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

Editorial

COMING TO GRIPS WITH REALITY The government has the pivotal and compelling role to inform the citizens of the state of affairs of the country no matter how unpleasant or unpopular the information may be. Regrettably, after almost two years in office, the public cannot say with any certainty that they have any truer picture of the state of affairs of the country. The government has not articulated any policy of how it would provide a better life for all. Very little information is being disseminated to the people which suggests that its public relations team is faltering. The wider public seems to be waiting for answers about the development of the country but there is none. The task ahead for the government on the current problems facing the economy seems very difficult. The sugar industry is bankrupt, production has been reduced in most sectors, the price of commodities has been falling on the world market, and it looks like the bauxite industry is dead. The country is at a crossroad, and the decisions the government makes from here on could seal its fate. There is little to gain from arrogance or an intransigent administration that would dismiss sound advice and proposals from experts and highly professional and qualified personnel who are not functionaries of the government. It is always wise to have a neutral group with no axe to grind to report on the performance of the government. It would be wise if those in authority could strip themselves of such mentality, and not constrain themselves to their own views and ways of thinking. This is not the time for incompetence, gross mistakes, murky deals and mismanagement of the state resources. Many are tired of the shenanigans from the government whose only major achievement so far is the cleaning up of the city, the restoration of Merriman’s Mall and the D’Urban Park project. Today, a large segment of the population, mostly youths seem no longer interested in the political system. Many are frustrated because they are hopeless about the future. Many if not most of the people have not benefitted from the decisions of the political leaders. In particular some of our youths are angry and are in despair at not knowing how to survive other than to turn to crime and gang violence. Jailing them is not the best answer. What is urgently needed right now is a national programme like the National Youth Service implemented in the 1970s by the late Forbes Burnham government. Also, all must come together to help the less fortunate from the impending doom and gloom that have surrounded their lives. The suggestion that the government is working for the good of the people is of little encouragement to them. The government does not necessarily have all the answers to the problems affecting the nation. No matter what, the road ahead will not be easy for the people, mostly youths, given the fact that some public officials felt that the youths believe that they are entitled to have jobs in the government. This type of attitude by some youths is what is creating a rift between them and some in the government and the elders in society. The government spent a lot of money to celebrate the country’s 50th independence anniversary. Some say that the money could have been better spent without understanding the economics. The amount of money that came into the country and the benefits far exceeded what the government spent. Many reaped the benefits. Now more than ever, everyone needs to come to capitalize on the investment opportunities; and there are many.

Sunday February 05, 2017

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

THE DEATH OF AMBASSADOR SINCLAIR Dear Editor, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director General and members of staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have received the sad news of the passing of one of Guyana’s finest Diplomats, Mr. Noel Sinclair. The news of his demise was communicated to the Ministry today. His passing represents the end of a career that was spent almost entirely within the Diplomatic Service, with the brief exception as a Master at Central High School. Ambassador Sinclair was educated at Central High School and the University of the West Indies. At the latter institution he obtained a BA degree in French and a Diploma in International Relations. Even though he returned to Guyana after his studies at the Regional University it seems that the attractions of a newly independent Guyana seeking to find its place in the

world of Global politics had a compelling fascination for him, a fascination that was to endure for a lifetime. Joining the newly established M i n i s t r y o f E x t e r n a l A ff a i r s , Ambassador Sinclair quickly became a Third Secretary in our Embassy in Caracas, a Second Secretary in our Embassy in Washington from 1969 to 1972, First Secretary in our High Commission in Lusaka, Zambia from 1976 to 1979 and finally Permanent Representative to the UN in 1979. It is clear that Ambassador Sinclair’s rise in the Foreign Service was based on his understanding of International Diplomacy, his capacity for hard work and his ability for productive interpersonal relations. And it must be said that his success is all the more noteworthy because it came at a time when professional achievement

occurred against the background of a highly competitive Foreign Service. His work and achievements at our overseas Missions ensured that he would ascend to the highest position of the Foreign Service, that of Director General, a position that was redesignated from that of Permanent Secretary to bring it in line with the other Foreign Ministries of Latin America. To this position, Ambassador Sinclair brought his skills as an administrator and his understanding of the needs and purposes of the Foreign Service. But his Diplomatic career did not end there. Recognizing his talent and his gifts as a diplomat, the region elected him the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA). Any summary of Ambassador Sinclair’s diplomatic career would not (Continued on page 6)

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The Town Clerk says some Guyanese do not want order DEAR EDITOR, I remain befuddled by a full page advertisement, which appeared in your newspaper issue of February 1, 2017 under the caption “WE THANK YOU ALL…MOVEMENT AGAINST PARKING METERS.” I have to say that the context of this advertisement is a sorry and worrying reflection of how a few individuals in our society see us as Guyanese. This particular advertisement is an ample demonstration of backward thinking. How can anyone who understands the time in which we live and the processes that are involved in managing and developing a city be against this new innovation? But we live in a democracy; everyone has the right to express his or her views thoughts and opinions in the context of their realities. History is replete with instances of mavericks who, sometimes without any justifiable reason or reasonableness, resist change. It is true, that people often resist change when they are comfortable with lawlessness, confusion and disorder. However, one of the things that distinguishes us from lower animals and barbarians is our ability to order and organize our neighbourhoods, communities, cities and our world. In that context, we understand where the organizers against the Parking Meters are coming from but we remain troubled in our hearts and minds that in the 21st Century and modern society we have a group of individuals, who appear to be bent on continuing disorder and indiscipline on our roadways. Beyond that, the advertisement is seriously misleading and, I suspect, crafted in a way to mislead unsuspecting citizens. For example, it seems to want to suggest that Council and its partners did

not consult with the public. This is false. The Mayor and City Council and Smart City Solutions met with a number of stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce, Private Sector Commission. Community groups, Government and nonGovernment organizations and agencies and discussed this project with them with a view to raise awareness, to have their inputs and to seek their support to go forward with this necessary initiative. Again, I am not sure about the legitimacy, motivation or special interests of the organizers of this very strange movement; I am not certain for whom they speak and act. Perhaps, the most significant thing about this movement is that it offers no alternative to this initiative. In fact, it appears as though its members

are quite happy with disorder, confusion and indiscipline on our roadways. This is unacceptable and all decent, law-abiding Guyanese should reject this attempt to return our city to ugliness. For generations, individuals and businesses took our collectively owned spaces in the city for granted. They utilized our roadways for parking, our reserves to extend their businesses and our thoroughfares to display their merchandise without compensating citizens. As a result, our roadways became congested and unsafe and our environment polluted. Some of those who are guilty of indulging in this unlawful act of appropriating city spaces are the loudest against the Parking Meters. Honest and decent citizens must be in de-

spair with the antics of those, who do not want order in the city. The Mayor and City Council is happy to be in a position to correct these negative situations and give citizens more value in their city. Those, who use the city’s resources including its spaces for parking, personal and other interests, must make a contribution to its sustainable development; this is fair and just and we, all, should embrace it. This initiative provides an opportunity for all citizens, particularly, those, who use our spaces to make that contribution. Driving this new innovation is our statutory obligation to deliver to all citizens a clean, green and safe city. I wish to note that, the Council is determined to leave a legacy of good environmental governance for the next generation. Let

us together go forward to promote Georgetown to a place of excellence and glory.

Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown

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Give the Coalition Government a chance to perform DEAR EDITOR, At the recent 5th Biennial National Conference of the Alliance for Chance (AFC) at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School on Saturday, January 28, 2017, the newly elected Chairman of that Party, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, gave a passionate and timely charge for Party supporters and Guyanese in general to rise above destructive criticisms of the APNU/ AFC coalition government. He said (quote) “there will always be jealousies and pettiness, especially coming from lesser minds… and the party must seek to avoid that which will jeopardize the coalition’s existence to the detriment of the Cummingsburg Accord or to the benefit of Jagdeo and the PPP”. His appeal could not come at a better time, when many Guyanese, particularly those who robustly supported and voted in the APNU/ AFC coalition government seem to have suffered Lacunar amnesia and

murmur constantly. Lacunar amnesia is the loss of memory about a specific event. Some specific events for which many people seem to have Lacunar amnesia effects include, but are not limited to, the following that took place between1995 to 2015: · The wanton abuse, misuse, theft and conversion of State Assets by the PPP regime (example: Pradoville) · The murders of over 400 (mainly Afro-Guyanese) during the period 2000 – 2005 · Mismanagement of GUYSUCO and the Skeldon Sugar production plant fiasco, which remains a burden on the Guyanese economy · Baseless fear mongering particularly affecting IndoGuyanese · The Lusignan and Bartica Massacres of innocent citizens · The assassinations of Satyedeow Sawh, Ronald Waddell and Courtney CrumEwing · Poor contractual works (Examples: The Kato Second-

ary School in Region# 8 and Charity Wharf in Region# 2) · Weakened foreign policy and territorial defense which embarrassed Guyana with the eviction of a CGX oil rig by Surinamese military gunboats in 2000 · Illicit drug trade causing the country to be listed by the United States DEA as a major drug trans-shipment hub · Corrupt alliances and poor regulatory controls which resulted in $$ billions lost through illegal Gold and Timber exportation · Dirty Capital City (Georgetown) and uncontrollable filthiness nationwide · The neglect of Linden · The destruction of cashcrop farms in Buxton/ Friendship · The FATF blacklisting of Guyana for failure to enact Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing legislation In the Holy Bible, the Children of Israel murmured against their leader (Moses) because of their Lacunar am-

City Hall’s services to Georgetown is far from modern DEAR EDITOR, The recent attempt by Royston King via the letters column to cajole residents and visitors to Georgetown into supporting the beleaguered parking meter project that has been unfairly thrown upon motorists is pathetic, aggravating and sardonic. He should be the last to attempt such a sleight of hand trick. To attempt to say that this is a part of a wider initiative to use cutting edge technology to modernize our capital is simply a sick joke. With old refurbished third hand meters he is modernizing the Garden City? Why can’t he be honest and say simply that this is another tax measure to further financially stress

our people, the revenue from which they will use to fund the continued fat cat lifestyle of the Council’s Big Wigs, such as, more first class travel around the world, bodyguards, drivers, personal assistants and a retinue of other staff trailing behind them, fancy sports utility vehicles to transport them in, employment for their relatives and friends at super salaries and with allowances, fancy dinners at exclusive restaurants, etc The truth is the Georgetown City Government would bring last in any index that shows the ranking of cities and their use of modern (Continued on page 7)

THE DEATH OF AMBASSADOR SINCLAIR From page 4 be complete without reference to his outstanding personal characteristics. Well spoken, socially sophisticated, Ambassador Sinclair was as close as one would get to the image of an ideal diplomat for a country like Guyana. If we refer to his capacity for good speech it is because his presentations at the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations were often

well received. And the calm and reasoned approach he brought to his duties made him well liked and respected by his colleagues. In addition, Ambassador Sinclair’s enviable command of English made him a superb drafter of diplomatic documents. These attributes and his deep imbibing of a culture which encompassed wide reading and an appreciation for music and the other arts made

him into a more complete human being as well as an entertaining and informed colleague. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to the immediate family of Ambassador Sinclair, especially his wife and children, his brothers and his sisters. Audrey Waddel Director-General Ministry of Foreign Affairs

nesia. Numbers 14:2, “And the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness!” Such murmuring did not only trouble Moses, but it displeased God. As a consequence, that generation of the Children of Israel was not allowed to make it to the Promised Land. Numbers 14:27-29, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcasses shall fall in this wil-

derness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me” Guyanese, with their murmuring and insinuation that the coalition government will only survive ‘one-term’ need to be wary of ‘self-fulfilling prophesy’. Many who utter such nonsense seem to forget their (Egypt) experiences under the PPP. They also seem to lack gratefulness and cognizance of the wide-ranging socioeconomic, institutional and infrastructural improvements that have taken place in just under 2 years of the incumbent administration. Most of those who murmur are like loafing spectators who make very little contribution to the

pot of development in this country and are effortless in changing their dispositions in the first place. Our political leadership in the APNU/ AFC government and enlightened citizens need to recognize that the innuendos spread by those who murmur and senselessly criticize the coalition government can be harmful overtime. Greater community and public relations is necessary, in order to quell the infectious propagating by those perennial “murmurers.” As one man recently said on a CN Sharma’s Voice of the People program, “Give the government a fair chance to do their job”, “you can’t expect them to transform everything in two years when the PPP had over 20 and left a mess” Orette Cutting

GuySuCo accuses its critics of what it also does – mislead DEAR EDITOR, I refer to GuySuCo’s response in KN edition of February 2nd, 2017 to one of my letters. In typical style, the Corporation was patently dismissive without providing an iota of evidence/detail in support of its defense. It takes a similar posture towards ideas and proposals to remodel the industry into a viable sugar business. As a taxpayer, my main contention is that GuySuCo, a bankrupt company affords an executive team, at G$14.1M/month or a total of G$169.2M for 2016 to deliver 183,652 tonnes of sugar, the 2nd lowest production since 1990. Isn’t this a legitimate concern from a taxpayer? The estimated rate of pay of G$14.1M/month for the team can now be confirmed since the Corporation stated emphatically in its response that “every employee is paid within their grade/salary scales”. GuySuCo also alleges that there is an agenda to “mislead” and “poison” the minds of readers. Editor, the Corporation needs no assistance to accomplish these feats. Its mill-stone team is doing so in royal style and with superb finesse.

Take for example, in December 2015; the CEO advised that 240,000t sugar will be made in 2016. We ended up with 183,652t. Isn’t this misleading? Secondly, the Corporation hired an IMC and a battery of experts to improve management of operations and sugar production. These nine executives delivered 183,652t sugar and received G$169.2M in 2016. Isn’t this poisonous? This is enough reason to cause Government to critically examine how long it will pay for these abysmal performances. It does not make for good reading on the administrations’ report card. GuySuCo in its haughty style commenced implementation of a “close-down & sell-out” plan as its solution to resolve the industry’s challenges. At this instant, it is unclear whether the Corporation will entertain any other vision for the industry however; I will offer one that supports evolution of the industry into a viable sugar business for Ms. Thomas to ponder on. This vision rests on 4 pillars: (1) Review the entire cane production process to reduce cost of cane production and delivery to mills. It is

the single largest cost centre and highest contributor to unit cost per pound of sugar. (2) Upgrade all factories from producers of raw bulk sugar to direct consumption (DC) sugars with packing facilities. DC sugars are often twice the price of bulk sugars at minimum. Install cogeneration and bulk alcohol/fuel alcohol facilities. Phase investments in most efficient factories followed by least efficient. In this way, return on investment will be faster. (3) Remove incompetence and top heavy structures. Have a vibrant and nimble management team. (4) Engage workforce and stakeholders directly and explain in detail the industry’s plan to transition into a viable sugar business. In the transition process, there may be small sacrifices that must be made. This is a long term vision that will require investments to facilitate evolution of the industry into a viable sugarcane business. It will retain and create jobs. The vision of estate closures and sell-out will result in immediate joblessness and an unravelling of society. Sookram Persaud

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PARKING METERS – SUGGESTIONS ON PRICING STRUCTURE

The sudden death of two organizations of lawyers

DEAR EDITOR; “Compromise is what binds people together. Compromise is sharing and conciliatory, it is loving and kind and unselfish.” – Ali Harris, The First Last Kiss. The parking meters are here adding to the welcome physical transformation of the city: orderliness, cleanliness and beauty are gradually replacing chaos, filth and tatter. All of this, however, comes with a price. Are we as Guyanese willing to pay the price? At this time the answer seems to be a resounding no! Should this be the solution? Can a workable compromise be reached? I believe there is still time for Smart City Solutions (SCS) to take the magnanimous step of amending the pricing structure. This may lead to the public softening their rhetoric, and becoming more amenable to paying for the resources consumed. Instead of having one pricing structure for all times and areas, SCS may wish to consider introducing an ‘all day ticket’ retailing at probably $500, in addition to the current ticket of $50 for fifteen minutes parking time. This would allow vehicle own-

ers to park in any allowable space for the day. Shoppers would find this realistically convenient since at the moment they would have to purchase a ticket for every stop they make, should they be required to visit different parts of the city. Office workers may find that this cost is more affordable than currently obtains and would be encouraged to utilize the parking spaces that are now apparently being boycotted. Simultaneously, it would reduce to some extent the operational cost of SCS, since fewer tickets would need to be printed. With 3,237 parking spaces available this could generate at a minimum half a billion dollars ($500,000,000) in revenue per annum of which the city would receive one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000). SCS and the city may be concerned at the real possibility that parking spaces would not be turned over fast enough and congestion recurs. To mitigate this risk, a simple three-tiered zoning system could be introduced. For example the 3,237 parking spaces could be grouped into Red, Yellow and Green zones. The Red zone

would be areas in the commercial heart of the city, the Yellow zone, areas with less traffic flow: Main Street, Waterloo Street, Carmichael Street, etc, the Green Zone would be special areas around public buildings and public spaces, etc. Each of these zones could have a different rate for 15 minutes of parking: the Red zone $50, the Yellow zone $30 and the Green zone $15. All day parking tickets could also be restricted to the Yellow and Green zones only. Introducing the tiered structure along with the restrictions on the areas in which all day parking is allowed, would in my opinion, significantly increase the potential revenue that could be earned, bringing it closer to one billion dollars per year. I believe that this structure could easily be implemented, given the sophisticated nature of the Smart meters that have been deployed by SCS. It is my hope that other citizens would offer additional suggestions, and SCS would consider those suggestions, and arrive at an acceptable compromise to all concerned. Loris Nathoo, FCCA, EMBA

City Hall’s services to Georgetown ... From page 6 technology for the provision of services to its residents and visitors. At City Hall to pay for anything whether it is property rates, processing fees, licences or stall rentals one has to be in line rather than online. Animals are slaughtered in a most brutish and inhumane way in stark contrast to modern abattoirs elsewhere on the world. All of their buildings are falling apart and lack basic infrastructure. None of their gardens or open spaces has wifi to help bridge the digital divide in our city. Just look at Merriman’s Mall, is that modernization? What technological ad-

vancement is King talking about? Does he even know what a smart city is? Where is the research and development effort he talks about? Where is the scientific and research talent at City Hall and where is the level of innovation needed? King needs to understand that vision without action is merely a dream, but action without vision action is a nightmare. To Pat, Roy and the City Council, I use the famous Bob Marley quote ‘You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.’ Why are people being forced to pay for parking when there are hardly any street lights, when trunkers

freely break into parked cars or steal their mirrors and lights, when the roads are so narrow and pot holed, when stray animals roam all over, when junkies persecute you for a raise each time you park, when the roads and parking spaces flood each time there is a little rainfall. When there is garbage strewn all over? Why? To satisfy City Hall’s abominable greed? I have decided and I think others should consider like me to shop at the supermarkets, shopping malls, gas stations and other such facilities outside of the downtown area, where there is free and secured parking. James Mc Onnell

DEAREDITOR, Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of occurrences in the legal fraternity which have excited public attention and concern. Were we living in a normal society and in a functional democracy governed by the rule of law, these atrocities would have attracted the strong condemnation of civilsociety organizations, such as those championing human rights causes, good governance, constitutionality and the rule of law. But these events have not even attracted a murmur from any of these organizations. The fact that the stateowned newspaper was used as the vehicle to convey the attack, attached to it an aura of governmental imprimatur which only compounded the scandal. It took no less than the Prime Minister of the country, in a desperate attempt at damage control, to distance the government from its Attorney General’s reckless public outbursts. In an effort to divert blame from himself, two senior law officers of the state, the Solicitor General and the Deputy Solicitor General (DSG), fell prey to the wrath of the AG. They were publicly accused of unprofessional, unethical and incompetent conduct. These are damning charges against any professional which can do unquantifiable damage to their professional reputations and standing. The legal issue was a simple one. The Attorney General appealed in his own name when he was not a party in the court below. Constitution of parties to litigation is one of the first topics taught in any law school. A motion was filed to strike out the appeal filed on that very ground. Any average lawyer would know that such a motion in those circumstances would have been unassailable. Therefore, the court could not have ruled in any other way but to strike out the appeal. Fortunately, both the Solicitor General and the Deputy Solicitor General responded in the press. The public, therefore, got an opportunity to hear their side.

It tells quite a tale. The Solicitor General pointed out that on two separate occasions and in the presence of others, she advised the AG that the appeal cannot be filed in his name as he was not a party in the court below. She contends that on both occasions, the AG rejected her advice and instructed her to file the appeal with the AG being the appellant. The Attorney General has not refuted these contentions. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that they are true and consequently, the AG was clearly at fault. The Deputy Solicitor General was even more detailed in her response. She wrote to the Attorney General and lodged a formal complaint with the Public Service Commission. Both letters were made public. In both pieces of correspondence, she outlined the numerous occasions on which she emailed, hand-delivered and even posted letters and memoranda to theAG reminding him of his several professional responsibilities in various cases, including the one that evoked the controversy and calling upon him to discharge those responsibilities. She claims that this correspondence was carbon-copied to other persons and she has copies of them. Not-withstanding, she contends, the AG failed to discharge his duties in these cases, and consequently, the state lost them. The AG responded in his usual untutored fashion. Rather than attempt to answer the very serious charges of dereliction of duty levelled against him by a subordinate constitutional office-holder, like the proverbial bull in a China shop, he issued another barrage of allegations against the DSG. This time, he alleged that she compromised cases in which I am involved because of some perceived loyalty to me and political allegiance to the PPP. Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for paying BK International US $5.7M on a mere letter threatening litigation? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for filing an appeal six months late against the judg-

ment obtained by Dipcon against the state to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for the billions of dollars in tax writeoffs for DDL causing Banks DIH to sue the state for $28B in tax refunds? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for Guyana having to pay over US$6M to Rudisa because of the APNU and AFC’s rejection to the amendments to the Customs Act? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for the Attorney General telling the Chief Justice that the government has possession of Red House? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for the failed misguided attempts to compulsorily acquire private properties on Carmichael Street? Is Ms. Kissoon to be blamed for the Attorney General’s unwarranted attack on the judiciary which even his own Prime Minister condemned? To another equally egregious matter, I now turn. During the course of this week, the public learnt that Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Cecil Kennard, who is the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and Former Justice of Appeal, Mr. Prem Persaud, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, have both been given marching orders by the President. Protection from discrimination is guaranteed to every citizen as a fundamental right and freedom under the Constitution. ‘Age’ is one of the expressed grounds upon which a person cannot be discriminated against, as per article 149 of the Constitution. Yet this is the precise ground upon which these two distinguished jurists were terminated. It is as if Article 149 does not exist. The unfair, unethical and unlawful treatment meted out to these people has not attracted the slightest of reaction from either the Guyana Bar Association or The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers. These two organizations that were so vibrant prior to May 2015 have suddenly become defunct. Anil Nandlall, MP

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Duty free concessions…

Ex-CEO transferred after refusing to carry out unlawful act A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office For Investment (GOInvest) who refused to carry out an unlawful act allegedly at the behest of ex-president, Donald Ramotar, was transferred after he refused. The incident was said to have occurred in 2012, a few months after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/

C) returned to power with a minority government, according to the released forensic audit report. In May 2015 shortly after taking office, the Coalition government ordered a series of forensic audits to determine the health of several State agencies. The findings have raised several worrying facts about controls

and of specific transactions themselves. A number of the audit reports have been sent to the police for further investigations. On Friday, the GO-Invest report was released by the administration. Among the several instances that were flagged by the forensic auditor, was a

transaction involving the duty free concessions for two Sports Utility Vehicles for forestry work. According to the audit, the then head of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, by way of correspondence dated March 1, 2012 to Desmond Mohamed, CEO of GOInvest; sought to pass on a political directive from President Donald Ramotar to revise the Investment Agreement (IA) with Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc. That company was described in the report as being a subsidiary of Toolsie Persaud Limited. However, principals of Toolsie on Friday denied that Diamond Tropical Wood

Former GRA chief, Khurshid Sattaur

Former President Donald Ramotar

Products is a subsidiary. They said that the company had asked for operational and other advice and this was given and that was the relationship. According to the audit report, it appears that Diamond Tropical asked for concessions for one 4X4 enclosed Toyota Land Cruiser and an additional one

as well as a pick-up as the project progresses. The GOInvest CEO was advised to submit the adjusted Investment Agreement (IA) for the Finance Minister’s approval. “The investor was told by then CEO of Go-Invest, Mr. Desmond Mohamed, that two vehicles instead of four (Continued on page 12)

Sunday February 05, 2017

Dem boys seh...

Ramson want money but not de wuk Jagdeo was a man who use to give away money. De only thing is that he never give away he own money. Every cent that come into de country use to end up everywhere except in poor people hands. Money also end up in rich people hand till it meet de stage wheh some of dem never believe that dem had to work. Ramson get nuff money from Jagdeo. He get money when he was Attorney General. That is a party position and Ramson mek de best of it. He probably tell Jagdeo that he had to get more money suh Jagdeo mek him Commissioner of Information. That is a fancy position fuh a man who got to know everything. Anybody who want information on de government had to write to Ramson and mek de request. Jagdeo pay him nearly $2 million. That meet Ramson because he became de oldest pensioner. A pensioner don’t wuk but does collect money. Ramson never wuk but he collect $2 million every month. Dem boys seh that in de 43 months Ramson was de Commissioner sixteen people write to him asking fuh information. When dem boys do de Maths it tun out that every three months people use to ask Ramson to do some wuk. None of de sixteen ever get a response. One of dem who write asking Ramson fuh information was de Ram fella. He didn’t address de letter to Ramson as senior counsel, Attorney General and retired Appeal Court Judge, “I can’t reply to that because it ain’t address me properly.”That was de first excuse Ramson give fuh not wukking. Soulja Bai come in and put Moses to deal wid Ramson. Dem boys seh lawyers don’t go gainst one another suh Soulja Bai kick aside Moses and tek over. He decide to stop paying Ramson. From de time that happen Ramson decide to sue. He sue. He become de first man to go to court to demand money and not do any wuk. Dem boys seh that is Jagdeo create scamps. Talk half and look fuh de next scamp that Jagdeo create.

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GTT ties telecoms liberalization to higher landline rates US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has again signaled high interest in its landline rates being increased before the telecoms market is opened to new players. On Friday evening addressing media workers at the now annual social event, the company made it clear that it is banking heavily on a favorable decision by authorities expected sometime in the near future. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, said that he believes that the company should have its land line rates reviewed prior to liberalization. “We continue to provide the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the requisite information and support to enable them to make an informed decision.” PUC is the authority that regulates utilities in the country. GTT was since last year locked in a battle with a

consumer body over an application made to the PUC to increase the rates. Following an application – “Grounds for a review of Order No1/2015”- made on November 17 by GTT to the regulator – the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) released its submission which accuses the telephone company of deliberately hiding its profits and refusing to expand its landline service in order to capitalise and focus on the lucrative mobile services market. GTT is arguing that it is taking heavy losses on the landline. But the consumer association has countered by saying that the line is being subsidized as it is used to carry internet to homes and therefore should be reimbursed. The consumer body wanted government to order a forensic audit into the operations of GTT to

determine how much profits exactly the company has been making. The concerns of GCA were raised in the memorandum dated December 9 and which was sent to the PUC. The memo was sent by GCA’s Secretary, J. Deonauth to PUC’s Chairman, Justice (Retd.) Prem Persaud. According to the association, if GTT had “truthfully” wished to reduce international rates, it would have modernized its technology and would have done what efficient telephone companies worldwide have done when encountering competition from similar international rate reduction – it would have reduced its international rates. “But GTT has no intention of reducing international rates. They are intent that the consumer must subsidise them both directly or indirectly, an attitude deriving from being a

GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd monopoly.” According to GCA in its memo, it has reservations also about the integrity of the Commission to evenhandedly dispense justice to the consumers and “the Commission needs to publicly address this issue”. GCA said that the regulator should dismiss the telephone’s company claim for special profits for its landline services. “Our reason for this position is that by their Continued on page 71

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

A CLEAR CASE OF BIAS AS…

Go-Invest recommended best of concessions for Sleepin Hotel and favoured few “Concessions fit for a king.” This statement could perhaps, begin to paint the picture of the entitlements given to a small circle of hoteliers in Guyana under the PPP administration. And while members of the former regime argued relentlessly against this notion, forensic auditors unearthed irrefutable evidence that there was indeed, a clear bias on the part of Go-Invest as it related to recommendations for concessions for those in the hotel industry. Forensic auditors found that some investors were told by Go-Invest that it does not recommend tax holidays. Yet, records show that several investors possess signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Go-Invest that included five

Former CEO and Chairman for Go-Invest, Keith Burrowes or 10-year tax holidays. By way of the MOU, the auditors said that Go-Invest was in fact recommending to the Minister of Finance to grant the said tax holidays. The auditors said that this

demonstrates the inconsistency in which GoInvest operates in no uncertain terms. What was also worse was the fact that there was an inconsistency in how the tax holidays were applied. The auditors explained how this took place in various instances. ATLANTIC HOTEL INC. The forensic auditors cited the agreement between Go-Invest and Atlantic Hotel Inc., the special purpose company that was set up for the establishment of the controversial Marriott Hotel. It was noted that on April 14, 2011, the Government of Guyana, represented by GoInvest and Atlantic Hotel Inc., signed a Memorandum of Agreement whereby the Government of Guyana, among other things, agreed to grant a ten-year corporate tax holiday, grant a ten-year property and withholding tax holiday, including the payment of interest and dividends to debt providers and equity holders in Atlantic Hotel Inc., and grant tax

The controversial Marriott Hotel

concessions for the importation of equipment, machinery, fixtures and fittings, furnishing, building and other materials. The auditors said, “It should be noted that the hotel

is built on state land; a block of land called ‘ALPHA’ located at the North Western part of Kingston contiguous to the Atlantic Ocean and the Demerara River, Kingston, Georgetown.

There is mention in the agreement that the land is leased by NICIL on behalf of the Government of Guyana to Atlantic Hotel Inc.” The auditors found that only Atlantic Hotel Inc. was able to enjoy tax holidays for its Casino Operations as well as waiver from Property Taxes and Withholding Taxes. SLEEPIN INTERNATIONAL The forensic auditors said that on February 4, 2014, Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the (Continued on page 65)

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Giftland, M&CC at odds over ownership of access road On Friday, the City Engineer’s Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), removed barriers and signs and other related materials from what they deemed as a “public road” located on the western side of Giftland Office Max, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. This action has resulted in the owners of the Mall crying foul, accusing the M&CC of abusing its authority. The mall claimed on Friday that heavily armed ranks from M&CC, without any notice, descended on the facility yesterday, and “unlawfully” removed signs and barriers along the access roads and parking area. Roy Beepat, head of Giftland, in a statement said that the M&CC was flexing its muscles at the behest of a number of persons living in a new housing area located aback of his property. The housing area is reportedly owned by National Hardware. However, Town Clerk, Royston King, yesterday, posited that an examination of the lease document (lease 2781 made between the Government of Guyana and MCG Investments Inc., under

The signs and barriers being “unlawfully” removed on Friday.

Director of National Hardware, Nicholas Boyer

Giftland’s owner, Roy Beepat

section 18 of the conditions identified stated that the road remains under the control of the Government of Guyana) by the City Engineer revealed that that road is not part of the legal prop e r t y o f Beepat. “It could be considered a right of way or ease of access to the areas beyond the boundaries of Giftland Office Max. The placement of such materials by the owner of that mall prevented, impeded and obstructed free access along that roadway,” King said. Asked to respond to these claims made by King, Head of Giftland, Roy Beepat, told Kaieteur News, “We wish

to state that although we have the highest respect for him (King) and his office, he has been grossly misled in some aspects of his response. “Giftland has spent over $400M on the access road; this included the building of parapet, street light, road marking and cleaning.” Beepat said that to date, the M&CC has not “spent one cent on this road”. The road was built and paid for by Giftland with its own funds with the exception of 1 1/2 inch of asphalt surfacing from the Ministry of Public Works. He argued also that the road is not gazetted as being part of any Government property.

“Due to the consistent heavy traffic and use of the roads, especially at weekends, a series of road signage, markings and access routing has been necessary in order to avoid the natural blockages which occur without proper controls especially at weekend. “Giftland is very happy to relieve itself of these responsibilities. Would the City provide effective traffic systems controls? However, without these and to alleviate the frustrations of our customers, it is a function we have undertaken,” he said. Beepat said that taking away the signage and barriers

“is totally unlawful”. King said, also, that the City Engineer and other senior Technical Officers visited Beepat and notified him that the placement of signs as well as a large cement truck on that road was unlawful, dangerous and posed an inconvenience to other citizens, who have a right to use that road without hindrance. “However, the owner of Giftland Office Max refused to comply with the instructions of the City Engineer. As a result, yesterday, under the instruction of the Town Clerk and in keeping with the Municipal District and Councils Act, Chapter 28:01,

those encumbrances were removed.” Beepat, whilst admitting that there was a visit by City Engineer, Colvern Venture, said that there was an agreement that the road would serve as an access for the Boyer Development. Giftland did not concede that it was a Public road. Beepat said that this was done in order to facilitate the City Council. “Three days ago, Mr. Venture was contacted and informed that the Boyer residents were removing the barriers, cursing the security guards and refused to drive (Continued on page 14)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

GNIC is trespassing but pays $60 million as part of NICIL court settlement The sum of $60 million has been paid to National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) as part of a settlement between the Government‘s holding company and the Guyana National Industrial Company incorporated, (GNIC) for rent owed

dating back to 2006. Court documents seen by this newspaper revealed that the first payment was made on February 1. The payment is as a result of a court decision made in 2013. GNIC, a company owned by Laparkan and the Guyana

National Industrial Company (employees), purchased the assets of the former Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) and leased Lots 1-12 Lombard Street as part of the privatization of GNEC. NICIL (GoG) reduced the rent due from GNIC by 50%

in 2000 and the sale price of equipment in 1995 by 30%. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease. The matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. The award of $148,860,870 was made by the

Court following the arbitration proceedings between NICIL and GNIC for unpaid rent in 2013. But GNIC had failed to comply with the award. In court, it was underlined that the respondents (GNIC) failed to comply with the said award and paid no part of the sum it was directed to pay even up to July 2015. As a result Commercial Court Judge, Rishi Persaud, made an order enforcing the arbitration award. Kaieteur

News learnt that the two entities are in a course of settlement. The first payment of $60 million in the settlement was made last week. The matter is scheduled for another hearing on February 8. The matter dates back to 1995, a period which saw the privatization of Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC). GNIC purchased the moveable assets of GNEC located at the leased lands of Lots 1-12 Lombard Street. (Continued on page 71)

Ex-CEO transferred... From page 8 would be recommended, one for the commencement of the project and the other during operations.” The CEO reportedly reiterated that GO-Invest cannot recommend a fiveseater Land Cruiser since such vehicles do not fall within the guidelines for concessions. However, Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc. did not agree with the guidance from GO-Invest and had a meeting with President Ramotar and the former GRA head, Khurshid Sattaur. “A GRA letter to GOInvest arising from the meeting dated March 1, 2012, requested adjustments to the

Investment Agreement that would allow for concessions to be recommended for the item under dispute re: 4X4 enclosed Toyota Land Cruiser,” the forensic audit report said. The CEO by correspondence dated March 9, 2012 informed the Head of GRA that he could not comply since the President of Guyana had not given him any instruction. “Mr. Mohamed was shortly thereafter reverted to his substantive job at Guyana National Shipping Corporation Ltd. Mr. Mohamed was succeeded by Mr. Keith Burrowes as CEO, the then Chairman of the GOInvest.”

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Stakeholders encouraged to get on board at Digital Wealth Summit

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin (left), Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, and owner of Social Rank Media, Dr. Rosh Khan, at the Digital Wealth Summit yesterday at Marriott Hotel. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes yesterday encouraged stakeholders and entrepreneurs to stop

depending on traditional productive sectors and establish new Information and Communications Technology businesses and

get online. The Minister was at the time addressing participants at a Digital Wealth Summit held yesterday at the Marriott Hotel. The summit was hosted by the Master Class Institute which is a business education and training organisation. Minister Hughes explained that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is very important in today’s every changing world. The Minister said that it is impossible for persons to start digital business without internet connections, or ICT. Therefore, she added, it is the goal of her Ministry to ensure that the level of connectivity for every citizen is improved. “Our vision is built on the (notion that) ICT must significantly improve the availability, efficiency and delivery of government related products and services and this is expected to bring employment for the thousands of our youths who graduate from tertiary and secondary education every year,” Minister Hughes emphasised. Minister Hughes further explained that since last year her Ministry has installed internet-ready computers and peripherals in some community centres and towns in the hinterland as well as internet access in computer rooms of over 100 secondary

schools, the University of Guyana and Technical and Vocational Institutes.” The Minister added that since its establishment, her Ministry was able to satisfy part of its mandate to create a knowledge base ICT proficient society. The Public Telecommunications Minister promised that every Guyanese will have access to the internet anywhere in Guyana. Expressing her gratitude for the summit, Minister Hughes encouraged the participants to reach out and establish new digital businesses, noting that already in the hinterland a few digital businesses have foreign support. The Minister also noted that there is tremendous space for collaboration between the public and private sector, “We should be able to grow together share resources and experiences. I know we will, I know we can.” Meanwhile, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin indicated that he would like to see more young Guyanese integrating further into the global network, “that is using digital connectivity as a platform for doing business.” The Minister said that the ability to communicate online is the new reality. He further explained, “For over two decades Continued on page 14

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Stakeholders encouraged to...

Giftland, M&CC at odds over ownership...

From page 13 businesses have been transposing to make better use of technology and new businesses have emerged and operate online….Digital technology is driving the economy and is bringing prosperity to businesses, countries and the entire region.” Minister Gaskin noted that Guyanese must also ensure that their entrepreneurs are valued and treated as national assets, cultivated and motivated. He said that successful entrepreneurs can improve living standards through job creation and by making new products. Participants were also encouraged to look beyond the shores of Guyana not just for technologies but for markets for their products or services especially since Guyana needs more businesses bringing in foreign income. ”I know it is easier to do the opposite…but our Mission as a nation must be to develop the local industries. Guyana is yet to make its mark as a regional power house

(From page 11) around which would result in a breakdown of our traffic controls. Due to this, the cement trucks were placed to block the Boyer residents contravening our road use. “We appealed for his intervention and also made phone calls and emails to Mr. Nicholas Boyer but there was no response, hence the cement truck was deployed to stop the disruption of traffic.” King, during the interview yesterday, went on to accuse Beepat of continuing to carry out “unauthorized works including construction of a play area and entertainment centre”. He said that no plans have been approved for such ongoing works by Giftland. The Town Clerk said, also, that no valuation was done for the entire mall and all the properties thereon. “As a result, they have not paid any property rates on the

but must be the number one source for agro and agro products, gold and gold products, wood and wood products,” Minister Gaskin explained. The Minister applauded the summit noting that it can be defined as the cultivation and motivation of a new breed of enterprise in Guyana. Advisor of the United States Embassy Amanda Codwell, in brief remarks encouraged the participants to have hope in their ideas, belief and persevere to make them realities. The Digital Wealth Summit was facilitated by the Master Class Institute. This facility is a business education and training organisation that aims to transform Guyana’s economic landscape. Owner of Social Rank Media, Dr. Rosh Khan, said this summit was hosted to help Guyana’s entrepreneurs, “participate in the ICT revolution.” “This summit is to help Guyanese add more income to their income and the technology is here it has always been here but now it is time to apply strategic knowledge,” Khan added.

true value of this mall from the time it was constructed until now, to the Mayor and City Council. “The Council has not been receiving any property rates from this newly built Mall and allied properties in that area. Some time ago, the Council had requested the Valuation Department to do a valuation of that property; we have had no response,” the Town Clerk said. Beepat said that the Mall honours all its statutory obligations. “All our Taxes are paid and up to date. It is the Council’s responsibility to do its valuation and present its bill. This is not a Giftland Mall function. “It has been explained and up to this week we have been in touch with Mr. Venture to assist us with the regularization of all the Mall building adjustments. The company that was submitting these has been slow, and we have been in touch with their offices to ensure we reach compliance. “We would further state that

Guyana has never had a project of this magnitude and although we are 95 percent compliant in terms of all the Mall buildings, there is still the playground to be regularized.” The company said that the owner of the housing development has placed an “illegal” bridge structure blocking the northern and southern government reserves resulting in the trench not being cleaned and maintained. Meanwhile, the Director of National Hardware (NH), Nicholas Boyer Director, responded to the release issued by Giftland. He said that the company did not ask the M&CC to move Giftland’s parking signs. The only time that NH had any communication with the M&CC was previously when Giftland allegedly placed a cement truck blocking the access, Boyer said. Boyer stated that Giftland tries to “falsely conclude” that the M&CC is acting on NH’s behalf.

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Murder of Berbice Carpenter…

Trial of alleged cop bribing duo; target gives conflicting testimony Police Sergeant, Kamal Pitama, a key prosecution witness in the trial of Mary Ann Lionel and Shamella Inderjali, who allegedly offered him $4M cash to suppress evidence against Marcus Bisram, who is wanted for murder, gave conflicting reports on whether he took video footage of the transaction. Lionel, 25, and Inderjali, 45, the mother of Bisram, both of Number 70 Village Corentyne, Berbice were charged last November, for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Lionel’s father, Harripaul Parsram, 49, of Lot 164 Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice is charged along with Orlando Dickie, 39, of Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Radesh Motie, 39, an excavator operator, of Lot 124 Number 78 Village Corentyne, Berbice; Diadath Datt, 18, of Lot 98 Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Niran Yacoob, 37, of Lot 65 Number 67 Village, Corentyne Berbice

MURDERED: Faiyaz Narinedatt for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt, the Berbice carpenter. Bisram’s name was also mentioned in the joint murder charge as the number one accused. The joint charge further stated that Bisram procured Dickie, Motie, Datt, Parsram and Yacoob to murder Narinedatt. The charge against Lionel and Inderjali alleges that on November 19, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, they contacted Sergeant Pitama and offered him $4M in cash to forego

charges against the five murder accused (Dickie, Motie, Datt, Parsram and Yacoob) who were at the time in custody pending investigation into the matter. Bisram was out of the country at the time. They were each released on $1.5M bail and will make another court appearance on February 13. They were also ordered to lodge their passports and report to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown and the Springlands Police Station. When Sergeant Pitama, a detective attached to the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, was cross examined on Thursday by Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, he stated that he did not take video recording of Lionel handing over the bag of money to him. However, when further questioned, the attorney asked Sergeant Pitama if he knew that it was a criminal offence for him to lie under oath. The police witness replied in the affirmative and

Maryanna Lionel

Sharmilla Inderjali

WANTED: Marcus Bisram

revealed that he indeed captured video footage of when the monies were handed over to him, using his personal cell phone. Sergeant Pitama further said that he recorded same for his personal business. But Sergeant Pitama admitted to the attorney that he was not doing personal business at the time of him making the recording. The police witness then stated that he would be able to identify the recording if he sees it again. According to Sergeant Pitama, Lionel told him, “This is the money, de four million dollars fuh (you people) loose meh daddy (Harripaul Parsram) and the rest of dem man and not fuh lock up Marcus (Bisram) when he come.” In his evidence in chief, Sergeant Pitama never stated

that he videoed the transaction on his personal cell phone. This evidence only came out when he faced intense cross examination. During his testimony, Sergeant Pitama recalled being approached by two women, who wanted him to loose people in custody. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a wanted bulletin for Bisram. US attorneys for Bisram in a statement have promised to cooperate with Guyanese authorities. According to reports, on the day of the killing, Bisram had a party at his home, which Narinedatt and a few others attended. At some point Narinedatt went to the back of the yard to urinate. Bisram, Head of the Marcus Bisram Foundation,

allegedly followed Narinedatt and began making sexual advances towards him. It was reported that Narine slapped and pushed him away. It was then the rejected man allegedly instructed his friends to kill Narinedatt. It was reported that the overseas-based Guyanese told his friends he would ensure they are not caught. Kaieteur News understands that several men beat Narinedatt at the businessman’s premises. He was then taken to a roadway and beaten until he fell into a drain. They reportedly took the carpenter by vehicle to Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, where they dumped the body and drove over it with a car to make it appear like a ro a d accident.

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

That thriving organ ‘black market’ By Sharmain Grainger The notion of a ‘black market’ has been around from time immemorial. The use of the term ‘black market’ suggests that something is being sold under very questionable circumstances and is in fact an illegal activity. Governments across the world have for years sought to halt this often lucrative parallel economy that generates many millions and possibly even billions of dollars annually. But what can be deemed among the most disturbing of reported ‘black market’ operations is that persons are sometimes trafficked with the intent of having their organs removed and sold for a hefty price. Just recently I came across a report that suggests that there exists a global need or demand for healthy body parts for transplantation, far exceeding the numbers available. In fact it was revealed that back in 2011 there were thousands of people who were reportedly waiting for a new organ. Given the fact that every day more people are added to the list of those in need, and that there are many who are so desperate to live they are willing to pay for a new organ, the ‘black market’ for organs has reportedly been thriving. Yet another report I saw this past week amplified that the ‘black market’ for organs does not discriminate against age. In fact, in its most severe form, there is no regard for human life too. There are reports that suggest that people with healthy organs are even hunted down and killed before their organs are removed and sold to the highest bidder. But I’d rather believe that this is just a plot in a movie and not actual reality. Whether it is through murderous plots (which people like myself would rather be oblivious to) or simply a business transaction whereby an individual is willing to give his or her organ or organs at a price, there seems to plausible fact that the ‘black market’ trade is still alive and doing well. This disturbing state of

affairs has long been recognised by the United Nations which, in 2007, launched the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). According to UN.GIFT, trafficking in organs is a crime that occurs in three broad categories. Firstly, there are cases where traffickers force or deceive the victims into giving up an organ. Secondly, there are cases where victims formally or informally agree to sell an organ and are cheated, because they are not paid for the organ or are paid less than the promised price. Thirdly, vulnerable persons are treated for an ailment, which may or may not exist, and thereupon organs are removed without the victim’s knowledge. The vulnerable categories, according to UN.GIFT, often include migrants, especially migrant workers, homeless persons, illiterate persons, among others. UN.GIFT has been able to deduce that “the trafficking for organ trade could occur with persons of any age. Organs which are commonly traded are kidneys, liver and the like; any organ which can be removed and used, could be the subject of such illegal trade.” UN.GIFT has asserted too that the trafficking in organ trade is an organized crime, involving a host of offenders. “These include the recruiter who identifies the vulnerable person, the transporter, the staff of the hospital/clinic and other medical centres, the medical professionals, the middlemen and contractors, the buyers, the banks where organs are stored are all involved in the racket. It is a fact that the entire racket is rarely exposed and therefore, the dimensions are yet to be appropriately fathomed,” UN.GIFT concluded. As a part of the United Nations, UN.GIFT works with all stakeholders - governments, business, academia, civil society and the media to support each other’s work, create new partnerships and develop effective tools to fight human trafficking. The Global Initiative is based on a simple principle:

“human trafficking is a crime of such magnitude and atrocity that it cannot be dealt with successfully by any government alone. This global problem requires a global, multistakeholder strategy that builds on national efforts throughout the world”. To pave the way for this strategy, UN.GIFT has recognised that stakeholders must coordinate efforts already underway, increase knowledge and awareness, provide technical assistance; promote effective rightsbased responses; build capacity of state and non-state stakeholders; foster partnerships for joint action; and above all, ensure that everybody takes responsibility for this fight. By encouraging and facilitating cooperation and coordination, UN.GIFT has noted that its aim is to create synergies among the anti-trafficking activities of UN agencies, international organizations and other stakeholders, to develop the most efficient and cost-effective tools and good practices. Many of us may not see the need for our developing Guyana to even bother to give attention to such an elaborate venture. But Guyana, like the rest of the world, has been recording increasing numbers of persons in need of various organs that can be transplanted. Many of these conditions develop because of complications linked to Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, a challenge that the health sector has been battling to reduce for ages. Added to this, it has long been suspected that there are some individuals, right here in our country, who have opted to go the ‘black market’ way too. It is believed that at least three individuals embraced the ‘black market’ to procure kidneys to facilitate transplantation here. Reports suggest that at least two of the recipients died shortly after surgery. The possibly of this being a realistic state of affairs is not at all farfetched, given the fact that the public health sector is currently working on legislation to prevent traffick-

The Baccoo Speaks The attacks on people suspected to have a lot of cash on their person will continue in the coming days. Two gunmen will target a man who had travelled from the eastern part of the country. They would receive information from someone who lives in the community. This attack would go wrong because the man

would have back-up. Gunshots would be exchanged. ** A road accident in the

eastern part of the country would lead to yet another fatality. The best efforts of the authorities seem to be going nowhere. Alcohol and speed make for a dangerous combination. ** Another fraud would be uncovered as a result of the operations of the relatively new agency called SOCU. The suspect would be a popular individual.

ing in human organs altogether. Discussions in this regard all happened this past week and the way I heard it, the new Public Health Minister, Ms Volda Lawrence, is determined to have measures in this regard fast-tracked. ‘Kudos’ are in order for Minister Lawrence for taking on such a tall task after a mere month of assuming the portfolio of Public Health Minister. The proposed legislation is one that will seek to outlaw commercial human organ harvesting, transplant tourism and organ trafficking, all of which have been known to be

very attractive on the global ‘black market’. The Public Health Ministry is gaining support from the University of Calgary in Canada to advance the drafting of the legislation. Reports are that health officials and representatives of the Attorney General’s Chambers, together with a representative from the University of Calgary, are scheduled for talks to help Guyana develop this legislation that will regulate the Brain and Cardio/Respiratory Death Law, and Organ Transplantation Law. According to information disseminated by the Public

Health Ministry, the former aspect will set the rules which define the precise circumstances and mechanisms under which organs of a deceased person can be donated, while the latter will guarantee donor and recipient safety and prohibit unethical practices such as transplant tourism, commercial organ harvesting sales and organ trafficking for the ‘black market’. In essence, Guyana is well on its way to giving its support to fight a global war which, according to the World Health Organisation, infringes on human rights and dignity.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

The killing of Jankie Mahadeo By Michael Jordan The seawalls that protect Guyana’s coastlands from the Atlantic hold decades upon decades of secrets…secrets of hidden love affairs…of rites to unseen forces…and of murder. And if these walls could somehow talk, they would perhaps spill the secret of who took Jankie Mahadeo there seven years ago. On the morning of Friday, August 19, 2005, members of a police patrol stumbled upon the body of a middle-aged woman in the vicinity of the Everest Cricket Club. She was fully clothed and police could discern no marks of violence. However, they did notice that there was froth at the victim’s mouth and this led them to suspect that she had been poisoned. Two days passed before a family from Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, came forward to identify the victim. She was Jankie Mahadeo, called ‘Anita’, a mother of three who had migrated to Trinidad some 25 years ago. According to the relatives,

Mahadeo, accompanied by her five-year-old daughter, had arrived in Guyana about a week prior to her death. She had stayed at the relatives’ Pouderoyen home. She had informed the relatives that she intended to renew her passport and visit her mother, who was ill.

According to a female relative, at around 08:00 hrs on Friday, August 19, the cousin’s husband took Mahadeo to the Immigration Office to have her passport renewed. He then left her there. On instructions from her husband, the cousin said that she went to the Immigra-

tion Office to check on Mahadeo. The woman, who had a stall in Water Street, said that she checked on Mahadeo and then left the Immigration Office. At around noon, Jankie Mahadeo arrived at her cousin’s stall where she had lunch. According to the cousin’s story, her husband eventually arrived and took Mahadeo to have two pictures taken for her passport. Mahadeo reportedly then caught a route 45 minibus with the intention of returning to the Immigration Office. That was the last time that the relatives would see her alive. The relatives recalled that Jankie Mahadeo had left home with $20,000 in local currency and US$100. She was also wearing a quantity of jewellery, including a diamond ring. The cash and jewellery were missing when Mahadeo’s corpse was found. The family members began to worry when several hours passed and the woman failed to return to their home. One relative remembered that Mahadeo had promised to visit a North Road, Bourda family who had taken care of her when she was a child. On checking at the home they were told by a male occupant

that the woman had indeed visited, but that she had left shortly after making a call to a brother who lived in the United States. The man said that Mahadeo had indicated that she was going to look after her passport. The same man confirmed to Kaieteur News that Mahadeo had visited him that day. According to him, the woman was in a jovial mood and “was hugging everybody.” He recalled that Mahadeo asked to make a phone call to her brother in the US and he allowed her to make the call. He also recalled that Mahadeo was repeatedly checking the time and that she said that she had to go and see her mother. She also said that a taxi was waiting for her and eventually left after promising to return another day. The man said that he did not follow Mahadeo outside and so had no description of the car or of the driver who picked her up. But the plot thickened a few days later when Mahadeo’s eldest daughter arrived in Guyana and alleged that she had come to see ‘Ma’, a Guyanese woman with whom Mahadeo had grown up. The woman was the mother of the same man whose home Mahadeo had visited. According to the daughter, her mother had stated that ‘Ma’ had a ‘Will’ for her. She said that some of her relatives were suspicious of the man’s account of Mahadeo’s visit to his home. Five days after M a h a d e o ’s b o d y w a s found, a pathologist examined the corpse and determined that she had been manually strangled. Detectives promptly arrested the man who

Mahadeo had visited on the day she went missing. They suspected that Mahadeo might have been caught in the middle of a family dispute over a will and that this dispute might have led to her being slain. Checking further, detectives discovered that the old woman who had taken care of Mahadeo as a child had died several years prior to Mahadeo’s visit. The old woman had reportedly indeed left a Will. The man who police had detained and his brother reportedly both had copies o f t h e Wi l l . H o w e v e r, Jankie Mahadeo’s name was not included on any of the documents. On Friday, August 26, 2005, detectives released the man after determining that he was not involved in Mahadeo’s murder. And according to some detectives, it appeared that the taxi driver who picked up Mahadeo from the North Road home might have vital information about her death. Police said that they had information that Mahadeo had a relationship with a taxi driver. The official said that detectives attempted to locate the taxi driver. They failed to find him. Like I said, if the seawalls could talk, they would perhaps lead police to the man who strangled and dumped Jankie Mahadeo’s body eleven years ago. In other words, it may take a small miracle to solve this crime. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 2258465, 22-58473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : mjdragon@hotmail.com

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Wash-bays, tax evasion and the death of God and Marx Every society has its moral codes. Some of these values may be downright obnoxious, but the reality is that power will always favour the upper classes and the rich classes determine the moral codification of society. The great 20th century, Italian thinker, Antonio Gramsci gave a masterful account of how the prevailing values are written for the entire society by the wealthy classes. According to Gramsci, the dominant classes achieve hegemony not through the bullet, but cultural penetration. In Guyana, moral and legal violations only become abominations depending on which classes are the practitioners. The City Council (and do not let the leadership of the PNC, AFC, WPA fool you, they are as equally guilty as the City Council for the oppression of the lower classes since May 2015) has ordered the closure of wash-bays in Queenstown, because they have become hideous encumbrances in an area that is zoned against such activities. One is forced to ask the question; which is uglier – wash-bays in Queenstown that spoil the ambience or humongous tax evasion by the hegemonic classes?

The chairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Rawle Lucas discovered one of the most dangerous threats to the well-being of this country. Let’s offer an extract from my November 2, 2016 column on what Lucas found. Here is what I wrote then; “When the APNU-AFC Coalition Government came into being, the new chairman of the GRA board, Rawle Lucas intoned that property tax contributed “virtually nothing to government revenue”. Those were his words (see “Uncollected billions point to major GRA problem – Lucas,” Stabroek News, December 28, 2015). But how could that be? Prior to 2014, citizens were exempted from property tax on the first $7.5 million in assets. For every dollar over $7.5 million, but not exceeding $12.5 million, you paid 0.5 percent in property tax. For every dollar over $12.5 million you paid 0.75 percent.”(end of quote) To understand the hundreds of billions of dollars this poor country lost over the past decades through the avoidance of property tax, you do not have to do a statistical analysis. You can see the monstrous story with your own eyes if you take a

walk around Region Four. There are families and companies whose assets (as against income; I am referring here to the value of fixed assets) are worth in each case, billions of dollars. For example, one Guyanese family recently bought a riverside company for $20 million American, in anticipation of the oil boom. That is equivalent to just under $5Billion Guyanese. That is fixed assets which carry property tax, which before 2014 started at eight million dollars. Do the calculations after you would have perambulated the greater part of Region Four, particularly greater Georgetown, and would have observed the wealth of dozens and dozens of super-rich families and companies. The figures must show that for the past decades, assets worth from $8 million up from these strata had to bring in a few hundred billions. But Lucas is on record as saying that property tax did not contribute to the State’s revenue. Something is not right here and that something is horrendously sickening. You have the State losing hundreds of billions of dollars, and to date there is no one before the courts. Well

there could be an answer – they eventually paid. That is not the answer, because Lucas wrote that property tax contributed (let’s use his exact words), “virtually nothing to government revenue.” So what is the something that is horrendously sickening? The State could identify vendors and wash-bay people for closure, but those who robbed the Treasury of hundreds of billions through evasion of property tax have remained untouched. Here is my prediction – 2020 election will be on us, and not one member of the tax-evading families will be brought before the courts before then. The brutal, bestial, sadistic truth

about this country is that from colonial times onwards and right up to this day - Sunday, February 5th 2017 – the State has been an oppressor of the lower income classes in both the urban areas and rural parts of Guyana. In all this, there is a funny side. Walter Rodney’s comrades are in government now. These were the people who fought alongside Rodney and were there when he was killed. At that time, their agenda was to liberate the oppressed classes. I haven’t seen them liberating anyone since 2015. Poor Walter Rodney! He died trying to free Guyana’s proletariat and peasantry from

Frederick Kissoon the oppressive State that his friends are now part of. Remember the saying; “God is dead, Marx is dead…and I don’t feel too well myself.”

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

Opposition has just discovered the importance of GPL No government anywhere should ask its citizens to get used to power outages, none in this 21st Century that has modernization and a green economy at the top of its agenda. Our Ministers have given their assurance that the quality and reliability of electricity is improving steadily, and that they are extending the possibilities for alternative renewable sources. At least five Ministers addressed the Honorable House last week and reminded members of the circumstances that Guyanese had lived with throughout the two decades before 2015. There was a debate on the opposition’s motion that called on the government to inform them of “the causes of frequent widespread and unscheduled power outages”. The motion called for a revelation of our medium to long term strategy for the energy sector. Amazing! This is worse than Rip Van Winkle, but Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, said it more succinctly: “The dark days are over, the dark nights will soon be over, and I will not support this motion!” The work that this administration has done in 19 months to stabilize power supply already shapes

Guyana’s forward march to power stability and alternative sources of renewable energy. The PPP needed reminding that in 2015, we inherited mostly old and some ancient generating equipment, especially in Bartica and Anna Regina. For decades under the PPP’s hand, Guyanese were forced to live with unaffordable charges for a mostly unreliable supply of electricity. Many communities had no power; some had infrequent power supply and among them some residents who could afford their own portable generators supplied power to their neighbours for a fee. Almost every business owner was forced to purchase generators, fuel and spare parts, and implement expensive systems to ensure efficient consumption. So now that Guyana is advancing on a green pathway to real growth, and now that we have committed ourselves to green energy, up pops this Parliamentary motion demanding all kinds of long-term and medium term strategies to deal with power outages. In 23 years, the PPP never once produced any lasting strategies to provide a steady power supply that could encourage worthwhile investors to bring their opera-

tions to Guyana. So, has the opposition just discovered the importance of GPL? Minister Gaskin said, “While the rest of us were struggling with our candles and kerosene lamps well into the new millennium, and well into the PPP/C’s administration, these concerns should have been addressed. Perhaps if they cared, all of these long term and medium term strategies they are asking for would have been formulated since then”. The fact is GPL has embraced our 19-month-old vision for green energy and the company is creating a commercial and technical framework to purchase or transfer electricity from other producers, and from renewable sources like water and the sun. Bartica and Anna Regina have come to the forefront. These communities have been in the spotlight because their power supplies were badly interrupted due to old generating equipment. Supply to Regions 3 and 4 was also interrupted frequently in the fourth quarter of 2016, until the damage was discovered on the sub-river transmission cable linking the Kingston and Versailles stations.

Minister David Patterson in Parliament pointed out that the don’t-care authors of this parliamentary motion had no plans whatsoever for Regions 2, 3 and 7 when they were in office, but for obvious reasons they have developed a sudden interest in GPL now, in the run-up to the new developments – positive changes. That damaged submarine cable across the Demerara is being replaced; at Bartica a 1.7 megawatts genset is coming, as well as new engines for Anna Regina, to replace the ancient machines. There is a lot more in the pipeline at GPL, including replacing the old power lines (distribution network), upgrading the billing and customer response systems, and purchasing excess power from large scale self generating (fmr) customers. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Guyanese have been living with blackouts – lengthy ones, short ones, day and night - since the early 1980’s, since GPL was GEC. In Guyana’s history there have been some brief forays into/ experimentation with hydroelectricity, but now this government is deliberately going in this direction towards the Green Economy that Guyana will become.

Several feasibility studies had been done in the past, the first at Tumatumari on the Potaro River, others in the Mazaruni, Kaieteur and other waterfalls in that part of the country. In the 1950’s before we gained independence, a small hydropower plant was built by the British Guiana Consolidated Goldfields company to power a gold mining operation, but a workers’ strike closed it in the 1960’s. The Guyana National Service revived this hydro station in 1976 and kept it running through the 1980’s until the last 750 kW turbine failed around 1989. Tumatumari had provided electricity to a few communities in Region 8. After 1989, the residents reverted to flambeaux, candles, gas lamps, and more recently inverter batteries and small generators. The quality of life of Guyanese living inland over the two-plus decades of PPP rule did not change or develop. There was one attempt to power the border town of Lethem with the small ill-fated Moco-Moco hydro plant that the Chinese had built in 1995. Eight years later, in 2003, it was gone, victim of a landslide. That was 12 years before the 2015 elections. No matter how the people

begged, nothing was done to rehabilitate or replace the hydro station. Then there was the PPP’s flirtation with the Amaila Falls Hydropower project (2006). Were it not for their venality; the spiraling infrastructural costs; the poorly disguised intent to pry money from our international partners who were depending on lush Guyana to help save the world from the ravages of global warming; and were it not for the long time it took Jagdeo’s friend, ‘Fip’ Motilall to construct the first access road, then we would have had our first Hydropower station ready to go. They did say it was going to take 10 years to come into operation. Now this government has started over in pursuit of our green agenda with feasibility studies at Amaila Falls and the other locations identified for secondary hydro stations. We are determined to free Guyanese from decades of blackouts, from underdevelopment, and from our tarnished international image. We just wish that the Opposition would accept that Guyanese people are not that gullible. This self-righteous posturing about long term strategies to fix the holes that the PPP dug will only fool a few.

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

My column

There is a cadre of very young gunmen This past week brought the age of the gunmen into sharp focus. News came that the police had arrested a gunman implicated in the killing of a restaurant worker on D’Urban Street. Needless to say the news was greeted with some excitement. After all, many in the news had seen the video of the killing and could not understand why the police had failed to make an arrest, despite the numerous wanted bulletins that had been posted. This time, the news was that the suspect was crippled. Word is that he was shot by another local gunman while they were both in Suriname. As the story goes the two men met on the streets of Paramaribo. The now crippled person reportedly told the other that he would deal with him for killing his friend. There is an old saying that if you raise your hand to kill the king then you must kill him. In local parlance, “Mek attempt gone.” The now crippled fellow after making his threat turned his back on the other person and got shot. The bullets hit his spine. He is now 21 years old and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his natural life. The shooter for his part, returned home, where he was the prime suspect in the death of another young man named Sherwyn Barrow. He in turn got shot dead, some say by a group of people who travelled from Suriname. He too had just turned twenty. Not so long ago the police confronted two men who had robbed a home in Campbellville. They ran into a cemetery and were killed. They too were in their early twenties. It would seem that some young men, who did not benefit from the free education being provided, turn to the gun for a living. Some have made good in the interim. One group made off with $6 million. I cannot say what they do with that money which is enough to build a small home. What I do know is that not long after they go out for even more money. What is surprising is that people know the perpetrators of these crimes but they say nothing, some because they fear retaliation and others be-

cause they benefit from the proceeds. There is the case of a woman in Kaneville who found a gun in her yard. She picked it up with the intention of calling the police. However the owner of the gun went in search of the gun and failing to find it, confronted the woman who became afraid and turned it over. For her efforts, she lost her home and her grandchild in a conflagration. She said that she knew the perpetrators and said as much to the police. Three days ago the police caught the main person miles away, in Mahdia. Credit must go to the police for being able to circulate information and descriptions to their colleagues. This was the case when the police were hunting the killers of a Regent Street businessman, Ganesh Ramlall. The news stated, “48–year–old Ganesh Ramlall was gunned down outside his house. The businessman, who owns the Multiplex Mall on Regent Street, Georgetown, was shot some five times, including once to the head.” The investigation was intense and not long after the police were able to arrest the suspects. But one remained at large. He was called Banana. A police patrol had stopped on High Street when one of the men spotted Banana. He went and arrested him immediately. How he was able to identify the man must be due to great police description. This brings us back to the point that people know who perpetrate the crimes. These gun crimes have people talking that Guyana is a dangerous place. It matters not that there are places so much more dangerous than Guyana. Every day as I watch the news I see a shooting in Miami. Yet Guyanese do not say that Miami is a dangerous place. There were the massacres at Bartica and Lusignan back in 2008. A combined twentythree people died violently. Again most of the killers were young men, some of them in their teens. The trial for the Bartica massacre ended late last week. I was in the court when one of them opted to plead guilty. He was sent to jail for a long time, so long that I would be dead and gone be-

fore he comes out, if he lives that long. Two cousins got the death penalty for murder and even more jail time, life imprisonment, on manslaughter charges. These are also young men. One of them had been fingered in a robbery on a Guyana Sugar Corporation payroll, but he was freed by the courts. I would expect that having come so close to serious jail time, this person would eschew the gun. Not so. He is now on Death Row. As fate would have it, Guyana has a leader who says that he will hang no one, so

those sentenced to death could breathe easy. However, living in the shadow of the gallows must be a harsh reality. One judge, aware that the state was not hanging anyone, imposed some of the harshest sentences in the history of the country. He apparently is making sure that these people do not walk the streets again. I wonder at the role of parents in the lives of these young men. For the most part the fathers are not around, so it is left to the mothers to bring up these children. I spoke to the mother of the crippled

young man, who admits that her son has been in prison for another crime but was released on bail and has not been convicted. She spoke of the difficulty to take care of the every need of her son who “can do nothing for himself.” I wonder where she went wrong with his upbringing. There are other parents who must deal with their young criminals. Some of them are law-abiding. Just last week a mother turned in her son to the Brickdam Police Station after she learned that he was in-

Adam Harris volved in a gun robbery. If only there were other similarly law-abiding parents in the mix.

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(Remarks by His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to the Prayer Breakfast for Interfaith Harmony Week) ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ is an occasion for nations and peoples to work, continuously, to establish a culture of social cohesion. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the belief that mutual understanding is an important element in the establishment of a cohesive state. The observance of ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ has its origins in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 65.5 – entitled World Interfaith Harmony Week – and adopted on 20th October 2010. The ‘Resolution’ encouraged all states to: “…support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

Interfaith harmony and the cohesive state week…” THE COSMOPOLITAN STATE Guyana is a cosmopolitan state. The majority of our people adhere to one of the world’s major religions – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Guyana is a model of interfaith harmony. The religious diversity which we enjoy has never degenerated into violent conflict. This is not an accident. Policies were purposefully pursued to promote peaceful coexistence by fostering interfaith harmony. Guyana is, under its supreme law – the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana – ‘a secular state.’ This has forestalled religious competition for political power. The separation of religion and State has contributed to respectful, religious co-existence. The Constitution [at Article 145] respects and protects free-

dom of thought and religion: Except with his or her own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of conscience and, for the purposes of this article, the said freedom includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his or her religious belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his or her religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. Safeguards against religious discrimination and vilification are also entrenched in the Constitution which [at Article 149 (3)] proscribes discrimination on the grounds of religion. The Constitution [at Article 38 F] states: “No person’s religion or religious belief shall be vilified.” These protections have served to protect religious freedom, promote religious

respect and preserve interfaith harmony and mutual trust. THE COHESIVE STATE Guyana aims at becoming a socially-cohesive state. Social cohesion is about combating exclusion and marginalisation, creating a sense of belonging and promoting upward mobility. It is: “…the belief held by citizens of a given nation-state that they share a moral community which enables them to trust each other.” The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines a cohesive society as one that: “… works towards the well-being of all its members, fights exclusion and marginalisation, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust, and offers its members the opportunity of upward mobility.” A cohesive community is one in which: “…the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued, those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities, and strong and

positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods”. I do believe that ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ helps to develop “positive relationships” in Guyana even as hostile relationships and religious conflicts continue to envelop regions, states and communities in other places. ACOOPERATIVE STATE Guyana proudly declared itself to be a ‘Cooperative Republic.’ Interfaith harmony is a means to establish a culture of cooperation. Harmony is advanced through dialogue which, in turn, promotes understanding which, in turn, generates cooperation which will facilitate the dismantling of the barriers of domination and distrust – the sources of human conflict. A culture of cooperation in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society can be sustained only by ensuring that there are guarantees of religious freedom, policies which

protect against religious d i s c r i m i nation and programmes which promote social cohesion. The State, since Independence, promoted mutual respect by recognising the most sacred festivals and holy days of the main religions. The State, more recently, established a Ministry of Social Cohesion aimed at breaking down walls of division and at building bridges of cooperation between ethnic, religious and social groups in society. Social cohesion and interfaith harmony cannot be left to chance. Guyana proudly declared itself to be a ‘secular’ state. The protection of the right to religious freedom and expression, the recognition accorded to all religions and the promotion of social cohesion, have laid the foundation for mutual respect and interfaith harmony. These efforts have been supported by a robust dialogue among our religious leaders, particularly through the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO). I wish to thank all the religious leaders who have been actively involved in cultivating religious cooperation. Guyana has become, and must remain, a model of interfaith harmony. I urge that we continue to ‘…spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill’ as we seek to become a socially cohesive state.

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Herniated disks: When back pain becomes dangerous By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine A while back I had written about cauda equine syndrome. Since then, quite a few persons have been asking me about their back pain and have some difficulty understanding the term “pinched nerve”. A “pinched nerve” occurs from a herniated disk and today we will shed some light on this worrying condition. WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISK? The disks in your spine, called intervertebral disks, are thin, oblong structures that serve as cushions between the bones of your back (vertebrae). Each disk is made of a soft gel core surrounded by a tough outer shell. This structure allows the disk to be firm enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to compress when the spine flexes during bending, leaning and turning sideways. In some people, mostly middle-aged adults, a disk’s tough outer shell develops an area of weakness or a small tear. When this happens, part of the disk’s soft inner core can bulge out of its normal position (herniate), produc-

ing a condition called a herniated disk. If the herniated disk presses on nerves in the nearby spinal canal (pinched nerve), this can cause variety of nerve-related symptoms, including pain, numbness and muscle weakness. In the most severe cases, a herniated disk can compress nerves that control the bowel and bladder, causing loss of urinary and bowel control. WHY DO DISKS HERNIATE? Scientists do not fully understand why disks herniate. Most theories attribute this condition to a combination of the following factors: · Disk aging – Herniated disks are rare in young people, but common among people aged 35 to 55. Of all the factors responsible for herniated disks, aging is probably the most important. With age, the disk’s outer shell appears to degenerate slowly, possibly because of decades of upright posture and back flexion. · Genetic factors – In some families, several close relatives suffer from herniated disks, whereas other families are not affected at all. If the condition runs in a family, it may have an unusually early onset, even striking

people younger than 21. Studies are beginning to identify specific genes linked to inherited forms of disk disease. · Individual risk factors – You may be at increased risk of a herniated disk if you work at a job or participate in a sport that involves heavy lifting or excessive twisting or bending. There are three distinct areas of the vertebral column where a herniated disk may occur: · The cervical area between the vertebrae in the neck · The thoracic area between the vertebrae in the upper back, near the ribs · The lumbar region between the vertebrae in the lower back, above the pelvis Herniated disks are most common in the lumbar region (lower back). WHATARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF HERNIATED DISK (PINCHED NERVE)? The first symptom of a herniated disk is usually back pain in the area of the affected disk. Some researchers believe this pain is a signal that a disk’s tough outer shell has been injured or weakened, not necessarily that the inner core has herniated. If the inner core does herniate and press on a

nearby nerve, the resulting symptoms vary depending on the location of the herniated disk: · In the cervical region – There can be pain in the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, arm or chest, together with numbness or weakness in the arm or fingers. If the pain is centered in the chest and arm, it can mimic the chest pain of heart disease. Occasionally, frequent urination and headaches can occur. · In the thoracic region – Symptoms tend to be vague, misleading and long lasting. There may be pain in the upper back, lower back, chest, abdomen or legs, together with weakness and numbness in one or both legs. Some affected people also complain of poor control of their bladder and bowel. · In the lumbar region – Many people suffer from years of intermittent and mild lower back pain before a single triggering event (such as heavy lifting, sudden bending, abrupt twisting) aggravates their symptoms to the point that they seek medical attention. It also may develop without an identifiable triggering event. In most people with a lumbar disk herniation, severe leg pain is the chief complaint.

This pain is called sciatica, because it comes from pressure on the sciatic nerve. It usually begins in the lower back, and then spreads into the buttocks and down the back of one thigh and leg. Sciatica typically becomes worse if the patient coughs, sneezes, bears down or moves the back abruptly. While often relieved by rest, sciatica may become worse with driving or lifting. In addition, there may be numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the buttocks or leg on the side of the pain. In rarer and more severe forms of lumbar disk herniation, the nerve is compressed more extensively. If this happens, additional symptoms can develop, including pain around the anus; loss of bowel and bladder control; and numbness around the genital area, buttocks or backs of the thighs. ARETHERE TREATMENT OPTIONS? In most cases, a herniated disk (with or without sciatica) will respond to conservative treatment. This may include limited bed rest (generally no more than a day or two); warm baths; heating pads; and medications, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-in-

Dr Zulfikar Bux flammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants. Spinal injections may also help some patients who are unresponsive to oral therapy. If you have lost bowel or bladder control, if you have evidence of progressive nerve damage, or if you have unrelenting pain that persists despite weeks of conservative treatment, more aggressive treatment may be needed, including surgery. In most cases, this means removing the disk (diskectomy), which may require major spinal surgery. If you suspect you have symptoms of a herniated disk, visit your doctor early so that you can prevent it from worsening.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

SUNDAY SPECIAL FORMER PRESIDENT’S CAR CLAMPED BY PARKING METER COMPANY

AG ORDERS DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL OFF ALL STATE CASES Days after the state-owned newspaper, Guyana Chronicle, carried a critical piece, insinuating that she was to be blamed for Government recently losing a race-baiting appeal case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo, a senior official of the Attorney General Chambers has filed an official complaint against Minister Basil Williams. Deputy State Solicitor, Prithima Kissoon, in her undated letter to the Public Service Commission, claimed that she was ordered to cease all cases on behalf of the AG Chambers. Kissoon now wants the commission to investigate the case and also allow her to proceed on leave and grant permission to leave the country. According to the complaint against Attorney General Basil Williams, Kissoon was hired by the commission as Deputy Solicitor General in February 2013. Before that she worked with three previous Attorneys General. Kissoon said that her first three months with the new AG starting in May 2015 were “somewhat” cordial. However, the AG was slow in granting his approval and signature on a number of cases and decisions. The official claimed she represented the AG Chambers in the majority of cases, even when it was Williams who had undertaken to appear. ”The Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams, has failed to approve or sign written submissions prepared by me or examine pleadings despite those documents being sent to him via email or being given to his Con-

fidential Secretary, Ms. Demi Hipplewith, Ms. Andrea Marks and other assistants he has retained over the past year,” Kissoon claimed. Kissoon claimed that Minister Williams even instructed his secretary and his other assistants to refuse to accept any documents or correspondences from her, and as a result, “I have had to resort to registering or express mailing him my correspondence and at all times emailing him and carbon copying relevant recipients.” Denying she was to be blamed for race-baiting case being tossed out, Kissoon said that Williams despite being reminded that he has to file an affidavit in response, did nothing. AFC CONGRESS ELECTS TROTMAN AGAIN; RAMJATTAN IS CHAIRMAN With a two point lead, cofounder of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, defeated his colleague, Minister of Public

Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, in the fight for the leadership position of the party. This was revealed last Saturday at the AFC’s fifth biennial National Conference which was held at Vreeden-Hoop Secondary School. According to the election results, Trotman secured 127 votes while Ramjattan, the former leader of the Party, earned 125. Ramjattan served as leader from 2005 to 2007. Trotman subsequently took over from 2007 and continued to 2012. The Minister of Public Security was voted into the leadership position in 2012 and served until January 27, 2017. Around 19: 30 hours Saturday, President David Granger extended congratulations to Trotman on securing the position. The Head of State noted that the AFC is an essential component of the coalition, APNU+AFC, and took the opportunity to recommit the APNU to the Cummingsburg Accord. Three persons were originally slated to contest the position of

Chairman. They were Raphael Trotman, Khemraj Ramjattan and Mrs. Cathy Hughes, the Minister of Public Telecommunications. Ramjattan was declared the Chairman after Trotman won the elections for Leader. Hughes withdrew her candidacy. However, with 116 votes, Hughes emerged as the winner for the post of Vice Chairman. The Party also saw the election of a new General Secretary. With 125 votes, Marlon Williams will now hold the fort. His predecessor, David Patterson, who is Minister of Public Infrastructure, secured 83 votes at the elections. Even though he was nominated for the leadership post, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had announced that he would not be running for the position. The First Vice President also declined to run for the positions of Chairman or Vice-Chairman. He noted, though, that he would accept nomination for the National Executive Committee (NEC), and will serve on this body if elected.

Former President Donald Ramotar’s car was booted by Smart City Solutions (SCS) in front of Freedom House last Saturday. According to the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C), Ramotar was visiting Freedom House where he was attending a meeting when SCS employees clamped his car for not buying a ticket to park. It is understood that even before Ramotar’s car was clamped his security detail engaged the SCS employees and informed them whose car it was. From all indications, that explanation did not wash with the SCS representatives and they swiftly clamped the former President. Further the PPP/C said that there are no parking meters to service that area and that this was designed to embarrass the former President. The party said that the SCS employees were accompanied by constables from the Mayor and City Council who were verbally abusive and dismissive of the former president’s security detail. The vehicle is assigned to Ramotar by the Ministry of Presidency for his transportation. Many opined that better judgment should have been shown by SCS and M&CC representatives when they were told that the vehicle was Ramotar’s. MONDAY EDITION POLICE MONITORING EX-COPS BELIEVED LINKED TO HIGH-PROFILE CRIMES – SITUATION ‘OF GRAVE CONCERN,’ – CRIME CHIEF BLANHUM The Guyana Police Force is taking “immediate steps” to monitor the activities of some of its former members, amid concern over the growing number of ex-cops who are being implicated in serious crimes, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum revealed Sunday. ”The recent arrest of three exGPF members, who were allegedly found with a high powered rifle, handgun and ammunition, and were placed before the court, is a trend that is of grave concern to the Guyana Police Force,” Blanhum told Kaieteur News. ”This trend has been recognised also, with the arrest of several other ex-GPF members in relation to some high–profile crimes. These ex-policemen who have been arrested have either been dismissed from the Force for corrupt transactions, breach of the Police Standing Orders, or withdrew their services from the Force. ”It is clear that some of these policemen have turned to a life of crime and have sought to utilize their specialized training in firearms, and their familiarity with the GPF’s Standard and training on what action would draw suspicion of ranks of the Force, to aid them in their criminal (Continued on page 33)

Sunday February 05, 2017

(From page 32) activities. ”They are also utilizing their knowledge of what clues and pieces of evidence investigators look for at crime scenes to effect serious crimes without being detected,” he added. “As such, the Guyana Police Force, after careful consideration, has taken the decision to immediately commence monitoring the movements of specific ex-GPF members who have been linked to serious criminal activities.” Blanhum’s revelation comes just days after three former police ranks were arrested following the discovery of an assault rifle, a handgun and ammunition at a house in the city. One of the ex-policemen was charged and later freed, in connection with two murders. He was also questioned about two executionstyle killings during the crime wave. Another was previously charged in connection with gun-related robberies on individuals who were coming from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. It was particularly during the 2002 to 2008 ‘crime wave’ period that the names of several former police ranks were linked to death squads and the narco trade. CABINET DID NOT BLUNDER INASKINGAUDITOR GENERAL TO CONDUCT DETAILED NICILAUDIT – FINANCE MINISTER Finance Minister, Winston Jordan has rejected claims that Government blundered in handing over the transactional audit into the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to Auditor General, Deodat Sharma. He was at the time, responding to local anticorruption activists who are against the decision. Their aversion to government’s decision is rooted in the fact that it was Sharma who in previous years gave NICIL a “clean bill of health”. It was a 2015 forensic audit commissioned by this very government which uncovered nothing but damning acts of corruption at the said entity. But in spite of what Sharma did in the past, there was simply no avoiding him when it comes to the transactional audit that was recommended by the NICIL forensic audit report. This is according to Minister Jordan, who told this newspaper that in the case of the said audit, the appointment of anyone besides the AG would require Sharma’s permission. “The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would have to give a fiat if the Government wants to employ private prosecutors. She has to give you the clearance. It is similar with the Auditor General. The AG would have to give you the clearance to go to other persons for the transactional audit and he would even have to appoint them.” ”I am sure you would have observed that in some instances, the AG cannot do the audit for every-

Kaieteur News

one so what you would find is that he would contract the audit to other firms. Under the Constitution, he could appoint others to do it. The government couldn’t just ask anyone else to do the transactional audit. ”In the case of the forensic audits, the Audit Act allows government to do the forensic audits. So cabinet did not err in asking the AG to do the transactional audit. Cabinet cannot take the transactional audit any place else. It is up to the AG if he is overwhelmed to pass it on to someone else.” ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INITIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONAGAINST DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL – ADAMANT THAT KISSOON ACTED IN FAVOUR OF OPPOSITION The dispute between Attorney General Basil Williams and Deputy State Solicitor Prithima Kissoon escalated Sunday, with Williams revealing that he has taken steps to initiate disciplinary action against Kissoon. Williams made the revelation in a statement, while repeating allegations that the Deputy Solicitor was undermining pertinent legal matters between the Government and the Opposition. “There are numerous memoranda issued to her for numerous infractions,” Williams added. The AG revealed that he has instructed the Permanent Secretary of the Attorney General Chambers/ Ministry of Legal Affairs to inform the Public Service Commission, of the Chambers’ intention to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Kissoon, and further, to enquire of the PSC’s procedures pertaining to same. Williams’ statement came in response to Kissoon’s claims that the Attorney General had taken steps to remove her from all state cases. The Deputy Solicitor General had been accused of undermining pertinent legal matters between the government and the opposition. In a previous statement, the AG had accused Kissoon of being openly supportive of the PPP/C Op-

position and the Party’s lawyer Anil Nandlall. But Kissoon filed an official complaint against Minister Basil Williams with the Public Service Commission, claiming that she was ordered to cease all cases on behalf of the AG Chambers. However, in his statement, Williams accused Kissoon of attempting to cloud the facts of a situation.

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Minister Jordan revealed that total salary increases for public servants for the period amounts to 164.7%, mainly in single digit increments. However, the economist disclosed that the salaries of the then PPP ministers of government increased, over the same period, by a whopping 220.5%, some 55% more than the public servants increase. Minister Jordan further revealed that the salary of the president, during the same period increased by a mammoth 386.5%, more than 220% over the increase in public servants for the same period. It was noted that former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, served as President from 1999 until 2011. While Donald Ramotar served as President from 2011 to 2015. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said, “It is utterly disgraceful that the post-Jagan Cabinet bureaucracy grabbed an average 300% salary hike between 1998 and 2014. They ‘helped’ the poor public servants over this period by giving a total of 164%, mostly in five percent doses but in 17 years; the PPP Ministers were paid a more than handsome 220% salary increase.”

TUESDAY EDITION SALARY INCREASES FOR PPP PRESIDENTS, MINISTERS WERE ‘UNCONSCIONABLE AND UTTERLY DISGRACEFUL’-PM

$4.6B GPL PROJECT…OPPOSITION CALLS FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT COMMISSION TO PROBE “POLLUTED” CONTRACT

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, believes that the salary increases the former regime awarded to its presidents and ministers over a 17-year period were not only “unconscionable” but “utterly disgraceful.” The First Vice President’s remarks came on the heels of statistics revealed by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in the National Assembly last Monday. Jordan was at the time, responding to a question posed by Government Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira. Figueira asked the Finance Minister to present to the National Assembly the annual increases in salaries for public servants and ministers and presidents for the period 1998 to 2014.

The controversial awarding of the $4.6B contract to a Chineseowned company for Component ‘A’ of the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP), continues to attract scrutiny with the Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) issuing a call for the contract to go to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Issuing the call on behalf of the Opposition was Member of Parliament (MP), Odinga Lumumba, during the sitting of the 60th Sitting of the National Assembly Monday evening as the house debated a motion tabled by PPP/C MP, Bishop Juan Edghill. The motion was for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Govern-

ment, to abide by the procurement laws – among other things – to ensure that contracts are fairly and transparently awarded. Lumumba said that this “particular scandal-prone project “is an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)/European Union (IDB/EU)funded project with the objective to reduce technical and commercial losses to the GPL. The Parliamentarian posited that the matter be taken to the Public Procurement Commission in order to find a resolution while adding that the Chairman of GPL, Robert Badal’s call for more transparency within the agency was a tad “too late”. He said that while Badal was not specific for his reason to make such a call, it can be interpreted that he is also “burdened” by the decision to grant the Chinese company, China National Machinery Import and Export (CMC), the contract. ”I need to remind Mr. Badal that he cannot go toward selective tendering. Any tender process should be open, and available to all. Every tender board and every Government make mistakes. Mistakes are part of life. ”But when you make mistakes and you know it is a mistake, you must correct it, or find ways to correct it.” Lumumba said that the project is vital to the long term efficiency of GPL but “incompetence and political interference has led to a delay of over 12 months. ”During this period, the decision making process has been polluted by different sets of evaluators and as of today, the issue is still tarnished by accusations and counteraccusations. “ He also issued a call for the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee to be provided with the names of the evaluators. FUTURE OF DEPUTY SOLICITOR TO BE DECIDED BY THE PSC—AG The way forward on the matter regarding Deputy Solicitor General, Prithima Kissoon, is to be decided by the Public Service Commission, (PSC). This is according to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of (Continued on page 34)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

remove people from some positions because they are too old, I would have a serious problem with it.” ”Since when does age determine competence?” Hinds asked. BANDITS ESCAPE WITH $6M AFTER TRAILING WOMAN FROM CITY BANK

(From page 33) Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. Commenting on the matter, Monday, following a press briefing at his Carmichael Street Office, the AG disclosed that steps have been taken to have investigations launched into all the cases that were handled by Ms. Kissoon. Williams had accused the Deputy Solicitor of undermining pertinent legal matters between the Government and the Opposition. His accusations came in the wake of the Government‘s loss of the racebaiting appeal case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Williams said that there had long been suspicions that Kissoon had been acting in favour of the previous administration. ”And these are highly sensitive cases, therefore there must be investigations into the matters before any pronouncements on the way forward.” The AG said that the matter is engaging the attention of the Public Service Commission, (PSC). WEDNESDAY EDITION AMBIGUITY SURROUNDS GOV’T ‘POLICY’ ON HIRING RETIRED PERSONS- DR HINDS Political Activist, Dr. David Hinds, is raising questions about policy as it regards retaining the services of experienced retired persons, following news that Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, (PCA) Justice Cecil Kennard has been asked to step down from the post because of his age. The matter has become a source of concern since the APNU/AFC administration has been retaining the services of a number of experienced people as advisors to the Government following their retirement. These persons include Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, who is Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority. Green is over 80 years old.

Last month the Government via State -owned Guyana Chronicle newspapers announced that both the Chairmen of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Justice Prem Persaud are expected to retire by the end of March. The article outlined that the administration had considered the age of both men who have already attained age 80 as the basis of the retirement. The distinguished retired jurists have been employed by the State for years, with Kennard a retired Chancellor of the Judiciary being at the helm of the PCA since 2001. In a subsequent statement to the press, Dr Hinds, a political activist, questioned Government’s stance on the issue. He said that it is a clear case of ambiguity. Hinds said, “If the government has a policy whereby people past a certain age should not occupy certain posts, then it should formally announce it and explain to the public the basis behind it.” Underlining what he believes is a clear case of discrimination, Hinds said that the failure by the Government to clarify its stance on the issue opens the administration to the charge of selective targeting of officials as appears to be the case with Justice Cecil Kennard. ”But even if there is a policy to

A Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara woman was robbed of $6M in cash after two gunmen trailed her from a City bank to her home around 11:00 hrs Tuesday. The woman, Indranie Budhu, of Lot 31 Chateau Margot, and her husband, Moolchand Budhu, operate an upholstery business at their home. After withdrawing the money from the bank, the woman called a taxi to take her home. As she was entering her yard, one of two armed bandits rushed in behind her and grabbed the bag. While the cops questioned the taxi driver, Budhu said that she is convinced that he played no part in the robbery since she has been using him for a number of years. Budhu explained that they were going to purchase a plot of land so she went to the bank to withdraw the cash. ”My husband was supposed to come pick me up but after I couldn’t get onto him, I called the taxi and when it reached, I tell the driver to come in the bank and collect me because I got money on me,” the woman recalled. She explained that once she got into the car, she locked the doors and looked around for suspicious movement as she was heading home in the car but noticed nothing unusual. ”I saw nothing suspicious. When the driver dropped me off, I walked in the yard and then this man approached me and tried to grab the bag but my husband was in the workshop and I throw the bag at him, but the gunmen run to him, hit him in the head and collect the bag,” Budhu said. She explained that as she was running out of her yard, she saw the gunman running behind her with the bag and grabbed onto it. ”He hit me on my hand and he was going to take my bangles but I asked him if he wanted fake gold too and he collect the bag and run away,” the woman related. She said the men escaped in a grey Toyota Allion bearing registration number HB 5059. The gunmen also escaped with two passports, both with US visas belonging to Budhu and her husband. POLICE CORPORAL FISHED OUT OF EKEREKU RIVER AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES A policeman was on Tuesday fished out of the Ekereku River, Region Seven, after the boat in which he and his colleague were conducting patrol duties, accompanied by a captain, sank. The dead rank has been identified as Belgrave Bartholomew, a po-

lice corporal. His colleague is Constable Bess. The boat captain is 37year-old Devon Williams, a miner of 139 Annandale, East Coast Demerara. According to reports, the lawmen were heading across the river from patrol duties when the vessel started taking in water at a fast rate and sank within minutes. Bess and Williams swam to shore but the police corporal did not make it. A source said that they were in a wooden boat propelled by a Yamaha engine. Several persons were informed and a search party made checks in the river but came up empty handed. The victim’s body floated up Tuesday morning. THURSDAY EDITION IN SPITE OF FORENSIC AUDITOR’S RECOMMENDATION … NICIL MAKES NO MOVE TO RECLAIM LANDS FROM CHINARAILWAY Even with new management in place, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is yet to take action regarding a plot of Turkeyen land that was suspiciously gifted to China Railway Engineering Group during the PPP administration. China Railway was considered as a key construction partner during discussions on the controversial Amaila Falls Hydro Project. The matter has never come up for discussion at a NICIL board meeting. This was confirmed Wednesday by Officer in Charge of NICIL, Horace James. The matter was one which was first brought to the attention of the media by the Alliance for Change (AFC). Based on a publication of the Official Gazette, the party found that one acre of land at Plantation Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, as shown on a plan by D. Ramkarran, a sworn land surveyor dated June 18, 2013 and signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on April

4, 2014, was transferred to NICIL. NICIL then transferred it to China Railway Guyana Incorporated. There was no cost attached to the land transfer. Local critics have since noted that moves should be made for the land to be repossessed. There have also been calls for sanctions to be imposed against those involved in the illicit transaction. The issue was also flagged by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran in his forensic audit report on NICIL. In the report, Goolsarran said that the land which was gifted to China Railway was initially GuySuCo’s. 2014 D’URBAN STREET RESTAURANT WAITRESS’S MURDER… KILLER FOUND CRIPPLED IN HIS MOTHER’S HOUSE It took the cops almost three years but they finally captured the man who walked into the Chinese Restaurant on D’Urban Street, Wortmanville on August 23, 2014 and pumped several bullets into Debra Blackman, called Debbie, a waitress. The gunman, who was captured on surveillance camera wearing a black and red cap at the time of the shooting, was arrested early Wednesday in his mother’s Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home in a wheel chair. Acting on information, the cops went to the location where they found the crippled murder suspect. The gunman has also been linked to the July 29, 2014 shooting of 40year-old Bernadette Campbell, who was shot in a minibus by a hooded gunman during what is believed to be a robbery. She died three months later. According to information, the suspect was shot twice to the back in Suriname by Kellon Hinds, who was hiding out there after murdering Sherwyn Barrow. Barrow was slain execution-style in May 2015. Hinds came back to Guyana in (Continued on page 35)

Sunday February 05, 2017

(From page 34) September 2015 and was gunned down in retaliation for the death of 24-year-old Barrow. FORMER PRESIDENT SAYS HE GRANTED RED HOUSE LEASE – AG STILLTO FILE AFFIDAVIT IN RESPONSE TO COURTACTION An Affidavit has been filed in the High Court by former President Donald Ramotar to support the motion filed by the PPP/C opposition seeking to bar the revocation of a lease to the Red House. This goes against initial reports that the Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the day or The National Trust of Guyana,

Kaieteur News

which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01. In the affidavit dated January 30, 2017, Ramotar explained that as President of Guyana, he exercised all powers conferred upon himself by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana in leasing the property. According to sworn document, Ramotar said that at all material times , he was aware and authorized and sanctioned the issuance of a lease of the Government land for educational /research purposes on the March 30 , 2012 in respect to areas ‘A’ now called Red House comprising of Lots 65, 66 and 67 High Street Kingston situated in the City of Georgetown , County of Demerara, by Commission of lands and surveys acting on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the Cheddi Jagan Research Institute, (CJRI). Last December, the political opposition moved to the High Court to bar the revocation of a lease and the removal of artifacts from Red House, a national heritage site. The move came after President David Granger ordered that the lease to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property by December 31, 2016. The Red House lease was granted by the then PPP/C government to Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI), a company formed by the members of the same party. However according information obtained by the current government, on March 30, 2012 the Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the day or The National Trust of Guyana, which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands

Department Act Chapter 59:01. The endorsement of claim filed by Attorneys attached to the Law firm of Nandlall and Associates is claiming a declaration that Lease of Government Land for Educational/ Research Purposes for a term of 99 years commencing January 2012 is valid. The group also wants a declaration that the revocation or the likely revocation of Lease of Government Land for Educational/Research Purposes is illegal, unlawful, contrary to and in contravention of the Plaintiff’s fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed and secured by Articles 40 and 142 of the Constitution of Guyana; In addition to a Conservatory Order preventing and/or restraining the Defendants, their servants and/or agents or any other officer of the Government of Guyana or the State of Guyana from removing from any documents, photographs, artifacts, souvenirs, furniture, and any other movable property from the demised premises, the company is also seeking damages in excess of $1millions for breach of Lease of Government Land for Educational/Research Purposes. FRIDAY EDITION BARTICA MASSACRE….TWO GET DEATH SENTENCE, ONE ACQUITTED Mark Royden Williams called Durant and Smallie; and Dennis Wil-

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liams called Anaconda were found guilty of killing 12 residents of Bartica on February 17, 2008. Coaccused, Roger Simon, called Goat Man was acquitted of the killings. The decision by the 12-member jury came after 23:00 hours Thursday. The jury took almost six hours. It found the two Williamses guilty of seven counts of murder and five counts of manslaughter. On the murder conviction they were sentenced to death. The sentence was handed down by Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire at the Georgetown High Court. Dennis Williams was not in court. In fact, he had refused to attend court during the last three sessions of the hearings. But Mark Williams and Roger Simon were there. The jury acquitted Simon, but he must face other charges stemming from the Bartica Massacre, including terrorism, break and enter, and larceny. When the jury returned there was a deathly silence in the courtroom. Relatives of the accused sat with stony looks on their faces. When the sentence was handed down, Simon’s relatives broke out in screams of “Freedom. Freedom.” His lawyer, Peter Hugh, immediately petitioned the court for bail on the lesser charges and succeeded in obtaining bail on the charges of break and enter and larceny charges. However, he will have to remain in court because of the terrorism

charge. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTROLS…MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE HID US$50M FROM CENTRAL BANK Amidst growing challenges brought on by the economic decline in several neighbouring countries, Government has announced plans to conduct stricter monitoring of financial institutions to guard against a run in the foreign exchange rate. Already, one multi-national company that runs a popular money transfer service, has been written to an ordered to sell to commercial banks. It is believed that more than US$50M was withheld from the commercial banks last year, exacerbating an exchange rate situation which has seen it inching upwards. Last Thursday, it was at $215 to one US$1. It was at around $205, earlier last year. In the last few weeks, as worry grew among some businesses, Government made it clear that there is no shortage of foreign currency. Rather, there were duplications in the applications and a rush for (Continued on page 36)

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(From page 35) US dollars by a few large companies. Recently, as the Bank of Guyana investigated, it was found that a Trinidad-based company which also operated the money transfer business, has not been selling its US and other currencies to the commercial banks as is required. Rather, the foreign exchange was circulated among its local subsidiaries. The amount that the commercial banks lost out was more than US$50M, Kaieteur News was told Thursday. Governor of Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga, declined to go into details, but insisted that Central Bank has taken some actions with regards to the money transfer service. He said that some guidelines have been issued to better protect the foreign exchange market. The matter is of huge concern to the government. On Tuesday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan briefed Cabinet. The Finance Minister assured that there was no shortage. GOVT SAYS GOODBYE TO HAMILTON GREEN, 82 …HE WILL NOT BE ON NEW CH&PA’S BOARD Former City Mayor, Hamilton Green, will not be returned as Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). He was appointed to head that Board of Directors last year but there have been questions whether he could handle the heavy demands of one of the most critical State entities, given his age. On Thursday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, disclosed that the life of CH&PA’s board came to an end last year and a new one will be announced shortly. He gave the “assurance” that Green will not be coming back as chairman. The decision not to go back with Green, a former Prime Minister, and City Mayor until last year, will come at a time when the administration has

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been under pressure to explain its stance on the retiring of people from some prominent positions. Two such persons are Justice Cecil Kennard and Justice Prem Persaud. According to the minister, government had at the end of last year conducted a review of all State boards and commissions. They are both over 80. 10 APPLICATIONS FOR CHANCELLOR’S POST At least 10 applications for the post of Chancellor of the Judiciary have been submitted to the relevant authorities. The administration is intent on ensuring that the process of selection is transparent and has the confidence of Guyana. Questioned Thursday on the process which was necessitated with the imminent departure of Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, who has served for more than a decade as the head of the judiciary, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that the applicants are still subject to vetting and interviews. The spokesperson stressed that Government is being careful in the selection process as the final candidate will have to command the confidence of not only the administration but of all Guyana. He pointed to the current selection process for Supreme Court judges in the US which is televised and the applicants’ lives stripped bare before a public that is paying close attention. The choice for a new Chancellor and Chief Justice would come as Government and the Opposition remains at odds over the selection of a new Chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission. It would also come as the country gets ready for a possible Court of Appeal ruling on a third presidential term for former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Chief Justice (ag) is Yonette Cummings-Edwards. She could not have been confirmed since being sworn in by the Coalition Govern-

Sunday February 05, 2017

ment in December 2015, because Justice Carl Singh is the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is the most senior judge in the High Court. The persons applying for the positions must be a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court. The candidates must also be qualified for admission as an attorney-at-law in Guyana and has been so qualified for such period as may be prescribed by Parliament. SATURDAY EDITION FORENSICAUDIT REVEALS… KEITH BURROWES TREATED GO-INVEST LIKE HIS PRIVATE BUSINESS —SHOWED TOTAL DISREGARD FOR COMPANY’S RULES AND REGULATIONS It is hard for some to swallow that the dreadful state in which forensic auditors found the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) was largely, the doing of one person and not a natural disaster. Throughout their report, forensic auditors from Nigel Hinds Financial Services (NHFS) documented how former Chief Executive Officer, Keith Burrowes, misused his authority, made numerous ad hoc decisions and essentially treated the entity like his private business. According to the audit report which was released by the Ministry of Finance, on Friday, Burrowes’ tenure at Go-Invest was one where “adhoc and peculiar decisions” were made in several areas. These include the issuing of a Memorandum of Understanding by an Investment Officer; sending Initial Investment proposals directly to the Minister of Finance instead of the Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); exclusively managing the recruitment, selection and hiring of staff, among others - all without the ap-

proval of his Board of Directors at the time. It was also discovered that there was no clear policy at Go-Invest for remuneration of employees. Burrowes dealt with this process in a “discretionary” manner. He made it seem as though his Human Resources Officer was redundant. Elaborating further, forensic auditors said that the hiring function was conducted in an ad hoc manner thus allowing the former CEO to solely make hiring decisions. In fact, Burrowes sourced applicants, invited and conducted interviews for new hires by himself, instead of utilizing the Administrative Department. The interview committee comprising the CEO, Accountant/Personnel Officer and a Senior Investment Officer was rarely utilized. Burrowes also re-designated employees and fixed new allowances for them. Additionally, the Accountant/Human Resources Officer/Administrative Officer had little or no input in the recruitment and selection process.

It was also discovered that repairs and maintenance of vehicles were performed by mechanics “sole sourced” by Burrowes instead of being tendered. The auditors noted that the Guyana Office for Investment is a statutory body that was established in 1994, under the 1988 Public Corporations Act to replace Guyana Manufacturing and Industrial Development Authority (GUYMIDA), with a mission to contribute to Guyana’s Economic Development by promoting and facilitating local and foreign private sector investment and exports. The forensic auditors concluded that after 20 years of operations, GoInvest has failed to fulfill its mandate an d t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n i s plagued with poor Governance, mismanagement, no strategic plan, an absence of Standard Operating Procedures for the different departments and no policy for the of Investment Agreements, which is compounded by an appalling filing system for investor (Continued on page 37)

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Kaieteur News

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(From page 36) documents. ADDITIONAL SENTENCE FOR BARTICA MASSACRE FELON DEATH PENALTY PLUS LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ‘ANACONDA’ - ‘GOAT MAN’ RELEASED ON BAIL Convicted Bartica massacre felon, Dennis Williams, called ‘Anaconda,’ was further sentenced to life imprisonment for five counts of manslaughter. He was found guilty of the manslaughter charges Thursday night. The additional sentence came hours after Williams received the death penalty on seven counts of murder. Williams, called ‘Anaconda’ and his cousin, Mark Royden Williams, were sentenced to death for the murders of 12 residents of Bartica. The incident took place on February 17, 2008. The men were charged along with Roger Simon, called “Goat Man”, Clebert Reece, and Michael Caesar. Simon was acquitted of the killings on Thursday. Michael Caesar and Clebert Reece had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter earlier. Caesar was sentenced to 60 years in jail while Reece got 35 years. On Friday, shortly after Simon was acquitted for the murders, his attorney Peter Hugh successfully secured bail for the lesser charges. Initially, the attorney was unsuccessful in his petition for bail on the terrorism charge. State Counsel, Diana Kaulesar and Stacy Goodings had opposed the bail application. On Friday, Hugh successfully petitioned the court again for bail. He outlined the number of years his client spent in prison pending trial for crimes, which was eventually found not guilty. Hugh noted that although terrorism is a serious charge, the section under which his client is charged allows for bail. At the end of the arguments by the lawyer and the prosecutors, Justice George decided to release Simon on bail in the sum of $500,000. Simon is now expected to face a trial on charges stemming from the Bartica Massacre. He must answer to the charges of terrorism, unlawful wounding and break and enter, and larceny. On Thursday, the two Williams were found guilty of seven counts of murder and five counts of manslaughter. Dennis Williams was not in court for the verdict. In fact, he had refused to attend court during the last three sessions of the hearings. But Mark Williams and Roger Simon were there. Dennis Williams was again absent at Friday‘s hearing. However his lawyer Saphier Husain asked the court to consider the time his client had spent in prison (nine years) as a suitable sentence for the manslaughter convictions. The State opposed the submissions.

And in the end, Justice George gave Dennis Williams, life imprisonment on each count of the manslaughter conviction. The judge deferred the sentence for fellow convict, Mark Royden Williams to February 10. The judge noted that she needed some clarity as regards to the calculation of manslaughter convictions for the latter Williams. BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED AS PARKING METER PROTESTS HIT CITY HALL Hundreds of Guyanese, yesterday, descended on Regent Street outside the Georgetown Mayor and City Council to protest against the implementation of the parking meter system in the capital city. The protest, which began at noon, was organized by the social media group Movement Against Parking Meters. Also in demonstration mode was a smaller group of persons who protested in favour of parking meters, many of whom were employees of Smart City Solutions Inc. and staff members of the M&CC. Those in the anti-parking meter crowd were positioned on the northern sidewalk of Regent Street while supporters of the project were on the southern sidewalk. Those in favour of the meters began their exercise chanting “the PPP uneasy, because the city clean” insinuating that the protest against the meters was organised by members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic. Other slogans proclaimed, “If you don’t pay you get boot” and “The rich and the powerful must pay, parking meter here to stay.” Some of the areas of contention are that residents of Georgetown have to pay for parking, $8000 for booting, $12,000 for towing, $7000 for impounding, $7000 storage fee for every day, three months imprisonment or a fine of $100,000 for not

obeying the Municipals and District Councils Act. The cost to workers for parking and damages to vehicles through towing or impounding will be borne by motorists and not Smart City Solutions. Meanwhile, Timothy Tucker was on Friday arrested by City Police for allegedly cutting free a boot placed on a vehicle driven by his daughter. Tucker told Kaieteur News that his 21-year-old daughter had stopped in front of the Outdoor Store on Church Street. He said that she then entered the store to enquire whether pre-paid parking meter cards were being sold. During this time, her eight year-old brother stood on the bridge leading to the store keeping an eye on the vehicle. According to Tucker, since no parking receipt was on the vehicle, a warden placed a ‘boot’ on it. His son then called out to his sister who returned and explained the situation. Tucker said he was out of town at the time and quickly returned after receiving a phone call from his daughter. Upon arriving on the location, Tucker said that he exited his vehicle with a shears. He said that when walking towards his daughter’s car a city constable tapped him on his shoulder and said that he was under arrest. According to Tucker, he then asked the constable what was the charge since he did not cut anything. The man said he returned the shears to his vehicle after which the constable grabbed him. Tucker said that he was then taken into custody and placed on bail. He is to appear in court on February 10. The man said that the behaviour of the Smart City Solutions employees and the Police was reprehensible since their bullying cause his children to feel threatened to the extent that his son was already in tears when he arrived on the scene.

GRDB FORENSIC AUDIT PROBE.... SOCU RAIDS KINGSTON OFFICE, SEIZES DOCUMENTS -PROBING VEHICLE DRIVEN BYAGRI OFFICIAL Days after Government handed over the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)’s forensic audit – amongst others – to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), agents of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), descended upon the GRDB Kingston Office to secure documents which may contain potential evidence. The search was conducted to unearth further evidence in addition to what has already been discovered by the forensic auditors. SOCU’s inquiries led them to the Ministry of Agriculture, Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive where a vehicle, PNN 5632, registered to the GRDB was discovered within the confines of the Ministry’s compound. Upon inquiring of the vehicle, SOCU was reportedly told that it was being operated by a senior official of the Ministry who is the wife of a former Freedom House operative. The official is said to be in no way, connected to the GRDB. According to a source, the official was not around when SOCU visited. She would return some time around 15:00hrs before departing some minutes later. Prior to the visit to the Ministry, the SOCU team – from all indications – was successful in its bid to secure documents that may contain evidence.

UK Advisor to SOCU, Dr. Sam Sittlington, told media operatives that it is important to take action quickly to gather the documentation that is needed for evidence in cases of money laundering, tax evasion, theft etc. SOCU’s presence created quite a stir as persons came out from neighbouring buildings to get a view of the ranks that were armed with what appeared to be assault rifles, circling the Cowan Street Office. Dr. Sittlington said that the documents would help them build solid cases to charge and prosecute persons. He was quizzed if SOCU would have got wind of anyone ditching evidence prior to the search. He responded, “There is an audit trail for everything and there may be documents missing but you still have an audit trail in terms of financial transactions and there should be projects ongoing.”He said that he was confident that investigators would be able to track down the information required. Present at the Office also, was the Head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James who was asked if the unit would have found anything or whether anyone was arrested or charged with regards to the GRDB audit. He declined to comment. He then said that the investigations have just begun and assured media operatives that he would provide the necessary updates when developments arise. GRDB is the authority charged with overseeing the rice industry throughout the country.

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Community Parenting Support Groups for young parents launched - First Lady commends Ministry’s effort First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Friday, attended the Adolescent Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health’s launch of the Adolescent Clinic Day, Community Parenting Support Group, as well as the Situational Analysis on Teen Pregnancies Report at the Savannah Suites, Pegasus. The Ministry of Public Health implemented the Community Parenting Support Groups at several clinics based in community health centres across Guyana to educate and empower young parents, especially mothers to make sound decisions and choices regarding their health and well-being. These support groups will be operated by doctors and other medical personnel and will provide family planning and child health services. The First Lady in her remarks emphasised that the health and well-being of young girls is of primary importance. “It is a matter of concern that the Caribbean ranks second to Sub-Saharan Africa as having the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the world. Any thinking person would be greatly concerned that Guyana has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the commonwealth Caribbean, with the highest proportion of teenage mothers located in Sophia greater Georgetown,” Mrs. Granger said. She added that adolescent mothers lose out on their education and she was heartened at the fact that programmes were being implemented to encourage and empower the young expectant mothers to continue their development towards leading productive

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger delivers remarks at the launching of the Adolescent Clinic Day. lives. “The admirable initiative of the Ministry of Public Health to support teen mothers must be applauded. Praise must also be given to the inclusion of young fathers in support groups that have been and are being established in different locations throughout our country. The dedication and commitment of the doctors, nurses and other staff of those centres will be a key factor in determining the success of this initiative,” Mrs. Granger said. The First Lady further urged the Ministry of Public Health to collaborate with other Ministries to develop strategies aimed at addressing the issues affecting teenage parents. Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, in her

A section of the audience at the forum

remarks, highlighted the importance of addressing the social ills affecting adolescents and young people. She said that since the APNU/AFC administration took office, several initiatives and interventions by the Government, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) agencies and other nongovernmental organisations, have been implemented to target this important demographic. “I further want to highlight United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population report that has provided Guyana with the current data on our adolescents and youths. The importance of this data cannot be underestimated. We now have a clear picture of the numbers involved and the range of issues as well as an insight into the strategies needed to overcome these challenges,” Minister Lawrence said. The Minister said that the

information gathered from the State of the World Population report has detailed Guyana’s mental health problems and identified it, as one of the main causes of illness and disability among adolescents. She continued that adolescent pregnancy emerges as a social, economic and health issue that threatens the sustainable development of Guyana. “The [Community Parenting Support Groups] offer the mother an opportunity to interact in an ambience that is nonjudgemental and respectful. They need not fear disrespect nor disdain, but rather, can participate freely in discussions that concern their maternal health and learn more about their bodies and other related pregnancy topics,” Minister Lawrence asserted. She said that this initiative will likely foster positive outcomes and a change in unhealthy behaviours, as well as the adoption of positive attitudes among adolescents.

Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, in her remarks, said that the launch of the initiative is a testimony to the high level of commitment shown by the administration to the nation’s youth. She said that the adolescent period is a critical stage. “I would like to categorically state that we must never grow weary of continuously highlighting the importance of investing in our children. We can and must seek to create and establish strategic policies and programme-oriented goals that facilitate the development of their full potential especially their health and well-being,” Minister Ally said. Additionally, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry spoke on the importance of safeguarding adolescents. “I call upon all of us; international community, civil society and in particularly Adolescent Health Unit, to ensure that the services that are provided through this initiative are well tailored to meet the needs of our young people. It is my hope that this clinic day and teen support initiative will benefit and improve the health and wellbeing of our adolescents nationwide,” Minister Henry said. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said that the Ministry of Health intends to focus on issues affecting adolescents and implementing ways and means of dealing with those situations. “We want to ensure that before that girl gets that first strike that we avoid those

situations…by providing the kinds of services that are necessary and that are absolutely essential,” Dr. Persaud said. Meanwhile, Dr. Oneka Scott, Coordinator of Adolescent Health and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS at the Ministry of Public Health, said that the Ministry has launched the Community Parenting Support Group in an effort to tackle the increase of teenage pregnancy across Guyana. “We thought that teenage pregnancy is rampant and the Ministry of Public Health needs to respond. The most important intervention you can make is at a community level…change health outcomes, change behaviour, change culture… we want to expose our already pregnant teenage moms to education, information, and empowerment so that they are able to prevent a repeat pregnancy in their teenage years. We have support groups, we invite them, we make them feel a part of a group that meets and shares a sacred space with their health care provider,” Dr. Scott said. The event was also attended by the Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, Dr. William AduKrow from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), Ms. Silvie Fouet of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), dignitaries representing various organisations and several schools.

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Preterm delivery puts women at risk of cardiovascular disease Preterm births occur when a baby is born earlier than 37 weeks into the pregnancy. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), premature births affect approximately 1 in 10 babies in the United States. Most of these babies are at a serious risk of developing disabilities or even dying, as the brain goes through crucial developments in the final weeks of the pregnancy. Additionally, the final weeks are crucial for the full development of vital organs, such as the lungs and liver. Mothers who do not carry births to term may also be at risk of illness. Previous research has linked preterm births to cardiovascular risk later in life, but it has been unclear whether lifestyle factors leading up to the pregnancy, or pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors, have influenced this association. New research, published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), investigates whether the previously documented risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains after adjusting for lifestyle and CVD factors before the pregnancy. The research was led by Dr. Janet Rich-Edwards, director of developmental epidemiology at the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA. CVD risk doubles for women who deliver earlier than 32 weeks Researchers analyzed existing data on

70,182 women from the Nurses’ Health Study 2 - one of the largest ongoing studies into the risk factors for major chronic diseases in women. They analyzed the link between premature births and CVD, and adjusted for factors such as the mother’s age, education, and lifestyle before the pregnancy, as well as CVD risk factors. The study revealed that preterm delivery correlated with a 40 percent higher risk of developing CVD compared with women who gave birth at term, and the risk increased for women who had more than one preterm delivery. Women who delivered earlier than 32 weeks had double the risk of developing CVD. The increased risk remained even when the preterm deliveries were not complicated by high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy. According to AHA, women already have a risk of dying from CVD of 33 percent. This number rises to 36 percent for those who give birth 3 to 7 weeks before term, and rises to as high as 60 per-

cent for mothers who deliver 8 or more weeks early. Dr. Rich-Edwards and team hope that their research will help to identify women at a particularly high risk of CVD, and enable professionals to take appropriate preventive measures. “Very little of the risk associated with preterm delivery was explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors like overweight and hypertension. We need more research to understand why women who deliver preterm are at higher risk, and what we can do to help them lower it.” Dr. Janet Rich-Edwards “Delivering a preterm infant may be an early warning signal of high risk for cardiovascular disease,” adds Lauren Tanz, first author of the study and a programmer and analyst at BWH. “Since cardiovascular risk develops over a lifetime, it is not too early for these women to adopt a hearthealthy lifestyle.” http:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/315656.php.

Insomnia increases asthma risk in adults According to the most recent estimates from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAI), approximately 1 in 10 children and 1 in 12 adults have asthma. A chronic disease of the lungs’ airways, asthma has been linked to obesity and pollution. Other risk factors include smoking, allergies, viral infections, family history, and exposure to certain dusts and chemicals. More recent research has associated the adult onset of asthma with depression and anxiety. A new Norwegian study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that insomnia may also be a risk factor for developing asthma. Analyzing the link between asthma risk and insomnia Sleep researcher and last author of the study Dr. Linn

Beate Strand, from the Department of Public Health and General Practice at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, explains the motivation of the study: “Insomnia, defined as having difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep, or having poor sleep quality, is common among asthma patients, but whether insomnia patients have a higher risk of developing asthma at a later stage has not been thoroughly investigated.” Researchers examined data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a continuous health survey of the entire population over the age of 20 living in the county of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. The team calculated the risk of incident asthma among adults with insomnia compared with

their asthma-free counterparts. In total, the study examined 17,927 participants aged between 20 and 65. Those with insomnia reported trouble falling asleep, trouble maintaining sleep, and poor quality of sleep - namely, “non-restorative” sleep. Participants reported any insomnia symptoms at the beginning and at the end of the study, approximately 11 years later. Chronic insomnia was defined as one or more insomnia symptoms at the beginning of the study, as well as 10 years prior to the study. Asthma risk three times higher for those with chronic insomnia Overall, the study showed that participants who reported insomnia symptoms had a higher risk of developing asthma, compared with their insomnia-free counterparts.

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Digicel celebrates 10th Anniversary with grand charity initiative

Staff of Digicel with Students of the Low Vision Special School in Linden on Wednesday last Digicel will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on February 14 and has kicked off this milestone by giving back. The cell phone giant will be visiting ten (10) special needs schools and orphanages throughout Guyana in ten days to deliver some much needed appliances, school supplies, school shoes, food hampers and other items. The St. John’s Boys Orphanage was the first stop in a series of visits; Head of Marketing Jacqueline James along with several members of staff joined the boys and administration yesterday as they delivered breakfast, school shoes, school packs, school items, a washing machine and other supplies that

were needed by the orphanage. “We are happy to be here with you as we will soon be celebrating our 10th anniversary, we would like you to know that we are here to support you, young people and we will always be here to lend a helping hand” said James to the small gathering. After the handing over of the items to Director Sister Julie Matthews, the staff was more than happy to assist the boys in finding their sizes so they could be off to school in their new shoes and new backpacks. Sister Matthews along with fourteen year old Stephanthanked Digicel for their timely donations and encouraged those present to

‘keep doing good’. The telecommunications company plans to visit nine more special needs schools and orphanages including Diamond Special Needs School, Linden Resource Unit for the Blind, New Amsterdam Special Needs School and the Gifted Hands Special Needs School. Digicel remains committed to their Corporate Social Responsibility and their focus on charity and special needs remains at the top of their list. Special Needs intervention is central to their mandate throughout the Caribbean and Central America and they are committed to enhancing the welfare of children with special needs across those markets.

Calypso and Chutney Competitions set for Mashramani 2017 According to the 2017 Mashramani Calendar of activities, contenders and musicians are working apace to offer a healthy serving of the main Mash related entertainment, leisure and competition to domestic as well as international tourists. In fact, the Mash 2017 Calendar of events began since last November 26 and 27 with Auditions which targeted those who hope to take on each other for the coveted Calypso Monarch Crown/ title which will yield lucrative prizes that come with winning such an event. Calypso Rehearsals began on January 9 while the real heated social and other commentary clashes set to music begin in earnest with the Adult Semi-Final slated for Saturday February 11 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden. There the best of the best will engage in musical delivery but only the best will survive since the

list of contenders will be cut dramatically as a prelude to the main clash for the adult Calypso Monarchy. The latter is slated for staging at the Demerara Park on February 17. The Chutney Auditions are carded for January 13 and 14 at the Shakti Strings Band Room after which it will be full steam ahead with rehearsals

on January 16 as a prelude to the final carded for February 10 at the Canje Ground in Berbice. New Amsterdam is promised a healthy serving of Steel Pan music through a Steel Band concert organized by Music Development Unit, which is also slated for January 14. Bartica, Region 10 and

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Go-Invest recommended... (From page 10) Government of Guyana (represented by Go-Invest). In this instance, the Government of Guyana, subject to the approval of the President, agreed to do a number of things. These include; Grant a corporate tax holiday for the hotel operations for a period not exceeding ten years; facilitate the granting of a Casino Operator’s License; Tax the Casino operations at a rate of 35% on its net profits but to allow accelerated depreciation and unlimited carryover of losses; and only the interest payments, not the principal of foreign loans, will be subject to 20% withholding tax when repaying. The agreement also said that Government would waive Customs Duty, Value Added Tax, and Excise Tax on Casino equipment, the spares and related parts and grant tax concessions for the importation of equipment, machinery, fixtures, fittings, furnishing, building and other materials. The auditors said that this was the only Memorandum of Understanding that they reviewed that was for a specified time period, in this case one year. They added, “Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc. was the only MOU we examined that was subject to the official approval of the President.” SUN AND SAND (UK) LTD. Even a new company received sweetheart concessions. The forensic auditors noted that the company, Sun and Sand Mining and Minerals Resources (UK) Ltd. was formed with the principal objective of establishing a hotel and Casino at Tract V, Pattensen, East Coast Demerara. The investment was estimated to be $3.2B. It was slated to employ 1,000 persons directly. In a Memorandum of Understanding dated October 17, 2013 between the Government of Guyana (represented by Go-Invest) and Lilendaal Hotel and Casino represented by Mr. Brian Tiwarie, Director of BK International Inc., the Government of Guyana

agreed to a number of things. These included the provision of the hotel operations with a corporate tax holiday not exceeding 10 years, a casino operator’s license to be facilitated, the Casino operations to be taxed at a rate of 35% on its net profits but to allow accelerated depreciation and unlimited carryover of losses and to only have the interest payments and not the principal of foreign loans subjected to 20% withholding tax when repaying. The parties also agreed to lease twelve acres of land at Pattensen, East Coast Demerara, with full access from the “Reserve” to Liliendaal Hotel and Casino at rate of $200,000 per month for a period of three years for the construction and establishment of a hotel and casino. The contact also stipulated that the hotel owners be given the option to purchase the 12 acres of land within three years of the completion of construction and use of the hotel and casino facility at an agreeable rate. On August 11, 2014 the then Chief Executive Officer of Go-Invest, Keith Burrowes, sent a request for Tax Exemptions on behalf of Sun and Sand Mining and Minerals Resources (UK) Ltd. and along with the relevant Investment Agreement, directly to former Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh. In his letter, he stated that he was doing so at the request of the former Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali. The auditors stressed however that this request should have been sent to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority. What was also troubling is the fact that the Investment Agreement was unsigned and undated. The auditors said too that the Go-Invest recording system does not provide information on actual concessions granted. This deal is yet to materialize. PEGASUS HOTEL GUYANALTD As for the Pegasus Hotel, a successful company that has been around for more than 20 years, the forensic

auditors said that there is no evidence in the file of Pegasus Hotel Guyana Ltd.; that any tax holidays were recommended for the company by Go-Invest and or granted by the Government of Guyana through Go-Invest. Unlike the previous cases, there was no Memorandum of Understanding. There was however evidence that in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 Go Invest merely received tax exemptions on items imported for the upgrading of facilities by way of Initial Investment Agreement, Renewed Investment Agreement and a supplementary Investment Agreement.

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Sunday February 05, 2017

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Bramdat Singh jr. in the hospital

Two committed to stand trial for shooting schoolboy Two men who were on trial in the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder have been committed to stand trial in the next session of the Berbice High Court. The men, Bharat Madray, 27, of Shieldstown, West Coast Berbice; and Joel Grannum, 27, of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Demerara and Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice; are accused of attempting to murder schoolboy Bramdat Singh, called “Ronald”, 17, of Lot 5D Bush Lot Public Road,

…another still at large West Coast Berbice. He was shot and injured during a robbery. The incident is said to have occurred on March 2, 2015. They were committed to stand trial at the completion of a preliminary inquiry which was conducted by Magistrate Rhondell Weever. According to Prosecutor Corporal Rochelle Mars, the duo are accused of - on the day in question at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice whilst in company with others and armed with guns - robbing Bramdat Singh of 1000 pennyweights of gold valued at $7.4M and $500,000 in cash. The incident occurred around 6:30hrs, just as goldsmith, Bramdat Singh Snr, called “Rajesh”, was in the process of setting up his stand at the Rosignol Market, West Bank Berbice. Madray was captured when he tried to hide the motorcycle used during the robbery. The younger Singh who was expected to write his CSEC examination in a month’s time was shot through his mouth. He was picked up by his father and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam hospital. The two Singhs had journeyed to their stall to

conduct business for the day. The younger Singh was outside of the stand when the two bandits who were armed with handguns struck and demanded the bag with their jewellery. After the elder Singh resisted, one of the bandits shot his son through the jaw. The man then released the bag. The bandits made good their escape with the bag which contained close to 1000 penny weights of gold. At the time of the shooting, the teen was a fifth form student at the Fraser Educational Institute at Fort Wellington. The police recovered three spent shells and one live .32 round. Madray was represented by The motorcycle that was used during the robbery

Joel Grannum attorney at law Tanya Warren Clements and ten witnesses including eight policemen, testified at the preliminary inquiry. The accused have been granted bail in the sum of 250,000 each.

Sunday February 05, 2017

By Dr. NerominiFagu Antibiotics are medicines used to treat and prevent infections caused by bacteria. One of the first known antibiotics is Penicillin which was discovered by Alexander Flemming in 1928. It changed the face of medicine. Antibiotics work by either killing the bacteria (bactericidal) or keeping it from reproducing and growing (bacteriostatic). Antibiotics are specific for the type of bacteria being treated and are not the correct choice for all infections, and should not be interchanged. Colds and flu are viral infections and do not need an antibiotic because your immune system will usually fight off the virus, and because antibiotics are usually ineffective for killing viruses. Unfortunately, many people self-diagnose and prescribe their own antibiotics. Some even pop a few capsules if they “feel” a cold coming on in hopes of staving it off. This,

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unfortunately, is an abuse of the medication and can lead to serious problems. Antibiotics are usually safe with few side effects when used correctly. The following are some of the antibiotics used in dentistry. AMOXYCILLIN One of the most commonly used antibiotics in dentistry in Guyana is Amoxycillin. It belongs to the

penicillin group of drugs and is prescribed to treat infections that are caused by certain bacteria. Most of you may know Amoxycillin as the black and red capsules that you can obtain from your neighbourhood pharmacy or drug store. Amoxycillin seems to be the go-to antibiotic and is self-prescribed by many persons for many ailments.

ANTIBIOTIC USE IN DENTISTRY

In dentistry it is prescribed to treat dental abscesses and infections. Amoxycillin may be combined with other medications to increase its effectiveness. CLINDAMYCIN Clindamycin is often used when penicillin and erythromycin don’t respond adequately to the treatment of anaerobic bacteria that cause serious infections in bone and soft tissue. Clindamycin is also one of two options for patients with Type I allergic reactions to penicillin and/ or cephalosporin antibiotics. TETRACYCLINE Tetracycline and its class of drugs, including doxycycline and minocycline, are used in the treatment of periodontal diseases. These medications may be used either in combination with surgery and other therapies, or alone. They work to reduce or temporarily eliminate bacteria associated with periodontal disease. They may be used to suppress the destruction of the tooth’s attachment to the

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

GNBS to adopt Caricom Poultry Standard as National Standard The Guyana National Bureau (GNBS) is currently in the process of adopting the CARICOM Regional Standard Specification for Poultry and Poultry Products as a National Standard. This standard, which will be made mandatory, will ensure that specified poultry meats, whether imported or locally produced, are meeting requirements that guarantee wholesomeness for public consumption. Developed in 2012 under the authority of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), this relatively new poultry standard gives regulatory oversight of poultry and poultry products in the Caribbean. It is necessary to facilitate trade in this commodity among Member States of CARICOM. The requirements of the standard provide guidance to the industry on the sustainability of poultry processing while allowing the growth and development of small and medium sized enterprises. When adopted and implemented, the standard will also serve as a catalyst for the improvement of the quality infrastructure associated with poultry processing. In other words, aspects such as testing, certification, labelling and measurement will become integral parts of the production process. In addition, the Veterinary Public Health Unit as the competent authority will be able to comprehensively monitor poultry meat production in Guyana according to the requirements of the standard. Specifically, the scope of this poultry standard covers requirements for primary processed poultry consisting of carcasses, poultry parts and poultry products for human consumption. It defines and distinguishes between the market classes of poultry. The standard includes requirements for sanitation,

plant hygiene, the dressing operation, grading, packaging, labelling and marketing as well as ante-mortem and post mortem inspection of poultry products sold through commercial distribution systems. The standard does not apply to freshly killed poultry prepared for direct sale to consumers and for which conditions may be prescribed in National Regulations. The standard is currently at the public comments stage of the standards development process which will come to an end on March 31, 2017. This stage allows stakeholders in the industry to peruse the document to develop a clear understanding of the requirements contained therein. The GNBS recently hosted a public consultation session on the standard to provide detailed information to those who participated and to garner their feedback on the requirements. Participants, who included key poultry producers in the country, were generally in agreement with the requirements and pledged to make the necessary improvements to their business operations to satisfy the requirements of the standard. Ultimately, this standard augers will for users and the economy as a whole. With its implementation, the local poultry industry will be able to benefit and grow as produce will not only be limited to the local market but also can be sold to any member state within the CARICOM Region. Consumers are also expected to benefit from improved quality of products through the grading scheme and education through the information outlined in the standard. For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 219-0064 or visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org

bone or to reduce the pain and irritation of canker sores. The side effects of tetracycline include the permanent discolouration of teeth when taken at critical periods of tooth development. It should not be prescribed to pregnant women or young children. ERYTHROMYCIN Erythromycin is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that is used for treating dental infections in patients who are allergic to penicillin and its classes of drugs. METRONIDAZOLE Metronidazole, also known as Flagyl, is a useful addition to an antibiotic regimen when coverage of anaerobic bacteria is needed. It may be used in combination with Amoxycillin to increase its efficacy to combat aggressive oral infections. CHLORHEXIDINE Chlorhexidine is an antibiotic used to control plaque and gingivitis in the mouth, or in periodontal

pockets (the space between your gum and tooth). The medication is available as a mouth rinse which provides antimicrobial activity and as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in the deep gum pockets around the teeth after root planning of patients with adult periodontitis. The drug in the gelatin-filled chip is slowly released over a period of about seven days. Antibiotics are not over the counter medications and should not be taken unless prescribed by your dentist. In other countries there are severe penalties for dispensing drugs without a prescription. Unfortunately, this is not the case here. One can even obtain certain medications without a prescription at the local grocery store. Hopefully, one day the powers that be will see it necessary to enforce the laws for drug dispensing. It is important to follow the exact dosage and

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Dr. Neromini Fagu frequency as instructed by a dentist for antibiotic use. You should always use the full course of the antibiotic even if you gain relief after a few days of usage. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one and never share left over medication with someone else. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 EARN A CERTIFICATE IN CERTIFICATE IN COSMETOLOGY AT ARTEE’S BEAUTY SALON (W.C.D) - $75,000 & WATCH REPAIRING SERVICES. CALL:2750267/ 680-0156 Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 618-2417

Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326 Repairs and services: refrigerator and A/C unit, also auto AC repairs in G/town. Call: 683-6741/ 643-0455 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Building and engineering contracting services. Free estimates. Call: 275-0472 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!

VACANCY Live in/live out waitresses. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647

C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages). TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

1-2 Story building: top flat- 4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483 1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme. Call:677-0583/664-5052 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691 Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744

Driver/General assistant for city location and cook/ baker for interior location. Call: 618-2020

Transported property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, price $14M. Call: 660-1353/ 216-4338

Male supervisors (housekeeping Dept) 3255yrs @ 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198

Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281

Glam & Co. Beauty Salon: New Market Street, GT Hair Station, available for rental. Call: 638-1106

Property @ Flourmill Road, E.B.D, Land 120X30 wooden & concrete building – price $15M. Call: 611-2751/ 6170585

Office Assistant/Sales representative -$30,000 per week plus commission, must have motorcycle. Call: 220-2878 Supervisor to work in the interior -$160,000 per month. Call: 220-2878

Property @ 3rd Street Montrose, East Coast Demerara: Two story property with business on the lower flat. Call: 677-1310\ Transported Property at Soesdyke -$4M, Acres. Call: 615-3054 Property @ 87E, Albert Street, Alberttown, front lot, size 80X20 prices $35Million. Call: 669-8701

EDUCATIONAL

LEARN TO DRIVE

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

One -on- one with Mark Chand: Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDraw, Aftereffects, Premiere Pro, InDesign. Call: 602-3136

1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 apartments downstairs, all self-contained @ avenue B Diamond, E.B.D- Call: 6585452 TO LET

Phonics & Reading classes for 4-8yrs, Common Entrance Lessons- Grades 4 & 5, full time school, Grades 7-9. Call: 677-0296 Home tutoring Grade 6 Maths & Science, CXC Maths, Physics, Chemistry. Call: 646-7979

Eccles apartment, furnished included A/C Wi-Fi, etc. Call: 233-2770 Two bedroom self-contained apartments, situated at Public Road Timehri, E.B.D – 3 minutes from the airport. Call: 664-6000

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

VEHICLE FOR SALE

WANTED

2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891

Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279

Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500

3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891

Used furniture in need of repair- Tel:616- 2445

1 Dyna Toyota open back canter in excellent condition, $1.2M negotiable- Call: 6848231, 629-4236

One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354

One Nissan Duke, PTT series, lady driven, low mileage, price negotiable. Call: 653-0018/ 666-7748 serious enquiries only. Toyota Sprinter Vintage, AE 110: AC, fully powered, automatic, all 4 drive used by pensioner, excellent condition. Call: 234-0510/ 674-0278 after 4pm 320i BMW for sale. Call: 6381106

1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225

1 Hauler, 1 Dump Truck for more information. Call: 6811132

1 Stembow Boat & Engine, 200HP Yamaha with Power Steering Kit. $1.6M Negotiable Call 658-5299/ 638-7748

1- Toyota Fielder Wagon, automatic, 15 inches magrim & automatic remote start, price $1.575M. Call: 668-8431

2 -950 Caterpillar front loader, 1 clark ranger skidder, 1 Watkins 6 head molar plain, 1 LT 300 woodmizer saw. Call: 662-2078 Glass cases/ metal shelves and photocopy machines for store & offices. Call: 2332725/2439 Grease Rag any amount $200 per lb, white spandex cloth 60" width -$120 per yrd. Call: 266-2700/ 681-9130 Two sharp A/C units $80,000 negotiable- Call: 2161612/ 625-8225

1 Waitress, 1 bartender & 1 bar supervisor. Call: 6965768/ 218-0013/601-1949 Handy boy, must have police clearance. Apply to Shanta’s @ 225 Camp & New Market Street Live-in housekeeper to care for sick person; cook and general care. Call: 603-3571 between 7:00am-7:00pm 2 Beauticians with pleasant personalities & passion for their work must be qualified and have clients. Call: 626-6450 1 Experienced office staff, must have Accounts experience. Apply: written application, police clearance, photo @ 112 3rd &Albert St. Albertown. Call: 225-6255/ 226-9000 We buy land in Zeelugt, Bartica, Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Providence & Florida. Call: 233-3006/658-5897/6511969 Cleaner to work- Call: 2253234

LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com Hararuni, Linden Highway, Road Side Land, 21Acres (good on housing) price negotiable. Call:692-8216/233-5539

Sale! Laptop and desktop, computers, windows 10, games, etc from $45,000 @ FutureTech. Call: 231-2206/ 644-6760 Canter Parts: 4D - 36 – 35 4M40 Cylinder Heads, Front & Rear Springs Bundles. Tel: 680-3153.

Eccles (100FT X 50FT) $5M, La Parfaite Harmonie- $1.3M, New Diamond Scheme -$7M, Uitvlugt $2.5M.Call:2333006/ 658-5897 /651-1969

Canter Crank Shaft: 4D 35 – 32 – 4M40 Pulley-oil Pump – Power Steering Pump 4D – 32 Engine Block. Tel: 680-3153.

Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305

Canter Rack Ball Joints Arm – Spring Bushings, Ring Gear, etc. Call: 680-3153.

Urgently wanted a professional cosmetology at Natural Beauty salon and spa, Grove, Market Street, E.B.D – Call: 652-5800

Tuschen front (with fence) $2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2M. Call:642-1252

Earn cash as a photo/video model for advertisements and TV commercials. Call Mark: 602-3136 The Garage @ Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens : Admin Assistant, Cashiers, counter staff & handyman. Apply within. Call: 223-2300 Office staff with 5 CXC subjects, must be computer literate. Also 1 MechanicTel:218-5105 One domestic to work in Trinidad, between ages of 25-35. Call 1-868- 683-1528 Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 One driver/porter & porter. From Diamond, Grove area. Call: 216-1043, 677-6620 To rent one restaurant/liquor restaurant or bar at E.B.D or Georgetown- Call: 673-9283 Driver wanted, age 40- Call: 225-7417

WANTED One cook apply to Lunch @ Cake Palace. Call: 610-8333

FULL TIME WAITER/ WAITRESS TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT ON SHERIFF ST. CALL: 219-0158 Continue on page 69

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

CAN THE PARKING METER SCHEME WIN ACCEPTABILITY? By Pat Dial The overwhelming majority of the Committee of the Guyana Consumers Association as well as many members of the public with whom the Association related, were entirely against the very idea of parking meters for the City of Georgetown. A large number of reasons were proffered covering legal, social, economic and cultural aspects but we will not recount these reasons simply because this article would then become an anti-parking meter harangue. A much smaller percentage of the Committee including a few of the Executive felt that ways of making the parking meter scheme fully acceptable to the public and to particular interests should be explored. It should be mentioned that it was emphasized that the Scheme should be allowed to function without the much talked of threat of vandalism of the meters. Such threat of vandalism is illegal and must be eschewed. In making the Scheme work and being acceptable, the following ideas surfaced:- Hospitals. It was felt that the vicinity of the Georgetown Public Hospital should be exempt from such meters. Family cars or taxis go the hospital to convey sick persons or to receive them to take them home. People who do not own cars or have relatives who do, depend on taxis which ply their trade outside the hospital. These taxis provide an

invaluable service to lowerincome people. Schools. Teachers may have to park on the roads outside the school for most of the day and parking expense would absorb a good percentage of their salaries. This would result in a great deal of stress which would negatively affect their performance, thus affecting their charges. If they were to use public transport many would get to school late through no fault of theirs and may be even tired before they begin the day’s work. We understand the Parking Meter authorities are in discussion with the teachers’ union and hopefully a satisfactory formula would be arrived at. Just before going to press, we learnt that an agreement was arrived at whereby there would be no parking meters outside government schools. We think that such meters should be removed from all recognized private schools as well. Law Courts. Lawyers, Court employees and litigants go the Courts because of duty and to uphold an essential pillar of Society. The vicinity of the Law Courts should be free of parking meters. There are usually no traffic jams or disorderly parking outside the hospitals, law courts or schools and those who park there move away as quickly as they can, The raison d’etre of parking meters therefore does not obtain in the vicinity of these institutions and paying to park would be regarded as exploitative. The parking spaces around these institutions are a very tiny percentage of the total number of parking

spaces and exempting them would not affect the profitability of the Scheme and will temper a great deal of the resentment and hostility to the scheme. Lower Parking Rates. Though we have not done a statistical survey of what rates the market would bear, speaking with consumers, the impression we got was that the maximum the market could bear would be $15.for 15 minutes. It was felt that if that rate was used, the project would take off without the present resentment, hostility and bitterness. If that rate were used, we think the Smart Choice company will still make a reasonable profit. Consumer people reasoned it this way: The main investments and inputs to the Parking Meter Scheme were (a) the road system (b) the parking meters (c) staff, mostly enforcement staff. The Guyana side would be providing the roads which are worth billions of dollars and the enforcer staff in the person of the City Constabulary and the Company’s main investment would be the parking meters which could be the left-overs from the many countries in which the Company operates or would have been bought

at special wholesale rates. The Company’s investment would therefore be infinitesimal as compared to the cost of the roads. On this basis, a lower profit margin may be very possible. At a rate of $15 for 15 minutes, it would not encourage private persons to accommodate cars to be parked on their bridges or in yards or owners of empty lots to allow parking in such lots. If private persons accommodated cars, the project may face competition. A fair market rate would eliminate competition. If the things which are suggested are done, the public relations section of the company would be more successful in convincing the population to accept the Project. So far, attempts at public relations have not been very successful and resentment has grown in an increasing crescendo. To strengthen the public relations campaign, the Feasibility Study of the Project must be published since omission to do so has led to an aura of corruption enveloping the Project. If this is done, it will exorcise a great deal of the criticism of the Project and make impossible any risk of failure.

From page 68

FOR RENT For short term rental, 1 selfcontained 2 bedrooms apartment @ Avenue B, Diamond, E.B.D. working couple preferred- Call: 6585452 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$80,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600USD$1,000 monthlyCall:668-7687/ 677-9638/6976421 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban):650Sq.Ft Professional/Office/Business (no food retailing) space. Call: 668-7687/ 677-9638/697-6421

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

FOR SALE/RENT 2 Storey house for sale or rent $15M, rental -$20,000 each flat- Call: 672- 9428/ 684-0036 Ms Ramotar. TO LET Top flat apartment located @ Mon Repos ‘mouth’ E.C.D $60,000 per month. Call: 6929295\ 660-5233 2 Bedrooms furnished apartment for overseas guest or short term rentals. Call: 227-3626/ 627-8900

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012 Newly renovated, grilled, self-contained apartments for rent (light & water included) in Sussex St. Charlestown. Price-$35,000. Call: 689-8757/659-3597 Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks, tools. Call: 2190904/601-5024 Three storey 75X30 feet building/bond, open floor, two offices, 2 washrooms, driveways @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 2230654/225-0605 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 6711846 One large two bedrooms top flat in Wortmanville- Tel:6162445 Two bedrooms apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 One- two bedroom apartment in ‘B’ Field Sophia. Contact Maureen: 650-8827/ Colin: 621-5781 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234 Three bedrooms (selfcontained house) furnished, 1-2 bedrooms apartment at Lot 59 Prince William Street, Plaisance E.C.D. Call: 2181107/ 673-4745/ 603-4466 3 Bedrooms house, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara -$35,000 monthly, will be available from March 01 2017. Call: 613-2928/ 683-4667 Interested in office space or need to establish office in the Soesdyke area? 900sq.ft / 1800sq.ft. Call: 613-2928/ 6834667

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Intimate Partner... (From page 38) psychological dominance. Name-calling, the silent treatment, public humiliation, and withholding sex are among the top weapons used by women. Lesser ones are biting and spitting, destroying possessions, and harming pets. (Remember ‘Fatal Attraction’) Many men dismiss the notion, masking their vulnerability with what I called in another story that ‘macho camaraderie thing.’ You don’t tell your gym pal or your drinking buddy that your wife or girlfriend belittled or bitchslapped you, and humiliated you by questioning your virility in the most unflattering way; they just don’t go with rum and ginger; bars and barbells. In a recent article, the Huffington Post reported that one in four men in the United States will become a victim of IPV. But of course it’s the female we most worry about. Being essentially mildmannered, I’ve always wondered why so many men find it necessary, even obligatory, to dominate women in the fashion they do. Maybe I was lucky to have strict but mildmannered parents, and sisters bonded by familial affection that outlasted the occasional sibling spats. In any case the violent aspect of domestic abuse came as a rude shock to me after my family moved from a rustic East Coast village to Georgetown; maybe I was simply more sheltered there. In newspaper columns, on the streets, and around the market places in Georgetown and elsewhere, people relate empathetically with victims of extreme abuse; particularly the ones that end in murder. Many call for something more than the endless rounds of talks, statistics, and jail sentences, and advocate a return to hanging, public whipping with the ‘cat’, and a new addition - castration, for the men of course. Bearing that last drastic measure in mind, I wonder what women who are equally culpable would get. As far as I recall, the last woman hanged in Guyana was

Kathleen Fullerton nearly 70 years ago; and as that old saw declares ‘What’s good for the goose is good for the gander’. The last men on the gallows were Michael Archer and Peter Adams several decades later, in 1997. While hanging is still constitutionally valid, as far as I am aware, death row inmates at Lot 12 Camp Street can still mount legal challenges to it, and of course there are those ‘tricky’ international laws and conventions, to which Guyana is a signatory, that embolden the condemned in asserting their human rights against cruel and unusual punishment. After the psychological terror of an indeterminate wait and the reading of a death warrant, a thousand pounds of torque to the neck, compressing blood vessels, breaking neck and severing spinal cord may be considered just that. These barbaric punishments may deter abusers for a while, but people will continue to humiliate, hurt, and kill their partners. Maybe when we can more fully probe the deep recesses of the human mind and heart we’ll get a clearer picture of at least why they do it. In the meantime here’s a bit of simple advice which, because we’re all human and crave the attention we get in such relationships, may not be the most effective. But here goes. Young men and women, boys and girls, get to know your partner as intimately as possible without actually getting intimate, sexually. Talk with them in as many situations and locales as possible. Get to know their parents, siblings, and friends and observe how they treat, and relate to, them. Observe their attitudes too; certain traits run in families. Don’t rush it. Let the weeks and months roll by. Stay apart every now and then and give them some space; maybe even create a diversion or contrive a problem just to see their reaction. And when they start to cling too much, or tell you what to wear, and who not to speak with, run. Literally, figuratively, and diplomatically - Run!

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

CARPHA says several cancer deaths are preventable

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) yesterday said that the large number of deaths from breast and cervical cancer in the Caribbean is very alarming, since cervical cancer is largely preventable, and breast cancer can be detected early and treated successfully. “Common modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development of cancers include tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol,” said CARPHA executive director, Dr C. James Hospedales. “There is strong evidence that a person’s risk of developing cancer can be substantially reduced through healthy lifestyles. A reduction in modifiable risk factors will contribute to a decrease in

cancer cases, and as a consequence, deaths and costs from the disease in our region.” CARPHA said this year, and through 2018, the theme for World Cancer Day is “We can. I can” focusing on how everyone, collectively and individually, can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. The three-year campaign which started in 2016, outlines actions that communities and individuals can take to save lives by achieving greater equity in cancer care and making fighting cancer a priority at the highest political levels. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, where rates of death from cervical cancer, breast, prostate and colon cancer are two to nine times higher compared to the

United States. “Cervical cancer is perhaps the most preventable, yet a recent study by CARPHA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 16 of the 18 countries for which data were reported, cervical cancer accounted for 4.5–18.2 per cent of cancer deaths,” said Dr Hospedales. CARPHA said it was encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent cancer. It wants persons to reduce their risk of cancer by avoiding the use of tobacco, limit alcohol use, keep a healthy weight, get sufficient physical activity, increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables to five or more servings per day as well as participate in screening programmes.

T&T Muslims say AG’s proposed anti-terror law is draconian “NO WAY — NO HOW.” That’s how some Muslims groups’reacted to Government’s proposed tough anti-terrorism legislation revealed by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi on Thursday. “You can’t inconvenience 120,000 Muslims in T&T—a sector that contributed greatly to local development—because of 130 people who went to fight in Syria,” Islamic Missionaries Guild head Imtiaz Mohammed (Muslims of T&T) said. “This proposes violation of our rights, freedom of movement and travel to worship - it cannot happen in T&T. “We’re not taking it lightly or accept this draconian law. We have to halt drafting of all kinds of laws against Muslims without our input.” Proposals target direct

and indirect support of terrorist groups and carry stiff penalties—jail and fines. Clauses capture those assisting in facilitating terrorist operations— including sending money to groups involved in terrorist activity— and those who go abroad supposedly to visit certain areas and attend training/ studying. People risk prosecution if they join terrorist groups or attend/receive such training, or if they threaten to commit/take preparatory steps to commit a terrorist act. Proposals also criminalise the movement of children to terrorist states. The National Security Minister will also be able to designate a geographical area of a country, stipulating that travel there will constitute

presumption that it is to commit a terrorist act. Notice of the time of travel (and return) will have to be given to the Minister and security agencies for possible tracking. Permits/exemption is allowed for genuinely valid reasons. The second stage—yet to be approved by Cabinet - focuses on returning terrorist fighters. Al-Rawi had said the framework would have been laid in Parliament Friday—but it wasn’t laid in the early part of the session. Mohammed added, “We’ve called a meeting of leaders of organisations, Jamaats, key players and lawyers, for tomorrow (Sun) at IMG’s Kelly Village office to determine our next direction—but we’ll fight this to the end.”

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Iran vows ‘roaring missiles’ if threatened, defies new sanctions (Reuters) A Revolutionary Guards commander said Iran would use its missiles if its security is under threat, as the elite force defied new U.S. sanctions on its missile programme by holding a military exercise yesterday. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since a recent Iranian ballistic missile test which prompted U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to impose sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards. Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn said that Washington was putting Iran on notice over its “destabilising activity”, and Trump tweeted Tehran was “playing with fire” “We are working day and night to protect Iran’s security,” head of Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace unit, Brigadier General

Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. “If we see smallest misstep from the enemies, our roaring missiles will fall on their heads,” he added. Despite the heated words, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said yesterday he was not considering raising the number of U.S. forces in the Middle East to address Iran’s “misbehavior”, but warned that the world would not ignore Iranian activities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards is holding the military exercise in Semnan province on Saturday to test missile and radar systems and to “showcase the power of Iran’s revolution and to dismiss the sanctions,” according to the force’s website. Dismissing Trump’s comments that “nothing is off the table” in dealing with Tehran, the commander of Iran’s

ground forces said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic has been hearing such threats since its 1979 revolution. “The defence capability and the offensive prowess of Iran’s armed forces would make America or any other enemy regretful of any incursion,” Ahmad Reza Pourdastan was quoted as saying by ISNA. BALLISTIC TEST Iranian state news agencies reported that home-made missile systems, radars, command and control centres, and cyber warfare systems would be tested in Saturday’s drill. Iran has one of the Middle East’s largest missile programmes and held a similar exercise in December to showcase its defence systems, including radars, antimissile defence units, and short and medium-range missiles.

Mattis says no need for dramatic U.S. military moves in South China Sea (Reuters) U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis yesterday played down any need for major U.S. military moves in the South China Sea to contend with China’s assertive behavior, even as he sharply criticized Beijing for “shredding the trust of nations in the region.” “At this time, we do not see any need for dramatic military moves at all,” Mattis told a news conference in Tokyo, stressing that the focus should be on diplomacy. In his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea. The White House also vowed to defend “international territories” in the strategic waterway. But how the United States would achieve that has been unclear, including whether it would have a military dimension. Analysts have said Tillerson’s remarks, like those from the White House, suggested the possibility of U.S. military action, or even a naval blockade. Such action would risk an armed confrontation with China, an increasingly formidable nuclear-armed military power. It is also the world’s second-largest economy and the prime target of

U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai) Trump accusations of stealing American jobs. Mattis suggested that major military action was not being currently considered. “What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try to resolve this properly, maintaining open lines of communication,” Mattis said, in his most complete remarks on the issue to date. “And certainly our military stance should be one that reinforces our diplomats in this regard. But there is no need right now at this time for military maneuvers or something like

that, that would solve s o m e t h i n g t h a t ’s b e s t solved by the diplomats.” China claims most of the South China Sea, while Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei claim parts of the waters that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds along with oil Mattis criticized China’s actions. “China has shredded the trust of nations in the region, apparently trying to have a veto authority over the diplomatic and security and economic conditions of neighboring states,” he said.

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Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Trump lambastes judge who lifts travel ban, vows to fight U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday denounced a judge who lifted the travel ban he had imposed on citizens of seven mainly Muslim countries, taking an unusual jab at an independent branch of the U.S. government as he vowed to bring back the restrictions. Trump’s personal attack on U.S. District Judge James Robart went too far for some who said he was undermining an institution designed to check the power of the White House and Congress. As the ban lifted, refugees and thousands of travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen who had been stopped in their tracks last weekend by Trump’s executive order scrambled to get flights to quickly enter the United States. The Justice Department is expected to quickly argue in court to reverse a restraining order made by a federal judge in Seattle late on Friday. Federal Judge James Robart, who was appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush, blocked on Trump’s executive order, questioning its constitutionality. “The opinion of this socalled judge, which essen-

tially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump said on Twitter early yesterday. Trump has said “extreme vetting” of refugees and immigrants is needed to prevent terrorist attacks. Eight hours later, Trump tweeted: “What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with bad int e n t i o n s , c a n come into U.S.?” It is unusual for a president to attack a member of the judiciary, which the U.S. Constitution designates as a check to the power of the White House and Congress. Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said Trump went too far by attacking the judge and the integrity of the judicial branch. “He is undermining the entire system of government, not only the decisions with which he disagrees,” Cardin said in a statement. “Read the ‘so-called’ Constitution,” tweeted Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee. The court ruling was the first move in what could be months of legal challenges to

U.S. District Judge James Robart (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump Trump’s push to clamp down on immigration. His order set off chaos last week at airports across the United States where travelers were stranded and thousands of people gathered to protest. Americans are divided over Trump’s order. A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed 49 percent favored it while 41 percent did not. Rights groups, Democrats and U.S. allies have condemned the travel ban as discriminatory. Yesterday, there were protests against the ban in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and other cities.

The Department of Homeland Security said yesterday

it would return to its normal procedures for screening trav-

elers but that the Justice Department would file for an emergency stay of the order “at the earliest possible time.” Some travelers told Reuters they were cautious about the sudden change. Overnight, some international airlines were uncertain about whether they could sell tickets to travelers from the countries listed in Trump’s ban. Virtually all refugees also were barred by Trump’s order, upending the lives of thousands of people who have spent years seeking asylum in the United States. Friday night’s court decision sent refugee advocacy and resettlement agencies scrambling to help people in the pipeline.

Crime and violence cost Latin America and Caribbean countries $$B - IDB WASHINGTON (CMC) – A study undertaken by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates the direct annual cost of crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean at US$261 billion or 3.55 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The IDB said the figure is roughly what the region invests on infrastructure and double the average cost for developed countries. It is also the equivalent income for 30 per cent of the poorest population, underscoring the grave development impact violence has on the region. The IDB said “The Costs of Crime and Violence: New Evidence, New Revelations in Latin America and the Caribbean” study is a landmark effort to provide comparable crime costs numbers for 17 countries in the region, benchmarking them against 6 developed countries. “Crime and violence are at near crisis levels in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region accounts for nine per cent of the world’s population but contributes nearly one-third of its homicide victims, making it the most violent region outside of war zones. Six out of ten robberies in the region involve violence and 90 percent of murders go unresolved. Its prisons are the most overcrowded in the world,” the IDB said. “Crime has reached alarming levels in many countries,” said Ana María Rodríguez, the manager of the IDB’s Institutions for Development Department. “By providing estimates

of the costs of violence at the regional, sub-regional, and national levels, the study will help governments and international cooperation agencies better allocate resources, as well as design better policies to control and prevent crime.” Crime-related costs are on average 3.55 per cent of GDP in Latin America, compared with 2.75 per cent in the US, 2.55 per cent in the UK and 1.34 per cent in Germany. If the region brings its crime costs down to the level of developed nations, it could increase its infrastructure investment by 50 per cent. The study breaks down the costs of crime into three parts. The social costs include lethal and non-lethal victimization and foregone income of prison populations: 0.64 per cent of GDP. Private spending on security by business and households: 1.37 per cent of GDP and public spending, including the costs to the justice system, spending on police services and spending on prisons: 1.51 per cent of GDP The estimates are conservative as they include mainly direct costs of crime: public and private spending on security and the social costs. They do not include indirect costs such as changes in behaviour due to fear of crime, or the impacts of crime on the health of persons, the IDB noted. It said as a percentage of GDP, public spending on crime-related areas in Latin America and the Caribbean is similar to the level in developed economies such

as the U.S. and the United Kingdom. However, spending is a much bigger portion of public budgets, and private spending on crime prevention is vastly superior to that in more developed nations, the study shows. The study provides a greater level of detail on how uneven the crime phenomenon is in the region – and within countries. Highcrime states in Brazil such as Alagoas y Ceará have costs and rates that mirror more those of Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras). Safer areas such as Bello Horizonte and Sao Paolo have numbers closer to Chile and Uruguay. The study has chapters that analyze crime costs in Brazil, the Northern Triangle and the Caribbean and breaks new ground in calculating the direct costs of homicides as well as the foregone income of the victims of homicides (0.36 percent of GDP, or an annual average of U$10.5 billion for the 2014-2015 period). The study also notes that countries that spend more on prisons do not necessarily reap the benefits of less violence. The Bahamas and El Salvador, for instance, spend large sums (in terms of GDP) on their penitentiary systems but suffer from high crime rates. Argentina and Uruguay, on the other hand, have much lower incarceration costs and lower crime rates. Costs of violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean double the world average, and the study points to future avenues for more research on gender violence. The book includes chapters on cybercrime and organized crime, the IDB added.

Sunday February 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Four non-performing foreign entities get $2B in concessions - Instead of imposing sanctions, logging companies were rewarded with billions worth in concessions The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) is mandated to review all Investment Agreements on an annual basis. This is to ensure that investors who receive concessions use it for the purpose intended. But instead of carrying out this important function,

Go-Invest watched on as investors breached their Investment Agreements for years. This state of affairs was revealed in a damning forensic audit that was conducted by Nigel Hinds Financial Services (NHFS). The group further emphasized that Go-Invest failed to

sanction any investor for breaching his Investment Agreement, by not properly renewing the Investment Agreement. The auditors then gave a breakdown of how certain companies blatantly breached their Investment Agreements. BAISHANLIN

GTT ties telecoms liberalization... From page 9 contract with the Government of Guyana, profits of the company are calculated on the basis of assets only. They could make a minimum profit of 15% of assets plus “Advisory Fee” of six per cent of gross takings making a total profit of nearly 30%. No profits are calculated on segments. To attempt to calculate profits on segments is a surreptitious attempt by GTT to vary their contract.” GCA also accused GTT of deliberately practising questionable accounting by making Guyanese consumers pay 15% return on its depreciated landline assets “allowing the company to harvest super profits on the landline. These super profits are not credited to the landline”. GCA told PUC, the fibre optic and the copper lines belonging to the landline have been used and are being used to transmit mobile and internet traffic, which in 2015 was estimated to be earning US$2 million per annum. “These revenues, which are concealed profits, must be credited to the landline,” the memo urged. GCA said the best way of “knowing the truth and giving the PUC evidence on which it could act” is to have the company disaggregate and segmentalise its accounts as other big companies in Guyana do. “The PUC cannot act on GTT demands except that the accounts are disaggregated and segmented so as to give the PUC a rational base on which to make their

BaiShanLin’s Managing Director, Chu Hongbo

Former CEO and Chairman of Go-Invest, Keith Burrowes

cal Wood Products Inc. 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 Agree-

ment signed in July 2012. It was to establish and operate a wood processing facility. The concessions granted to Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc.; totaled more than $60M. ZHONGHAO SHIPYARD INC. (Continued on page 72)

GNIC is trespassing but pays $60 million ...

GTT has upped its expectations to have a raise on landline rates before government allows new players into the telecoms market. deliberations. Ultimately the PUC should consider employing their own independent consultants that can assess GTT numbers and to see whether they can arrive at the same conclusions as Analysys Mason.” GCA said that the telephone company’s recent demand for increased rates is spurious. “For 26 years the Guyanese consumers have funded all investments by GTT within and outside of Guyana. This funding is the formidable basis of a company that uses internal interest-free funds to expand and then claim increased rates from double dipping,” the memo to PUC said. GCA said that while the

regulator has never approved rates increases for the company, the fact that it has been gaining 10,000 customers per year ought to have provided increased revenues with straight-line cost. Government has passed new laws to break GTT’s monopoly on landline and international calls. Negotiations started late last year week with the principals of the US-owned company and officials here. When negotiations are complete with GTT, Government will be able to issue telecoms licences for company offering faster internet, mobile, landline, and even internet television and more fibre optic cables.

Karrau village gets first water ... From page 19 development is possible when all stakeholders play an active role. Delivering remarks on behalf of Junior Minister of Communities Dawn Hastings was Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes who urged the residents to care the new infrastructure. She asked that the residents build on the project and take it further as time passes. Broomes suggested to the council that a penalty be in-

Forensic auditors noted that BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. was incorporated in Guyana in 2006. This was under the Guyana Companies Act. 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 $1.8 Billion during the period under review 2011-2015. DIAMOND TROPICAL WOOD PRODUCTS INC. According to the forensic audit report, Diamond Tropi-

stituted to ensure residents take great care of the standpipes. GWI's Managing Director said that he became knowledgeable of the contamination via an article in the Kaieteur News just before taking office in October 2015. He said that the report was an example of the media's relevance in sustainable development. “One of the constructive roles of the media is linked to development by helping us to identify where some of the needs are so we can address

them.” The Managing Director relayed that the Karrau project is a model which can be followed in other communities for moving forward. Charles stressed that access to water is important and one of the remits of the GWI is to look at Hinterland Communities in particular that do not have access to potable water. He said that to achieve this there needs to be a collaboration of resources from all stakeholders.

From page 12 GNIC operates the largest wharfing and industrial facilities in Guyana. This facility is involved in shipbuilding, fabrication of parts and smelting. On the disbanding of GNEC on May 30, 2002 by vesting order #13 of 2002, NICIL whose Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was Winston Brassington, became the successor of the lease agreement of October 30, 1995 and supplemental deed of lease agreement of January 2002. The term of the lease was for 15 years commencing November 1, 1995. In 2002, NICIL with the consent of the then PPP government via Cabinet, retroactive to 1995, reduced the annual rent to be paid by GNIC from US$1M to $70M and the sale price of equipment by 30 percent. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to

pay under the lease and the matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. Additionally, the term of the lease expired on November 1, 2010 and NICIL became entitled to possession of the property. Documents seen by Kaieteur News earlier this year indicated that GNIC failed and /or refused to deliver up possession of the property to NICIL. As a result, it remains a trespasser. Four years later, NICIL commenced proceedings for possession and damages for trespass (that is equivalent of rental amounts from 2010 to date.) M o r e i n t e r e s t i n g l y, while GNIC owes NICIL millions of dollars in rent and is currently a trespasser, it has boldly subleased a portion of the land to TCL Cement Guyana Ltd without NICIL’s consent and continues to collect rental from this sublease.

GNIC’s actions are also in direct contradiction of the lease agreement which prohibits this. Kaieteur News understands that the rental collected from the lease is about six to seven times more than the rental that is supposed to be paid to N I C I L . Government has been alerted to the matter and many questions have surfaced including why NICIL has been so nonchalant over the years in ensuring it collects it due payment from the c o m p a n y. Officials are also baffled why NICIL was aware of the subleasing and never took any legal action against it, especially when its “trespassing status” is taken into account. There are also more damning documents which show that NICIL was deliberately dragging its feet on various aspects of this matter.

The Chinese way of life ... through... From page 62 continues to support me with my studies. It helps me to stay focused. The most important lesson I learnt from the early stages was to integrate well with both locals and foreigners.” “The foreign community in China is expanding at a fast rate with foreign students, traders and top business executives thronging to cities across the mainland of China, making it their second home. Which is what I call it, my second home.”

Through her interaction with friends, the Scholarship recipient says that she learnt the Chinese way of life, especially one terminology “GUANGXI” which means the real essence of Chinese culture. Although she loves Guyana and will return to make her contribution to the nation, the 28 year -old aspiring Agronomist continues to aim for higher academic heights. “I share with them (the Chinese) their dreams and aspirations and vice versa. I took time to visit the home-

towns of some friends during special occasions like the Spring Festival and other national holidays.” “I have travelled to most major cities and shared in the Chinese dream by telling the China story to my friends and relatives around the world; about how wonderful China is and why the Chinese civilization with 5000 years of history continues to grow in the 21st century. It is my love of China that pushes me to stay and contribute to a higher academic status,” she said.

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Repairs to Bartica stelling to be completed by next month The Bartica stelling is now undergoing much needed repairs and is expected to be completed within a month. In December 2015, a total of $76M was allocated towards repairs to the Bartica, Leguan and Parika stelling. The Transport and Harbours department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had said that a total of $30M was allotted towards rehabilitation works for the stelling which covers decking, fixing of piles, repair of northern high ramp, replacement of defective beams, planks on low ramps and upgrades to office area and washrooms. On a previous o c c a sion, the stelling benefited from repairs to the timber roof valley, northern fender system and the supervisor ’s office. During this process, 46 piles were driven as part of rehabilitation works. The repairs were seen as necessary by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson who

said in an interview that in the 21st century there cannot just be a stelling for ferries. Patterson had described the water front as the prime spot in every community. As such, he believed that an added effort should be employed to ensure that the stelling is transformed to match the new township status given to Bartica. According to Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Kamal Persaud, the rehabilitation of the stelling has been one of her major concerns since getting into politics in 2015. She said the facility serves as the main port of access to the town and therefore required the necessary repairs. She said that it is time Bartica got the attention which it deserved. Bartica was elevated to township status in May last year, becoming Guyana’s seventh town. The settlement is described as the gateway to G u y a n a ’s g o l d , d i a monds and timber.

Casting work being done on the new piles for the stelling

Four non-performing foreign....

From page 71 According to forensic auditors, this company was incorporated in 2013 with the principal object of establishing a shipyard to build and repair local and foreign registered vessels. The auditors noted in their report, that the investor applied for concessions related to the principal activity. The concessions were subsequently granted in October 2013. During the period under review the investor benefitted from concessions to the value of $82.4M. The auditors said that the investor was granted concessions to engage in value added economic activities. However, the auditors found that all evidence suggests that except for building

a model vessel, the investor was in breach of the Investment Agreement it entered into with Go-Invest. They added, “We were unable to access all the information relating to Zhonghao Shipyards Inc. because the entire file could not be found by GoInvest staff.” VAITARNA 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 facility at Wineperu, Esequibo. As at July 31, last year, the wood processing facility was not engaged in any significant production of wood

products. NO BENEFITS The forensic audits said that an examination of the files of just those four investors— Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc, Vaitarna Holding Private Inc., Diamond Tropical Wood Products Inc and Zhonghao Shipyards Inc.— 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 the four investors amounted to more than $2 billion. The aforementioned is what took place during the time of former CEO and Chairman of Go-Invest, Keith Burrowes.

CARPHA says several cancer deaths are preventable PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) yesterday said that the large number of deaths from breast and cervical cancer in the Caribbean is very alarming, since cervical cancer is largely preventable, and breast cancer can be detected early and treated successfully. “Common modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development of cancers include tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol,” said CARPHA executive director, Dr C. James Hospedales. “There is strong evidence that a person’s risk of developing cancer can be substantially reduced through healthy lifestyles. A reduction in modifiable risk factors will contribute

to a decrease in cancer cases, and as a consequence, deaths and costs from the disease in our region.” CARPHA said this year, and through 2018, the theme for World Cancer Day is “We can. I can” focusing on how everyone, collectively and individually, can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. The three-year campaign which started in 2016, outlines actions that communities and individuals can take to save lives by achieving greater equity in cancer care and making fighting cancer a priority at the highest political levels. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, where rates of death from cervical cancer, breast, prostate and colon cancer are two to nine times higher compared to the United States.

“Cervical cancer is perhaps the most preventable, yet a recent study by CARPHA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 16 of the 18 countries for which data were reported, cervical cancer accounted for 4.5–18.2 per cent of cancer deaths,” said Dr Hospedales. CARPHA said it was encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent cancer. It wants persons to reduce their risk of cancer by avoiding the use of tobacco, limit alcohol use, keep a healthy weight, get sufficient physical activity, increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables to five or more servings per day as well as participate in screening programmes.

Crime and violence cost Latin America and Caribbean countries $$B - IDB WASHINGTON (CMC) – A study undertaken by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates the direct annual cost of crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean at US$261 billion or 3.55 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The IDB said the figure is roughly what the region invests on infrastructure and double the average cost for developed countries. It is also the equivalent income for 30 per cent of the poorest population, underscoring the grave development impact violence has on the region. The IDB said “The Costs of Crime and

Violence: New Evidence, New Revelations in Latin America and the Caribbean” study is a landmark effort to provide comparable crime costs numbers for 17 countries in the region, benchmarking them against 6 developed countries. “Crime and violence are at near crisis levels in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region accounts for nine per cent of the world’s population but contributes nearly one-third of its homicide victims, making it the most violent region outside of war zones. Six out of ten robberies in the region involve violence and 90 percent of murders go unresolved. Its prisons are the most overcrowded in the world,” the IDB said.

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

All Set for Port Mourant Family Fun day and Gymkhana today A large and multicoloured crowd is expected to throng the Port Mourant Turf Club Arena for the first ever Port Mourant Family Fun Day and Gymkhana. The event promises to be full-fledge family oriented event and one with a difference. According to organiser Sha’veh of the Sha’veh Business Enterprise of Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, the much talked about activity is organised in association with the People of Port Mourant area. It is slated for today at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice. According to Sha’veh they are going all out to make it the biggest and best gymkhana held. Guyana biggest sound system, the Mighty Crown Vibes International Sound Company will be in the arena. There will be a bevy of sports, novelty and other activities that will last way into the night. Cycling and Horseracing,

horse cart racing, donkey racing, climbing the greasy pole, catching the greasy pig, catching the fowl cock, bun eating, bag and dog races and Gymnastics among other novelty events will be on show. There are also flat races involving the top athletics clubs in Berbice. Horses are expected to take part in events such as the H and Lower over 6 ½ Furlongs gallop for a winning purse of $200,000,the race for J and Lower animals, three Years old Guyana Bred non winners race, events for K and Lower, L and Lower, L class non winners. There is a special race for horses classified J, K and L

that participated during the day but did not win or place. There is also an event for horses that never raced on a race track in Guyana or the Cow or Cart horses. The popular DJ Competition and dance off have also been included on the days programme. There will be a hoard of events for the kids including face painting, bouncy castle, trampoline, merry go round, ice-cream and right away photographs. For more information persons are asked to call organiser Sha’veh on telephone numbers 604-4195 or 671-3343 or Tribuwhan “Gingo” Jagdeo on 618-7278. (Samuel Whyte)

Joseph dominoes on today President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph and Mark Wiltshire will be hosting a four-game dominoes tournament starting at 14:30hrs today at Gaulding Place. Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000. The tournament will be played on a points system and all GDA rules will be in effect.

Sunday February 05, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't get depressed, get busy. You can accomplish a lot if you're willing to put in a little extra time. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take the time to do your job correctly or you may find yourself looking for a new one. Make arrangements to spend quality time together. The danger of minor accidents will increase with the turmoil. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Discord could be unnerving. You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. Enjoy some socializing today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't push your mate if you want to keep this union going. Be careful that you don't overextend yourself. Don't divulge secret information. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Put your money into a safe place that will ensure a profit if you let it sit long enough. Residential changes, renovations, or moves are likely to disrupt your routine. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your partner's a little jumpy. Yo u h a v e b e e n g o i n g through a period of change that has caused problems for you with your loved ones. Don't be too

quick to voice your opinion. Listen to others carefully. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Emotional deception is evident. It's time to consider putting money into long-term investments. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make a big difference to children if you are understanding of the difficulties they are experiencing. Cultural activities open your eyes to new ways of doing things. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't give them the use of your credit card. Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You will find that social activities will lead you into passionate meetings. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You need to concentrate on your business ventures more than on your relationship today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Deal w i t h t h e n e e d s o f children and get into groups that deal with self awareness. You may have personal problems, but professional duties might be pressing.

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Jaguars aim to stop Pride’s winning streak... (From page 77) solve that today. Chris Barnwell’s last two innings were both unbeaten and both included a six and it is heartening to see him bat with positivity as he bats for DCC where he is described as a local cricket bully. Anthony Bramble missed the last game but has recovered from an ankle injury and should take back the gloves from Hetymer who did a good job behind the stumps, while Reifer, one of only three Jaguar batsmen with 100 runs, has served his team well with both bat and ball. Jacobs, with 4 wickets and an economy rate of 2.77, is

Guyana’s best bowler and judging from his last innings, his batting form seems to be returning. Paul Wintz bowled well in his only game and could retain his place in the side. Ronsford Beaton has bowled with pace and Jaguars could again go into this game with a pace quartet along with Jacobs and Permaul, leaving no room for Jonathon Foo, Bishoo and either Chandrika or Hetymer. The Jaguars need two wins from their three remaining games and will want Pride to beat CCC and Jamaica to challenge for their first title in 12 years. Apart from the inform

Kraigg Braithwaite (302 runs) and Carter, Anthony Allen, Shai Hope, Chase, Holder, the bit hitting Carlos Braithwaite, Shane Dowrich, Nurse and Benn gives the home side plenty of batting fire power, especially on the smaller 3Ws ground. Miguel Cummins, Holder, Carlos Braithwaite, Nurse and Benn should lead the bowling. Although the crowds have been disappointing, today’s game should see the biggest crowd of the tournament since the second largest population in Barbados is Guyanese and this could be home games for both teams.

Guyana’s Olympic hopefuls need financial help... (From page 80) indicated. “Winston George, Jason Yaw, Stephan James, Joel Johnson and Earl Lucas can run qualifying times as well,” an optimistic Pompey continued. Moore, Samuels and Yaw are based in Guyana and can run ‘B’ qualifying times, at least, if harnessed correctly. Moore runs the 100m, 200m and 400m, while Samuels and Yaw are 400m specialists. Like the overseasbased athletes, they will need every bit of financial support to get to Osaka. Those who are in administration have to make the financial decisions. The US-based Aliyah Abrams has run a seasonbest time of 53.46 in the 400m at the Vanderbilt Invitational. Iana Amsterdam, competing for Clemson University also in the US, has leaped to a 12.97m best in the triple jump.

GSCL Inc/Repub(From page lic...74)

continue with their preparation for the Florida Cup in Fort Lauderdale later this month. Speed Boat will depend on Lennox Marks, Greg Singh and Shazim Hussain while Sachin Ramsarran and S. Deosarran are expected to lead Farm and Success challenges respectively. Regal Masters, Mike’s Wellman, Ariel Masters and Success will battle in the masters segment which is expected to be keenly contested. Eric Thomas, Mahendra Hardyal, Yunnis Yusuf, Greg De Franca, Rafman Ali and Richard Persaud are expected to appear in this segment. Among the sponsors on board are Trophy Stall City Mall and Bourda Market, Wolf ’s Furniture Store, Digicel, Ansa McAl, Top Brandz, Elegance Jewelry and Pawn Shop, Wild Catch Fish Depot, Crown Mining, Star Party Rentals and Ink Plus, Regal Sport and Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.

Abrams is ranked 10th and Amsterdam 15th on the NCAA list. Brenessa Thompson, attending Texas A & M University ran 7.41 seconds and 23.89 in the 60m and 20m respectively. Kadecia Baird, also competing for Texas A & M University, has run 24.00 and 54.13 in the 200m and 400m in January. James attends Mississippi State University and has run 47.23 in the 400m so far this season, and is ranked 14thamong NCAA Division I athletes. Then there is Troy Doris, who finished seventh in the Triple Jump Final at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Natricia Hooper has recorded a time of 56.75 in the 400m and 12.74 in the triple

jump in her first Season competing for Essex Community College, indoors. Andrea Foster also attends Essex, but has not yet competed this indoor season in an individual event. Jeremy Bascom, George, Johnson and Lucas were expected to team up to run the 4x200metre at the Armory Track Invitational yesterday. George left Guyana last week for another training stint in the United States of America. Guyana’s talented athletes will continue to put in the work, but that additional support, which has been lacking in the pass to ensure they develop to the next level, is needed now to propel Guyana to the podium on the biggest stage over the next three years.

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Sunday February 05, 2017

GSCL Inc/Republic Cup 4 on today at Everest Some of the leading softball teams in Demerara will vie for supremacy when

the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc/ Republic Cup 4 takes place

today at the Everest Cricket Club starting at 09:30hrs. The tournament will be

played in the Open and Masters’ (over 40) categories with the winning teams in both divisions taking home trophies. The man-of-the-match in the finals and the MVP will also be rewarded. The Open category will be played with the supreme

balls and only round handed bowling will be allowed while the Masters’ segment will be played with the white ball and both round handed and wrist bowling will be accepted. Regal All Stars, Guyana Softball Cup 6 champions Speed Boat, Success

Warriors and Farm will contest the Open category which is expected to generate much excitement. Regal All Stars will look to the likes of Kelvin Orford, Vishnu Tammechandra, Wazir Hussain and Safraz Esau for glory as they (Continued on page 73)

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Limacol Football Competition moves to Victoria ground today Play in the Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition which is being organised by Petra Organisation resumes today with a double header, at the Victoria Ground, East Coast Demerara. In the opening encounter at 18:30hrs, Mahaica Determinators will feel at home when they tackle East Demerara-based Riddim Squad, while in the feature clash Ann’s Grove tackle Pouderoyen and the latter should also feel comfortable in front of what is anticipated to have a large home support. Eion Abel, who has already shown his class in the competition after netting a double in their previous clash, will once again be aiming to put his team in a

position to earn three points. On the other hand, Riddim Squad will be hoping that Teon Jones find the mark once again, while the Hope siblings Sceyon and Sheldon will no doubt want to have a better game than the last one. In the other game between Ann’s Grove and Pouderoyen, the former looked impressive, knocking the ball around nicely and seems to be a solid unit. They will no doubt be relying on the services of Ry a n S e a l e s , M a x t o n Adams, Navado Denny, Oswald Duke and Nikosi Denny to lead them to victory, while the defensive assignment will be taken up by Quincy Barry, Quincy Johnson, Anil Hernandez and Kevon Harry.

Pouderoyen’s chances of winning rest on the shoulders of Kayode King, Anthony and Ashley Harding, Easn Nelson, Dwayne St. Kitts and M o rg a n D e n n y, w h i l e goalkeeper Sherwin Bernard is also expected to play a big role if they are to come out victorious. The winner of each group will collect $100,000, while the respective finishers take home $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 each.

The overall winner of the event is guaranteed $500,000 and a trophy, while second, third and fourth

placed finishers will be given $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. Banks DIH Limited

under its GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other entities on board.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 05, 2017

West Demerara / East Bank Demerara Guinness Futsal Competition

Showstoppers make impressive start in title defence -More action set for Tuesday Defending champion Showstoppers made an impressive start to the defence of their title with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Small Panama on opening night of the 3rd Annual West Demerara / East Bank Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition, being played at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Demerara. The reigning title holders were led to victory through strikes from Dexroy Adams

(16th ) and Kayode King (20th ), while an own goal in the 7th had given them the lead early. Also producing an e ff e c t i v e d i s p l a y w a s Admiral United, who beat Speed Boat by a similar margin thanks to goals from Lexroy Manfield whose brace came in the 2nd and 5th minutes, while Emanuel Henry completed their tally with an 11th minute strike. In the first game, Kurt Garnett (15th) and Andre

Bernard (18th) efforts allowed Patentia Street Ballers to cruise to a 2-0 win over Raiders. Bagotstown teams suffered mixed fortunes in their quest for top honours. Bagotstown Warriors survived 1-0 in sudden death penalty shootout against Yo u n g B a l l e r s a f t e r regulation time ended 0-0, while Bagotstown Ballers fell to Hustlers via a similar result following a 0-0 scoreline in regulation time. Meanwhile, action in the competition resumes Tuesday night with eight games, at the same venue.

The first two nights of the event will be contested in an elimination format, with the resulting 16 teams being divided into four groups of four. At the completion of the group stage, the top two finishers from each will progress to the quarterfinal section. The winning team will take home $450,000 and the championship trophy along with a spot in the National final. The second, third and fourth placed teams will be rewarded with $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. In the night’s full

results: Game-1 Raiders-0 vs Patentia Street Ballers-2 Kurt Garnett-15th Andre Bernard-18th Game-2 Harmony-B vs Good Intent All-Stars-1 Daniel Alves-15th Game-3 Admiral United-3 vs Speed Boat-0 Lexroy Manfield-2nd and 5th Emanuel Henry-11th Game-4 ESPN-1 vs Samaroo Dam-0 Nicquan Nestor-14th Game-5 Bagotstown Warriors-0

vs Young Ballers-0 Bagotstown won 1-0 on sudden death penalty kicks Game-6 Hustlers-0 vs Bagotstown Ballers-0 Hustlers won 1-0 on penalty kicks Game-7 Agricola-0 vs Future Crane-1 Ashton Hodge-13th Game-8 DeKinderen Ballers-1 vs Vege Boyz-0 Steffen Dickson-19th Game-9 Westside Ballers-2 vs Comfort Ballers-0 Dwayne St.Kitts-6th Gideon Payne-12th Game-10 Showstoppers-3 vs Small Panama-0 Own goal-7th Dexroy Adams-16th Kayode King-20th

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Jaguars aim to stop Pride’s winning streak

By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Bounty Supermarket, Vnet Communications, Life Time Reality & Ming’s Products & Services Although the Jaguars, on 14 points, cannot prevent Barbados Pride from advancing to the final-four in Antigua, they can stop their winning streak today at the 3Ws Oval when they square off in the sixth round of the Regional Super50 tournament from 09:00hrs. With 24 points and three matches remaining, the Bajans have taken advantage of their hard bouncy home tracks and is the only unbeaten team in the tournament. They got a bonus point in every game

except against Jamaica. Barbados have 12 West Indies players in their lineup, while Kraigg Braithwaite, who along with Kerion Powell are the only batsmen with two centuries and 300 runs. The Jaguars will remember Braithwaite’s 101 the last time they met in the opening game. O ff - s p i n n e r A s h l e y Nurse is the leading wickettaker in the tournament (13) while left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn is the most economical just ahead of Jaguars’ off-spinner Steven Jacobs. The Bajans, last year’s runners-up, are favored to claim their fifth title after winning their first in the inaugural tournament in 1976 when Emerson Trotman scored the competition’s first ton against Guyana at Bourda. When they last met, Pride made 302-7 with Jonathon Carter scoring 75, Skipper Jason Holder smashing a 21-ball 31, Nurse making 28 from 15 balls and Roston Chase finishing unbeaten 20 from 10 as

every bowler except Jacobs took a pounding. Only Johnson (55) reached 20 for the Jaguars who fell for 157 as Nurse and Benn spun webs around the batsmen with four wickets each. But today is a new day and a new match and Guyana will be hunting their 18th win in 36 encounters against the Bajans, who have won on 16 occasions with two noresults and the other game being washed out. Johnson has been Guyana’s most consistent batsman with scores of 55, 2 not out, 0, 78 & 71 while Shiv Chanderpaul became the leading run scorer in Regional 50-over cricket when he made an unbeaten 58 in the last match. The 42-year-old scored 101 against Jamaica in a losing cause and 22 not out against ICC Americas in his only three innings to top the averages with 181.00. Fudadin has one fifty but has failed to build on good starts, while Rajendra Chandrika and Shemron Hetymer have both failed to

fire and the problem of getting a solid foundation from their openers still

remain a problem for the Jaguars who will hope to (Continued on page 73)

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Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

GuyanaNRA 150th Anniversary/WIFBSC 2017 Championships

Range improvements taking shape; Budget is $14M The preparations and refurbishing of the Timehri Rifle Range for the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) historic 150th Anniversary which will coincide with the hosting of the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championship (WIFBSC) in October this year have been moving apace. Association Secretary Ryan Sampson has informed that works commenced on upgrading the target mechanisms this past weekend and are progressing fine. He has extended thanks to the newly appointed Chief of Staff Brig. Patrick West, whom he said met with the Executive and Council of the GuyanaNRA. At that meeting, Sampson reported that an agreement was reached for a collaborative effort to be pursued with respect to enhancement of the range to international standards. ”The GuyanaNRA presented a comprehensive

plan which was prepared in early 2016 to Brig. Patrick West, who lauded our efforts for enhancement of the ranges which he said also fell within their overall developmental frame work.” Sampson further explained that the two bodies have been using and developing the Timehri Range for a very long time. ”Historically, the range was built by the American Forces stationed at Timehri. After WW II, the range was a b a n d o n e d . Wi t h t h e formation and establishment of the GDF headquarters at Camp Ayanganna where the GuyanaNRA range was located, shooting was suspended. It was in the 1960s that one of its members, Mr. Mohamed Ali, went to Timehri and located the old range. Work was then started by the association to clear the area and arrangements put in place to carry their target mechanisms to the new site. Once more, the Guyana NRA was able to restart the

Timehri Rifle Range refurbishing moving apace.

sport of rifle shooting.” The 150th Anniversary Planning Committee was reconvened after the Christmas season by Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud to continue the process started last year, with the expansion of the shooting banks. Persaud has stated that

they we would be pushing hard over the next few months to complete most of the work. ”Sunday last saw the members with the assistance of the GDF which contributed a frontend loader working on the area for the new target mechanisms. During this week work will continue on the foundation for the target mechanisms which when completed should total 24. The butts are which is where the markers of the target are located is to also be reinforced for their safety and protection.” The association is aiming to complete all works by the end of March so that practice can commence in

early April. Sampson noted that members will be working with the contractors and making personal donations to help offset some of the costs associated with the improvement works. He explained that apart f r o m t h e G D F, t h e government of Guyana is also assisting to ensure that Guyana puts on the best show. ”However, this will not be enough and we will soon be seeking assistance from the business community since our budget we have put together to cover everything is close to 14M dollars. We are committed to reaching out to our friends and well wishers in the business

community to assist us.” Teams and shooters that are expected to be here for the championships from October 8-15 are Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Canada, USA, England, Scotland and Wales. Last week, the Falkland Islands Rifle Association expressed interest and a letter of invitation was sent via the Guyana Olympic Association President, K. A Juman Yassin. Over 100 marksmen and women, some with their family members are expected to attend. A day has been set aside for the shooters and families to be able to take advantage of Guyana’s eco-tourism.

Sunday February 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 83

GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Badminton tournament 2017 concludes The Guyana Badminton Association started of the year with the GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Tournament on Wednesday 01 and concluded on Friday 03 of February, 2017 at the National Gymnasium. The Finals and Third Place Matches were played off following with the presentation after the finals. This tournament which is in its 5th year is made possible through Mr. Darrell C a r p e n a y, M a n a g i n g Director of GUMDAC and also an executive on the GBA. The Highlight of the evening was in the Men’s Doubles where National & Caribbean Champion Priyanna Ramdhani competed in the Men’s Doubles partnered with Avinash Odit and took the Top Men Pair of

Nicholas Ali and Jonathan Mangra to a three Setter before losing in the first game 21-14, coming back in the second game to win 21-19 and finally lost in the third game 21-13 to go down 2-1. It was a great effort from the young player as she proved that she can battle with her male counterparts. The Matches Played were: O P E N M E N S DOUBLES THIRD PLACE: Marlon Chung & Ronald C h a n g Yu e n d e f e a t e d Gokarn Ramdhani & Javid Rahaman: 21-16, 21-19 O P E N M E N S DOUBLES FINALS: Nicholas Ali & Jonathan Manga defeated Priyanna Ramdhani & Avinash Odit:

21-14, 19-21, 21-13 OPEN LADIES DOUBLES ROUND ROBIN: Priyanna Ramdhani & Greer Jackson defeated Angelica Holder & Pricilla Moore: 21-9, 21-10 Angelica Holder & Pricilla Moore defeated Ayanna Wickham-Watson & Emelia Ramdhani: 21-17, 21-12 OPEN MIXED DOUBLES THIRD PLACE: Ronald Chang Yuen & Pricilla Moore defeated Avinash Odit & Angelica Holder: 21-13, 17-21, 17-21 OPEN LADIES DOUBLES FINALS: Priyanna Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra defeated Nicholas Ali & Greer Jackson: 21-17, 21-15 THE OVER-ALL WINNERS ARE:

‘Shiv continues to prove that age is just a number’- Johnson By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Bounty Supermarket, Vnet Communications, Life Time Reality & Ming’s Products & Services Skipper Leon Johnson has been very consistent in t h i s y e a r ’s R e g i o n a l Surper50 and has scored 210 runs with three fifties going into today game with Barbados. Chanderpaul broke Floyd Reifer’s record for most runs in Regional 50over cricket during his undefeated 58 against CCC on Friday with Refier watching on as CCC’s Coach and Johnson, the 29year-old left-handed Test player feels that despite him turning 43 in August Shiv is proving that age is just a number. Shiv has played in 98 Regional 50 over games and now has 48 more runs than Reifer who finished with 2,878 runs from 106 games. In 164 Tests is second only to Brian Lara in Test runs by a We s t I n d i e s w i t h 3 0 centuries and an average of 51.37. In 268 ODI Shiv has 11 tons and an average of 41.6, his first-Class record is even more impressive scoring 73 hundreds in 355 games with the only triple century in Regional First-class cricket

since 1966 when a Regional tournament with involving all the territories, was first played. “There are some who doubt Shiv’s ability at his age but you could never doubt his ability. He scored a century (his second at this level) against Jamaica, got 22 not out against ICC Americas and batted well here with an unbeaten 58,” said Johnson after the Jaguars beat CCC here on Friday night. “His presence here alone is valuable… not only on the field but also in the dressing room and his experience helps me a lot. Sometime we don’t see things the same way but he is good for the game not only Guyana but West Indies cricket, the guys should look at how he does things and learn from him,” said Johnson. Ta l k i n g a b o u t t h e Jaguars’ chances of winning their first one-day title in 12 years, Johnson who has two fifties from nine Tests and one from six ODIs, feels the win against CCC was very important. “Coming into this game we knew we had to win at least three games to qualify for the semis. Barbados and Jamaica have been playing well and you can’t underestimate CCC since they have beaten us before and they beat Jamaica as

well. So coming to the last phase of this tournament winning is very important,” said Johnson who has led the Jaguars to back-back FirstClass tittles in the last two seasons. On the back of his perforce in this tournament, Johnson should be in the West Indies ODI team to play England in the threegame ODI series next month and the three ODIs against Pakistan on home soil after that. “The confidence is there I got a couple of good scores in the tournament and hoping to continue that form this for the remainder of the tournament and win the last three games. A century or two would be good,” Johnson added. Looking ahead, the Guyana Captain feels that if the Jaguars bowl well against Barbados’ strong batting this could determined the outcome of today’s game. “They (bowlers) have bowled well so far and if we bat first or last we have to restrict them to as small a total as possible. We are doing well batting second, we have not batted first yet in the tournament and we back ourselves to chase down scores so the toss could be important,” stressed Johnson, who continues to do well for Guyana batting in the middle order.

Winners of the GUMDAC badminton tournament display their prizes after the presentation along with officials including GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani (right standing). MEN DOUBLES: 1ST NICHOLAS ALI & JONATHAN MANGRA 2NDPRIYANNA RAMDHANI & AVINASH ODIT 3RDMARLON CHUNG & RONALD CHANG YUEN LADIES DOUBLES: 1 S T - P R I YA N N A RAMDHANI & GREER

JACKSON 2NDPRICILLA MOORE & ANGELICA HOLDER 3 R D - AYA N N A WICKHAN-WATSON & EMELIA RAMDHANI MIXED DOUBLES: 1 S T - P R I YA N N A R A M D H A N I & JONATHAN MANGRA 2NDNICHOLAS ALI & GREER

JACKSON 3RDRONALD CHANG YUEN & PRICILLA MOORE The GBA is pleased with the turn out of the players, especially at the start of the New Year 2017 and will be getting plans in order for the MASH Tournament fixed for later this month.

GBA proposes stipend for boxers/coaches A selected group of boxers and coaches affiliated to the Guyana boxing Association is earmarked to start receiving stipends once the nod is given by the Guyana Olympic Association. The recommendation for stipends is included in the GBA four-year strategic plan handed over to GOA president K Juman Yassin last week. The plan charts the course to the 2020 Olympic in Tokyo, Japan. The boxing association has recommended $60,000 (sixty thousand dollar) per month for seven boxers. The group includes Caribbean middleweight champion ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam, heavyweight Jason ‘AK47’ Barker and Caribbean Development Tournament Best Youth Boxer Christopher Moore. The stipend would assist in young pugilist remaining focused while preparing for local and major international engagements. The document also proposes payment to a selected number of coaches but on a lesser scale than that recommended for boxers. Many of the top boxers find it challenging to balance training with work commitments hence the

Desmond Amsterdam

Christopher Moore

importance of the stipend. The boxing association kick starts this year’s activity with an international competition to be staged at the National Gymnasium on February 19. That would be followed by the National Novices competition in March and the Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior tournament in April. In May Guyana is scheduled to send a threeman team of boxers to Azerbaijan to participate in the Islamic Games. T h e Yo u t h Commonwealth Games, The World Championships and the first Inter Guianas Boxing Tournament are just a few other international competitions on the packed

GBA calendar this year. The association president Steve Ninvalle said that he is adopting a “wait and see” approach. “We have provided the document as requested now we would have to wait and see the level of assistance given. The GOA has been helpful in the past and there is no reason for me to think that there would be a change in their modus operandi now,” Ninvalle said. The GOA is not the only entity that would be receiving the document. The plan, dubbed ‘ To w a r d s To k y o w i t h Tenacity and Hard Work’ would also be handed over to the National Sport Commission.

t r o Sp Guyana’s Olympic hopefuls need financial help

Winston George

Brenessa Thompson

Aliyah Abrams

Troy Doris

Kadecia Baird Alita Moore

Stephan James By Edison Jefford G u y an a’s o v er s eas based Olympic hopefuls have made auspicious starts to the 2017 Season, but to continue their ascendancy and journey to the 2020

Olympic Games in Osaka, Japan, like many of the local prospects, they need help from the major stakeholders. Athletics is a definite medal contender for the next Olympic Games, but how the Government of Guyana,

Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and by extension Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) handle the prospective athletes will determine the result. Already, there is a core

group to work with based on performances in January and there will be a sub-group of younger talent who can perhaps qualify under the ‘B’ standards. However, Guyana can be assured of ‘A’ standards from some senior

Limacol Football Competition moves to Victoria ground today

The battle on the East Coast tonight promises to be even more exciting than some of the other encounters.

prospects. Double Commonwealth Games medalist, Aliann Pompey, who has been keeping her fingers on the pulse of the Guyanese performances overseas, is also very optimistic about Guyana entering a very strong field in Japan. “In the first month of the year, athletes put up some solid performances. A number of athletes in the USA college system have wasted no time making their mark,” Pompey said. She believes the country is poised for athletics excellence, but there is a ‘but’. Guyana has always had the talent to succeed internationally, but the stakeholders named earlier have all contributed to the failure of athletes in the past. Athletes need major financial support to succeed, which places the spotlight on the main stakeholders in the run up to Osaka. Before there will be two IAAF World Championships with one scheduled in August this year and another two years later.

Iana Amsterdam As I had pointed out in a previous article, Chief Executive Officer of UK Sports, Liz Nicholl told the media last year that one Olympic medal cost Britain $4.1 million pound sterling; the question is therefore, how much is Guyana prepared to spend to get an Olympic medal? The cost could be different for Guyana, but the point is there is a cost attached to performance. Guyana only has one Olympic medal, a bronze from the gloves of Michael Parris in 1980. From a similar position, The UK spent its way to second place on the overall medals list in the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, topping some superpowers in sport. “I’d like to point out that we have enough female quarter-milers to invest in a women’s 4x400m relay (team) that can make a mark on the world scene. Aside from those athletes abroad, we have Alita Moore and Avon Samuels at home who c a n c o n t r i b u t e tremendously,” Pompey (Continued on page 73)

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