poor spelers. I would like for both Ms Owen Kramer and Mr Bucks to rest assured we meant no deception, confusion, or mistaking in the naming of the beer F Word. We never thought that our beer drinking customers would have thought that the alcoholic beverage coming out of the tap would have actually been coffee from one of the many, many, many stores located a few blocks away. I guess that with there being a Starbucks on every corner of every block in every city that some people may think they could get a Starbucks at a local bar. So that was our mistake.” Britton included a cheque for six dollars (representing the profits from the sale of the ‘F’
beer) which he hoped would help Mr. Bucks to cover part of the fee of Ms. Kramer. The latest of the responses to a “cease and desist” warning letter is very special. It concerns Donald Trump. Abovethelaw.com states, ”Under the suspicion that Jeb Bush’s Super PAC (Political Action Committee) Right To Rise USA may run ads that were critical of The Donald, his lawyer, Alan Garten, proactively sent a cease-and-desist letter out — to the wrong PAC. Garten instead sent the letter to Right to Rise PAC, Inc., a Leadership PAC that merely supports conservative candidates, including Jeb Bush. Charles Spies of Clark Hill, counsel to Right to Rise PAC, sent back an awesome response, where he not only trolled the hell out of both Garten and Trump, but also attached an FEC complaint, imploring the agency to investigate Trump’s expenditures.” Among the gems in the Spies letter are: · We are intrigued (but not surprised) by your continued efforts to silence critics of your client’s campaign by employing litigious threats and bullying. Should your client actually be elected Commander-in-Chief, will you be the one writing the cease and desist letters to Vladimir Putin, or will that be handled
TH&D Ferry Service to Wakenaam set to improve
The Wakenaam Ferry Stelling Residents of Wakenaam are set to benefit from improved ferry services. According to a spokesperson for Transport and Habours Department, (TH&D) improvement in ferry service for Wakenaam started yesterday. Kaieteur News understands that the increased ferry trips were slated to begin with a M. V Makouria voyage at 17:00 hrs on Sunday and another trip at 04:00 hrs on Monday. A decision was taken by the Transport Department to allow TH&D vessels to make additional trips to the island,
following a visit to Wakenaam by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson. Minister Ferguson paid the visit last Friday. During the tour, residents were particularly vocal about what they deemed as substandard service at the Wakenaam stelling. A government ferry would usually ply the route thrice weekly. However, according to information released on the Government Information Agency Website (GINA) , residents have since emphasised that there was a
need to put a proper system in place that would see them benefiting from better service. They highlighted issues and problems they would have experienced as recent as last week. Amongst the complaints were erratic services, long waits, and unprofessionalism on the part of T&HD staff. “It’s not fair for us to sit on a ferry for hours, and this is happening very often,” a resident said. The man, a driver by profession, further said that he has eased working due to the ongoing situation. He emphasised that he has no other job. “Nobody
wants to turn up and hear the time change or the boat ain’t coming,” another resident chimed in.” Business persons in particular, complained that the unpredictable schedule severely affects their businesses. They told Minister Ferguson that the alternative of speedboats was too expensive, even for those with small families. During her visit last Friday, Minister Ferguson was accompanied by the General Manager T&HD, Marcelene Merchant and Traffic Manager of the Department, Stephan Skekel.
by outside counsel? · If you have the time between bankruptcy filings and editing reality show contracts, we urge you to flip through the Supreme Court’s decision in New York Times v. Sullivan. · If your client is so thinskinned that he cannot handle his critics’ presentation of his own public statements, policies and record to the voting public, and if such communications hurts his feelings, he is welcome to purchase airtime to defend his record. After all, a wall can be built around many things, but not around the First Amendment. · Although your client may think he is above the law and be accustomed to using lawsuits to bail out his failed business deals, the Federal Election Campaign Act and the FEC’s Regulations nonetheless apply to him and his campaign. · Just as your client is
attempting to quickly learn the basics of foreign policy, we wish you personally the best in your attempts to learn election law. In the meantime, “Donald Trump” jokes outnumber all other jokes on the Late Night Comedy circuit, even lawyer jokes. One of them by Seth Mayers highlighted Trump’s effort to own the intellectual property rights for everything in sight. He quipped, “A protester had to be escorted out of a Donald Trump rally last night for yelling, ‘Trump’s a racist.’ The protester was removed because the Trump campaign has that phrase copyrighted.” *Tony Deyal was last seen repeating Conan O’Brien’s joke, “Donald Trump’s doctor wrote a letter saying that if elected, ‘Mr. Trump will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.’ Then, when asked about Trump’s mental health, the doctor got very quiet.”
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Kaieteur News
VACANCY 1 Accounts Clerk, apply at Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling.
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@ y a h o o . c o m . Call: 2256496, 662-6045 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 2310655; 683-8734. Omar Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES – CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. FOR SALE/RENT American Pools table-Call: 277-0578
WANTED Damage batteries in any quantity, best price offeredCall: 696-5728, 656-2783, 6225941, 648-9395, 223-1111 Traveller’s Cabs, looking for yellow HC car or HC car to rent-Call: 225-3341; 657-6801 Attractive female bartender to work in Trinidad 30TTD/hr. Contact Deborah Batson +868-326-0821/ email:debra_batson@ yahoo.com Computer genius needed to work in private business organization, attractive salary -$80,000 per month- Call: 6857064
Qualified Accounts, bond clerks, drivers @ Rosignol, Bond clerks & drivers @ Melanie- Call: 330-2399; 3302772; 623-5920 Accounts Clerk: Requirements: 5 CXC subjects, computer literate, MS Office, 2yrs experienced. Email:shellramsburg@gmail. com, A&B Ramsburg Providence. Cashier/Supervisor-Call: 6255322
Live in waitress to work in a bar & hotel-Call: 604-6606 Licenced motorist for weekend job-Call:686-9296; 655-1534 Contract Cars & DriversContact: 619-2229 or 6606102; 227-1720 Male and female to work in the Interior –salary-$80,000 – Call: 674-1767; 675-7043; 6592708 Security Guard –Call: 2271717 One live in maid, assistant salesgirls @ E.C.D-Call: 6035416; 644-9802 Live in domestic must know to cook Salary $70,000$80,000 monthly –Call: 6105043 Experienced Pastry Maker/ Cake Decorator, counter servers, roti/puri cooks, Apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. One professional tint manCall: 645-3293
PEN PAL
TO LET
I’m told Guyana have beautiful women, just want one, age 28 to 40, grown and sexy. Whatsapp only: 6134085
2 Bedrooms apartment in a healthy & safe environment –Call: 698-6496 2 Bedrooms apartment for rent at Lot 7 Durban Street Lodge -$45,000 monthly – Call: 690-5796
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Full & Part time & Seasonal, local & international work available, training provided $5,000 plus daily – Call: 6221957/ 233-6517, www.jobfairworldwide.com
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2 Storey @ Robb Street Building, top flat furnished, 3 bedrooms apartment for living/office/storage, bottom flat for business-Call: 2272454 1- Two Bedrooms apartment to let for $50,000 per month at Linj Street. Call: 669-7203
SALON -Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline. -Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. 2 storied transported concrete property- upstairs: 2 bedrooms apartment, downstairs: 2 bedroom apartment, block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D -$19M neg. Call: 625-1514; 231-7255 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda, between Albert & Oronoque Streets -Call: 227-6817; 624-7341; 226-5183 Business & residential property @ EBD Public Road, all amenities including security camera & grilled, best cash offer accepted – Call: 684-2119 2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue,E.B.D- Call: 664-5052 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
Offices to rent @ 220 South Road, near the High CourtCall: 691-8420; 227-1042 Top flat, 2 bedrooms @ East Street opposite Balwant Singh Hospital, no children. Call: 227-6776; 667-3062 2 Flats; 6000Sq.Ft of prime space, @ 14 Longden & Croal Street, formerly Salt & Pepper –Call: 663-0376 Two bedrooms house “A” Field Sophia, fully grilled off Road Parking, CCTV, $50,000 monthly with 2 months security-Call:693-2237; 2190211
Working suits/uniforms professionally done –starting $3,000 up –Call Sharmie: 6262629; 676-6312
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Crazy Deals: Dell/HP desktop & laptop computers from $49,000, free games & educational programs @ FutureTech: 231-2206 Hobart Bread Mixer for sale $3.4M, in good condition with accessories, price negotiable –Call: 696-9399 1 Leyland DAF 55 Truck, excellent condition, seldom used since arrival, owner migrating –Call: 675-4287; (evening) 233-5454 PS3 -$35,000, XBOX360 $25,000, XBOX one-$100,000, plastic barrel -$4,000-Call: 621-7497; 603-8643 CAT 930- Front End Loader, CAT D4H bulldozer, 9wheeled Pneumatic, Roller – Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Leyland DAF 55 Dump Truck, CAT 320 BL excavator. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Bloodline German Shepherd puppies for sale-Contact: 612-6672; 697-1141 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 1 –XBOX one with 2 controllers, kinect, black ops 111 & mortal Kombat X, perfect Christmas Gift. Call: 683-8386 AMERICAN BULLY DOGS, REMYLINE & GOTTILINECONTACT HARRY: 6100068/220-7933, WHATSAPP: 667-4845 2 Pigs (sow) perfect for breeding/meat: large white & durex, mix breed: 120-130lbs, price$75,000 (both). Call: 6720470
EDUCATIONAL Registered for Phonics, Reading, Spelling etc, classes for all ages, private tutoring also offered –Call: 675-4379 RISING STAR DAY CARE & KINDERGARTEN – Phonics, Reading, Numeracy, monthly fees @ 28 Cummings St, Close to Middle Street. Call: 690-9378 Computerized Accounting: QuickBooks, Peachtree, Excel 2016, P.O.S Pre-Xmas giveaway -$35,000 Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Royal Castle Building. Call: 264-3057
DRESSMAKING LAND FOR SALE Providence house lots, size 50ftX100ft -$7M –Call: 6002031; 233-5535
Monday December 21, 2015
9 Courses Diploma in Computer Studies, –Xmas Deal -$20,000 off @ Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Royal Castle BuildingCall: 264-3057
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV, immaculate condition –price $1,650,000- Call: 626-2884 1 RZ mini-bus -$750,000 negotiable, down payment & installment acceptedCall:694-8322; 223-1506 Toyota 2 RZ BTT Series, power window, sunroof, TV, fog, mint condition, owner leaving country- $1.6MCall: 612-6121 Toyota Dyna (enclosed), never registered, lift gate (hydraulic), back camera, excellent condition, low mileage -$2.6M –Call: 629-4494 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, 212, IST, Fielder, Spacio- Call: 6523820/ 665-4529 One Axela Mazda -$1.550 negotiable, one Nissan Titan, one Audi A4; all vehicles in excellent condition-Call: 665-3038; 226-4356 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 1- New model Raum PSS Series rim AC dark interior, flair kit, TV & DVD deck, price -$1.7M negotiable – Call: 615-4317; 274-0086 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Toyota Raum, L-Touring Wagon, AT192, EP71 Starlet, Nissan 4 Door pickup, Yamaha R1 & R6, Honda 600RR-Call: 644-5096; 6971453 2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glasstop, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Holiday Discounts!! Get a gift with the purchase of unregistered: Allion, Bluebird, Axela Fielder, Etc @ City Motors-Call: 626-7478 Honda Accord, 2003, leather, TV, DVD, radio, 35,000km, like new, price negotiable- Call: 689-1194 Toyota Fortuner 2012 yearCall: 624-6702 Unregistered Toyota Premio 2007, push start, reverse camera -$3.1M negotiable, Honda Ridgeline, 4 door extra cab-Call: 655-3400
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Make trade with the new Cuba, an urgent necessity DEAR EDITOR, I recently returned from a week-long visit to Cuba during which I held discussions with a number of government agencies, the Chamber of Commerce and the United States Embassy there. Arising out of my visit is the clear indication that Cuba is serious about its new development agenda, based largely on the easing of some restrictions occasioned by the normalization of its relations with America and the anticipated lifting of the embargo hopefully in the not too distant future. This new business environment in Cuba offers, in my view, tremendous opportunities for business enterprises in CARICOM member states. These opportunities will come with some challenges which are not without solutions. The Cubans are most appreciative of the role played by CARICOM in helping to pave the way for normalization and moreso that landmark decision 43 years ago by Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to establish diplomatic relations when other nations were fearful of so doing. The Cubans made it clear that while trade with and investment in their country is based on a level playing field of polices and regulations, special consideration would be given to the CARICOM private sector interested in
doing business there. ExporTT, Trinidad and Tobago’s export agency already has a trade facilitation office in Havana. I was informed that efforts are currently underway to source large supplies of urea from the twin-island republic and that a St. Lucia based food company has begun exports to Cuba. One of the constraints with supplying Cuba is that the country is looking for credit or payment arrangements that would not require up front payments in full. In the case of Guyana, perhaps arrangements could be looked into to facilitate short term credit for the supply of products and services. Cuba is a huge market and getting a foothold early could bring tremendous long term success to some Guyanese enterprises. The Private Sector Commission, the Ministries of Business and Foreign Affairs and the local banking community may want to explore an arrangement in this connection. Among the areas open for trade and investment include agriculture, logistics, transportation, renewable energy, construction, electronic assembly, bio technology, mining and tourism. The Cuban Chamber of Commerce has portfolios of 326 projects ready for investment. Undoubtedly Cuba is a
Vibert Parvattan in...
From page 4 homes for the elderly and the homeless. Barrels and remittances. Many Guyanese are dependent on such inflows. Santa, please continue to inspire the senders. Santa, for years you were asked to give Guyanese a reduction of VAT…ho…ho…ho.… Guyanese still need that gift. Diplomatic postings –there have been lots of speculation on appointments. Santa, allay the fears and insecurity of those being considered by letting them have early confirmation of the appointments as Christmas gifts. Santa, it seems I got carried away with national affairs and overlooked your priority at Christmastime. I refer to the children. There are many poor families and thousands of children who are not assured of a Christmas gift. Santa, it must be your priority to ensure that every child could have a gift. In addition they need love to bring them cheer. Give to the young people of Guyana hope and confidence in the future. Vibert Parvattan
Managerial corruption... From page 5 organisation. Such movements send out two very disturbing messages to others in position of authority and responsibility For the many who devote themselves to their jobs, it says that you are an equal with the dishonest and crooked. To others, it says that any amount of negligence and complicity can be tolerated by the organization, and that should you try what others have done, you too will get off. The new government and the new board of directors of GuySuCo must accept that while we will continue to hammer away at the ordinary worker to better his performance on the job, it is very important at this point in time that you do not fall into the trap of sending mixed messages to the different levels of employees in the company. There can only be one message. Please rethink carefully what has to be done with those found culpable and condoning. Khemraj Tulsie
country in transition. Cognizant of the need to be fully integrated into the global financial system and to attract massive inflows of capital through investment, the Government of Cuba and the Communist Party have agreed on a series of adjustments or “reforms” to provide for private local and foreign participation in the economy. This, coupled with the enlightened Obama policy of normalizing relations and movement toward the eventual lifting of the more
than 50 year embargo, has sparked a new enthusiasm among Cubans, especially its youth. According to US embassy officials, some 27 per cent of the labor force of Cuba is now employed in the private sector while a significant percentage is employed in joint venture associations between the state and private entrepreneurs. The Mariel Special Development Zone offers a range of incentives as well as clear guidelines for operating in the zone. I was very
impressed with the presentation given to me by the zone’s director Mr. Carlos Mateu Pereira and his team which included a clear explanation of the steps in the process from application to approval of a project which is guaranteed to be approved in no more than 65 days. I was also very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of Cuban officials especially Mr. Jesus Gonzalez, director at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment and Miss Niurka Marsan Morfa at the
Chamber of Commerce. The eventual lifting of the US embargo on Cuba will have an impact on CARICOM economies. That impact for most countries can be positive if they begin to work now on the opportunities that are available. The challenges should not be daunting. A market of more than 11 million people should not be taken lightly. For Guyana, doing business with Cuba should be one of the priorities of our private sector. Wesley Kirton
THE PPP WAS CORRUPT; THE APNU-AFC IS CALAMITOUS DEAR EDITOR, In the last seven months, Guyana seems to have replaced a corrupt regime with a calamitous regime. Here are some prominent ones. First calamity started with the Coalition reneging on its Cummingsburg Accord that called for the Prime Minister, drawn from the AFC, to be responsible for the daily administration of government. Today, it is obvious the Minister of State in the renamed Ministry of the Presidency is literally responsible for the daily administration of government, making him the de facto Prime Minister. Incidentally, it does not take rocket science thinking to recognize that even if the daily administration of government portfolio was taken from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, political tact says he should be assigned responsibility for agriculture and serve as the nexus between the coalition and Guyana’s pre-dominantly Indian agriculture community. But to be paid almost GY$2M a month and be responsible only for information, well, that sucks, big time! Second calamity came with a revelation that the PPP left the Treasury bare, causing campaign promises of 20% pay hikes for public servants to be replaced with a 5% pay hike and a one-time GY$5,000 bonus. That arbitrary pay hike drew the ire of the GTUC, which quickly reminded the Coalition of its manifesto that promised to consult with labor bodies within the constitutional framework of inclusivity. The third calamity was the bungled attempt at getting the minority private investors in the Berbice Bridge to lower the bridge toll. The Coalition obviously did not do its due diligence homework here, and although the bridge management has
finally relented and agreed to lower the tolls from January 1, 2016, the real winners are the private investors and the real losers are the bridge customers. How is that so? As long as the government has to pay the difference between what bridge customers pay and what bridge management wants, the bridge customers are still footing that bill in the form of his or her taxes being used by government to pay the bridge management. In fact, bridge customers are paying twice, because the bulk of the money to build the bridge came from the NIS, which is yet to see returns on its forced investments. The fourth calamity surfaced with word in the media of a pay raise for cabinet ministers only to be shot down by Minister Raphael Trotman. Then Minister Joseph Harmon made it official when he said that it was true and then arrogantly declared he had no apologies. He eventually apologized, but while the damage was already done with 5% to 50% pay hikes, most of us hoped, going forward, it would serve as a teachable moment for all Coalition officials. The fifth calamity was the Coalition’s announced decision to offer GY$50,000 Christmas bonus payouts to public servants. True, bonuses are at the discretion of the employer, but in the spirit and letter of the constitution that encourages inclusivity. Why wasn’t the GPSU invited for consultations and the announcement made jointly by Government and labor? What happened to the manifesto? The coalition’s sixth calamity was to send Prime Minister Nagamootoo, the government’s chief representative to Parliament, to create history by having him propose a suspension of
Standing Order just so the Coalition can have three bills tabled, debated and passed in one day. The same Prime Minister who was promised the job of administering the daily affairs of government only to be assigned the information portfolio was asked, as the government’s chief representative in the House, to fetch water in a basket. The Coalition got through with two bills and had to postpone passage of the third, and while it was two out of three here, the victory is hollow because of the strategy, which had observers and commentators wondering if the Coalition has truly gone tone deaf or is actually on the road to a dictatorship. The Jagdeo-led opposition PPP deserves all the political bashing it gets, but at the end of the day, it is the official opposition whose parliamentary members are paid by taxpayers. It has a right to be given an opportunity to review bills in a timely manner and even consulted in the true spirit of consultation. It was unfair, therefore, to the PPP, civil society and the rest of the nation for the Coalition to even attempt to have three very important bills tabled, debated and passed in one day. The Coalition has a parliamentary majority and can pass these types of bills any time, which is why the attempt to rush the bills actually points to either poor management planning or absolute disregard for political conventions and public concerns to use time as a constraining factor for
trying to rush these three bills before Parliament recesses for the Christmas holidays. Further to those calamitous displays were the appointment and hiring of certain persons for posts that should have been advertised. No one really questions the qualifications and experience of several new hired ones, but questions surround the process. We cannot have the public applauding the sending home of certain political appointees of the PPP era only to see new political appointees of the Coalition era. I did not mention the ongoing Baishanlin fiasco among others, but it does appear as though the Coalition is making too many unforced errors. But the one area that most Guyanese are deeply concerned about is its apparent slothfulness in going after Ali Baba and his 40-something thieves in Guyana. Still, some are of the firm opinion that with a new acting Chief Justice the move to recover what was stolen from the people will be begin in earnest. In summary, the Coalition has to move away from being the force that changed the political landscape in 2015 to becoming the game changing force that can score political goals and political runs to the applause of supporters and onlookers. Nothing spells defeat and disappointment like watching ardent sports fans exit a stadium early in a muchhyped game, and all because the home team is not playing to expectations. Emile Mervin
The Quest for Knowledge refreshes the mind, recreates the spirit, and motivates the body. It creates enthusiasm and desire to live an exciting and full day in spite of the routine.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Cabinet top brass wants Brassington prosecuted If you do the crime, you do the time, and the top brass of Cabinet is in favour of Government pursuing a case for criminal charges against National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Chief Executive Officer, Winston Brassington. They indicated that his “acts of corruption against the nation just can’t be pardoned.” “As such, we support Government taking the relevant steps towards ensuring that he does the time for the crime committed.” These comments from the top Cabinet officials come just days before they are expected to meet to discuss the findings of the forensic audit report on NICIL. The report which was done by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran, says that Brassington bypassed internationally recognized and credible companies only to engage criminal entities for the construction of the Marriott Hotel. It stated that he failed to justify how millions of dollars were spent in the Linden Mining Enterprise and to properly account for their assets. Goolsarran, with credible evidence in hand, also exposed how Brassington, on behalf of NICIL hid $1B in a secret account which was intended to aid in the construction of the Marriott Hotel, then he paved the way for NICIL to illegally fund the preparation of the Pradoville Two scheme, misappropriated billions of dollars, and kept $26B from the Consolidated Fund. Some of the senior government ministers made it clear, yesterday, that they are not supposed to make pronouncements before the
- But says “Minister Jordan should have instituted sanctions by now.”
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
NICIL CEO, Winston Brassington
Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran
discussion at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. One Government Minister said, “I am astonished at the findings of the NICIL report. Brassington needs to face the full extent of the law.” “I am not finished reading the report as yet but based on how far I have gone already I am appalled at what this man (Brassington) has done. “When we were in opposition, we took a stance that this man must face the court for the financial lawlessness which took place under him and if we fail to do so then it will backfire on us. “It is horrible to commit corrupt acts but it is equally damaging and obnoxious if we in any way appear to the public to be condoning it or treating it lightly.” Another senior government minister said that it is a moral requirement for the administration to ensure that justice is served. “The more the people read about the NICIL corruption, the more alarmed they get and the faster they want to see justice. “But the Ministry of
Finance seems reluctant to act. Why is Brassington still within the confines of the Ministry of Finance? The Ministry should have acted already instead of having him in there. They have administrative arrangements at their disposal that they could use to send him off, so why is Brassington still there? I don’t know. The question then arises as to whether there is any desire in that Ministry to see Brassington before the court for the wrongs done to this country.” “When this government was in Opposition, it attacked this man saying that he has to be jailed and he will face the music should APNU+AFC be elected to office. Now we are here and we still have him on State boards. “No letter or nothing sent for him to go on leave. These are concerns that were
brought to me by the people too and I saw when these very concerns were brought to the attention of Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, during several Cabinet meetings.” The Government minister insisted that several sanctions should have been taken against the NICIL CEO by the Finance Minister while the government would be going through the process of pursuing criminal charges through the legal channels. “Brassington could and should have been sent home,” the government official said. “We will now have to wait and see what plays out when
Cabinet meets tomorrow to discuss this report,” the Minister added. In the forensic audit report on NICIL, Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran, recommended that criminal charges and/or disciplinary actions be taken against all those within NICIL responsible for the interception of State revenues totaling $26.858 billion in violation of Articles 216 of the Constitution and the related sections of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA). The Chartered Accountant called for NICIL to be liquidated and for the appointment of a Receiver to oversee the liquidation process. He said, too, that Government should reactivate the Privatisation Unit as a department of the Ministry of Finance to manage the Government’s residual investments after liquidation proceedings have concluded. In this regard, he noted that the existing staff of NICIL could be transferred to the Ministry of Finance.
Goolsarran also recommended that his report be forwarded to the State Assets Recovery Unit, with a view to recovering any State assets/properties that might have been improperly and illegally transferred to third parties. He believes that there should be a further independent audit to examine in detail transactions over the last six years, given that the scope of his report covered the period 2001 to May 2015. “In addition, considering the hostile, arrogant and demeaning response to my preliminary draft report as well as certain restrictions placed on this audit, it would be desirable for the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director to proceed on leave to facilitate the transaction audit,” Goolsarran added. He said that Government may wish to consider whether it wants to retain the services of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director in light of the findings and conclusions contained in the report.
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China’s Shenzhen hit by landslide, major gas pipeline explodes: state media BEIJING (Reuters) - A landslide hit the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen in Guangdong province yesterday, burying 22 buildings and leaving 27 people missing, state media reported. A nearby section of China’s major West-East natural gas pipeline also exploded, the official China Central Television (CCTV) broadcaster reported. Hundreds of rescuers sifted through rubble looking for survivors after the landslide struck Shenzhen’s Hengtaiyu industrial park in the city’s northwestern Guangming New District in the morning, the official Xinhua news agency said. Four people have been rescued from the debris, with three sustaining minor injuries, it said, citing rescuers. As of 0900 GMT, rescuers had evacuated more than 900 people from the site, said Xinhua. Xinhua had earlier said at least 41 people were missing, with seven people rescued and one suffering minor injuries.
Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
Clinton backs Obama’s Islamic State strategy in Democratic debate Reuters - U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton backed elements of President Barack Obama’s strategy to fight Islamic State militants in a debate on Saturday, drawing criticism from all sides for saying “we now finally are where we need to be” in Syria. Top rival Bernie Sanders accused Clinton of being too quick to push for regime change, while Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, said the former secretary of state was too willing to cede U.S. policy to other countries. The debate was the Democrats’ first since the deadly Dec. 2 attack by a pair of radicalized Muslims in San Bernardino, California, which along with the November attacks in Paris elevated national security to the top of the campaign agenda. Obama has relied heavily on U.S. air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq, and has deployed dozens of special operations troops to northern Syria to advise opposition forces. In Iraq, about 3,500 U.S. troops
Democratic U.S. presidential candidates U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton share a laugh during the Democratic presidential candidates debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. REUTERS/Brian Snyder are assisting Iraqi forces. Like Obama, Clinton backs the use of special forces but says a large deployment of U.S. ground forces in the Middle East would be counterproductive.
“We now finally are where we need to be. We have a strategy and a commitment to go after ISIS,” she said, noting a U.N. Security Council resolution had brought “the world together
to go after a political transition in Syria.” That drew a quick response from Republican candidates, who seized the opportunity to tie Clinton to a Syria strategy that has yielded few tangible gains to date. Fiorina, a former technology executive, said Clinton is too willing to rely on U.N resolutions rather than acting unilaterally. “It’s what ‘leading from behind’ is, I guess,” she said on “Fox News Sunday.” “No, Hillary Clinton, we are not ‘where we need to be’ in fight against ISIS,” former Florida Governor Jeb Bush wrote on Twitter during the debate. Hours later, his campaign released a video contrasting her comments with TV footage of the San Bernardino and Paris attacks. Attacking from the other side, Sanders said the United States should focus on defeating Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, rather than also trying to remove Syrian President Bashar alAssad from power.
Monday December 21, 2015
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
Iran says new US visa law goes against nuclear deal Tehran (AFP) - Iran said yesterday new US visa regulations for visitors from 38 mainly European countries but including Iran flies in the face of Tehran’s landmark nuclear deal with the West. The ISNA news agency reported Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying Tehran had consulted with European countries on countering the new law passed by Congress on Friday. “This law certainly affects economic, tourist, scientific and cultural exchanges with Iran and it contravenes the nuclear deal,” Araghchi said. The US measure bars citizens of the 38 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and who are also dual nationals from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Sudan from using the visafree system.
Abbas Araghchi It also prevents those who have travelled to those four countries since 2011, or to a country Washington has listed as supporting terrorism, from participating, deeming them a risk and requiring them to apply for a standard visa. The measure formed part
of a sprawling bill that funds the US government until next September. European diplomats, led by European Union ambassador to Washington David O’Sullivan, have warned of potential retaliation against the United States, arguing that the programme is based on reciprocity. “If this law is applied, we will put forward a request to the Joint Commission, because the law goes against the nuclear accord,” Araghchi said. In July, Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — plus Germany reached a landmark accord on curb Tehran’s nuclear programme in return for a lifting of sanctions. The Joint Commission oversees implementation of the accord.
Parent fury, protests as Delhi gang-rapist walks free
Protesters in New Delhi rallied agains the release of the youngest of a group of men who brutally gang-raped a 23-year-old student on a bus in 2012 (AFP Photo/Chandan Khanna) New Delhi (AFP) - The youngest convict in an infamous fatal gang-rape in New Delhi has been released from a youth correctional facility, police said Sunday, sparking street protests and angry condemnation from the victim’s parents. Only days after the third anniversary of the attack on a moving bus, Indian police confirmed that the rapist — who is now aged 20 — had completed his spell behind bars even though a court ruling on an appeal against his release is due to be heard on Monday. He is now being supervised by a nongovernmental agency, effectively meaning he is a free man. The prospect of the attacker walking free has revived public anger over the attack, with fresh protests being held on Sunday near the iconic India Gate
monument in the centre of the capital. “The convict was handed over to an NGO. He is no longer under the jurisdiction of the police,” Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told AFP. “He has been given a new identity and his criminal record has been expunged,” a police source added. News of the release was immediately condemned by the parents of the victim, who led the protest rally around the iconic India Gate monument before being briefly detained by police. Some of the protesters including the mother of the victim were dragged away by the police who had imposed prohibitory orders in the highsecurity area. The physiotherapy student had died of her injuries in a Singapore hospital nearly two weeks after the attack on December 16, 2012.
“We want justice for our daughter,” her mother told reporters at the protest site, fighting tears. “I have come out on the streets because I am very disappointed today. We don’t know if we will ever get justice now. Our justice system has left us disillusioned.” Scores of students joined the protest holding placards and banners, in a throwback to the scenes of angry demonstrations that followed the attack three years ago. One placard read “When will Nirbhaya get justice” referring to the nickname given to the victim by the media. Speaking at the India Gate protest on Sunday evening, the victim’s father said the release was “really upsetting”. “The fact that he has been released shows there is no justice in this country.... The government has let us down,” he said.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Billions for Visas - Jamaicans spend big to get to the US The Gleaner - The United States (US) Embassy in Kingston has confirmed that Jamaicans spent US$25 million (approximately J$3 billion) this year in application fees for visas to enter that country. That is almost twice the estimated J$1.5 billion secondary schools would pull in if every parent paid the controversial auxiliary fees. Consul General at the US Embassy in Kingston Michael R. Schimmel last Friday disclosed that 159,000 visa applications were submitted to the entity, the most in 20 years. But Schimmel downplayed the significance of the amount shelled out by Jamaicans to apply for visas. “You multiply 160 by the number and we got US$25 million, but the individual application is still US$160,” he stressed. “It’s a 10-year visa. If you travel once every 10 years to
Desperate for a US visa, Jamaicans once braved the heat of the sun to wait on their appointment. The US Embassy has since introduced measures to make the wait a more pleasant experience. the US, each application would cost only US$16,” said Schimmel as he pointed out that the cost for the visa is computed by the General Accounting Office in the United States to cover the cost of the service.
“Everything collected goes back into border security. The consular fees goes straight back into border security to increase border protection,” added Schimmel. He said the embassy in Kingston is yet to determine
Brazilian president shows slight recovery in poll
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A poll released last weekend shows that Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has experienced a slight improvement in her popularity after months of declining support. The survey published by the reputable pollster Datafolha late Saturday showed Rousseff being rejected by 65 percent of those polled, in comparison to 71 percent opposing her in August. The new numbers come amid efforts by her political enemies to impeach her. Of those surveyed in this latest poll, 12 percent characterized her government as good as compared with 8 percent in Datafolha’s August poll. The poll was carried out on Dec. 16 and 17 with 2,810 people in 172 municipalities. The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Dilma Rousseff
COP 21 showed unity among Caribbean countries
Daily Observer - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) well prepared and experienced team of negotiators, and a focused, unified campaign, helped CARICOM get its red line climate change issues all represented in the final Agreement at the just ended Climate Change conference, COP 21, in Paris, France. CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Irwin LaRocque, has hailed the strong regional collaboration, given the critical importance of climate change to the region’s survival. “We saw our community operating at its best on the international front in Paris,” LaRocque stated emphatically as he reflected on the 30 November to 11 December conference that led to the approval of an historic
Climate Change Agreement by 195 countries. “The coordination was superb. I want to say hats off to our negotiators, led by Dr. Jimmy Fletcher, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development in St. Lucia and of course the role played by all our ministers and our Heads of Government. “I was there feeling very proud. We were of a single mind. We were one body with several parts working together in unison to achieve a set of goals that we had set. We left Paris with … our objectives being addressed in the Agreement,” the Secretary-General added. Fletcher agreed that the coordinated approach strengthened the CARICOM campaign. “One of the things that made a big difference this time
around has been the CARICOM coordination and the presence of the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral. “The SG’s presence here, encouraging us, allowing us to caucus, keeping the CARICOM team tight, has made a difference in how focused we’ve been and in ensuring that it’s the CARICOM position, and not just member states’, that came across,” Fletcher said. Haiti’s lead Advisor and negotiator, Renald Luberice said also he was “very impressed to see the political involvement of CARICOM in support of CARICOM country delegations. “This is the first time I’m seeing CARICOM being involved in this manner and it sent a very good signal,” Luberice said.
what caused the significant increase in visa applications. “We sat down and tried to analyse that. You can come at it from two different perspectives,” said Schimmel. In the first scenario, Schimmel said it could be that the economies in both countries are booming. “Jamaica has enough money to travel and the
Americans have enough money to host. Or you can say that the economy in the sending country is a little bit shaky, with some people looking for a way to get out and go to the United States,” added Schimmel, even as he suggested that it was a combination of both. He argued that the US economy is picking up, perhaps not as dramatic a recovery as some would hope. “But certainly, the unemployment rates are down and people probably have more disposable income that enables them to host more readily and more comfortably,” said Schimmel. As for Jamaica, Schimmel suggested that the country is encountering stability. “So I would not be able to say whether this represents a surge in spending power among Jamaicans.” Schimmel also listed what he characterised as a very active outreach campaign being undertaken by the US Embassy in Kingston for the spike in visa applications.
“I think [when] people are made aware of the statistics I am sharing, that may even generate more applications, which is a good thing,” he declared. “We want legitimate travellers to know that they are welcome and so I believe it is in great part due to the outreach campaign, but also to the improving economy as well.” The US official noted that 30 per cent of visa applicants in 2014 were turned down compared to 35 per cent in 2015. That means Jamaicans who were not granted a visa spent more than J$1 billion in application fees. “In 2015, we had a significant number of people coming in who had applied once or twice in the past, and they thought they could try again, believing that the standards might have changed,” said Schimmel He said this is positive in the sense that persons who have failed before are encouraged to retry if they have improved their chances.
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
Questions over billions spent…
Dick-Forde breaks silence on alleged HDC bad practices Trinidad Guardian Former managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Jearlean John is not the only one with questions about expenditure at the state agency. Former People’s National Movement (PNM) minister of housing Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde said she found “unacceptable” practices at HDC when she took over as minister in 2007.
In the aftermath of Thursday’s shake-up at the HDC and subsequent revelations of a massive $10 billion misspent under the PNM, Dick-Forde broke her silence and spoke out on what she inherited when she took over the ministry from her predecessor, now Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Dick-Forde was the line minister responsible for the
HDC from 2007 to 2010, while Rowley had that ministry from 2003 to 2007. On Thursday, managing director Jearlean John and seven other senior HDC managers were sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent audit into the state enterprise. Saturday, Dick-Forde first told the Sunday Guardian she “had nothing to say” about
John’s revelations that some $10 billion was spent from 2007 to 2009. “This is a fluid situation. I think I should just wait and see how this goes before I say anything,” Dick-Forde said. “What I can say is that under my watch, I found things were unacceptable and did all I could and brought in good people at the HDC.” Dick-Forde would not
Portia Simpson Miller slaps comrades Jamaica Observer - Prime Minister and President of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson Miller has warned executive members of her party against fighting personal battles on social media. Failure to respect her request to desist from washing their dirty clothes in the public space, the Prime Minister said, would result in “severe consequences”, she told a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), the organisation’s second highest decisionmaking body. The first is the party’s Annual Conference. The NEC meeting, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, last Sunday, also saw
- Furious PM warns: Don’t test me; stop the fight on social media now! the party leader presenting all 63 candidates who will represent the PNP in the next general election, which those close to her believe will be held by February 2016. C o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y, Jamaicans should go to the polls by the end of December 2016, but Simpson Miller is allowed a further three months to announce the date, which would take the country up to the end of March 2017. However, word emerged earlier this year that Simpson Miller would call an early election. That information was later doused by the prime minister’s revelation in late
November that she would not disenfranchise over 36,000 new voters whose names appear on the latest voters’ list, published November 30. But it was at the NEC meeting that Simpson Miller vented her disgust at how members of her party were barking at each other like pooches at odds. Apart from squabbles in deciding candidates in certain seats across Jamaica, the latest incident that apparently triggered the PNP president’s anger was the tracing match between Member of Parliament for St Andrew East
Portia Simpson Miller Rural Damion Crawford and PNP Vice-President Angela Brown Burke, who is also mayor of Kingston.
clarify if that meant that those who worked with Rowley before she took over were bad for the organisation. Instead she directed the Sunday Guardian to the Parliament Hansard of February 2010, where Rowley, who had by then been backbenched by former prime minister Patrick Manning, was posing questions on spending at the HDC, specifically the award of a $20 million contract. Dick-Forde was absent from Parliament that day and then works minister, now Finance Minister Colm Imbert, responded to Rowley’s questions on her behalf. Imbert said then that Evolve Partners LLC had provided insight into the operations at the HDC and found “inadequate front end project planning, pre planning of projects including final planning approvals and clear designs for developments were non-existent for the majority of the projects.” Imbert said then that the contractor also discovered that the HDC showed an “inconsistent adherence to common processes” and a lack of co-ordination with key stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, public utilities, statutory agencies and the Government. Evolve Partners
Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde LLC also said that “support processes were ineffective— financial control, allocations, project management.” The Sunday Guardian has been attempting to contact HDC chairman Newman George since news of John’s removal first surfaced. George first answered his mobile phone on Thursday and asked that he be contacted 20 minutes later. He did not respond to several calls between Friday and Saturday. The Sunday Guardian also attempted to text him three times requesting information on the HDC audit timeline and questioning the status of key distributions.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Barca sweep to another title in one-sided contest
FC Barcelona celebrate winning the FIFA Club World Cup Final with the trophy. (Reuters / Thomas PeterLivepic) YOKOHAMA (Reuters) Barcelona swept to the Club World Cup title by outclassing South American champions River Plate 3-0 on Sunday, with Luis Suarez scoring twice after Lionel Messi had broken the deadlock in a one-sided
contest. There was a hint of handball about Messi’s goal, although it did not appear to be intentional, as the Argentine brought down Neymar’s pass and cleverly flicked the ball past Marcelo Barovero.
Uruguay forward Suarez took his tally in the tournament to five goals after his hat-trick in the semi-final win over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, and 24 goals in as many games this season. The European
Gayle’s new bat creates a buzz in Australia
BRISBANE, Australia (CMC) — The makers of a new bat being used by T20 superstar Chris Gayle say it does not give the flamboyant opener any special advantage, and that the laws of the game have been adhered to. Indian manufacturers Spartan made the gold-coloured bat and flew it over to Australia in time for Gayle’s opening match in the Big Bash League Saturday. The Jamaican-born West Indian cricketer who plays for Melbourne Renegades has become the first man in world cricket to use a willow of that colour. “There is no metal in the gold colouring we are using in the bat. There are restrictions on what you can and can’t use in cricket bats,” declared Spartan boss Kunal Sharma. “And you can’t put metals into bat products because they can enhance stroke play. This bat is fine because we haven’t changed the make-up of it.” Gayle used the bat to launch a run chase
in Renegades’ seven-wicket win over Brisbane Heat in the third match of the BBL yesterday, smashing two fours and two massive sixes in an exciting innings of 23. “We have infused a gold colour in the timber wood of the bat and there is sheen of a gold spray over the bat,” Sharma said. “There is a light spray of a beautiful gold colour over the bat; it is something that cricket hasn’t seen before.” Meanwhile, former Australia commentator Ricky Ponting is suggesting the weight of the bat may work against Gayle in the current BBL. Gayle’s cameo was short-lived when he was dismissed for 23 after mistiming a pull shot from Mark Steketee’s bowling and was caught at deep square-leg by Lendl Simmons. “It’s exceptionally heavy. It’s got to be over the three pounds,” Ponting told Channel 10. “If you get bouncers high enough, it’s got to be difficult to play cross-bat shots because the bat’s so heavy.”
New Zealand close in on win as Sri Lanka fight on
(Reuters) A hobbling Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to 142 for five at the close of play on the third day of the second test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton, with the hosts needing another 47 runs to seal a 2-0 series sweep. New Zealand won the first test in Dunedin by 122 runs, though Sri Lanka are still in witha chance of pinching a win on Monday to draw the series. Williamson, who was limping noticeably and was seen to have heavy strapping around his right knee, was on 78 while BJ Watling was on nought as they chased the target of 189.
Dushmantha Chameera, who took a career-best 5-47 in New Zealand’s first innings with a fiery display of fast bowling, took four wickets in the second before Suranga Lakmal picked up Mitchell Santner for four just before the close. Chameera gave Sri Lanka a perfect start when he dismissed Tom Latham (four) and Martin Guptill (one) with short-pitched deliveries to reduce the hosts to 11-2. Williamson and Ross Taylor (35) then settled the run chase in a 67-run partnership before Taylor was caught on the boundary for
35 and then captain Brendon McCullum at mid-off for 18 to send some jitters through the New Zealand camp. New Zealand were set the small victory target after a surreal period of play after lunch when the hosts took the last seven Sri Lankan wickets for 46 runs in 8.1 overs, bowling them out for 133. Scores: New Zealand 237 (Guptill 50, Chameera 5-47) and 142 for 5 (Williamson 78*, Chameera 4-45) need another 47 runs to beat Sri Lanka 292 (Mathews 77, Siriwardana 62, Southee 363) and 133 (Mendis 46, Southee 4-26, Wagner 3-40).
champions, fielding six South American players, were especially dominant in the second half when they repeatedly sliced through the River defence looking as if they could score with almost every attack. Messi, Neymar and Suarez
seemed to take it in turns to run at the bewildered River defence and the Brazilian, in particular, over-elaborated in his attempt to get on the scoresheet. The match emphasised the gap between club football on the two continents with nearly all the top South American players now based in Europe. River’s team, made up mainly of journeymen with only a smattering of international caps between them, cost around 5 million euros (3.65 million pounds) in transfer fees, compared to an estimated 80 million euros that Barcelona paid for Suarez alone. Backed by 15,000 fanatical supporters who had made the trip from Argentina, they made a promising start as Rodrigo Mora and Lucas Alario both got into good shooting positions, only to produce weak efforts which were easily saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
“We had a game plan that we executed for 36 minutes until Messi’s first goal, from then on we started to lose our shape,” River coach Marcelo Gallardo told reporters. “We’re upset we couldn’t give the supporters this satisfaction (of winning). “When you play a phenomenal team like Barcelona, you have to recognise their supremacy.” Messi had already been denied by Marcelo Baravero before scoring t h e o p e n e r, a l t h o u g h replays suggested the ball may have touched his arm as he brought it under control. River enjoyed some possession after halftime, but only until Sergio Busquets sent Suarez clear of the River defence to score the second four minutes into the second half. The third goal in the 68th minute was a gem as Neymar planted a cross on Suarez’s head and he placed the ball past Barovero.
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
CGI 50-Over Local Franchise League
Seon Hetmyer and Royston Crandon lead L/Corentyne NA/Canje to inaugural title By Sean Devers A masterful unbeaten century from an exhausted Seon Hetmyer who shared in a 131 sixth-wicket stand with Man-of-the-Match Royston Crandon (75) staged an excellent fight-back to power Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam, Canje to a 121run win against Upper Corentyne in an all Berbice final of the Cricket Guyana Inc 50-over Local Franchise League on Saturday at the Albion ground. The 24-year-old Hetymer stroked a magnificent unbeaten 100 from 137 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Crandon’s entertaining 75 lasted 94 balls and was decorated with three sixes and four fours, before Crandon returned with the ball to take 6-26. The pair joined forces in the fifth over with their team clinging on for dear life on 315 to take them to a respectable 255 all out off the last ball of their 50 overs. They then dismissed Upper Corentyne for 134 from 32.3 overs despite a top score of 25 from Joshua Ramsammy, 16 from the tournaments leading run-scorer Jonathon Foo, and 15 each from Anthony Bramble and Lloydel Lewis as Crandon did the damage with the ball for the Champions who collected $500,000 and a Trophy. In bright sunshine,
The Victorious Lower Corentyne, NA, Canje team with their Trophy. Clinton Pestano worked up good pace on the a track which offered bounce and ‘carry’ with the new ball but was still very good for batting, to blow away the top order with four wickets in two overs to leave Lower Corentyne, NA, Canje in a deep hole. After the lively former Guyana youth pacer got rid of Hakeem Hinds (0), Eugene LaFleur (6), former First-Class left-hander Gajanand Singh (0) and Jomal LaFleur (15),
Anthony sets tone, Knicks... From page 35 For the most part, the Knicks kept their foot on the pedal, opening a seven-point lead after the first quarter and leading by 10 at halftime. New York was briefly threatened at the end of the third when a 3-pointer by Portis cut the lead to 77-68. The Knicks answered by scoring the first eight points of the fourth period. They iced the game when Affalo’s 18-footer extended the cushion to 97-79 with 5:33 remaining. “They came out and jumped on us right from the beginning,” Rose said. “We tried to fight our way back in it but they kept making big plays.”
Aussie selector launches... From page 36 horrible start to their tour of Australia and are under pressure to improve ahead of the Melbourne Test. They lost their opening four-day tour match to a Cricket Australia XI by 10 wickets, and then were hammered inside three days by an innings and 212 runs in the opening Test in Hobart. Waugh, who has played 128 Test matches for Australia, scoring 8,029 runs with 20 centuries, says Holder’s players have abandoned him. “Jason Holder the skipper has no one around him,” said Waugh, who has been described as one of the world’s most elegant strokemakers. “Holder is the captain, but he doesn’t seem to have control or back-up from the senior players. “(Dinesh) Ramdin, the wicketkeeper, they need more out of him with the bat and tactically.”
Skipper Assad Fudadin, who extracted bounce from the helpful surface, removed Devon Clements for a duck. It had looked promising when Jomel LaFleur got going with two boundaries off Pestano but the first five batsmen all fell to catches behind wicket before Crandon, the younger brother of National Coach Esaun Crandon and Hetmyer, the older brother of West Indies under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer joined forces to stage ‘operation rebuild’ with a fantastic exhibition of responsible stroke play once they survived the first eight overs. At 31-5 it looked like the contest was heading for an early finish but Hetmyer, batting with the ‘flu’ and the more aggressive Crandon ensured that the bowlers had to work hard for success and when Hetmyer was floored off of Foo the pendulum was starting to swing. The partnership flourished as Hetmyer backed away to Eon Hopper and cut him for four before stroking Fudadin sweetly past mid-off for a boundary. Crandon changed gears and pulled Shawn Pereira for consecutive sixes and reached his 50 with an effortless six off Sharaz Ramcharran with landed just below the Commentry booth. His half-century took 75 balls and included three fours and three sixes before Crandon was bowled by Foo at 162-6. Veerasammy Permaul (9) and Kevin Ramdeen (17) were both removed by Foo to leave
the score on 209-8. But Hetmyer was far from done and when Pestano returned for a second spell the stylish right-hander who plays for Young Warriors dumped him for a nonchalant six to show why he was regarded as a better batsman than his brother as a youth player. Hetmyer reached his 50 from 87 balls with four fours and then slog swept Foo onto the scoreboard and, in Rohan Kanhai fashion, fell flat on his back as the ball sailed over the boundary much to
the delight of a disappointing turn out. Clearly exhausted Hetmyer played the innings of his life as he returned to his best form when it mattered most for himself and his team. He joined Foo, Kemo Paul, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Danny Naryan as the batsmen with tons in the competition. Pestano bagged 4-53 and got support from Fudadin (2-32) and Foo (3-64). When Upper Corentyne began their reply with ‘old’ Reggae, Soca and Chutney music emanating from the
sound system they quickly lost Lewis (15), Ramcharran (3) and Jason St Clair (11) before Foo, who hit three fours, fell at 60-4 to start the Crandon show with his dismissal of Fudadin (6) at 63-5. At the presentation, WICB Director Anand Sanasie apologized for the late switch from a day night game and explained that the Head of the Lights Committee informed that a long list of requirements had to be met on short notice.The Runners Up got $300,000 for the day’s work.
Royston Crandon survived a testing time yesterday before he cut loose to score 75.
Monday December 21, 2015
Kaieteur News
Plum Plum of the Shariff stable takes feature in memory of late owner
FIELDING WOES AFFLICT WEST INDIES IN DRAW ESPNcricinfo - After their heavy loss in the first Test in Hobart, West Indies needed to go back to basics in their two-day match against a second-string Victoria XI this weekend. So a rookie fielding error from Jerome Taylor will not have pleased the captain and coach as the game cruised to a predictable draw, with local opening batsman Jake Hancock finishing unbeaten on 80 when rain arrived. Hancock was on 22, in the 14th over of the Victoria innings, when he hooked captain Jason Holder towards Taylor at fine leg. However, Taylor had his back to play and was looking into the grandstands while the ball flew his way. Only after his team-mates called out to him did Taylor turn around, but by then it was too late to get into position for the catch, or even stop the boundary. West Indies coach Phil Simmons said after the match that he had not seen the incident himself but he conceded that it was not a good look for a team aiming to lift their morale ahead of Boxing Day. “It can’t be a good look,” Simmons said. “It’s a team trying to gain that sort of respect. Things like that, we have to make sure we cut them out.” It was hardly the kind of attitude West
Connections of the Jumbo Jet stable receive their silverware for Red Rocket victory in the H class and 2 year old event. The eagerly awaited Guyana Cup re-match one day horserace meet organized by the Jumbo Jet racing stable in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club came off with a bang despite the inclement weather. It was not the best day for horseracing as the rain fell heavily earlier in the day. However, the gelding Plum Plum of the late Mohamed “Nankoo” Shariff racing stable made sure that his memory will live on when it whipped the field to take the feature C class event.
The animal imported about a year ago and running as a D class horse with Jockey Colin Ross riding on his first wedding anniversary took the lead in the 1500M race as the animals took the straight for home. With pre race favourite CP Got Even make a late surge for the leaders it was not enough as Plum Plum had enough to cross the line comfortably and take the $1.2M winning money and trophy. CP came through with a rush to take second ahead of Keep On Swinging and Lady Budapest.
The other winners were in the E class event saw Strom Bird of the Inshan Bacchus stable storming to victory. The winner of the H2 and Two year old event was Red Rocket of the Jumbo Jet stable. The Girl Is Mine won the two year old Guyana Bred event. Little ran away with the J1 and lower race, while Massaquita Dr took the K and lower race. The top jockey was Colin Ross riding on his wedding anniversary. Full details in tomorrow’s edition. (Samuel Whyte)
Rising Sun Horserace meet set for Sunday 3rd January The Rising Sun Turf Club, in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Banks DIH Limited will begin the 2016 racing programme with the staging of the signature 1st of the Year horserace meeting on Sunday January 3rd, 2016 at the Club’s facility, Rising Sun, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. The event which is expected to be a signature affair will be staged in lieu of the recent passing of race horse owner, trainer, breeder, importer and promoter, Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff. The event will be named the “The Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff Memorial Horserace Meet. Seven races are listed on the programme with over $4M in cash trophies and other incentives up for the taking. With the Rising Sun Turf Club known for creating exciting and highly competitive race meets, the event is designed to bring out the
best of the imported and locally bred horses available. Already a large field has indicated their involvement. The feature event will be the Shariff Memorial 1400M classic for animals classified D and lower for a first prize of $700,000 and trophy. The other races are the E and lower 1400M event for a winning take of 500,000 and trophy. The G class event has a winners money of $300, 000 and trophy over 1400M. There is an event for horses classified H2 and lower with the winner set to take home $220,000 and a trophy. The horses classified J and lower will be racing for a winner’s cheque of $180,000 and trophy over 1100M. The final two events are for animals classified J and Lower and K and lower respectively. The distances are 1100M and the winner will take home $150,000 and $100,000 dollars and trophies respectively. Race time is 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
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Indies needed after their embarrassing performance in Hobart, where Taylor had leaked 108 runs for no wickets from his 17 overs. In Geelong, he was tighter and bowled nine overs for 14 runs, but West Indies managed just three wickets in 58 overs against a Victoria XI boasting only two players with first-class experience. One of those men, opener Travis Dean, was caught for 3 when he fended Kemar Roach to point, and at 1 for 13 in the fourth over it was a good start for West Indies. However, Hancock and Tom Donnell put on 73 for the second wicket as West Indies struggled in the field, also missing a run-out chance when Hancock was on 36, and it was not until Devendra Bishoo bowled Donnell for 34 that the stand was broken. Bishoo finished with 2 for 60 after he also had the Victoria captain Ian Holland stumped for 29 by Shai Hope, with regular gloveman Denesh Ramdin having been rested on Sunday. The Victorians moved along to 3 for 169 when the rain arrived, with Hancock on 80 and Aaron Ayre on 17. Scores: Victoria XI 3 for 169 (Hancock 80*) drew with West Indians 8 for 303 (Brathwaite 78, Blackwood 69, Hart 4-93).
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 21, 2015
WICB Vice-President lauds Guyana’s success in 2015 By Sean Devers Vice President of the West Indies Cricket Board WICB Dominican Emmanuel Nathan has congratulated the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on the solid performances of the Guyana Teams at all levels over the last few years and pointed out that some main things are usually responsible consistent success in any Cricket Board. Number one, he said, is a settled and harmonious cricket environment in teams and administration, sound and effective preparation and a solid commitment to cricket and organization by the players, administration, public and private sectors. Added to that he feels that an understanding and management of the values of the different generations involved in cricket together with the availability of effective Team Management, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Physiotherapists, Performance Analysts and Enhancers at all levels of the State are all required for success.
He added that the availability and effective management of cricket facilities and other resources for playing and training an intense focus on Performance and Results underpinned by courage and a strong bench of competent players at all levels are things that makes a cricket board successful. “These success factors are not exhaustive but generally represent what has to be done or put in place for success to the elite level. Guyana Cricket has best managed the foregoing at the Regional Level. Congratulations for a job well done,” said the advisor to Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt. It is unprecedented, in West Indies Cricket, for a territory to make such a dramatic impact, at all levels, in such a short time added Nathan. He however feels that there is a feature which is absent in our current cricket environment when compared with the period when WI cricket was at its pinnacle. That is, the proliferation and intensity of young players playing informal matches on
the savannahs and fields in the communities. “Today, the fields and streets are empty, and emulating the legends is a thing of the past. The allusion of playing Test cricket matches among groups of youngsters in their communities, no longer exist as in the past, a feature that inculcated courage and determination. “Schools cricketers are no longer playing against seasoned National players and the context for emulating elite is not well presented in the development pathways by the schools coaches,” Nanthan opined. The WICB Executive says that a gap exists at the level of the State (Government) in promoting skills, pride and determination in all the youth for subsequent elite achievements that the country can be proud of. He explained that the response by the WICB is the Professionalism of Regional Cricket supported by Coaching Education to develop Effective and Qualified Coaches to drive player development. “We are now in the
midterm of the second year of the WICB Professional Cricket League and each Territorial Member of the WICB has established a Franchise Company, which has entered into a minimum of fifteen (15) players who have been training for a twelve (12) month period as professionals,” Nathan informed. He said the opportunity is presented where on a full time basis the players can train without distractions to develop elite skills and attitudes that will bring about the required performance and results. “A point that is worth
noting is that both Guyana and Barbados started their training on time from August 1st 2015 and the results reflect their top positions on the points Table,” Nathan pointed out. Guyana are unbeaten in their last 12 PCL games and the defending Champions have won all five of their games in the second edition of the tournament at the half-way stage with Vi s h a u l S i n g h b e i n g second among the runs to Royston Chase of Barbados while 20-year-old left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie leads the wicket takers.
Emmanuel Nathan
GFA / Banks Beer KO Cup
NA United, Rosignol United advance to next round It was the Jamal Butts and company show as New Amsterdam United made an emphatic statement to all and sundry that their campaign for top honours in this year’s Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Knockout Cup will not be derailed easily. Playing at the No. 5 ground in West Berbice on Saturday, NA United led by a hat-trick from Butts, who netted in the 56th, 70th and 88th minutes, a brace from Keon Williams in the 28th and 33rd minutes and solitary strikes off the boots of Germaine Daniels (44th) and Lenardo Adams (89th) inflicted a 7-0 drubbing on Georgetown-based Black Water to advance to the next round. After a cautious start from both teams, Williams opened the floodgates when he took full advantage of a partial save
from the opposing goalkeeper to poke home. It came as a result of a stinging shot from Butts which appeared too hot for the keeper to handle and he parried into the path of a lurking Williams who made no mistake. He returned five minutes later to complete his brace after finishing with confidence, skipping past the advancing goalkeeper following a through pass from Adams. One minute before the half, the score ballooned to 3-0 as Samuels used his body to effect to steer the ball over the goal line from a corner taken on the right side to make it 3-0 at the break. The resumption brought no reprieve for the visitors as the nippy Butts created havoc and in the process stole the show. Butts began his
destruction by lashing past the hapless net stopper from a deflected ball that landed into his path and subsequently into the lower left corner to make it 4-0 and clearly a mountain for Black Water to climb. The diminutive striker then returned to add another twenty minutes later with a goal of sheer class after collecting a pass down centrefield, swiveled nicely and in one motion cracked a fierce shot into the goal. Playing with a lot of freedom and skill, Butts evidently was not finished and completed his treble in fine style, firing into the right corner from a neat little pass inside the box. With Black Water offering no offensive threat, NA United attacked with vigor and got their seventh goal through Adams, who out ran his marker and let loose a thunderous shot into the roof of the net to all but assure a place in the next phase. In the game that followed, Rosignol United aided by two defensive lapses eased past Cougars FC by a 3-0 margin. Adrian Best and Jason DeJonge were the two culprits that registered own goals in the 41st and 88th minutes respectively, while Shane Gangoo’s 28th minute effort had given them the lead. Another double header was expected to be played last evening at the GFC ground. The winning team will receive $2million dollars and the championship trophy, while the runnerup, third and fourth placed finishers will take home $1million, $500,000 and $250,000 respectively along with trophies.