Kaieteur News
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Friday February 24, 2017
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 STEMMING THE MIGRATION FLOW NEWS The importance of education cannot be stated enough in Guyana. It is a self-enlightening process that is crucial to the overall development of an individual and society at large. Education provides people with knowledge about the country and world. It paves the way for a good career, improves one’s status in life and enriches people's understanding of themselves, others, events and places. Education is an investment in human capital. It lays the foundation for the nation’s growth, development and prosperity. Therefore, it is rather unfortunate to hear the pronouncement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, that 93 percent of all persons with a tertiary education are leaving Guyana. His comment which came in the wake of the 2016 World Bank report on Migration and Remittances shows that a serious brain drain is taking place in Guyana. Not only is it extremely painful to hear, but it is a national tragedy for a country with such a small population and struggling to improve its economy, reduce crime, corruption and high unemployment, and lower its foreign debt. This should be a wake-up call for the government to do whatever is possible to keep the best and brightest minds in the country. If it does not, then Guyana is doomed. However, while Guyana is suffering from the brain drain, other countries in the Caribbean and North America are benefiting substantially from it. It is disheartening to see teachers trained at the Cyril Potter College of Education and young people with Degrees leaving for greener pastures in the Caribbean and North America for work. However, the pattern of migration from the country is not new. It is not only qualified professionals who leave, but people in all sectors. This trend which began decades ago worsened during the reign of the PPP. Among the factors cited for the high migration rate are the country’s poor economy, its inability to pay adequate wages and salaries, substandard working conditions and an inadequate health care system. The high crime rate is also a factor. It is estimated that more than 55,000 persons have migrated from Guyana during the last two decades and the administration did very little to prevent the outflow. The same is true for this government. Since taking office nearly two years ago, the government has done very little to try to stem the outflow of educated professionals, particularly those who leave due to elements which can be controlled and improved by the state. In fact, it has recruited only a few Guyanese from the diaspora who have excelled in many fields in education, medicine, computer, law, commerce and trade and many other areas of science and arts to return to help in the development of the country. However, it should be pointed out even though it would have liked to recruit more qualified Guyanese from the diaspora, it does not have the resources to do so. The reason is the standard of living of most Guyanese in the diaspora is much higher than it is in Guyana. It is very disturbing and painful to know that persons who have been educated locally have proceeded to leave after graduating. If the government is serious about curbing the mass migration by intellectuals, it has to make some drastic changes and this is not likely, because of favoritism and nepotism by party officials to offer their supporters and friends jobs although they might not be qualified for the job. Be that as it may, the government should try to develop a strategy whereby it can encourage their qualified professionals, teachers, nurses, tradesmen, farmers, etc. to remain at home. While this is not an easy task, the government must take the necessary steps to prevent the hemorrhaging of the nation. This is a very important issue, therefore, the government should seek the assistance of all stakeholders including the opposition, religious, social and cultural organizations to help stem the migration flow.
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.
Lawful opening and closing hours of shops Dear Editor, The Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) is gravely concerned about the wrong information attributed to high officials of the Georgetown City Hall concerning the opening and closing hour of shops as reported in the media. This has generated much confusion and uncertainty among the business community in the relevant business sector. It must be emphasized that Labour Law administration is under the
purview of the Chief Labour Officer of the Department. The Chief Labour Officer, to his credit, promptly stated that the different opening and closing reported in the press as coming out of City Hall is contrary to the current law and is “erroneous.” The law governing the days and hours which certain shops may be kept open are governed by the Shops (Consolidation) Act, Chapter 91:04 as amended by in 2009 by the Shops (Consolidation) (Amendment) Act, 2009.
The first of this Act sets out Days and Hours for opening and closing as follows: 1. Shops – every day; 7.30 am to 10.00 pm. 2. Restaurants and Cook shops – 24 hours per day. 3. Parlours, Barbers’ and Hairdressers’ establishment – 6.00 am to midnight Minimum pay, working hours, work week, overtime pay, and annual leave entitlement are governed by other labour laws and labour regulations. Under the Shops Consolidation Act, it is the
Commissioner of Police who enforces this Act relating to the hours of opening and closing of shops and prohibits sales. CAGI and the private sector are committed to complying fully with this law and call on the City Council of Georgetown and the authorities to respect this law, and enable the business environment to flourish for the national good without any unnecessary hindrances. Samuel J. Goolsarran Consultant Adviser CAGI
Small miners are at a disadvantage in the gold industry Dear Editor, We are two of thousands of small miners in the mining industry and being such are qualified to comment on matters concerning the industry. We also speak directly for the members of our association; The Parika /Mora Small Miners Association and also for thousands of small miners who up till recently had no one to represent them in the corridors of power. Make no mistake the GGDMA does not represent small miners, despite their posturing and mouthing's about representing all miners. Because of their greed, their monopoly of influence and their lopsided possession of thousands of blocks of minable lands, they have denied small miners lands to work and to make a living from. They with their private armies have oppressed and denied us of a livelihood. Small miners have a champion in
the Honorable Minister Simona Broomes, herself once a miner. Recently the honorable Simona Broomes, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources has spear headed an initiative for having small miners obtain land under the Syndicate System. This will ensure that small miners get land to work. Minister Broomes has been impressively, successful in rolling out this system. The response of small miners is one of overwhelming enthusiasm. This does not mean that individuals cannot through the usual process to obtain their mining blocks. Small Miners, please note; there is a meeting coming to a mining or coastal location near you. Please attend and be educated about this system and seize the opportunity to obtain minable land. This is not an ad hoc and haphazard idea. This is a well thought out initiative that caters for
acquiring land, environmental requirements, best working practices, assistance with necessary equipment, tax concessions, ease of tax payments and many other benefits for small miners. The criticism against this initiative is seasonal: every time the government tries to address the legitimate needs of small miners there is always a hue and a cry by the people who control the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to distract the Government's attention and make everyone overlook the fact that 10% of the people in the mining industry control legally or illegally, 90% of the mining lands. Minister Broomes, you are doing a good job for small miners. Keep up the good work. Leon Moses, Secretary Arthur Thorne, Chairman The Parika /Mora Small Miners Association
NEW BIRD FLU ALERT; GUYANA MUST BE ON GUARD Dear Editor, The World Health Organization is monitoring new outbreaks ofAvian Influenza (bird flu) among poultry populations in several countries. Since November, the WHO has documented bird flu outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in at least 40 countries inAsia and Europe and some human deaths in China. These outbreaks have led to large scale culling (killing) of poultry in several countries. The WHO is on "high alert". The world's premier public health organization is urging countries to closely monitor these outbreaks and to maintain active surveillance, whether countries are near these outbreaks or not. Guyana must be on alert. Both the Ministries of Health and Agriculture must work together in an active surveillance program. It is not too soon to at least think of a dual sector program. The latest worrying outbreak is presently ongoing in China. The H7N9 avian virus has killed 87 people in China between January 1 and February 12 this year. On February 11, the first acute case of H7N9 avian flu in Beijing appeared, a certain signal of a spreading epidemic in China. The present outbreak with at least 87 deaths so far is worse than the original H7N9 flu outbreak in March 2013. Since the original outbreak in
2013, there have been 1100 human cases, with a 40% mortality rate, a mortality rate far more frightening than the mortality rate of 2% of the flu virus that killed 75M in 1917 and 1918. H7N9 virus are carried by wild birds and passed on to poultry and then transmitted to humans. About one-third of poultry screened in live animal markets that serve a population of 17M in Guangzhou tested positive for H7N9 this month. Most of the patients in hospitals appear to have contracted the H7N9 virus from direct handling of the birds. But there is also human-to-human infection. For the first time, human cases of the deadly H7N9 virus have emerged in Sichuan Province in China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau. There are at least five other flu virus presently circulating in China. Several others are spreading in various Asian and European countries. Two types of bird flu, H3N2 and H5N6, have claimed large numbers of chickens and domestic birds in South Korea and the United States this year, and have spread to domestic cats. It is troubling that so many different kinds of avian virus, all with worrying virulent rates, are spreading in different countries
simultaneously. The WHO "high alert" was issued on January 23, 2017. It does not require any specific action to be taken by countries such as Guyana, but it does require vigilance and an active surveillance system among wild birds and poultry. It may also require surveillance of people coming from countries affected. In the USA, the CDC issued a health advisory for people traveling to China and Guyana ought to do the same. I am aware that several Guyanese are travelling to China within the next several weeks. If the outbreaks worsen, the WHO will next issue a "public health emergency of international concern" advisory. At that time Guyana and other countries must take specific action. If avian flu virus enters Guyana it is likely to do so through wild birds, most likely, or through human cases entering Guyana through our air or shipping ports. Hopefully, none of these will reach Guyana. I urge the authorities in Guyana and in CARICOM to be vigilant and do not be caught by surprise. When I was Minister of Health and again when I was Minister of Agriculture, I introduced a "backyard surveillance" system, involving citizens across the country. It is never too soon to start. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The PPP must be prosecuted for crimes during its reign DEAR EDITOR, Since this APNU/AFC Government seems not to have the guts to do it, the Justice Reform and Democracy Party (JRDP) is considering filing, private criminal charges against ex-Ministers of the former PPP Government and their known death squad comrades. JRDP is in possession of court transcripts from the Brooklyn federal court, which details step-by-step accounts of activities which led up to murders and attempted murders in Guyana. It is public information for all to see, if one is willing to request it from the public information office in Brooklyn. Language in the transcripts establishes elements which constitutes intent to commit murder and name names. Also the actus reus, the Latin term used to describe a criminal act and the mental intent to do the crime. The information will also establish (mens rea) the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused. The Justice Reform and Democracy feels confident justice will be served. If we have to, we will seek help in getting international warrants to secure the person or persons living abroad who were involved. We understand everyone is innocent until proven guilty; however we are standing by our accusations. Further, we under-
stand that this type of case was never tried in the local courts of Guyana, it will be new to our legal practitioners. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948 as General Assembly Resolution 260. The convention entered into force on 12 January 1951.The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 9, 1948. Article I. The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and punish. This section of the United Nations charter, tells me, I have legal standing and there is international precedent to move forward with this private criminal action. This crime committed by the PPP executives who will be named, must never be allowed to happen again in our country. NO group of people must be allowed to kill off groups of people. Our political leaders in the APNU/AFC government seem not to have the political back bone to call a spade a spade. I have absolutely no argument, with the regular members of the People’s Progressive Party and their groups around the country,
however, I have a burning passion to bring some in the PPP leadership to justice. Not because of race, or political affiliation, but because of the acts they brutally committed on others while they held political office. Court documents will show intent, behind most of the killings or disappearances of the more than four hundred Guyanese nationals. Evidence will also show, people plotted and others acted on their plans. Metaphorically speaking the PPP Executives had an axe to grind when they came to office in 1992. Walter Rodney was one man. A commission of enquiry was assembled to look into his death. It stands to reason, if we held a COI into the death of one man, we should have an investigation into the deaths of over four hundred people who were killed or went missing. Someone or some people must be brought to justice; this is not South Africa in the 70’s and 80’s. This is Guyana. JUSTICE REFORM and DEMOCRACY IS DEMANDING ANSWERS. In or out of government, we will open this can of worms. There are families out there who need answers. In 2014, I approached a high powered attorney from the AFC, and asked him to file private criminal charges on behalf of Justice Reform and Democracy, against the then PPP government. The High Powered Attorney said these
exact words to me at his Georgetown office “ MAN, THIS WOULD CAUSE A SENSATION IN THE NEWS, YU PARTY GON LOOK GOOD, BUT YOU ENT GON WIN”. He refused to take my case No Attorney in Guyana was willing to take on the PPP Government; they were all scared stiff. The PPP did not only steal from the State treasury in massive amounts, they, intimidated lawyers. It is time for Guyana heal as a nation, this healing can only take place when the dividers of our people are stopped and political killers are brought to justice. It is unbelievable that the Granger Government won’t fight for the people who elected them to office and bring closure to open wounds. The President once expressed that torture in any part of the world is a crime. President Granger said these words on February 13, 2015; “After May 12, I suspect I will be in a position to correct the error… I intend to pursue the law. I will not be in any position of authority and promote the crime of torture,” Since taking office, the President seems to have moved away from this position. Families of the dead or missing are encouraged to contact us at our office. Michael Ryan, MS-JD General Secretary Justice Reform and Democracy
Anil Nandlall refers to the Attorney General Chambers as a circus DEAR EDITOR, Judicial Review is that area of the law which allows for a citizen who is aggrieved by the act or omission of any public officer, including Ministers of Government, any public authority or any statutory tribunal to challenge the said act or omission on the ground that the act or omission is unlawful/illegal/contrary to some written law, including the Constitution/arbitrary/capricious/discriminatory/in breach of natural justice/ultra-vires/in breach of one’s legitimate expectations. In short, it is that area of law which guards against abuse of power. The High
Court is resided with a special jurisdiction to review the act or omission complained against and to strike it down or to compel the performance of a public or statutory duty in the face of a refusal or neglect to do so. Expectedly, with the democratic breeze blowing across the free world, it has been the fastest growing area of the law in the English Speaking Commonwealth. It is pivotal to the attainment of good governance and public accountability. It is for this precise reason that a specialized Constitutional and Administrative Law Division was established in the High
Court in 2011 to, exclusively, hear and determine these types of matters along with those in which constitutional violations are alleged. In Guyana, Judicial Review found expression over the last century through the medium of the ancient Prerogative Remedies of the Writs of Certiorari, Prohibition and Mandamus. In this regard, Guyana lagged behind most of the Commonwealth who have long abolished these anachronistic Prerogative Orders and replaced them with a statutory regime of more efficacious remedies. Although belatedly, Guyana followed suite in 2010, when
Parliament, unanimously, enacted the Judicial Review Act, No. 23 of 2010. As a result of its late arrival, it is one of the more modern legislative expressions of Judicial Review in the Commonwealth. However, the Judicial Review Act provides that the rules of procedure in respect of how the Court is to be approached by a litigant to access remedies under the said Act are contained in the “rules of Court”. Any person familiar with this area of the law will know that the “rules of Court” referred to thereof is the new Civil Procedure Rules, since the “rules of (Continued on page 6)
Public Service Ministry needs to treat staff with consideration DEAR EDITOR, Public servants are persons who choose to use their expertise to serve their nation. However, the unfortunate and glaring reality is it seems as if “public servants” are viewed as slaves by other public servants who hold higher offices. Currently, there is a situation brewing within sections of the Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) and the Public Service Ministry (PSM) with respect to annual leave allowances. Members of staff who have been employed by the MOPS on a contractual basis have been transitioned to the Personable Establishment. In other words, they are now “permanent staff”. This in itself is not an issue. The problem is that the PSM/MOPS have decided that these employees will now be trea ted as new members of staff. This implies that ALL staff members will now be required to undergo a 1-year probationary period during which they will not be eligible for annual leave. How does this make sense? Have all of the work done, skills gained and commitment shown during their previous years of service been erased? When contacted, the Principle Personnel Officer and Permanent Secretary divulged that, “PSM is going by the book now!” This tale gets even more ridiculous. Consider this: if John Jones’ contract ends on 20thApril, 2017 and he becomes a “permanent” staff member on 1st May 2017, a reasonable person would expect that after 12 months of service, in May 2018, Jones would be eligible for leave. Makes sense does it not? However, members of staff have been informed that this is not the case. Jones would become eligible for leave from January 2019. How? Apparently, annual leave is only granted after the completion a “calendar year” (January 1st – December 31st) of service. So,
unfortunately, Jones would be eligible for leave after serving in the proverbial coalmines for nearly two years (22 months). If this is not the equivalence of modern day slavery, I don’t know what is. Are the people reading and interpreting “the book” not human beings? Do they not possess the intelligence, common sense and emotions that should be used to guide their interpretation and implementation of the rules of the book? What do we do when the book does not make sense and when it impacts negatively on the mental, emotional and even physical wellbeing of employees? What do we do when the book is so rigid that it does not take into consideration the basic needs of a human being – for rest, recuperation and rejuvenation? Where is the consideration for the impact of work on family life and the psychosocial wellbeing of staff? It is not rocket science - people give their best when their needs for rest are prioritised. Governmental organisations cannot expect the best from employees if they are treated this way. Are PS’s being subject to these rules; are Directors and Managers? To paraphrase a colleague, PSM’s rulebook needs to be burned, since most of it was written before the majority of the current Guyanese population was born. If attempts at dialogue and intellectual conversations about this critical issue keep falling on deaf ears, public servants will be forced to explore other avenues to have their conc e r n s c o n s i d e r ed. The rulebook should serve the people, not the other way around. Disillusioned Patriot
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Confiscation of private property without Due Process is unconstitutional DEAR EDITOR, The proposed SARU bill has been presented to the Guyanese people as an attempt to “recover illicitly obtained assets with the primary objective of reducing the consequential damaging effect of corruption on sustainable development.” This is, of course, a noble cause and I wish to affirm my stand in support for the protection of public property, eradicating corruption in government and promoting of sustainable development. But the entire SARU story doesn’t add up. It is clouded with policy issues for which SARU would not solve but instead become a burden for taxpayers. This raises questions about the real motive behind SARU and its potential violation of our constitution. In its present form, the SARU bill is designed to allow the executive branch of government to take justices in its own hand and away from the Judiciary. This is nothing more than executive overreach and legislative encroachment. Allowing the government to confiscate private property allegedly ac-
quired illicitly without prosecution is in effect violating the private property clause and the right to due process as outlined in our constitution. These provisions were placed in our constitution for the very reason of checks and balances and preventing the executive from encroaching on the rights of citizens. Let me be clear, the government has all right to investigate all acts of illicit acquisition of public assets; this is in the best interest of taxpayers. But beyond such investigation, the government must place such persons before the court of law for it to decide whether such assets were in fact acquired illicitly or not. We must have faith and trust in our judiciary in executing its functions in a fair and unbiased manner. Moreover, it is the right of every citizen to due process in which he or she defends himself or herself. If the government is certain that it has a strong case, then it should not be afraid to present its case before the court. In fact, anyone who is guilty of illicitly acquiring public assets should face charges and penal-
ties as permitted by the law. This is how a democracy functions. Lawmakers would basically be giving the executive the license to cease and confiscate private property under the disguise of asset recovery without due process. Lawmakers should not support this bill in its current form, but insist that the ultimate arbitrator in any matter involving the seizure and ultimate confiscation of private property is the court of law and not the government. Moments like this, we need lawmakers to put partisan politics aside and stand up to defend our constitution, defend the rights of citizens and ensure executive powers are kept within established checks and balances. There is no estimate of how much money the economy was and still is losing from the illicit acquisition of public property, the very purpose for which SARU existence is based on. Instead, SARU’s conceptualization was solely or largely based on claims that Guyana was losing over $300 billion a year under the previous administration. Specifically, $188 billion through the underground
economy, between $25-$35 billion through procurement frauds, and $90 billion through the illicit capital flight. While I have serious concerns about these estimates, the methodology used in their calculation and the lack of evidence in supporting any of these claims, the entire story seems like nothing more than a hoax. Let’s examine these claims and see whether the proposed SARU legislation has any bearing on them whatsoever. The first claim is that Guyana was losing between $25-35 billion annually in procurement frauds. Without questioning the integrity of the estimate, this means that the APNU government since acquiring office in 2015 would have been able to increase savings or public expenditures by at least $50-$70 billion by simply eradicating the corruption in procurement and without raising a single dollar in taxes and fees. Likewise, the APNU government, since acquiring office in 2015 would have been able to add $180 billion to the economy by simply stopping illicit capi-
Anil Nandlall refers to the Attorney General... From page 5 Court” which were extant at the time, made no provisions whatsoever for judicial review applications. Since the new Civil Procedure Rules were not in force in 2010 when the Judicial Review Act was passed and the then rules of Court were silent on the issue, a provision was inserted in the said Act to say that the Act shall come into operation on a date appointed by order of the Minister. This was specifically done to await the promulgation of the new Civil Procedure Rules, which as I said, contained the procedure
for judicial review applications. The new Civil Procedure Rules only came into operation on the 6th of February, 2017. This was not as a result of any fault of the Executive. However, to date, the subject Minister, the Minister of Legal Affairs, has failed, refused or neglected to bring the Judicial Review Act into operation, despite being requested to do so. As a result, although the new Civil Procedure Rules provide for it, judicial review is not available to a litigant in Guyana. In the circumstances,
lawyers have been forced to become creative by making applications for the old Prerogative Remedies under the new Civil Procedure Rules, since the old rules of Court under which those remedies could have been applied for have been overtaken by the new Civil Procedure Rules. Legal proceedings filed under such dubious circumstances are fraught with unnecessary procedural hurdles and hiccups. Since the 6th day of February, 2017, I wrote to the Minister of Legal Affairs calling upon him to rectify this anomaly by issuing the req-
uisite order to bring the Judicial Review Act into operation. I have received no response to my letter. Subsequently, I drew this serious matter to the attention of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and requested him to advise the Minister of Legal Affairs to correct this lacuna, as is my responsibility as a Member of Parliament. Unfortunately, my efforts have been futile. I have done my part. In the meanwhile, the circus continues at Lot 95 Carmichael Street. Mohabir Anil Nandlall Attorney-at-Law, MP
tal flight. In short, by simply eradicating procurement frauds and curbing illicit capital flight, the APNU government should have added between $230 - $250 billion of new money to the economy without raising a single dollar in taxes or fees. Where is the evidence of this? In fact, what we have seen is the total opposite of this. We have seen an increase in taxes and fees to the tune of 10,000 percent in some cases and billions of dollars in public debt. Solving the procurement fraud issue requires the establishment of the procurement commission and updating the necessary laws and administrative rules, and curbing illicit capital flight problem requires updating the relevant regulations and enforcement of compliance. None of these commonsense solutions has anything to do with SARU. If the government is serious about these issues it should be putting forward legislations that would solve these problems. To date no such decisions have been taken, raising the question of whether these claims were based on facts in the first place. The final claim is that Guyana was losing $188 billion through the underground economy. The definition of an ‘underground economy’ is economic transactions not measured by government statistics and ignoring government regulations and laws. The underground economy is also referred to as the ‘black market’, ‘shadow economy’ and ‘parallel economy’. Note that these are not illegal transactions, they are legal transactions. To bring the underground economy into the formal economy, therefore, requires
broad-based reforms and improvement enforcement. For example, simplifying and streamlining business registrations, the acquisition of tax identification numbers, making it simple and easy for small and bottom house businesses to get registered and even establishing support systems for such businesses to be encouraged to get on board with government rules and regulations, pay their fair share of taxes and contribute to shared prosperity of Guyanese. And again, the government actions are exactly the opposite of what is required to bring the underground economy into the formal economy. For example, the government increased the cost of acquiring tax identification number, increase regulations that would make it harder for small businesses, increase the effective tax rates on households and the list goes on. In short, the measures taken by the government would feed the underground economy instead of curb it. The SARU bill which would empower the government to confiscate private property without due process is undemocratic and unconstitutional. Currently, the government has the power to investigate and prosecute anyone who acquired public or private assets illegally, prosecute such individual and let the court decide their innocence or guilt, without SARU existence. Moreover, the entire justification for the SARU bill is based on policy issues for which SARU’s existence would not solve. Instead, it would be added burden on taxpayers to fund SARU’s operation. Dhanraj Singh Economist
Friday February 24, 2017
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GPHC needs Action Plan to revise standards and procedures A d d r e s s i n g administrative gaps and filling pertinent vacancies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be among the mandated task of the recently installed Board of Directors. Speaking to the members of the Board recently, Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, shared her conviction that the Corporation cannot function effectively if the aforementioned areas are not efficiently addressed. She also pointed to the need for the Board to give keen attention to the concerns of the medical staff as well. “The conditions under which the day to day operations are effected must be improved,” said Minister Lawrence as she added that “the environment [of the hospital] must be conducive, the ambience patient and staff friendly if we want to make inroads and impact significantly to achieve desirable outcomes. All this, the Minister added, has a bearing on the policies and decisions that the Board will execute in order for it to function smoothly and efficiently. As
- Public Health Minister
Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence such she further noted that it will be incumbent on the members of the Board to focus on differentiate responsibilities, set strategic direction and establish ethical standards and values. “In a nutshell, the Board, in its oversight role, must formulate an Action Plan which incorporates strategies for upgrading and revising of standards and procedures, implementation of mechanisms that will foster harmonious relationships among all levels of administrative as well as medical staff, resulting in quality service to all those who approach the facility for
patient care services,” said Minister Lawrence. But even with the fasttracking of deliberate efforts, the Public Health Minister asserted that “it is well nigh impossible for all problems and issues to be fixed overnight.” She continued, “I have every confidence that our Board members are ready to accept the challenges and to play a pivotal role in effecting positive internal control. I am convinced that the Board will work to ensure that efforts are made to detect and prevent errors, fraud and misappropriation of assets, that there is transparency in the organization.” The Minister pointed out, “We are well aware that a ship without a captain falters and fails to take advantage of available opportunities for advancement; this, the Ministry can ill afford, so we think that it is opportune for this new Board of Directors to firmly take the helm and pilot the organization to greater accountability and transparency and optimal delivery of patient care.”
The stakeholders all do look forward with great anticipation and enthusiasm to the work of this Board. According to Minister Lawrence, “I can already sense the synergy and anticipate that standards will be elevated and progressive ideas will emerge and the Board will operate using the Best practices and effective Management Control.” Moreover, Minister Lawrence has asserted that the pivotal role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) cannot be overemphasized. Currently acting in the capacity of CEO at the institution is Mr. Alan Johnson. Speaking of the importance of the CEO the Minister underscored that “that person is the link between the Board and the GPHC, the medium through which the setting and following of standard operational procedures will be effected.” As such, the Public Health Minister noted that the onus is on the Board to monitor the position of CEO
closely to ensure that the Corporation performs at the optimum and that there are leading development initiatives for its long-term success. The new Chairperson of the Board is Ms. Kesaundra Alves. The other members are Dr. Holly Alexander, Dr. Ivelaw Sinclair, Ms. Collette Adams, Ms. Sonya Roopnauth, Ms. Cleopatra Barkoye and Mr. Kemton Alexander. At the beginning of February 2017, stakeholders had the opportunity to become familiar with the Chairman and the members comprising the Board of Directors. According to Minister Lawrence, “We want to take this Board one step further, we do not want to
delay their involvement and service for we know that each member brings with him [or her] expertise and potential which, once well directed, can only result in the enhancement of the service at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.” Minister Lawrence has shared that it has become evident that communication and deliberations among all stakeholders will be paramount to avoid impasses that will thwart the realization of goals and objectives. For this reason, she added that the Board must be cognizant of its roles which entail establishing well-written and effective policies, making significant strategic decisions and overseeing the activities of the corporation.
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Friday February 24, 2017
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Berbice appeals, ‘Save rice and sugar’ at flag-raising Part of the crowd that attended the flag raising
The 47th Republican anniversary celebrations were ushered in Wednesday evening with several flag raising ceremonies across Guyana. Region Six on Wednesday hosted the Flag-Raising Ceremony on the lawns of State House, New Amsterdam with much pomp and flair. There was a variety of cultural items that sent the crowd in a frenzy; there were skits, dances and drumming among the top performances that entertained the crowd and the Minister of State Joseph Harmon. However, there was one presentation that left an indelible mark and that was a brief speech by the Region Six Chairman, David Armogan. Armogan in his charge to the huge gathering spoke of the economy and its downfalls. He highlighted that over the 47 years of Republican status Guyana has seen some improvement in the areas of health, social services, education and transportation but
on the economic side he asked himself and those in attendance, "Have we been able to gain the level of economic independence since becoming a Republican nation?" He answered himself,, "The answer is clearly no." According to the Chairman, "We still depend on primary production commodities to sustain our country, we have failed over the years to diversify our economy, the prices of major commodities that we produce here in this region which is rice and sugar are taking a beating. It is not easy for an economy that depends solely on these two things to survive". There is a decline being experienced because of the current prices of rice and sugar, Armogan said. "Could you imagine if we are to close down the sugar industry today because it is not making a profit? Could you imagine if Skeldon is closed and Rose Hall is closed what will happen to Berbice economy?" He stressed that places such as New Amsterdam, Skeldon and Rose Hall will experience a sloth in business because they depend on the sugar and rice workers. "All these places depend on those very workers who collect their wages and salaries and spend it in the shops and markets so that the economy revolves." It was also noted that having the industries set aside may cause some serious implications. With a major decline in the foreign exchange earners more pressure is expected to be put on the foreign currency. He added that there may be more work for the Guyana Police Force if so many are out of a job. These unemployed people may resort to a life of crime to earn a daily bread. He pleaded with the Min-
ister of State, Joseph Harmon. "On behalf of the people of this region I want to make the clarion call to ask Mr. Harmon and by extension, the Government of Guyana, to keep the rice and sugar industry going for the benefit of the people of this region." This call was welcomed by loud cheers and applause by those present. Armogan also made a request to the people, "We have to work together and build unity; we have to close the political divide. That is the only way we can develop our region and the only way we can develop Guyana". Minister Joseph Harmon in response to the outgoing Chairman's plea said that "it is the intention of this government to ensure that the livelihood of every single Guyanese, the livelihood of the sugar workers, and the families are a priority. Whatever decision is made about the sugar and rice industry, I want to give that assurance, our people come first". The Minister underscored that National Unity is the key to a successful country and region. "We can only be a united people if in our country we understand and appreciate each other in all our diversity. It has to be on the basis of mutual respect, trust and common understanding. The basis of all this must be an appreciation of our respective histories including our struggles". There was the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead by members of the armed forces in the presence of the Mayor of New Amsterdam Kurt Wynter, Commander of B Division Ian Amsterdam, Regional Chairman David Armogan, Regional Executive Officer Kim Stephens, and other special attendees. Patrons also experienced a march past executed by the armed forces.
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Job losses will hurt the working class The job situation just got worse. The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company is reported to be in the process of laying off 120 workers, over an extended period. Then on top of this we have an ominous announcement that DIGCEL, another major telephone company, is about to undertake job cuts globally by 25%. It is projected that more than 1600 persons worldwide will lose their jobs with the company, a move that is bound to see the laying off of permanent workers and the downstream businesses in Guyana. When you add to this the 500-odd jobs which were lost when Barama walked away from its local investment, you realize that a dire employment situation faces the country. The working class already reeling from Bugetary measures is likely to experience more pain in 2017. APNU had promised, when it was in opposition, that every university graduate would receive a job. That
promise has not been kept even though the coalition government has found jobs for thousands of its supporters by a skillful policy of dismissals, non-renewal of the contracts of contracted employees, redundancies and retirements. The coalition has not created many new jobs. It has, however, found jobs for thousands by simply replacing the jobs of existing workers in the public service. So the supporters of the APNU+AFC cannot be totally unhappy about the job situation. This, of course, does not solve the serious unemployment problem in the country. Barama may have walked but many believe that they were pushed. The government should have considered the impact of that company walking away. It is believed that more than 500 workers are affected. There were reports that the government would have given small logging concessions to those affected. It is not clear whether this has
been done but even if it was done, where will ordinary workers find the capital to do logging and where will they find markets. You simply do not allow a major employer to walk away from a major investment, especially when you have nothing the pipeline. All the major investments that are being made at present by the government were things that they inherited from the previous administration. We are even told that the road from Diamond to the East Coast Demerara which the PPP had begun planning for will recommence in May. But why May when this is the rainy season? Why not start the project now? Similarly, the Mandela Sheriff Street expansion project –again another PPP/ C project – will commence soon. But the coalition had two years with this one. The CJIA extension project and new terminal is underway and money has been found for another PPP project, the widening of the East Coast Pub-
UG to open a new school Vice Chancellor wants to raise tuition Talks of tuition increase and a new campus being built were among things discussed on Wednesday last as the University of Guyana concluded the first phase of a feasibility study on the establishment of a School of Entrepreneur and Business Innovation (SEBI). The forum was hosted at the Herdmanston Lodge. The small consultation which was chaired by Captain Gerry Gouevia, CEO of Roraima Airways, featured a 14-member team. Other dignitaries were Dr Edward Davis, Dean, of Business, Atlanta University; Dr Leyland
Lucas, professor of business, Morgan State university; and Dr Patrick Liverpool , Vice President of Academic Affairs, university of Maryland. According to Prof Ivelaw Griffith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, partly because of many circumstances at the University of Guyana there is no room at the university to grow so we would be looking to establish a new campus. It would be in Georgetown and if all goes well we would be making the announcement right after the council meets. “It’s going to be an opportunity for us to find a place
that is amenable to doing some of the things that we cannot do right now at Turkeyen,” the Chancellor said. He added that they don’t know how much SEBI will cost, but what they do know is that it won’t be cheap and they can’t expect the government only pay for it. And is not only (SEBI) that will be moving in this direction, we got to find ways to expand those practical opportunities to people in courses that have those practical opportunities. “It means that there is an additional cost to those (Continued on page 31)
lic Road. These projects will not necessarily create new jobs. They will utilize the labour of persons who have been not having any work since the new government took over. The government, when it was in opposition, had promised to veto the Marriott Hotel Project. The opposition had even refused to attend events there. Yet, just recently, the very government has been hosting international conferences there and has done nothing to sell or dispose of the hotel as promised. It is yet to also tell the population what are its plans for the entertainment centre which can create hundreds of new jobs. In the meantime, the relationship between the govern-
ment and the private sector has gone sour. Businesses are reporting a slowdown in commercial activity. There are problems with the stability of the exchange rate. All of this does not bode well for employment. The anticipated contraction in the labour force of GT&T has nothing to do with the local economy. It has everything to do with changes in technology which are forcing telecommunication companies to gravitate more towards the provision of data rather than concentrate in expanding cellular services. In the case of DIGICEL, there have been concerns expressed about its high debt and this may have triggered the need for restructuring, another way of saying
downsizing. But if two of the largest companies in Guyana can be shedding workers, it sends an adverse signal for the local economy. It could lead to a waitand-see game by investors, existing and potential. The situation does not look good. It is time for the government, the private sector and the opposition to meet mend fences and come up with a joint strategy to deal with the impending jobs losses.
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Is President Granger falling down? It is my opinion that the Mayor of Georgetown and the Town Clerk are either disrespectful of the President of the Republic or they are ignoring all his post 2015 exhortations on democracy because they believe it is just rhetoric and not a genuine embrace. From the time the APNU+AFC came into power, there has been a creeping dictatorship in City Hall. Let’s digress into political theory for a moment. Some political theorists have argued that Singapore and Malaysia achieved economic and social greatness under an authoritarian system. They went on to state that if Singapore and Malaysia had open, liberal constitutionalism, maybe they would not have outshone a majority of countries and be ranked today as two of the leading economies in the world. In fact, the term Third World may no longer describe Singapore and Malaysia. So what is the point and rel-
evance of this discussion with City Hall in Guyana? If one is going to run an authoritarian system and deliver development and progress, then criticism of your undemocratic rule is going to be muted because people are benefitting from your authoritarian approach. Maybe they will support you because they will tell your detractors; “I don’t care what he is and what he does; he is achieving things for me and my country.” It is when you are a dictator and there are no social accomplishments that people will want to kick you out. There has been one undemocratic, unaccountable, opaque implementation after another by City Hall since Mr. Granger became President and the nation does not see a forceful response from the President which ought to be for two reasons – he is ruling over a nation that welcomed the removal of the PPP oligarchy with its attendant nightmares of power madness and
corruptibility and secondly his unlimited praise for the freedom and democracy that local government elections will bring. After the cruel removal of over one hundred vendors from Stabroek Market Square to accommodate the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee (which I believe the President and the AFC leaders ought to be condemned for and which will determine how I vote in 2020), the President did say that the vendors should not have been removed without a proper alternative and after discussions with stakeholders. President Granger also addressed a full house at the City Council in July 2016 and this is what he said; “I actually advised that every member of the Council was responsible for a particular constituency and they should visit their constituencies… My own view is that there should be greater consultation. That is the message I had felt that I had transmitted to
the Mayor and Councilors. That in everything they did, they need to be assured of not necessarily compliance, but consultation with the stakeholders, whether it is the vendors or other people…” “The President noted that while it is understood that some changes are necessary for the development of the capital city and the lives of the residents, it is also imperative that consultations be held, so that citizens feel included and that their opinions are taken into consideration,” stated a news report. Now here is the part of the GINA report on the President’s visit that eight months after has not done his credibility any good; “President Granger said that Georgetown is the capital city of the country and as such, the national interest and that
of the citizens must be the priority. This, he said, therefore requires consultations, through which citizens can have a voice in what they believe, are in their best interests and that of the country.” Let us return to my opening observation, I need to repeat it; “It is my opinion that the Mayor of Georgetown and the Town Clerk are either disrespectful of the President of the Republic or they are ignoring all his post 2015 exhortations on democracy because they believe it is just rhetoric and not a genuine embrace of democracy.” You cannot square, no matter how brilliant a mind you have, the policies and attitudes of City Hall with those words from the President’s mouth in July 2016. It is either City Hall does not care to observe the politi-
Frederick Kissoon cal pronouncements on democracy by the President or City Hall knows the President is just speaking for speaking sake. Which one is it? It is my unshakeable belief which a nuclear explosion cannot detach me from that the Mayor’s reference to the closing hours of business which she said came from a complainant and not her office may have been a subtle response intended to send a message.
Dem boys seh... Foreign Embassy now wukking pun holiday Mash always is a holiday. People does look forward to it. Last year there was none and this year instead of Mashramani was Splashamani. It was soft and dem boys seh people vex. De few who stand up watching de couple float pun Brickdam, mek dem face sour. Dem was broke. Some still paying dem debt from Christmas and de rest saving to pay de Mexican company parking meter. Is not only de people watching de float upset and had sour face. De people at de Chinee Embassy mek dem face more sour when dem read de Waterfalls paper yesterday. De paper report that dem Chinese Embassy brought in more containers into Guyana that all dem other embassies
put together. Even when de US embassy was doing was building de new building on Duke Street, dem never bring in so many containers. Yesterday was Mash Day and it was a holiday in Guyana. On holidays no office, not any government office, and no embassy does open. But de Waterfalls paper get an official letter from de Chinese embassy yesterday. De letter seh how de Waterfalls paper wrang and how dem gun sue. Dem boys thought was one of de importers name. Is when dem read de letter li’l more dem realize was a lawsuit dem threatening. Lawsuit is something people does threaten when dem shame because dem get
ketch and can’t find a way out. Brassington did do de same thing when he get ketch and he know more of he and Jagdeo duttiness will be exposed. In one day he file 19 lawsuit, then he lef dem and run to Miami wheh he hiding in a warehouse wha he and Rob de Earth buy. Dem boys want dem to know that dem got couple lawsuit pending and all gun get throw out because dem boys always talk de truth; dem don’t know to lie. All dem know to do is poke fun, mek joke and tantalise people which is a good thing. Ask Jagdeo, Basil and Ralph. Two of dem is lawyers and one is dactah. Talk half and wait fuh more container report.
Friday February 24, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Massive legislative changes underway for regulatory agencies in extractive sector-Trotman -process to close loopholes for abuse, lead to revised Fees and Fines Structure In order for there to be improved governance and the development of a sustainable extractive sector, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman asserts that a clear and effective legislative regime is necessary. He reminded that last year, the Ministry of Natural Resources tasked its regulatory agencies with identifying their strategic priorities, legislative gaps in their existing Act and Regulations, and more recently, a review of the Fees and Fines that are stipulated by their legislation. Following the reviews, Trotman said that it was deemed that the Acts and Regulations were outdated. Many loopholes for abuse were identified and as such, there was a need for the revision of the legislative framework that governs the extractive sector. The Natural Resources Minister said that it is envisioned that the Ministry of Natural Resources for this year will table revised Fees and Fines Structure for its regulatory agencies, legislative changes to the Guyana
Gold Board Act, table new Forestry Regulations, new Mining Regulations and a Revised Petroleum Act and Regulations. Minister Trotman said that the Mining Policy and Forestry Policy will inform the revisions of the Forestry and Mining Acts. With respect to the Mining Policy, Trotman said, “We cannot underestimate the role that mining plays in the nation’s social and economic development. Mining generates jobs and significant revenues. With improved governance, the sector can advance economic diversification and the creation of jobs and enhance sustainable investments in health, education and infrastructure.” The Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) stated that these positive benefits are difficult to achieve in the absence of a strong policy framework. He said that it is for this reason that the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will have a completed draft of the Mining Policy in 2017. As for the Forestry Policy, Trotman said that the Ministry of Natural Resources will
continue to update and/or create policies and laws relating to the conservation, management, protection and sustainable development of the nation’s patrimony, its forest resources. He said that there have been changes in Guyana’s economic, social and political landscape over the last six years since the previous forest policy was crafted. In this regard, he noted that an updated forest policy will mark a significant shift in emphasis from the development of the timber potential of forests to management of the forests’
multiple down-stream goods and services for national benefit. The Minister also spoke about the revision of National Log Export Policy. The politician said that in the interest of strategically enhancing the competitiveness of Guyana’s Forestry Sector in 2017, the Government has commenced the review of the National Log Export Policy to develop a new policy for immediate implementation. He said that the current policy of 2009, aims at dissuading the export of logs while encouraging value
added manufacturing of forest products. Trotman asserted, “It is obvious that this policy was honoured more in the breach than the observance. In this regard, large scale forest companies and operators must begin to increase value added production and harvesting.” Furthermore, a forensic audit report on the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) revealed how several logging companies breached their Investment Agreements, failed to honour their promise (Continued on page 32)
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Parking meter controversy…
Third court action filed against Mayor and Town Clerk A third court action has been filed against Mayor of Georgetown Patricia ChaseGreen and Town Clerk, Royston King, as it relates to the parking meter project. According to reports, the action has been filed by Attorney-at-law Kamal Ramkarran. The purpose of the action is for the High Court to rule on the legality of the contract. This third action comes at a time when Smart City Solution is continuing its enforcement activities by clamping the vehicles of motorists who would have
committed paid parking violations. It was recently announced by the M&CC and SCS that these activities would have been relaxed until further consultation exercises were completed. A number of attorneys have opined that if the M&CC and SCS continue with these acts while there are pending court actions questioning the contract, the two parties would be in contempt of court. At present there are two actions engaging the at-
tention of the court. The first is being led by The New Building Society Limited challenging the placement of parking meters outside its Avenue of the Republic Office. In that matter Justice Brassington Reynolds ordered Town Clerk Royston King and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to make presentations in the High Court, arguments as to why the parking meter project should not be rescinded. The second action is being led by an employee of a
law firm in Georgetown. Chief Justice (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards in that matter has ordered the Town Clerk Royston King and Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to present similar arguments. It was explained by one attorney Pauline Chase at a Town Hall Public Forum on parking meters at the Saint Stanislaus College that what has been ordered in the earlier actions is an ‘order nisi’. She said that as far as her learning is concerned, the order nisi acts as a stay on activities and at the very least, parties should not take any step that would in any way render the proceedings void for any reason. The parking meter project has received a considerable amount of rejection from the civil and business society. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry had supported the call for the revocation of the parking meter contract. The body encouraged its
Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green
Town Clerk, Royston King
partners and members in the business community to maintain their protest efforts until the contract has been fully revoked. According to the GCCI, it was irresponsible for the Mayor and City Council to continue with the metered system due to a lack of transparency during the implementation process and a lack of
adherence to public procurement procedures. The GCCI said that it has received numerous complaints from its memberships regarding the metered system and its negative effect on customer traffic and sales. The Chamber said that it supports the M&CC’s efforts to engage in public-private partnerships to raise revenue but refuses to support the flawed and illegal methods that the M&CC have employed to implement the project.
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Inter-Ministerial taskforce set up Trade Unionist, Kenneth Joseph dies to address Baramita social issues Long-serving Trade The GAWU official said The government has established an interMinisterial taskforce to address social issues of alcoholism, sexual and domestic abuse, and suicide that are plaguing Baramita, in the Matarkai sub-District, Region One. Ministerial Advisor for the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams, said that Baramita is a troubled village, given the social ills and the realities which existed during the last decade. Williams explained that when the Government took Office in 2015, it immediately established a taskforce that comprised the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Communities, Social Protection, Public Security and Health. This taskforce has set about finding solutions to the problems facing the indigenous community. Williams was responding to calls by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA)
for the government to pull back the slide in human and social standards in Baramita after the organisation researched and compiled a report entitled ‘Impact of Mining: Survival Strategies for Interior Communities in Guyana’. Williams said that the issues affecting the community cannot be addressed overnight; however with continued collective efforts, with all state agencies, and other organisations, Government will eventually bring solid lasting solutions to the crisis in Baramita. In the interim, with assistance from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, shops operating illegally have been shut down in the mining areas. There were also visits by the Guyana Police Force, attending to unlawful vending of alcohol and other criminal activities. The Ministry of Public Health conducted outreaches in the
Police find large quantity of illegal items in N/A Prison raid The police in Berbice and ranks of the Guyana Prison Service conducted a surprise raid on the New Amsterdam prison on Wednesday. Among the items seized were 10 cell phones, seven phone chargers, 22 improvised weapons (juckers) three bottles of pepper, eight spoons, one knife, 136 razor blades, four surgical blades, a number of lighters and three zip lock bags with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems of marijuana. All of the items were confiscated. No one was arrested. The search was a part of a countrywide one being undertaken by the authorities.
area; the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Education also collaborated and have established a hot meal kitchen at the Baramita Primary School. “There have been countless interventions since the Government has come to office. Baramita prior to May 2015 was nowhere in the news as it related to suicide, and all of a sudden the world recognises that Baramita has a suicide problem. “In tackling that issue, there has got to be some focus on the culture of our people, and an examination of what are the issues that give rise to that behaviour…no one as far as I’m aware has licence to sell liquor in Baramita, but it is being sold,” Williams said. He added: “There are allegations that the police are not doing enough, but there is also a responsibility on the part of the people who operate their businesses to act responsibly.” The process had started from the level of government, however it is up to the people of Baramita to recognise their social, moral and ethical obligation, and it is up to the leaders of Baramita to step up and help to tackle the issues affecting the people, because “we have to save our children, we have to save our culture,” Williams urged. Baramita is the largest Amerindian settlement in Guyana, and the biggest Carib Village in the Caribbean. It has a population of about 3,000. The community’s main economic activity is mining.
Unionist, Kenneth Joseph, passed away yesterday at the age of 65. He was the GeneralSecretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). Joseph held that position as well as executive member of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) until his passing. According to his wife, Elizabeth Joseph, her husband passed away some time around 11 AM at a city hospital where he was hospitalised for more than two weeks after suffering a stroke. Joseph is survived by his six children. His colleague and fellow Trade Unionist, President of the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, described Joseph as a positive and willing individual. Chand said that Joseph was steadfast in the fight to ensure an acceptable working environment for Guyanese.
that the veteran trade unionist originated from the Corentyne, Berbice. He said that he knew Joseph for more than 20 years. He added that it was a pleasure watching his colleague advance through the ranks to cement his name as one of the greatest trade unionists in Guyana. “He began working in the bauxite industry and later GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) attached to the Albion Estate. When the position opened up at NAACIE, he became president first, then General Secretary,” Chand said. Joseph was also a former machinist at the Berbice Mining Enterprise and a shop steward. “This is a great loss. Kenneth not only supported
Kenneth Joseph sugar workers, he supported workers in general. He would even work with other unions that were not members of FITUG. He was always willing to take part in any action that would advance the interest of workers. He made a positive contribution. He will be missed.” Chand said.
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Linden arm of Critchlow Labour College to be resuscitated The newly elected executive of the Guyana Trades Union Congress which came into being on November 13, 2016 recently visited Linden for a three-day outreach which ended last Friday. President of the GTUC Coretta Mc Donald said that the GTUC has 18 unions affiliated to it. One such union is the Bauxite Union. She noted that the first thing the executive thought of doing was to have an outreach throughout Guyana and it was decided that it will be launched in Region Ten. “It was chosen because we recognized that over the years Region Ten has been a very depressed community— Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani. The flow of information is not readily available. “In terms of academic advancement, it is not readily available. We took into consideration and we would have noted that in order for persons to have a University degree they have to travel every day from Linden to Georgetown, from Ituni to Georgetown and from Kwakwani to Georgetown. “Maybe they have to seek refuge with some relative in Georgetown so that they can empower themselves with a first degree or maybe even have a diploma in some area of study. After looking at these issues, we thought that we should come to Region Ten to deal with some of them. “We knew that we should listen to some of the concerns of the people and try to find ways and means of helping them to cope with some of those issues.” According to Ms. Mc Donald the Critchlow Labour College which is a part of the GTUC, once had an arm in Linden and the executive decided to resuscitate that establishment and to have the arm operating again in
…Classes to begin in March Linden. “More than just having the arm operating as just offering certificate programmes, we have decided or we have embarked on partnerships with other Universities and so we will be offering University first degrees, we will be offering diplomas as well as master’s degrees to residents.” Mc Donald claimed that the Degrees and Diplomas will be accredited as they already have the accreditation coming from the various entities in addition to the Universities the National Accreditation Council in Guyana will be accrediting the programmes that are going to be offered by the Universities as well as giving accreditation to the Critchlow Labour College. She also noted that a payment plan affordable to the citizens desirous of attending Critchlow Labour College will be looked at. Director of International Programmes at the Critchlow Labour College, Dr. Stanley Paul, the Universities on board are Pearson in the United Kingdom, Charisma University of Turks and Caicos, American Academy of Project Management in the USA, Business and Technology Education Council and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Dr. Paul also noted that ‘Industrial Relations and Social Studies’ is the flagship course of the College because it is used to gain entry into the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education. The Linden arm of the Critchlow Labour College is expected to begin classes on March 20, 2017 at the Linden Technical Institute. During the three days
outreach programme the executive body met with several entities and individuals at the Linden Technical Institute, Linden Enterprise Network and the Guymine Constabulary Recreational Hall. Mc Donald said that they met with Mayor Carwyn Holland and they shared their reason for being in the mining town. The issue of Critchlow Labour College returning to Region Ten caused Holland to be more than happy. He decided that his entity will be on board, fully, with the GTUC. The same sentiments were expressed by the Regional Chairman. “We met with cleaners, teachers, security guards, taxi drivers and vendors in the market and they all shared their concerns. Most importantly we met with youths and they have given us a real picture of what it is like to live in Linden and not have the kind of academic qualification and how much they are suffering.” The GTUC President said because of the issues raised in the mining town they have decided that they cannot just stop here, they have to partner or seek partnership or build partnership with other entities. They also met with Linden Care Foundation an NGO. According to Ms. Mc Donald they are excited about having the partnership with the GTUC in terms of bringing a different flair to the society. The other members of the GTUC executive at the outreach were General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, Vice President (Mining) Odella Gravesande and Vice President (Education) Collis Nicholson. (Jacquey Bourne)
CARACAS OBSERVES: Ambassador of Guyana to Venezuela, Cheryl Miles (3rd from l front) during the Republic Day observances with invitees and staffers at Guyana Embassy in Caracas.
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Some City Stores continue to dodge taxes ...by not issuing receipts Several complaints have been received by this publication regarding a number of businesses within the city of Georgetown not giving receipts to customers who make purchases. This newspaper was informed that such businesses are refusing to issue receipts so as to under report income in order to avoid paying the necessary taxes. Only last week, a Kaieteur News staffer purchased a pair of slippers at a Water Street store and was not given a receipt even after asking for the bill of sale. One shopper said that she had made a purchase of deodorant, disposable razors and soap powder at a downtown store but was not given a receipt. This is a problem which seems to continue plaguing the economic sphere of Guyana whereby income taxes by some businesses are manipulated to reflect a lower
A number of businesses continue to not issue receipts for items purchased
amount of total sales. Equally worrying is that some stores are charging VAT on items but are not remitting that to the Guyana Revenue Authority. Five years ago this newspaper had reported on a
number of businesses who were flouting tax laws by not issuing receipts. Businesses apparently keep two books to fool the revenue collection agency. According to some members of the private sector
foreign owned businesses particularly were doing everything in and out of the books to rob the country of taxes due. When Kaieteur News spoke to one shopper yesterday, he said he has had this experience specifically at
businesses owned by foreign nationals. In addition to not issuing receipts, some businesses offer not to give customers a receipt saying that if agreed, no tax would be charged on the item. Quite a number of
persons have been lured into this arrangement and as such stand to lose since the item cannot be returned to the store if found to be defective. It was reported that the practice has continued since it is difficult for Government to address the issue because the Chinese Government is making several loans available to Guyana for a number of projects. In 2014 the Commissioner General of GRA Khurshid Sattaur had urged shoppers to request a receipt from any store they would have purchased items. He pointed out that tax payers play a vital role in helping to police the laws and ensure that taxes are collected. Failing to do so would give business owners who are higher income earners immunity from the law. When the current CommissionerGeneral of GRA, Godfrey Statia, was contacted on the matter he said that once provided with the names and addresses of the businesses, an investigation would be launched.
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Bartica Flag Raising ceremony…
Minister Norton appeals for all to work together Three Miles Secondary School students on show
The new Bartica steel band at the Flag Raising Ceremony Dubbed as the largest crowd ever in the mining community of Bartica to witness a flag raising ceremony, thousands of residents from Bartica and its environs turned out to see the cultural programme and flag raising ceremony to herald the anniversary of the Republic. It was the first Republic Anniversary flag raising ceremony being held since Bartica was officially declared
a township on May 7, 2016. Among those in attendance were Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford; Mayor Gifford Marshall, Deputy Mayor Nageshwari Kamal Persaud, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Roderick Edinboro, Commander of F RDC Departmental Heads and a number of private sector officials from within the community.
The evening proceedings went by smoothly after a prompt 7pm start saw a very energetic and disciplined crowd. Several students and staff members of the Regional Democratic Council demonstrated why Bartica should be regarded as the cultural haven of Guyana. Adding more life to a programme which was somewhat flawless was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Ranar
Anderson, aka Copter who reminded the crowd that as Barticians they are blessed to have some of the most talented people of Guyana. Regional Executive Officer (REO), Roderick Edinboro, said that it’s an occasion which certainly requires a lot of celebration. He said that they are witnessing history, and he is proud that so many came to be part of what the entire Bartica can be proud of.
“This is a very important evening in the history of our rich and beautifully diverse community and I am happy that so many came out to be a part of it. We the residents should remain proud of what we have been able to achieve thus far as a town.” However, the performances for the evening saw poetry, dance, calypso, rap, steel band, standup comedy and a ‘sneak peak’ by the six young ladies who will
be vying for the crown of the 2017 Miss Bartica Regatta pageant. Among the performances was a dance by the Three Miles Secondary School students. This dance had secured a well deserved second place at the recently held Children’s Mashramani and Costume Competition in Georgetown. Another such piece was another dance dubbed (Continued on page 27)
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Nigerian gets 40 years jail for credit card fraud A Nigerian National was handed a 40 years jail sentence after pleading guilty to 10 charges in relation to frauding a travel agency of close to $3M. The custodial sentence was handed down Wednesday by Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Bob Rasaki pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraudulent conversion. , Rasaki went to the Muneshwer’s Travel agency
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
and obtained 10 airway tickets from a sales clerk using fake credit cards between January 10 and January 25. The court was also told that the foreigner sent several emails to the agency requesting to purchase airline tickets. However, the travel agency later received a letter from Scotia Bank, which stated that the credit card being used by the Nigerian was fake. As such the matter was reported and police were called in to carry out investigations, which led to the arrest of Rasaki. It was revealed that Rasaki used an American Express credit card. Rasaki was sentenced to four years’imprisonment on each of the 10 charges. The sentences will run concurrently.
“Social cohesion needs to be promoted in Region Two”…Minister Norton
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton addressing the audience at the public meeting at Cotton Field, Essequibo. Dr. George Norton, made his first visit as the Minister of Social Cohesion, to the Essequibo Coast on Wednesday; he featured at a public meeting at the Cotton Field Secondary School in which the public problems and opinions were addressed. Minister Norton’s main
goal was to impart the importance of a cohesive Guyana within the hearts and minds of the public. “Social cohesion needs to be promoted throughout Guyana,” Minister Norton said. He also reminded his audience that “it was cohesion that bought Guyana its independence. The government that stands before you stands as a result of cohesiveness.” He said that the very motto of the country is one that promotes cohesion. Norton added that there seems to be a major problem connecting with youths. “Adults have been abandoning young people.”
The minister also noted that “youths are our immediate resource. Adults should assess the situation, find the problem and fix it. Teachers can only provide a certain amount of guidance for youths since they only spend five out of 24 hours with them. Adults on the other hand spend about 15 hours with their children.” Minister Norton also emphasized that parents should spend more time involved in their child’s daily activities. “If parents have a full update on what their kids are involved in, they could prevent things from happening before they scar a
child for life.” The meeting advised that the ministry should deploy counsellors to various schools in an effort to reach out to youths. With rega r d s to deploying counsellors, representative of the Prime Minister, Karan Chand commented, “It was addressed at a meeting last year that we are not at the stage of having trained counsellors. However we are at the point of using the trained counsellors we have to train staff members in various schools. It doesn’t take an expert to realize a change of behavior or to detect signs of abuse.”
‘Kitchen Cat’ gets 12 months A man who is no stranger to the Magistrates at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts and who seems to enjoy being handcuffed and shackled and escorted by police officers was Wednesday sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Bren d o n Glasford at a sitting on the Night Court. The decision came at the conclusion of the trial. The Magistrate before handing down the ruling told the court the he was satisfied with the evidence led by Police Prosecution Preston
John and the fact that the Prosecution witnesses were not discredited. Based on all the evidence led by the prosecution, the court found Rico Persaud, 22, of Lot 171 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, guilty. The 22year-old bus conductor was charged for attempting to commit a felony. On December 3, last, at Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, he attempted to commit the felony of break and enter and larceny. The accused tried to gain access into the office of Mariatha Causeway. The matter was first called in Magistrate Faith McGusty’s courtroom and the unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him. Persaud was remanded after police prosecutor, Seon Blackman, had objected to bail being granted to him. Blackman told the court that he objected to bail citing the prevalence and seriousness of the offence.
He had also reminded that Court that Persaud was previously charged with a similar offence. Persaud was remanded to prison until December 21. The matter was then reassigned to the Night Court before Magistrate Brendon Glasford and on his first appearance in the Night Court the unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him and he was released on $15,000 bail. Police Prosecutor Preston John stated that Persaud was positively identified as the person who tried to break into the office by the Virtual Complainant. Persaud had previously appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty in May and July last, when he was charged for larceny of a cell phone and a similar offence respectively. Persaud was sentenced in his absence and an arrest warrant has been issued for him to serve his jail sentence.
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
New GNBA board urged to make compliancy a priority Days after announcing a new Board of Director for the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), a six-person group was sworn in Wednesday evening by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. The event took place at the official residence of the Prime Minister on Main Street. The new board members are Dr. Rovin Deodat, Scheherazade Ishoof -Khan, Jocelyn Josiah, Aretha Nichola Campbell, Joel Persid Edmond and Chairman, Lt. Colonel Leslie Anthony Sobers. One other member is still to be named by the opposition’s Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and will be sworn in at a later date. According to a government statement, Prime Minister Nagamootoo congratulated and thanked the members for accepting to serve on such an important state board. He explained that the previous board developed some difficulties
GNBA’s CEO Dr Prudence Lewis-Bhola, Joel Edmond, Aretha Nicola Campbell, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Chairman of GNBA Lt. Col Leslie Anthony Sobers, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Jocelyn Josiah, Dr Rovin Deodat and Scheherazade Ishoof – Khan along the way and as such this matter was discussed extensively at Cabinet. The last board was faced with severe in-fighting that saw accusations of corruption leveled at two board members.
An inquiry cleared them but criticized former Board Chairman, Leonard Craig, of not helping enough to cool the tempers that flared in the authority. The body is tasked with managing the broadcasting
Minister Norton appeals for... (From page 16) ‘Mashramama’ performed by the very Three Miles Secondary. It had secured third place at the same competition. These two dances were well executed. The GUYOIL-sponsored Bartica Steel Orchestra attracted admiration by the crowd. However, the cultural performance was sealed by the evidently very talented,Timothy Hewitt aka Zion Kidd. Mayor Marshall noted that residents are witnessing history being made, noting that the demonstration of support is a testimony of the right track that the town is on. He assured that the Town Council will continue to build as they seek to further develop and enhance Bartica. Stating that the Town Council is youth driven, the Mayor stressed that his council will focus on youth development. “We will continue to strive and strive and never cease towards progress we will continue to build through programmes and projects.” “We will create an environment that is youth friendly, investor ready and pro business and for this reason be assured that your municipality will not create any additional burdens on the people of this town,” he said. Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford paid homage to what he described as those responsible for the successes that Guyanese are enjoying today. He said that the works and contributions of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham,
Cheddi Jagan, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Janet Jagan and the country’s present leader David Granger among others as they, over the years, have made significant contributions to ensuring that Guyanese can have a Republic Day. “These guys have struggled and fought so that today we can celebrate 50 years of Independence and 47 years as a republic. We cannot forget the struggle. We have travelled a long way since then,” he said. Minister Dr George Norton told the massive crowd that he is very happy that several promises made to Barticians during the campaign trail were delivered. He pointed out that the promise to transform the community into a town, a good life for all, enhanced delivery of health care increasing by leaps and bounds, increased doctors at the Bartica Regional Hospital, a 24/7 operating theatre, a neo-natal intensive care unit, increased police presence among other things have all been delivered. “There is so much that this administration has done thus far for Bartica and its residents. In 2008 there were only 20 police ranks working in Bartica and in this year we now have over 50 ranks which is a testimony of our commitment to crime fighting,” he said. Minister Norton said that this is a period of celebration.
Guyana has a lot to celebrate. “Our forefathers have toiled very hard and because of their sacrifices the Republic was born. There are a number of significant developments that this government has earmarked for Bartica. These include health care, education, youth development, infrastructure and sports. A $50 million multipurpose sports complex will be constructed in Bartica. No longer would persons have to leave Bartica for Georgetown to have a CT scan. The instrument which is a $31 million gift to the hospital will now be able to perform CT scans,” he related. The Cohesion Minister stressed that residents should be proud of the enormous work and progress being made by this administration in ensuring the good life for all noting that more will be done as they seek further to enhance life within the town. “We must seek to work together as a community for the betterment of this country. There is no room whatsoever for division within our community,” he declared After the flag was hoisted, the crowd shifted its attention to yet another first in the town with the first ever J’overt which was held at the Community Centre ground. It was promoted by Guyanese internationally recognized singer Jomo ‘RubberWaist’ Primo.
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arena in the country, including operations of radio, television and cable. “Prime Minister
Nagamootoo charged the members of the board to ensure all standards are met and not to only issue licenses
but also to review both future and current license holders to ensure they are compliant with all regulations,” the government release said. “President David Granger and I,” the Prime Minister said, “place very high confidence in you, the board members.” The GNBA new board of directors was effective from February 1, 2017 and will serve for two years ending January 2019. With limited frequencies available, the operations of broadcasting houses took central stage in late 2011 after it was learnt that former President Bharat Jagdeo, in his last act before leaving office, approved licences for his party, friends and a few business friends. Several prominent media houses who had applied were ignored.
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Mashramani 2017 blows hot and cold The large crowds that are usually synonymous with Mashramani celebration were absent this year as many stayed away from the Mash route. As the day’s activity commenced the streets were void of the usual frantic crowds as it was clear that the Mash fever was not contagious. The floats started their journey at the Bank of Guyana along Republic Avenue and that stretch of road from the starting point to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts had a handful of spectators. Many surmised that it was a combination of the heavy rain that fell the previous night leaving some sections of the route under water. Then there was the fact that many Guyanese did not take to the new route. The vendors who usually line the parapets along the route to ply their trade were not many since large pools of water had taken their places. It was summed up aptly by one onlooker who said “I was trying to get into the Mash groove but for some reason it was not happening this year. “Mash this year soft,
buddy. You in see people hardly out here”. Normally its takes a while to traverse the length of the route but this year it was a casual walk. The day’s activity was likened to a lime. Those that stood at the sides of the road to get a glimpse of the float parade did just that. The revelry and participation from the viewing crowd was missing this year. The fact that the bands did not flow fluidly meant that the waiting crowd had to find other means to keep themselves entertained and this served as a distraction. However as usual the music systems that dotted the landscape provided the necessary music as the alcoholic beverages flowed. As the hours passed things did pick up. The Ministry of Education with the largest band brought much needed energy to the celebrations. The revelers had energy and they gyrated. It was clear that they were having a great time. Their costumes had a penchant for the colour green as it was clear that they had embraced the message of the green state.
Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, led her Ministry with much energy and gyration. Dressed in a figure hugging outfit she was engaging and fun and the revelers behind her were clearly feeding off of her energy. Many spectators were happy to see her. “Look how Simona going on; she having a good time. I love that as a minister she enjoying sheself”. The lack of space prevailed at the junction of Brickdam and Vlissengen Road where the majority of the crowd congregated. As a result the floats had to jostle with the spectators to get into Durban Park. Despite initial rainfall, spectators occupied Durban Park in their thousands as revelers poured into the Pavilion at around noon yesterday. At the beginning of the programme a handful of people was scattered across the stands. However as the afternoon went by, the size of the audience in D”Urban Park significantly increased. Beyond the barricades, lay trampolines, kids’ rides, bar-b- que grills and stands
Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes leading the Ministry Band. which facilitated various types of vending. Law enforcement officers had the task of ensuring that the crowd remained behind the barricades. The ‘Jubilee Park’ Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown was built to accommodate a crowd twice the size of the National Park. As such, the wide open pavilion provided a picturesque view for both the spectators and revelers. . As the procession en-
tered the pavilion, occupants of the stands cheered loudly in support of their favourite band or costume parade. As is customary, the onlookers were treated to a programme which featured not only colourful costumes but dancing, drumming, and masquerade. The grand float parade consisted of some 32 bands; each piece depicting some social commentary or symbol of national importance or history symbols.
The pieces were adjudged by a panel of judges, as they danced and entertained the crowd at Durban Park. The revelers “mashed up the place” decked in their colourful costumes and gave their best presentations with their well-designed floats. Results for the winners of this competition will be released subsequently. Mashramani this year was celebrated under the theme “Celebrating with unity Dignity and Greater Unity.
Container Collusion between Customs officers, brokers racket… stymieing GRA’s crackdown on corruption A complaint of what seemed an abnormally large number of containers cleared by the Chinese embassy has sparked numerous calls for the tighter scrutiny when it comes to Customs checks on the local wharves. A report carried in Kaieteur News yesterday immediately saw the Chinese embassy issuing a statement denying the contents of the
story and even threatening legal action. Several local businessmen have since insisted that there are major problems with clearing of containers of goods at the wharves with corruption creating an unfair playing field for them. A number of businesses persons, who descended on Kaieteur News, insisted that the container racket has been
a public secret in the commercial district of Georgetown. “Frankly sir, we are afraid to talk as we had raised this in the past and were immediately targeted. We are checked almost 100 percent of the times but the same yardstick is not meted out to certain people.” It was insisted that the fraud is complicated and goes
Trinidad reports over 700 cases of the Zika virus -463 confirmed cases of pregnant women PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Health authorities are reporting more than 400 confirmed cases of pregnant women suffering from the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The Ministry of Health said that since the virus was first reported here in February last year, there have
been 718 cases with 463 confirmed cases have been noted in pregnancy. So far this year, there have been four confirmed births of babies with microcephaly, a rare neurological condition in which an infant’s head is significantly smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex. The ministry said that of the four cases, two of the mothers tested positive for the Zika virus during the course of their pregnancy. The ministry said it is now awaiting the test results to determine the cause of the other two cases of microcephaly in keeping with expected international rates of
Zika related complications. The Ministry of Health said that it is maintaining close communication with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services to ensure that assistance, as required, is made available to the babies and families affected by the disease, in accordance with established policy. “All cases of microcephaly are treated with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity by the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities. It is expected that the privacy of the affected families will be respected at this time”.
-Chinese embassy denies any wrongdoings to the top, including the quality section in the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) where decisions are made for random checking of containers to ensure that they have what is being declared. “I can tell you that while we are targeted, it will be found easily that Chinese containers are almost never checked 100 percent when they come into the country. We are saying that they should be checked. Take one container and do a 100 percent check. It will take three days but it will tell what is happening.” It was explained that in addition to some brokers being paid to fast-track containers and pay off Customs officers, there are other ways of defrauding the system. “For example, VAT charges are not applied to containers under $15M. Guess what? There are several persons who are clearing containers on behalf of a particular customer so to avoid these VAT charges. GRA should check these people.” Kaieteur News was told yesterday that it is a fact that while many businesses, especially Chinese-owned businesses are registered,
most of them are not paying VAT. “If you want to prove what we saying, ask GRA to provide a list of how many Chinese businesses are here and how many are registered and paying VAT. The list will give you the ammunition to make some further checks and you will find some startling a n s w e r s . ” The businessmen insisted that Customs officers are experienced in checking and assessing boxes. “There are standard ways how clothes like shirts are packed in a box. It could hold for example 72 shirts of various sizes and colours. Some smart importers, we have been told, are crooking the work by packing maybe 250 shirts in each box. But they declare 72. Guyana loses taxes.” Another well-known way is that the goods are undervalued. “We also know of cases of importers submitting fake invoices with fake addresses to GRA. Imagine also some containers holding televisions but being declared as clothes. There are indeed some clothes in front to fool the Customs officer who is not paying attention.” The smuggling issue
would raise deep worry for GRA which has been struggling to tackle corruption. A new board is in place with Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia signalling last year that he was taking a zero-tolerance to corruption. A number of staffers have been sent home for being involved in corruption. It was reported in Kaieteur News yesterday that GRA had reportedly complained to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the abnormally high number of containers that the Chinese embassy reportedly cleared last year. However, the embassy yesterday denied any such thing. This is their statement: “Chinese Embassy Statement on Kaieteur News “Container” Report Chinese Embassy in Guyana solemnly states that the report “Chinese Embassy container imports attract GRA’s attention” by Kaieteur News dated February 23, 2017 is baseless and unsubstantiated. The Chinese Embassy will further investigate this matter and reserves the right to take legal actions.”
Friday February 24, 2017
Trump wants to expand U.S. nuclear arsenal, make it ‘top of the pack’ (Reuters – Exclusive) President Donald Trump said yesterday he wants to build up the U.S. nuclear arsenal to ensure it is at the “top of the pack,” saying the United States has fallen behind in its atomic weapons capacity. In a Reuters interview, Trump also said China could solve the national security challenge posed by North Korea “very easily if they want to,” ratcheting up pressure on Beijing to exert more influence to rein in Pyongyang’s increasingly bellicose actions. In his first comments about the U.S. nuclear arsenal since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump said the United States has “fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity.” “I am the first one that would like to see everybody - nobody have nukes, but we’re never going to fall behind any country even if it’s a friendly country, we’re never going to fall behind on nuclear power. “It would be wonderful, a dream would be that no country would have nukes, but if countries are going to have nukes, we’re going to be at the top of the pack,” Trump said. The new strategic arms limitation treaty, known as New START, between the U.S. and Russia requires that by February 5, 2018, both countries must limit their arsenals of strategic nuclear weapons to equal levels for 10 years. The treaty permits both countries to have no more than 800 deployed and nondeployed land-based intercontinental and submarinelaunched ballistic missile launchers and heavy bomb-
U.S. President Donald Trump (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) ers equipped to carry nuclear weapons, and contains equal limits on other nuclear weapons. Analysts have questioned whether Trump wants to abrogate New START or would begin deploying other warheads. In the interview, Trump called New START “a onesided deal. “Just another bad deal that the country made, whether it’s START, whether it’s the Iran deal ... We’re going to start making good deals,” he said. The United States is in the midst of a $1 trillion, 30year modernization of its aging ballistic missile submarines, bombers and landbased missiles, a price tag that most experts say the country cannot afford. Trump also complained that the Russian deployment of a ground-based cruise mis-
sile is in violation of a 1987 treaty that bans land-based American and Russian intermediate-range missiles. “To me it’s a big deal,” Trump said. Asked if he would raise the issue with Putin, Trump said he would do so “if and when we meet.” He said he had no meetings scheduled as of yet with Putin. Speaking from behind his desk in the Oval Office, Trump declared that “we’re very angry” at North Korea’s ballistic missile tests and said accelerating a missile defense system for U.S. allies Japan and South Korea was among many options available. “There’s talks of a lot more than that,” Trump said, when asked about the missile defense system. “We’ll see what happens. But it’s a very dangerous situation, and China can end it very quickly in my opinion.”
Haiti names new prime minister PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – President Jovenel Moise says he has appointed Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant, a professor of gastroenterology at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the State University of Haiti (UEH) as the country’s new Prime Minister. He replaces Enex JeanCharles, who submitted his letter of resignation earlier this month to allow the new head of state to enter into discussions with the Presidents of both Houses of Parliament for his successor, as stipulated in the Constitution. “After a second round of consultations with the presidents of
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Kaieteur News
both Houses, I chose Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant as Prime Minister,” Moïse said in a statement. Dr. Lafontant, 56, married and a father of three, is an unknown political figure. He has been pursuing his medical career for 30 years and is also professor of gastroenterology at the University of Notre Dame of Haiti (UNDH) and a member of the American College of Gastroenterology. Under the Haitian Constitution, the next step for the new prime minister will be to select his cabinet and present himself before the Parliament in order to obtain a vote of confidence on his policy statement.
“The vote is held by public vote and with an absolute majority of each of the two (2) Chambers. In the case of a vote of no confidence by one of the two (2) Chambers, the procedure starts again,” the Constitution notes. One legislator, Gary Bodeau told reporters that the “President of the Republic made his choice. It is up to the Prime Minister-Designate to find a majority to have his general policy ratified. He needs 60 deputies and 16 senators.” Moise was sworn in as Haiti’s 58th head of state after winning the November 20 presidential election last year.
Jamaica PM gives assurances ahead of public sector reform KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Jamaica government has sought to assure public-sector stakeholders that it will work to amicably resolve any issues they may have with proposed pensionscheme reforms. “The posture of the Government will be to work towards resolution and not antagonism. When we are talking about the quality of life in the future for our people, who have worked very hard and are ready to retire, it shouldn’t be on the basis of contention,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Addressing the Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited’s Pension Investment Seminar earlier this week, Holness said he has been following the public discourse and listening to the concerns being presented by the various stakeholders, and that a cooperative approach will be taken in addressing these matters. Prime Minister Holness said that as part of its economic strategy, his administration will be looking at how best to match pension funds with long-term investments, such as infrastructure and real estate. “The best way to secure pension funds is to have them tied into long-term incomegenerating projects such as infrastructure projects, because the infrastructure will be, around 50 years from now,
Jamaica PM Andrew Holness generating income,” he said, adding that the Economic Growth Council has started to examine how this can be done. Holness further noted that he has given a directive to several government entities “to start looking at developing real-estate funds for the development of critical industrial and commercial space, but also the regeneration, redevelopment of much of our urban areas to create the longterm infrastructure that we could have pension funds participate in”. The entities mandated to undertake this are the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Port Authority of Jamaica. The Prime Minister
pointed out that policy changes will come soon to ensure, facilitate and promote better efficiency in relation to investment “and in terms of how the pension funds structure their assets to align more with the investment infrastructure thrust of the Government”. “I think there is a symbiotic relationship there that we will benefit now from the investment in the infrastructure, while securing longerterm income and a better quality of life for our retirees and pensioners,” he said. In addition, Holness said the government will be taking a very proactive approach in divestment, which will give further opportunity for participation of pension funds. Turning to the issue of low pension participation, the Prime Minister encouraged all who have not yet done so to join a formal pension scheme. “Even if you are not in the formal workforce and you’re self-employed, look about your pension. There are many schemes that are out there which will serve your needs and are affordable and will be adequate for your future needs,” he advised. Public-sector pension reform is aimed at making the system more affordable and sustainable for the Government, while providing adequate pension benefits.
CDB, IDB sign agreement to strengthen partnership WASHINGTON, USA — The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their ongoing partnership in addressing the Caribbean’s development priorities. Through the MOU, signed at the IDB’s headquarters in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, both institutions have renewed their commitment to collaborating on programmes and projects that contribute to sustainable economic development in the region. The agreement formalizes their cooperation in CDB borrowing member countries that are also members of the IDB, and countries in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Through a unique charter provision, IDB resources are channelled to OECS countries that are not members of the Washington-based Bank, through CDB.
“The MOU embodies the common vision for the sustainable development of the Caribbean that IDB and CDB share. I expect then, that the MOU will provide the framework for us to work collaboratively and creatively, over the next decade and a half, to facilitate the attainment of the development agenda; and accelerate the transformation of these countries,” said CDB president Dr William Warren Smith. “We have had a singularly close and forward-looking partnership with the CDB for four decades. We now have an opportunity to strengthen those bonds and take on our shared challenges with renewed optimism,” said IDB president Luis Alberto Moreno. CDB and IDB presently collaborate on a number of initiatives, including in the areas of renewable energy and private sector development for micro, small and mediumsized enterprises.
The Sustainable Energy Facility (SEF) for the Eastern Caribbean is one of these initiatives. Launched in October 2015, the US$42 million package includes loan, grant and contingently recoverable grant resources from the IDB, provided to CDB as the executing agency, which also committed US$30 million of its own resources. Most of the funding is for supporting geothermal energy development in five of the six Eastern Caribbean beneficiary countries under SEF: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. In 2016, the IDB secured an additional US$80 million for the programme from the Green Climate Fund for SEF, to be intermediated via CDB. The programme will provide financing mechanisms to fund geothermal energy projects, and aims to also mobilize private sector capital and expertise required to complete such projects.
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LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’. Call: 627-3334/696-8935, email:fcranmore@guyana voice.com Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305 Uitvlugt New Scheme (100ftX50ft) with Reserve $3M, La Parfaite Harmonie $1.3M-Call: 233-3006/ 6585897/ 651-1969
Brand new heavy duty electric treadmill - $97,000 and slightly damage treadmill $70,000- Call: 673-9283 1 White new model Passo 2009, working condition also 1 transported houselot @ W.C.D – Call: 602-3000/ 6002931 1 Single & Double door refrigerator, 1-6ft Freezer, 2 glass cases, 1-280 Sthil weeding machine. Call: 6023000/ 600-2931
Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 Prime business place on Sheriff Street to rent only for offices. Call: 627-6740 or 227-8644 Property for rent; 3 bedrooms top and bottom flat house on W.C.D, Canal No #2 Polder -$35,000 monthly. Call: 613-1860 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business. Preferably with no children. Call: 226-7012 Apartment in Great Diamond, EBD- Contact: Ronique 6439286, Thandeka 603-0067 Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 671-1846 One bedroom in Eccles (7 minutes drive to town) $30,000 – Call: 610-4081 or 629-1805
33 Acres of land for agricultural purpose at Kuru Kururu. Call: 619-0673
Three bedrooms upper flat at ‘BB’ 296 Eccles Housing Scheme. Call: 233-2306
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 614-4358
5 Acres coconut and other fruit bearing, no chemical, lease or sale – Demerara River across Timehri docks. Call: 261-2988
Three bedrooms fully furnished upper flat at Diamond, Housing Scheme, E.B.D- Call: 216-0644/ 668-8403
Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988
Drivers, Carpenters, Security Guards. Call: 266 4427
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Maid required with pleasing personality and good household skills and cooking.Call: 2310734, 6181853
One and two bedroom furnished apartment. Call: 231-4432/ 681-4275
I.A.E Classes for CSEC June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
2 Bedrooms house for rent with A/C and pressure pump system at lot 33 Somerset Court Herstelling, E.B.D – Call: 661-4849 Building for rent (75ftX24ft); convenient parking space (50ft), location- Parika. Contact Ramo: 660-1248 Space 70ftX22ft for rent suitable for storage or office space. Call: 673-7541/ 2265396
CAR RENTAL
EDUCATIONAL TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 2 Storey building located at 50 Durban & Halley streets, Wortmanville- Call:231-5108, 625-8884 6 Bedrooms property at Onderdeeming, West Bank Demerara - $25M. Call: 6567590/663-3602
WANTED One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620 2 Labourers, 1 mason/carpenter. Monday- Friday, 8am-4pm- Tel:265-3586 One live in female supervisor for bar & grocery starting salary -$80,000 monthly, age 25-35yrs- Call: 610-3974 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 Body work man- Call: 6603004 1 House to buy in La Parfaite Harmony/ West Coast Demerara $4-6M with legitimate papers. No agents! Tel: 628-4854, 628-4879 Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646 Experienced salesgirl @ Christine’s Variety Store, Lambard Street. Call: 2278529 1- Nail Technician with clientele, 1 barber station & 1 hairdressing station to rent. Call: 616-6221 Experienced Boat Captain to work in Bahamas; experience mechanical background; general maintenance. Email:lightbourneseafoodGB@ outlook.com/ Call: 1-242-6464989 General Domestic to work 2 days per week. Call 638 6891. Counter girls @ Dian’s Deli. Call:225-3700 Arc/Acetylene welder / fabricator; live in couple, driving and mechanical experience is an asset. Call: 227-1830
Friday February 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Guyana inks US$4M agreement with Widespread irregularities found at GRDB India for drainage, irrigation pumps
(From the left): Mr. Sailesh Prasad, Resident Representative signing on behalf of the Export-Import Bank of India and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan The Government of Guyana and the Export-Import Bank of India in Washington, D.C inked an agreement on Wednesday for the provision of drainage and irrigation pumps. Signing on behalf of Guyana was Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, while Mr. Sailesh Prasad, Resident Representative signed on behalf of the Export-Import Bank of India. The Credit Line Agreement valued at US$4 M will allow Guyana to benefit from the procurement and installation of fixed highcapacity and mobile drainage and irrigation pumps, associated spares and institutional strengthening related to the use and maintenance of the equipment. More importantly, the ac-
quisition of these pumps is expected to reduce the risks of flooding in low-lying areas and will bring relief to residents and farmers whose economic activities are usually disrupted by flooding caused by intensive rainfall and overtopping of the sea. They will provide flood relief to approximately 25,000 acres of agricultural and residential lands. According to a missive from the Ministry of Finance, residents in Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle in Region Two, Den Amstel in Region Three, Hope and Nooten Zuil in Region Four, Mora Point in Region Five and Rose Hall in Region Six will soon benefit from the placement of the eight fixed pumps within their communities which will help to restrict flooding in
their communities. Meanwhile, five mobile pumps will provide drainage services to Georgetown and its environs including La Penitence, Cummings Canal, Church Street, Sussex Street and South Ruimveldt. According to the Finance Ministry, these mobile drainage pumps will be assigned to various locations close to existing sluices in the city and its surrounding areas and will also be deployed to other areas to alleviate flooding, whenever necessary. The Finance Ministry said that the signing of this Agreement is yet another gesture of the support from the Government and the people of India to assist Guyana in achieving its socio-economic development goals.
Massive legislative changes underway... From page 11 of value added production and breached forestry regulations. With this in mind, Forensic auditors cited the case of BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. which was incorporated in Guyana in 2006. According to its business plan, BaiShanLin’s main objective was to ensure the commercial use of Guyana’s forest resources through the processing of a wide range of finished products. The forensic audit report said that during the period 2007 to 2012, BaiShan Lin was cutting and exporting raw lumber without processing it or creating value added products. This was a complete contradiction of its Investment Agreement. The forensic auditors said that it is evident that BaiShan Lin’s real objective was to export raw lumber. Nevertheless, BaiShan Lin still
benefited from concessions totaling $1.8B during the period under review 2011-2015. In another instance, the forensic auditors flagged the operations of Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc. which was incorporated in 2011 to establish a wood processing operation at Diamond East Bank Demerara. The auditors said that the company was granted concessions in August 2012 but has since failed to honour its part of the Investment Agreement signed in July 2012 which was to establish and operate a wood processing facility. The concessions granted to Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc.; was over $60M. Forensic auditors also found that Vaitarna Holding Private Incorporated (VHPI) was in breach of its Investment Agreement. They said that according to the agreement, the company committed to setting up a wood processing fa-
cility at Wineperu, Potaro, Siparuni in Region Eight. As at July 31, last year, the wood processing facility was not engaged in any significant production of wood products. Furthermore, the forensic audits said that an examination of the files of just those few investors revealed that Guyana did not benefit from concessions granted to these Investors since they all breached their Investment Agreements without any sanctions. The concessions for those investors are worth more than $2 billion.
Junior Minister of Finance Jaipaul Sharma said that some of the most glaring irregularities have been unearthed at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). Sharma told Kaieteur News that of all the forensic audits which were conducted, the instances of suspected fraud were many and should be easy for the investigating authorities to bring criminal charges against those that are implicated. It was for this reason that the audit report into that entity was not released to the public, according to Sharma. He stated that should the report be released there is every possibility that persons will take flight from the jurisdiction to evade prosecution. The economist explained that there were systemic and continued malpractices at that entity. A number of senior as well as auxiliary staff have been fingered in malfeasance and major moves can be expected soon. Sharma said that many of those that have been fingered may no longer be under the employ of the GRDB. He did say that many senior staff have been involved in suspicious undertakings and that this may have been going on for some time. Further there were even instances where auxiliary staff dabbled in questionable dealings. Sharma said that it might have been that they did
not know what they were involved with and could have been heeding the instructions of their superiors. However, Sharma said that it is left to the police and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to determine and that the public should be patient with the investigation. Added to that there are other entities that have been fingered that may have been colluding with those involved in irregularities at the GRDB. Sharma explained that even sections of the Ministry of Agriculture have been implicated in this investigation and there is a lot of work that is invested into an investigation of this mag-
Families, friends congregate for the... From page 3 blasting from the big music sets standing tall in the trays of the pickup trucks driving slowly in front of them. For the residents of Brickdam, the new parade route reignited the feeling of Christmas, except with much more noise and lots of colourful attractions heading east, to D'Urban Park. Many made full use of the day to bond. They invited their relatives and friends over for hearty lunches, and enjoyed drinks- virgin and not so virgin, in the comforts of their own verandas. “At first, I seh it would've been an inconvenience to get all the commotion going on right out-
UG to open a new school From page 9 activities that’s why I will be taking a proposal to the university council on March 30, about tuition, I don’t know how much yet but I want to let people know that this notion of expecting it to be cheap or free is not commensurate with quality and we want to
Junior Minister of Finance Jaipaul Sharma
nitude. Upon entering Government in May 2015, the David Granger-led administration immediately ordered a forensic audit into the GRDB which is the authority charged with overseeing the rice industry throughout the country. More than six years ago, Guyana entered a groundbreaking agreement with Venezuela trading rice for oil. Under the agreement, Guyana would advance a portion of the oil money on every shipment to Venezuela and pay the rest over a number of years at a minimal interest rate. The money to be paid to Venezuela was kept in special accounts. Guyana in turn shipped hundreds of thousands of tonnes of paddy and white rice and would ever so often cancel out the payments. It appeared that GRDB kept large sums of money in its accounts, lending some of it out without proper paperwork. Additionally, over a three to four-year period, more than US$500M from the Petro Caribe proceeds (Venezuela ricefor-oil deal) would have passed through the accounts of the entity. Among some of the “anomalies” found were loans without proper paperwork or promissory notes. There were other instances of persons in the agency using GRDB monies to trade in foreign currency.
build a quality university,” the Chancellor said. According to Dr Davis, if you establish the usual traditional School of Business what you are typically doing is providing workers. What this School of Business wants to do is provide entrepreneur and entrepreneurial thinkers.
side, because I get children and so, right? But it turned out to be good. It turned out nice, because I didn't have to tug them along in the big crowds,” Ashanti Fitzpatrick told Kaieteur News. She added, “Plus, as soon as they get lil uncomfortable and start crying and so, I just carry them in the room and put them to sleep,” the mother of three young children said. Meanwhile, the more mature audiences, thinking carefully about the threats of rain, erected tents along the parade route. There, many of them sat on plastic chairs reminiscing about their Mashramani experi-
ences- comparing their younger selves, to the teenagers that were walking past. “Some ah these mini pants and skirts lil too mini fuh these girls that look much too li'l to wear them,” one elderly woman was heard saying. Eventually, the cloudy skies became much darker, and the streets became cleared of the crowd. The final leg of the judging of the floats was wrapping up, and it was the end of what is usually the most energetic part of the Republic Day celebration. Happy Mashramani! (Rehana Ahamad)
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Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Iraqi forces storm Mosul airport, military base
Iraqi army launch a rocket towards Islamic State militants during a battle with Islamic State militants near Ghozlani military complex, south of Mosul, Iraq yesterday. (REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani) (Reuters) U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces captured Mosul airport from Islamic State yesterday, advancing on multiple fronts towards the jihadists’ last major stronghold in the western half of the city. The troops have gained ground rapidly in outlying areas south of the city, Iraq’s second largest, since launching a new phase of a fourmonth offensive to terminate Islamic State’s territorial holdings in the country. Elite counter terrorism forces joined the battle on Thursday in the southwest, entering the Ghozlani army base and pushing towards the districts of Tal al-Rayyan and al-Mamoun. Federal police and an elite interior ministry unit known as Rapid Response drove Humvees flying Iraqi flags into the perimeter of the airport, and state television later said they had taken full control of the heavily damaged facility. Islamic State fought back with suicide car bombs, drones carrying grenades and mortars, Reuters correspondents in the area said. The burnt corpses of two militants and the motorcycle from which they had fired at Iraqi forces were lying under a tree, apparently hit by an air strike. “Daesh (Islamic State) resistance is not inconsiderable but they are trying to save their strength for inside the city,” First Lieutenant Ahmed alGhalabi of the Rapid Response force said outside the airport’s main entrance. Iraqi forces hope to repair the airport and use it as a base from which to drive the militants from Mosul’s western districts where around
750,000 people are believed to be trapped. The United Nations has warned up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive and that residents are already suffering from food and fuel shortages. A Reuters correspondent saw more than 100 civilians, mostly women and children, fleeing towards Iraqi security forces from the district of alMamoun. Several were wounded and at least one, wrapped in a blanket and carried on the back of a donkey, appeared to be dead, casualties of Islamic State mortars and roadside bombs. “Daesh fled when counter terrorism Humvees reached al-Mamoun. We were afraid and we decided to escape towards the Humvees,” Ahmed Atiya, one of the escaped civilians, said. “We were afraid of the shelling.” Troops directed the civilians to safety and medical care as mortars landed nearby. One soldier offered an elderly shepherd two cigarettes, which are banned by Islamic State. NARROWALLEYWAYS Iraqi forces launched the new offensive on Sunday after they finished clearing militants from eastern Mosul in January and redeployed to the other side of the Tigris river that bisects the city. Yesterday, counter-terrorism troops captured the Ghozlani base close to the Baghdad-Mosul highway, which includes barracks and training grounds, a CTS spokesman told Reuters. The airport and the base, which Islamic State fighters seized when they overran
Mosul in 2014, have been heavily damaged by air strikes intended to wear down the militants ahead of the offensive, a senior Iraqi official said. The campaign involves a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Shi’ite militias and Sunni tribal fighters. It is backed by an international coalition that provides vital air support as well as on-theground guidance and training. Western advisers were seen close to the clashes at the airport as well as some 2 km (1 mile) behind the frontline. One Rapid Response officer asked them for advice about which route to take to the airport. Coalition troops fired intermittently at Islamic State targets from inside MRAPs (mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles). The U.S. military commander in Iraq has said he believes U.S.-backed forces will retake both of Islamic State’s urban bastions - the other is the Syrian city of Raqqa - within six months, which would end the jihadists’ ambitions to rule and govern significant territory. Losing Mosul could spell the end of the Iraqi side of militants’ self-styled caliphate in those countries, which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi declared from the city in 2014. Iraqi commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult than the east, however, in part because tanks and armored vehicles cannot pass through narrow alleyways that crisscross the city’s ancient western districts.
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Kaieteur News
Malaysia requests Interpol alert on four North Koreans over airport murder (Reuters) Malaysia has requested Interpol to put an alert out to apprehend four North Korean suspects in the murder of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Malaysia’s police chief said yesterday. Kim Jong Nam, who was killed in Kuala Lumpur’s main airport on Feb. 13, had spoken out publicly in the past against his family’s dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed state. South Korean and U.S. officials say he was assassinated by North Korean agents. North Korea has not acknowledged his death. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the two women - one Vietnamese, one Indonesian - arrested last week had been paid for carrying out the fatal assault on Kim Jong Nam using a fast-acting poison. He declined to say if they had been used by a foreign intelligence agency. Police are also holding
one North Korean man, but are seeking another seven in connection with the murder. Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Kim Uk Il, an employee of state-owned airline Air Koryo, are among three North Koreans wanted for questioning who are still believed to be in Malaysia. Khalid told reporters that a request had been made to Interpol to put out an alert to apprehend the other four, who are believed to have made their way back to North Korea, having fled Malaysia on the day of the killing. Khalid said a police request has been sent to the North Korean embassy requesting to interview the diplomat and airline employee. “If you have nothing to hide, you should not be afraid to cooperate, you should cooperate,” Khalid said. He said an arrest warrant would not be issued for the embassy official, as he has diplomatic immunity, but that
“the process of the law will take place” if the airline official does not come forward. Earlier yesterday, an official from the North Korea embassy in Kuala Lumpur said no formal request to interview either man had been received, and he did not respond when asked if the em-
bassy would cooperate should it receive one. Meantime, Indonesia has sought consular access to Siti Aishah, the Indonesian woman held in detention. “I have instructed our foreign minister to provide assistance...and protection to Siti Aishah through a law-
yer. So there can be some clarity on whether or not she is a victim,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in Jakarta. DIPLOMATIC ROW A friendship between Malaysia and North Korea, going back to the 1970s, has soured in the wake of Kim Jong Nam’s murder.
North Korea unsuccessfully tried to prevent an a u t o p s y, a c c u s i n g M a laysia of working with South Korean and other “hostile forces.” Malaysia responded by recalling its ambassador to Pyongyang for consultations.
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 24, 2017
Friday February 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Upset at Trump, Mexico voices ‘worry and irritation’ to U.S. envoys (Reuters) Mexico yesterday expressed “worry and irritation” about U.S. policies to two of President Donald Trump’s top envoys, giving a chilly reply to the new administration’s hard line on immigration, trade and security. The U.S. government this week angered Mexico by saying it was seeking to deport many illegal immigrants to Mexico if they entered the United States from there, regardless of their nationality. It is the latest point of friction between neighbors that have also been at odds over Trump’s vow to build a wall on the border and his attempts to browbeat Mexico into giving concessions on trade. “There exists among Mexicans worry and irritation about what are perceived to be policies that could be harmful for the national interest and for Mexicans here and abroad,” Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told a news conference. He was speaking after talks in the Mexican capital with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security chief John Kelly, who later met with President Enrique Pena Nieto. The Mexican leader scrapped a summit meeting with Trump in January as tensions rose. Both sides on Thursday pledged further dialogue on migration, trade and security issues. Kelly and Tillerson were
more measured in their words than either the Mexicans or Trump, who on Thursday said a military operation was being carried out to clear “bad dudes” such as gang members and drug lords from the United States. But Kelly said there would be “no use of military force in immigration operations,” and “no, repeat, no” mass deportations. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump’s comment was meant to describe the “flawless” manner that U.S. immigration a nd border authorities worked. ‘A COMPLEX TIME’ Looking stern as he stood beside the U.S. visitors, Videgaray said it is “a complex time” for U.S.-Mexican relations, which have gone downhill quickly since Trump’s election last November. Videgaray and Pena Nieto have been criticized at home for being too willing to engage with Trump, who has repeatedly cranked up tension with the country ahead of key meetings. Opposition politicians and a handful of protesters demanded that Pena Nieto should snub the visitors, and even Economy Minister Idelfonso Guajardo had said the meeting with the president on Thursday might not happen, depending on the tone of the talks in the morning. Mexico relies heavily on
exports to its neighbor. But stakes are also high for the United States, not least because a breakdown in relations with Mexico could affect extensive cooperation on the fight against narcotics and on stemming the flow of Central American illegal immigrants that reach the U.S. border. The two countries need to streng t h e n i n t e l l i g e n c e sharing, as well as take more action to stem the flow of weapons and drug money from the United States and to shut down criminal organizations, Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said. “Mexico needs the United States, and the United States also needs Mexico, our countries will always be neighbors so the best thing would be to have agreements that work for both equally,” Osorio Chong said. In a concession to Mexican concerns, both Kelly and Tillerson acknowledged the need to stop arms and drug proceeds moving south, and praised Mexico’s extensive programs to turn back Central American immigrants traveling north. “There is no mistaking that the rule of law matters along both sides of our border,” Tillerson said. None of the officials made direct references to the deportation of immigrants from third countries to Mexico, or to paying for the border wall planned by Trump, a red-flag issue for Mexico.
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Kaieteur News
Budapest 2024 snub highlights need... Guyana to face Antigua in first playoff... (From page 34) attract a new batch of medium-sized potential hosts, has seemingly failed to halt the exodus. “We need to take a long look at what we need to improve,” IOC member Adam Pengilly, a former Olympic skeleton athlete, told Reuters. “Agenda 2020 has moved things forward and it needs to continue. “It is obviously disappointing that Budapest pulled out. Hungary has a great Olympic history and it is disappointing that they decided not to remain in the competition.” More than 200,000 Hungarians signed a petition against a possible Budapest Games that was supposed to be a new model of Olympics in mid-sized cities. Since Agenda 2020 was introduced, the two bid campaigns have both resulted in
just two cities slugging it out, after eight would-be hosts dropped out of the 2022 and 2024 races. Oslo, Stockholm, Krakow and Lviv withdrew from the 2022 winter Games. In addition, Munich and St Moritz had fledgling bid proposals shot down by local referendum defeats. Most of the cities that have dropped out of the last two campaigns have been from Europe, the Lausannebased IOC’s home turf. “Obviously there is an issue there with European nations putting their hat in the ring and then pulling out,” Pengilly said. “A lot of thought needs to go into how we address it.” The IOC have said they are looking at changes to the bid process to avoid having “too many losers”. “We have to take into consideration that the proce-
dure as it is now produces too many losers,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in December. “It is not the purpose of an Olympic candidate city procedure to produce losers.” After the latest Olympic snub those changes seem imperative, with increased calls for the IOC in September to make a double award of the 2024 and 2028 Games to Los Angeles and Paris or vice versa. Supporters of such a move say it would provide stability over a longer period of time and eliminate any “losers”. But it would also automatically exclude any other cities which might consider bidding for 2028, with Qatar’s Doha and a Russian city already seen as likely candidates. Awarding the Games 11 years in advance also implies increased financial and political uncertainty.
(From page 33) United States Virgin Islands. They had raced to a 6-0 lead by the third and final quarter but were stunned when the USVI fired in three unanswered goals almost causing panic in the Antigua camp. The biggest upset of yesterday and possibly the tournament was when Guadeloupe stormed into the quarter finals with an upset 4-3 win over powerhouse Canada in the first match of the day, thus denying the Canadians a quarter final berth. In a match that both teams needed to win to advance, produced a see saw tussle which saw Guadeloupe going ahead before Canada equalised then went ahead; Guadeloupe then equalised at
3-3 before hitting in the winning goal to seal their final eight place while relegating a dejected Canada to the playoffs. Mexico, like the Bahamas ended the group stage with an unblemished record of three wins apiece following their 10-0 demolition of Barbados. El Salvador hammered Costa Rica 8-2 in another match yesterday to top Group D. The final match of the Group last night featured Panama against Turks and Caicos Islands; a win for the Panamanians would see them sealing the other spot from the group into the quarter finals. Panama came back and hammered Turks and Caicos Islands 8-4, the score was tied at 4-4 going into the final pe-
riod. So Panama advanced. Trinidad and Tobago and the USA which both have qualified for the final 8 were set to play the final game of the night to decide who would top the group.The Bahamas had defeated Jamaica 3-2 in the feature match on Wednesday night with the home fans braving the rain and cold conditions to come out by the hundreds to cheer their team on. The BFA Soccer Stadium at Malcolm Park is constructed alongside the beach. Already booking quarter finals berths are, from Group A host Bahamas and Jamaica, Group B, Mexico and Guadeloupe; Group C, USA and Trinidad & Tobago and Group D, El Salvador.
Barbados cricket Museum turns 10... (From page 38) visitors all come here (Museum) since the icons are all well known in England,” the CEO informed. Asked if he was satisfied with how things are after 10 years Payne said, “Yes and no. There is still room for improvement and we are now looking for a sponsor. Barbados is well known for honor-
ing its cricketing heroes and we are able to sustain this with support from the Government, who treat it as a business venture and from Museum sales and admittance fees,” Payne concluded. The stands at the Kensington Oval are adorned with names of their famous cricketers while the name of Cozier is on the Media Centre
and a statue of the great Sir Gary is a tourist attraction outside the ground. Payne said Barbados has the replica and would be willing to share it with the rest of the Region. Grenada has a smaller cricket Museum.
DCC Members respond... (From page 37) fraternity. Having regard of the foregoing, it is a sad commentary that the not-so intellectual authors of the article published in Sunday February 19, Stabroek news who has not contributed anything of significance to the growth and development of the club (including some executives) who are only interested in photo opportunities and constant publicity so as to advance their own worth and not that of the club. These naysayers must be called out for what they are and should be exposed for, if not, they will have sullied the reputation of a successful President and furthermore the high esteem in which the club is held. Incidentally the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Annual General Meeting is schedule for 6th of March, 2017 of which due notice was given by publication in the Kaieteur News paper on the 19th February, 2017. Yours faithfully, Members – Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).
Friday February 24 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Now is the time for completing hobbies that you've been working on for a long time. You should make sure that your personal papers are in order. You will be able to work with fine detail today. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You must not let fellow workers take advantage of your fine talents. Educational pursuits can bring interesting, helpful people. Try not to lend or borrow money today. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Ideas may sound good, but be careful if people are just looking for handouts. Don't overextend yourself in the process. Take time to deal with legal documents and the affairs of people who you may be indebted to. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Older family members may try to put unreasonable demands on you. Visitors may relieve the tension. Do things with your children and avoid situations that make you feel as if you've neglected the ones you love. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. You will impress new friends and acquaintances with your intellectual wit. Find out what they're up to, and see if you can pick up where you left off. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Travel will be fun, but expect
it to cost you. You must look into your options. Romantic opportunities will be plentiful if you go out with friends. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You can make adjustments in your domestic scene today. Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will be inclined to make unwise investment choices. Try not to lend or borrow money or belongings today. Not everything you hear will be legitimate. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A new you could help your attitude. Look into the cost factor, but don't try to get backing yet. Spend some time on yourself. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Invo l v e m e n t i n f i t n e s s clubs will be conducive to engaging romantic connections. Unexpected bills may set you back. Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You will get drawn into groups that are not favorable to you. You can make drastic changes in your professional direction today. Take the day to relax and pamper yourself. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pleasure trips will be emotionally favorable. You can meet friends who will let you know how valuable you are. Concentrate on work or make changes to yourself.
Friday February 24, 2017
Carmel Secondary overcome East Ruimveldt Secondary by 10 wkts Carmel Secondary defeated East Ruimveldt Secondary by 10 wickets when the Forbes Burnham Foundation Secondary School Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently at the National Gymnasium. Playing of the male category, East Ruimveldt Secondary batted first and scored 119 without loss with Dequana Bamfield scoring 73 and Carlos Pollard 18. Carmel Secondary responded with 123 with out lost. Shaquille Baptist struck 60, while Randy Hargobin got 55. Patentia Secondary beat Stewartville Secondary by 47 runs. Patentia Secondary took first strike and managed 1441. Parmanand Goomtiprasad stroked 64, while Denesh Persaud made 58. Stewartville Secondary replied with 97-3. R y a n B o o d r a m s c o r e d 5 4 . Brickdam Secondary beat Marian Academy by 22 runs. Brickdam secondary took first strike and made 122 with out lost. Kareem Whitney hit 72 and Darren Elias got 27. Marian Academy replied with 100 without loss. Romlo Dematine cracked 54 and Timothy Dos Ramas 22. Leonora Secondary overcame Stewartville by nine wickets. Stewartville Secondary took first turn at the crease and mustered 45-5. Ryan Boodram and Devrit Simboo got 12 each and Shem Petrie 10. Leonora Secondary responded with 46-1. Trevayne Mohabir made 25 and Kevin Christian 17. President’s College thumped LBI Secondary by 58 runs. President’s College batted first and posted 117-1. Rajendra Singh cracked 79 and Keeran Samaroo 28. LBI were sent packing for 59-4 in reply. Annandale Secondary beat Friendship Secondary by ten wickets. Friendship Secondary made 76-3 taking first strike. Annandale Secondary scored 79 without los in response. Jonathan Findlay struck 52 and Daniel Mangru got 27. The Business School lost to L’ Adventure by seven wickets. Batting first, The Business School made 74-6; Matthero Mohammed scored 35, Shamar Mc Lean 20, Raphael Haley 13. Bowling for L’Aventure Secondary Vishal John had 3-6. L’Aventure reply with 75-3, Vishal John got 37. In the female segment, Leonora Secondary got the better of Stewartville Secondary by 11 runs. Batting first, Leonora Secondary made 102-2. Stacy Adams got 40 while Mavriea Robinson and Shakira Shaffeek contributed 25 each. Stewartville Secondary responded with 91-5; Crystal Ramdat made 20. Tucville Secondary overcame East Ruimveldt Secondary by nine wickets. East Ruimveldt were limited to 67-5. Shania Hope made 18, Aalyiah Blackman supported with 14 and Sara Reynolds 12. Akeisha Alleyne and Shellon Bobb took two wickets each. Tucville Secondary replied with 72-1. Chila Pollard hit 27; Janeika Hacket got 15 and Alleia Alleyne 13. St, John’s College went down to Carmel Secondary by nine wickets. Saint John’s College scored 54-5, taking first knock. Moyuka Carmicheal made 20, Ann – Neisha Wright got 12. Carmel Secondary responded with 56-1, Indera Amardeo hit 24 and Seleana Thom 23. Camillie’s Institute for Business & Science Studies defeated Xenon Academy 18 runs. Camillie’s Institute for Business & Science Studies managed 117 with out lost taking first strike. Alicea D a v i d s o n s l a m m e d 6 6 a n d A n g e l Yo u n g 3 6 . Xenon Academy were restricted to 99-3 in reply; Sanyra Ganesh made 28 and Rebecca Isaac 22. Diamond Secondary beat LBI Secondary by nine wickets. Batting first, L B I Secondary got to 68-2, Darshanie Gopal made 19, Britney Saccho 11. Diamond Secondary replied with 69-1; Ashenna Alli made 38 and Malicia Fraser assisted with 16. East Ruimveldt got the better of Patentia Secondary by nine wickets. Patentia Secondary scored 82 with out lost, batting first. Owedada Fraser scored 41 and Hemwattie P e r s a u d 2 4 . East Ruimveldt Secondary responded with 85-1, Sarah Reynolds hit 40 and Shania Hope contributed 19. L’Adventure Secondary overcame Leonora Secondary. Leonora Secondary made 105-1, taking first knock. Stacy Adams led with 66 while Chandni Jimangal made 25. L’Aventure Secondary responded with 107; Dayane Singh struck 55 and Treshana Campton 18.
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Kaieteur News
National U-18 basketball team depart for IBF 3X3 Finals
Guyana’s National U-18 3X3 Basketball Team with Coach, Andrew Hercules (right) pose for a photo opportunity after arriving in St. Lucia yesterday. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) qualified to participate in the International Basketball
Federation (IBF) Lesser Antilles 3X3 Finals in St. Lucia, February 25-27 and as such a five-member contingent departed
yesterday. The delegation/team compromises: Stanton Rose (Captain), Jonathan Mangra, Jamal Gilkes and Timothy
Thompson. The Coach is Andrew Hercules. Dennis Clarke is expected to join the team today as an Assistant Coordinator.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships
Guyana to face Antigua in first playoff match; Guadeloupe stun Canada for final 8 spot By Franklin Wilson in the Bahamas with the compliments of Ringbang, Crown Mining Supplies, Fazia’s Collection, Fitness E x p r e s s , G e r m a n ’s Restaurant and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. After narrowly missing on a quarter final berth to Jamaica on goal difference, Guyana must now focus its attention on leaving the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Champions here in Nassau Bahamas with a good ranking, the first time the nation would be ranked in the Beach Soccer world. Already creating history by being the first male team for the Land of many Waters to make it to a CONCACAF finals whilst also registering its first win (4-1 over Belize), the Abdullah Hamid Coached Golden Jaguars of the beach will now fancy their chances of ending on a high. Their first opponent will be Antigua and Barbuda and up to press time it was not
known what time the match would be today as the organisers were awaiting the completion of all group matches before setting the playoff matches. Hamid, commenting on the performance of the team following their victory over Belize said that he was proud of the boys as they played with more purpose, noting that playing at this level for the first time affected their performances in the first two matches as they still had some butterflies to overcome. ”I had a lot of discussions with them individually trying to get them physic-up for battle at this level, pointing out that this was serious business with GFF investing and expecting that they would represent well. I told them they needed to rise to the occasion because I know they can play the game, and they responded well.” Hamid noted that the win was a plus for Guyana and can only do well for the sport going forward.
”This victory means a lot to us, we can only go back and support the sport and ensure that it is spread around Guyana and have more persons being involved which would allow the sport to grow. Next time around we would have a bigger pool that we can invest in and play more tournaments.” Amid posited that they are aiming to stay in the single file of ranking within CONCACAF. ”We don’t want to get over twelve we want to stay
under ten so we are hoping that the draws that we have to play our next three games can be teams we played before or even weaker teams on the other side since we came out third in our group.” We l l , A n t i g u a a n d Barbuda which the Guyanese defeated at the Barbados Festival two weeks will be the next opponent today. The Antiguans won their last Group match yesterday also via a 6-3 margin over the (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
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Britain’s Amir Khan in negotiations with Manny Pacquiao
In 2015, Khan said he was being lined up to fight Pacquiao, but that the veteran did not want to face him. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - In 2015, Khan said he was being lined up to fight Pacquiao, but that the veteran did not want to face him. Britain’s Amir Khan is in talks with Manny Pacquiao to be the WBO world welterweight champion’s next title challenger, both boxers have said. P a c q u i a o ’s Tw i t t e r followers recently voted
Khan, 30, as the opponent they would like to see him fight next. Khan beat fellow Briton Kell Brook, Australia’s Jeff Horn and American Terence Crawford with 48% of the vote. He said on Twitter: “Currently negotiating with Manny #teampacquiao. Coming soon. Watch this space!”
Six-weight world champion Pacquaio, who said his next fight will be in the United Arab Emirates, added: “My team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight. Further announcement coming soon.” The 38-year-old Filipino retired in April, but returned to claim the belt by beating Jessie Vargas in November.
Sparta Boss win New Era Clash of Champions at MSC Hard court
The winning Sparta Boss team share the moment with the organisers following the conclusion of the final. T h e N e w Entertainment/Eyefull Entertainment, Stag Beer Futsal Clash of the Champions at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard court saw Sparta Boss defeating D a v e a n d C e l e n a ’s Hustlers 13-12 in a close contest to win the twogame grand finale 2-0.
The last leg of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) approved event was played at the Linden venue after the first was contested in Georgetown. Sparta led by hat-tricks from Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Devon ‘The Tormentor ’ Millington, brushed aside the Hustlers
challenge 12-7 in the first outing. The pair was key in the last victory despite a tenacious battle from the Hustlers. In other action Town bus defeated Town cars 8-2. The Silver Bullets and Good Fellas game did not come off.
Friday February 24, 2017
Budapest 2024 snub highlights need for Olympic changes, insiders say (Reuters) Budapest’s withdrawal from bidding for the 2024 summer Olympics, a process already marred by a string of exits, highlights the need for changes to the Games model, insiders say. The Olympic Games were once the most hotly contested sports commodity in the world, but in recent years the IOC have seen the bidding process turn into a carousel of early exits, with cities scared off by costs, size or local opposition. Hungary pulled out on Wednesday, citing a lack of political and national unity, leaving Los Angeles and Paris in a two-horse race ahead of the IOC vote in September. “The IOC must become more courageous in defending its product and the Olympic values,” said Stratos Safioleas, a longtime Olympic consultant who has worked on several bids and host cities,
The Hungarian Parliament is seen with the Olympic logo at a promotional spot as the Hungarian capital bids for the 2024 Olympic Games, in central Budapest, Hungary, January 31, 2017. (REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh/File Photo) including Rome’s shortlived 2024 campaign. “There has to be a serious discussion to make it clear that organizing the Games has transformative powers for the cities. The IOC also needs to tell those bidding that there are benefits when doing so even if they are not chosen.” So far four cities,
including Boston, Hamburg and Rome, have dropped out despite a string of changes agreed back in 2014 to make the Olympics more attractive. MASS EXODUS Agenda 2020, a set of 40 IOC reforms aimed at reducing the cost, size and complexity of the Games to (Continued on page 32)
Berbice female cricket strong because of RHTY&SC, Metro Investment – Campbelle Captain of the victorious Berbice female cricket team, Shemaine Campbelle has hailed the investment of her Club, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S and Metro Office Supplies as the main reason for the success of the team. The captain, who stroked a majestic century in the final to lead her team to inter- county glory, stated that the RHTY&SC, M.S single handed responsible for the high standard of female cricket by having the only female cricket team in Guyana and also making sure that the players are given the opportunity to improve their skills on a daily basis under the guidance of hardworking coach, Delbert Hicks. Campbelle stated that the inter-county championship was the result of team work and a determination to be successful despite the off the f i e l d d r a m a a ff e c t i n g Berbice cricket. She praised the hard work of Berbice female coach Andre Percival and Manager Abigail Shultz for keeping the team focused. Special mention was made of Erva Giddings,
Treymayne Smartt, Kanata Mentore, Sheneeta Grimmond, Meliane Henry, Shabika Gajnabi, Sherica Campbelle and Plaffina Millington for their outstanding personal contributions. Campbelle, who captains the Metro female team, stated that the RHTY&SC, M.S stood all the cost of the Berbice team over the two weeks period and also provided balls, practice facilities and snacks. Nine members of the team – Campbelle, Giddings, Millington, Henry, Gajnabi, Sherica Campbelle, Dian Prahalad, Marian Samaroo and Grimmond are members of the RHTY&SC, M.S. The West Indies player disclosed that the female players practice on a daily basis under the guidance of coach Hicks and are involved in weekly practice matches against their male counterparts. She also issued an appeal to all cricket clubs in Guyana to follow in the footsteps of the RHTY&SC M.S and to form female teams as part of an effort to strengthen the game at the
female level. M e a n w h i l e , Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC Hilbert Foster has extended congrats to the Berbice Female team. Foster also stated that the RHTY&SC, M.S would continue to invest heavy in female cricket as the girls continue to make the club proud. Last year the club produced two players for West Indies, six junior Guyana players, while nine of its junior players represented Guyana at the Under-19 level in Trinidad. The RHT Metro female team, Foster noted, plays against their male counterparts on a regular basis and this assists in their rapid development as all the matches are played on a very competitive basis. Additionally female players are also exposed on a rapid basis to internal club training on their role as sports ambassadors and role models to their peers. Special thank was expressed to the Management of Metro Office Supplies and its Chief Executive Officer Avia Lindee for their investment in the team.
Kaieteur News
Friday February 24, 2017
PAGE 39
Paceman Umesh takes four as India restrict Australia Mitchell Starc remained unbeaten on 57, India v Australia, 1st Test, Pune, 1st day, ©AFP
Matt Renshaw looks on after defending a ball, India v Australia, 1st Test, Pune, 1st day, ©AFP PUNE, INDIA (Reuters) Paceman Umesh Yadav claimed four wickets on a pitch that offered big turn to help India restrict Australia to 256 for nine after the touring side had made a solid start on the opening day of t h e f o u r- m a t c h s e r i e s yesterday. Paceman Mitchell Starc, who would be expected by Australia to play a role similar to that of Umesh with the ball, smashed an unbeaten 57 to frustrate the hosts and take his team past 250. Earlier, David Warner
made 38 and added 82 for the first wicket with Matt Renshaw after captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat against a spin-heavy India. Smith said he expected turn from the very first ball on the dry pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in the Western Indian city of Pune, a venue making its debut as a test centre. India captain Virat Kohli appeared to agree with his counterpart, bringing on spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin, the top-ranked test
bowler, in just the second over of the day. After four overs from paceman Ishant Sharma, Kohli opted to utilise spin from both ends when he brought on Jayant Yadav against the left-handed duo. The sparse crowd thought Jayant had bowled Warner around his legs for 20, but the off-spinner had overstepped the crease and it was called a no-ball. UMESH STRIKES Warner and Renshaw were able to put loose balls away before Kohli brought on his other paceman,
NBA trailblazer Yao elected CBA president (Reuters) Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming was elected president of the Chinese Basketball Association yesterday. The 36-year-old, China’s most successful basketball export, became the first non-government official to lead the sport’s national governing body, state news agency Xinhua said. Yao was confirmed president at a CBA congress in Beijing on Thursday, a report posted on the CBA’s Weibo account said. Local media said he was elected unanimously. The 7ft-6in Shanghaiborn center Yao was the top overall draft pick in 2002 and played nine seasons for the Rockets until retiring in 2011 after injuries began taking their toll. He bought the professional Shanghai Sharks team in 2009 and has
been an active power-broker in Chinese basketball since retiring from the NBA. Yao said at the congress he would sell his stake in the Shanghai Sharks before next season and pursue a reform agenda for the professional league, state media reported. “After being regrouped as a full-fledged nong o v e r n m e n t a l organization, we have to better study our own situation while learning from overseas expertise to work out our way to develop the game in China,” the China Daily quoted him as saying. The first Chinese player to carve out a successful career in the NBA, Yao became his country’s most globally recognized athlete and an inspiration for millions of compatriots in the NBAmad country. He was inducted into the
NBA Hall of Fame last year and the Rockets retired his number 11 jersey earlier this month. The domestic CBA league has increasingly become a lucrative destination for foreign players but critics have complained they deny local talents development pathways. Yao has lamented in the past that local players are unable to capture the imagination of some of the imports, who include former NBA All-star Stephon Marbury, who plays for the Beijing Ducks. “ We n e e d t o d o something to help local b a s k e t b a l l g r o w. Yo u can’t always rely on the foreign basketball players to come and help with your marketing and all that,” Yao told the Wall Street Journal in a 2012 interview.
Umesh, in the 28th over. Umesh needed just two deliveries to break the opening stand when Warner dragged the ball onto his stumps. Australia then took an ultra-defensive approach against a side unbeaten in their last 19 tests, but more chances eventually came India’s way. Smith and Shaun Marsh added 37 for their stand in almost 20 overs before the latter was caught down the leg side attempting to sweep Jayant. The hosts struck two
quick blows when left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Peter Handscomb (22) leg before after the right-handed batsman had added 30 runs with Smith. In the next over, Ashwin lured Smith into a drive taken by Kohli at midwicket to dismiss the world’s topranked test batsman for 27. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh did not last long either, out leg before to Jadeja for four. Renshaw, who had to leave the field in the morning with an upset stomach, returned to the crease to hit
68 before he was caught out at slip off Ashwin. Umesh dismissed Matthew Wade for eight before taking the wickets of Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Ly o n i n s u c c e s s i v e deliveries. Australia were boosted by Starc late on as the lefthander smashed five fours and three sixes to add 51 for the unbroken final wicket with number 11 batsman Josh Hazlewood, not out on one. Scores: Australia 256 for 9 (Renshaw 68, Starc 57*, Umesh 4-32 ) v India.
Umesh Yadav celebrates after taking the wicket of Matthew Wade, India v Australia, 1st Test, Pune, 1st day, ©AFP
Kaieteur News
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Friday February 24, 2017
Endurance Rental Cup
Gizmos and Gadgets/iRide, Monster Energy teams dominate -Rodrigues and Steffon Jeffrey thrill fans -G/ town Grand Prix set for tonight
Matthew Phang (left) and Kristian Jeffrey pose with their prizes after the presentation ceremony. Watched by a capacity crowd, Gizmos and Gadgets/iRide and Teams Monster Energy dominated their respective categories to emerge champions when the GT Motorsports in collaboration with Secure Innovations and Concepts held their second monthly Endurance Rental Cup, at the Guyana Motor Racing &
Sports Club (GMR&SC) in Thomas Lands. With the piercing sounds of music to usher in the Mashramani celebrations being heard from the neighbouring National Park, the 48 drivers that competed in the event displayed excellent concentration and stamina throughout the twohour endurance test in what
Winners of the 500 and 600lbs categories pose with their hardware and Monster Energy girls following the completion of the presentation ceremony on Wednesday evening. many described as another successful endeavour by the organisers. However, despite the teams receiving the overall accolades, the evening really belonged to 600lb Class competitors Carlos Rodrigues of Team Monster Energy and Stephon Jeffrey o f Te a m B r a v a , w h o provided fans with a sizzling
exhibition of skills, dexterity and mental toughness for almost the entire duration of their allotted time, exchanging positions with frequency, before Jeffrey crashed into the tyre wall on the backend of the track with four minutes remaining on the clock to wipe out the team’s chance of victory. The incident, which saw
Brazilian designer wins Hamilton helmet challenge SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND (Reuters) A competition to design Lewis Hamilton’s 2017 helmet has been won by a Brazilian who incorporated a tribute to Ayrton Senna in it along with three stars for the Formula One titles won by both the late Brazilian and Briton. Hamilton, who will unveil his new Mercedes race car to the world at Silverstone on Thursday, announced Rai Caldato, a professional designer, as the winner to his 3.8 million Instagram followers. “Rai evolves my layout by adding new stripe elements on the sides. As a tribute to my hero, Ayrton Senna, the helmet features the colors of Brazil — green, yellow and blue,” said the 32-year-old. “These are accompanied with the three stars that represent my Championship wins. “ T h e r e ’s y e l l o w throughout that reminds me of my helmets in the past.
Mercedes’ Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the race. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed) The candy apple red balances with the yellow very well,” he added. The design had 52,000 ‘likes’ within four hours. Hamilton challenged fans last month to design his race helmet for the season starting in Australia on March 26, with the winner meeting the driver and receiving a full-size replica.
Hamilton is the clear preseason favorite following the surprise retirement of German team mate and world champion Nico Rosberg last month. He has changed his helmet design several times over the years, racing with a yellow helmet in tribute to Senna in his early years and at McLaren. The colors
changed when he moved to Mercedes in 2013. Under Formula One’s regulations, a driver ’s helmet design must be substantially the same for the entire season — to ensure drivers can be distinguished easily — but one special version is allowed at a race of his choosing.
Jeffrey walk away injury free, did little to reduce the excitement the fans felt throughout their absorbing rivalry and only served to heighten anticipation for tonight’s showdown in the Georgetown Grand Prix that will see every man for himself. Rodrigues and his team that included Kian Jabour and Antonio DaSilva, completed the mandatory one hour of racing with a total of 85 laps, followed by Te a m S p e e d ( K a m a l Seebarran, Rameeze Mohamed and Clint Seebarran), also with 85 laps, but they were behind the leader when the clock stopped. Te a m E - R a c i n g , containing the trio of M a r c e l P r o ff i t , J a s o n Gonsalves and Denzel Hopkinson finished third, racking up 84 laps. Team Brava with drivers Stephon Jeffrey, Kristian Jeffrey and Shan Seejattan had to settle for the fourth spot. In the 500lb Class, Team Gizmos and Gadgets/iRide, winners of the inaugural event was again in dominant form as they raced to an easy victory. The team which consists of Matthew Phang, John Phang and Steven Nobrega completed 87 laps in the mandatory one hour of racing. The newly branded Team iCool of Matthew Vieira,
Elliott Vieira and Marcel Proffit occupied the second spot, followed by Team Derick Auto Sales, comprising Shane Haley, Michael Whitehead and Sachin Ramotar in third. Matthew Phang registered the fastest lap time in the 500lb Class (39.8 seconds), while Kristian Jeffrey was fastest in the 600lb Class with 40.4 seconds. They both received trophies, compliments of Auto Fashion, and a Karcher sweeper each. Apart from the beautiful trophies donated by Secure Innovation and Concepts and bragging rights for one month, the two category winners also received iCool tokens from ‘All in One’ Snack and Beverage Depot. Apart from the daredevilry that was presented on the track, those in attendance were given samples of iCool Juice and Monster Energy Drink. Meanwhile, all eyes will be focused on tonight’s Georgetown Grand Prix which is scheduled to be staged at the same venue, starting at 18:00hrs. Fans a r e b e i n g urged to get down at the motor racing facility to witness the skills of Canadian maestro Darryl Timmers and the Trinidad and Tobago father and daughter combination of Ravi and Bridget Singh. Admis s i o n i s f r ee.
Kaieteur News
Friday February 24, 2017
PAGE 41
Hamilton hails ‘awesome’ new Mercedes S I LV E R S T O N E , ENGLAND (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton declared his new Mercedes “pretty awesome” yesterday after lapping a blustery Silverstone circuit in the car he hopes will secure him a fourth Formula One world championship. “It felt incredible,” added the Briton, who finished runner-up last season behind now-retired team mate Nico Rosberg despite winning more of the 21 races. “Yesterday was the first time seeing the car come together. It’s the most detailed piece of machinery I’ve seen so far in Formula One. “The car feels wider, which it is obviously. The front tyres obviously feel huge,” added the 32year-old, who won 10 races in 2016 and starts the season with a new team mate in Finland’s Valtteri Bottas. Formula One has undergone big rule changes over the winter, with wider front and rear tyres and
different aerodynamics designed to make cars faster, more aggressive and harder to handle. Lap times should be several seconds quicker than 2016 with cornering speeds putting more G-forces on the drivers, who have had to bulk up and add muscle. Bottas, who has joined from Williams following Rosberg’s decision to retire only days after taking the title, has yet to win a grand prix. He has already said that he is not intending to play second fiddle to his team mate, however, and the pairing start on equal terms. “I think I have done the most amount of training of any winter so far. I have done some good training camps and feel in the best shape I’ve ever been, definitely ready for the season ahead,” said the Finn. The new car was first presented to fans online, with the drivers pulling the covers off the W08 behind
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton poses during the launch of the 2017 Mercedes Formula One Car. (Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic)
closed garage doors before it was wheeled out to the media shivering on the Silverstone straight. The team were then set to complete a limited 100km filming day in the afternoon with both drivers taking a turn.
Letter to the Sports Editor
DCC Members respond Dear Editor, In the interest of balance we, members of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) would like to respond to an article by Royston Alkins captioned - DCC members up in arms over non-staging of AGM, in Sunday 19th February, 2017 edition of the Stabroek News. This response is informed by an article which purports to indulge in the character assassination of Mr. Alfred Mentore – President of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) - by a few disgruntled members. Whilst we as members do not hold any brief for Mr. Mentore, nevertheless in keeping with principles of natural justice and the tenets o f f a i r p l a y, i t i s inconceivable that anyone would attempt to denigrate another whose track record could withstand the onslaught of those with their own selfish and selfcentered agendas. Indeed Mr. Mentore’s accomplishments at the helm of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) are legion and it is appropriate at this juncture to highlight but a few of his successes viz;
?We for our part can confirm that Mr. Mentore has honoured and maintained the credo of the club which is the production of National and International players of the glorious game of cricket. ?Another of his lofty ideals was to foster and perpetuate the core values and principles of the club transforming it into the premier club in Georgetown. ?During his stewardship DCC has won several competitions and its players have represented Guyana in under -15, under 17, under 19 and under - 21 tournaments both locally and internationally. ?Other members were selected to play for the West Indies and contracted to the Indian Premier League and also participated in the “sagicor high performance centre”. It is instructive to note that Mr. Mentore presided over the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) - Centennial celebrations which culminated with a formal “Black-Tie Ball” and also saw the production and attending publication of a Centennial Magazine. Coupled with this, Mr.
Mentore was continuously involved in the upgrading of the club’s facility and environs and was pivotal in forging strategic alliances with the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association resulting in the erection and installation of lights around the perimeter of the ground. Of great significance is the highly acclaimed Youth Programme together with Annual Camps which have initiated a seedbed function for junior and senior teams at the same time actively encouraging academic excellence in school. Of note is his policy of formulating partnerships and networking with the corporate Community to establish linkages with corporate brand-names. In the realm of finances it cannot be denied that Mr. Mentore has contributed millions of his own resources, to ensure the viability of the club. Mr. Editor, it is fair to say that the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) with Mr. Mentore’s initiative and intervention has grown exponentially and is now a house hold name among the Cricketing (Continued on page 32)
“The dominant feeling in the team right now is one of excitement - the factory is buzzing with anticipation,” said team boss Toto Wolff, whose team have won the last t h r e e d r i v e r ’s a n d
constructor’s titles. “It has been a really motivating challenge to develop a brand new car concept and I have never seen our determination to succeed higher than it is right now.”
Testing will start in Barcelona on Monday, with Bottas doing the first stint before handing over to Hamilton for the afternoon. The season starts in Australia on March 26.
Kaieteur News
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Friday February 24, 2017
Barbados cricket Museum turns 10, Government helps funding By Sean Devers The Cricket Legends of Barbados Inc is the brain child of a pair of 79 year-old f o r m e r We s t I n d i a n cricketers from Barbados; Rawle Branker and Sir Wesley Hall. Hall, a fearsome fast bowler, played 170 FirstClass matches including 48 Tests in which he captured 192 wickets with a best of 769 and made two half centuries. Hall represented both Barbados and Trinidad in Regional First-Class cricket and is a Pastor and former Minister of Tourism in the Barbados Government. Branker took 106 wickets with his left arm spin and made five centuries in 47 First-Class games and his 773 for West Indies against Kent in 1966 in England is the best bowling figures. They both played for Barbados in the mid 1950s up to the early 70s. The Cricket Legends of Barbados Inc started as an Act in Parliament and was agreed on by both sides of the House. In 2007, for the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Cricket Legends of Barbados Cricket Museum was launched with eight Barbadian Cricketing Icons
CEO of the Museum Kenneth Payne donating gear, balls and clothing from their playing days. “They wanted to do something to showcase the Legends at a time when many International teams and thousands of tourists would be in Barbados for the mega cricketing event,” informed the Museum’s CEO Kenneth Payne. The Museum, located ‘a stone’s throw’ away from Kensington Oval, accommodates a Restaurant, six rooms dealing with different aspects of West Indies cricket history and historical players. The facility creates a feeling of nostalgia for cricket lovers while providing entertainment and an
education in the history of West Indies cricket. There is also a gift shop which sells cricket memorabilia and the public gets a full tour for US$10. There is also a Cricket Legends Gift shop at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Among the ‘must see’ areas in the spacious and magnificently maintained Museum are the Portrait Gallery, Heritage room, where the guest sits and are told of the early days of West Indies cricket and what it meant to West Indians. There is also the Icons room where information and statistics about the great men is posted, the Press Gallery w h e r e t h e M e d i a ’s contribution to West Indies cricket over the years is highlighted by several Newspaper clippings pasted on the walls. There is even a portrait of Donna Simmons, the only female West Indian to do Radio commentary on Test cricket. A special room called ‘pace like fire’ is dedicated to Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith and another named the Sir Gary’s room in which there is a sculpture of the head of Barbados’ only living National Hero and that was used when he became the first batsman to six sixes in one over in First-Class cricket. In the waiting area there is a TV set which show various clips of the past players including
Sir Garfield Sobers room at the Museum.
Life size photos of the 3Ws Sir Frank Worrel, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weeks are among the attractions at the Museum. documentaries on Sir Gary, the 3Ws, Greenidge and Haynes which could also be bought for a cost ranging from US$75 to US$85 with the one of Sir Gary’s being sold for the highest price. The eight icons are Sir Gary Sobers, the world’s best all-rounder, along with former West Indies Tests players Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse, Sir Everton Weeks, Charlie Griffith, Joel Garner, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. “The Icons made donations, while other West Indian players from Barbados like Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne donated the bats they used in
their historic 2004 Champion Trophy winning partnership,” Payne informed. The Museum, reputed to be the second best cricket Museum in the world behind the one at Lords in England and better than the Bradman Museum in Australia, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and a gala event is being planned where the public can meet with the Legends. A road show is also on with the Icons going into schools across the 166 square mile Island and taking photos and signing autographs. “ We s p e n d a b o u t $10,000 (one million
Guyana dollars) per month on the overall cost of the museum for things like electricity bills, cleaning and paying of the staff among other things,” Payne explained. The Museum employs four full time staff including Museum Coordinator Alex Bridgeman. The facility is open from 11:00hrs to 17:00hrs daily. “The Government of Barbados has a contract to contribute 30% of the annual cost to run the Museum. The Government benefits by using their famous cricketers to market Barbados and earn tourism dollars. The English (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Friday February 24, 2017
PAGE 43
Colts top GABA Division I, U-23 ‘League of Champions’ National Basketball Champions, Bounty Colts won both the Division I and Under-23 titles of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘League of Champions’, wrapping up the Division I title Tuesday night in a clean sweep of Ravens. Colts managed to halt the offensive juggernaut of D y n a ’s R a v e n s f o r consecutive games to come away with a 60-50 win for the Division I title. The win ensured a two-game sweep in the best-of-three Final of the tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Division I category, guard Shelroy Thomas scored 16 points
with centre, Shane Webster adding 13 points and forward, Stanton Rose 11 points. The nippy guard, Dave Causway had nine points. For Ravens, a team that dropped 100-plus points and an 84-point in opposing teams on their way to the Final, Ryan Stephney scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Dominic Vi n c e n t e w a s a g a i n contained for 10 points. Meanwhile, in the U-23 Final, Ravens forced a game three that concluded Wednesday night with Colts eventually winning the title. On Tuesday night, Ravens won 62-55 with Shamar Huntley scoring 25 points and Rodill Wilson nine points.
Basketball Executive, SileenArjune (left) hands over the U-23 MVP Trophy to Jonathan Mangra at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
GABA President, Andrew Hercules (third, left) hands over the U-23 top Trophy to Colts while President of the Club, Michael Singh (right) also share the moment.
For Colts, MVP guard, Jonathan Mangra scored 12 points, while Orin Thomas had 11 points and eight rebounds. Double-double machine, Timothy Thompson only managed six points, but took down a mammoth 20 rebounds for Colts in the game.
t r o Sp Endurance Rental Cup
Gizmos and Gadgets/iRide, Monster Energy teams dominate -Rodrigues and Steffon Jeffrey thrill fans -G/ town Grand Prix set for tonight
Karters battle for supremacy during the staging of the monthly Endurance Rental Cup.
Jeffrey and Rodrigues: caption- The two daredevils Steffon Jeffrey (front) and Carlos Rodrigues that thrilled the fans on Wednesday night seen engaged in battle Wednesday evening.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships
Guyana to face Antigua in first playoff match; Guadeloupe stun Canada for final 8 spot
Some Canadian players (white) congratulates the Guadeloupe team after the latter upset them to advance to the quarter finals. 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