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Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
TAKING A STANCE AGAINST ARBITRARY RULE In Guyana as in other countries, education is considered the cornerstone of a genuine democracy. Education is linked to the principle that ultimate power resides in the people and in Lord Acton’s concept that ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ But many in Guyana believe that power lies with the ruling elite. That said, education enables those in authority to effectively govern the country. Without proper education or the means to acquire it, the country’s much cherished development would be stalled. It would be nothing but a prologue to a farce. Education provides politicians and public officials with the ability to think rationally. It is an important attribute for making prudent decisions and successfully implementing and navigating them to fruition. Such an approach will justify faith in governance and among the citizens that education is an implied premise of a functional democratic system which is crucial for the development of the country. Education is fundamental to the building of society based on fairness, equality and justice. It helps citizens to discharge their civic duty fairly and without fear or favor. It enhances the decision-making process, and helps citizens understand how political decisions impact their lives, their communities and society as a whole. Education provides the nation with the fortitude to hold the government accountable and the pathways to help democracy flourish.Over the years, education has helped the country’s diverse society which comprises several groups, each having its own unique and specific identity, beliefs, demands, needs and preferences to thrive. Differences of opinion often give rise to conflicts. However, education has helped to effectively mediate disparities and resolve the conflicts that arise from them. Negotiation, compromise and tolerance are intrinsic values of education in societies whose goal is to craft acceptable, logical, impartial and unbiased solutions to problems. It is said that the success of a society depends on its people being educated, informed and knowledgeable about their needs. For over a decade, the people were consumed by a group of headstrong and mindless leaders whose pursuit was selfinterest and the restriction of their freedom. Their restraint on the people was intolerable and their disregard of the rule of law was indefensible. Steeped in corruption, these leaders had abandoned the principles of good governance for self-interest and greed. They had lost their reasoning and rationality and did not govern with wisdom and fairness and in the interest of the people. Their limitless desire for wealth and blind ambition for power was fed by big money and this coupled with their narrow agendas, vindictiveness, greed, public threats and the abuse of the people’s rights and power became the seal of their governance.In that period, our democracy was threatened, because the people were scared to challenge the authority. It seems that they did not invest sufficiently in learning the functions of the state. Many were scared to question the leaders about their policy choices on matters of the economy, crime, high unemployment, ethics or the social, economic and political marginalization of a certain ethnic group. Others were swayed by their propaganda, distortions and lies and were charmed by empty promises and idle talk. Today, the government is saddled with the costly financially blunders, mismanagement of the country’s resources and the inept policies of the last administration—all of which could have been avoided by the prudent exercise of power.The government must change course even if it has to hire experts from overseas to navigate a new direction. Many in the cabinet may not yet acquire the wisdom of how to manage their portfolios, but they should know that the failures of the last administration were disastrous to the country and cannot continue. They must use their political acumen implement policies to improve the well-being of the masses and to fulfill the desired destiny of the people. The shackles of ignorance and apathy that spawned misrule and threatened our democracy must be removed permanently. Education will help the common people take a stance against arbitrarily rulers.
Thursday February 02, 2017
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email
The State Assets Recovery Agency Bill has finally been tabled DEAR EDITOR, After months of consultative and careful preparation by local minds and international experts input, the SARA (State Assets Recovery Agency) Bill found its way into the hallowed chambers of the Guyana Parliament on January 30, 2017 for tabling. Behind the championing of this Bill are a group of resolute and dynamic gentlemen, namely Messrs. Clive Y. Thomas (Dr.), Aubrey Retemeyer, Eric Phillips and Brian Horne. Together with their respective legal and support teams these great nationalists have stood against the odds of numerous skeptics and hard-line resistance from within and without to create this historic landmark for Guyana.
This achievement has tremendous significance for Guyana, especially on the international stage, where this country is often viewed with cautious suspicion as a semi-corrupt n a t i o n , d e e p l y c o mpromised and unwilling to frontally tackle graft and corruption. Over the years, particularly the past 20 prior to 2015, there have been numerous complaints of stolen government property, and abuse, misuse and conversion of other state assets by known persons and others yet to be known. Proceeds span a diverse and complex network, even beyond this nation’s borders. The SARA Bill seeks to integrate and empower the SARU (State Assets Recov-
ery Unit) to trace and recover stolen or misappropriated state assets. It also seeks to set up a legislative mechanism that will deter and prevent such activities from taking place in future. Assets of the state fundamentally include Tax-payers funded tangibles, Land and Finance. Every elected government in the world has a fiduciary duty to prudently manage, preserve and protect its state’s assets. Guyana is no exception, as the majority of citizens expect the government to ensure that there is accountability, fairness and equitable distribution of the nation’s resources. In November 2009 at the Global Forum IV in Doha,
Qatar, Mr. Eric Holder, a former Attorney General of the United States, stated “[W]e must work together to ensure that corrupt officials do not retain the illicit proceeds of their corruption. There is no gentle way to say it: When kleptocrats loot their nations’ treasuries, steal natural resources, and embezzle development aid, they condemn their nations’ children to starvation and disease. In the face of this manifest injustice, asset recovery is a global imperative.” (end of quote). Now that the SARA Bill has been tabled, we look forward with great anticipation for its successful passage in parliament within the coming weeks. Orette Cutting
Questions on the competence of Minister Henry DEAR EDITOR, I’m sitting here wondering if I have basic comprehension skills or if Minister Henry is suffering from an inability to effectively inform and engage the citizens of this country? If I must say, then I believe it’s the latter. On January 30, 2017 an article from News Source headlined “Mashramani parade route to be extended - Minister Henry” The article stated that during an interview with a popular morning show on the radio, Minister Henry said her department listened to the concerns of the people and has decided to have an extended route for the our Annual Mashramani parade. I am here wondering which set of citizens were they listening to and what really did they hear? I personally have not seen calls for an extension of route but rather I’ve seen various stakeholders complaining as
to how the route will affect them. Mainly persons are complaining about the lack of available space along the route for families to sit picnic style as they did along Church Street for many years. Vendors have also been complaining as to the limited amount of space that will be available for vending. One of the main points I continue to hear from Minister Henry and her department is ‘security risk’, leaving me to wonder if Minister Henry is of the view that the security forces are incompetent as it relates to security measures for national events. Note that I’m saying this on the basis that none of those security risks were shared with the public. The explanation given was if the parade was to start at Bank of Guyana or Camp and Church Streets, along Church Street then into Durban Park it would pose a
security threat to the Ministry of The Presidency. Must I remind the Minister and her Department that there are four Government Ministries on Brickdam namely; The Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Education, Culture Youth & Sport, Ministry of Natural Resources and The Ministry of Public Health. The Ministry of Education alone has four buildings along the route and there is also the Department of Housing from the Ministry of Communities and The Labour Department from the Ministry of Social Protection on Brickdam. I won’t be surprised if I missed a few government buildings as I have now come to realize how numerous they are. The question however, is it that the Security Concern that applies to the Ministry of The Presidency is not applicable to those other Min-
istries? I’m wondering if there are security concerns as they relate to the Ministry of the Presidency then why not have a controlled approached as compared to the open affair that I can foresee. Now if the route was to take Church Street into Vlissingen Road into Durban Park, the area from Regent Street to South Road could be a pathway for floats and revellers alone which should reduce significantly whatever fear there is of having people congregating in front of the Ministry of the Presidency. Instead what we will have is Regent Street and Vlissingen Road being a bus and car terminal for the day which will result in thousands of citizens traversing the path from Regent to Durban Park which I think should be more of a security concern than have a controlled parade pass through. Continued on page 6
An appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture for justice DEAR EDITOR, We write this letter to inform you of a terrible injustice being done. The Ministry of Agriculture (NDIA) gives work to Community Development Councils (CDCs) in their local areas for manual monthly maintenance of Irrigation and Drainage channels at per rod rate. The injustice is that the rates across the board are unequal and biased. CDCs in the other 9 regions barely get
what is being given to the Region 10 CDCs. At $30 a rod (12 feet) for a canal (20ft-60ft wide and 900 rods long) the CDCs in the other 9 Regions are being underpaid tremendously to perform the works. CDCs in Region 10 are paid at a rate excessively beyond the $30. This is for a rod (12 feet) for a drain (3ft – 10ft wide). The rate at which Linden receives for manual monthly maintenance of drains is the rate at which a machine op-
erator gets paid in the other 9 regions to clean a canal. Are they better? Is the Good Life only for a select few? The CDCs in the whole fall under the Office of National Community Development Councils and receive works from Ministry of Agriculture – NDIA. The parties involved are aware of the unfair rates and do nothing; the rates that other regions’ CDCs receive are not sufficient to do the work needed. A rate of at least
$500 per rod for monthly manual maintenance and $1000 per rod for the initial cleaning would be acceptable. Mr. President I am looking forward for rapid action to be taken in response to this letter. We are only a farmers group that didn’t get far in school and became farmers to make a livelihood, but like the ordinary folks, we know what RIGHT is and what WRONG is! Farmers United Guyana
Thursday February 02, 2017
The Town Clerk advocates use of the parking meters DEAR EDITOR, The Mayor and City Council continues to encourage all motorists to use the Metered Parking System installed in a section of the central business district of Georgetown. It is public knowledge that Council is responsible for a raft of activities including the construction and maintenance of roads and allied facilities in the nation’s capital. An estimate from the City Engineer’s Department suggests that the construction of one (1) mile of road cost twelve million dollars ($12m). Metered Parking allows citizens to participate in the way the network of roads in the city is financed, ordered and managed. It influences the fluidity of vehicular traffic, the progress, growth and development of the municipality. It is known that, whenever a new technology or medium is introduced in a society it creates a new environment and stimulates various reactions to it. It is clear, too, that individuals tend to see the old way of doing things in the new innovation or technology introduced into the community. This, sometimes, causes them to miss the importance and utility of the new path created by the medium, and
the economic and other values of it to the city. The Council is aware that citizens have gotten use to taking the collectively owned spaces of the city for granted and some feel no obligation to assist the council to manage these spaces. The effects of Metered Parking in Georgetown include rearranging the way citizens do business, in the city, reducing congestion and pollution and providing more resources for the council to maintain, upgrade and construct roads, walkways, sidewalks and related facilities in the city. The City’s administration could not allow Georgetown to continue along its old path of disorder and indiscipline without making a fundamental error in its approach to make this Capital glorious and comparable with the great cities of the world. The city is part of the global village and consequently connected to the rest of the world, which is progressing in the area of technology; our national capital must not be left behind. Therefore, the Council urges all citizens to participate and share in this aspect of the city’s history and development. Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown
GuySuco defends its payment to senior management staff DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) would like to respond to a letter that was published in the Kaieteur News by Mr. Sookram Persaud on the 27 January, 2017 and titled ‘GuySuCo’s team gets salaries no other country would pay’ What utter rubbish! Mr Persaud may wish to provide the rationale for his ludicrous statement. His agenda is evident and that is to mislead and poison the mind of the reader. The Corporation wishes to inform the writer that every employee is paid within their grade / salary scales which were established several years ago. GuySuCo also wishes to inform Mr. Sookram
Persaud that we appreciate more productive engagements and would therefore find it extremely stimulating to be engaged in more strategic discussions on comprehensive solutions for resolving the challenges which it faces. It is clear that Mr. Persaud is part of the scholl of naysayers who enjoy taking pot shots at the management of the Corporation for their own narrow purposes but offer no real solutions even though the opportunity is ideal. We wonder who is behind these letters and what is their real motivation? Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Communications Unit Ogle Estate
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Notes on the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service DEAR EDITOR, Between 2002 and 2004 at least two public sector modernisation projects were undertaken by the Government of Guyana. The vision, which resulted from extensive discussion, was expressed as follows: “Within ten (10) years the Guyana Public Service will be a customer driven institution providing quality services for the economic stability and sustained development of Guyana through the 21st century. The Public Service will be small, comparatively well paid, efficient and effective, undertaking planning, supervisory and regulatory functions, facilitating and encouraging investment and the Private Sector; and operating within sustainable cost limits related to national economic performance.” In the consultancy report of May 2002, the then Minister of Public Service was quoted amongst other things; as follows: “The advent of globalisation and its adverse effects on the global economy has made it indisputably necessary for governments to reform the public services. It must be recognised that a radically different way of do-
ing things in the public services must be adopted. The new era will require a more flexible institution and the emphasis must be on strategic approaches to planning. The informed public sector therefore must be infused with new values, a higher sense of mission and purpose, and be totally conceptualised with a spirit of new professionalism. There must be a new management style of getting results.” The study identified five cornerstones on which to modernise Guyana’s public sector management namely: i) strengthen policy development and coordination; ii) build performance management and evaluation structure; iii) establish a new human resources management infrastructure; iv) develop a management framework for arm’s length agencies, and strengthen their accountability. Unfortunately, the extant evidence is that nobody governing (or indeed opposing) seems to be aware of the recommended new dispensation. So that with all the talk about human resources management, Guyana, of all the
Caricom countries (and indeed the rest of the world), can still boast of personnel officers (Chief, Principal, Senior, Officer II & I) a cumulative effrontery to the concept and practice of Human Resources Management. Most of the incumbents therefore have but little sapiential, moral or organisational authority to develop any human resources. In the meantime the Government of Guyana, over the past decade and more, has substantively restructured the definition and image of the ‘public servant’, while effectively emasculating the constitutional process by which the latter should be recruited, developed and promoted. The platform of ‘pensionable’ public service has shifted very fundamentally to that of a playing field for ‘contracted employees’ gratuitously (to use a bad pun) compensated at the rate of 22.5% of negotiable salary every six months, instead of a pension. In 2017, despite the related recommendations of the Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) into the ‘Public Service’, Budget Agencies autonomously continue to recruit their own (non-transferable)
‘contracted employees’. Apart from the exponential increase in the proportion of these ‘non-public’ servants, there are serious organisational and human resources implications, in respect of which there appears little evidence of being addressed. Amongst them are the following: i) the rationale for giving priority to recruitment on contract rather than on a pensionable employment basis, moreso without the formulation of a policy that ensures consistency of application: ii) having by-passed the constitutional authority of the Public Service Commission, there appears no credible alternative regulatory mechanism for monitoring the efficacy of the recruitment process; iii)the rapidity of expansion of this grouping gives cause for enquiring about the precision of job descriptions, if any; the consistency of specifications for even the same job in different agencies; the competency of interviewing panels; how explicitly formalised the accountability relationships are; the existence of an effective performance evaluation process, particularly since the half-yearly gratuity payable to ‘contract employees’ is Continued on page 6
Our main contention is loud music DEAR EDITOR, In reply to a KN letter (dated January 31, 2017), “Sports bar at Pouderoyen is a thriving legal business” I wish to state at the onset that I do not hope to engage in a to-and-fro with the writer except to say that he/she has not addressed the sole thrust of the letter which is that loud music is played on the premises and it goes way into the wee hours of night. Few of the facts stated in the initial letter of complaint have been denied by the writer who even admits that the elderly man died. He disputes however’ that the man, who died of heart complications having been exposed to those unbearable decibels, died as a result of the noise. Whether this is so or not is not within my remit to de-
cide. The fact remains that the noise emanating from this business is unpleasant at best and repugnant at the very worst. Kudos to the owners for their commitment to the corporate, social responsibility, by outfitting a football squad or feeding the hungry and providing employment to residents. This is not a source of contention. What residents are angry about is the loud and consistent noise. At no time was there any mention of a plot to have the business operations closed or have there been any attempts to disrupt a “community event” and “affect the operations of a legitimate business” as the writer puts it. The general consensus is, that residents are fed up and frustrated with the noise, and
have been complaining to no avail. Some are even afraid to speak out given the owners’ ties to the Guyana Police Force but would confide in each other in hushed tones. The writer saw it fit to point out that the bar is not operated by the policeman himself but his relatives. Moreover, this policeman, whose family operates the business, is in the best position to advise his relatives that they must uphold the law and not flout it. It is a fact too that the police regularly conduct raids and make checks at the location but this is in response to the number of complaints and phone calls from affected residents. Albeit, some of these very officers have joined in the revelry and have turned a blind eye to the illegalities
given that the business is linked to one of their own. There is evidence that on numerous occasions, the merrymakers have engaged in the smoking of illicit drugs on the premises not to mention the colourful and decorative language they use in the hearing of our children. This does nothing to engender the true community spirit spoken of by the purported “concerned resident” or the corporate, social responsibility which the writer so lavishly outlined. Finally, I stand by my initial contention, without fear of contradiction and I speak on behalf of several residents when I say that the noise from this bar is disturbing and offensive and has caused discomfort, disquiet and distress to residents there. Concerned Resident
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Thursday February 02, 2017
AN APPEAL TO THE President Trump has declared the end George W. Bush tried to dis- and Mexico. PRESIDENT TO tance himself some twenty In 2015 Hungary comof globalism years later from the Bill, as he pleted a four metre razor-wire get in the country. In 2015 Jeb did not like the amnesty pro- topped border fence to deter EDITOR, POSTPONE THIS TAX DEAR desperate Serbian migrants January 20, 2017 would go Bush, the early Republican vision of the Bill.
DEAR EDITOR, This is an appeal to His Excellency, The President. I kindly ask you to give it coverage. I beg that you defer this proposed requirement for Tax Compliance (for the renewal of Business Licences, Firearm and Drivers Licences etc) this way both GRA and the Guyanese Taxpayers will be prepared for this major adjustment. Presently GRA takes “a year and a day” to issue Tax Compliances / Liability Statements. People are so frustrated that they at times resort to verbal assault and threats of physical assault. They may not want to admit it but the staff at GRA are presently hard pressed to deal with the number of persons requiring Compliances daily. If this new law is implemented, the number of taxpayers requiring Compliances will literally multiply twenty times (if presently 500 people apply for compliances daily, it will increase to 10,000). I say without fear of contradiction that GRA cannot, at this time, deal with such a great increase in taxpayers there will be more confusion, arguments, fights. I even fear a stampede. The fact that the GRA’s building is dangerous to the
well being of staff and visitors makes the situation even worse. I would like to respectfully argue, Sir that preventing a small man from renewing his driver’s licence will not result in increased taxes -since most small business people in this country do not make $660,000 profit annually. Presently to get a Tax Compliance from GRA you have to visit the office four, five, six times. What will happen to employees who will have to take lots of time-off or days-off? Excellency, it is a fact that everyone must come under the tax net, but this cannot be achieved with such short notice. What if your Government puts the country on notice give everyone an opportunity to put their house in order, and implement this requirement in a year’s time. In the meantime GRA’s taxes can increase dramatically (in the short term) if they go after those big fish who have enormous visible wealth but pay small taxes. In less than a year you have shown that you are a caring President. Sir, please consider the plight thousands of poor Guyanese will face if these new laws come into place immediately. Trevor Charles
Questions on the competence... From page 5 Lastly if there is really a serious security concern about the parade passing the Ministry of the Presidency then shouldn’t there be an even greater concern that the final leg of the parade is at Durban Park. I mean sensibly speaking Durban Park is a stone’s throw away from the Ministry of the Presidency and will house about twenty thou-
sand plus persons inclusive of those that will be on the outside, so if something was to happen (God Forbid) what makes the Ministry of the Presidency any less vulnerable to the security concerns. All this has me wondering if Minister Henry is fit and proper to run this department, maybe, just maybe President Granger has missed one while considering his cabinet shift. Clayon F. Halley
down in the annals of American history, as the day when the reins of power of the greatest nation on Earth passed from the grasp of a community activist and Harvard educated constitutional law professor to a billionaire businessman with global real estate holdings. Before even being sworn in as the 45th president, he had already made history being the first American president that has never served in the military or held elected office. There is no nation in the world that leaves its borders open, yet it appears as if America is being vicariously castigated for doing what every other nation does. Aaron Miller, advisor to both Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State and Vice president for New Initiatives at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars says that America, the only great power in the history of the world has been fortunate in having good neighbours to its north and south and fish to its east and west. President Trump’s executive orders that deal with immigration are the most testy and likely to be the longest lasting of the batch of first orders. The President’s border wall is the latest effort of the nation to enforce order, and the last recourse of a nation whose patience is exhausted against the challenge of an abundance of illegals eager to
presidential nomination favorite, remarked that someone entering America illegally is only doing so out of love. Under direct questioning Bush concurred with the fact that America needed to secure her borders from the rush of illegals coming from the South. He further went on to state that he had a comprehensive plan to secure the borders and had discussed it with some governors and border patrol agents. While America does not need to erect a visible-fromspace wall of American superiority, she does need to secure her borders to curb the tsunami of illegal immigrants. While the wall may have been the expressed brainchild of President Trump, halting the flow of illegal immigrants was also on the minds of other Republicans. His approach is less refined than others, in that he understands that while America will always be a nation of immigrants which is a source of strength, she does not have to be a nation of saps. Restoring immigration sanity and who will lead the way has always been a political issue. In 1986 Ronald Reagan pushed legislation officially called the Immigration Reform and Control Act and later termed the Sim p s o n – Mazzoli Bill, heralding the first attempt in three decades to enact extensive immigration legislation.
The Simpson-Mazzoli Bill failed as many both in Congress and elsewhere thought that it would. According to Edward Meese the then U. S Attorney General attributable causes were a failure of political will to enforce new laws against employers. After a brief decline, illegal immigration returned to high levels and continued unstoppable, forming the crux of today’s large population of illegal aliens residing in America. Today no one speaks of amnesty because amnesty, by its sanitized name, is assumed. Barack Obama simply threw open the doors, instructing the Border Patrol agents to stand down, and the gates were soon overrun. Both the legal and illegal type of immigration is doomed to be a factious issue eternally. That is the cost of residing in a place where everyone wants to be. Incidentally, some countries have not only taken a page from Trump’s book but have also had a headstart on measures to keep illegals out. In a desperate global effort to throw physical barriers in the way of historic streams of migration, France and Britain have started building a wall along their border. The project informally known as the Great Wall of Calais is a roughly mile long concrete barrier, considerably shorter than Trump’s proposed partition of America
from entering the country illegally. Along its frontier with Croatia, Slovenia has built a razor-wire fence, to curb the 30, 000 migrants that were arriving daily at its borders. Bulgaria completed its 15 feet, five foot wide fence that sealed its southern border with Turkey. So Trump’s wall is not a strange call, he is just uniting with others who have found a way to keep others at bay. Normally it takes American presidents hundreds of days before they reach a majority disapproval rating. Here again President Trump scores a first, as he smashes the record to get the fastest ever majority disapproval rating. His latest executive orders have sent America reeling, adding to their already disgruntled feelings. One killed the grossly despised multinational Pacific Rim Trade deal, others include the opening of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a hiring freeze of federal workers (except for in the military), and reintroducing the Mexico City policy of international organizations that receive federal funding being prevented from conducting abortions. The President has openly declared the cessation of globalism, particularly stressing that the leading nation of the world was going to make its own need a foremost priority. Yvonne Sam
Notes on the Commission of Inquiry into the Public... From page 5 normally based on what is euphemistically described as ‘satisfactory performance’; despite the fact that the ‘contract’ arrangement facilitates easy separation on either side, it does, however, leave the
more effective performer disposed to movement to greener markets, implying a certain vulnerability to the particular agency’s ability to sustain the level of needed delivery capacity; the potentially discomfiting issue of ‘contracted
employee’ and traditional ‘public servant’ performing the same duties alongside each other, with the latter being disadvantageously compensated, given the element of bargaining embedded in the recruitment process of the former; the prevalence of an incentive system that involves duty free concessions is palpable. Notwithstanding the above, the situation has become so endemic as to be irretrievable, making a mockery of the views of the CoI into the public service about re-traditionalising longevity of employment in the public service, and the predictability of the latter’s sustainability. The confusion inherent in this disaggregated employment process must obviously spill over into any system (if at all existing) for measuring performance for promotion.
In such a vacuum therefore, it needs to be explained what coordinated systems and procedures exist to identify the strengths and weaknesses within, and across agencies which would inform the basis for structured remedial action, as well as other proactive training and developmental interventions. In the latter regard, questions may reasonably be asked about the data used to identify specific target groups of under-performers; specific target groups of potentials for growth; the formulation of relevant programmes to address the above; the personnel with the relevant competencies to undertake the required analysis; in turn, the capacity to select the latter; and whether any of the above were considered as critically precedent to the establishment of a purported Staff college. E.B. John
Thursday February 02, 2017
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Pres. Granger takes over Commissioner of Information issue – PM It appears that the person in charge of the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr. is not Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, but President, David Granger. The status of the Commissioner of Information is now engaging the attention of the Head of State, Nagamootoo confirmed. He said, “It is engaging the President’s attention because under the Act, the contract of employment for the commissioner falls under the presidency.” While there has been a change of events in this regard, it did not prohibit Nagamootoo from making recommendations to the President regarding what should be done with Ramson considering his unsatisfactory performance. Prior to the President taking over the matter, Nagamootoo had taken an interest in the issue. But after 20 months, he had still been unaware of what was done by Ramson since he took the post. Every month, Charles Ramson Snr. collects an attractive $2M package to en-
Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr.
Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
sure that citizens have easy access to information. But the former Chief Justice has been recently accused of thwarting the process. For this reason and others, former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, is convinced that taxpayers are not getting value for money when it comes to the Commissioner of Information. Goolsarran said that every month, citizens are saddled with supporting an approxi-
mately $2M salary for Ramson when his efforts deny citizens’ right to access to information. “Mr. Ramson’s basic salary is at least $1.5 million per month. Along with other benefits and allowances, it would exceed $2 million. Also, one recalls his ‘no money, no love’ reaction to Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) when it requested certain information. In this regard, Ramson cited the then Opposition-
controlled National Assembly’s cutting off of funds for the then Office of the President under which he operated. “The Commissioner should have been held accountable for denying TIGI access to the requested information,” Ramson said. Speaking to another worrying observation, Goolsarran said that he
US Ophthalmologist conducts upgraded skills training programme at GPHC -donates 200 reading glasses
Dr. Smalley and the team of local ophthalmologists Ophthalmologist, Dr. Aaron Smalley from the United States of America is conducting an upgraded training programme for the local ophthalmologists at the Eye Clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Incorporated (GPHC). The training is to update the skills of local ophthalmologists, specifically upgrades on conducting cataract surgeries. Local ophthalmologists from the Suddie Hospital and from the Linden Hospital Complex were also invited to be a part of the training programme. The five-day training programme commenced on Monday with a Continuing Medi-
cal Examination class about eye examination, eye diseases and treatments. Two hundred reading glasses were also donated. National Programme Manager for the Eye Clinic, Charles Vandyke, said that the reading glasses will be distributed to persons living in the remote hinterland areas. “This will go a long way to help us when we go out to medical outreach in these areas”, Vandyke said. Dr. Smalley is known for making donations to GPHC and the general health sector in Guyana. Two years ago Dr. Smalley donated medical equipment to conduct cataract surgery.
checked the Access to Information Act and found that there is no provision in terms of limit in the tenure of office of the Commissioner. In this regard, the former Auditor General said, “For how long more will this imposition continue? No one knows. Meanwhile, the taxpaying public continues to be burdened with a monthly $2 million bill for which little or no value for money is being received.” The Chartered Accountant stated that what compounds the issue is the fact that Parliament is yet to receive a report on the application of the Access to Information Act as well as the operations of Ramson’s office. According to the Act governing Ramson’s office, the responsible Minister, should, “as soon as practicable but not later than nine months, after the end of each year lay a report on the operation of this (Access to Information) Act in the National Assembly.” The Act also states that the said report should include
the number of requests made to the Commissioner of Information; the number of applications for judicial review of decisions and the outcome of those applications; the number of complaints made to the Commissioner of Information with respect to the operation of the Act and the nature of those complaints; the number of notices served upon the Commissioner of Information and the number of decisions by the Commissioner which were adverse to the person’s claim. Goolsarran noted that the handing over of annual reports to the National Assembly is a key requirement of the law. He said that the failure of the Commissioner’s office in this regard stymies any effort to carry out an assessment on the effectiveness of the Access to Information Act. The former Auditor General said this is a significant shortcoming in attempts to provide citizens and organisations with access to information of government Continued on page 9
Mortgage Interest Relief for loans up to $15M Following an amendment to the Income Tax Act (Cap. 81:01) made possible through the passage of the 2017 budget, taxpayers will now be able to access Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) on mortgages not exceeding $15M. The amendment targeted Section 20(A)(1) which says, “Subject to this Act and the Regulations made under it, in ascertaining the chargeable income of an individual who was resident in Guyana in the year immediately preceding the year of assessment, there shall be allowed a deduction of the interest paid on housing mortgage loans owed by the individual to licensed financial institutions or approved mortgage finance companies for – (a) the purchase of land
for constructing a residential building; (b) the construction of a residential building; or (c) the acquisition of a residential building, to be occupied by the individual as a first time home owner, where the principal amounts of the housing mortgage loans do not and did not at any time exceed the sum of fifteen million dollars in the aggregate.” According to a statement circulated by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday, potential applicants must note that their mortgage must not surpass $15M in aggregate where the loan was obtained on or after February 1, 2017. The MIR programme was introduced in October 2013 and was aimed at helping persons realise their dreams as
homeowners. As part of the criteria for benefitting from the relief, applicants must be a firsttime homeowner and also provide relevant information from their prospective lending institutions, and include interviews with applicants. The relief takes the form of a refund cheque paid by the GRA to the lending agency where the taxpayer has accessed the mortgage and is therefore bound by contract to repay with interest.
Thursday February 02, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
The beginning of neo- liberal economics in Guyana Thirty years ago, the Guyana dollar was officially devalued from US$1= G$ 4.40 to US$1 = to G$ 10. The dollar was trading on the parallel market at US$ 1 = G$ 20. The Guyanese people screamed that “10 to one was murder.” The PNC government described the Budget in which the devaluation featured as “bold and purposeful”. In response to the concerns that the devaluation of the Guyana dollar would lead to hardships, the government announced that the Budget contained a number of tax measures which would cushion that effect. The 10 to one devaluation of 1987 did not bring relief to the working class. It added more pressure to the already suffering working poor. Things got real “rough” for the working class. The 10 to one devaluation of 1987, thirty years ago, commenced the neo-liberal economic experiment in Guyana. Some people have tried to rebrand it as an economic recovery programme. But for the working poor, this was no
recovery. The so called ERP battered the working class, widened the gap between the rich and the poor and caused a collapse of the artisan economy which had sprung up as a result of the restrictions on foreign exchange and imports. The tax measures did not bring any appreciable relief. It cut deeper into the working man’s pockets because imports skyrocketed and since very little was being produced locally, it meant that inflation soared in the first five years of the launch of neo-liberalism in Guyana. The formal exchange rate continued to chase the rate on the underground market. By 1992, a US dollar was trading for 126 Guyana dollars. The Guyana economy is now much stronger than it was in 1987. The economy has been growing for eleven straight years. There are problems though. Last year, growth was almost exclusively due to one commodity, gold. If golf prices drop tomorrow Guyana’s economy can go into a tailspin.
But the economy is strong enough to not collapse. Guyana now has a much stronger economy to withstand the decline of its traditional sectors as we saw last year. Rice declined, construction declined, sugar continued its free fall, timber declined and other agriculture trundled along. The economy will not collapse but the poor can be hurt just as they were thirty years ago. History is repeating itself. The government is hoping that taxes will make a difference. It has instituted a series of tax reforms. These measures are adding to the burdens of the small man. Their effects will inevitably be passed on to the small man. There has been a slight devaluation of the Guyana dollar caused mainly by widening spreads between the buying rates and selling rates for foreign currency at banks and cambios. The focus of Budget 2017 was cockeyed. Tax reforms should have been secondary to an economic stimulus. It will not
Dem boys seh...
Let people dead pun de wuk Wha don’t happen in a year does happen in a day. When people young, dem don’t want to wuk. Nuff of dem does tek a steady. Some of dem does come up wid excuse that somebody dead fuh dem and dem got to get couple days. When dem get old dem don’t 3ven want to stay home, even when dem sick. Dem boys know old police who retire but who would go to de police station every day just like if dem wukking. Dem boys seh that if Soulja Bai did know wha does happen wid old people and wuk he would never tell some of dem to go home. He believe that he was doing a good when he tell some of dem to tek it easy because is not fun to got to get up early every morning and head out. Instead, he open a whole ants nest because people now pointing to he team of people who also old and who should sit down in dem corner on a rocking chair wid some grandchildren and great grands round dem
foot. Soulja Bai should also see that none of de old people he got wukking wid him want to even miss a day at de office. But because of de position he tek, people think he should tell Hammy to go home. De truth is that all of dem who he telling to go home live longer than many people. On de average people does dead when dem meet 80 but this set pass 80 and wukking strong. Morty Coddett just meet 80 and he dead. Dem boys seh that he was younger than Hammy. To avoid confusion, Soulja Bai should do wha Uncle Sam does do when it come to de Supreme Court judges, let dem wuk till dem dead pun de job. Dem boys seh is easier fuh de funeral parlour to pick up dead when people dead in office. Is nuff people does deh to help. Talk half and tell Soulja Bai to let people dead pun de job
Guyana looks to Switzerland for aid in... From page 8 relations, which exist between them. Guyana and the Swiss Confederation have many areas of commonalities such as the pursuit of peace and security, the Ambassador said, and as such, he will venture to build on these. “My country works steadfastly to develop friendly, respectful and mutually interesting relations with other countries all over the world. “In addition to the relations with our neighbours and partners in Europe, Switzerland’s Foreign Policy centers on the alleviation of need and poverty in the world,
the promotion and respect for human rights and democracy, the peaceful coexistence of peoples as well as the conservation of natural resources. “My country is committed to peace and security. Today more than ever we are facing global challenges, which we can only meet by strengthening worldwide cooperation.
[In] that sense I can assure you that Switzerland intends to remain a close and reliable partner of Guyana both on the level of our bilateral relations as well as undertaking of multilateral cooperation,” he said. Ambassador Chassot replaces Sabina Ulmann Shaban, whose tour of duty has ended.
stimulate the sectors which have been failing. It will not increase production in rice, sugar, timber, livestock and other agriculture. Increased taxes will only exacerbate the problems in the economy. It will hurt the poor man because the rich man will pass on the burden of the tax to the consumers. The neoliberal model of economic development failed Guyana thirty years ago. It will fail Guyana again. It is not suited to help redress inequality in Guyana. Instead the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. The present government is sticking with neoliberal economics. It has good reason to do so. Its critics are not offering an alternative to
neo-liberal economics. And the government no doubt believes that the best way to transfer wealth from the rich to the poor is to tax the hell out of both the rich and the poor and then have the government dole out apartments, condominiums and social security benefits to those whom its wishes to help. The government is mixing neo-liberal policies with an enlarged welfare state. This is a recipe for disaster. You cannot have an enlarged social programme on a shoestring Budget. The expanding bureaucracy, the high capital spending, the wasteful expenditure on projects such as Durban Park and the Sussex Street Bond can only be funded through revenues which are
derived from an expanded economic base. You cannot overtax the present base without invoking sooner the law of diminishing returns. Reducing VAT by 2% cannot stimulate economic activity. Reducing VAT will not stimulate production. VAT is a tax on consumption. Reducing VAT, all other things being equal, will increase consumption which if not matched by increased production will lead to higher prices and increased inflation. Those were the lessons Guyana learnt thirty years ago. Yet we are making the same mistakes all over again.
From page 7 programmes and activities. Additionally, there have been accusations to the effect that Ramson has not been forthcoming when requests are made to him by members of the public. However, Ramson is of the opinion that it is the public that is not making use of him as he has received less than 16 applications since he
assumed the position. In response to Ramson’s claims in this regard, Goolsarran said that the main reason for the public not utilising his services is that people do not have any confidence whatsoever in the present Commissioner. He said, “Once the Access to Information Act was passed, a Commissioner of Information had to be found.
The Donald Ramotar Administration handpicked him, knowing fully well that the person is totally unsuitable for the position. “His appointment was an imposition aimed precisely at producing the opposite results which is denying citizens’ right to access to information. He was the man best suited to do that.”
Pres. Granger takes over...
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Thursday February 02, 2017
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
It is not ambiguity or confusion but mystery Dr. David Hinds, in an interview with this newspaper, wrote that there is ambiguity in how the Government approaches employment of people getting on in age. This is because people going on to advanced age are employed while others with the same age are not or if they are still in the public sector, they are asked to leave. Hinds calls this ambiguity. For me this is just one more example of the huge mysterious shroud that this government wears. The PPP regime was funny. Rohee as Minister was the funniest guy in the entire world. “Killamaan Lall” made you laugh. Satyra Gyaal stole the show at the American Ambassador’s house. But we have moved from a laughable group to a mysterious one. The inscrutable operations of the Coalition Government also have their funny side. If you Google it, you’ll see a picture of a Minister with long boots surrounded by his aides looking at a collapsed mining pit where several miners died. The caption listed the Minister as Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and has him as the Minister of Natural Resources. Within days a Cabi-
net reshuffle occurred and Roopnaraine became Education Minister. It was the only time a government anywhere in the world had a Cabinet reshuffle and it was never announced. The publisher of this newspaper, Glenn Lall, in my presence countless times said that journalists in Guyana are not thinking enough and that the journalistic community can provide a better service to this country. Not even one journalist has ever asked the President or Roopnaraine why he was at that mining pit in the capacity of Minister of Natural Resources as reported in the press. Even if the press got his portfolio wrong then what was the Minister of Education doing with employees of the Ministry of Natural Resources visiting a caved-in pit rather than the shoddy school at Kato? Glenn Lall is right, the goldfields that Guyanese journalists do not want to walk on, their international counterparts would sleep on. During the local government elections, Raphael Trotman, at a public meeting told the attendees that when the election results were de-
clared, David Granger called him and said, “Raphael, this is Nassau” referring to a conversation about political strategy he had with Mr. Granger years ago when they were at the airport in the Bahamas. To this day, despite a planned, weekly meeting with selected members of the media, not one journalist has put on his/her thinking cap to ask the President if he would care to comment on what “Nassau” means. The President may say that he does not think it is important to discuss but ask him nevertheless. I don’t know why David calls it ambiguity. It is pure mystery for me, the way this government operates. Minister Simona Broomes became an overnight sensation with her human rights crusades. If there is anything this wretched, failed country needs is a human rights tsar, a genuine human rights movement. Simona Broomes performed that function as Junior Minister of Social Protection. Then mystery stepped in. Broomes turned up at a place where any sensible government would not have sent
her. As someone connected with ownership in the mining industry, why give her a portfolio for that industry when enviable, mischievous people could make unfavourable comments about conflict of interest. But the inscrutable government did it. Why? Well ambiguity, enigma and mystery have no explanation. So what is going to happen is that while the adjective of funny was pinned on the previous regime, the current one has earned the appellation of mysterious. Tell me if the following isn’t a puzzle. We had a Ministry of Public Works. It is a simple, understandable name. Someone
fond of riddles, changed “Works” to “Infrastructure.” Here is where the puzzle becomes funny. When the Hymac with the driver digs up a road to allow a water pipe to be laid, isn’t that public works going on? For “donkey” years generations of Guyanese were born knowing we have a Ministry of Health. Puzzles and riddles stepped in and the name is now Ministry of Public Health. Here is where that name change is dangerous. An innocent citizen or maybe a naïve one can think that the State cannot touch an erring nurse or incompetent doctor at a private hospital or that private hospitals are indepen-
Frederick Kissoon dent of the Medical Council. Let me end on a mysterious yet funny note – I heard that the new names will be the Guyana Public Police Force and Guyana Public Defence Force. Strange country, isn’t it? But it still makes you laugh.
PPP wants reports, studies on alternative energy to be sent to Parliamentary Committee
The Main Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) – wants all the studies that were conducted with regards to alternative energy, to be sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to be scrutinised. Issuing the call on behalf of the Opposition was Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill, at the 60th Sitting of the National Assembly, last Monday. Edghill said that these studies and reports include the NorConsult Report on the feasibility fact-based assessment of the Amalia Falls Hydropower Project; and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-sponsored Energy Mix Study. Edghill was at the time delivering a statement with regards to a motion that he tabled in the National Assembly. That motion was subsequently defeated by a Government Majority. The motion is as follows: WHEREAS electricity is considered the “staff of modern life” allowing for faster and enhanced communications, learning, production and productivity; AND WHEREAS the Guyana Power and Light Incorporation (GPL) is a state owned company that offers an essential service to the country and its future developmental strategy, and, has benefitted from significant investments through loan
PPP/C Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill agreements, grants from international developmental partners and injection of public funds for its expansion and development; AND WHEREAS GPL is in recent times being plagued by frequent widespread and unscheduled power outages affecting production and productivity in all sectors; AND WHEREAS neither the GPL nor the Government has offered any acceptable explanation, nor measures for the amelioration of, these frequent widespread and unscheduled power outages; AND WHEREAS the imposition of VAT on an already unreliable supply of electricity will only aggravate the
frustrations people are experiencing and further disincentivize the productive and business sectors; AND WHEREAS neither the Board of Directors of the GPL nor the Government appear to have any medium nor long term strategy for the energy sector and the provision of reliable, affordable and sustainable power; AND WHEREAS neither the GPL nor the Government thus far has informed the public after 19 months of what is its long term strategy for this sector; BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly calls on the Government to inform the public and this House as to the causes of and measures it will be taking to ameliorate the frequent widespread and unscheduled power outages that the country is experiencing; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly calls on the GPL and the Government to abide by the procurement laws of this country and ensure that contracts are fairly and transparently awarded so that the programmes in place for this sector can proceed with no further delays; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Government unveils its long term strategy for this sector through a national consultative process without further delay.
Thursday February 02, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
New charges for duo in Tower Suites robbery
GRA says VAT on pre-paid parking cards valid
…as attempted murder charge withdrawn
Parking meter card with VAT the inclusive price
Jason Howard A joint charge of attempted murder has been withdrawn against Curtis Vasconcellos and Jason Howard, who are indicted for allegedly carrying out a robbery at Tower Suites and shooting at two employees. However, two new charges were instituted against Vasconcellos, 23, of Lot 26 Third Street, Alberttown; and Howard 21, of Freeman Street, East LaPenitence. The indictable charge was withdrawn against them yesterday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan based on directives by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The charge withdrawn against them had alleged that on December 14, 2016, at Main Street, Georgetown, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Balmick Persaud, a security guard at Tower Suites, with intent to murder him. The new charges against the accused now allege that on December 14, 2016 at Main Street, they unlawfully and malicious discharged a loaded firearm at Persaud with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. It is further alleged that on the same day, at the same location they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Persaud with intent to maim or disfigure him. Further Vasconcellos and Howard pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 14, 2016 at Main Street, while in the company of others and armed with guns they robbed Baldeo Seegobin, an accountant at Tower Suites, of $2.9M, a cheque book, a hard drive, a comb, a bottle of perfume among other items- to the value of $2,969,700. According to reports,
Curtis Vasconcellos
Vasconcellos and Howard were captured by police during a hide speed chase after the robbery. The police said that the accountant had recently returned from making a substantial withdrawal from a city bank and was about to disembark his vehicle in front of the hotel, when he was approached by one of the men. One of them discharged a round at the vehicle, shattering the window screen. The bullet grazed the security guard, who was sitting in the vehicle behind the accountant. According to information, the bandits snatched the bag containing the cash and escaped on a waiting motorcycle. A mobile patrol pursued the two accused, who tried to elude police and ended up in the Sussex Street Canal in the vicinity of North East La Penitence. They will make another court appearance on February 13 and February 16 respectively. Before he was apprehended by police for this robbery, Vasconcellos had been out on High Court bail pending trial for attempted murder committed on businessman, Neezam Khan. He allegedly shot at Khan during a robbery at his business place located at Grove, East Bank Howard is alleged to be a serial robber. During that robbery, his accomplice Michael Grant, formerly of Agricola, East Bank Demerara was shot dead by the businessman. Meanwhile, Howard, Joel Blair; Sanjay George called ‘Coolie Boy’ and Shahabudeen Mohamed, called ‘Milo’ are on remand for the murder of Mohamed Munir and his wife Jamila Munir, who were burnt to death after bandits set their Zeelugt home ablaze.
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. The plot was reportedly hatched by a 25-year-old parttime fisherman who lives in a street behind the Munirs after he heard the rice farming couple kept $20M in their home. On the night of April 17, 2016 the neighbour, the 21year-old robbery accused and another man climb onto the verandah of the couple’s house while the others stood watch outside. The trio entered the couple’s home and began to ransack it. However the couple heard the commotion 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 couch. 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. Howard still has several pending matters for robbery under-arms at the Georgetown and Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts. He is also charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding Quacy Joseph, with intent to commit murder. Joseph was an on-duty security guard when he was shot by a fleeing bandit after a robbery within an electronic store in the Fogarty’s building, Water Street, Georgetown, last year.
The Guyana Revenue Authority has deemed the charge of Value Added Tax on the purchase price of prepaid parking cards to be in compliance with the requirements of the VAT Act. This determination followed a meeting between officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority, including the Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia; Deputy Commissioner-General Hema Khan; and a delegation from Small City Solutions led by Managing Director Amir Oren. According to the GRA the VAT applied to the service provided by SCS is in full compliance with the VAT Act. The revenue entity said that the VAT being charged by SCS on the purchase of the prepaid parking cards at current VAT rates are only applicable to the consumer when
parking is transacted. “The VAT which is currently being charged at a rate of 16 per cent is included in the cost of the prepaid cards which are being sold citywide. It should be noted that as of February 1, 2017, VAT will be applied at a rate of 14 per cent.” However, noting that a number of cards were printed and sold prior to the VAT rate being reduced, GRA said in a statement that SCS has agreed to inform its vendors of the need to reduce the total cost of cards accordingly. “For example, where a card states a cost of $580, VAT inclusive, it will now be sold for $570 reflecting the VAT reduction from 16 per cent to 14 per cent.” On Monday, during a sitting of the National Assembly, Finance Minister Winston
Jordan said that it was an error by SCS to even charge VAT on the cards. He said that the company would have to remove the VAT being attached to the cards the company is retailing. Jordan said, “That is an error on the part of the SCS. It is incorrect, the VAT is only supposed to go on the parking itself. Treat it the same way as how you treat the telephone cards. The VAT isn’t on the card it is on the telephone service itself.” The Minister said that in light of the current charge he will issue an advisory to SCS to have the matter resolved. The parking meter project which was rolled out two Tuesdays ago requires drivers to pay $50 for every 15 minutes of parking in a designated parking space.
PAGE 12
Thursday February 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
City Council to target zoning
Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is set to host a National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communities, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. The National Capital Planning Commission will be focusing on issues related to zoning, noise nuisance, and business intrusion in residential areas. The Commission will review numerous plans which had been prepared and submitted to City Hall over the years and to develop a new one with a structured approach to urban renewal. The aim is to redesign the future of the city, with the path of modernization and strategic development. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson, said to the M&CC, “The purpose of this activity is one that should have been fulfilled a long time ago for coordinate updates and most importantly developed communities.” It is intended to bring together councillors, business persons, central government and other groups and individuals to aim for a common good. “We must plan; your job as Councillors and other members of the community include, reviewing the numerous academic and technical skills conducted over the years and coming up with plans relevant to today’s realities. The Minister said that she believed the commission will have a positive impact on the future and the capital for many generations to come. “You the members of the city council and all other Guyanese are trustees of the nation’s capital, you hold the baton. The council was elected but we are all stakeholders; you were elected by the people to manage this city. “You have a crucial task; you have inherited a city upon which many others before have left their marks, even before Georgetown got its name our capital already had a rich and diverse history,” Minister Patterson said. Starting as a small town under the Dutch administration, Georgetown grew in size. When the British captured the colony the area was already large enough to be a city. Georgetown became the administration centre of the colony. The distinctive rectangular brick patterns are unmistakably Dutch; the diverse design of buildings, names of streets and avenues reflects a variety of heritage. “You the new trustees therefore have inherited a jewel upon which you will undoubtedly make your mark, the challenge is for you to make a positive contribution to the city and leave an enviable legacy”, the Minister said. Some of the challenges the city face include
Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson. draining a coastal city which is one metre below the high tide level of the Atlantic Ocean, unlawful activities and crime, ignorance of zoning laws, squatting, improper vending and the major issue of garbage disposal, noise nuisance and now the new parking meter fiasco. The Minister said that the administration is aware of the need for a new culture— a culture of cleanliness, a culture of community building and building homes instead of houses. “We must work together to build a prosperous city, one in which business will flourish, a city in which residents can enjoy peace and rest after a hard day at work, a capital in which industries and home will find their rightful place and be partners. “We must work to make our capital selfsustaining without putting undue burdens on residents. We must find innovative solutions to our problems; we must consult and engage our constituents before we make decisions. “If we do not serve the citizens well they have the right to fire us through ballot boxes,” Minister Patterson stressed. “Our capital is in need of renewal and repair, our vital importance is renewal and repair according to plan. Plans which will build our capital and improve our comfort, our standard of living and condition of work. As councillors and officials you bear duty bound to keep yourself informed of the policies of central government. “You must have the political will to stand by your promises and fulfil them. The Ministry of Communities and by extension the government will stand by you and with you. As the government we promise them the good life,” the Minister concluded. Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia ChaseGreen said, “I am encouraging you all to support and cooperate with both the national and local government authorities if possible sustainable development of our national capital city. “With unity and strength we can achieve great things. There will be fights, there will be struggles, there will be challenges and differences but there must be change and through it all I believe that we can do it.” The Mayor said, “The City Council can provide reasons for a national planning commission where all hands, heads and hearts can be joined together to do what is necessary for our future generation.” “I pledge that City Council with your support and us moving forward with the development of the city of Georgetown. Today let us commit to doing it all together. “As of today we will move forward towards the development of this beautiful city we call ours— the city where many of our children attend school, the city where we want betterment for all and a good life.
Thursday February 02, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Jamaica Parliament passes new Integrity Commission legislation KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Jamaica Parliament has given the green light to the legislation establishing an integrity commission even as Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledged that the government could not delay its passage any longer. Holness told legislators on Tuesday that Jamaica’s low ranking in the recently released Transparency International report on corruption was due to the island’s inability to have passed the Integrity Commission Act in the past. Jamaica was ranked 83rd by Transparency International in its latest ranking of corruption involving 176 countries. “The Government is not pleased with our present rating in the Transparency International report,” Holness said, adding that his administration would be doing everything within its power to reverse the situation. Under the legislation allowing for the establishment of a single anticorruption body to investigate and prosecute
Jamaican PM Andrew Holness corruption in Jamaica, provision is also made for the appointment of three commissioners to head the administration, investigation and corruption. In his contribution, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said while recognising that the statute was not perfect, the Government could not delay its passage any longer. “This does not concentrate the power in the
anti-corruption ethos system in one person and I think that is another advance. It concentrates the power in an institution of Commissioners. “The question is who is responsible then. I can’t answer that question today and I don’t know if presentations from the opposition will seek to answer it. But what I do say let us make the step review it after two years if there needs to be
any improvement,” Holness said. Holness said that the director of corruption prosecution will not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, with the exception of the director of public prosecutions. “It doesn’t have to be all talk, media and just trying to embarrass people into action now. There is real power to take real action when there is real evidence of corruption,” he emphasised. Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte recommended that Parliament establish a select committee to provide oversight for the new Integrity Commission, as well as the other commissions of Parliament, while Justice Minister Delroy Chuck advised the House that he
would be having dialogue with his counterpart, Mark Golding, to determine who will become the chief spokesperson for the new anti-corruption agency. “Once it is passed, there is no doubt that it will send a signal that Jamaica is committed to the fight against corruption,” Chuck stated. “It is not a perfect Bill, there are one or two areas that can be improved and will be improved,” Chuck said, adding that once it has been passed in the Senate, he would consult with Golding, the Opposition spokesman on justice, to set up a joint select committee to implement the provisions. Opposition spokesman on finance Dr Peter Phillips agreed that the Bill had spent a long time in gestation,
noting that consideration began about 2009 and a joint select committee reviewed the recommenda t i o n s i n 2014. “I think that the drafting of the legislation took place, in the main, in the period prior to 2016,” he stated. Phillips also paid tribute to Senator Mark Golding, who chaired the joint select committee, and predicted that the Bill would be a contribution to Jamaica’s anti-corruption legislation architecture, which has enabled it to secure commitments from both sides of the House. He said that it would have been a blot on the Parliament to have completed the current legislative year (2016/17) without passing the Bill.
Mexico seizes almost 47,000 faulty HIV test kits MEXICO CITY (AP) — The latest in a series of medicine scandals is hitting Mexico with the government’s seizure of almost 47,000 Chinese-made HIV testing kits that it says could give false negative results. The government’s medical oversight agency says the kits “could give false negatives and put at risk the lives of patients who didn’t receive medical treatment.”
The agency said late Monday the kits were seized at a government medical warehouse in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. That’s the same state where officials have accused a previous administration of supplying fake medicines for state-run hospitals. The current Veracruz governor says an inert substance was administered to children instead of a cancer drug.
PAGE 22
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TO LET Top flat apartment located @ Mon Repos ‘mouth’ E.C.D $60,000 per month. Call: 6929295\ 660-5233 One - two bedrooms apartment located in Cummings Lodge, opposite UG. Preferably young couples. Call: 222-3123/ 6158469
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
Popular taxi service for sale located on Sheriff Street Georgetown, includes 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704
2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme.Call:677-0583/664-5052
3116 Caterpillar Engine$1.1M, 3208 Caterpillar Engine $700,000, Diesel Welder, BMW 318I $2.5M, IST $2M. Contact: 650-0402\260-4115
Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691 Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744 Transported property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, price $15M. Call: 660-1353/ 216-4338
Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 688-0087 Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281 One concrete building (incomplete) south Amelia’s Ward Linden -$6M negotiable. Call: 644-1869
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.1M negotiable Call: 649-0956
One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 Houses at Blankenburg$12.9 M and Up. Contact # 650-0402/260-4124 Elevator very good condition, price negotiable. Call 231-1284 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 25 Lbs 8" and 25lbs 10" Nylon drift seine number 18 and 30 twine, double knot complete. Call: 670-3912
Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354 1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225 1 Stembow Boat & Engine, 200HP Yamaha with Power Steering Kit. $1.6M Negotiable Call 658-5299/ 638-7748 One Perkins 27 KVA Generator -$1.2M negotiable. Call: 644-1869
WANTED Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279
2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891
1- Honest Driver salesman, must have lorry license, CXC subjects. Mail application to 10 La Grange, W.B.D.
3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891
Urgently wanted a professional cosmetology at Natural Beauty salon and spa, Grove, Market Street, E.B.D – Call: 652-5800
Land Rover, Suzuki Sport X-90, Chevy Cargo Van, Grand Jeep Cherokee. Owner Leaving! Call: 227-8519/ 653-4287
1 Waitress, 1 bartender & 1 bar supervisor. Call: 6965768/ 218-0013/601-1949
Silent diesel generator 10KVA (1 with welding set), Jackhammer, used Indian Costumes and accessories. Owner Leaving! Call: 2278519/ 653-4287
Leyland DAF 75 Hauler in good condition GNN series -$2.2M. Call: 655-5117 or 623-3839
1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835
CAR RENTAL
EDUCATIONAL Phonics & Reading classes for 4-8yrs, Common Entrance Lessons- Grades 4 & 5, full time school, Grades 7-9. Call: 677-0296
Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500
Cat 928F Loader $7.3M, 3406 Caterpillar Engine $1.3M, 3306 Caterpillar Engine $1.3 M - Contact: 6500402\260-4115
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
CAR RENTAL
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 6247341/227-6817/226-5183
Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Call: 688-0087
Repairs and services: refrigerator and A/C unit, also auto AC repairs in G/town. Call: 683-6741/ 643-0455 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Thursday February 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
Handy boy, must have police clearance. Apply to Shanta’s @ 225 Camp & New Market Street Live-in housekeeper to care for sick person; cook and general care. Call: 603-3571 between 7:00am-7:00pm Wa n t e d U rg e n t l y ! 1 Houselot in Diamond between 7th to 11th Avenue. Call: 610-5957
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
2 Beauticians with pleasant personalities & passion for their work must be qualified and have clients. Call: 626-6450 J o i n e r, mason and carpenter. Call: 690-6327/ 603-3949
Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012
One general domestic to work in Bel-Air, must know to cook, Indian & English dishes. Call: 223-9888/6643507
Newly renovated, grilled, self-contained apartments for rent (light & water included) in Sussex St. Charlestown. Price-$35,000. Call: 689-8757/659-3597
1 Experienced office staff, must have Accounts experience. Apply with written application, police clearance, photo @ 112 3rd and Albert Street Albertown. Call: 225-6255/ 226-9000
Bottom flat to rent for store, shop, etc at Lot 117 Bagotville front, W.B.D. Call: 647-1347/ 665-3512 Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks, tools. Call: 2190904/601-5024 One –two bedrooms bottom flat ‘A’ Field Sophia. Call: 625-0940/219-1045
We buy land in Zeelugt, Bartica, Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Providence & Florida. Call: 233-3006/658-5897/6511969 Wanted land to buy: La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Tuschen. Call: 6579594
1 Bottom flat 1 bedroom @ 33 Fourth Street La Penetence. Call: 225-2351/669-4865 Three storey 75X30 feet building/bond, open floor, two offices, 2 washrooms, driveways @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 2230654/225-0605 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 6711846
FOR RENT Two bedrooms apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 Continue on page 23
Thursday February 02, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Overseas assistance to help grow coconut industry Guyana’s coconut industry is expected to expand significantly this year. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently engaged with its counterparts in Mexico and Brazil to acquire planting materials to sustain the growth in the local industry. Coconut and coconut-based food and byproducts gained prominence in Guyana during last year. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, said. As a matter of fact, coconut is a major non-traditional export crop which brought in approximately US$5M in revenues over the past five years. Dr. Homenauth said one way to grow the industry is through the acquisition of coconut planting materials in tissue form. He said the tissues will go through a series of laboratory tests before they are transferred to the nursery for actual planting, growth and monitoring. Nurseries at Mon Repos, Wakenaam and Charity will be operationalised to accommodate more than 10,000 units of coconut planting material. This will complement ongoing works at the Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara.
Dr. Homenauth explained that poor selection of coconut types and species negatively impacts the large scale production of coconut. “People have been in the habit of selecting any and every nut for planting purposes and when they realise these things are ready to bear, we see the nuts are not of the quality they would have expected,” the CEO explained. Coconut is one of the crops that has gained the attention of NAREI since there is capacity for farmers to easily access the crop. Coastal farmlands are available to ac-
From page 22
LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com
A coconut tree before harvesting.
Coconut milk and oil are extracted from this coconut in its ‘dried’ stage.
commodate its growth. “I know that some people fear that, you know when you do these things the chances are we can bring in pests and diseases into the country. We want to make it absolutely clear; that is something that would not be allowed because the material that is coming in will be quarantined by us initially before it is released,” Dr. Homenauth pointed out.
The expansion of the coconut industry has a 10-year road map which was developed and approved in 2016. The road map reinforces the government’s efforts to resuscitate and sustain the local coconut industry. With the road map as a guide, the industry is also expected to move from being underdeveloped to a fully integrated partner at national, regional and global levels.
Repaired Barima, Kimbia ferries set to return soon Passengers to and from the North-West District are expected to benefit from significantly shortened travel time when the MV Barima goes into operation in about two weeks. It had spent more than a year in dry docks. Meanwhile, the MV Kimbia will, similarly, be out of dock soon following extensive works. Both vessels went into dock in November 2015, the Ministry of the Public Infrastructure has announced. This information was shared with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, by the contractor, Courtney Benn, of Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd., during a recent visit to the docked ferries. During her lengthy visit of MV Barima, Ferguson expressed concern at the maintenance of the vessel following undocking and assurances were in turn given by officials of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) that maintenance would be a priority. “Minister Ferguson also noted that much work would have been put in from her last visit some months ago. These works included the replacement and repair of underwater fittings, including the propellers and rudders; scraping and painting of the hull; installation of two main
A section of the rehabilitated MV Barima. engines; painting of the interior and exterior of the ferry; installation of new seats for the passengers; and the upgrade of crew cabins. The ferry also benefited from improved safety, thanks to 250 new life jackets and the addition of fire extinguishers. The project cost was $150.6M,” the ministry said yesterday. “I’m really pleased about this,” she said. “We’ve waited long but I’m pleased with the quality of work.”
Minister Ferguson further stressed that the comfort and safety of passengers must remain at the forefront and said too that she was eager for the ferry to return to operation to better service the North-West community and aid the Lady Northcote in the delivery of T&HD’s services. Meanwhile, the contractor said that the travel time with MV Barima is expected to be reduced by as much as 50 percent following undocking. He too emphasised that while
the engines are faster and performance will be improved overall, maintenance was important. Additionally, he revealed that his company provided a number of items, outside of the contracted items, including televisions and water coolers free of cost as part of its social responsibility to the travelling public. “This is indeed a significant change we’re seeing,” Minister Ferguson remarked, before adding,
“I’m hoping that our customers will be at comfort and they will enjoy an efficient travel time. At the end of the day, their satisfaction is all that matters.” Minister Ferguson also visited the MV Kimbia, which is also in dock and is being repaired by the same contractor. The works for the MV Kimbia included general docking; servicing and repair of underwater fittings; painting of the hull; installation of zinc panels; and painting of its interior and exterior while its electrical and plumbing issues will also be addressed. The ferry will also be outfitted with a new propulsion system; the engine is currently being rebuilt and acquired from Holland. Minister Ferguson once again stressed the importance of having the vessel undocked as soon as possible to assist in the improvement of services. Marcelene Merchant, General-Manager of T&HD, indicated that she was also satisfied with the works being executed and said that stringent policies will be put in place to ensure t h a t s t a f f execute the necessary maintenance works. (Ministry of Public Infrastructure)
Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street $3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles -$5M. Call: 604-6724 Hararuni, Linden Highway, Road Side Land, 21Acres (good on housing) price negotiable. Call:692-8216/233-5539 Eccles (100FT X 50FT) $5M, La Parfaite Harmonie- $1.3M, New Diamond Scheme -$7M, Uitvlugt $2.5M.Call:2333006/ 658-5897 /651-1969 Tuschen front (with fence) $2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2M. Call:642-1252 High income houselot in Uitvlugt, price negotiable. Call: 676-4051
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Thursday February 02, 2017
Iran confirms missile test, drawing tough response from Trump aide Iran said yesterday it had test-fired a new ballistic missile, prompting a tough response from a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Iran’s defence minister said the test did not breach t h e I s l a m i c R e p u b l i c ’s nuclear agreement with world powers or a U.N. Security Council resolution endorsing the pact, Iran has test-fired several ballistic missiles since the nuclear deal in 2015, but the latest test was the first since Trump entered the White House. Trump said during his election campaign that he would stop Iran’s missile program. “The recent test was in line with our plans and we will not allow foreigners to interfere in our defence affairs,” Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan told Tasnim news agency. “The test did not violate the nuclear deal or (U.N.) Resolution 2231.” Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, said the United States was putting Iran on notice over
its “destabilizing activity” after it fired the missile. “As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” Flynn said, without explaining exactly what that meant. Flynn said the missile launch defied the U.N. resolution that called on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons. A U.S. official said Iran had test-launched a medium-range ballistic missile on Sunday and it exploded after traveling 630 miles (1,010 km). The Security Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday and recommended the missile testing be studied at committee level. The new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called the test “unacceptable”. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Tehran would never use its ballistic missiles to attack
another country. Some 220 Iranian members of parliament reaffirmed support for Tehran’s missile program, calling international condemnation of the tests “illogical.” “The Islamic Republic of Iran is against weapons of mass destruction, so its missile capability is the only available deterrence against enemy hostility,” the lawmakers said in a statement carried on state media on Wednesday. The state news agency IRNA quoted Ali Shamkhani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, as saying Iran would not seek “permission from any country or international organization for development of our conventional defensive capability”. The Security Council resolution was adopted to buttress the deal under which Iran curbed its nuclear activities to allay concerns they could be used to develop atomic bombs, in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.
Thursday February 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
GECOM Chairmanship...
Opposition still to meet with Attorney General on interpretation President David Granger yesterday provided an update to the media on the meeting between the Opposition and the Government on the interpretation of Article 161 (2), which speaks to the nominees for the appointment of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). On January 19, last, President Granger said that the most efficient way to ensure legal clarification on the requirements for the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM, would be for legal representatives of the Opposition and the Government to meet to discuss their interpretations of Article 161 (2). Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has nominated the former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, to meet with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. “I have asked them to meet and to see in what ways they can have a common interpretation of the Constitution. In the final analysis, it is
President David Granger
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams
a constitutional matter and I felt that the Constitution was quite clear. “So if there were any opaqueness or obscurity I hope the meeting between the two attorneys would clarify that, so I am anxious to move ahead. It is a constitutional office and my interpretation of the Constitution was quite clear,” President Granger said. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Presidency said that the
former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, wrote to Williams in January asking that the meeting be organised any time after January 25. Given that he was in Jamaica at this time, Minister Williams said that he has undertaken to set a date next week for the meeting to happen. A few days ago, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, told Kaieteur
News that the Opposition has a “moral responsibility and an obligation” under the law to present a list that is “not unacceptable.” Nagamootoo said that as a participant in the Constitutional Reform process, and having looked at the intention of the Carter Formula, which requires that six names be submitted to the President that are not unacceptable, would fly in the face of the
Former President says he granted Red House lease - AG still to file affidavit in response to court action An Affidavit has been filed in the High Court by former President Donald Ramotar to support the motion filed by the PPP/C opposition seeking to bar the revocation of a lease to the Red House. This goes against initial reports that the Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the day or The National Trust of Guyana, which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01. In the affidavit dated January 30, 2017, Ramotar explained that as President of Guyana, he exercised all powers conferred u p o n himself by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana in leasing the property. According to sworn document, Ramotar said that at all material times , he was aware and authorized and sanctioned the issuance of a lease of the Government land for educational /research purposes on the March 30 , 2012 in respect to areas ‘A’ now called Red House comprising of Lots 65, 66 and 67 High Street Kingston situated in the City of Georgetown , County of Demerara, by Commission of lands and surveys acting on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the Cheddi
Former President Donald Ramotar Jagan Research Institute, (CJRI). Last December, the political opposition moved to the High Court to bar the revocation of a lease and the removal of artifacts from Red House, a national heritage site. The move came after President David Granger ordered that the lease to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property by December 31, 2016. The Red House lease was granted by the then PPP/C government to Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated
(CJRCI), a company formed by the members of the same party. However according information obtained by the current government, on March 30, 2012 the Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the day or The National Trust of Guyana, which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01. The endorsement of claim filed by Attorneys attached to the Law firm of Nandlall and Associates is claiming a declaration that Lease of Government Land for Educational/Research Purposes for a term of 99 years commencing January 2012 is valid. The group also wants a declaration that the revocation or the likely revocation of Lease of Government Land for Educational/Research Purposes is illegal, unlawful, contrary to and in contravention of the Plaintiff’s fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed and secured by Articles 40 and 142 of the Constitution of Guyana; In addition to a Conservatory Order preventing and/or restraining the Defendants, their servants and/or agents
or any other officer of the Government of Guyana or the State of Guyana from removing from any documents, photographs, artifacts, souvenirs, furniture, and any other movable property from the demised premises, the company is also seeking damages in excess of $1millions for breach of Lease of Government Land for Educational/ Research Purposes. But in court documents filed, the party argued against this statement. They asked for a conservatory order to stay the revocation. The legal papers had outlined that the Chief Justice upon hearing the Ex Parte application by way of affidavit presented by attorney on behalf of Hydar Ally, Chairman of the Management Committee of CJRCI, ordered that all items, property and artifacts stored at Red House, not be interfered with or removed until further notice by the court. Justice Yo n e t t e Cummings-Edwards also commanded that the Respondents/Defendants Attorney General of Guyana and Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission be granted leave to file an Affidavit in Answer within 21 days. However to date, no Affidavit in Answer has been received from the Attorney General.
PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo
Former Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall
Formula, logics and reason. “If you try to put names that would be a provocation that would invite the President to say the list is unacceptable. Remember the President cannot just say ‘I don’t agree with this person or I don’t agree with this person’. ”You have to deem the entire list unacceptable so I believe that the approach taken by the Leader of the Opposition to exclude from
the list rather than include in the list was in fact, a recipe for a rejection of the entire list.” GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, who served for over a decade and a half, signalled his intention to step down on November 30, 2016 with the process to find a replacement commencing almost immediately. However, the choice is turning out to be anything but “normal”.
Man to stand trial for sodomising woman Euton Lyttle, 40, was yesterday committed to stand trial in the High Court by Magistrate Dylon Bess at the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court which he is charged for sodomy of a woman. Lyttle was first accused of committing the act on August 8, 2009 to the woman who was 30 years old at the time. He was committed to stand trial in December 2013.
However, the matter was reopened upon directives of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). In 2014 the DPP remitted the matter to the Magistrate’s Court. In his ruling, Magistrate Bess told the court that he was satisfied with the Prosecution’s evidence and therefore Lyttle was committed to stand trial in the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
World Bank urges Caribbean to rethink approach to governance WASHINGTON (CMC) – The World Bank is urging Caribbean countries to rethink their approach to governance, as key to overcoming challenges related to security, growth and equity. In a new report titled “Governance and the Law” the Washington-based financial institution explores how unequal distribution of power in a society interferes with policies’ effectiveness. The World Bank said power asymmetries help explain, for example, why model anti-corruption laws and agencies often fail to curb corruption, why decentralization does not always improve municipal services; or why well-crafted fiscal policies may not reduce volatility and generate longterm savings. The report notes that
when policies and technical solutions fail to achieve intended outcomes, institutions often take the blame. However, it finds that countries and donors need to think more broadly to improve governance so that policies succeed. The report defines better governance as the process through which state and nonstate groups interact to design and implement policies, working within a set of formal and informal rules that are shaped by power. “As demand for effective service delivery, good infrastructure, and fair institutions continues to rise, it is vital that governments use scarce resources as efficiently and transparently as possible,” World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said.”
Thursday February 02, 2017
Guyana Cup rematch organisers ... From page 29 Call Me Boss, Princess She is not, Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Golden Blue Ecko, Lady Budapest and Light up Canada among others will be in the running for the top prize. With horse owners in mind, the organisers have structured the events with everyone in mind. The other events listed on the days programme will see an event for horses classified E1 and lower West Indies bred non earners for 2016 and E3 US and Canadian bred none earners for 2016. That event will see the winners collecting $600,000 and trophy over 1400M. There is an even for 4 years old West Indies Bred and animals classified G3 and lower. The horses will be running for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy over 1400M. The event for horses classified H and lower for a winning take of $275,000 and trophy over 1100M. The 3 years old West Indies bred and I1
and lower horses will race over 1400M for a first prize of $225,000 and trophy. There is an 1100M event for three year old West Indies bred horses, maiden animals for $180,000. The J2 and K class event has its first prize tagged at $175,000 and trophy over 1100M. The animals classified L and lower will compete for the winning pocket of $130,000 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 organisers. Entries are expected to be closed on Sunday 19th February. Interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or 232-0232, Donald Lawrie on telephone No. 225-4530, Campton Sancho 602-1567 or Ramnauth on 697-1979. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed jnr. (Samuel Whyte)
Thursday February 02, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be prepared to lose friends or alienate loved ones due to your stubborn nature lately. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Sooner or later your partner will have had enough. You must refrain from overspending on entertainment. Ignore colleagues who appear to be going in circles. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Things have been moving so quickly that you need to do something physical to release your tension. Problems with peers is apparent. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Refuse to get involved in idle chatter; it will only make you look bad. Sports, physical fitness programs, exercise in general will make you feel better and show some pretty quick results. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Be careful how you handle friends and relatives, they may take things the wrong way. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can have an enjoyable time if you socialize with friends. You need more space for the whole family.
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Kaieteur News
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may find that your emotional partner will not be too eager to accommodate you. Use your added discipline to get what you want. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Social gatherings will be conducive to meeting new potential mates. Rather than making a scene, communicate quietly about the way you feel. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Travel may be confusing. Promote your ideas now. You can convince others to follow suit. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Over spending or unexpected bills could set you back. You will be appreciated for the competence you exhibit and for taking on responsibilities. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You can discuss your finding s b e h i n d c l o s e d doors with your boss. Build on friendship rather than starting out in an intimate encounter. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent. Your talents are likely to be discovered.
Russell’s lawyer maintains his client is a ‘clean athlete’ From page 28 registered an adverse analytical finding.” Foster pointed out that the tribunal itself in its ruling seemed to have agreed with Russell’s conduct. “We note that in the ruling, the Panel states that they
RHTYSC/ GBTI 5th... From page 29 more interested in settling personal vendettas than working for the development of the game. The GBTI InterSecondary School Tournament would be played in early February as soon as the weather permits at the Area “H” Ground. The top two schools at both levels along with the Player of the Finals would receive trophies and prizes. The long serving Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the Port Mourant Branch of GBTI for their continued investment in the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and reassured them that the tournament as usual would be well organised and most importantly achieves all of its objectives. Branch Manager Mr. Mahadeo expressed his delight at being able to be once again be associated with the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club to organise the event. He stated that he was confident that the event would be successful. GBTI, he stated, is fully aware of its corporate responsibilities and as such every year invests heavily in sports, culture, education and youth development. Meanwhile, the club has also announced plans for a 20/20 cricket tournament for the same four secondary schools. The tournament would be played on a knockout basis and would be named in memory of its late Asst Secretary/CEO Farouk Kudrath. Each school would be allowed to play a maximum of four teachers per game. The winning teams, runnerup and Man of Finals would receive trophies and special prizes.
believe, ‘…in the instant case the Respondent athlete as per the evidence heard, has not displayed a pattern of last minute Whereabouts Changes or other conduct which raise a serious suspicion that the athlete was trying to avoid being available for testing….’ This aspect of the Panel’s decision we wholeheartedly agree with.” Foster said that Russell would continue to adhere
to the rules even as he decides his next step on whether to challenge the verdict. “Mr. Russell is a clean athlete who seeks to uphold the integrity of Cricket. He respects and makes every effort to be compliant with the rules of sport generally, cricket and to comply with anti-doping rules and procedures. Our client will continue to cooperate fully with JADCO and WADA.”
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Thursday February 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
Everest Cricket Club sprucing up Leading cricket club in Georgetown, Everest Cricket Club is currently undergoing a physical transformation that is spearheaded by the executive body. The move follows a decision taken at the club’s monthly meeting in mid-January after examining the need for the upgrade and the club’s financial position. The vibrant body’s first project was the repainting of the scoreboard and the tins which were done last Sunday at the club located at Camp Road and Carifesta Avenue. President of the club, Rajesh Singh noted that “help is given to those who help themselves that is why as a club we are fixing up our home away from home by ourselves.” Singh further stated
that the club remains committed to serving the business community by offering advertising in and around the club. “We have space for billboards, space along the outer and inner fence and pavilion that our business partners can utilize,” Singh said. Other projects include; the repainting of the outer walls of the club’s main pavilion, fixing light fixtures, leveling of the outfield and with lots of external help, building the northern mound. Last Sunday was deemed a success and special mention was m a d e o f c l u b coach, Saheed Mohamed and Vice President Dwayne Adams for taking the lead roles in the execution of the stepping stone project to enhance the club’s overall
aesthetics. The club will be hosting a curry-que this Friday and will have other fund raising events periodically to improve their financial position. Tickets for the curry-que are available at the club or from any executive member. The upper level of the club is also available for rental for special events at affordable rates it was disclosed. The ground is one of the better ones in the Georgetown zone and is used for many Guyana Cricket Board and Georgetown Cricket Association organized competitions, while it is considered “the Mecca of softball cricket” with numerous competitions running off almost every weekend with some night matches as well.
Chahal sparks England collapse as India win T20 series
GSCL Inc. Republic Cup 4 bowls off tomorrow The fourth annual Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc Republic Cup will commence tomorrow at several venues in Georgetown. The tournament will be played in the Open and Masters’ (over 40) categories with the winning teams in both divisions taking home trophies and cash prizes. The man-ofthe-match in the finals and the MVP will also be rewarded. The Open category will be played with the supreme balls and only round handed bowling will be allowed while the Masters’ segment will be played with the white ball and both round handed and wrist bowling will be accepted. Everest CC and GNIC are among the venues indentified for the preliminary games which will continue on Saturday, while the finals will be contested on Sunday at Everest. Fresh from victory in the KPL tournament Regal will look to add to their collection of prizes and they continue to prepare for the Florida Cup in FT. Lauderdale in February.
Richard Latif
Yunnis Yusuf
However, they can expect stiff competition from Floodlight, Savage and the fast improving Mike’s Wellman in the Masters category while in the open segment they challenges are expected to come from Speed Boat, Farm, Success and Mike’s All Stars. Among the players expected to be on show are Richard Latif, Chien Gittens, Lennox Marks, Roohit Dutchin, Wazir Hussain and Sachin Ramsarran in the open
division. In masters segment fans can look forward to entertainment from Mahendra Hardyal, Mike Singh, Ricky Deonarine, Mahendra Arjune, Eric Thomas, Rudolph Baker, Greg De Franca, Yunnis Yusuf and Wayne Jones. Among the sponsors on board are Trophy Stall City Mall and Bourda Market, Top Brandz, Elegance Jewelry and Pawn Shop, Wild Catch Fish Depot, Crown Mining, Star Party Rentals and Ink Plus.
Russell’s lawyer maintains his client is a ‘clean athlete’
India’s Yuzvendra Chahal (C) celebrates with team mates after winning the match. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui) (Reuters) Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web around England’s batsmen to pick up six wickets and fire the hosts to a series-clinching 75-run victory in the third and final Twenty20 international yesterday. Chasing 203 for victory, the touring side collapsed spectacularly to lose their last eight wickets in 19 deliveries for the addition of eight runs as they were dismissed for 127 in the 17th over. Leg-spinner Chahal’s figures of 6-25 were the third best in the shortest format of the game. Earlier, Suresh Raina and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored brisk fifties to power India to 202-6 after England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss. India lost batting mainstay
Virat Kohli to a run out early but Raina, who made 63 off 45 balls, and KL Rahul (22) gave the team a good platform with a 61-run stand for the second wicket. Rahul was bowled for 22 by Ben Stokes but replays later showed the umpire had missed the paceman overstepping the bowling crease. Dhoni then struck his first T20 international half-century on his way to a 36-ball 56 and with another experienced batsman in Yuvraj Singh flayed the English attack to take India past the 200-run mark. Left-handed Yuvraj, who hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes in the World Twenty20 in 2007, smashed three sixes and a four in four balls off paceman Chris Jordan in his knock of 27 from 10 balls.
England looked well set to push India close and were 114-2 in 12 overs after Morgan smashed part-timer Suresh Raina for three sixes in an over costing 22 runs. But they lost their way against leg-spinners Chahal and Amit Mishra and after Joe Root was dismissed for 42 and Morgan for 40 the remaining batsmen all fell cheaply. Umpire Chettithody Shamshuddin, who had upset England with a couple of contentious decisions in the last game in Nagpur, withdrew from his on-field duties before the toss after complaining of illness. India also beat England in the test and one-day series. Scores: India 202 for 6 (Raina 63, Dhoni 56) beat England 127 (Root 42, Chahal 625, Bumrah 3-14) by 75 runs.
ESPNcricinfo – Calling his client a “clean athlete”, Kingston lawyer Patrick Foster has said he “disagrees” with the one-year ban imposed on West Indies allrounder Andre Russell by an independent anti-doping tribunal on Tuesday. The tribunal found Russell guilty of failing to file his whereabouts three times in 2015. Under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, three misses within one year amounts to a single failed dope test. Immediately after the three-member tribunal delivered its verdict in Russell’s home town Kingston, his lawyer Foster issued a media release, stating there was a “possibility” of an appeal being filed. “Mr Russell and his legal team are carefully reading and reviewing the ruling as regards the next steps and the possibility of an early appeal of the decision of the Panel’s ruling,” Foster said. “While we respect the ruling, we respectfully disagree with it and are very disappointed that the Panel saw it fit to impose a one-year ineligibility period.” During the hearings that took place last year, Russell’s legal team had contested the allegation levelled against the
Andre Russell has never tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and should be considered ‘clean’ according to his lawyer © BCCI player that he was “grossly negligent” about filing his whereabouts despite several reminders. That allegation was made by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) through a case filed last March. Just as he had stressed during the hearings, Foster said on Tuesday that his cli-
ent has never violated any doping rules. “Throughout his career as an international and domestic T20 cricketer, Mr. Russell has been tested on many occasions by various anti-doping agencies/ bodies in several countries pursuant to WADA guidelines and he has never (Continued on page 27)
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Kaieteur News
NSC donates sports gear and equipment to Valmiki Vidyalaya High School
NSC Commissioner, Lavern Fraser hands over one of the footballs from the quantity that was donated to Mr. Ramlall while the Table Tennis table is in the background. The National Sports Commission (NSC) on Tuesday donated Table Tennis and other sports gear and equipment to the Valmiki
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (left) addresses students of the Valmiki Vidyalaya High School on Tuesday before the NSC made a donation of sports gear and equipment to the institution.
Vidyalaya High School that is located at 169 Peter Rose and Crown Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown.
Anamayah Memorial Basketball competition
Smythfield overcome arch rival New Amsterdam Warriors in overtime Arch rivals Smythfield Rockers and New Amsterdam Warriors played a tough game, with the Rockers coming from behind to win in overtime when they collided in a first round encounter of the annual Anamayah Memorial Basketball Competition for teams in Berbice. In the game which was played on Sunday last on the Vryman’s Erven Basketball court, both teams battled from the opening whistle as the NA Warriors took the lead to end the first quarter at 14-09. The Rockers steadied themselves and bounced back for the better second quarter as they outscored their rival by 19 points to 6, to end the first half at 28-20. Both teams returned to the court for the second half rejuvenated, but it was the Rockers that were having a good game as they dominated that segment scoring another 11 points to the Warriors seven to lead by 12 points at 30-27.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the Warriors had now found their range with the Rockers tiring. Sensing that they were in a do or die situation and must do something, Warriors fought back brilliantly whilst hold the tiring rockers at bay. They scored 15 points to the Rockers 3 to tie the game at 42-42 all, to force the encounter into extra time. The overtime period saw the Rockers regaining their composure to outscore the Warriors by 10 points to 4 and take the contest 52-46. Top scoring for Smythfield Rockers were Jamal Felix 13, Neil Wills 10 and Damion Hunte 09. Leading the fight for the New Amsterdam Warriors was Kwesi Mickle with a game high 18 points, while Shamar France 13 and Kevon Thom 8 supported. Six teams are participating in the competition with the teams divided into two groups. Defending Champi-
ons Fyrish Black Sharks, Rose Hall Town Jammers Basketball Club and Ithica Hardliners of West bank Berbice makes up one group. While the two New Amsterdam teams Smythfield Rockers, New Amsterdam Warrior and Hope Town Stealers of West Coast Berbice are in the other group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, where the winner will play the runner up of the other group. The two winners will then contest the final and the losers play for third place. The competition continues on Sunday with Fyrish Back Sharks taking on Ithaca Hardliners at the Ithaca Basketball Court from 16:00 hrs. At stake in the competition will be cash and other incentives for the winning and runner-up teams and outstanding players. The tournament is being organised by sports enthusiast Vibert Garnett. (Samuel Whyte)
Guyana Cup rematch organisers release full programme for third edition After some amount of uncertainty, the third annual Guyana Cup rematch horserace meet is definitely on for February 26th. The event is organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stable in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club
and is slated for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. Meanwhile, the organisers have released the full list of events to be contested. Eight races are listed on the programme with over $7M up for grab.
The feature event is for animals classified D2 and lower over 1800M for a winning purse of $1M and trophy with most of the top horses in the country expected to feature. Horses such as CP Got Even, Score Even, Just (Continued on page 27)
The donation will be used for the development of sports in the school as Government remains keen on getting sports back into
schools. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones addressed some of the students, encouraging them to balance academia and sports.
RHTYSC/GBTI 5th annual Inter-Secondary School Tapeball Tournament launched The Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Friday last renewed their sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/ MS Inter-Secondary School Tapeball Cricket Tournament. The Tournament would be contested by the Lower Corentyne Secondary, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary and Port Mourant Secondary Schools at both the male and female student levels. Port Mourant Secondary School is the defending female champion, while Corentyne Comprehensive would be the defending male championship. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster disclosed that the 2017 tournament would be the 5th Edition. The main objectives of the tournament are to promote sports as a safe alternative to a life on the road for youths, to promote the Say No to Drugs, Suicide, alcohol, crime and Yes to Education, Life and Sports Message and identifying promising talents for the future. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Foster stated would be placing special emphasis on the Say No/Say Yes Programme in 2017 by hosting at least twenty (20) cricket tournaments in Berbice at the junior, female, schools and second division levels. The Guyana Cricket Club of the Year 2016 is very con-
GBTI Customer Service Representative Radha Ramdihal presents sponsorship cheque to RHTYSC. cerned over the state of Berbice Cricket, with few cricket tournaments being played due to a court injunction against the Berbice
Cricket Board and Foster has expressed disappointment that the major players in the administration of cricket seem (Continued on page 27)
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Kaieteur News
New Era Clash of the Champions set for next weekend The New Entertainment/ Eyefull Entertainment, Stag Beer Futsal Clash of the Champions is set to be played next weekend, Saturday February 11 and the following Saturday February 18. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) approved event will see four official games as well as two exhibition games on each night with the two official teams battling for the championship playing each other on both nights. The two teams in action for championship honours
are Dave and Celena’s Hustlers who won the Mohamed’s Enterprise New Era Entertainment Cell Smart Futsal tournament in Linden and Sparta Boss who are the Guinness Greatness of the Streets Georgetown champs. Next Saturday’s action is billed for the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with Bent Street going up against Tucville in the first match followed by Gold is Money facing Tiger Bay and Broad Street battling Leopold Street before the main event.
The following Saturday, February 18, the games move over to the McKenize Sports Club Hard Court, Linden where Magic Stars face Good Fellas and Town Cars (Georgetown taxi drivers) take on Linden bus (Linden bus drivers). Both Sparta Boss and Hustlers have strong fan bases and many are expected to throng the various venues to witness the action and support their favourites. The competition promises to be keen and fans are in for a treat.
Thursday February 02, 2017
Guyanese Goberdhan successful at WICUA oral and practical exam Guyanese Jagdesh Goberdhan are among the top candidates at the 2016 West Indies Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association oral and practical examination. Goberdhan, who is the lone Guyanese to take the exam, gained 91%. Thirty (30) candidates took the examination and 90% of those were successful with former West
Indies player Sylvester Joseph of Antigua and Shane Leacock of Barbados emerging as the top candidates with 96 % each; Jainauth Jadunauth of Canada placed third with 94%, while the GCUC has congratulated Goberdhan on his success and wished him well in the future. The full results are as follows.
Jagdesh Goberdhan
Ravens edge Nets in low-scoring Division I thriller - Eagles prevail over Plaisance in U-23 humdinger Dyna’s Ravens edged Republic Bank Nets in a low scoring First Division encounter when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League of Champions continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Ravens won 48-46 with point guard Dominic Vincente dropping 21 points and Ryan Stephney 16 points and eight rebounds. Carlos Edwards added 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Lawrence DeCosta had eight points. The game was evenly poised until a second half offensive meltdown from Nets gift-wrapped the contest for Ravens. Nets only managed to score nine and three points respectively in the third and fourth quarters, which was the main cause of their demise. For Nets, guard, Michael Richards and Mortimer Robertson had 11 points apiece, while Fabian Johnson scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Hodayah Stewart pitched in with nine points while Mortimer Williams had eight points. In the Under-23 Category, Colts outlasted Pacesetters 7773 with Colts’ guard Jonathan Mangra continuing his prolific scoring with 24 points. Forward, Timothy Thompson scored 15 points and collected 14 rebounds
Jonathan Mangra
Dominic Vincente
for his second straight doubledouble. Daniel Ramlagan scored 10 points with Jafar Gibbons adding eight points. Pacesetters’ Tafaawa Daly scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Marvin Durant had 20 points with eight rebounds. Jermaine Goddard and Quincey DosSantos were the next best scorers with six points each. Eagles then prevailed 8785 in a humdinger against Plaisance Guardians. Guard, Travis Belgrave led with 24 points, eight steals that showed he was also playing defence and 15 rebounds to
upset Guardians that came in to the game with a win. Darroll Williams scored 18 points while Kwesi Thompson finished with 12 points and eight huge rebounds as Lyndon Wilson added 10 points. Leon Ross chipped in with nine points to help Eagles soar to victory. For Plaisance, Terrence Daniels poured in 23 points with eight rebounds and six steals; Andrew Johnson had 22 points while Akeem Crandon scored 15 points and took down 10 rebounds with Anthony Fileen adding 10 points.
Jamaican teenager Leonard out-duels Westbrook as... Bailey joins Bayer Leverkusen
From page 31 had just six rebounds; he has still has never had a triple-double against San Antonio. “Overall, we played more competitively for more of the 48 minutes than we have recently,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “We played good defense in the first half and the fourth quarter, but it’s still a 48-minute game. We have to figure that out.” Stephen Adams added 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Thunder (2821). Victor Oladipo scored 15 points, Domantas Sabonis hit for 13 and pulled down 10 re-
bounds and Anthony Morrow tallied 11 points for Oklahoma City. The Thunder had 20 turnovers that led to 24 points for San Antonio. “In the third quarter, we took the lead but we needed more sustainability — we did what we wanted to do, but we just didn’t do it for long enough,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “There were some positive things we can take from this game but with our margin for error we can’t have a lapse for a half or a bunch of turnovers that are difficult to overcome.”
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Promising Jamaican teenager Leon Bailey signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen Tuesday for a reported 12 million euros (US$12.8 million). The 19-year-old forward moves to Germany from Belgian side, Genk. “With Leon Bailey we have once again secured a
very promising, long-term prospect,” Club Director Michael Schade said. “This young man was also the target of a number of other European sides and we are thrilled to have beaten off strong opposition for him.” B a i l e y, w h o u s u a l l y plays on the left wing, joined Genk at the start of the season from Slovakian
side Trencin. “At Bayer, I want to go to the next level,” Bailey said. “Leverkusen are known as a club where a player can develop. And the type of football they play here is attractive; I like that.” Leverkusen are placed ninth in the Bundesliga, and face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last 16.
Kaieteur News
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Snatchers FC of Lethem celebrate floodlights at Wadapna ground
Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles (stooping 3rd right) and Kerry Jarvis to Beckles right take time out for a photo with the respective Titans and Snatchers FC’s on Saturday night last. By Franklin Wilson With the support of Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles and his Council, the Snatchers Football Club (SNC) on Saturday last celebrated the installation of floodlights at the Wadapna ( Wa p i s h a n a w o r d f o r Meeting Place) ground for the first time with male and female football matches. The venue, which is home to the SNC, saw their female team drawing with Titans Football Club (TFC) of Aishalton 2-2, while their
male team hammered their counterparts from Titans FC, 4-1. The six 400 watts bulbs illuminated the venue adequately and allowed the home team to celebrate the lights in fine style with over 300 fans sharing the moment including Mayor Beckles and Councilors. SNC President, Kerry Jervis, a Councilor in Constituency #5, Lethem, expressed delight at the move to illuminate the venue whilst expressing gratitude to Mayor Beckles for his vision
in contributing towards the development of the youths in Lethem by affording them the requisite facilities which would allow and support their development in the world of sport. Washroom facilities are also being constructed at the Wadapna ground apart from enhancing the fencing around the venue. Mayor Beckles in an invited comment informed that the lights installed at the ground were originally for the J. E Holiday Children’s Park but they were too powerful
for that facility. ”We then took a decision to put those lights at Wadapna and based on the excellent response by supporters and followers in terms of their numbers on Saturday, the Council would be further enhancing those lights by doubling the amount in the foreseeable future. What we have also been able to ascertain is the fact that this venue, once managed effectively, can earn the Council some much needed revenue and be able to
keep it at a very good standard, consistently.” Mayor Beckles further said that ten (10) 100 watts LED lights were procured for the Children’s Park located in Central Lethem and those would be installed today. The Park he said was already equipped with swingers, skates and other related amenities that would be fully utilised by the youths of the community as the lights would stay on well into the evening. Works are also ongoing at the Complex
ground which is a bigger venue than Wadapna and it is the desire of the Mayor to see this venue hosting the National Schools Athletics Inter Branch Championships later this year. ”It is my biggest desire to see this dream becoming reality and that it is run under lights. We would be installing 500 watts LED lights at the Complex ground apart from plowing up the entire surface and replanting grass to ensure that it is in tip top shape for athletics and other sports.”
Leonard out-duels Westbrook as Spurs beat Thunder (The Sports Xchange) - If all anyone expected was a duel in the Alamo City between two of the NBA’s erstwhile MVP candidates, S a n A n t o n i o ’s K a w h i Leonard and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, they might have been disappointed by the way the Spurs’ 108-94 win over the Thunder on Tuesday at the AT&T Center played out. Yes, Leonard (36 points and eight rebounds) and Westbrook (27 points and 14 assists) both led their respective teams in scoring and were spectacular in their own ways. But it was the Spurs’ bench that proved to be the difference, helping to turn the tide at the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarters after San Antonio (37-11) squandered an 18point lead over a horrid seven-minute stretch. The Spurs’ reserves responded by outscoring Oklahoma City 15-2 and, once the starters
returned the Thunder had no answer. Overall, the Spurs’ bench racked up 32 points to 22 for Oklahoma City’s reserves, with most of that damage coming in the pivotal stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters. Leonard scored 30 or more points for the 15th time this season while LaMarcus Aldridge added 23 points and was the only other San Antonio player in doublefigure scoring. “We’re fired up just playing against Russ out there, just out there competing every possession,” Leonard said. “The way he’s been playing has been ridiculous, so you definitely want to rise up to the challenge. We lost two games in a row so we were fired up off that just thinking about ourselves.” Westbrook, who is the only player in the NBA averaging a triple-double, (Continued on page 29)
San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Domantas Sabonis (3) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. (Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)
GFF 2017 Mid-Season Transfers Finalised Conquerors boost up with 14, Tigers 9, Kings 8, Topp XX 7
At the end of the official mid-season transfer period, eighty-two (82) transfers have been facilitated by the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF). This period ended at midnight on January 31, 2017 and included four international transfers, three of which are from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). Among the international transfers are Pernell Shultz and Kareerm Knights being loaned to the Fruta Conquerors Football Club from Caledonia AIA (Trinidad), Domini Garnett also being loaned from Caledonia AIA (Trinidad) to
Grove Hi-Tech Football Club and Vurlon Mills being loaned from Slingerz Football Club to San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad). Fruta Conquerors FC has acquired the most transfers with a total of fourteen (14) players. The others are as follows: Western Tigers FC – nine (9) players; Victoria Kings FC – eight (8) players; Top XX – seven (7) players, Guyana Defence Force FC (GDF) and Eagles United FC – six (6) players each; Northern Rangers FC and Den Amstel FC – five (5) players each; Ann’s Grove United FC – four (4) players; Buxton United FC, Uitvlugt Warriors FC and Grove Hi-
Tech FC – three (3) players each; Riddim Squad FC and Botofago FC with two (2) players each; Netrockers FC, Guyana Police Force FC (GPF), Order and Discipline FC, Milerock FC, and San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad) – one player each. The GFF’s Competition Director, Ian Alves, said the transfer period started off slowly but was hectic during the last week of the transfer window. The GFF’s pre-season transfer period began on January 1, 2017. The next transfer period is scheduled to commence in June 1, 2017.
FIFA agrees GFF has right to make changes to League The World Governing Football body, FIFA, has written to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President, Wayne Forde, adding weight to the fact that the GFF has the right to make necessary changes to the Elite League as it deems fit based on the organisation’s constitution. In a letter from FIFA General Secretary (GS), Fatma Samoura, the governing body noted receipt of correspondence from Guyana on the matter and referred to the Article 36, 2;i which informs that the GFF has the prerogative to draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation and staging of competitions organised by the federation, including the playing schedule… The letter further continued on the same point by referring to Article 75 of the GFF statutes which would place the Elite League as a competition owned by the GFF, giving them full authority to make any necessary developmental changes. The FIFA GS clearly citing the previously mentioned Articles, made clear the point that the GFF has the right to make any
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Fatma Samoura © Foto-net change to the regulations of the League unless there is a written agreement between them and the clubs. However, in the current matter there was no such agreement. The letter notes that while there should be proper consultation with the affected stakeholders (clubs) before changing the regulations of a competition, the GFF Statutes clearly determines that the ultimate authority to do so solely lies with the GFF Executive
Committee. T h e F I FA G e n e r a l Secretary further pointed out in the missive that an increase of the participating clubs in the Elite League would not automatically impact the composition of the GFF Congress as clearly stated in Article 36, 2.i) of the statutes. Only the Congress has the authority to change the statutes including the composition of the Congress (article 23). Four Elite League clubs had objected to the GFF adding two clubs to the previous eight team format to take it to 10. Those clubs eventually withdrew from the league forcing CONCACAF, the regional body to instruct on the matter. Two of the clubs were later booted from the CONCACAF club championship as a result. GFF’s President Wayne Forde said in a release: “The Executive Committee has a statutory obligation to adhere to the directives of FIFA and CONCACAF, as do the members of the GFF. My hope is that we can put this matter behind us and refocus the nation’s attention on the game, and the players.”
Spicer’s declaration fittingly applies to football detractors By Rawle Welch “Either get with the programme or they can go” were the words of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in response to actions taken by US Diplomats, who expressed disapproval to the executive order banning immigration from seven countries which was signed by President Donald Trump recently. While the quote is not in allusion to the area under discussion, the declaration by Spicer is fittingly applicable to the current scenario in football in Guyana. Ever since former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Colin Klass received a 26-month ban by FIFA for his involvement in the ‘cash for votes’ scandal in 2011, Guyana’s football landscape has been in constant paralysis due to conflicts and attempts by some to disrupt the flow to improve the image and development of the sport. There are many examples of attempted sabotage by known characters, who believe that it is either their way or no way. Their actions were clear to see when every strategy in the book was utilised to undermine the Presidency of Christopher Matthias, during his term in office which came to a swift end following the intervention of FIFA / CONCACAF. The two governing Bodies involvement became necessary owing to the persistent embarrassing situations that the sport was plunged into as a result of the central characters destabilising influence among clubs and
administrators whose primary focus was not about playing football, but more to do with the attainment of power. The consequence as we know was the removal of Matthias and the installation of a Normalisation Committee (NC) in 2014 headed by businessman Clinton Urling. While it cannot be argued that the sport enjoyed some amount of stability under the NC, the widespread perception was that the leading players in the destabilisation process that preceded Urling’s ascension to the throne of local football benefitted during his tenure so there was understandable calm. However, after his term came to an end, the ugliness in the sport resurfaced with the attempt to disrupt the Stag Elite League, coming as a stark reminder of ‘our way or no way’ scenario quickly re-emerging. This time, though, there was no support from either FIFA / CONCACAF, who unmistakably reminded all that the GFF is the sole governing body of the sport here and who has their full backing. President of the GFF Wayne Forde and his executive has done a marvelous job in restoring the good image of the sport and while the corporate sector continues to be cautious with their support, no one could fault their concerted attempt to get the on-field activity up and running on a consistent basis. As documented in another section of the media (Stabroek News) on January 1, 2017, there were activities conducted in every month of
the year so immediately any charge of apathy or an uncaring posture was annulled. Nevertheless, the carping continued and the next shot was the inclusion of two teams to the League, a request which was made by Platinum sponsor, Ansa McAl and subsequently acquiesced to by the GFF. This decision, even though the intention was explained repeatedly by the GFF, did not find favour with four of the top clubs in the country, namely, Slingerz FC, Alpha United, Pele and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and they decided to withdraw from the League. What followed were correspondences being dispatched back and forth by both parties (GFF and aggrieved clubs) for CONCACAF’s intervention and guidance. In the end, CONCACAF ruled that because the clubs withdrew from the country’s premier competition, they were “not in ‘good standing” with the GFF. It was a clear case of selfishness on the part of the clubs hierarchy and counselors, but more importantly, it reflected how far they are prepared to go, to sacrifice players on that altar. The connected effect was that the two clubs (Slingerz FC and Alpha United) were deemed ineligible to represent Guyana at the CONCACAF Club Championship, while there has been an exodus of players from those clubs ever since. Sadly, it was a heavy price to pay, but more importantly, it once again exposed the real detractors in the sport.
No AGM at DCC since 2014 as members question state of affairs at club The state of affairs at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has been called into question by a number of concerned members who said that there has been no Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections at the organisation since 2014. A letter that was sent recently by some members of the club to the Georgetown Cricket Association, the governing body responsible for cricket in the city, indicated that there has been no AGM or Ordinary General Meeting at the club since April 24, 2014, therefore the term of that executive body expired in 2015. The document stated that no motion was passed for any extended period of the body and as such they are illegal. Members of the club have expressed concern that there is no visible executive committee running the affairs of the club since executive meetings have not been held in
excess of a year. According to members of the club the financial records and membership records are not being presented to the membership and the club’s daily affairs are being carried out by people assuming to be in authority who are in breach of the constitution. The members of club are calling for the AGM and elections as required by the constitution since there is no court order that prohibits this from being done as is being portrayed by certain members of the club as the reason for not holding AGM and elections. DCC is one of leading clubs in Guyana and has produced players such as Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Andrew Lyght, Roy Fredericks, Linden Joseph, Roger Harper, Mark Harper, Travis Dowlin and Philbert Blair.
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Harper returned unopposed as GCA President
Members of the newly elected executive committee of the GCA. Standing from left; Colin Alfred, Imran Ally, Paul Castello, Shawn Massiah and Graeme Alli. Sitting from left; Dennis Wilson, Neil Barry, Roger Harper, Azad Ibrahim and Debra McNicholl. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) By Zaheer Mohamed Former West Indies All-rounder Roger Harper was re-elected unopposed as President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) when the body held its Annual General Meeting and Elections on Tuesday night a t M u s l i m Yo u t h Organisation, Woolford Avenue. The position of first Vi c e P r e s i d e n t w a s contested by Neil Barry and Lavern Fraser, but Barry had little hiccups, winning
by 30 votes to six. Azad Ibrahim easily retained his post as 2nd Vice President with a 29-8 victory over Fraser. Debra McNicholl was unanimously elected S e c r e t a r y, w h i l e P a ul Castello went unchallenged for the post of Assistant Secretary. Dennis Wilson will serve as Treasurer and Imran Ally Assistant Tr e a s u r e r ; b o t h w e r e unopposed. Graeme Alli was unchallenged for the post of Marketing Manager,
while Colin Alfred returned unopposed as the Public Relations Officer. Kenroy Joseph and Shawn Massiah contested for the position of Competition Committee Chairman, but Massiah won 27-10. PKF Barcellos Narine and Company remained as the auditor. Addressing the media after the election, Harper who played 25 test matches and 105 ODIs thanked the clubs for their confidence and urged his executive to work together for the development of the game.
“We look forward to serving the members with the aim to build on the work we have done over the years. We will continue to implement development programmes and ensure that our members have competitions at all levels,” he added. He pointed out that the GCA will aim to give the p l a y e r s e s pecially the youths much opportunity to showcase their talent with the intention of moving on to greater heights. “If we can help the players to develop their
skills and enhance their ability then we think that we will be assisting to develop cricket in Guyana and the Region,” he posited. The availability of grounds is one of the problems that continue to plague the GCA, but Harper indicated that there have been some improvement is this area; however, his committee intends to meet with some of the clubs on the way forward. “The availability of grounds is still an issue, we intend to meet with the
some of these clubs whose grounds are not available as often as it should especially for first division games, and work out some arrangement where they can be made available more often,” he explained. Harper stated that they will work to garner more sponsorship for the youth tournaments and hope they can run off more competitions during the school vacations. The respective committees of the GCA will be named shortly.
Patriots defence unfazed by high-flying Falcons HOUSTON (Reuters) Something has got to give on Super Bowl Sunday when the National Football League’s topscoring Atlanta Falcons face a New England Patriots defence that allowed the fewest points in the league. The Patriots would lose in the glamor department, but count on their know-how and synchronicity to get the job done in U.S. sport’s biggest event. “There’s not a lot of flash to us,” said linebacker Dont’a Hightower. “We’re a very competitive team. What we do is make it hard for the other team to score, and we do a great job of that.” “The biggest thing for us is that we kind of gelled together. That chemistry, that brotherhood and
accountability really grew and took off. “We’re not just a good football team, we’re a smart football team.” S a f e t y D e v i n McCourty said the Pats’ defense built momentum as the season progressed. “We got off to a slow start, but you do not want to peak during Week 1 or Week 5. You want to peak towards the end of the season,” said McCourty. “We just play as a team. That is what it is all about, playing as a team. The numbers show it.” In the seven prior instances where the NFL’s top offense faced the stingiest defense in the Super Bowl the defense has prevailed six times. While Atlanta averaged nearly 40 points a game, New England allowed less than 17 points a game on average,
getting extra stingy once opponents closed in on the end zone. “That chemistry we built, we’re able to know where guys are going to b e , ” s a i d H i g h t o w e r. “We’re able to just kind of look at each other and just k n o w, ‘ H e y b r o , I ’ m r u s h i n g . ‘ H e y, I ’ m dropping.’” Hightower also said having the luxury of
practicing against prolific passer Tom Brady helped their cause. “We feel that we go against one of the best if not the best offense every day in practice with Tom and that outstanding pass team that we have,” said Hightower. “It’s good we get that test every day.” McCourty said the defensive secondary had the same knack of
New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) knowing how their colleagues would react. “It starts with us hanging out in the locker room, us hanging out off
the field, going to dinners together, building that bond and that trust it takes to play together,” said McCourty.
t r o Sp Anamayah Memorial Basketball competition
Smythfield overcome arch rival New Amsterdam Warriors in overtime P.29
Action in the game between New Amsterdam Warriors and Smythfield Rockers.
Chahal sparks England collapse as India win T20 series
P.28 India’s players pose with the trophy after winning the series. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui) 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