Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Guest Editorial CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Today, Guyanese from all walks of life are celebrating Christmas at home and in the diaspora. Christmas is a time of joy, peace and goodwill towards all mankind, and to strengthen bonds with loved ones and within communities. In the Guyanese tradition, Christmas is a time to spread happiness with family and friends, enjoy the festivities, attend parties and partake in some of the finest Christmas dishes—ginger beer, black cake, rum, ham, pork, cook-up etc. This Yuletide season should serve as a period of reflection on our lives and how we must redouble our efforts in the New Year and beyond to live in peace and harmony, and to build a better and prosperous Guyana. It is a time when Christians come together to sing carols in their places of worship and joyously celebrate the birth of the “Babe of Bethlehem,” Jesus Christ. Christmas 2016 will greet some of us feeling on top of the world, happy to be alive, despite the various challenges facing the country. But it will find many others feeling down, some through faults of their own, while others are victims of circumstance––joblessness, poverty o r p e r s o n a l i l l n e s s . We hope that the less fortunate will get the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas through the generous acts of kindness from those who are better off and are conscious of their obligation to their fellowman. On this festive occasion, all must pray for those who are bedridden in hospitals, the less fortunate, and those who have lost loved ones during the year. We must also pray for those battling depression and alcohol and substance abuse, and hope that their spirits will be lifted and that they will seek help and refrain from their bad habits. It is that time of the year when the poor feel, most acutely, the deep distress of not being able to provide for their families as they would like, particularly their children who are too young to even understand the meaning of poverty. We should show compassion to them as Jesus Christ did in an earlier time period. The nativity scene of Jesus’s birth essentially depicts the poor human conditions in Guyana, where those deserving of help are the elderly, the homeless and the s i n g l e m o t h e r s . Christmas is also a time for healing and to forget the hurt, animosity, persecution and bitterness, and to renew our love for one another; hold out a hand of friendship to neighbours and friends; to those from whom we have been estranged and have done us wrong. We must recapture the spirit of the message that brought joy to the world 2000 years ago by the Babe of Bethlehem. However, the spirit of giving has not been made easy for many who wanted to give but are not in a position to do so. Needless to say, the true meaning of Christmas continues to elude the poor and the downtrodden in Guyana. Too often, it is the greedy, not the needy; the rich and not the poor who enjoy Christmas. We must not forget the tragedies the country has experienced, the goodness and kindness shown to us by others, and be thankful for the peace that surrounded our nation during difficult times when most are trying to better their lives. Perhaps the holidays will give the political directorate, but more so the opposition, a chance to reflect on themselves and the importance of inclusiveness of all in society, so that they can make better decisions in the interest of the people. As a nation, we are hoping that 2017 will be a year of healing, atonement, cooperation, and genuine and competent leadership. Best wishes for a happy, enjoyable, peaceful and safe Christmas to everyone. Merry Christmas to all!

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Description of the greatness of Jesus Christ Dear Editor; The life and influence of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, throughout history has always produced great changes in the lives of men and women, and of all nations. Wherever His teachings and influence have gone, there have been a multitude of other changes that have been made for the good of mankind. Individual lives are also dramatically changed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. His works throughout His own time as teacher, healer, and His overall purpose for existence have influenced many. We must ask ourselves some serious questions about life itself. Questions such as: Who am I? What is my

purpose in this world? What can I do to contribute to society? What is my destiny after I am gone from this life? Jesus came to offer the world answers to life deep spiritual and moral questions. He came to save all mankind from sin and to offer us life after death. We see the effect of His teachings from the Bible, and how His morality has shaped the minds of many good people. Jesus began His ministry by announcing, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” His calling was based on the vision of the Kingdom of God. He shared this vision with ordinary people, fishermen and tax collectors; and seeing their

potential, shaped twelve of them into a team. Jesus demonstrated His character as a servant leader, and when faced with opposition and conflict, responded with humility and integrity. Was that His mission? His mission was to guide us and to let us know Him. It also was to show us a better path, full of truth, so that no one who believes in Him is lost. It also was to show and to remind us of the love of His Father and what He wants for us. Jesus Christ came to redeem humanity from sin. Jesus came to deliver truth in a world of false beliefs. Our greatest need is a spiritual need, which we cannot fulfill with the gain in this life, such as profits or pleasure; but by

lasting peace in Christ. His mission was to change our way of thinking, so that we would know the love of God. He came, driven by an immense love, to suffer for us and to purge our sins, showing us how to live. He came to live in this world to complete His mission, which was to suffer and die for our sins on the cross. Right now, He is in us so we can follow His path, full of love, like He showed us, to have a better life, to obtain the glory in the eternal life, and to follow the commandments that He left us. Jesus’s life and teachings influenced some of the greatest men that ever lived. His Sermon on the Mount influenced the great (Continued on page 06)

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Eddie Boyer asks Minister Questions on how India selects its and kings, Vaishyas Jadeja, Chauhan, Bedi and Ramjattan to relax the 2:00 am curfew cricketers warriors (third in line) which are tradi- Harbhajan Singh.

DEAR MINISTER; The Private Sector Commission has had several meetings with operators from the entertainment industry about the 2:00 am curfew. These operators have booked overseas artistes to perform during the season and face significant difficulties if the curfew is kept in place. We are therefore appealing to you, for a relaxation of the 2:00am curfew from ChristMINISTER RAMJATTAN RESPONDS DEAR EDDIE, Thanks for your letter dated December 21st, 2016. Your call for the relaxation of the 2 am curfew from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day is noted. I wish to say something however on the grounds upon which this call is made. Firstly, you give the impression that because I granted a relaxation in 2015 that this necessarily means I should do it again and probably every Christmas hereafter. I want to make it clear that in 2015 it was a one-off, especially for the first year of our new administration. Secondly, you give the impression that because Operators have booked artistes to perform and revelers from overseas need to enjoy the experience of early mornings in watering holes in Guyana that again in 2016 there would be this relaxation. Well I did indicate to all the Operators my attitude towards this 2 am curfew during the course of this year. It must be strictly

mas Eve to New Year’s as was done for the holiday season last year. This would not only be a relief to the operators but would also allow revelers, especially Guyanese and tourists who are visiting from abroad, to fully enjoy the experience. We would like to thank you in anticipation of your kind consideration. Yours sincerely, Eddie Boyer Chairman

upheld and the reason being it is the law of the land! If I were to tell you that a thousand shoppers would like to take credit at National Hardware to buy gifts for their children at this Christmas/ New Year period, and that they are requesting you relax your law of commerce that payments be made not now but in 2017 March instead, I certainly feel you would run me over! There is another implication when relaxation of the law is requested by powerful businessman like yourself and those in the Private Sector Commission. It begins a slide into a slippery slope, it becomes an unruly horse and logically there can be no end to it. You and your team may soon call for a relaxation of the Tax regulations... say VAT! This certainly is not how a law-governed state should execute its business. And even if you argue that we are not yet a law-governed state, certainly compromising on the enforcement of our laws on a seasonal basis or on the basis of the request coming

from businessmen will never take us there. Eddie, I want to inform you that I have gotten a number of calls from especially religious leaders and some organizations opposing your views on this relaxation call. So I am placed in this extremely difficult situation where I have to make the call. Indeed, I had determined that for bringing in the New Year 2017, that Old Year’s night will be relaxed. This was easy to do. But from Christmas Eve to then? Having said all of that, the call has to be made. I will relent, and convey to the appropriate authorities that there is a relaxation of the 2 am curfew during this Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day period. All other laws especially drinking and driving will be thoroughly enforced. Expect more policemen outside of these watering holes. Further, this is to notify that the 2 am curfew will be upheld in 2017 and I will not be this compromising again. Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC is alive and kicking in Region 5. DEAR EDITOR; Please permit me to respond to some of the allegations\misinformation that is being peddled by the opposition members on their weekly TV program here in Berbice. Over the past weeks the opposition has been lashing out at the AFC saying all sorts of things especially that the AFC is dead in Berbice. This information is erroneous. The opposition has

been using all kind of language to suit their beliefs and to spread misinformation as usual, that members of the AFC are leaving the party at a rapid pace. They use all kinds of negative things, so as to make the people, especially their supporters believe and feel comforted. Well I can clearly say that the AFC in (Continued on page 7)

DEAR EDITOR; Remember the days in the 1980’s when apartheid was under siege in South Africa? It was a time when West Indies Cricket was the dominant force in the cricketing world. Although small, the West Indies did their part to put the pressure on the South African apartheid regime by withholding their talents from playing in South Africa as long as that horrible system was in place. Imagine West Indies cricket having a system where players from, let’s say, the rural areas were discriminated against and were not eligible to play in the team. We would not have had the services of players like Rohan Kanhai, Roy Fredericks, Basil Butcher, Alvin Kallicharran, and so many others that made West Indies cricket famous. We would have been a much weaker team than the powerhouse we had. Transfer this thought to the Indian cricket team. As great as Indian cricket teams have been throughout the years, they have not been fielding their best because of an apartheidlike system where a large number of potential players are prohibited from making the Indian national cricket team based simply on their birth. This castigated group is called Dalits or Harijans, more popularly known as the Untouchables. Not much is said about this crippling system because this kind of apartheid is shrouded in religion. In a nutshell, Hinduism is the dominant religion in India and in four-fold varna system, people are born into four major castes; Brahmins (the highest caste) which are the priests and religious teachers, Kshatriyas (second only to Brahmins) which consists of

tionally the artisans, merchants and farmers, and at the bottom of the four are the Sudras or Shudras who are the farm workers, servants and laborers. Untouchables are supposed to be the subhuman group below the Sudras. Officially they are not a part of the caste system but this group is seen by some as a fifth varna but outside of the four-caste system. Ninety-nine percent of Indian cricketers we know are mostly Brahmins or the other higher castes. Brahmins make up 4% of India’s population but on average, have in excess of 70% representation in the cricket teams. Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vinoo Mankad, Ajit Wadekar, G.R. Vishwanath, EAS Prassana, Ishant Sharma, Chatrhan Sharma, were all of the Brahmin caste. The list is too long to include here but here are a few more; Chandrashakar, Srikanth, Sivaramakrishman, Doshi, Joshi, Rohit Sharma, Prasad, Malhotra, Laxman, Karthik, Sreeshashant, Sardesai, manjrekar, Jaisimha, Rao and Shekar. The rest of the players who were not Brahmins were either Kshatriyas or Vaisyas. These include Kapil Dev, Yuvaraj Singh, Mongia,

Untouchables or Dalits (as they preferred to be called) were generally and still are excluded from the Indian National team. Palwankar Baloo was the first Dalit to play for India and this was since the early 20th century and only at the insistence of some British players (remember India was a British colony at this time). In all these years of glorious Indian cricket, only two (yes, two) Dalits have ever represented India. Vinod Kambli is supposed to be the other but there are doubts about his Dalit identity since it is claimed in some quarters that he belongs to a fisherman caste which means that technically he is not from the scheduled caste or Dalits. The bottom line is although Dalits make up just under 17% of India’s population one can safely say that less than five Dalits were allowed to represent India in cricket. The question is; what do we call a system which bars a group from participating in national events based on nothing but their birth? How is this different from the apartheid system to which we all objected and had boycotted when it was active in South Africa? Why have we turned a blind eye to this apartheid in India? Malcolm Alves

PAGE 6

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Getting closer and closer to the barb-wired academy DEAR EDITOR; Permit me to pen my response to the letter by Pastor Gideon Cecil, December 22, Kaieteur News entitled; “Guyana must restart hanging convicted murders”. In his article he outlined a plethora of reasons for what currently ails Guyana, with some opprobrium thrown in for good measure. Sadly missing were the true deep-rooted causes. At the risk of sounding like the portender of doom, or a budding naysayer, let me unhesitatingly state in an air of deep respect that I am in full agreement with the pastor’s expressed concerns. However, the question “Why” has a somewhat rhetorical and mundane ring to it. Fast backward to October 23, 2014 where in a Kaieteur

News article titled: Who speaks for the Youth? I posed a similar question, endeavouring to arouse the awareness of all interested parties, including the government to the possible sequelae of unemployment, underemployment, absence of programmes for youths, and the insidious proliferation of heinous crimes and dastardly acts by young perpetrators. Incidentally the issue was brought into the limelight, when the general populace was basking in the summer frenzy of impending change. It is blatantly apparent that we have not reached where we are overnight. The warning signs were in place, the saplings were germinating, especially when the youths became disconnected from society and its values,

and adults became their prime targets. Now here we are two years later in the winter of our discontent wringing hands, wiping furrowed brows, searching frantically for answers, instead of holding our collective heads in shame. Let us not forget that there is an answer to every problem and also within every problem lies the seeds of its own solution. We have seen those acts, now we need to face the facts— our children have become our oppressors. It is not my intent to minimize the extent or seriousness of the problem of youth violence, but instead to ensure that the issue receives the action(s) that would assure deterrence and ultimately prevent a recurrence. In other words a serious self-examination is imperative.

Govt. must investigate New Highway Producers Co-op Society DEAR EDITOR; In January 2009 I, the undersigned and thirteen (13) others approached the then secretary of the above named Co-op for five (5) acre plots of land to do a range of farming activities- chickens, pigs, fish and cultivating crops that would grow. We chose to go as a group because our individual produce would collectively benefit us. The secretary informed us that before we could be issued with the five acre plots we must all apply for a house lot, the cost of one being one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). The house lot being half of an acre and on becoming members via this acquisition we will then be eligible to acquire the farm lands. The group agreed, made application and in excess of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00) was paid. We were issued a temporary receipt and told as soon as the committee of management meets we would be given our lots along with our official letters for membership. We were also asked to submit our business proposals, which we did, so the committee can speed up its process. After six months and we didn’t get a response, we did some investigation and found out that skullduggery had taken place. We asked to be repaid - everyone. I asked most of unsuspecting victims why they hadn’t highlighted this dishonesty to warn others. Some said they were afraid of being victimised. I must say that this is a part of Guyanese culture that worries me when things are to be done right; it’s either a cuss out or silence. Between June and

July of 2010, everyone was repaid except me. The person refused to return my two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) with the words being I will be will be taught a lesson for highlighting skullduggery. In November 2010, a certain co-op official was approached on the matter. I told him of my plan to highlight in the dailies what was happening. He advised me to take another line of action in writing to the management committee. He said that the negative publicity would harm the Society. To my detriment I heeded his advice and with his assistance I made a formal complaint to the committee. He was even more sinister than the others. In December 2010 I was told that the committee couldn’t take any action to assist me with a refund of my money since the receipt issued was not from the Society’s receipt book. I was told that I needed to redo my application since the one submitted had some typographic errors. I reapplied on Feb 26, 2011. I have copies of that application. In December 2011, this person referred to above contacted me that someone was willing to transfer their 5 acres because they no longer wanted it. I was shown a blue two bedroom house with a verandah that the owner had on a quarter of the 5 acre plot of farmland. They were asking 3.8 million since the owner wanted to recover the money spent to build the house. He is now dead. I was told that Mr. BB had all the receipts for the construction of the house since he was either the contractor

or sub-contractor and he was willing to make them available to me. The following day I received a call from someone who claimed he was the original owner of the plot and it was sub divided. The other so-called owners asked me for payment of $10M. In December 2012, I was shown a 5 acre plot of land next to the village well. I was told that nobody wanted it and it was vacant for forty (40) years, a very long time and I could occupy it and start my business. I immediately got workers to clear the front of the land. In the meantime I requested the paper work which would allow me to approach Lands and Survey to finally start processing my lease. I was told that as long as I come up to ‘scratch’ I will get my document. I simply refused saying the person is in public office and that’s not one of the requirements. I still do not have any land to do my business. I asked what happened to all my applications. I was told that the Co-op village house was vandalized and all documents stolen and soon after the computer crashed. I am being asked to first move off the property they wanted to dismantle so badly before the deal could be sealed and I am given until December 10, 2016. I write this letter on behalf of the hundreds of persons who has been conspired against by this Co-op. I had hoped for a resolution at the committee of management level but to no avail. Finally I am asking the Minister of Cooperatives in Guyana to call a general meeting for the above named Society to help set things right Andrew Chance.

Straight from the top the government should be held accountable and not let off the hook until campaign promises, especially the youth-oriented ones are fulfilled to the satisfaction of the electorates. Is this the change that was promised? To paraphrase the pastor; “I am yet to hear the voice of the Minister of Public Security, our President and all our foreign missions, particularly the US, Canadians and British, since they happen to be the brainchild of this APNU+AFC government on how to tackle the crime situation”. Why have their voices not been heard? How long have their muted condition been present? Have they been provoked or invoked, to the point of vocal delivery? Let’s start our own clean up at home before soliciting foreign assistance. Currently the nation is functioning in a state of moral decrepitude, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the youths have been paying careful attention all along to the fraudulent and deceptive goings on of Government ministers. Politicians are functioning in their own created kind of moral relativism. Society no longer believes that there exists absolute right and wrong. Education is much more than reading and writing, and it must focus on morals, virtues and values. In other words education must show

young people how to live. The rise in youth crime reflects the moral deficit present, and our failure in teaching them right from wrong, but then again how can we teach them when we ourselves no longer know what is right and wrong. Guyana has become fragmented with no consensus on absolute moral values, No one advocates child abuse, but children must be loved and disciplined. Effective moral teaching and discipline begins at home. Failure to discipline our children is making criminals of them. It is crystal clear, moral teaching when done properly will last a lifetime. Many parents today are not willing to put in the time necessary to raise a law-abiding citizen, and the youth are literally raising themselves. The Bible –The Word of God is the foundation of all knowledge, with God being the Supreme Educator. The Bible is extremely far from the sum total of knowledge. It is the Basis—the Foundation, the beginning, and the foundational approach to the acquisition of discoverable knowledge. The book of Isiah can be referred to as an end time book, with many gloomy prophecies recorded to take place, just before the positive things predicted for the world after Jesus’ second coming, Isiah shows that our time is

to be a violent time, and specifically that a portion of the violence affecting the nation. Isiah 3 Broken families are another contributing factor to our rise in youth crime. Statistics show that children living with both natural parents are less likely to fall prey to criminal acts. Like it or not some children are born into homes without aspirations, where crime is a lifestyle and honest values are lacking. Crime is, fundamentally, an individual choice, but no choice is made in isolation. Once identified, the government, social agencies, teachers etc. and respective information- sharing agencies should step in before the youth gets on the conveyor belt moving him closer and closer to the barbed wired academy. Flooding the streets with more police is certainly not the answer to the problem, by no stretch of the human imagination. I am calling on President Granger to be the situation changer, requesting that he appoints without delay a new Task Force, mandated to bring this plague to an end. The Task Force will work in close collaboration with educational, religious, social, recreational and legal agencies in problem communities, problem families, and problem areas. Our focus must now be on actions, not words. Yvonne Sam

Description of the greatness of... From page 4 Mahatma Gandhi. In the words of Gandhi about Jesus, he said: “A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” Mother Theresa said the following about Jesus: ”I believe in person-toperson. Every person is Christ, for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.” — Mother Theresa. “Jesus Christ was an extremist for love, truth and goodness.” — Martin Luther King Jr., These are just a few people. The illustrious Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to over one billion people around the world face to face. He is one of the greatest preachers and international scholars, he is still alive today at age 98. One of the greatest scientists of our time, who is widely studied universally, said the following about

Jesus: “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Jesus is too colossal for the pen of phrase-mongers, however artful”. He further added: “No man can read the gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus.” — Albert Einstein – Scientist and Mathematician. Today the Gospel of Jesus Christ has produced over one billion followers and believers of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to teach us the philosophy of love and forgiveness for all. Charles Dickens, one of the greatest English novelists, said these profound words about Jesus: “I commit my soul to the mercy of God, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I now most solemnly impress upon you the truth and beauty of the Christian religion as it came from Christ Himself, and the impossi-

bility of going far wrong if you humbly but heartily respect it.” — Charles Dickens, British writer, 1812-1870 The illustrious William Shakespeare wrote his Epitaph with the following words using Jesus’s Name: ”Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare. To d i g t h e d u s t e n closed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.” Shakespeare also mentioned this magnificent statement in his Will. ”First, I Commend my Soul into the hands of God, my Creator, hoping and assured believing through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of life everlasting And my body to the Earth whereof it was made.” As we commemorate another Christmas, let us be reminded that Jesus’s teachings are for all Mankind from all walks of life. God bless you all. REV. GIDEON CECIL

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Accusations against the Bartica Town The AFC is fooling itself; it is dying and in turn gave the picture council except the above people wanted to tell them pressure the poor? Why is it Council to the council to have the mentioned family. Whose de- in Berbice their stories about the party that the AFC has stopped

DEAR EDITOR; With three appointments and no acknowledgement, the spirit of victimization is alive and well at the Bartica Town Council. November 1st, 7th and 21st I personally made three appointments to meet with the Mayor of the Bartica Town Council to have a wide range of issues discussed after a number of vendors, residents and some members of the business community who have been turning up at my home, placing calls to my cell phone to register their concern in what they deemed unfair treatment and abuse of power by the To w n C l e r k , M s P h e b e Wallerson and the Mayor, who by the way are very active in the Baptiste Church in Bartica. After there was no response from the mayor’s office to have those issues discuss, I am left with no other choice but to believe that the Bartica Town Council likes to have their dirty laundry hung in the public domain. Even after I left my name and number, to date there is no reply from the mayor’s office. I was told by a source within the mayor’s office when he received my appointment from that source, he asked sarcastically; ‘who is Sherwyn Downer?’ It is alleged that a councilor went to a business person’s place and pretended that he was taking a selfie picture, when in fact, he was photographing the business establishment

council victimize that business person. No doubt, some vendors and residents are in arrears to the Town Council. It is also alleged that there is the refusal to accept payments in part from vendors. They want all of the money at once. It must be also noted, presently, there is no economic activity taking place. Business is dead. Some amount of compassion should be shown to residents and vendors or even have an amnesty programme where the above mentioned categories of persons can honour their debts to the town council. It is also alleged that the Town Clerk suspended a vendor from vending for two weeks on allegations that the vendor used indecent language in her presence. One vendor who was in arrears of $45000 and took in $30000 as a part payment was refused and was told to go and make it right. The Town Clerk must show which part or chapter in the Local Government Municipal District Act that empowers her to refuse vendors money in part payments and suspend vendors who allegedly used indecent language in her presence. The Bartica town council is being called upon to explain or to justify why the entire West Indian Housing scheme residents receive service from the town council but not the Downer family. All of the residents’ garbage is picked up by the

cision was this or from whom was the order given not pick up the garbage. The senior and junior pastors who sit on the council, the town clerk and mayor who are all Christians, or so I thought, and hold senior positions within their churches respectively must explain this unbecoming behavior of the council of which they are part of. A question for the men of the cloth: does God victimize or discriminate? I condemn, without reservation, the acts of victimization against my family by the Bartica Town Council. I will continue to be vocal on issues that matter most to the residents of Bartica, vendors and the business community and to bring a voice to the voiceless Barticians who desire to speak out about what is happening but are afraid to do so out of fear of being victimized. Let it be known to the Bartica Town Council that no amount of intimidation will stop me from speaking out. I call on the Minister of Social Cohesion and Council of Churches to intervene. In my opinion, because of the high presence of religious leaders on the council, they should be working overtime to unite Barticians and not the opposite. I am most certain that the government, the minister and Ministry of Communities will not condone such acts of victimization by the Bartica Town Council. I am for peace but they at the town council seem to be for war. Sherwyn Delano Downer

I have never heard of Andy Medas-King DEAR EDITOR; I make reference to author Andy Medas-King’s KN article dated Dec.17, 2016 and captioned “Turn o f t h i n g s i n G u y a n a ’s sports.” It has been quite a while since I have been stationed in the fields by choice with my independent photographic coverage of many sports and social events. Though I am not familiar with many persons, I was just wondering if the author A. M. King can further educate me and the general public with answers to some questions. I will state for the record that I have never heard or no one has ever mentioned that name ever in a conversation relating to sports. The author in his published article stated that he would have invested 21 million dollars over the past seven years centered around Track and Field. Is he making reference

t o G u y a n a ’s Tr a c k a n d Field? Is the author by any chance, going under a different name, a company and which event/s his money went towards? I just can’t recall that name as a sponsor of any Track and Field meet during my photography coverage over the years. Did the author sponsor any meet held at the Leonora Synthetic Track since President Donald Ramotar commissioned that facility? Where exactly the 21 million dollars went to? Wa s i t t h e M i n i s t r y o f Sports, the National Sports Commission, the Athletics Association of Guyana, or the Guyana Olympic Association? The author also seems to be based somewhere overseas and I was wondering if it is the USA, what has been his contribution to the overseas based Guyanese athletes on scholarships over the

years. I dare say to the author that I am in total disagreement with his message that sports will not go forward with Mr. K. J. Yassin as President of the Guyana Olympic Association. A. M. King, have you ever challenged the late President Linden Forbes Burnham after Guyana boycotted the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games? Have you ever challenged the former Presidents of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Mr. Colin Boyce, M r. Blackmore or former President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mr. Colin Bynoe over the years? I believe they all had major roles with Guyana Track and Field Sports over the years. Please provide your answers for education purpose to all that are not familiar with your contribution. T. Pemberton

DEAR EDITOR; Please allow me the opportunity to reply to a letter that was published in the other newspapers to the effect AFC has a vibrant existence in Region 5 written by Mr. Abel Seetaram, who is an executive of that party. It may be possible that my letter here may come out the same time with Seetarm’s since Kaieteur News always publishes his letters as well as mine. It seems to me that the opposition is on the right track by saying that the AFC is dying and falling apart in Berbice - both regions 5 and 6. Mr. Seetaram seems to be out of touch with reality and the day to day operations of his government and party. I will like to tell Mr. Seetaram that the AFC is a lame, dying duck in Guyana not Berbice alone. I am saying this because it’s the truth and he and his fat cat party leaders do not want to accept the truth. The opposition is not lying on the AFC; the AFC is lying to themselves in believing that the party is alive. Mr. Seetaram mentioned an event he organised on December 17th in Bath Settlement for the party supporters and friends. But I am surprised at Mr. Seetaram, who is a very hard worker for the AFC, to use that forum to feel all is well. Maybe the turnout was good because AFC ministers were there and the

they once cared for. Mr. Seetaram wants us as members of the AFC to feel as if the party is doing something but we all know that they are lame ducks. I call on all to understand the fight and on my people in the AFC to continue to stand up for equal rights. That event that Mr. Seetaram talks about is to continue pulling wool over the eyes of the members and supporters of the AFC because all is nearly gone. The members of the AFC are very surprised when the ministers supported the VAT on water and electricity. They were shocked when the ministers supported the rental of the drug bond. They were very surprised that ministers within their party are failing to meet with them. They are disappointed for not having employment under the APNU\AFC government. So the entire AFC is in operation in a graveyard. I would like Mr. Seetaram (whom I have great respect for because of his work within the AFC and also because of him standing up for the people rights) or any other member of the party to tell the nation the facts by answering the following questions. When last did the AFC ministers have a party outreach in Berbice? Why did the AFC ministers support the VAT on water and electricity that will

standing up for sugar workers? Why are AFC members not being hired and only the old heads in the APNU\PNC? Where is the Change? Why has AFC accepted the 50% in ministers’ salaries? What happened to the AFC live TV program here in Berbice? A lot more can be asked but those are some critical questions. AFC is slowly dying in Berbice. The MP is doing nothing to better the AFC here. The AFC’s MP has lost his way and now stopped listening to the people and their problems. He is a man who now has power in his hands and it flew to the brains. The AFC must act if they want us to believe that the party is alive and well. AFC is losing Berbice and no one seems to care. Everyman is for himself. I call on all the members to seek answers as to why the AFC leaders are not listening to its members. I call on all the members to seek answers at the congress of the party. Ensure that the leaders are held accountable. AFC is slowly going and I hope it can return to good life for all. I do look forward to the answers if anyone seeks it fitting to reply. James Fraser AFC Member Editor’s note; Mr. Seetaram’s letter is in today’s edition

AFC is alive and kicking in Region 5. From page 5 Region 5 is alive and kicking and its members are together. On Saturday 17th December, 2016, as member of the party, I took the initiative in organising an AFCs “Members and Friends Get Together” in Bath Settlement. The members of the AFC bravely attended that function, along with friends of the party. This shows that members are not moving away from the AFC but in fact more are joining. Members came all the way from Mahaicony and Ithaca to be part of the event and interact with fellow members and friends. This shows that the opposition has been lying to the public, so as to make themselves and their supporters feel as if the AFC is losing it. It’s so shameful that the opposition can really twist the truth. It continues to peddle lies. I strongly believe that they are doing this so as to cause doubts within the minds of members of the AFC here in Berbice. I must thank all the members of the AFC in Region 5 for their continued confidence in the party and for their support in making the

AFC stronger. I must applaud those that came to the event although it was kept in a village that the opposition claimed to own as theirs. I want to thank all the persons that have contributed toward the Region 5 AFC’s “Members and Friends Get

Together.” Without your support this event could not have been a success. Thank you! I also want to thank the many friends of the AFC for attending. The AFC is alive and kicking In Region 5. Abel Seetaram AFC Member

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Second suspect in Laing Avenue execution captured - Cops on the hunt for two others The plans of three murder suspects, who thought that they could return home and have a good Guyanese Christmas with their friends and family, were shattered yesterday when the cops got word that they had returned home from neighbouring Suriname. The three suspects were accused of executing former murder accused, Orin David, called “Malik” in front of his Lot 89 Laing Avenue, Georgetown home in the presence of his reputed wife and other relatives on August 1, last. The alleged trigger man, Samuel McIntyre, was charged shortly after the murder while three of his accomplices fled to Suriname. Yesterday, the police received information that the three men had returned home to spend the holidays with their families and decided to set up a sting operation.

One of the men, who has been identified as “Spleen” was captured in Agricola. His two accomplices have not been apprehended. The 33-year-old man was killed after one of five men came out of a car and riddled him with bullets. According to reports, the former murder accused had confrontations several times with a man from Agricola, East Bank Demerara, whom he had bailed out of jail some time last year. It was reported that on the day in question, David and the suspect were involved in a heated argument over the monies. It is alleged that the Agricola resident went away and later returned with four persons in two vehicles and executed David. Last year February, David was freed after spending five years in prison for the 2010 murder of Mahaica farmer,

Dead: Orin David Lakhram Bishundial. Bishundial, called Mohan, was shot and killed during a robbery at Hope Turn, East Coast Demerara as he was on his way to a nearby Ashram to make preparations for his younger brother’s wedding. On July 12, 2015, David, who had allegedly tossed a firearm in a trench during a police patrol exercise on July 9, was charged with unlawful possession of a gun.

Sunday December 25, 2016

Taxi, minibus fares double this festive season Although it has become a norm for minibus and hire car operators to hike their fares around the festive season, commuters continue to criticize and accuse them of being exploitive. This was the case on Christmas Eve as persons flocked to Georgetown to do their last minute shopping. However, persons hurrying to get out of the hustle and bustle were greeted with some “outrageous” prices by transporters. There has been a hike in fare at almost every bus and car park around the capital city. Specifically, this fare hike was observed with cars not operating through a taxi service. Persons using taxis for short drops complained of the fares being doubled. In some instances taxi drivers charged $700 and $800 for short drops, when the regular prices is usually around $400 and $500. “Driver how much to go to La Penitence market?” one woman asked a taxi driver outside the car park at Demico House, Stabroek, Georgetown. The taxi driver responded, “$800.” The woman said, “$800 to go right down there? Every year is the same thing with yall. You people over doing it.” In a serious tone, the taxi driver asked the woman if she

had observed the heavy traffic around and the time it took to make a drop. Nevertheless, there was some negotiation between them, and the fare was reduced to $700 so the woman boarded the car to her destination. It was observed that persons, who were carrying a lot of baggage preferred to travel by taxi to avoid the constant stops by minibuses. Waveney Johnson, a shopper explained that she would rather travel in taxi than minibus because she would be dropped off in front of her home. “You see all them bag I have? I can’t catch a bus because I will have to walk through a street when I get drop off at the road head. When I catch the car I will get drop off right in front my home. Plus the taxi driver will help me carry in these bags. But not every shopper is like Johnson. There were shoppers whose preferred mode of transportation was minibuses because it was cheaper. However, some of them were left shocked when minibus operators demanded $100 for all short-drops, which on any regular day would be $60 and $80. Over at the route 42 bus park, the standard $100 fare remained for persons travelling direct to Diamond/ Grove. Persons stopping short of these locations were

also required to pay the same fare, which would normally be between $60 and $80. “Passengers all shorts drops are $100. It don’t matter where you coming off even if it is right at Parliament Buildings,” one bus driver informed before he drove off from the route 42 bus park. An official from Sunset Taxi service said that she was unaware of the company applying a raise in fares. Commuters using cars attached to the 007 taxi service will be required to pay an additional $100 on the regular price for long-distance drops, according to a representative. When asked the reason for the increased fares, a taxi driver explained, “Is the heavy traffic and congestion around town during this time. It’s taking too long to make a drop off in this. But some taxi man taking advantage of people. I hear some of them charging $1000 for a short drop. I can’t do people that because when this holiday done I still got to get customers. I don’t want no customer remember me after the holidays as the taxi man who charged them expensive.” The taxi driver related that fare prices will go back to normal after the holidays. “Remember persons will want to go partying and so on...So they will need a taxi to go home because bus does hardly run.”

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 9

66,000 now benefit from internet Dem boys seh... ready computers -- Hughes Wha one mattress

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, recently disclosed that the E-Government Unit has been quite busy this year, particularly in poor, remote, hinterland areas. She said that the Unit has installed receivers and internet-ready computers in 14 communities. Hughes said, too, that community ICT hubs have been set up in Good Hope, Charity, Dartmouth, Bagotville, Buxton, Better Hope, Beterverwagting, Lusignan, Sophia, Trafalgar Union, Port Mourant, Liverpool, Sandvoort, and Vryman’s Erven. The Minister of Public Telecommunications said that there are now more than 66,000 residents in these communities who have access to the worldwide web at community hubs. She said, “With this initiative, our Technicians are doing three things simultaneously; they’re installing internet-ready equipment in community centers; they’re training community leaders and children in the use of the internet and they are installing more receivers to connect the computer laboratories in secondary schools.” Up to November, Hughes said that the Unit had connected over 120 schools on the coastland and in the hinterland. The Minister said, “Actually, the secondary schools connection programme was put on a fast track to ensure that our children could m e e t t h e C X C ’s n e w r u l e t h a t requires all candidates to submit their SBA assignments online. “So, we’re not wasting any time. Giving our children and teachers a proper framework for a rounded high quality education is much too important.” Minister Hughes said there is another element to the community connectivity programme. She said that very shortly, the first three tech support units will be set up in the Regional Democratic Councils compounds in Anna Regina, Linden and New Amsterdam. She said that the technicians assigned to those units will be the “First Response teams” equipped to fix minor

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes problems, and they will refer the major problems with the community systems and teachers’ laptop computers to their head office. Minister Hughes also revealed the implementation plan for 2017. Hughes said that $1.58 Billion is budgeted for investment in EGovernment initiatives. Of that, she said that an estimated $114 million is allocated for the provision of public Internet access at over 600 Government buildings across the country. These Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs) will increase the opportunities and channels through which thousands of public workers will access online resources as part of Government’s aim to reduce the digital divide and increase digital interaction with Government. Hughes said that very key to this initiative are the Post Offices – especially those located in the communities that are waiting to be connected such as Lethem, Linden, Bartica, Mahdia, Mabaruma, and Port Kaituma. Hughes said, “An estimated $90 Million will be used to provide ICT access for the Hinterland and for the

poor and remote communities. Community ICT hubs and PIAPs will soon be established in Masakenari, Annai, Lethem, Waramadong, Paramakatoi, Aishalton, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Linden, Bartica, Mahdia, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, and Kwakawani, in addition to at least 24 other communities across Guyana.” She continued, “A further 30 Community ICT Hubs are being established as pilots to serve 60,000 residents in parts of Region 2, (Affiance, Onderneeming, Lima Sands), Region 3 (Leonora, Den Amstel, La Parfaite Harmonie, Hauge Lib), Region 4 (Agricola, Mocha Arcadia, Enmore), Region 5 (Ithaca, Bath Settlement), and Region 6 (Whim, Fyrish, Baracara, Skeldon). In the next stage of expansion, communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 will also be included.” The Minister added, “In rural, poor and remote areas, these ‘community centre’ will be independently run by local people, improving residents’ access to information and services, support education for youths and adults. An estimated $30 million has been allocated for these pilots, with the wider project expected to come on stream in the latter half of 2017.” The Minister said that another $674 million has been allocated to improve connectivity and Internet access to more than 140 Government locations that were already connected to the EGovernment Network, and to the 600+ Government locations Government recognizes the absolute need to boost human ICT capacity. As such, Minister Hughes said that approximately $160 million will be spent on specialized ICT training at the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT). The Minister said that this is in collaboration with the Government of India. She said that this fully renovated and fully equipped Centre will be opened in the new year. Hughes added that the programme will focus on training-oftrainers in advanced areas of ICT. She said that these master trainers will in turn provide training for up to 500 ICT professionals over two years in a series of advanced ICT areas of specialization.

and no panty do fuh Christmas

De holiday season does call fuh a lot of planning. People does want to have de best of everything. This year a lot of people didn’t get nutten to dem expectation. In fact, all de business people complain how business terrible across Guyana. However, de politicians think de opposite to wha dem business people saying. Dem boys decide to go and find out wha is de true situation. Dem meet a lot of business people who complain bitterly. Some seh that dem invest in goods and dem can’t even mek back de investment. Dem seh if dem continue at this rate dem would go out of business. Some things like lights, shoes, food and drinks sell. Mattresses sell too, but dem boys didn’t know till dem hear this story. One young business man and he wife plan like everybody else. Dem decide that this was to be de best ever Christmas since it was dem first one together. Dem challenge each other to see who gun bring in more money de day before Christmas Eve so dem can do dem grand shopping fuh Christmas. That night de man went home tipsy, wid a big smile pun he face and a “Ho Ho Ho.” He throw de bag down pun de table fuh shock he wife. Dem boys hear when she open de bag and see de amount of money she ask him wha he do. “I been to Comfort Sleep, buy 100 mattresses. Then I go to Guyana stores and buy 100 panties. All sell like hot cakes.” De wife reach under de table and pull out a bigger bag and dash it pun de table next to he bag. When she open it and de husband see how much money she mek, he ask she, “How come you mek so much more than me?” She tell him, “I use one mattress and no panty.” Merry Christmas from dem boys and dem girls at de Waterfalls paper.

PAGE 10

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Housing sector in a gloomy state for 2016 By Kiana Wilburg Like the rice and sugar industries, the housing sector is in a sad state. This is according to Minister of Housing, Valerie Patterson.

Recently, she sought to address the worrying state of affairs in the housing sector. It was initially brought to the foreground by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. Jordan told the nation that

construction declined from a budgeted 10.5 percent to a projected 3.2 percent in 2016.The Finance Minister also stated that this performance is related to a decline in activity in the

- Patterson housing sector and the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). With the aforementioned as her premise, Patterson commented that the approved budget for the year 2016 for Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) totaled $5.8B. The Minister said that the total capital expenditure as at September 30, 2016, is $503.4M, which represents 8.6% of the approved budget, while current expenditure stands at $354.8M and current revenues at $51.5M. Patterson said that the projected revenue and expenditure for the remainder of the year is $190.0M and $1.124B respectively. She said that CH&PA is not expected to satisfy its capital expenditure budget of $5.2B for 2016. Patterson said, “I am definitely not happy to report that the Authority has only spent19.9% of that expenditure and achieved 30.5% of revenue. This agency has been plagued by numerous challenges regarding human resources, unfilled positions, lack of capacity in some regards and untimely decision making. However, I am confident that this scenario will not continue into 2017 and the budgeted sum will be fully expended,” expressed the Housing Minister. Also expounding on the state of the housing sector, Minister Jordan stated that the Central Housing and Planning Authority has reviewed the process of allocating house lots, given the approximately 25,000 applications on file, of which almost 18,000 are low income individuals. He said that concerns about the low occupancy of many housing development areas have also led to reviews

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan of the mechanisms used to enable home ownership. Jordan added, “What has been revealed is the lack of a holistic approach in providing quality, affordable housing in safe, well-serviced communities. Many recipients of house lots remain unable to start construction, while others have been allocated lots in areas that are woefully under-developed and without basic infrastructure. Still, many more are saddled with poorly constructed turnkey homes.” The Finance Minister said that CH&PA had developed 380 housing areas, inclusive of the regularization of squatting areas for 66,124 lots of which 63,257 were allocated. However, occupancy level is only 55% since 28,220 lots divested to households are still unoccupied. He said that this situation was further exacerbated during the 2011-2015 period where 38 housing areas with 20,015 lots of which 16,273 lots remained unoccupied. He said that it took 4260 acres to yield the 20000+ lots at a cost of $12.78B. It requires a further $16.6B to complete these areas. The Finance Minister stated that the low occupancy points to factors such as lack of ability to access mortgages/ affordability, inadequate or non-existent infrastructure, lack of social facilities and

Minister with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson services, loss of family support to poor households and challenges associated with individuals undertaking their own construction. Minister Patterson said, “This inability to ‘start construction’ is not some new phenomenon that was visited upon the people since May 2015. The record will show that some of these people have had house lots for years. It was the Jubilee Payment Plan, extended by the APNU+AFC Government, which enabled many of them to pay off for their house lots.” Looking ahead, Minister Jordan summarized what is to come in 2017. Come next year, the Finance Minister said that the Government’s priority action areas, in housing, will be initiatives targeting lowincome and state employees. He said that these initiatives will involve a comprehensive feasibility assessment of existing housing areas, squatting areas and land for future development; the consolidation of planned housing areas; and the upgrading of regularized squatting areas. Given the huge demand for house lots and the limited availability of serviced lots for distribution, Jordan said that the Government intends to pilot a project to construct apartments, condominiums, and wooden houses in existing planned areas, such as Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Perseverance, and Amelia’s Ward. Also, in 2017, the Government has allocated $100 million, under the Hinterland Sustainable Housing Programme, for the construction of 115 subsidized housing units and 45 roof and water catchment system subsidies in Regions One and Nine. On the softer side, the Government, through the CHPA, will strengthen its planning function in this sector by holding national planning forums, formulating development plans, organizing community development projects, sensitizing the general public on building codes and standards, and building the capacity of small local contractors.

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Today we join our Christian Brothers and Sisters to celebrate the birth of Christ, the reason for the season. Below are some messages that have been issued to commemorate this festive day:

GUYANA TRADES UNION CONGRESS (GTUC)

BY PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER I extend warm greetings to all Guyanese on the celebration of the joyous and wondrous festival of Christmas! The message for mankind of Jesus Christ’s miraculous birth is recounted in the gospel of St. Luke (2:14) in the Holy Bible, which proclaims: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Guyana is our motherland. We have a collective duty to ensure that we keep our homeland free from disaffection and discord. We have an obligation to promote peace and goodwill within our country. The celebration of the

birth of Christ reminds us that peace and goodwill do not drop from the sky like manna. They are shared values, which must find root and flourish in our homes, in our schools, in our offices, in the fields and factories and in our neighbourhoods and communities. I wish that we all will embrace the universal values of peace and goodwill, which Christmas proclaims. I wish that the Guyanese tradition of hospitality and goodwill will prevail at the time of this sacred festival. I wish that our culture of care and compassion for one another will continue to guide us all and improve our quality

of life now and in the future. We must foster a culture of peace and goodwill by dispelling the evils of envy, hatred and enmity from our lives. Jesus Christ came as the ‘Prince of Peace.’ The celebration of his birth is an opportunity for all Guyanese to renew the common ties that bind us together as a nation. I appeal to everyone to work together for the common good. I appeal to everyone to treat each other with respect. I appeal to everyone to work towards creating a culture of peace and goodwill – the values of Christmas Happy Christmas to all!

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM (PNC/R) The miraculous birth of Jesus Christ – celebrated by most Christians on the December 25 – is recorded in the Gospel according to St Luke as heralding an era of ”peace on earth and good will toward men.” Jesus’s humble birth took place in a common manger in a tiny town in an obscure country. He was able, nevertheless, with a small band of disciples, to preach a gospel that transformed the world in a most fundamental way and created a remarkable Christian civilization of which we are all heirs. Guyana being a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is in a unique position to benefit from the teachings of the religions of all of its peoples. Christmas is, therefore, not only for members of the Christian community but for all Guyanese in a very real

sense. There is abundant evidence that the teachings of Christianity and its practices have influenced the lives of all of our people. In other words, this country has seen the benefits of the policy of allowing all religions to flower in Guyana. Christian beliefs go well beyond the religious and have had a notable effect on all aspects of life in Guyana, in terms of the production of Art, Literature, our way of living and our objective of building a harmonious and tolerant society. The Christian spirit of charity continues to inspire Guyanese of all religions. Ordinary people everywhere reach out with compassion and generosity to help their brothers and sisters in distress. We call to mind the plight

of the aged, the poor and other vulnerable citizens. We remember our servicemen and soldiers who will spend this joyous festival separated from their families at sea and on our far-flung frontiers. We recognize the service of our nurses, servicemen, technicians and working people who maintain our utilities, sanitary facilities and security services to ensure that citizens could be safe and that the nation could be secure. The biblical promise of peace on earth and good will toward men, however, remains unfulfilled. Guyanese are urged on the occasion of this sacred festival – through thought, word and work – to make Jesus’s message of mercy and his ministry to the poor and needy the main motifs of their celebration.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) joins with the Christian community and all Guyanese in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth and teachings have come to represent a new beginning in human development. The principles of Christianity, which are grounded in peace and goodwill to all men, are premised on equality, justice and fair play. To these values the GTUC enjoins all not only to celebrate its beginning (December 25), but give true meaning to its representation in our day-to-day lives. The equality which protects the individual

PAGE 11

fundamental rights and freedoms to be treated with dignity and respect includes the right to worship in peace, the right to freedom of association, and protection from discrimination. Respect for equality will ensure justice in the manner man treats with his fellow man, be it at an individual, group or institutional level. Treating with every individual fairly will contribute to creating a just society and guaranteeing the equality of all. Whether it be the family, workplace, civic group, or government, where the tone is set in ensuring rules and standards grounded in

principles of equality, peace and goodwill to all mankind can be assured. The best exemplar in this regard remains Christ, whose teachings and actions were even handed in conceptualisation, application and implementation. Thus, the peace and goodwill this yuletide season brings us must not only be for merriment, but committed immersion in the role each and every one of us must play in giving true meaning, year round, to the principles Christ’s life and work exemplified. May His peace and goodwill be with us at all time.

GAWU’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - 2016 The universal messages of religious events and festive celebrations like Christmas are generally positive and relate to hope, to good and to the sustenance of the human spirit in the face of almost daily challenges to life. In Guyana, the varied religious-based events uphold the values of commemorating some memorable giving or sharing and the triumph of good over evil, of compassion and our humanity to our fellow humans. The festival of Christmas as a precursor to the end of our calendar year is one such celebration. With those sentiments in mind, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to share in extending Christmas Greetings to all Guyanese and such others of peace, joy and goodwill at this time. GAWU is quite familiar with and aware of the message of hope and

salvation embedded in Christianity’s embrace of the Birth of the Christ Child. We have noted with reverence many worthy lessons contained in the Bible and teachings which still guide our life and behaviour in this 21st Century. One can even recognize the parallel related to taxation to the burdensome impending taxes in store for us and contained in the 2017 Budget. Apart from the increase in taxation Christmas 2016 is marked by enormous challenges that are borne by the working people. Social ills like daily crime, fatal traffic accidents, challenges in

health care, all present a dramatic reality to this year’s Festival of the Birth. However, GAWU wishes that the Spirit of the season still be embraced by all Guyanese. Let hope and the confidence that our struggle will ensure the dawning of a better day. Let also this Christmas time remind us once again of the need, importance and value of national and social cohesion. GAWU wishes all Guyanese, not forgetting its Members, Executives and Staff – a peaceful, pleasant Season and a 2017 filled with hope and fulfilled expectations.

We are life savers, you should be one too!Donate blood today!!!

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

ASST COMMISSIONER MAXINE GRAHAM HEADS LIST OF POLICE PROMOTIONS …Best Cop promoted from Corporal to Inspector

Promoted to Assistant Police Commissioner: Police Superintendent 13745 Maxine Graham (2nd right) Woman Police Superintendent 13745 Maxine Graham has topped the list of 33 police officers who will be promoted in 2017.

Graham, who is seconded to the Commissioner’s Office, has been promoted to Assistant Police Commissioner.

Last October, Graham travelled to Barcelona, Spain, where she was awarded a plaque for winning the 2016 International Association of Women Police Recognition and Scholarship Award, for her vast area of work. Following Graham on the promotion list are Deputy Superintendent Frank Harvey and Deputy Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, who have both been promoted to Superintendent. Assistant Superintendents Patrick Todd, Himnauth Sawh and John Barker were promoted to Superintendent; nine Inspectors, including two women, are now Assistant Superintendents, and 14 Sergeants, including four women, have been promoted to Inspector. Three corporals were promoted to the rank of Inspector. Among them is Corporal 18438 Prem Satyanand Narine, of the Major Crimes Unit. Narine received the Force’s Best Cop Award. He was adjudged Criminal Investigation Department (CID)’s top performer for 2016. The promotions List is as Follows TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (1) W/Senior Superintendent - Maxine Graham TO SUPERINTENDENT (1) Deputy Superintendent - Frank Harvery (2) Deputy Superintendent - Mahendra Siwnarine TO DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT (1) Assistant Superintendent - Patrick Todd

(2) Assistant Superintendent - Himnauth Sawh (3) Assistant Superintendent - John Barker TO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT (1) W/Inspector - Yvonne Stephens (2) Inspector - Oswald Pitt (3) Inspector - Eton Davidson (4) Inspector - Jermaine Harper (5) Inspector - Chabinauth Singh (6) Inspector - Andrew Cumberbatch (7) Inspector - Bharat Persaud (8) W/Inspector - Audrey Jordan (9) Inspector Malcolm Melville TO INSPECTOR: Designation (1) Sergeant 14169 - Richard Frank (2) Sergeant 12960 - Anthony Aaron (3) Sergeant 18396 - Julius Samuels (4) W/Sergeant 14913 - Lorna Adonis (5) W/Sergeant15419 - Lavern Garraway (6) Sergeant 16036 - Herbert Henry (7) Sergeant 13819 - Anant Ram (8) Corporal 18438 - Prem Satyanand Narine (9) Corporal 14539 - Eishwar Bharat Mangru (10) Corporal 18538 - Maniram Jagnanan (11) Sergeant 19707 - Michael Cort (12) W/Sergeant 19433 - Vernette Pindar (13) Sergeant 19873 - Munesh Dial (14) Sergeant 13826 - Gordon Mansfield (15) Sergeant 19309 - Devon Lowe (16) Sergeant 16421 - Otis Jackson (17) W/Sergeant 12933 - Norma Joseph (18) Sergeant 18293 - Wendell Harry

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Is Christmas still a fascinating holiday? By Sharmain Grainger As a little girl I was fascinated by Christmas - the decorations, many food and drinks, gifts and even the notion of Santa Claus, even though I still don’t grasp how he became a part of the celebration. Because of my religious beliefs I have always envisaged a baby Jesus in a horse stable wrapped in swaddling clothes. Although his birth started off as a perceived simple event it instead turned out to be a glorious affair, with angels announcing his arrival and shepherds visiting to witness the birth and offer expensive gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. There is no doubt a lot of people, young and old, are still fascinated by all this. As an adult, at least for the past few years, I am no longer intrigued by this holiday. Of course as a Christian I am accepting of the religious meaning behind the holiday and I am grateful, but I have simply lost the zeal to embrace a celebratory disposition. But I know I am not the only one. I have heard many individuals share similar sentiments, and for many it is linked to that ‘hustle and bustle’ nature of doing things at this time of year. With this season - I have heard quite a few persons say

- comes a sudden desire to ‘shop till you drop’ and do a great deal of ‘hustle and bustle’ that often doesn’t end until Christmas Day dawns. For the past few years I have been seriously wondering what is the point of all this ‘shopping madness’ and ‘busy work’? But many of us already know the answer to this. For many years now, Christmas has been commercialised, in fact it is perhaps the most commercialised religious holiday that exists. There are usually all kinds of merchandise to choose from and bargains and promotions are always in abundance. It might be for this very reason that many people celebrate Christmas today. I am certainly not opposed or naive to the fact that it is a holiday that brings many people together and even makes them try to be nice to each other. Seeing people being nice to each other is perhaps the one thing I will never get enough of during this season. Just this past week I saw a grown man make a very public apology for something he did that was quite demeaning. It might have hurt his pride and bruised his masculine ego a bit, but he did it, and appeared to have been sincere about it too. In case you missed it, the apology I make reference to is that of Junior Social Pro-

tection Minister, Mr. Keith Scott, to representatives of two major umbrella union bodies – the Federation of Independence Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC). The Minister during the recent budget debate probably, at the time, found it entertaining to refer to the unions as “virtually impotent”. Although he prefaced his subsequent ‘heartfelt’ apology with a preamble that was a bit suspicious, since it begged a similar question an

The Baccoo Speaks In the midst of joy and celebration there would be grief. A mother in the process of preparing a meal would experience pain. A child would suffer a kitchen disaster through no fault of the mother and despite warnings that children should not be in the vicinity of fires. ** Desperation often leads to poor judgement. How else would one explain the efforts

of two young criminals who would try to execute a robbery at a home that they think is easy picking?

A police patrol is often never far away, especially at this time. There will be a shooting and again tears will fall in the home of the hapless criminal. ** One more road fatality would be recorded during this festive season. A speeding driver is going to crash into a parked object after swerving from an oncoming vehicle.

adult Jesus asked those who were about to stone a woman to death - “who among us have not sinned?”, it was readily accepted by the “hurt” union representatives, including the usually very vocal Mr. Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the GTUC. Lewis has over the years been known to be intolerant of

things that hurt the union movement. But according to the minister, he was man enough to apologise not only to the unions but basically the whole country for his “mistake”. However, maybe even a ‘stone cold’ heart can melt at this time of year when the

words “I am sorry” is uttered. Minister Scott certainly didn’t fail to lace his apology for his “impotent” “mistake” by highlighting that he was doing it in the “spirit of the season”. Since I am inclined to believe that Minister Scott’s apology was his doing and not forced by Cabinet, it does suggest to me that there is something more than just decorations, food, drinks, gifts and bargains that still drives this season. Perhaps had it not been Christmas the Minister might not have been willing to apologise. Perhaps the unions would have continued to be so irked that they could have engaged action to destabilize the country, which is already dealing with so many challenges. So this year, Christmas Day has found me a little receptive of the celebrations around me, although this does not mean that I will be inclined to participate or be anymore fascinated than I have been over the past few years. Happy Christmas to all, and do remember the reason for the season.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

The man who vanished on Christmas Day The pepperpot and black cake were on the table…but where was Michael Harris? By Michael Jordan I guess you know about the Marie Celeste, but if you don’t, that was the American ship whose captain, passengers and seven-man crew vanished without a trace, back in December 1872. And that brings me to another December mystery, more recent and more close to home. It began on Christmas Day of 2008 at a two-storey house located at Lot 607 Hippani Oval, Retrieve, Linden. The bottom flat was occupied by Michael Harris, a 58-year-old contractor who was also the caretaker of the premises, which belonged to an overseas-based Guyanese. A female ac-

quaintance of the owner lived in the top flat. The story that relatives have been told is that sometime that day, Harris climbed onto his bicycle and travelled to Wismar, where he had a ‘Christmas drink’ with a friend. Word is that the contractor was once a hard drinker. But earlier in the year, an intoxicated Harris had tumbled off his bicycle and almost drowned in the Demerara River. That had caused him to drastically reduce his alcohol consumption. So, when he met up with his friend at Wismar, Michael Harris reportedly only drank a Malta. According to reports, the contractor then rode to

Poke Street, Wismar, where he had a drink with another friend. This time, it is alleged that he took a small amount of alcohol. Mr. Harris reportedly then visited a third friend at Christianburg/Wismar. The second friend would later tell relatives that Harris had passed his way again, and that he had observed that Harris’ clothes were soiled with mud. The friend concluded that Harris had fallen somewhere during his journey. Later in the day, one of Harris’s sisters called his home to wish her brother a merry Christmas. When the landline rang out, she tried to reach him on his mobile phone, but no one answered.

Wayne Harris: Still seeking answers to his father’s disappearance About two days later, the relative again tried to contact Harris on the landline at his home. It is alleged that this time, the woman who lived in the upper flat informed the caller that Mr. Harris had gone out on Christmas Day but had not returned. The concerned relative contacted Wayne Harris, one of the missing man’s sons. Wayne Harris contacted another brother and they travelled to the home at Linden where their father resided. Wayne Harris said that when they entered their father ’s apartment, they found everything intact. There was pepperpot and black cake on the table. According to Wayne

Harris, they visited the woman who lived in the upper flat. She reportedly revealed that she was in possession of the missing man’s mobile phone. Wayne Harris’ story is that the woman said that after his father failed to return home, she went into his flat and retrieved his phone. Worried relatives then widened the search by checking at the hospitals and even in the cemetery for any sign of their missing father. They found none. They placed advertisements on the radio and television. Callers responded by giving the family several leads about the contractor’s whereabouts. All proved to be false. Wayne Harris said that about a month later, a man confided to them that he was scouring the abandoned mines for ‘metal’ to sell when he came across a bag, which appeared to contain human bones. According to the son, this information was conveyed to ranks at the Mackenzie Police Station and they confirmed that the man had given them a similar report. But he alleged that the policemen claimed

that they had checked the area, but failed to find the bag of ‘bones.’ Harris said that he and other relatives checked the vast abandoned bauxite mines. They, too, found nothing. To date, not a trace of the contractor or his bicycle has been found. Wayne Harris was less than complimentary when he spoke about the efforts police made to locate his father. He alleged that the police ignored information that family members provided about two possible suspects. He’s convinced that someone murdered his father, who disappeared on Christmas Day just as if the earth had opened up and swallowed him. If you have any information about this unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258458, 22-58465, 22-58473 or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com.

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Was Christmas of 2016 different from previous ones I knew? As usual, I attended as I did for all the years, the annual general meeting of Kaieteur News staff, that the staffers call “the bonus meeting”. That is the day when the company pays a bonus, and yes, to its columnists too. It is customary for those who have been around KN for a long time, to join in speechmaking. Mr. Lall took the floor and announced that he had been doing this for 22 years, so what is there to say again. I was perplexed, because I too didn’t know what I could possible say that I haven’t said before at these bonus meetings. It was a relief when this year’s format did away with the speeches. But at that meeting, it did occur to me that my Christmas article was in trouble. After doing 27 Christmas Day columns, what could I possible say in 2016? I mean, I could pen another political article, but that would be incongruous with the ambience of Christmas Day. There is a time and place for everything, and surely after a column on

social things, and things in general, every day in 2016 in KN, it would be insulting to readers to do yet another piece of social analysis. But this is Guyana, where angst runs like a river that has burst its banks. This is Guyana, where nothing appears as they are and everything is a deceptive movement that tantalizes the soul and lacerates the psyche. This is Guyana, where anomaly, aberration and negativity meet in a confluence of piercing pessimism. So could I escape another piece of social analysis in my column for Christmas Day? I will try, but if I fail by the time you reach the last paragraph then you can blame it not on my limited imagination, but on the unimaginative land that stifles the poetry of the faculties of its mentally disheveled citizenry. I am torn between my personal Christmas and the impersonal Christmas I saw in my country. For me, this Christmas was philosophically rewarding. I extended

the list of people I gave gifts to, and in all instances the recipients were people who needed it. We upped the amount we give to the animal clinic. My wife and I stopped giving each other gifts. We pool the money we would spend on each other and we donate it to the animal clinic on Robb Street. My daughter wrapped up a gift for our two pets – one for the cat and one for our big puppy – and put them under the Christmas tree that she had since she was one year old. In my personal life, I cannot think of any other feeling of nirvana I experienced this Christmas. But then again, I live a boring life – from home to the National Park and back; to Kaieteur News and back to home and then I read the time away, interspersed with frequent moments of watching Italian giallo from the seventies. I think they are well done mystery-thrillers that deserve more artistic recognition than they are given by cinema lovers and film critics. I honestly cannot think of

any other soulful endeavour this Christmas that soothed my psyche. I can think of perhaps only one other thing which borders on the absurd. This year I bought two hams. When my wife saw them she was upset; she was irritated about it because my cholesterol is not exactly low. Up to now she cannot understand why I bought two, but she will know because I will reveal the reason now. Even though dogs cannot and should not eat ham, my puppy devoured it last year, so I thought of buying another one this year so there can be sufficient for me and my pet. I guess that’s it for the personal side of Christmas. As an analyst, I cannot look myself in the mirror and say this was a better holiday season for the lower economic classes in Guyana. I think in

2016, the economy did not allow for more spending power of the masses. At the risk of upsetting the government in which my friend Khemraj Ramjattan is a Vice President, this has not been a better year for the working people, because the government has not done better for them. There is a feeling that crept over me in 2016 and took over my faculties, and it tells me that we may have an administration that is not very ideologically inclined to treat the labouring classes as people who are entitled to be given what they never had

Frederick Kissoon since colonial times – a fairer slice of the cake. Anyway, have a peacefully enjoyable season.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Christmas is a long-held tradition in Guyana. The thing we’re most sure of is that it was introduced here by the British long before Independence. It came with their ways of celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. Guyana after Independence emerged into a multi-cultural society with Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and our indigenous brothers and sisters all celebrating the

Christmas seasons in their own fashion. Today, with all the wars and turmoil in the world, Guyanese live relatively peacefully in comparison, and we hold strongly to the guiding principles of Christmas – peace, love and goodwill, joy and sharing. Those of us who have even a little to share have been spreading it around to the less fortunate, and espe-

cially to the children who remain the focus of the season. We reserve our very best wishes for continued happiness, for abundance and goodwill to the numerous Guyanese, resident and nonresident, who volunteer their time and energy, their resources and love to cheer up those in need of help and encouragement – the homeless, our orphans, the shut-ins and other elderly citizens, the sick

and the infirm. These volunteer NGOs, like the AFC, understand very well what it means to shine a light into someone else’s life to bring hope. At our headquarters, the Centre for Change in Kitty, our Women for Change group feted the children in our Kitty host community last week with Holiday goodies. Other AFC members including B r o t h e r H a r r y, h o s t e d Christmas parties for the children at Leonora, Linden and other locations since December began. These gestures of kindness were in recognition of fact that the nation’s children are our future. The Alliance for Change takes this opportunity to express our gratitude and give loud praise to the hundreds of people at work today and throughout the holidays. You contribute more than your fair share to sustain this nation. While some of us celebrate, connect with friends and family over elaborate meals and drinks, you are on the job. We are especially

grateful to:- Nurses and doctors - Dedicated workers at GWI’s Shelter Belt and all water treatment plants across the nation - All workers of GPL’s power stations, emergency controls and transmission and distribution crews from Georgetown to the Essequibo Coast and across the hinterland - Pump station operators and farmers - GDF Officers and all ranks who remain on the job to protect our borders - Police officers and Firemen - We offer special thanks to the Major Crimes Unit with the hope that the entire Police Force chooses this holiday season as the perfect time to provide tangible protection for our citizens’ persons and properties. We are aware that criminals are becoming more inventive, but be assured that the Ministry now has the means to upgrade the crime fighting gear and weaponry that you need. This will always be a work-in-progress.

Our Community Policing Groups will remain on the forefront as well. We heartily congratulate the CPGs for your determination to protect your neighbourhoods as best you could. To our gold and mineral miners, our people who live and work in the interior regions, we pray that God (whatever you conceive Him to be) will keep you safe and dry this Christmas, and that he will greatly multiply your fortunes. Christmas time can be difficult for some people at home, at work or socially, and for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. To you we extend a wish for your peace, quietude and good health. Fellow Guyanese, as we celebrate this Christmas, please spare a thought for our children, the elderly and people who are in hardship. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, remember that His message of love and peace has not changed in over 2000 years. Happy Christmas to All.

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

My column

Oh! For the joys of Christmas Children would be waking up today to a well decorated home, unusual kitchen smells and happy mothers. Of course this would not always be the case, because there are those children who do not know the love of a parent. Some of them are in homes specially designed for their cause, enjoying the love and care that their protectors would offer. These protectors would be supported by kindhearted people who always try to share their goodness with the less fortunate. This always moves me, because it shows that there is a lot of goodness in this society. One year I went to Dharm Shala at Christmas and I saw at least three families taking Christmas cheer. By no stretch of imagination would I consider these to be rich families, but like the widow in the Bible with her mite, they too gave. Such was the outpouring of goodness, that the proprietors of the home for the destitute actually begged people not to bring in any more food. My late father was a resident of Uncle Eddie’s Home when I met him for the first time. This is a story that I told before, so there is no need to repeat it. But there it was that first Christmas when I took breakfast for him. My daughter was with me. Being a nurse, she was adept at caring for people, so she cleaned him up then we all shared what I had brought. Our story did not end there, because for the first time in years he was taken to a home for the rest of the day. He kept crying and expressing regret that he never played a part in my upbringing, and I kept saying to him that life is not often what we did or should have done. But I have pleasant memories of Christmas. That was the time when my mother would string up new blinds and paper decorations. Plastic flowers were not yet in vogue and where I spent my early years did not have elec-

tricity. Today electricity is a given. Beterverwagting did not get electricity until 1965. I vividly remember the first time the lights went on that night. People had been using flambeaux and gas lanterns— Tilley, Coleman and the like. As soon as they got light they tossed those things out but they rushed to retrieve them, some from the yard, when the first blackout hit a few weeks later. Yet the greatest joy was not only Christmas Day with me and my friends running around with our cap guns and playing cops and robbers. Guns are off the gift list, because in the face of crime decades ago when guns made their appearance on the streets, parents in Guyana, collectively, refused to buy any. And of course the shops stopped importing them. Many alive today do not know what a cap pistol is. And as these memories came flooding back, I could not forget the madness of Christmas Eve. In Georgetown the crowded streets are a common sight. Yesterday, driving in downtown Georgetown was a nightmare. The bumper to bumper traffic was the least of the worry. Drivers had to contend with scores of pedestrians. I suspect that among

those shoppers were the criminal-minded, who were on the lookout for some hapless person. I got no report of larceny from the person and that may be because the thief would not have got far even if he had tried. The shops were full, despite the talk of business being bad. Of course the comments were mixed. One local businessman said that this Christmas was better than last year. Another would merely say that it could have been better although he could not say how. It never crossed his mind if he were selling clothing and footwear that people, especially young people, are big into on-line shopping. It would be interesting to see the figures. The barrels keep coming and from one shipping agency, the numbers were no less than in years past. The night clubs requested a lifting of the 2:00 am curfew and got it, so I asked myself that if things were so bad, why would a night club want an extended opening hour? It would be losing money the longer it stayed open. So I concluded that all this talk about bad business was just talk, and more than a hint of greed. Christmas is never good in Guyana without the masquerade dancers, and there were a few. In

Beterverwagting, when I was a child, we fashioned our own band and danced our way to the homes in the village. The money we collected did wonders for Christmas Day. On the Essequibo Coast, this tradition still continues. The last time I was there at Christmas I saw these young men of every race dancing in the streets while the liquor flowed. I was willing to bet that not one of them would remember the last place they went at the end of the exercise.

And while we celebrate, spare a thought for the animal lovers. Countless pigs, sheep, ducks and chicken went to the Great Beyond to make us happy. Throughout the year there were these animal lovers going around hunting for unfortunate animals. Today they took a rest and did not spare a thought for the chicken in their plate, or the ham or the duck curry or the mutton. Christmas does that to people. It masks the unpleasant and sets us up to do the

Adam Harris same thing all over again next year. Did I just hear a huge firecracker?

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

What it takes to make an education nation (Excerpts from an address by President David Granger to the annual graduation ceremony of the Cyril Potter College of Education on December 15, 2016) Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter was an exemplary Guyanese. Born at Graham’s Hall in May 1899, the son of a schoolmaster, he was the legendary composer of Guyana’s National Anthem and an outstanding educator. Cyril Potter was an ardent patriot whose life was one of the finest examples of public service – to citizens, community and country. He understood what it took to make a nation, and he dedicated his life to doing good for Guyana. Cyril Potter is an ideal role model for student-teachers who have had the privilege of studying at this College. It ought to be an honour

for graduates to have been trained in a College which bears this man’s name. It should be an inspiration to everyone to emulate Cyril Potter’s lifetime service and dedication to the nation. Cyril Potter was a graduate of a teachers’ training college. He was a graduate of the Mico College in Jamaica which, at that time, was the oldest and most prestigious teachers’ training institution in the Anglophone Caribbean. Cyril Potter, and others of his generation, laid such a foundation that our nation can boast today of having a college with such prestige. THE GREEN STATE Guyana is a blessed country. We have inherited, by the grace of God, a precious patrimony. We possess a land of luxuriant grasslands, highlands, islands, wetlands, lakes, rainforests, rivers and waterfalls. We have bountiful

President, David Granger timber, mineral and other natural resources. Guyana is on the way to establishing a ‘green’ state, one that emphasises the protection of our environment,

the preservation of our biodiversity, the provision of eco-tourism and eco-educational services and the promotion of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation. Teachers must understand this. Guyana faces environmental threats from various sources – the adverse effects of climate change; concerns over the sustainability of our water supplies; the security of our food supply; the generation of cheaper, cleaner and renewable sources of energy and, inevitably, the prevention of the spread of diseases such as Ebola and Zika – across borders. The response to these global challenges requires scientific solutions which: - provide the present generation of students with an opportunity to be part of the process of finding solutions to these challenges; - promote solutions to national concerns and help us to navigate through an increasingly interdependent and technologically well-informed global environment; and prepare students for the technological changes that will open opportunities for school-leavers to participate in a competitive economy. WHAT IT TAKES Teachers must understand, also, that Guyana must become an ‘education nation’ in order to satisfy these most elemental needs. The clothes we wear, the food we eat, the water we drink, the houses we live in, the electricity we utilize, the boats, buses and bicycles that transport us to and from school and the books we read or write in can be produced only by some form of science. Science, also, is about energy-generation, solidwaste management and creating ‘green’ schools, compounds and communities.

It takes an efficient education system to: - train the architects, contractors and construction workers to build our houses; computer scientists to enhance our knowledge and expedite our transactions; and medical doctors and technologists to protect us from epidemic disease or to cure our everyday disorder; train thousands of persons in manufacturing to fabricate machines to process foods and make utensils; miners to produce bauxite, diamonds, gold and manganese; train young people, to encourage them to be inventive and innovative and to provide them with the opportunities to develop practical solutions to the physical challenges we face; and - train a generation of teachers to produce new textbooks to support the new teaching and to devise new techniques to transform our lives. Teachers, in this regard, must be more than mere tutors. They must be agents of socialisation. They mould the minds of our students, implanting knowledge, inculcating values and infusing the right attitude in them. Teaching can be improved in three ways: - Standards. Principals, parents, teachers and students must be clear about what is to be expected in the classroom. These standards must be measurable and implementable and must be the responsibility of the principals and the educational authorities. - S k i l l s : Te a c h e r s , through training, must be exposed to modern teaching skills so that they can be effective in transmitting knowledge to, and in building character in, students. Teacher training must be a career-long exercise, pursuing professional development either in education or through specialisation

in subject areas. - Supervision: Heads of schools have a vital role to play in ensuring that the full curricula are delivered, that teachers complete their assignments and that classroom time is not lost. There is a correlation between preparation of lessons and high levels of educational attainment. The one laptop per teacher initiative is aimed, in part, at ensuring that teachers have this important tool at their disposal to help them better prepare their lessons. THE EDUCATION NATION Training is essential for teachers. It is necessary for them to upgrade their skills, acquire new knowledge, to make study interesting and enlightening and to master new pedagogies, techniques and technologies. The untrained teacher has no place in the future of our educational system. I like to use the analogy about flying in an aeroplane. No one would fly in an aeroplane piloted by someone who is not trained. So why should anyone allow an untrained teacher to be tasked with educating children? Trained teachers are essential to halting the decline in educational standards. We are facing a crisis in primary education with shockingly high dropout rates and abysmally low pass rates at the National Grade Six Assessment. Improvement in educational attainment, countrywide, cannot be achieved unless we populate all of our schools with trained teachers. Teachers have been nation-builders from time immemorial. They have educated generations who, in turn, have made a contribution to national development. The agriculturalists, bankers, businesspersons, civil servants, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, judges, nurses, police, politicians and sportsmen and women all had to be taught by teachers. Teachers are the foundation of our educational system. They are central to achieving the aim of education which is to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to contribute to their personal development and to enhancement of the development of the nation. They are the only ones who can make Guyana an ‘education nation.’

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Foods that should not be a part of your regular diet

Dr. Zulfikar Bux By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Are there foods you never should eat? Not really. If you crave an ice cream sundae occasionally, have a small one. But don’t make it a daily event. Healthy eating is not like many of the popular weight-loss plans that require you to eliminate certain foods entirely. But there are some foods you should eat only rarely. Today we will discuss common foods which you should avoid. These foods can promote life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and even cancer if used routinely. ADDED SUGAR Whether it’s white granulated sugar, brown sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, corn sugar, or honey, sugar contains almost no nutrients other than the sugar itself, pure carbohydrate. Sugar isn’t dangerous per se, but a heavy sugar intake increases your diet’s glycemic load, fills you up with empty calories, and keeps you from eating healthy foods that contain vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other nutrients. Cutting back on candy,

soda, and other sweets is just half the battle, however. There’s lots of hidden sugar in prepared foods, including fat-free snacks and cereal bars. Look for sugar in surprising places such as peanut butter, ketchup, and spaghetti sauce. Even prepared frozen entrées have added sugars. What’s more, snacks that contain good ingredients such as whole wheat, canola oil, and olive oil are no longer as healthy once they’re loaded with sugar. DAIRY FAT Ice cream, whole milk, and cheese contain a lot of saturated fat and some naturally occurring trans fat, and therefore can increase the risk of the health problems traced to bad fats, notably heart disease. The healthiest milk and milk products are low-fat versions, such as skim milk, milk with 1% fat, and reduced-fat cheeses. BAKED SWEETS Cookies, snack cakes, doughnuts, pastries, and many other treats are hard to pass up, but they are the very definition of the modern food crisis because the commercially prepared versions are packed with processed carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats, and often salt. To give commercial baked goods their “buttery, flaky” texture, most are prepared with margarine or processed vegetable oils, which translate into trans fats, those fats we now understand lead to heart disease and compromised cholesterol levels. The sweets in them are from added sugar and we have already discussed the bad effects of these. WHITE CARBOHYDRATES Whether it’s bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, roti, cookies, cake, or pancakes, it’s best to look for the whole-grain version. Whole-wheat pastas

and breads are luckily easy to find and you can make your roti with whole-wheat flour. Homemade cookies or bars can be made using grains such as oatmeal, and less sugar and unhealthy fats. Other foods that come in whole-grain versions are muffins, croissants, crackers, bagels, and other baked goods made with white flour. Unless you choose the whole-grain versions, count these among the bad carbohydrates because of their fairly high glycemic load and very little fiber. PROCESSED AND HIGH-FAT MEATS Despite some conflicting reports, the balance of the evidence confirms that processed meats like bacon, ham, pepperoni, hot dogs, and many lunch meats are less healthy than protein from fish, skinless chicken, nuts, beans, soy, and whole grains. Fresh red meat should be eaten sparingly and the leanest cuts selected. Also, meat is healthier when cooked in ways that don’t char the meat, such as baking or stewing. As noted earlier, browning meat by searing it on the grill or stovetop or under the broiler creates substances that can lead to cancer. Smoked and salted meat also have cancer-promoting substances in them. SUGARY BEVERAGES Research in the U.S has tied sugary drinks to the obesity epidemic that is hitting that country. Currently, about two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers. Research cites soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages as the primary source of added sugar in the American diet and a major contributor to weight gain. In fact, downing just one extra 12-ounce can of a typical

sweetened beverage daily can add on 15 pounds in a year. That’s not only because the drinks themselves add calories, but also because those liquid calories aren’t as satiating as solid food. According to the American Heart Association, drinking a sugarsweetened beverage makes you consume more calories in general. And the more you drink, the more you eat.

In one study, when the size of a regular soda increased from 12 to 18 ounces, men and women ate 26% and 10% more calories from food, respectively. A study also linked sugary drinks to an increased risk of heart disease in adults. In addition to raising blood glucose, insulin, and triglycerides, sugar reduces the “good” cholesterol in the blood. Consistent with this

effect, the study showed that it wasn’t just weight gain but sugar itself that raised heart disease risk. All of these foods that I have described today are tempting options. Be careful to not make them a part of your regular diet. Of course there will be times when you do consume them. Once it’s occasionally, then it shouldn’t hurt your body that much.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Sunday December 25, 2016

SUNDAY SPECIAL BURNT TO DEATH W.C.D. ELDERLY BUSINESS COUPLE …KILLERS CAPTURED Hiding in a nearby church, three young men heard old Mohamed and Bibi Munir screaming for help as they were roasted alive in their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home. The youths, including a 25-year-old neighbour, had broken into the Munir property on the night of April 17, 2016, to steal $20M that was rumoured to be hidden there. But when Mohamed, 75, and his 69-yearold wife awoke and refused to open their bedroom door, the young men became incensed. One of them set the heavily-grilled house ablaze, with the elderly couple still inside. They then fled empty-handed. The charred bodies of the victims were found in their home, after the flames died down. Reports had indicated that the blaze was set by intruders, but police had seemed to be making no headway in tracking down the killers. But the entire murder plot was revealed to detectives late last week, after investigators captured one of the alleged gang members, who is also one of the two youths who robbed a Hotel Tower employee last Wednesday. Also in custody are a 25-year-old neighbour of the slain couple, and two other youths. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said Saturday that detectives are trying to track down a deportee known as ‘Pepsi’ and a taxi driver known as ‘Coolie Boy’, who allegedly transported the killers. A statement that investigators obtained from one suspect indicated that the youth who was implicated in the Hotel Tower robbery is the individual who started the deadly inferno. Kaieteur News understands that the 21year-old suspect in the Hotel Tower robbery also implicated his accomplices. He was reportedly taken back to the scene, and showed detectives where the gang hid after fleeing the blazing house. FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTORS TO RECOVER STATE ASSETS During the consideration of the 2017 estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Ministry of Legal Affairs this week, it was announced that special prosecutors will be employed by the government to go after state assets. The subject Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams, made this known while being questioned to explain the expenditure stated in line item 6284 under the heading “Other Goods and Services Purchased” for programme 523 – Attorney General’s Chambers. For 2017, there is an allocation of $202M, according to the Minister; the sum caters for legal fees, the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce conference, law school payments, consultations, State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) sensitization and commission of inquiry payments. Williams was further probed to provide the House with information as to who are the lawyers being employed by the Ministry. He said, “The sum of $109M has been budgeted for legal fees; CFATF Conference, $50M; Law School Payments, $18M; consultations, $5M; SARA sensitization, $10M; Commission of Inquiry, $10M.” As it relates to legal fees, Member of Par-

liament, Anil Nandlall, asked to be briefed on what areas of law will be dealt with by the lawyers to be hired outside of the AG’s Chambers. Williams said that the parties will be identified when the right time comes. Drawing attention to the law books which the former Attorney-General allegedly purchased for himself with state funds, Williams said that his government is very serious about recovering those law books. He said that some of the $202M will be used to pay special prosecutors. ”Part of that money will be going to special prosecutors to deal with the recovery of state assets that public officers acquired, and we are very serious about that.” Last November of this year Williams had said that there was nothing wrong in using special prosecutors to handle high profile matters. These prosecutors are said to be used in the Pradoville Two and Cricket World Cup cases. He had given as justification that persons could be identified from the Director of Public Prosecution’s Department but said that some of the staff had indicated their unwillingness to prosecute matters which have a political undertone.

highlighted that out of $2B budgeted in 2016 for the project, only $330M was expended. In his explanation, Patterson said that the initial expenditure by the government was spent on Lot A of the programme which is funded by the European Union and International Development Bank. He said that the delay in implementing the project was as a result of the contract only recently being awarded to the Chinese company. Patterson said that the contract cost stands at $4.6 billion. He said that the engineer ’s estimate was $3.9 billion, After providing this information, Patterson was asked to state whether the company was the lowest bidder. “I could indicate clearly that the contractor that was awarded this bid was the lowest responsive bidder.” Based on information received by this publication a responsive bidder is an entity that would have satisfied all the requirements to be a successful bidder. According to Patterson, the procurement regulations state that the contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder which was done. MONDAY EDITION

US$18M GPL CONTRACT AWARD…CHINESE COMPANY WAS LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER – PATTERSON The award of a US$18M contract by Guyana Power and Light to China National Machinery Import and Export (CMC)/China Sinogy Electric Engineering Company Limited under the Guyana Power Utility Upgrade Programme was justified by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who said that the company was the lowest responsive bidder. During the consideration of the 2017 estimates of revenue and expenditure last week in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly, Patterson was asked to explain the allocation of $1.2B to be plugged into the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). Opposition parliamentarian, Juan Edghill

BURNT TO DEATH EAST BANK ESSEQUIBO ELDERLY COUPLE…RESIDENT CAPTURES YOUTH WHO HATCHED ROBBERY PLOT – YOUTH WHO LIT FIRE LINKED TO NINE ROBBERIES – ACCOMPLICES POINTED OUT CUSTOMERS IN COMMERCIAL BANKS The net continues to tighten around the gang that burned business couple Mohamed and Bibi Munir in their home eight months ago, with police now capturing an East Bank Essequibo youth who played a central role in the plot. Kaieteur News understands that the youth, who is from Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo, was arrested after a civilian realised that he was the same individual known as ‘Plank’, that police had named as

one of the suspects. The resident held onto ‘Plank’ and then notified the police of the ‘arrest.’ The suspect, who is in his early twenties, has reportedly told investigators that he merely acted as a look-out when his accomplices entered the house. Police confirmed that it was ‘Plank’ who had told another youth from the village that Mohamed Munir and his wife had stashed $20M in their home. Detectives also questioned a brother of the detained youth. He has told them that he saw the gang at the Munir property on the night they were slain. Five other youths, including a neighbour of the slain couple, were rounded up last week. Still at large Monday are a deportee known as ‘Pepsi’ and an East Bank Essequibo taxi driver known as ‘Coolie Boy,’ who allegedly transported the killers. The case broke after police captured two young men who had robbed a female Hotel Tower employee of $2M after trailing her from a City bank. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum indicated that one of the youths is said to be the individual who started the blaze after the couple refused to come out of their bedroom. He has since been implicated in at least nine other armed robberies. ‘FAT CATS’HANDED MORE UNDERAPNU+AFC …$11B BUDGETED TO PAY JUST OVER 4200 Many, including members of the Parliamentary opposition have highlighted the fact that a number of contract employees remain in the Public system at a huge expense to the treasury. This is no new situation, since some of the very politicians who highlighted the issue following the release of Budget 2017, were party to similar scenarios just a few years ago. Ram and McRae, an accounting firm, has spoken about the issue as well. The company recalled that in 2016, it (Continued on page 29)

Sunday December 25, 2016

(From page 28) expressed concern over the continued trend under the new government and the fact that the numbers increased. Ram and McRae said that back then, it welcomed the assurance by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that “there has been a clear direction by the President that it is our intention to return the Public Service to a professional one and so contract hires will be reduced to a minimum”. Fast forward to figures contained in 2017 Budget, and the trend continues. The company gave an example of Ministry of the Presidency which reported a planned increase in contract employees from 298 in 2015 to 505 in 2016; then, in 2017, the number climbed to 569. Included in the 569 figure, the company included the increase for Natural Resource Management for comparative purposes “but even if removed, the total increases from 449 to 495, i.e. by 46 persons or 10.2 percent.” The company noted that cost-wise, the Ministry of the Presidency (excluding Natural Resources Management) shows an increase of $96.3 million or 8.5 percent. Overall, the number of contract employees decreases from 4,254 (excluding the Regional Administrations) to 4,209, a fall of 45 persons. While this may sound commendable, Ram and McRae noted the cost of contract employees is increasing from $9.2B to $11.0B, an increase of $1.8B. The average cost (excluding benefits such as gratuity) increases from $2.2 million per person to $2.6M per person, or by 20.9 per cent. BANDITS SHOT DEAD IN CHURCH-YARD – AFTER ROBBERY AT FAMILY FUNCTION Police are now being hailed as heroes by a Campbellville family after they shot and killed two bandits who robbed persons gathered at a family function at a Lot 53 Seaforth Street, Campbellville home. The bandits were killed during a shootout with ranks on a mobile patrol at around 21:00hrs Monday. Kaieteur News understands that the men were killed minutes after carrying out a robbery at the Seaforth Street residence. A man who was at the function said that the bandits both armed with guns, came at the gate and

Kaieteur News

contractors. He said that this is according to the list submitted to Ministry of Finance. Jordan said that the government can only afford $500M “as a full and final settlement. It means is that HDI would have to make some apportionment relative to the debts owed.” Jordan said that it is a take it or leave it situation. “So if you were owed $2M by HDI, it works out that because of the situation you can only get $1.2M then you can accept it as a full and final payment.” The Minister offered a grand solution to those who may feel aggrieved and may not want to accept less that they worked for. He said, “You can sue HDI.” The D’Urban Park project, undergone for Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations, has been shrouded in secrecy since its inception. DEAD BANDITS WERE KNOWN CRIMINALS- POLICE SOURCE – LETLOW WAS CHARGED IN 2012 FOR ROBBERY – SHOT IN 2014 FOR GRABBING CHAIN – CHARGED IN 2015 FOR STEALING A MOTORCYCLE requested to speak with “Kevin.” The man, who declined to divulge his name, said that he told the men that no “Kevin” was there. It was then the bandits whipped out their firearms and demanded that the occupants remain still. One of the bandits searched almost everyone present at the event and took away cash, jewellery and other valuables. The other gunman ransacked the home and made off with several cellular phones and other items. ”When we tried to move they (the bandits) fired shots.” The bandits then left the premises but the patrons chased them down. They managed to escape, but the victims alerted a passing police patrol. According to information received, ranks on the patrol managed to track down the two armed men who sought refuge in the churchyard behind Campbellville Secondary School. The armed men allegedly shot at the police, but were riddled during the ensuing shootout. TUESDAY EDITION CONTRACTORS WILL NOT BE PAID IN FULL FOR WORKS ON D’URBAN PARK …FINANCE MINISTER SAYS “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT” “Take it or leave it.” That is what Finance Minister Winston Jordan is telling contractors who worked on the D’Urban Jubilee Park but are yet to be paid for the services rendered seven months after the project was completed. Jordan hosted the Ministry of Finance’s end of year press conference on Monday. He addressed a number of issues at that forum. Speaking about the monies owed for works done on the D’Urban Jubilee Park, Jordan made no qualms to say that contractors will have to take what is being offered and suffer the losses. Last week, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the National Assembly in the Committee of Supply that Homestretch Development Inc (HDI) – the company that was originally responsible for the project – met with the Finance Ministry days before the 2017 budget. He said that it was agreed that $500M will be transferred directly to the company to pay off its debts. However, Monday, Minister Jordan indicated that approximately $798M is owed to

Two bandits who were cornered and gunned down by the police during a shootout after they had robbed persons at a family function at Seaforth Street, Campbellville on Sunday, have been identified as Jamal Letlow and Shaquille Fraser. Both men are 22 years old and are said to be known characters to the Police Force. Letlow, a father of three and a fish cleaner, resided at John Fernandes Squatting Area while his accomplice, Shaquille Fraser, a mason, resided at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara and Lot 153 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown. On Monday, Letlow’s brother, Patrick Peters, said that they were informed that his brother had been killed when someone called and informed them that there was a shootout in Campbellville. He said that he as well as other relatives

PAGE 29

went to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they identified the father of three. According to Peters, his sibling was watching television with him for a few hours before he was gunned down. “He was watching TV and then he left to go out and he didn’t come home back. Then we get the call that he was dead.” Peters maintained that his brother was not a criminal but in fact a hard worker, who cleaned fish at the Meadow Bank wharf to support his three children. ”I don’t think my brother ever had a gun because I never see a gun yet in my life and I hear people saying that my brother surrendered and the police still kill he. I don’t know what is going on here because (President David) Granger said not to shoot anyone,” Peters said. He added that the death of his brother is a tragedy and his family is devastated, especially his eldest brother who is currently serving a jail sentence in prison. Reduced bailouts for sugar industry has already started – Finance Minister …but transfers will continue The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended to the Government of the day, that it must begin the process of reducing its bailouts to certain sectors, particularly the sugar industry. The IMF documented this in its Article IV Consultation report in March, last. The report said that according to the authorities in Guyana, planned budget transfers for the sugar industry are expected to decline and eventually cease over the medium term. The IMF also noted that transfers to the loss-making state-owned sugar company (GuySuCo) remain a drag on fiscal performance. In its report, it noted that transfers to GuySuCo were equivalent to 1.8 percent of GDP in 2015 and are budgeted at about 1 3 percent of GDP for 2016. IMF Staff urged the local authorities to adopt a restructuring plan for the sector that will improve cost efficiency, productivity, and alternative revenues streams, drawing upon the reforms proposed by the Commission of (Continued on page 30)

PAGE 30

(From page 29) Inquiry into GuySuCo. It said, too, that the scope and pace of reform should take into account social implications. But some have questioned whether the actions of the coalition administration over the last 18 months have been in keeping with the IMF’s expectations. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, opined that based on the allocation for sugar in the 2017 budget, government has indeed started the process of reducing the billion dollar bailouts to the sector. He said, “When we started in 2015, we started with $12B; then 2016 we had $11B going towards the sector; and for 2017 we have $9B. So there is a process of reduction that is taking place and I dare say that for as long as GuySuCo exists, in whatever shape or form, there will have to be a process of transfers until it can be brought into a better state. It is what we call too big to fail…” The Finance Minister said that the sector is one which has too much history for it to simply be abandoned. He said that it is a considerable part of the economy, both in terms of the Gross Domestic Product and employment. Even in the area of foreign exchange earnings, the Finance Minister said that the sugar industry plays a part in that. The economist noted that while sugar is too big to fail and transfers would continue in some form, future allocations would have to be targeted to a substantial improvement in the state of the company. WEDNESDAY BURNT ELDERLY EAST BANK ESSEQUIBO COUPLE…‘SMELLY’ THREE OTHERS REMANDED FOR MURDER … ALSO JOINTLY CHARGED FOR ROBBERY AT TOWER HOTEL The entire plot of how Mohamed Munir and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir were murdered was revealed to detectives by Jason Howard, who also goes by the alias, ‘Smelly’. This vital information led to the arrest of three other men, who along with Howard allegedly set fire to the couple’s heavily grilled home with them inside after the couple refused to open their bedroom door, for the men to steal the $20M that was rumored to be in there. On Tuesday, the men were seated in the tray of a police force pick-up vehicle with heightened security as they arrived at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to be indicted. They were all handcuffed and shackled to both feet. Howard, 21, Joel Blair, Sanjay George called ‘Coolie Boy’ and Shahabudeen Mohamed, called ‘Milo’ were jointly charged and remanded to prison for the murder of the elderly couple which was committed during the course of an arson on April 17, at Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo. Howard who was also charged with two counts of attempted murder and five counts of robbery under arms, was captured minutes after he and attempted murder accused Curtis Vasconcellos, 22, allegedly robbed a Hotel Tower, Main Street, Georgetown employee. The charred remains of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, were retrieved from the debris of their two-storey home after the fire was extinguished. It was reported that during the fire, the couple phoned several relatives to tell them that bandits were on the property. On the night of April 17, the Munirs neighbour, Howard, and another man allegedly climbed onto the verandah of the couple’s house while the others stood watch outside. They were responding to a rumour that the couple had $20 million inside their home. The trio entered the couple’s home and began to ransack it. The couple heard the com-

Kaieteur News

motion, awoke and raised an alarm. The two elderly people also refused to come out of their bedroom. According to reports, one of the intruders then set a sofa alight and tossed a fuel cylinder near the burning sofa. They then fled through a track that led to a church and a cemetery behind the couple’s home. From their hiding place, they reportedly heard the two elderly people screaming for help. Magistrate Faith McGusty remanded the four murder accused to prison until January 12, when they will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. GUYANA INCHES CLOSER TO OIL PRODUCTION…EXXONMOBIL AWARDS CONTRACTS FOR FLOATING VESSEL ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), on Tuesday announced that it has awarded contracts to SBM Offshore for a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, a key step in moving the Liza field toward first production. Under the contracts, SBM Offshore will perform front end engineering and design for the FPSO, and, subject to a final investment decision on the project in 2017, will construct, install and operate the vessel. ”Liza development activities are steadily progressing, and we’re excited to reach this important milestone,” said Neil Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Development Company. “We look forward to working with the government of Guyana to develop its valuable resources, which have the potential to provide long-term, sustainable benefits to the country.” ExxonMobil submitted an application for a production licence and its initial development plan for the Liza field in early December. The development plan, submitted to Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources, includes development drilling, operation of the FPSO, and subsea, umbilical, riser and flowline systems. Last May, ExxonMobil announced that it had struck oil in significant quantities in the offshore concessions. One other well confirmed the find with a third being drilled at the moment. The Liza field has a potential recoverable resource estimate in excess of 1 billion oilequivalent barrels and is located in the Stabroek block approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres) offshore Guyana. The Stabroek block currently comprises 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 percent interest. LINDEN WOMAN KILLED IN EARLY MORNING MINIBUS, CAR SMASHUP

An early morning smash up Tuesday involving a minibus and a motorcar has left one dead and four injured. Twenty-eight-year old Toushana Frank, of Central Amelia’s Ward was pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Hospital Complex. According to Commander of E Division, Snr. Superintendent Fazil Karimbaskh, around 01:45hrs, Frank was in motorcar PSS 6725 driven by her mother Paula Taylor, 51. They lived together and were proceeding north along the Amelia’s Ward Public Road when Taylor lost control and collided with minibus BTT 766 driven by Royston Telford, 57, of Industrial Area. He was going in the opposite direction. Reports are that Telford and Taylor are hospitalized and the two other occupants of the car, Jenica Chan, 10, and Darnell Frank 4, were treated and sent away. THURSDAY EDITION MULTI-BILLION GPLCONTRACT AWARD TO CHINESE CONTRACTOR… BIDDER CITES CORRUPTION; FILES APPEAL WITH IDB A multi-billion-dollar project that has been shrouded in controversy has run into major problems with one of the bidders this week filing a complaint with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and regulators of state contracts in Guyana. The appeal will likely halt disbursement of funds for the project until IDB, among others, complete the probe. Among other things, the bidder– Colombian-owned, Enrique Lourido which is teaming up with local partner, Fix It Depot— is claiming that the process of evaluation and subsequent reported award was highly irregu-

Sunday December 25, 2016

lar and appeared to be fixed in favour of Chinese-owned contractor, CMC. Among other things, the partners want IDB to investigate the selection process; engage an independent committee to analyze the bids submitted; provide details of all aspects of the evaluation and provide an analysis as to why they were not selected. “We are requesting that before this project is given the go ahead by IDB, a transparent, professional and fair evaluation should be conducted,” the bidder said in their appeal. The appeal was sent to IDB’s independent investigative arm- the Office of Institutional Integrity- which is based in Washington, DC, US. At least one other bidder has signaled intentions to file complaints with IDB and the Government of Guyana over the “questionable” process used to choose CMC. The complaint has also reportedly been copied to President David Granger; a number of ministers and the recently established Public Procurement Commission (PPC). The project involved the installation of over 25,000 smart meters and low and medium voltage lines along the coast stretching from East Bank Essequibo to East Berbice. The project has been generating unusual media attention not only because of the amount of money involved– US$18M- but because it took an unusually long time- nine months- before it was reportedly awarded. GPL had been largely silent, raising suspicions “reportedly” because Government has not officially announced an award to Chinese company, CMC, which will be paid over $1B (Continued on page 31)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

(From page 30) over the engineer’s estimate. TRAGEDY STRIKES: EAST CANJE MAN DECOMPOSED BODY FOUND TWO DAYS AFTER SON DROWNS Tragedy struck an East Canje family not once but twice after losing two family members in a two-day span. The bereavement hit when 40-year-old Isbarran Bhognarine, called “Gaga”, was discovered lying face down in a canal behind the Cumberland, East Canje ball field. According to reports the man left his home on Monday morning at 9:00hrs to catch fish but never returned. His body was discovered at 16:00hrs the same afternoon. His niece spotted his body floating in the canal and rushed to inform her relatives. His mother, Meenwattie Persaud, known as “Nando” said that she last saw her eldest son on Monday morning after making his breakfast. Persaud added that later that afternoon, his brother informed her that he had succumbed. ”Me binna sleep and he buddy wake me up and tell me seh that he drown in de canal ah back. Me run and me see he wid he head down in de water,”, she recalled in tears. The grieving woman told Kaieteur News that her son struggled with epilepsy and suggested, that may have caused him to have an attack and to fall head first into the water, since the canal was not deep. ”He does always catch fits so it look like he catch fits right deh and fall in.” A post mortem conducted Wednesday confirmed that Bhognarine died from drowning. Death struck once more soon after. The family received news of the demise of the dead man’s father. His father’s decomposed body was discovered at his Reliance, East Canje home by relatives who had not seen him since Monday. When Kaieteur News visited the scene, his body was being removed by undertakers. According to Ravin Persaud, he last saw his uncle alive and well on Monday. ”He come and help meh pen up cow Monday night and he tell me seh, he neck back hurting so me seh go home and rest. And he go.” That was the last time he saw his uncle alive He told Kaieteur News that after he did not see his uncle for the past days, he sent a relative to go check on him. NATIONALASSEMBLY APPROVES 2017 BUDGET After weeks of debate, on Wednesday the National Assembly approved the 2017 $250B Budget. For the Office of the Prime Minister, $882M was approved; Parliament will get $1.5B for 2017 while the Ministry of Presidency will receive $6B. The Ministry of Social Cohesion has been allocated $90.1M while Ministry of Public Infrastructure has secured $34.6B. Prior to the adjournment of the House to January 5, Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo thanked at length, all those who helped to make the moment possible. The Leader of Government business in the House said he noticed that the Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, had cause to use his gavel more often than any other Speaker during the budget debates. The Prime Minister also extended well wishes to his colleagues in Government and in the political opposition. He even brought the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo a red tie for Christmas. His gesture was roundly applauded.

PAGE 31

FRIDAY EDITION GOVT. AND BANDITS ROBBING GUYANESE ALIKE; D’URBAN PARK IS A GRAND EXAMPLE – NANDLALL– URGES CONTRACTORS TO SUE GOVT. While Guyanese have the street bandits and those who are breaking and entering their homes to contend with, the government is adding to their misery. Guyanese are also being robbed by the very people who claim that they will uphold the rule of law. That is the opinion of former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. He said as much as he highlighted government’s stance on the monies owed to contractors for D’Urban Park. Recently, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan announced that while Homestretch Development Inc.—the special purpose company set up for the D’Urban Park project—owes several contractors in excess of $750M, government will only be paying out $500M. The Minister said that contractors will not receive what is fully owed and they will have to “take it or leave it.” Nandlall said that this is a disturbing stance to be taken by the government. He is encouraging contractors to sue the government. The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) said that Ministers of the APNU+AFC Government continue to exhibit a reprehensible aura of arrogance, bullyism and a “wrong and strong” approach in their public outpourings. ”The latest outburst has come from the Minister of Finance in relation to the over $750M owed to contractors and suppliers of materials for the Durban Park project. The Minister of Finance boldly asserts that the Government will pay only $500,000,000 and will not pay the outstanding $250,000,000.” Nandlall also made reference to the fact that Minister Jordan offered the “take it or leave it” solution with an option for the aggrieved contractors to sue Homestretch Development Inc.—a company that has already been dissolved. Nandlall noted that Homestretch Development Inc., as far as the public is aware, has no assets and no known capabilities to pay $250M. The Opposition MP said that in a nutshell, the Minister of Finance “is telling these contractors that the Government has robbed or will rob them. This is the same Minister who in his budget speech only two weeks ago said that this Government is committed to the rule of law and will respect the constitutional and legal rights of the people of Guyana.” Nandlall continued, “It is now clear that apart from being robbed every day by bandits, the

Government has now signaled an intention to rob the Guyanese people, as well. This must be an unprecedented approach for a Government to take in the modern world.” CURRENT GOVT. HAS GROOVED ITSELF INTO THE REVOLTING POLITICAL MOULD IT ONCE OPPOSED – DR. HINDS If a political party should come to office based on the promise of fundamental change, it should expect to be judged more harshly than its predecessor, especially when it fails to deliver on its promises. This is the viewpoint of Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. The political activist was at the time referring to the APNU+AFC government, which had made numerous promises of a better life to the citizenry during the 2015 election period. But since that occasion, the WPA Member said he has never seen a government in the modern Caribbean, which has lost its advantage in such a short period of time. Dr. Hinds opined that for a one-seat majority government, the APNU+AFC coalition enjoyed the goodwill of a super-majority administration. He asserted that the coalition’s leader, President David Granger, was elevated

to “superstar status that would earn the envy of the political titans of yesteryear”. But, he said, in the space of one year, that all seems to be tumbling down, with no signs of resurgence. The columnist questioned, “What went wrong so quickly? What has the government done or not done to undermine itself, and in the process allowed space for the discredited opposition to regain some semblance of credibility?” ”I think a few crucial errors were made which are grounded partly in Guyana’s larger political culture and partly in some unwise political decisions made by the government. There is a relationship between the two elements—the political culture informs the nature and content of policy formation and decision-making.” Dr. Hinds added, “I want to zero in on one of those errors which I think is important to an understanding of why the government has tripped up so badly.” In this regard, he explained that the larger political culture, to which he refers, is one in which successive post-independence governments have relied on a mixture of great-man politics and authoritarian governance as the preferred model. He stated that the leaders assume a Godlike role, in which critical national decisions (Continued on page 32)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

(From page 31) begin and end with them. The political activist said that the consequence has been a very narrow power space. PRESIDENT AWAITS CVS FOR OPPOSITION LEADER’S GECOM NOMINEES President David Granger on Thursday said tha t h e h a s a s k e d O p p o s i t i o n L e a d e r, B h a r r a t J a g d e o , f o r t h e curricula vitae (CV) for the six persons he (Jagdeo) has nominated to fill the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The CV will help to better determine their nominees’ suitability for the post according to the requirem e n t s o u t l i n e d i n t h e C o n s t itution of Guyana. The selection of a new chairperson is engaging both Government and the Opposition, after former Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally’s resignation became effective as of November 30, after 15 years of holding the post. In a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State said that he received the list of nominations from the Opposition Leader on Wednesday and has responded to that request. ”I replied to him right away, because although those six names might be known to the public, I could not be sure that their nominations were in accordance with the Constitution. I have asked him to let me have copies of the Curriculum Vitae of each one so that it can guide me in making my decision. So that is where we are now and I would say that the ball is in his court. I would say let me have the resume for the persons so we can go ahead with this process. It is very important that we have a Chairman as early as possible,” the President said.

Sunday December 25, 2016

SATURDAY EDITION UK’S BIGGEST BUYER RELAXES OUTRIGHT BAN FOR GREENHEART AGREES TO ALLOW IWOKRAMA’S FSC-CERTIFIED TIMBER More than a year after one of the biggest traders in the United Kingdom (UK) placed a procurement ban on Guyana’s greenheart timber, significantly curtailing exports, there is a move underway to send a shipment. The shipment will be made by Wijma, a UK sales and distribution division of Dutch European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC), which hopes to deliver the first greenheart to its customers in early in the new year. The timber will be coming from Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, which a few months ago made significant strides when it was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The STTC is an alliance of industry, business, government and NGOs dedicated to increasing European demand for sustainably sourced tropical timber. The forest, located in the forest-rich Guiana Shield region and managed by the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, was audited by the Soil Association, with backing from STTC founder and supporter IDH, the sustainable trade initiative. According to Iwokrama, following pre-assessment last May, the FSC certificate was awarded on October 14. Half the forest will be kept as ‘wilderness reserve’ and half as ‘sustainable use forest’, with a harvest cycle based on natural regeneration, allowing removal of 10 trees per hectare and stipulating reduced impact logging.

GRA CLAMPS DOWN ON AUTO DEALERS STILL SHIPPING VEHICLES OVER 8 YRS-OLD Over a year ago, Government announced a number of critical changes regarding the importation of vehicles into the country. Among other things, it included restrictions on vehicles over eight years old. However, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said that despite the arrangements, a number of importers have not been adhering. The tax agency on Friday warned that it will be forfeiting any vehicles that are over eight years old, whether the Customs duties have been paid or not. “It has been observed that several importers of used motor vehicles (motor cars, vans, sports utility vehicles, pickups and buses), in particular auto-dealers, have been submitting Customs declarations for processing using the date of first registration instead of the date of manufacture,” GRA explained. It was pointed out that Item 12 (a), Part 11 of the Second Schedule of the Customs Act, restricts the importation of certain categories of motor vehicles.

With immediate effect, importers are being warned that the requirements are clear, the authority said. “Prior to submitting documents to the GRA, importers must ensure that the date of manufacture is used on the Customs Declaration to confirm the age of the motor vehicle.” GRA said that its Entry Processing Unit will assume that the date declared is the date of manufacture and not the date of first registration. “Upon examination, if the vehicle is found to be over eight years, whether Customs duties have been paid or not, the vehicles will be forfeited in accordance with the provisions set out in the Customs Act.” Importers, GRA urged, must confirm the date of manufacture of the motor vehicles from their suppliers prior to making purchases and prior to shipping and they must also ensure that sufficient time is given for conveyance of the motor vehicle from the country of origin to Port Georgetown. The authority said it will not be held responsible for shipping delays and other related issues.

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Has Caribbean politics ever been about the people? By Oliver Mills (Reprinted from Caribbean News Now) Is democracy in the Caribbean a myth? Are elections a smoke-screen blurring the mythical underpinnings of democracy? Have Caribbean people really ever had a say in governance, apart from voting at every election, then things return to business as usual without their input or impact? Is voting itself a genuine people’s exercise, or is it inauthentic , since voters are manipulated by multiple forces to make choices, which undermine their will, but expresses that of the powerful? So are the people not a factor in democracy? Do they only matter as conduits to democracy, which is actually for the elite? These are serious questions which should compel us to re-examine Caribbean politics for what it really is. In one Caribbean territory, in a letter written before the recent elections there, the writer deals with the issue of politics and democracy not being about the people. The letter urges voters to reject the idea of selling their vote, and of money given by special interests. Most interesting, it states that there was no push for vocational training by the system, since it is content to allow competitors to recruit skill-sets at the expense of utilising local knowhow. And, that debates in parliament represent few ideas about standing up for people. It also speculates that there are campaign resources from developers who want work permits, which reduce the number of jobs available for local people. These observations about the political process reflect the notion of politics not being about the people. It is often alleged that voters tend to sell their vote to the highest bidder during an election and that certain special interests use resources to influence particular organisations and their policies to their benefit. But voters make their own choice, and some are also ethical, regarding their vote as precious, since it is linked to the kind of society they desire. Also, some special interests, including those interested in contributing to a country’s development, will seek to influence party policy to protect their investment. But what seems to be the underlying issue, is that the system, in its dealing with important others, sidelines the people. And politics is perceived not to be about

them. Furthermore, in the Caribbean there has been, and still is the issue of recruitment of others to work in positions local citizens could fill. In a certain independent country, employees at a hospitality establishment complained of personnel being recruited for posts some existing employees, or other skilled locals were qualified to fill. Even at the professional level, local persons have complained of bidding for contracts, which were subsequently awarded to expats. So class does not seem to matter. From low level skills, to professional knowledge, although governments are elected to manifest the public good, many of its citizens are not given opportunities, which means the capital derived would not be circulated locally but repatriated. The really disadvantaged are denied the advantages they thought would come from the power of their vote, supporting the view that Caribbean politics has never been about the people, but mainly significant others. Also in the letter mentioned, even in parliamentary debates few ideas are discussed about the people’s interests. Many of the discussions that occur are hardly ever understood by a large sector of society, and even certain MPs don’t really have a deep grasp of what is going on, particularly in budgetary areas, and the way legislation is formulated. The powerless therefore feel left out of the process. Even programmes alleged to be for them are watered down because of the requirements of funding agencies, and what is allocated has to go through so many processes, and demands so much from those who lack the collateral, that it strengthens the idea that politics is not about them. As someone said, people are used to have fun with, and the view of another, that many persons experience problems of access and influence, which reduce the chances of anything happening for them. So politics does not serve them. In some countries, the issue now more than ever, is that a small percentage of persons benefit from the economy at the expense of the majority. And that these beneficiaries are not members

of the predominant ethnic group. They influence policies through their contributions, and many are members of decision-making boards, where their views are respected. The ordinary voter does not have the clout, or the quality of resources to win a place at the table. They therefore see politics as not being about them, but as serving the new plantocracy. We also hear of members of the political establishment having shares in investments, and multiple businesses they did not have previous to entering politics. Most people lack such social capital. Additionally, in many Caribbean islands, family politics still prevails through tradition. This further shines light on the issues of politics not being about the general populace. Politics is also seen as employment for politicians, not as an instrument to transform communities. And even when a government with apparent compassion is voted into office, and certain people-oriented programmes are initiated, they rarely have lasting effect, because of revenue shortage, or opposition by powerful voices that these are political, and not revenue generating. This gives additional weight to the contention that politics has never been about people, in the larger sense. But Cuba has been presented as a society where politics is about people because of the many social programmes in the interest of the people, such as education and medical services where the state meets the cost. However some say this comes at the cost of an imposed ideology that has denied Cubans freedom. But if an ideology supplies basic needs, could this not be traded for questionable freedom if tangible benefits are experienced, as opposed to a state of poverty without apparent hope? And in socalled democracies, do we not have political choice being eventually determined not by the popular vote, but by an electoral college, or the number of seats won? Could it then be said that there is, in the Caribbean, at least one instance, though imperfect, where politics has been, and still is, about the people? (Oliver Mills is a former lecturer in education at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus)

PAGE 41

PAGE 44

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Agriculture, gold…and oil, elevating Guyana’s international image

The impressive performance of Guyana’s gold and agriculture sectors coupled with the highly anticipated wealth to accrue from the oil industry, have all served to boost the nation’s image on the international stage. Under new political guidance, these sectors are poised to not only transform Guyana’s growth structure but also guarantee the improvement in the nation’s management capabilities as well as its financial stability. Here is an in-depth look at these sectors as well as their performance in recent times. AGRICULTURE Agriculture accounts for approximately 25 percent of Guyana’s GDP and provides more than 33 percent of direct employment, both rural and urban. The sector comprises four principal sub sectors: sugar, rice, non-traditional commodities (fruits, vegetables, coconuts, herbs and spices, and livestock), and fisheries. Government’s vision for Agriculture 2020 sees the sector continuing to play a premier role in transforming the nation’s development outlook in the medium to long term. It sees a sector that is robust, competitive, and capable of meeting Guyana’s food security requirements, generating sustainable jobs and contributing to exports and foreign exchange earnings. This vision, cognizant of the risk of natural disasters and climate change, will be pursued by accelerating the modernization and diversification of the agricultural sector within a green agriculture framework. The Government has begun to explore suitable options to address the financing needs of the sector. As for rice, this industry has been an amazing success story. The sector has recorded consistently higher levels of output, breaking the 400,000 tonne bar, in 2011, and the 500,000 tonne bar, in 2013. For 2014, rice output attained an impressive 635,238 tonnes, an increase of 18.6 percent. As buoyant as this new record-breaking output appeared, however, the warning bells were being rung of the industry’s inability to align output with domestic and external demand, resulting in the build-up of significant paddy stocks in the system - a situation that was compounded by unresolved issues such as outstanding payments to rice

THE COMING OF THE BLACK GOLD Ever since the announcement by major US Company, ExxonMobil that it had struck a significant oil find in Guyana. The US oil giant discovered oil-bearing rock in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd has a 45 per cent interest in the

development activities. More than 18 major companies regionally and internationally have expressed strong interest in investing in the sector and hundreds of skilled persons in the area are on the hunt for opportunities to work in the oil-rich shores. The Bank of Montreal is the latest international organization to provide assistance for the development of Guyana’s oil and gas industry. The Bank made a presentation on the likely financial impacts to members of the Government’s subcommittee on oil and gas in September last. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has announced that a policy is finally in place to help chart the course for Guyana’s developing oil and gas

block. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest. The oil company has made headway amid the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, where the latter remains adamant that the area where the US Company is drilling is within

industry. Trotman said that the Ministry has been working overtime to get Guyana ready for oil and gas production. A team of experts comprising both Guyanese and foreigners is being assembled to guide Government on the way forward. The Minister of Natural Resources said that persons are also being recruited and

with regard to the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, which he hopes can be named the “Roraima Fund,” which will serve to take care of future generations by ensuring that the wealth is not squandered. Ambassador of The Kingdom of Netherlands in Suriname, Mr. Ernst Noorman, has also praised Guyana’s oil finds. He had even singled out Guyana as a “bright star” in the Region, noting that its political stability and current optimistic oil exploration activities make the country a boon to investors. In an invited comment, Ambassador Noorman said, “If you look at the neighbouring countries, most of them are in quite difficult economic times and also politically it can be challenging for those countries. In that sense, right now, Guyana is a bright star. It has economic growth, there’s political stability, the prospect for the future with the oil find that means banks will be interested in investing in Guyana…the economic climate is much better than some of the countries in the area.” The Dutch envoy was in Guyana for a week of meetings with several agencies and Ministries, including the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which has benefited and will continue to benefit from expertise and advice to tackle flooding, especially in Georgetown. During the meeting,

its territory. In early March, the oil and gas company – one of the largest in the world – was warned by the Spanishspeaking country to refrain from going ahead with its planned exploratory drilling activity, on a concession awarded by Guyana offshore its Essequibo Coast. Guyana, however, requested that Venezuela not interfere in its

sent on scholarship programmes which focus on crucial areas within the sector. He said, too, that legislation is being finalized to reform the Petroleum Act so as to ensure that Guyanese benefit from the wealth that will accrue from the sector, and so that they can be able to participate in the industry. The Minister said that moves are still being made

several areas of mutual interest were discussed including the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy, the ExxonMobil oil find, climate change, infrastructure and drainage works, the clean-up of Georgetown, Guyana’s push for a ‘green economy’ and the concluded Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary celebrations.

increase in gold production was attributed to the new entrants - Guyana Goldfields and Troy Inc. - it was the local miners who accounted for over 90 percent of the 451,490 ounces that were declared. The significant incentives granted to the sub-sector by this Government, undoubtedly, played a major part in the substantial increase in declaration.

By Kiana Wilburg

farmers. In spite of the uncertainty that prevailed in the rice industry this year, recorded output was 687,784 metric tonnes, an increase of 8.3 percent. The premature end of the Venezuelan market, which accounted for 37.5 percent of the volume of rice exported in 2014, created great turmoil for both rice farmers and millers. The Government was proactive in its assistance to the rice industry - aiding in the search for new markets and meeting payments to farmers for rice shipped to Venezuela, which could not have been made from the PetroCaribe Fund. In total, $20.3 billion has been allocated to the agricultural sector to create an economic environment in which farming and agroprocessing operations can grow the economy and create employment. To this end, in excess of $598 million is allocated to enhance diversified agriculture in the hinterland, riverain communities and the intermediate and Rupununi savannahs. GOLD In recent years, Guyana’s mining and quarrying sector has been dominated by gold and, to a lesser extent, bauxite. Even though the price of gold continuously fell in 2013, from its peak in 2012, there was cautious optimism that going into 2014, the industry would rebound. But in reality, gold production declined by 19.5 percent to 387,508 ounces. In spite of the relatively low world market prices, gold production was poised to improve significantly in 2015/ 2016 and beyond. In fact, Canadian-based Guyana Goldfields Inc. announced production of its first quantity of gold from its Aurora Gold Mine, earlier this year. The company expects to produce between 120,000 ounces and 140,000 ounces of gold in 2016.

Guyana Goldfields Inc has generated permanent employment for a range of skills, including heavy -duty machine operators, cooks and suppliers of food items to the complex. At full operation in 2017, and with an expanded mill, about 500 persons will be permanently employed with another 500 temporary jobs created during the construction stages in 2016. The provision of accommodation and related services by this company to their employees has also generated service-related jobs within the sector. Collections of royalties, taxes on income and insurance payments are expected to enhance revenue collections within the public sector, while increased production will augment the national current account. Environmentally, the company will employ modern technologies to reduce environmental externalities. Another major investment, Troy Resources Limited Karouni Gold Project in Region 7, is also expected to commence work. Like gold, bauxite has continued to experience unfavourable global markets, resulting in both bauxite companies in the industry producing below capacity. However, encouragingly, Canadian-owned First Bauxite is going ahead with opening a new mine in the Bonasika area, having recently completed the feasibility study for mining bauxite in that area. In spite of the downturn in bauxite (13.4 percent) and quarrying (0.3 percent), the mining and quarrying sector grew by a strong 9 percent this year, thanks to a very dominant performance by gold, which grew by 16.4 percent. In fact, Gold exports more than doubled compared with the first half of last year, rising from US$188.3 million to US$390.7 million. Though the

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 45

Kaieteur News

2016 - A ‘busy’ year for the Business Ministry The year 2016 has been a “busy one” for the Ministry of Business, according to Minister of Business with the responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin. In 2016, a total of $1.22Billion was approved for the Ministry of Business and its agencies. The allocation was spread over several areas and catered for a number of projects and programmes. The current expenditures for 2016 were $668,564,000 and the capital budget was $547,253,000. The capital budget catered for the infrastructural agenda that provided motivation to attract investment and bring about economic growth. STRATEGIC PLAN (2016-2020) The Minister noted that his Ministry has managed to successfully consolidate all the responsibilities and mandates of the various agencies and departments into a single set of strategic objectives with the launching of the Ministry’s Strategic Action Plan, 2016-2020. “There are many highlights, but I think for me, I think what’s most important is that we now have a very clear strategic plan, that will inform our work over the next few years,” Minister Gaskin said. Minister Gaskin, in explaining why the plan is very important noted that,

“this plan will help towards improving ease of doing business in Guyana, while ensuring that the correct criteria are made.” The Minister of Business emphasised that the plan is the Ministry’s, and is not a national one; and will address investment promotion, work force enhancement, sustainable development and export promotion. The five strategic goals set out by the Ministry of Business in the Strategic Action Plan are to: · Improve the ease of doing business in Guyana · Attract increased foreign investments in the economy · Support the development and export of value-added industries, · Increase the economic opportunities and capabilities of vulnerable groups and to · Expand capacity to develop and promote sustainable businessfriendly policies Minister Gaskin explained that almost everything in the Ministry’s plan is geared towards improving Guyana’s economic performance; the business environment and competitiveness. It is also targeted at creating an investment promotion strategy and value-added export strategy and small business development, all of which are expected to contribute to enhanced

Facilitators of the Business Ministry’s Strategic plan’s consultation. Seated at the head table from left; Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, Consultant Nathalie Cely and Deputy Resident Representative UNDP Shabnam Mallick economic performance. Businesses are the major source of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), income, investments and jobs in Guyana, and will therefore be central to securing the economic growth needed to drive the country’s future, Gaskin stated. The Ministry of Business’ strategic plan was officially launched on October 27, 2016. Minster Gaskin told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that there were a number of other achievements such as the successful hosting of GuyExpo 2016; and that the agencies in the Ministry have been performing well. “We made a number of key appointments in terms of

boards and councils and other appointments at the leadership levels at all of our agencies. All of which have brought about significant improvements in the way that the Ministry has been functioning, and also in terms of accountability,” Minister Gaskin said. GO- INVEST Minister Gaskin said that the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) has been receiving a lot of compliments from various investors. He noted that management and the employees have been working diligently to facilitate investors, pointing out that the agency has been going the extra mile to assist them with relevant information, and

also getting concession agreements facilitated as efficiently as possible. BUREAU OF STANDARDS This is another agency which falls un d e r t h e Ministry of Business. Minister Gaskin said that the Bureau has been doing t r e m e n dous work in developing and promoting standards, and the use of standards for business. “There is a lot more that goes into the work that they do, monitoring compliance and providing testing facilities for numerous industries and they have been doing a lot of work, very commendable,” Minister Gaskin said. SMALL BUSINESS BUREAU (SBB) This agency has been

spreading itself all across Guyana, with outreaches in all of the regions. Minister Gaskin said that the agency is working persistently to ensure Guyanese small businesses benefit from the Micro and Small Enterprise Development Project. This is a project where businesses can access loans, grants, interest subsidies and training. COMMERCE, INDUSTRY The Business Minister explained that this department has been doing a lot of work, as well as outreaches, and working on several projects especially in the Industry department. The department has been working on completing several projects, which were started a few years ago under the Rural Development Fund. “We did a review of those projects last year, and we have decided to modify them and bring them to completion and the Department of Industry has been working on getting those projects completed, as well as working on the industrial estates,” Minister Gaskin said. He added that a lot of work has gone into the Industrial Estate in Lethem. Minister Gaskin pointed out that Guyana is ready for business and encouraged investors to come and experience all that Guyana has to offer.

PAGE 46

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Food for Men: 10 Foods to Boost Male Health Men are different from women in all kinds of ways — including their nutritional needs. Just as women need particular nutrients during pregnancy or for protection from breast cancer, men need nutrients that can help them maintain muscle mass, prevent prostate cancer, and more. Many foods that tend to be favorites among men are not the best choices for good health. Yet a healthy diet and regular physical activity can help prevent heart disease and cancer, the No. 1 and No. 2 killers for men over 35. They can also enhance performance, from the board room to the bedroom. It is not about one single food or even a handful of foods. What is more important is the pattern of regularly consuming a diet rich in a variety of essential nutrients. Still, adding nutrient-rich super foods to the diet, as well as taking a daily multivitamin designed exclusively for men (for nutritional insurance), can give men’s nutrition a boost, says Dave Grotto, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesman.

Food for Men No. 1: Oysters Could there be something to the legend that oysters are the food of love? Well, it’s true that just a few oysters each day will deliver a full day’s supply of the antioxidant mineral zinc. Zinc is involved in hundreds of body processes, from producing DNA to repairing cells. You can also get your daily recommended dose of 11 milligrams a day by eating other shellfish, lean beef, lean pork, or legumes. Food for Men No. 2: Bananas Bananas are a great portable source of quick energy and are rich in potassium, which is needed to regulate nerves, heartbeat and, especially, blood pressure. Diets rich in potassium and magnesium (which is also found in bananas) can reduce the risk of stroke. Not a banana fan? Orange juice, milk, tomato products, and beans are other good sources of dietary potassium. Food for Men No. 3: Fatty Fish No list of superfoods would be complete without

the healthy fat, omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats are the preferred form of fats in your diet for many reasons. They can benefit the heart, circulation, and immune

Tips for men for a healthy life It’s very exciting that our health — and our ability to stay strong and live longer — are not just a matter of our genes or our luck. You can take some simple steps to support your health, your family, and your future. Eat healthy. Nutritious foods give you energy and may lower your risk of certain diseases. Focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free milk products. Learn nutrition basics and how to read a food label. Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can raise your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Find out your body mass index, or BMI, to see if you’re at risk. Eat healthy foods, control portion sizes, and be active to keep your weight in check. Get moving. Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Find out how much physical activity you need. Be smoke-free. Smoking is linked to many of the leading causes of death, including cancer, lung disease, and stroke. If you smoke, quit today! Also, avoid secondhand smoke. Get routine exams and screenings. Ask your doctor how often you need to be ex-

amined. Ask about screening tests for certain diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, and certain types of cancer. Take any medications you need. Thousands of deaths could be prevented each year by taking medic a t i o n s p r o p e r l y. M a k e sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for all medications, including those that help control conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Learn about medication safety. Avoid heavy drinking. Heavy drinking can lead to many problems, including high blood pressure, various cancers, psychological problems, and accidents. For men 65 and

younger, drinking in moderation means no more than two drinks per day. Men older than 65 should have no more than one drink a day. Find out about drink serving sizes. Manage stress. Balancing work and family obligations can be challenging. But it’s important to protect your mental and physical health. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can affect your mood and your health. Try certain changes that can improve your sleep. See your doctor if you think you have a serious problem. Sleep apnea, a common problem in which your breathing stops briefly, can increase the risk of accidents and certain health problems.

system and reduce the risk for prostate cancer, among other things. Food for Men No. 4: Broccoli While virtually all vegetables deserve a place on the superfoods list, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are helpful in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It’s loaded with vitamin C, betacarotene, potassium, and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which has strong anticancer (prostate and colon) properties. Food for Men No. 5: Brazil Nuts These large nuts from Brazil are packed with magnesium and selenium, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease and cancer and protect prostate

health. (Bauer, however, notes that the studies showing reduction in cancer have been primarily in people whose diets were deficient in selenium, not in those who were already getting enough.) Food for Men No. 6: Whole Grains Most men get enough carbs in their diets, but they tend to be the wrong kind, experts say. Oatmeal and barley are rich in soluble fiber, full of B vitamins that can help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and are also good for the prostate. Food for Men No. 7: Plant Stanols Stanols are naturally occurring substances in fruits and vegetables that have

been shown to lower mildly elevated blood cholesterol levels. Manufacturers are now adding concentrated versions of them to products like margarine, yogurt, orange juice, and granola bars. Food for Men No 8: Soybeans Soy is rich in isoflavones, which protect prostate health and have been shown to lower prostate cancer risk, says Gerbstadt. Try to eat a few servings a day of soy products, such as soy nuts, soy milk, soy cheese, veggie burgers, tofu, or edamame. Food for Men No 9: Berries or Cherries The violet, blue, and red colors in all kinds of berries and cherries are responsible for the healthy properties of these fruits. These little jewels are chock-full of the health-protecting flavonoid, anthocyanin. Adding berries to the diet may even help slow the decline in brain function that can occur with aging. Food for Men No 10: RedOrange Vegetables Vitamin C and beta-carotene are antioxidants that help preserve healthy skin cells and prevent oxidation from the sun. Any vegetable should be on the list of top foods for men (and women). Dark, leafy greens and any nutrientrich vegetable can help reduce the risk of enlarged prostates, according to a recent study. Men whose diets are high in nutrients found in vegetables — like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium - were found to be less likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate.

4 SIMPLE WEIGHT LOSS TRICKS 1. Find reactive foods The effort of processing body-intolerant foods saps energy and hinders weight loss. “The main offenders are wheat and dairy,” says Liz Tucker, author of Understanding Food Intolerance (Harper Collins). “Try eliminating foods from these groups for two weeks then reintroduce them separately, recording any reactions.” With 45% of UK adults facing food intolerance at some point, it’s a useful strategy. 2. Go for breaks High-intensity intervals can significantly help fat-burning. When the body is recovering, the aerobic system uses oxygen to convert stored

carbs into energy. Australian researchers observed that interval training groups lost more belly fat in half the workout time than regular cardio workout groups. Need more motivation? There’s plenty of advice on how to get in the mood to torch fat here. 3. Take whole foods “Any move away from processed foods, high in fats, sugars and refined carbs, to more natural foods is a great way of reducing total calorie intake,” says weight loss expert Dr Ian Campbell (www.thedietplate.com). When it comes to wholegrains, reach for quinoa. It contains more protein than any other

grain, and is an excellent source of manganese, which helps control bloodsugar levels. Make your morning cereal a bowl of quinoa flakes, and use it in place of rice in other dishes. 4. Set fitting goals “Finding ways to trick yourself into making lifestyle changes – like buying clothes that are too small for you – is a clever w a y o f f o c u s i n g o n e ’s mind on the objective ahead,” says Campbell. The driver is less ‘don’t eat this’ (a negative thought) and more ‘I’m going to look like this and it will feel great’ (a very positive thought). Plus you get a new wardrobe to go with your new body.

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 47

Kaieteur News

Rihanna ‘hopes’ ex-boyfriend Chris Rob Kardashian and Blac Brown is ‘faithful’ to new love Chyna Reunite on Snapchat

Rihanna and Chris Brown pictured when they were a couple (Polk/Getty Images for NARAS) This holiday season could not get any merrier for Chris Brown as he is rumoured to be getting “serious” about Asian model Krista Santiago. While the rapper is showering his new love with exquisite gifts, it seems that his ex girlfriend Rihanna doubts his loyalty. The Barbadian singer and Brown were in a long-term relationship until they got into a physical altercation in 2009. While the former lovers split ways after the incident, they have continued to maintain an amicable relationship. “Rihanna’s not really involved in Chris [Brown]’s life much, but to hear he’s got a new girlfriend is cool and

she’s genuinely happy for him. It’s the holidays and everyone deserves to be loved now more than ever,” a source told Hollywood Life revealing that the Work singer, however, is wary of the 27-year-old’s loyalty to his new girlfriend. “She just hopes Chris does right by her, is faithful to her and loves her as he knows how,” the source added. “Chris was always a good lover,” the source continued. “Being charming, sweet and surprising Rih with unexpected gifts and vacations was Chris’ speciality. Rih misses that about him. But she’s certain he’s going to make this new girl of his very

happy very fast”. Meanwhile, things seem to be heating up between the Loyal hitmaker and the Los Angeles-based model. After gifting Santiago an expensive Rolex watch on her birthday, Brown also introduced his new girlfriend to his 2-yearold daughter Royalty. “She loves RoRo,” claimed a report adding, “But the most serious gift he’s given her is the key to his house! That’s huge for him because he wants her to know that he’s serious about her.” The With You singer was also dating American actress Karrueche Tran before being linked to his new girlfriend Santiago. (YAHOO!)

All appears to be well in Rob and Chyna land. After a fight that nearly ended their engagement recently, Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna appear to have reconciled just in time for Christmas Day. In a series of Snapchat posts, the love birds showed off their holiday decorations — and their new little one, Dream Kardashian. Chyna, 28, also snapped videos of the couple’s ornament-laden Christmas tree. The mom of two shared a video of Dream-themed decorations, showing a red and white robe with “Dream” inscribed on the side. In another Snap, Kardashian is shown holding the little girl, with Chyna gushing, “You guys are so cute.” Meanwhile, the new father, 29, Snapped his own videos showing Chyna holding little Dream. The love birds even cuddled up for their own Snap, with Chyna writing “Happy Holidays,” on a photo of herself and Kardashian. Several of Chyna’s Snap videos also featured King Cairo, her 4year-old son with rapper Tyga. The little boy just couldn’t keep away from the pile of gifts in front of the tree. And with good reason, as Chyna shared videos of neatlywrapped gifts from Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian West.“Thank you Grandma Kris,” Chyna wrote on a video of what appeared to be a toy, kitchen set. She also shared a

Rob and Chyna look cozy together video of piles of presents wrapped in chic paper, writing “Thank you kk.” The reunion comes after a drama-filled night last weekend in which Kardashian

took to Snapchat and Instagram to plead with Chyna to let him see their newborn daughter after she left their shared home. (YAHOO!)

Actress Carrie Fisher suffers medical emergency on flight Hollywood actress and writer Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, suffered a cardiac episode on last Friday during a flight from London to Los Angeles, where she was rushed to a hospital after landing. Fisher, 60, was described by her younger brother, Todd Fisher, as being in critical condition, and he said she remained under medical treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Los Angeles hospital several hours after becoming ill. “It’s not fair to say ‘stable.’ I am not saying she is fine, or not fine,” he told Reuters by telephone in response to reports about her condition. “She is in the ICU.” He said he was driving and en route to pick up their mother, the veteran entertainer Debbie Reynolds. Todd Fisher offered no details about his sister’s condition or the circumstances of how she was stricken. He said

the information had came from his sister’s assistant. The Los Angeles Times cited one unnamed source as saying the actress had been “in a lot of distress on the flight,” which landed at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after noon (2000 GMT). According to the celebrity news website TMZ.com, Fisher suffered a “massive heart attack” 15 minutes before landing, and an emergency medical technician who was aboard was ushered to the first-class cabin to provide aid. The city Fire Department confirmed that its emergency personnel met an arriving flight at the airport to treat a patient in “cardiac arrest,” but declined to identify the individual, citing medical confidentiality laws. Two passengers who said they were aboard the flight and sitting near Fisher posted messages on Twitter reporting that she had fallen

ill. Well-known YouTube performer Anna Akana tweeted that Fisher had “stopped breathing,” and comedian Brad Cage, who said he and Akana were sitting in front of the actress, tweeted separately that Fisher was taken off the plane by paramedics. United Airlines issued a statement saying that Flight 935 from London to Los Angeles was met on the ground by medical personnel after the crew reported that a passenger was “unresponsive.” The airline also declined to name the passenger. Fisher, who was in England shooting the third season of the British television comedy “Catastrophe,” made her big-screen debut as a teenager in the 1975 comedy “Shampoo.” But her big break came in 1977 as the intrepid Princess Leia, her hair twisted into braided side buns, in the first of several “Star Wars” movies.

She made headlines in November with the disclosure that she carried on a threemonth love affair with her “Star Wars” co-star, actor Harrison Ford, who played the swashbuckling pilot Han Solo, during the making of the film in 1976. Fisher revealed the secret to People magazine while promoting her new memoir, “The Princess Diarist,” just before it went on sale. She reprised her Princess Leia role in two sequels and returned last year in Disney’s reboot of the franchise, “The Force Awakens,” appearing as the more matronly General Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance movement fighting the evil First Order. In response to the news, actor Mark Hamill, who starred opposite Fisher as Jedi knight Luke Skywalker in the first three films, tweeted: “as if 2016 couldn’t get any worse ... sending all our love to @carriefisher”.

Carrie Fisher

Fisher, the daughter of Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, who died in 2010, made her show business debut at the age of 12 in her mother’s Las Vegas nightclub act. But her adult career was dogged by substance abuse and mental health issues. She entered a drug treatment center in the mid-1980s

to battle addiction to cocaine and later wrote the bestselling novel, “Postcards From the Edge,” based on her experience. The book was adapted into a 1990 movie starring Meryl Streep. Fisher also acknowledged being briefly hospitalized in 2013 due to bipolar disorder. (Reuter entertainment)

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

ANTIGUA IN BRIBERY SCANDAL

Daily Observer - An official of the government of Antigua & Barbuda is being accused of accepting €3 million (Euro) as part of a bribery scheme. As Brazil’s sprawling investigation into corruption at global construction conglomerate, Odebrecht spills over into other jurisdictions, United States (US) authorities now allege that a high level government official is complicit in the scheme which spans several countries. However, the US authorities have not named the two individuals who were stated to be “a consular official” and “an intermediary to a highlevel official”. Neither do they give the names of the Odebrecht employees who they said paid the bribes in exchange for the official’s promise not to provide banking records revealing illicit payments from Odebrecht to international authorities. In a case which went before the US District Court in the Eastern District of New York, the defendants – Odebrecht – was accused of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977, by conducting bribery in that jurisdiction. The allegation is contained in the criminal information which US Attorney Robert L Capers of the US Depart-

Gaston Browne ment of Justice (DoJ) filed in the court on Wednesday. The document states inter alia, “In or about mid-2015, Odebrecht Employee 4 attended a meeting in Miami, Florida, with a consular official from Antigua and an intermediary to a high-level government official in Antigua in order to conceal Odebrecht’s corrupt activities. “Odebrecht Employee 4 requested that the high-level official refrain from providing to international authorities various banking documents that would reveal illicit payments made by the Division of Structured Operations on behalf of Odebrecht, and agreed to pay US $4 million to the high-level official to refrain from sending the documents. “Odebrecht Employee 3 made three payments of €1

million on behalf of Odebrecht in order to secure the deal. The contemplated fourth payment was never made”. According to The Department of Justice, Odebrecht pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information this week and agreed to pay a combined total penalty of at least US $3.5 billion to resolve charges with the authorities. The government has instructed Antigua & Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US Sir Ronald Sanders to hire an attorney to approach the US Department of Justice and the court in order to “clarify the identities” of the two individuals alleged to be Antiguan and Barbudan government officials. This is according to December 23 press release from the Office of the Prime Minister which stated, “Prime Minister Browne made it clear that his government is determined to clarify the identities of the unnamed persons claiming to act as ‘intermediaries’ for a ‘high level official’, and to take swift and appropriate action…” When contacted yesterday, Sir Ronald told OBSERVER media, “The first time the government of Antigua & Barbuda knew about this court case is when it was reported in the New York Times [on Thursday]… Nobody knows who these two people are because they were not named.”

Police Federation Gives Thumbs Up To Grant As Acting Commissioner The Gleaner - The Police Federation has thrown its support behind the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police Novlette Grant to act as commissioner of police in the wake of Dr Carl Williams’ decision to step down as top cop, effective January 6, 2017. “The Police Federation fully endorses the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Novlette Grant to act as commissioner of police. We will rally the troops, just as we did with previous commissioners, to ensure that her tenure will be a success,” said Sergeant Raymond Wilson, the chairman of the federation. In a statement Friday afternoon, Wilson also commented on the resignation of Williams. He said the Central Committee of the Federation has enjoyed a healthy working relationship with the commissioner. Describing the commissioner as an excellent police officer and a distinguished public servant, Wilson said, “Dr Williams’ leadership has inspired our mem-

Novlette Grant bership and has gained their commitment to continue the arduous work in the unrelenting fight against the criminal elements which continue to haunt our society.” “The entire rank and file cohort applauds his service and wishes him well in his future undertakings. We are proud that the Jamaica Constabulary Force can, and has, produced a suf-

ficient pool of talent from which Dr Williams’ successor can be drawn,” he added. “We wish Dr Williams every success in the future even as we pledge our continued commitment to the new leadership, acting or confirmed. We will remain true to the mission to serve, protect and reassure the citizens of Jamaica,” he said.

PAGE 61

PAGE 62

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257

Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

EARN A CERTIFICATE IN CERTIFICATE IN COSMETOLOGY AT ARTEE’S BEAUTY SALON (W.C.D) - $75,000 & WATCH REPAIRING SERVICES .CALL: 2750267/ 680-0156

INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Repairs to refrigerator, gas stove, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

YEAR END SPECIAL: 2012 TOYOTA RACTIS -$2.6M, 2010 TOYOTA FIELDER $2.6M 4WD, 2009 TOYOTA ARIUS -$2.6M. CALL: 6427295 Pearl white Raum -$850,000 negotiable, owner migrating. Ralph: 613-9390/ 662-5052 One 2009 Super GL Pitbull bus, just registered.Contact: 691-5086 1 AT 192 Carina and 1 Mitsubishi Dingo for sale. Call: 695-0704 TK Bedford 330 Dump Truck, excellent condition. Call: 6878361 One Toyota Rav 4 – Call: 6771310

VACANCY 1 General Domestic, must be able to prepare vegetarian meal, apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.

Toyota Vigo pick-up and Nissan Pathfinder, cheap. Call: 609-7766

The #1 Plant Shop, sale staff and general maintenance and sales persons 20-30yrs. Call: 643-7193 One experienced computer legal clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 2580213/ email:husainsaphier@ yahoo.com

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Organic Potting soil -$900, lawn grass -$1400, Ficus, Exora, Crotons, Foxtail palm, Supari palm, Ashok trees. Call: 626-1044 Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954 Taxi Service for sale (Georgetown) Prime location, including 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704 1 Stem bow boat and engine 200HP with power steering kit -$1.6M negotiable. Call: 6585299/ 638-7748 Dredge mining operation: excavator, dredge, camp, truck, ATV bike, welding set with gas bottle. Call: 676-7943

TO LET 1 Fully furnished apartment located in Eccles, E.B.D, Internet, parking, cable etc. Call:667-2536

Mixed Pitbull with German Shepherd puppies, 5 weeks old $30,000 each Call: 2690711/666-7895 Sewing machine, one 12" wood plane, 1 miter saw. Call: 661-9880

KITTY APARTMENTS: FURNISHED, GRILLED, 2BR, NEW, GRANITE, C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving SECURE $120,000 MONTH, School formerly Soman & NO AGENTS CALL: 672Sons Driving School @ Maraj 4532 Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 KITTY APARTMENTS: (affordable packages). UNFURNISHED,GRILLED,2BR,NEW,GRANITE,SECURE EDUCATIONAL $70,000 MONTH, NO Private Custom Brokerage, AGENTS CALL: 672-4532 certificate training course in Jan 2017, Register & get 50% Apartment to rent at Lot 8 discount for Christmas. Call: Mon Repos E.C.D. Call: 2207330/602-4105 694-8322/671-9603

Lot 12 Mon Repos ECD, First Street. Call: 220-7330/ 6024105

House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc: 223-6035/ 227-8274

House lot at Herstelling. Call:614-2377 La Parfait Harmonie (front) 50X100 -$2.5M , Diamond 21st Street (transported), Land of Canaan with water & light 6.5 per acre. Call: 2312199/ 618-7483 Land for sale: 46 house lots on 70 acres of land, situated at Parika E.B.E. Call Raiz: 6226971/ 661-2289

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Two buildings on lot at180 Charolotte Street Bourda (W30XL120). (Price negotiable). Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 Cambellville 2 storey house -$31M, $45M, South Ruimveldt -$17.5M, $25M, 32M, Grove -$9M, East $12M. Call Shawn: 231-2199/ 618-7483

Providence -$ 3.5M, La Parfait Harmonie (upfront, Graded, Clean)- $1.6M- Call: 611-7223

One two storey building and business, third Street Montrose E.C.D – Call: 6771310

Land at Eccles and Diamond, Cheap. Call:609-7766

Property @ Anna Catherina. Call: 661-9880

WANTED 1 Offset Printer to operator AB Dick machine. Inter services Enterprise. Call:2261877/641-3687 (attractive salary) Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 One live in waittress $70,000$80,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free, 18-30yrs. Call: 610-3974 One live in couple to work as domestic and clean yard, in Mahaicony River. Call: 6446905/655-9419

Rooms with bed to let $20,000 & $25,000 per month. Call: 223-9677 8am-5pm FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Spacious one bedroom upper flat at 239 Herstelling E.B.D. Call: 265-0204/ 601-0223/645-9921

Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

White Ford F-150 1997 4WD Plate #GJJ 5305, excellent working condition, a bargain sale @ $2.8M. Call: 662-5133

Two and three bedrooms luxury apartments to rent fully furnished, long term and short term. Call: 665-3505

Comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for vocation rental. Web: Airbnb Georgetown, FB: Prestige Property Vocational Rental. Call: 592-678-6690/687-3365

LAND FOR SALE Land at Lot 432 Section ‘A’ Block ‘X’, Plantation Great Diamond, E.B. Demerara – Call: 718-598-7149

1 Hilux Surf 4WD with music system -$1.7M. Call Ravi: 6221782/ 269-0642

Nighthawk 750 motorcycle in excellent condition. Call: 6192902

One kitchen assitant . Call: 621-7862/ 225-3700

Do you need a building contractor, estimate, house plan to be drawn? Give us a call: 216-0671/692-8464/6220267 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn: furnished apartments and rooms, ideal for overseas visitors from $6,000 per night. Call: 6680306/ 218-1400/ 694-7817

We are buying land in Eccles, Herstelling, Bartica, La Parfait Harmonie, Farm, Zeelugt, Utivlugt. Call: 611-7223 Live in waitress. Call: 6439007 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 600-1898

LEARN TO DRIVE

CAR RENTAL 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

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 PEN PAL Man; age 40 looking for female age 30 & older. Call: 697-7979

HEALTH For Health & Beauty from inside out! Natural choice chai (tea) & Moringa Powder. Call Patricia Ramphal: 6836877 Natural choice chai (tea) & Moringa Powder. Ask for it at your local supermarket everywhere. Call Patricia Ramphal: 683-6877

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 63

Kaieteur News

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth By Dr. Neromini Fagu Many of us are familiar with the famous song, “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth”. Have you ever wondered what inspired the song and what is its significance? The song originated in 1944 and it came into being when the author, Don Gardner, was teaching music at an elementary school in Smithtown, New York. He was asked to write a song for the school’s annual Christmas concert. His inspiration for the song came about in listening to a class of second graders. When their teacher asked about what gifts they wanted for Christmas, each student

began their response with “All I want for Christmas is….” He noticed that a majority of the students had their two front teeth missing and hence he penned the lyrics… “All I want For Christmas is … My Two Front Teeth”. The song was a hit at the concert and it went on to become a worldwide hit. So, why did so many of the children have missing front teeth? Well, second graders are usually aged 6-7 years and during this time, the baby central incisors are usually exfoliated to make room for the adult teeth. The normal process is for the roots of the baby teeth to dissolve and the permanent adult teeth to grow into place.

The bottom central incisors are usually the first baby teeth to be lost - at around six years of age. Soon to follow are the top two central incisors. For most children the first loose tooth appears around 6 years of age but this can happen as early as four years

CONSUMER CONCERNS CONCERNS CONSUMER

As we approach the New Year BY PAT DIAL Last week this column dealt with a number of the usual Christmas symbols. Several readers contacted us saying that they found it enlightening and asked us to have a similar offering about the New Year festival. Since today is the last Sunday before the advent of 2017, we decided to make this offering today. The media, at this time, have traditionally carried pieces of how the New Year is marked or celebrated in different countries of the world leaving the Guyanese reader with a feeling the way we celebrate New Year is not as interesting or unique as in other countries. Actually the way we celebrate New Year is just as unique and interesting as any other country. The Guyanese New Year celebrations begin on Old Year’s Day, that is December 31. It was de rigeur that the house had to be thoroughly cleaned and the furniture brightened or renewed and new clothing had to be worn. The home-cleaning and renewal of furniture were done in the Christmas week as part of the Christmas preparations but with a strong feeling that it was done for the coming of the New Year as well. This manifested the linkage in Guyana between the Christmas and New Year celebrations. With the cleaning, everyone felt uplifted by the refreshing and pervasive odour of newness in the home. People tried to pay off any debts they may owe before the arrival of the New Year. On the day before Old Year’s Day, resolutions were made as to how one would act and achieve greater success in personal relations, in business and at work during the coming year. Very often people would write down these resolutions. New clothes were laid out to be worn on the evening of Old Year’s and a good meal was prepared so that the New Year would find one well-fed and well-clothed. A final housecleaning was done on Old Year’s Day and all dust would have been thrown out during of daylight since it brought ill-luck to do so after sundown. It is important to note that this renewal and the very conscious turning away from the failures, tensions and depressions of the past year is cathartic and allowed Guyanese people to begin the New Year with optimism

and strength. The Guyanese New Year celebrations therefore had a creative psychological value. Old Year’s Night was regarded as a continuum into the New Year and many felt that however the arrival of the New Year found one, he or she would have the same pattern of life throughout the year. Many people go partying or dancing into the New Year, being convinced that they would remain relaxed and happy for the rest of the year. At twelve midnight, there is a burst of noise everywhere, whether it is the firing of guns by the army or the ships’ sirens or the squibs and other noise-makers; the old superstition is that such noise will exorcise ill-luck. In Guyana and other English-speaking countries Robert Burns’s famous song “Auld lang syne” is one of the sounds which is linked with the New Year. This song awakens nostalgia, good-fellowship, friendship and fraternity. During or after the song or music, toasts to friends, absent and present, and to loved ones are drunk. Some families and individuals would have the New Year find them praying for God’s help and protection and this religious element does form part of the beginning of the year. The New Year festival is of course purely secular and though the Christian festival of Epiphany falls on January 5, the two festivals have remained distinct without any connection. The most common New Year symbols are as small baby representing the birth of the New Year, an old man dressed in his sleeping gown representing the year which is about to die, champagne glasses representing the common practice of toasting friends, and bells representing the Church bells which help to ring in the New Year. The 1st of January is the international and secular New Year’s day but in Guyana there are also two religious New Years, the Hindu and Muslim, based on the lunar calendar, The adherents of these Faiths do observe their respective New Years and the Hindu New Year, Phagwah is a public holiday which is widely celebrated but it is the moral and ethical aspects of the festival are stressed and not the New Year’s aspect. January 1 is however celebrated by people of all Faiths and they all vigorously celebrate it.

or as late as eight years. Once the tooth starts to become loose, it usually takes a couple of months before it falls out. Usually, a shaky tooth will fall out on its own or get stuck into food that is bitten into such as an apple. It is not uncommon for a child to accidentally swallow a tooth that has come loose and if this happens there is no cause for alarm. Sometimes, a loose tooth may not want to ‘let go” and would remain in the mouth for weeks causing the child some amount of discomfort. Never try to yank out a tooth because if it breaks and the root has not been fully dissolved, the remaining root

portion may get infected. It will normally take about six years for all the baby teeth to be replaced by the adult ones. For some late bloomers, their teeth may take longer to fall out. This usually is not cause for concern but your dentist may suggest taking a dental x-ray to ensure that the adult teeth are present below. If your child’s adult teeth has erupted and the baby teeth are still in position, then you need to see your dentist to have the baby teeth removed. Retained baby teeth may cause the adult teeth to be misaligned and pose a problem that may be expensive to correct later on. It is important to take care of your child’s baby teeth even though they will be eventually replaced by their adult teeth. Teaching your child the importance

Dr. Neromini Fagu of good oral health at a young age will go a long way in ensuring that their permanent teeth last long into adulthood. Daily brushing and flossing as well as regular dental check-ups are necessary components for maintaining good oral health. Merry Christmas to you all! For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to n e r o m i n i f a g u @ hotmail.com.

Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

PAGE 64

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Turkey-backed rebels kill 68 IS fighters near Syria’s al-Bab – military Reuters - Syrian rebels backed by Turkish warplanes killed 68 Islamic State militants in northern Syria overnight, the Turkish military said yesterday, as intense fighting around the town of al-Bab continued. Rebels supported by Turkish troops have laid siege to the Islamic State-held town for weeks under the “Euphrates Shield” operation launched by Turkey nearly four months ago to sweep the Sunni hardliners and Kurdish fighters from its Syrian border. Fighting around al-Bab has escalated this week with Turkish soldiers and 138 jihadists killed in clashes on Wednesday in the deadliest day since the start of Turkey’s Syrian incursion. Sixty-eight Islamic State militants have been “neutralised” in fighting and air strikes

near al-Bab since Friday night, the military said in a statement. A total of 141 Islamic State targets were hit in the attacks and one of its military headquarters was destroyed, the military said, adding that two of the Turkish-backed rebel fighters had been killed and one wounded. Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Friday that the area around a hospital used as a command centre and ammunition depot by Islamic State had been cleared of militants, marking a breakthrough for the rebels. Speaking in Kocaeli province, near Istanbul, Isik also said authorities had information three Turkish soldiers had been captured by Islamic State but nothing else had been confirmed.

India’s Modi says won’t hesitate on tough decisions to help economy Reuters - India will not hesitate to make tough decisions to help support its growing economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday, alluding to his recent scrapping of 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes to tackle endemic corruption. Modi told an event organised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, India’s capital markets regulator that his government would continue to follow sound and prudent economic policies to ensure that India’s long-term prospects are bright. “We will not take decisions for short-term political point scoring . . . We will not shy away from taking dif-

ficult decisions if those decisions are in the interests of the country,” Modi said. “Demonetisation is an example. It is a short-term pain but it will bring long-term gain.” Modi announced the shock move to ditch 500 and 1,000 rupee notes with a combined value of $256 billion on Nov. 8, saying the large denomination notes fuelled corruption and fraud and were even used to finance attacks by militants who target India. With the cash economy estimated to account for a fifth of India’s $2 trillion gross domestic product, the decision has disrupted the daily lives of hundreds of millions of Indians.

But economists and some businesses say it could ultimately help broaden the formal economy and improve tax compliance. Modi said the government had transformed the economy in less than three years by cutting and achieving fiscal deficit targets, keeping the current account deficit low, boosting foreign exchange reserves and lowering inflation. “Developed countries and emerging markets are both facing slow growth. Against this background, India is being seen as a bright spot. Growth is projected to remain among the highest in the world,” he said.

Nigeria’s Buhari says army has captured key Boko Haram camp Reuters - Nigeria’s army has captured a key Boko Haram camp, the Islamist militant group’s last enclave in the vast Sambisa forest that was its stronghold, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday. Boko Haram has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state governed by a strict interpretation of sharia law in the northeast of Africa’s most populous nation. The group controlled an area about the size of Belgium in early 2015 but has been pushed out of most of that territory over the last year by Nigeria’s army and troops from neighbouring countries, shifting to a base in the Sambisa, a former colonial game reserve. “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the camp fell at about 1:35 pm on Friday, December 23, and that the

terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide,” Buhari said in a statement. Reuters was unable to independently verify whether the base in Nigeria’s Borno state, known as Camp Zero, had been taken by the army. Buhari said the capture of Camp Zero marked the “final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa forest”. Army spokesman Sani Usman said the military was “happy and proud of the accomplished task” without giving further details. Nigeria’s military has been conducting an offensive in the forest during the last few weeks. Officials said in recent days that insurgents were fleeing into surrounding areas, warning residents to be vigilant. Despite having been pushed back to the Sambisa forest, Boko Haram still stages suicide bombings in

northeasteran areas and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon. Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused risk management company Signal Risk, said it was unlikely that the entire insurgency was being coordinated from the Sambisa. “Boko Haram may have both logistical and operational bases both within and outside of Nigeria’s borders,” he said. Boko Haram pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) last year but signs of a rift emerged in August after IS announced a new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi. Boko Haram’s hitherto leader Abubakar Shekau later appeared to contradict the appointment in a video message. Analysts say Shekau’s faction is based in the Sambisa while al-Barnawi’s group operates in the Lake Chad area.

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

US revokes Haitian presidential candidate’s visa PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — Jean-Charles Moïse, the candidate for the Pitit Dessalin party, one of the three challengers to the winner Jovenel Moïse in the first round of last month’s presidential elections in Haiti, has confirmed that his US visa has been revoked by the US Embassy, and he could no longer travel to the United States. Moïse nevertheless minimised the impact of this revocation: “As long as a man has not discovered something for which he would be ready to die, he is not able to live. Haitian people as I have always told you, a visa is a courtesy, it does not make me hot or cold ... revoking the visa of Jean-Charles Moïse will not prevent the movement to continue until the end,” without, however, explaining the reasons for such revocation. What is known is that Moïse was summoned last week to the US embassy, where he was told that his

Jean-Charles Moïse five-year visa, which had expired last November and was the subject of a renewal, had been revoked, HaitiLibre reported. Moïse recently announced plans for a series of demonstrations in front of the American Embassy yesterday and Thursday, December 29, 2016, in protest against the publication of the preliminary results of the elections,

while the American ambassador said that these elections were credible. However, there is no indication that this announcement is related to this revocation of Visa. For its part, the US embassy in Port-au-Prince declined to give any information on the matter, explaining that the embassy never comments on a person’s visa status. (Caribbean News)

1.9% growth ‘conditional’ Daily Nation - Barbados’ economy will grow by 1.9 per cent next year, but this positive picture is likely to be spoilt by the “high” fiscal deficit and widening “debt stock”. That’s the prediction of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in its latest economic analysis and forecast. Last week, ECLAC published its 2016 review and 2017 economic outlook. It said Barbados’ growth was heavily dependent on the resurgent tourism and construction sectors, but cautioned that there were weaknesses in other areas. “For the second consecutive year, Barbados recorded positive economic growth in 2016, expected to be 1.4 per cent of GDP. This was driven by a solid performance in the

tourism sector, which grew by three per cent in the first three quarters of 2016,” the agency said. “Long-stay arrivals increased by 5.7 per cent, with growth up in the major source markets, which also helped fuel a recovery in construction sector activity. This progress was reflected in a lower unemployment rate of 10.2 per cent by September 2016.” However, while noting that the current account deficit of the balance of payments also narrowed to 2.4 per cent of GDP, owing to increased exports and low imports, ECLAC said the fiscal deficit and debt remained areas of concern. “The fiscal deficit remains high at an estimated 6.4 per cent of GDP. This, coupled with the high gross Government debt stock – 107.7 per cent of GDP – and increasing domestic interest

payments, is a matter of ongoing concern for the Government of Barbados,” it added. “Weak commodity prices continue to push consumer prices downward, with inflation of -1.2 per cent. Growth in 2017 is projected at 1.9 per cent, underpinned by continued growth in the tourism and construction sectors.” Elaborating on concerns about the fiscal deficit, ECLAC observe that Government’s fiscal consolidation efforts “have been slow to yield the expected results”. “The Central Bank of Barbados projects the fiscal deficit for fiscal year 2016/17 to be 6.1 per cent of GDP (down from original estimates of over eight per cent of GDP), which is a smaller deficit than the 7.5 per cent of GDP posted in fiscal year 2015/16, but still in excess of sustainable levels,” it said.

US to assist Jamaica with introduction of plea bargaining WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The US State Department has agreed to assist the Jamaica Government with introducing the concept of plea bargaining to the island’s justice system with a view to reducing the backlog within the nation’s courts. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says the State Department has agreed to make available a number of high-

level prosecutors and judges who will hold seminars with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) as well as the island’s judges on how plea bargaining can be an effective tool in making the courts more efficient.. Chuck said that the principle of plea bargaining was a time-honoured common-law tradition and has been utilised in many jurisdictions to re-

duce the caseload of the courts. He said the principle have offenders take responsibility for their actions, which is an important pre-requisite for rehabilitation; save the complainant the trauma of re-living the traumatic experience in a pressurized setting; and to save the time and resources of the State by avoiding lengthy trials.

PAGE 65

PAGE 66

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Europe on Christmas high alert after truck attack in Berlin Reuters - Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican yesterday after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. In France, Britain and Germany, which have all been targets of Islamist militant attacks, police increased their presence at tourist spots in major cities and other densely populated areas. Anis Amri, a 24-yearold Tunisian suspected of carrying out the truck attack which killed 12 people, was shot dead in a town near Milan early on Friday after he pulled a gun on police during a routine check. He had travelled undetected to Italy from Germany via France, taking advantage of Europe’s openborder Schengen pact. As investigators sought to determine if Amri had accomplices in Italy, and associates were being arrested in

his home country of Tunisia, national security officials in Italy beefed up security at sensitive spots. Rome authorities banned vans or trucks from entering the city centre and anti-terror police wearing masks and wielding machine guns set up roadblocks on routes leading to famous tourist sites or areas where crowds traditionally gather. At the Vatican, where Pope Francis was due to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s basilica yesterday evening, police cars and military jeeps stood about every 100 metres (yards) along streets leading to the Vatican. Security was also stepped up in central Milan and other Italian cities, particularly near major churches where the faithful were attending Christmas services. In France, where Islamist militants killed 130 people in shooting and bomb attacks in Paris in November 2015, authorities said more than 91,000 policemen and soldiers would be deployed, with additional security measures being en-

forced at churches. Emergency rule has been in place since the Paris attacks, and French soldiers patrol the capital’s streets. Police have been given wider search and arrest powers to target suspects considered a threat to security. In Germany, federal police reinforced armed patrols at airports and rail stations, officials said. They have also reintroduced spot checks on people coming into Germany along a 30-km (19 miles) corridor inside the international frontiers.

PAGE 67

PAGE 68

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 69

Players approve new collecRussian coach banned for 10 tive bargaining agreement years for doping-related offences (Reuters) Players in the National Basketball Association approved their new seven-year collective bargaining agreement on Friday. The NBA board of governors voted on Wednesday to approve t h e t e n t a t i v e agreement reached with the players’ union, and the players also approved ratification in an electronic vote that was finalised on Friday. The document now just needs to be finalised and signed. “The new Collective Bar-

gaining Agreement was ratified this week by the NBA players and NBA Board of Governors,” the NBA said in a statement on Friday. “ T h e n e w a g r e e m ent will take effect on July 1, 2017 and run through the 2023-24 season. “The parties voted based on a term sheet that outline the key deal points. Once the NBA and NBPA finish drafting and execute the complete agreement, specific details will be released.” Negotiations went smoothly this year, in marked

contrast to the last round in 2011 when an impasse led to a 161-day lockout and a shortened 66-game season. With a new nine-year television deal pumping $24 billion into the league, both sides had a lot at stake and it was in their mutual interests to get a deal done. The new agreement is expected to include higher minimum salaries, tweaks to the drug-testing procedure, a shortened pre-season and a regular season with more days off between games.

Sunday 25 December. 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be out of sorts if you have been extravagant or have let children or friends take advantage of you financially. Take the initiative and go after your goals. Take time to catch up on overdue correspondence. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be able to get along well with colleagues. Trips will be favorable for business as well as pleasure. Money problems will get worse if your partner hasn't been playing by the rules. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You can offer your mate a commitment or promise that will help stabilize your personal life. Curb the impulse to make lavish purchases and maybe spend some time with good friends. Problems with appliances or electrical gadgets will drive you crazy. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't be too quick to spend money. Communicate with relatives who may need advice in order to find solutions to their existing problems. There's lots to be done and if you meet your deadline you'll be in your boss's good books. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Go to the top if you're being harassed or held back. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. Think twice before you volunteer information. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Someone envious of your popularity may challenge you to a debate. Abrupt action will cause difficulties with rela-

tives. You're in the mood to do things such as competitive sports, or perhaps a night on the town. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't draw too much attention to yourself at work. Sudden changes regarding colleagues may surprise you. Don't be too open or put your faith in unreliable coworkers. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Go after your goals and don't be afraid to ask for assistance. You may experience setbacks due to additional responsibilities with loved ones. This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Try not to hesitate; act on your initial instincts. You might be overly emotional concerning situations at work. You can win if you're open and up front with your boss. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can complete any projects efficiently, especially if you put the effort in yourself. Deception is likely. Partnerships could be tense. Don't push your luck. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may find that family members may not be too easy to get along with. Opportunities for travel and socializing are evident. Deep discussions may only lead to friction. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might find that the extra cash will come in handy when an opportunity to invest comes along. Your generous nature could be taken advantage of. Exercise programs will be effective.

Yuliya Stepanova competed in this year’s European Championships in Amsterdam but was banned by the IOC from the Rio Games. (AP) BBC Sport - The former coach of Russian whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova has been banned for 10 years for doping-related offences, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced. Vladimir Mokhnev was found to have violated rules “relating to possession, trafficking and administration of banned substances”. Athlete Anastasiya Bazdyreva has also been suspended for two years. Stepanova is in hiding after helping to expose Russian state-sponsored doping.Bazdyreva was found to have violated rules which concern “use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a

prohibited method”. The ban is back-dated to 24 August 2015. Plus, her results between

23 April 2014 and 24 August 2015 have been annulled and any prizes, medals, prize and appearance money forfeited.

PAGE 70

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

CONCACAF-Beach Soccer Cship schedule released MIAMI, Florida, CMC – Nine Caribbean Football Union teams taking part in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship to be staged in Nassau, Bahamas, from February 20 to 26 next year, now know their schedule. The regional governing body and Beach Soccer Worldwide disclosed the full schedule of matches on Friday which also includes Barbados, a late replacement for Guatemala, which is currently prohibited by FIFA, football’s world governing body, from taking part in international competition. All but three of the CFU teams will take to the sand on the opening day of the tournament with the hosts bringing the curtain down against Guyana in the night cap match. Earlier in the day,

Barbados get things rolling, when they f a c e Canada, followed by an all-CFU contest between Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua & Barbuda, then Jamaica vs Belize, Mexico vs Guadeloupe and the United States vs United States Virgin Islands. The Championship will include a field of 16 teams. During the first four days, teams will contest a round-robin format in four groups of four teams each, as selected at the official draw for the c o m p e t i tion held last October in Miami. Group A consists of Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize and Guyana, with Group B comprising Mexico, Barbados, Canada and Guadeloupe. Group C includes the United States, Trinidad & To b a g o , A n t i g u a a n d Barbuda and the United

Virgin Islands, with Group D formed by El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Turks & Caicos Islands. The winner and runnerup from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the third- and fourthplaced teams from each group will also participate in positioning matches over the final three match dates. The champion and the runner-up of the competition will join host Bahamas as the three CONCACAF representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be staged two months later in the same venue. MATCH SCHEDULE Monday, February 20, 2 0 1 7 Barbados vs Canada Trinidad & Tobago vs Antigua & Barbuda Jamaica vs Belize Mexico vs Guadeloupe United States vs United S t a t e s Vi rg i n I s l a n d s Bahamas vs Guyana Tuesday, February 21, 2 0 1 7 Costa Rica vs Panama

El Salvador vs Turks & C a i c o s I s l a n d s Guadeloupe vs Barbados Canada vs Mexico Guyana vs Jamaica Belize vs Bahamas Wednesday, February 2 2 , 2 0 1 7 United States Virgin Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Turks & Caicos Islands vs C o s t a R i c a Panama vs El Salvador Belize vs Guyana Antigua & Barbuda vs U n i t e d S t a t e s Bahamas vs Jamaica Thursday, February 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 Canada vs Guadeloupe Antigua & Barbuda vs United States Virgin Islands Panama vs Turks & Caicos I s l a n d s Mexico vs Barbados El Salvador vs Costa Rica United States vs Trinidad & Tobago Friday, February 24, 2017 Minor Quarter-finals 4 B v s 4 D 4 A v s 4 C 3 B v s 3 D

3A vs 3C Major Quarter-finals TBD vs TBD Quarterfinal 1 TBD vs TBD Quarterfinal 2 TBD vs TBD Quarterfinal 3 TBD vs TBD Quarterfinal 4 Saturday, February 25, 2017 Minor Semi-finals Loser Minor quarterfinal 2 vs Loser Minor quarter-finals 1 Winner Minor quarterfinal 2 vs Winner Minor quarter-finals 1 Loser Minor quarterfinal 4 vs Loser Minor quarter-finals 3 Winner Minor quarterfinal 4 vs Winner Minor quarter-finals 3 Major Semi-finals Loser Major quarterfinal 2 vs Loser Major quarter-finals 1 Loser Major quarterfinal 4 vs Loser Major quarter-finals 3 Winner Major quarterfinal 2 vs Winner Major quarter-finals 1 Winner Major quarterfinal 4 vs Winner Major quarter-finals 3

Sunday, February 26, 2017 – Final Playoffs Minor Playoff Loser Minor semi-final 2 vs Loser Minor semi-finals 1 Major Playoff Winner Minor semi-final 2 vs Winner Minor semifinals 1 Minor Consolation Playoff Loser Minor semi-final 4 vs Loser Minor semi-finals 3 Major Consolation Playoff Winner Minor semi-final 4 vs Winner Minor semifinals 3 Minor Consolation Final Loser Major semi-final 2 vs Loser Major semi-finals 1 Major Consolation Final Winner Major semi-final 2 vs Winner Major semifinals 1 Consolation Final Loser Major semi-final 4 vs Loser Major semi-finals 3 Grand Final Winner Major semi-final 4 vs Winner Major semifinals 3

Del Potro to miss Australian Open over injury concerns (Reuters) Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro will miss next month’s Australian Open and possibly his country’s Davis Cup first round tie against Italy because of injury concerns. The former U.S. Open champion has been plagued with wrist injuries for the past three years and after an impressive return in 2016 said he wants to avoid any setbacks. A statement announcing

that he was withdrawing from the season-opening Auckland Classic and the Australian Open said he needed more recovery time after leading Argentina to the Davis Cup title for the first time in November. “What I need is to have someone get me physically fit enough to last the whole year,” the 28-year-old said. “We’re looking at what the priority is. If tennis waited for me for two years,

Australia can wait for me for one more.” He is regarded as serious challenger for grand slam titles but three surgeries to his wrist threatened to end his career. He began the year ranked 1,042 but ended the season inside the top 40. Del Potro reached the Olympic singles final in Rio, losing a cliff-hanger to Andy Murray, before guiding Argentina to victory over Croatia in the Davis Cup final. The 28-year-old has not completely ruled out being available for their opening round against Italy starting on Feb. 3. “There’s still some time to the first tie against Italy, but not so much and it’s going to be on clay, a surface I struggle on,” Del Potro said.

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro reacts after his victory against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 71

Warriors find their way past Pistons (The Sports Xchange) Kevin Durant fired in 32 points and the Golden State Warriors overcame a seasonhigh 22 turnovers to down the Detroit Pistons 119-113 on Friday. Stephen Curry had 25 points and eight assists for the Warriors (27-4), who won their seventh straight heading into their Christmas Day showdown with Eastern Conference leader Cleveland. Klay Thompson added 17 points and JaVale McGee chipped in 15. Wa r r i o r s f o r w a r d Draymond Green, who flew back to the Bay Area on Thursday for the birth of his son, contributed five points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy made a lineup change, inserting Joe Leuer at power forward in place of Tobias Harris, who had 26 points and seven rebounds. Kentavious CaldwellPope contributed 25 points and Reggie Jackson added 17 points and six assists for Detroit (14-18), who lost their fifth straight.

McGee and Durant scored nine points apiece in the third quarter as the Warriors led by as many eight points. Harris kept the Pistons close with 10 points in the quarter but Golden State carried an 88-84 advantage into the fourth. It did not last, as the Pistons opened the quarter with an 11-2 run, though Golden State soon regained the lead and two Ian Clark layups made it 102-99. Detroit scored the next five points but Curry answered with five of his own. The game remained tight but Green’s first basket, a dunk off a Thompson feed, put the Warriors ontop112-110with1:31left. Thompson and Caldwell-Pope traded baskets before Thompson hit a clinching three-pointer with 22.1 seconds left. Turnovers caused the Warriors to trail 59-57 at the half. They committed 12 — six in each of the first two quarters — leading to 17 Pistons points. The 12 giveaways tied their season high for any

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot over Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports) half. Durant was the most reliable source of offense for Golden State with 16 points, and Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with 13 points.

7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side Football Tournament

American Keys to miss Australian Open after wrist surgery

Champs stay on course for semi-final spots The battle for semi-final places in the respective categories will begin tonight when the 7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side F o o t b a l l To u r n a m e n t resumes, at the Kumaka Recreational ground, in Region 1. Reigning men and women’s champions Paloma and Silver Sands respectively remained resolutely on course to defend their titles after registering convincing wins against their opponents in the latest round of action on Friday evening. Playing in the opening game of the night, Silver Sands led by a six-goal effort from the skilful Annalise Vincent and a brace from Renessa Boyal crushed Mora 8-0. Vincent’s goals came in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th and 23rd minutes, while B o y a l ’s s t r i k e s w e r e recorded in the 17th and 24th minutes.

Paloma inflicted similar punishment on Netrockers with Faizal Williams leading with a hat-trick, netting in the 5th, 8th and 13th minutes, while Samuel Spencer (6th and 26th) and Angel Rodrigues (8th and 17th) and an own goal completed their tally. In other results: Kairie survived 2-1 in sudden death penalty shootout against Dark Knight after regulation time failed to deliver a winner, ending 0-0. Young Guns then beat Netrockers 3-1 with Oscar Harris scoring a pair in the 23rd and 24th minutes, while Alex Harris fired in a goal in the 30th minute. Huradiah squeezed past Construction Boys 2-1 with Seth Robeiro netting in the 26th and 28th minutes, while Marzo Atkinson made the lone response in the 27th minute for the losers. Haimacabria beat Silver sands 1-0 in a penalty shootout after their scrap

finished 2-2. Construction then defeated Kumaka 2-1 thanks to a double from Marzo Atkinson in the 11th and 27th minutes. Ron Williams’ 25th minute strike was the lone response for Kumaka. In the final game, Kamwatta edged Silver Sands 1-0 through a goal from Godfrey Benjamin in the 6th minute. Meanwhile, the winners of the men’s category will receive $200,000 and the winning trophy, while the runner-up take home $75,000. In the women’s segment, the champions will cart off $100,000 and runner-up $40,000. The tournament is set to conclude tomorrow, at the same venue. Meanwhile, among the sponsors on board are Peanut & Sons Speed Boat Service, Trophy Stall, Ivor Domingo and Clement La Cruz.

USA’s Madison Keys celebrates during her round robin match. (Action Images / Yong Teck Lim) (Reuters) World number eight Madison Keys will m i s s n e x t m o n t h ’s Australian Open after undergoing wrist surgery, the American said on Friday. Keys, 21, who made the round of 16 at all four grand slam tournaments last year, had the procedure in early November and would not be ready for the season-opening grand slam that begins at

Melbourne Park on Jan. 16. “Three days after the y e a r - e n d W T A Championships I had minor arthroscopic surgery on my left wrist,” she said on Twitter. “The procedure was very short, did not involve any tendon issues and went very well ... I don’t want to rush back and need to take my time to be fully ready to perform my best on the

court.” Keys, who plays righthanded, also revealed she was being coached again by former world number one Lindsay Davenport, having worked with Thomas Hogstedt for the last year. “I am very excited about working with Lindsay again,” Keys added. “She’s helped me reach great results in the past and we make an excellent team!”

PAGE 68

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Heat retire Shaquille O’Neal’s No 32 jersey

The jersey of NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal is hoisted into the rafters during his number retirement ceremony.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, on Thursday. (Photos: AFP)

MIAMI, United States (AFP) —Shaquille O’Neal fulfilled a promise in 2006 to bring Miami its first NBA championship and the Heat said thank you on Thursday by retiring his No 32 jersey. The jersey was lifted to the rafters in an emotional but sometimes light-hearted half-time ceremony that included O’Neal’s mother, Lucille, arriving on the court

behind the wheel of a scaleddown 18-wheel truck. It was a miniature version – right down to the words “Diesel Power” written on the side – of the semi that O’Neal once drove into town when he made that initial promise back in 2004. But the best thing about Thursday night for the Heat was they rallied from a 19point second-quarter deficit

to beat O’Neal’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, 115107 and snap a three-game losing skid. O’Neal deflected the praise Thursday, thanking Heat boss Pat Riley as well as his teammates, especially star guard Dwyane Wade, who became the other half of the club’s one-two scoring punch. “When you win

championships, it becomes contagious. I felt like I still had a lot to give, I just needed another piece. D-Wade was that piece,” O’Neal said. “It was already his team so I wasn’t going to redecorate the Christmas tree.” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team trailed by seven points at half-time, said Miami got an emotional lift from listening to Shaq’s acceptance speech.

MCYS fires MILLION Dollar shot The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) is set to celebrate a huge milestone in 2017, the celebration of 150 years in existence. And to commemorate this colossal achievement, the entity will be hosting the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships. This huge event will attract the best marksmen and women not only from the West Indies but form the leading countries in the world, the likes of those from Australia, England, Canada, USA and Scotland who will all converge at the Timehri Rifle Ranges to compete. Cognizant of the huge costs that would be necessary to put Guyana on show to the world and to be the good hosts that Guyana is known for, the executive of the GuyanaNRA decided to reach out early to the Patron of the association, His

Excellency President David Granger and the Honorable Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Sport Ms Nicolette Henry for assistance. The mentioned dignitaries were notified that for Guyana to be successful in hosting on and off the range, it would incur costs amounting to almost 20 MILLION dollars to ensure the Timehri Range is in pristine condition and also the procuring of ammunition. President Granger and Minister Henry acquiesced to the associations request and generously boosted the budget with a shot that hit the V on first attempt, valued at 1 MILLION Guyana dollars. Minister Henry in presenting the cheque to GuyanaNRA Secretary Ryan Sampson who also holds a similar position on the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council

(WIFBSC) in the presence of other executive members noted that the Ministry was very pleased to be associated with the association to celebrate such a rare millstone. Henry also stated that this contribution towards a continued partnership with the association is not one off and she is looking forward to assisting the association in other ways not necessarily in the area of finances only. In expressing gratitude, Sampson informed that over 100 shooters from the region and the world are expected to come to Guyana which would experience a direct boost in the areas of sports tourism since apart from the team members, it has already been confirmed that their family members would be making the trip also. “We intend to showcase a Guyana in a very positive way during the hosting of

this championship,” Sampson said. Sampson also extended gratitude to President Granger and Minister Henry for giving the association the perfect start in their quest to raise the requisite funds towards a successful championship in October 2017. The GuyanaNRA has been able over the years to make all of Guyana proud with its performances at the Caribbean level and the world level, Guyanese shooters making up half of the West Indies Team at the last World Long Range Championships which took place at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA. The Guyanese marksmen led by Captain Mahendra Persaud are also the Short and Long Range Champions of the Caribbean and are looking forward to maintaining that status come 2017 on home soil.

“It was like going down memory lane. It felt like 2006,” he said. “Shaq engaged the entire crowd with incredible class. “Our players were sitting there with eyes wide open. They saw a vision of what we’re trying to build and what the arena is like when you have a legitimate championship-contending team. It was a special presentation.” Indeed it was. O’Neal’s message didn’t go unnoticed by Justise Winslow. He scored a career-high 23 points and Hassan Whiteside had his sixth double-double in a row to lead Miami past the struggling Lakers, who have fallen on hard times since the days of O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. “It was a great environment,” said Winslow, who posted a career high in points and a season high in rebounds. “We knew the fans were going to be out here to see Shaq’s jersey hanging. We knew it was going to electric, and we wanted to give them a show. It was a lot of fun playing in this arena tonight.” Whiteside and Winslow each had 23 points and 13 rebounds. Whiteside has 23 double-doubles this season, tying him for the NBA lead with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. It was the first career double-double for the second-year forward Winslow as the Heat (10-20)

snapped their three-game losing streak. All three of those losses came at home. In Los Angeles, despite losing Chris Paul to a hamstring injury, the Los Angeles Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-101 at Staples Center. Paul suffered a strained left hamstring early in the third quarter and did not return. He finished with team-high 19 points, six assists and seven rebounds in 23 minutes. Wi t h o u t P a u l , t h e Clippers received a boost from their bench. Marreese Speights had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Raymond Felton added 13 points. Jamal Crawford chipped in 11 points. The Clippers’ reserves outscored the Spurs’ bench 58-31. Elsewhere, Isaiah Thomas scored 28 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 109-102. Boston won its fourth in a row, sealing it with two free throws from Thomas and two from Jae Crowder during the final 14 seconds after Indiana closed to within 105-102 on two C J Miles free throws with 19 seconds to play. Jeff Teague had a seasonhigh 31 for Indiana, which lost its second straight. Paul George and Miles each had 19 for the Pacers, and Thaddeus Young added 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Sunday December 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 73

Boult, Southee to be managed in Bangladesh series

New Zealand’s Trent Boult celebrates bowling out South Africa’s Faf du Plessis. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko Picture Supplied by Action Images)

New Zealand’s Tim Southee attempts to field a ball. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko Picture Supplied by Action Images) (Reuters) New Zealand’s frontline seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee will have their workloads managed through the limited-overs portion of their series against Bangladesh to ensure they are fresh for the rest of the international programme, coach Mike Hesson has said. New Zealand begin a three-match one-day series against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Monday,

before they play three Twenty20 internationals ahead of two tests. Boult will not play the final one-day match in Nelson on Dec. 31 and miss at least the first Twenty20 match in Napier on Jan. 3, while Southee will miss the entire Twenty20 series ahead of the first test in Wellington that starts on Jan. 12. “It’s always a balancing act with guys that play all three forms, especially the

bowlers,” Hesson told reporters in Christchurch yesterday. “We’ll give them a chance to get their loads up so they’re ready to go for the test match.” Both played domestic limited overs cricket upon New Zealand’s return from Australia, where they were thumped 3-0 in their Chappell-Hadlee one day series against Steve Smith’s side. Most of the team had

returned to their domestic sides since, with Boult, Southee and spinner Mitchell Santner all playing on Friday in Hamilton before joining the national side. To m L a t h a m , M a t t Henry, Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham all played for their respective teams in a Twenty20 match in Christchurch on Friday. “I think it’s been good the guys have had 10-12 days home playing some

domestic cricket,” Hesson said. “(They’re) getting some confidence back.” Captain Kane Williamson, however, had not played any cricket at all, Hesson said, with the coach restricting all contact with the 26-year-old. “It’s been nice to be able to give him a break, it’s a tough ask playing all three forms of the game and you’re captain as well.

“I’ve left him alone to be fair to enjoy his break rather than getting annoying phone calls from me all the time. “He’s certainly fresh and ready to go.” New Zealand host Australia for three one-day matches after the Bangladesh series before South Africa arrive for a full tour that includes a Twenty20 international, five one-day matches and three tests.

McGregor vows to ‘break Mayweather’s face’ Conor McGregor

Omnisport Floyd Mayweather Jr asked his followers to join in a caption competition. Conor McGregor opted for a different approach. McGregor and Mayweather have spent the latter half of 2016 posturing at each other amid reports of a crosscombat mega-fight, w i t h t h e U F C lightweight champion the latest to sound off on Saturday.

Undefeated boxing legend Mayweather invited his 14 million Instagram followers to caption a video of McGregor suffering his first submission loss to Nate Diaz. ‘Money’ Mayweather offered $10,000 for his favourite, yet to be revealed. And McGregor also looked to live up to his ‘Notorious’ moniker as he took to social media to respond. The Irishman, with an

accompanying picture of the pair, wrote: “I am going to break his face.” McGregor has been awar d e d a b o x i n g licence for the state of California and has claimed that the ongoing flirtation with a bout was sparked by Mayweather, who retired from action after taking his pro record to 49-0 against Andre Berto in September 2015.

PAGE 70

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

Australia v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Melbourne

Warner confident poor Test form will turn ESPNcricinfo - It’s been a big year for David Warner. In January, he won the Allan Border Medal for the first time. Also in January he became a father for the second time, with the birth of his daughter Indi Rae. In August, he captained Australia for the first time, leading them to ODI and T20 series wins over Sri Lanka. Also in August, he was named Australia’s Sporting Father of the Year. I n S e p t e m b e r, h e smashed two ODI hundreds in South Africa, and in December he plundered back-to-back centuries against New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Series. In all, 2016 has been a stunning year for Warner in ODIs: 1388 runs at 63.09 and seven hundreds. Only Sachin Tendulkar has made more ODI centuries in a year (nine in 1998). Along the way, Warner has earned a new nickname from his team-mates. Once, he was the Bull, but they believe the Bull has been tamed somewhat by the responsibilities of vicecaptaincy and fatherhood. He is now The Reverend. And yet for all the whiteball runs that Warner has made in 2016, for all the personal highlights along the way, there is one considerable caveat: 2016 has been Warner’s worst year in Test cricket. With just one Test left in the year, he has managed just 604 runs at 35.52; prior to 2016, his lowest yearly tally was 788,

David Warner miscues a pull shot, Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Brisbane, 3rd day, December 17, 2016 ©AFP

scored in 2012, which was his first full year as a Test cricketer. Warner ’s only Test hundred of 2016 so far came in the first Test of the year,

the washed-out SCG Test against West Indies in January. There, he blasted a quick unbeaten 122, but it was an innings of no value, for it came on day five as

Australia batted for the first time in a match that was utterly ruined by rain. In 18 innings, he has only two half-centuries and that one hundred.

“It’s just a little bit of a cycle, I think,” Warner said on Saturday. “I go out there every time I go out to bat, trying to put as many runs as I can on the board. Same mindset, same sort of process I go through with training. “At the moment I’m hitting them well enough in the nets and not making them in the middle. The tide will change. Many players before have experienced the same thing. I’ve just got to keep a level head, cool head and make sure that I watch every ball as hard and as closely as I can.” One of Warner’s more surprising failures in 2016 came in his most recent innings, when he was beaten for pace by Mohammad Amir and pulled a catch on 12. It was the second innings at the Gabba and Australia already had a lead of nearly 300. Warner had license to look for quick runs to build a big target, precisely the sort of innings in which he has often thrived before. “In the nets I’m hitting them well. But you’ve got to try and take that out on the field,” he said. “Sometimes you see a ball there that might be to hit, like the other day. Probably in white-ball cricket I wouldn’t think twice about pulling that ball, and the other day he beat me for pace. “They’re just the little things that come into your mind, going ‘okay, we’ve got some runs on the board, I want to up the ante a little

bit’. You can afford to do t h a t . I t ’s j u s t a b o u t execution, and the other day was a bit of poor execution. I’ve got to keep going out there and backing myself.” And while Warner would love nothing more than to finish the year with a bang, history suggests it will be tough. Not only has 2016 been his least productive Test year, the MCG is his least productive Test venue. It is the only Test ground in Australia at which Warner has not scored a century, and the only one where he averages less than 50. His MCG average? 24.22. Warner has so far played in five Boxing Day Tests and has managed only one halfcentury - he made 62 against Sri Lanka at the MCG four years ago. Last year, he made starts in both innings against West Indies but then fell playing his shots against short deliveries. Perhaps Warner would do well to heed the words MCG curator David Sandurski. “Melbourne isn’t the sort of wicket where you can’t just go blasting off from ball one,” Sandurski said on Saturday. “You’ve got to take your time and get used to the conditions, because the weather here can be so inconsistent that it is hard to get a wicket spot-on. It’s a pretty good idea for a batsman to be cautious early before he gets going.” A good idea in theory, maybe. But good luck preaching caution to this Reverend.

Major stables to have multiple entries at $7M Guyana Cup Rematch With race day less than two weeks away, the word is that most of the big stables will be participating with multiple entries. The event is organized by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stable in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club and is slated for Sunday 1st January 2017 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. Meanwhile, with both the Jumbo Jet and Shariff Stables expected to top the entry list with over 10 horses each, entries are expected to

top the 80 mark with other stables such as Elcock, Jagdeo, Rising Sun, Singh, Bacchus, and Crawford Bactowar among others expected to enter multiple entries. With seven races listed on the days programme and over $7 M up for grabs, horse owners are making sure that their horses are in the best of shape and are taking no chances as they vie for the lucrative prizes on offer. The feature B and lower event is expected to be a scorcher and with most of

the top horses in the country expected to feature. A whopping $1.2M and trophy is available for the winner over 1800M. Horses such as CP Got Even, Score Even, Just Call Me Boss, Princess She is not, Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Golden Blue Ecko, K i n g ’s K n i g h t , L a d y Budapest and Light Up Canada among others will be in the running for the top prize. The organisers are considering reorganizing some of the events to cater for the large number of

entries. The event for animals classified F1 and lower for a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy will be run over 1400M. The 3 years old West Indies bred and G3 and lower horses will race over 1400M for a first prize of $350,000 and trophy. There is an 1100M event for three year old West Indies bred horses that have never earned over $200,000 and animals classified H3 and lower for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy. The Two year old event

for Guyana bred horses has its first prize tagged at $260,000 and trophy over 1100M. The J, K and lower event over 1100M fetches the winner $200,000 and trophy. The animals classified L and lower will compete for the winning pocket of $180,000 and trophy over 1100M. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and

the organizers. Entries are expected to be closed today 25th December. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or 232-0232, Donald Lawrie on telephone Nos 225-4530 or 225-and Campton Sancho 602-1567. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed. (Samuel Whyte)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 25, 2016

PAGE 75

GCB elections set for January 29 What happened to the Cricket Bill? Changes needed

Dr Rupert Roopnarine By Sean Devers A notice of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Election of office bearers for the new term was placed in the newspapers and it is hoped that the non-performing members are not returned to office. On the Agenda is a report from Area Boards and it will be interesting to see the contents of those reports, especially the one from the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) where no meaningful cricket has been played this year. This year’s National Secondary School’s cricket tournament could be described as a farce. Every team had bowlers who ‘threw’ and there were no Coaches sent into the schools before the competition commenced. The quality of the GCB Franchise League was diluted due to the number of teams. Instead of eight there should have been six. The GCB is opposed by the two areas that has produced most of the National players at all levels; Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) led by Roger Harper, and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under Anil Beharry. Since the contentious January 2013 Elections, the GCB has not done much in those areas for cricket development. When contacted BCB President Anil Beharry informed that the Board’s life ends at month end but it is not clear if the injunction against the BCB will expire at that time

Drubahadur paving the way for elections before the GCB’s. In the last Elections David Black, representing West Berbice Association, attended the GCB AGM in defiance of the decision not to attend by the BCB. He was rewarded with Managerial positions of National teams and although there were allegations of indiscipline under his watch in St Vincent during this y e a r ’s R e g i o n a l U - 1 9 tournament in which Guyana lost every match in the threeday format. An investigation was launched into the issues which involved three senior players and the manager but the findings were not made public. A petition was sent to the National Assembly by Ronald Williams, Winston Boston, Malcom Peters and Claude Raphael on behalf of Constituent Members and Stakeholders of Guyana’s Cricket in the matter of recognizing the illegality, disorder and chaos into which cricket has fallen and the poor and potentially harmful image being projected especially to our young cricketers and the importance. The Petition pointed out the urgency for the National Assembly to enact legislation through the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012 towards a legal and lasting remedy for cricket. The petition represented the interest of the Berbice Cricket Board, the East Coast Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association and Sub-

Associations and Clubs of the Essequibo Cricket Board, the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association and the West Demerara Cricket Association and also cricket stakeholders throughout Guyana. The petitioners claimed there is no legitimate Executive Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as only one (1) of the three (3) Constituent Member Boards took part in the purported elections held in July 2011 and again in January 2013. There is no legitimate Executive Committee of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) as a court order was issued in January 2013 prohibiting the holding of the DCB elections, there is no transparency or accountability for the monies remitted by the West Indies Cricket Board Inc (WICB) to the purported GCB, adding that for the past three (3) years, there has been no OGM or financial statement as is stipulated by the constitutions of both the GCB and the DCB. They also said the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) was founded in 2000, has a membership of eighteen (18) clubs, covers the vast area in Upper Demerara including Linden, Kwakwani, Ituni and the river communities and is populated by upwards of 50,000. Drubahadur took over from Fizul Bacchus, the acting president following the resignation of Ramsey Ali in February 2012. Ali

David Black had been elected to the post in a contentious election in July 2011, and quit after police and court officials raided his home and the homes of other board officials. Bacchus was elected vice-president, administration, while Anand Sanasie and Anand Kalladeen got the posts of secretary and treasurer respectively. After the last elections, the BCB took the GCB to court, claiming the new administration was not properly established. The Chief Justice recommended that “there may be immediate need for the then Minister responsible for sports to impose his executive will in the national interest”. Following that ruling, Ex Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC), headed by ex-West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, to run cricket in Guyana. The WICB, h o w e v e r, r e f u s e d t o acknowledge the IMC, in keeping with the ICC’s stance against government intervention in cricket administration, and said the only authority it would recognise was the GCB. The National Assembly, on in May 2014, passed the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill that seeks to provide legal administrative guidelines for cricket, which over the years has become a national sport. The Alliance for Change (AFC) did not support the bill, while the other

parliamentary party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), including present Education Minister who is also responsible for Sports Dr Rupert Roopnarine, voted in favour. D r A n t h o n y, w h o presented the Bill to the National Assembly, said it was drafted after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, pointing out that the Bill firstly makes it legal for the GCB to be established as a corporate body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice Cricket Boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities. A section of the Bill addresses the issue of phantom voting for the election of persons for administrative positions. Pastor Winston McGowan, a UG lecturer and cricket historian was appointed Cricket Ombudsman and tasked with the responsibility of verifying and registering clubs; he or she will have ample time to verify legitimacy of clubs. Clive Lloyd and Roger Harper, the two former Guyana and West Indies players, have called the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) elections held on January 27, 2013 “illegal” and hit out at the WICB for failing to act responsibly. When asked last year what was the status of the Bill, which was passed in the National Assembly on May 15, 2015 and was accented into law by former President Donald Ramotar, Minister Nicolette Henry said she was not aware of it. When the

Claude Raphael GCB was formed in 1943, cricket was run by the BCB in Berbice and by the Essequibo Cricket Committee in Essequibo. Berbice had 2 votes in the GCB - the same number as a Georgetown’s first division clubs. In 1969 the Berbice votes were increased to 3 when the rules were changed so that the BCB Chairman of selectors would automatically be one of the five National Selectors. In 1971 the rules changed again and Berbice gained 3 more votes, bringing its tally to 5. The Essequibo Cricket Committee became the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), with 4 votes in the GCB. Each Georgetown first division club still had 2, for a total of 16 votes. In 1972 it was agreed that the Presidents of the BCB and ECB would automatically hold the posts of 1st and 2nd VicePresidents in the GCB. This automatically increased the Berbice votes to 6 and Essequibo votes to 5. In 1973 several Georgetown clubs wrote then Minister of Sports S h i r l e y F i e l d - R i d l e y, expressing dissatisfaction with the administration of GCB President Frederick Rampersaud. A commission of inquiry was convened, hearings held throughout Guyana, followed by new elections, which led to Rampersaud being replaced by Berkeley Gaskin. In 1992 the GCB handed over control of cricket in Demerara to the newly-formed Demerara Cricket Board.

t r o Sp Guyana NRA 150th Anniversary/WIFBSC 2017 Championships

MCYS fires MILLION Dollar shot

Minister Henry hands over the cheque to GNRA’s Ryan Sampson in the presence of from right, Terence Stuart and Lennox Braithwaite.

7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side Football Tournament

Champs stay on course for semi-final spots

Part of the action in this year’s Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side Football Tournament.

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210