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Kaieteur News
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
GUYANA IS RUNNING DRY
It seems that global warming has taken its toll on Guyana, especially during the past fifteen or more years. In many cases, the weather pattern in the country seems to be moving from one extreme to the next; that is from floods to droughts. Guyana is now faced with one of the most severe droughts. This condition is also affecting several countries in the Caribbean from Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago. It is expected to worsen despite a few sparse light showers here and there. The drought has severely affected residents and farmers everywhere as Guyana-the land of many waters- runs dry. This is not the first time Guyana has experienced such a phenomenon; the most severe drought experienced in Guyana’s recent history took place in 1997-1998. That El Nino event had affected more than 80 percent of the population and had caused tens of millions of dollars in damages to the agriculture sector, especially sugar, rice and cash crops and poultry and dairy farming. The drought was so severe that it led to water rationing throughout the country. Farmers and residents in the rural areas suffered immensely. The President had to declare a state of emergency and dispatched hundreds of trucks with water to the rural areas to help residents cope. The current drought is due largely to a paucity of precipitation by a particularly harsh El Niño. The situation was further aggravated by the presence of an abnormal amount of dust and dry air over the Southern Atlantic region. It has intensified by a lack of maintenance of the infrastructure, whereby almost half of the water supply is lost through distribution. Guyana, like most of its Caribbean neighbours, usually has two weather seasons that occur each year—rainfall and what is known as the dry weather season, with some regions having more rainfall or dry weather than others. With its main sources of water being rainfall, theground water is stored and conserved in rivers, creeks and in irrigation canals such as the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). Most of its fresh water ponds, lakes and streams have dried-up.And to make matters worse, forecasters at Guyana’s $550 million Doppler Radar facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport has cautioned the nation that the worst is yet to come because the El Nino phenomenon is gathering strength which will make the drought more severe as the country goes into the dry season. It means that there will be sparse rainfall for this largely parched country for another few weeks. However, many believe that this drought came at the worst time for the country, especially for rice farmers and sugar workers who are facing a bleak future due to lower prices for commodities on the world market. Agriculture crops and poultry and dairy farming are severely affected both for domestic consumption and exports, which will result in fewer earnings in foreign and local currency. Several Economists including Dr. Tarron Khemraj and Dr. Fitzroy Kirkpatrick have posited that the budget deficit will increase as a result ofthe shortfall in revenue from agriculture due to the drought. The prolonged drought has not only affected the entire country, but it has hit farmers and ordinary householders in Regions One, Three, Six and Nine the hardest. The present drought should be of great concern to the government from a public health and agricultural perspective since it could bring cholera, dengue, death of animals and destruction of crops by various species of pests that thrive in dry conditions. The Ministry of Health has to be on alert for those diseases and will perhaps have to spend millions of dollars to manage the additional cost to health services to prevent them. People, livestock and agriculture are at risk.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Sexual harassment in the police force DEAR EDITOR, The recent allegations by a “television reporter” about irregularities and illegalities in the Guyana Police Force require intervention at the level of a Commission of Inquiry or an audit into the operations and administration of that organization. If nothing is done the government runs the risk of overseeing a joke for a police force. As a longserving member I am pained to hear, see and read of the unprofessional and corrupt behavior of my colleagues. We would like to know the findings of the investigations into Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud’s vehicular accident. Editor if it was found that speed was the cause of the crash then Balram Persaud must be
surcharged the cost of replacing that cost to the taxpayers of this country. Another thing that the TV reporter’s allegations have unearthed is the possibility or very high probability that the jail is occupied by many persons who should not have been charged in the first place. This perception is fuelled by a belief that a very senior officer is close to a member of the DPP’s staff, and it is in that officer’s interest to have as many recommendations for charges to be laid even if it means innocent persons will be incarcerated. The result is that the force looks good because of the number of “suspects” charged regardless if the prospects for conviction are slim to nonexistent. The rampant picking up of “known persons” as suspects in certain
depressed areas is reminiscent of the adage of “giving a dog a bad name and hang him.” We need to get back to doing real investigations. Editor it is no use hiding the truth when it is widely known that we are only talking reform but there is no real intention on the part of the current police administration to go anywhere near that condition. Reform for them means the eradication of all that is corrupt and unprofessional, something they are clearly not ready for while they remain in control of the organization. The exclusion of the Strategic Management Department’s personel from the meetings to discuss the performance of the organisation in (Continued on page 6)
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Lincoln Lewis accuses APNU-AFC Notes on Gov’t as being just like the PPP driving madness
DEAR EDITOR, The support given on any issue to a group or individual, governmental or non-governmental, is premised on upholding and respecting laws, international conventions, charters, time-honoured principles and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens/workers. No one must count on me to give support on any matter that borders on the violation and transgressing of these. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which I have the honour to represent has consistently taken a stand on these tenets regardless of who forms the government or which non-governmental organisation/person is affected. When the APNU and AFC were in opposition and vacillating on issues of national import the GTUC took principled and strident positions. There is no other organisation, including of the APNU and AFC, that was more strident in holding the PPP government accountable. This nation is encouraged to examine the GTUC’s record on issues of good governance in this country and holding governments accountable. The GTUC is proud of its record and stewardship.
The GTUC for years has been making a clarion call for the respect of rights and the rule of law. The issue of the sugar industry has the hallmark of a government that wants to control every space, ignore the principle of collective and representative leadership, agencies, and affected stakeholders. Such clearly demonstrate an absence of regard for the Constitution and laws they swore to uphold. Article 147 of Constitution protects the right of persons to be represented by a trade union of their choice. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act says that so long as there is a recognition agreement between an employer and a trade union, it requires the employer to treat with the union. Workers at Wales estate are unionised and this must be respected. Outside of trade union representation as in the instance of cane farmers they have formed a group and consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution they
must be involved in the management and decision-making of this industry which will impact their wellbeing with the proposed closure. The regional and local governments are affected too because unemployment and loss of economic opportunities will impact residents socially and economically. This is where contempt continues to be shown by the government in addressing an issue that has serious consequences for this nation. While the government speaks about inclusionary democracy, national unity and social cohesion, an ideal opportunity is in front of them to bring the opposition and other stakeholders on board to address Wales and the sugar industry. Instead, what we are seeing are acts that border on arrogance and divisiveness. In fact, what Guyanese are witnessing today is a continuation of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar style of governance. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder is on record dis-
missing every proposal made by anyone on the Wales matter without even engaging any individual or group. The GTUC has submitted a proposal to the Minister and requested to meet with him. Up to the time of writing not even an acknowledgement has been received. This behaviour is a common feature by a number of Ministers in the government. The arrogance is further displayed when the Minister can be talking through the media and in the National Assembly as to what he will do for workers and citizens without even engaging them. There is no dispute that sugar is in crisis, it has been a drag on the economy, and something has to be done about it. Arriving at solutions for sugar and the welfare of those who will be affected must be in accordance with laws, rights and timehonoured principles. This is what the government is failing to adhere to and we the people must insist they come to their senses. Lincoln Lewis
DEAR EDITOR, A recent article in one of the dailies again raised my anger. An elderly lady was struck down while on a pedestrian crossing! A speeding truck was involved. Another news item told of a speeding minibus turning turtle and killing a young child. SPEEDING ! This is always the reason for these accidents. In my humble opinion if speeding is a problem then making it difficult for drivers to be able to travel speedily especially on certain sections of our roads/ highways should be addressed. Increasing fines etc. and all the blah blah blah that tags along is useless. Treat the drivers as you would an errant child. Make the roads difficult to speed on. Install PROPER speed bumps at EVERY existing pedestrian crossings - in front of ALL schools, churches, hospitals, markets etc. and at ALL busy intersections/ junctions. Our drivers have no regard for pedestrian crossings. As you cross on these the drivers honk their horns at you. Properly constructed speed bumps will make them slow down.
Have our road engineers get the “know how “ from their Surinamese counterparts and implement the format here. These rough patches can even be interspersed on long stretches of straight roads. I again reiterate stop blabbering about speeding vehicles – make the roads difficult to speed on! One other observation: There are many intersections where a driver has to actually go in the middle of the street to check for traffic on the left or right. Two such examples are Robb and Alexander Streets and Church and Alexander Streets to highlight a few. Solution – install obstacles to prevent parking which impedes vision. We can easily access boulders and imbed them where necessary. Painting signs on the road does not work!! See what happens outside the Ministry of Finance where there is a NO PARKING sign painted on the road and take note of whose vehicles park there. Yes Sir! GOVERNMENT vehicles. It boggles the humble mind. After 50 Years? Humble Observer (name supplied)
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Team Legacy appeals Be careful who you to Georgetowners choose as your lover Kaieteur M@ilbox
DEAR EDITOR, Stockholm syndrome is sometimes subtle. Even intelligent, forward-thinking folks can fall victim to it. The basic premise is not that difficult - you starve someone of something they need long enough and when you finally toss them a few crumbs they clamor to it, all the while thanking you for your benevolence. Take the city of Georgetown, for years it was left to deteriorate.
Mismanagement, internal conflicts and squabbling between City Hall and Central Government resulted in many crises over the years. Some areas in the city received only the most basic services from the council and when they did it was sporadic and inefficient at best. Our beautiful city was reduced to nothingness. Her spirit broken, her clothes torn and tattered and her citizens
tired and frustrated. Now, with a change of government and the relationship with City Hall somewhat amicable, the cleanup campaign has begun. Citizens are excited, and they should be, but dare I suggest that we deserve more. As one member of Team Legacy puts it, “we are putting nice clothes on a sick body.” Beyond cleanup campaigns, we need to transform our city. The job of City Hall extends beyond collecting garbage and cleaning drains. These are the most basic services and should be provided continuously and efficiently. Local Government is also responsible for formulating strategic policies that will guide the community, providing an infrastructural and planning framework that facilitates economic community growth in the community, coordinating with local agencies like the police to establish Community Policing Groups for better security in our communities, prompting cultural and sporting events, tourism and more. A councilor should consult with residents regularly, to ensure they adequately represent the views of the community at the council level and devise plans for improved service delivery to the residents in the communities. On March 18, place your X for a group that will fight for you. A group with a plan that incorporates all of the responsibilities mentioned. Cleaning is just the beginning. Cleaning is just the tip of the iceberg. Georgetown needs leaders that will bring fresh ideas and a new approach to Fix Our Forgotten Communities. Michael A Leonard Candidate for constituency 9 Lodge/Meadowbrook Gardens Team LEGACY
DEAR EDITOR, Every time I read in the Guyanese news media regarding the death of yet another female, the victim of domestic abuse, I can’t help while struggling to subdue my internal anguish, to somehow call on the women to be more selective in their choice of mates. Currently, there exists in Guyana an urgent need for the females, especially the young ones, to be taught the finer points of partner selection, as data reveals that they have been paying fatally for poor selectivity. We cannot allow this to continue. Why are the women making these bad choices over and over again? I am however mindful of the fact that in the majority of cases economic vulnerability does restrict their ability to be independent thereby forcing them to operate under the “before none, any” rationale when choosing a partner. Yet, as we head towards International Women’s Day I am sending out an impassioned plea to my Guyanese sisters to begin the process of rigorous self - scrutiny. Are you living up to expectations, worthy of being called a female, or has your self- esteem reached such a pitiable level that you would settle for anything that bore the slightest resemblance to the opposite sex? The time is at hand to put into motion the change promised by the present government, in the form of a comprehensive national approach geared at empowering females. The promotion of the economic empowerment of women is also vital. Many women in Guyana find it difficult to support and sustain themselves and their families. This economic vulnerability restricts their ability to be independent and to access justice. Not for a nano of a second should it be forgotten that not only are females the bedrock but also the nurturers of our society. Society would collapse in the absence of women. The advice or word of caution is LOOK. On a more serious note given the paramount dif-
ference between life and death—Choosing a mate may be worth a hesitate! The killings have always been attributed to love. This is the message that is often thrown to the public’s ear following each death. The public is led to believe, and it probably seems reasonable to some is that love caused the man to kill the woman. Totally unreasonable! What a load of cotswollop. The truth is a plain as daylight; men do not kill out of love, but out of a desire to control. “If I can’t have you, then no one will” is the common refrain uttered by abusive partners. Another well-known fact is that females are at the most risk when they announce or try to leave their abusive partners. Did a broken heart lead them to commit homicide? No it is simply a matter of control, wherein lies the thinking that they own the female. Yes, again men who kill their partners tend to be possessive, jealous controlling testosterone carriers with a strong sense of entitlement. These men would rather see the woman dead than face the reality of rejection, or the notion that women are free agents who can make choices about their lives. When we talk about domestic violence or violence against women as
passionate, or something attached to love and heartache, the more we excuse things like male entitlement. I am overly reluctant to purchase at any cost the idea of death being due to crime of passion. Women (and men too) have had their hearts broken in the most unfair and grotesque manner, and yet the woman has not sought to remedy it by killing the perpetrator(s). Today in Guyana domestic violence is a gendered crime and we must treat it as such. No longermust the blatant truth be disguised, as it will only lead to further violence. I am hereby calling on all the appropriate governmental agencies, pastors, community leaders, parents, teachers, mentors, role models, etc. to take a serious look, or a more thorough view at this issue, and assist in stemming the tide. The time is ripe for putting the wheel of change in motion- to institute a comprehensive national approach beginning with our females, from as early as elementary school that would empower them to make the correct choices when choosing a partner. Choosing a mate may be worth a hesitate! Yvonne Sam.
DEAR EDITOR, I have received several phone calls regarding a letter published on February 11, 2016 titled ‘ Sugar’s future is long gone’. Please be advised that I was not the author of that letter. I shall be grateful, also, if you would publish this fact for the information of your readers. Regarding the article, I may submit a comment at a later date, after I have gathered the relevant facts. George W. Daniels
Former President Guyana Trades Union Congress Former President, Guyana Public Service Union Retired Director, Service Emlpoyees International Union, California, USA.
Not this George Daniels
EDITOR’S NOTE Mr. George Daniels the writer of the letter, “Sugar’s future is long gone,” is known to this paper and has letters published before. That is his real name. He is Guyanese and lives in New York
Sexual harassment... From page 4 implementing its strategic plan is further evidence of arrogance and all-powerfulness on the part of the force. Certain officers must always be seen as the persons who have all the ideas and other viewpoints are not encouraged unless you are among the favoured few. An audit will highlight all that is wrong with us or we will continue to exhibit rottenness to our core. I for one am totally fed up with the exist-
ing state of affairs where my colleagues view female recruits and even in-service ranks as a pool from which they can stock their private harems. We need to regain the respect among our ranks and eschew the narrowmindedness and disrespect that prevail. I wish that the government could insist that the police administration craft a succession plan instead of accepting empty rhetoric from that body on the issue. Senior Police Officer
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Amid multitude of woes, Egypt leader says democracy is back CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s president said yesterday that his country has established democratic and constitutional rule after years of turmoil following the 2011 uprising, but rights groups say he has presided over an unprecedented crackdown on dissent. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared the completion of Egypt’s transition to democratic rule in a 32-minute address to parliament, a 596member chamber packed with his supporters. In practices reminiscent of Egypt’s past autocratic regimes, state television labeled the president’s speech “historic” before it started, and some lawmakers, in a show of patriotism, placed Egypt’s red, black and white flags before them in the chamber. Several others greeted el-Sissi’s arrival in the chamber with shouts of “We love you, Mr. President!” When his speech was later interrupted by the same chant, he replied: “I love you too!” El-Sissi acknowledged that the country is still struggling to rebuild its economy and combat Islamic extremists, but said it had succeeded in restoring representative government. “From this place, under parliament’s dome, the Egyptian people declare to the entire world that they have laid the foundation of a democratic system and rebuilt constitutional institutions,” he said in a speech that largely consisted of generalities and
Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was repeatedly interrupted by applause. The former general led the 2013 military overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected and first Islamist leader, amid mass protests against his divisive yearlong rule. Since then, the government has waged a massive crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of Islamists as well as several prominent secular activists who led the 2011 revolt that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. A draconian law passed in November 2013 prohibits all unauthorized protests. Over the past week, Egypt has faced allegations that security forces were behind the abduction, torture and killing of an Italian researcher who disappeared on Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising, when police were out in force to prevent any
demonstrations. Egypt’s Interior Ministry has denied the police had any involvement in the killing and insists it was a criminal act, but the incident has strained ties with Rome. Egypt has also seen protests this week against police brutality held by the doctors’ syndicate, after two doctors were allegedly beaten up by police in a Cairo hospital. Anger at police brutality was one of the main grievances behind the 2011 uprising. El-Sissi did not mention either incident, and commended the police on “their care for the security and stability of the nation and the protection of its people.” “We must be aware that there are those waiting in the wings who don’t want this nation to be an exception to the fate of some nations in our turbulent region and to hinder our national project for development and stability,” he said. Egypt has been battling an insurgency led by a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group based in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Militant attacks, mainly targeting security forces, have spiked since Morsi’s ouster. A military officer and a soldier were killed Saturday while dismantling an explosive device in northern Sinai, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Samir said on his official Facebook page. He said another soldier was wounded in the incident.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi gets extra security after death threat Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has been given extra security following a death threat on Facebook alluding to her presidential ambitions, officials said Friday. In a post last week, a man called Ye Lwin Myint threatened to shoot anyone who tries to change a controversial clause in the constitution which bars pro-democracy champion Suu Kyi from the top office. While he did not specifically name the 70year-old Nobel laureate, Suu Kyi has made little secret of her desire to be president. Her National League for Democracy has taken its seats in parliament after storming last year’s election — the freest in decades in the once junta-ruled nation. But Suu Kyi is blocked from the presidency by a charter clause because her children and spouse were foreign born. An NLD member, who did not want to be named, but who is close to Suu Kyi confirmed that extra security measures were in place “since that man’s threat.” A senior police official in the capital Naypyidaw confirmed the security boost, also requesting anonymity. “Police security has been increased for her (Suu Kyi)... but it is unofficial.” The threat
comes at a key time in Myanmar’s drawn out power transition. After her party’s November election win, Suu Kyi vowed to appoint a proxy and rule “above” a president who is set to be chosen in March. But in recent days rumours have swirled of backroom talks towards suspending the controversial 59 (f) clause so she can take the top job. It is a highly contentious issue, with some senior members of the still powerful army vigorously opposed to charter change. Speculation that big political plays are underway in Myanmar was deepened Friday as it emerged that President Thein Sein will not travel to America next week to join Southeast Asian leaders in talks with President Barack Obama. As well as blocking Suu Kyi’s rise, the charter also gifts the military 25 percent of parliamentary seats and an effective veto on constitutional amendments. Suu Kyi, for years the army’s nemesis as the figurehead of the country’s democracy struggle, is already protected by a personal security detail. Her father, independence hero general Aung San, was assassinated in 1947. (AFP)
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Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Retired Snr. Supt. feels cheated by Police Service Commission
Snr. Supt. Rtd. Courtney Ramsey With the long-awaited police senior ranks promotions set to be released soon, not many will be happy. For a former senior officer, the recent position taken by the Police Service Commission on the question of supersession has come a bit too late. Retired Senior Superintendent of Police, Courtney Ramsey, believes that the belated position taken by the PSC is painful for him since he narrowly missed out on its implementation. Ramsey who retired last year believes that he was overlooked for promotion, claiming that he was superseded by his juniors, through no fault of his or the
Newly appointed Assistant Commissioners of Police from left, Ian Amsterdam, Paul Williams and Nigel Hoppie. Force administration. He blamed collusion of the PSC and the political directorate at the time. Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Omesh Satyanand, in a previous interview, said that the Commission is moving to end supersession in the Guyana Police Force unless it is justified. “You need to justify why you’re promoting someone over someone else who is in the same rank for a longer period. That is something that we thought we should examine carefully,” Satyanand had said. But for Ramsey this is a bit too late. Ramsey claimed that at the time of the last
police promotion, he was the most senior of the force’s Senior Superintendents and had no pending disciplinary matters, yet he was superseded by those who were his junior. “I’m still wondering if he could explain the reason why myself and others who were recommended by the Commissioner then, were not promoted…and the three most junior of the senior superintendents were promoted to Assistant Commissioners,” Ramsey told this newspaper. He was referring to Senior Superintendents like Nigel Hoppie and Dale Alves who were bypassed last year in favour of Clifton Hicken and
Marlon Chapman, who Ramsey said were not recommended by the force administration. Incidentally, this newspaper has learnt that the PSC has corrected this situation and has approved the promotion of both Hoppie and Alves along with that of the force’s training officer Paul Williams, to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. According to Ramsey, he is bitter because while those promoted this year had a second chance for the PSC to rightfully elevate them, he had none, having retired last November as a Senior Superintendent, which means Continued on page 13
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Dem boys seh...
Dem nite clubs plan fuh Valentine Today is Valentine’s Day and everybody know wha does come wid Valentine. Is nuff roses, chocolates and kisses. Of course, kiss have kiss back just like how knock got knock back and pull got pull back. Republic Bank pull back dem ads. Dem boys want tell dem that dem is not de only people who can pull. De boss man seh he pulling out he big wad from de bank. And he got friends, staff and family who seh that dem pulling out dem money, too. Dem boys seh dem waiting fuh de Republic Bank boss man who out of de country. Dem boys hear he write he wife a lovely, romantic Valentine message. In that message he missed an ‘E’ in de last word. Now he seeking police protection. He want See-All to give he special protection fuh come back. This de message. “Hi darling, I am experiencing de best time of my life and I wish you were her.” When she call de fuss time and read de message to him he tell she how de Waterfalls paper pull out de ‘E’. De Waterfalls boss man ask one of he staff wheh she going fuh Valentine. Like she couldn’t wait fuh he ask that question. Right away she seh ‘704’. “Is wha going on deh?” She seh, ‘Shred your Ex. Dem shred you heart and it is time you return de favour.” Dem got to walk wid a photograph of de EX and de people gun provide a shredding machine. That machine gun shred anything to pieces. On top of that, is free wings while doing it. Palm Court got a two course dinner wid a complimentary bottle of red wine. A lot of wining guh tek place. Gravity is Nite of Love. Dem boys hear beds would be provided but not blankets or sheets. At Buddy’s people gun get Valentine rice—that is rice sprinkle wid red dye; and bake chicken or fish. He promise free likker and dance whole night fuh free. Princess Ramada got a 60 minutes aromatic massage and a deluxe pedicure fuh de woman. Dem got 10 minute facial fuh man, plus dinner. Both man and woman will be treated to cheese cake after dinner. Pegasus got a poolside dinner wid sliced Virginia wid stuff eggs. When dem boys see de word Virginia dem though was an African circumcision fuh women. At de Barriott you will be provided wid special meat— Jagdeo, Brassington and Marcie – According to de Country Manager, you can have dem curry, roast or baked. Talk half and remember dem boys love all Guyana, except, you know who and who. So Happy Valentine to all of you except, who and who.
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Sunday February 14, 2016
‘Dishonest’ Exec. Jet official fails in court bid to gain CJIA private hangar “Dishonest” is the word used to describe local businessman, Deolall Gangadin, who failed to secure continued usage of a controversial private hanger located at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC). The said hanger had been utilized by Exec Jet Club (Exec Jet), an aircraft jet-charter business owned Guyanaborn pilot Khamraj Lall. Lall pleaded guilty to money-laundering before the authorities in the United States after he was caught by Puerto Rican authorities with US$600,000 in cash stashed in his plane in November, 2014. The embattled cash jet pilot, who is also proprietor of Kaylees Gas Station in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, is currently facing the Courts in the US on a number of other allegations
Embattled cash jet pilot, Khamraj Lall including tax evasion, money laundering and trafficking in narcotics. According to information disseminated to the press, Gangadin had applied to the Court for continued usage of the hanger claiming ownership of Exec Jet Club. The CJIAC was
The private hanger facility at CJIA represented by Mr. Andrew M.F. Pollard of Hughes, Fields & Stoby. Gangadin was represented by Mr. Rexford Jackson of Hanoman & Associates. His application was dismissed last week after Justice Diana Insanally in (the
Commercial Court of the Georgetown Supreme Court) ruled in favour of the CJIAC. In the course of her ruling on February 10, last, Justice Insanally said. “Gangadin who was named Power of Attorney for Lall’s estate had not been honest with the Court (by pretending to be the owner of the business rather than Lall).” According to Court documents, in 2015 Gangadin filed a Court action against the CJIAC seeking inter alia, a declaration which will compel the association to allow him to continue the use of a hangar. Gangadin had claimed to be the owner of Exec Jet, and claimed that the CJIAC had locked his business out of the hangar location, and had detained his assets inside. The businessman claimed too that he invested over $600M pursuant to an investment agreement with the Government of Guyana, which had agreed to him starting the jet-charter business. This expenditure, Gangadin said, created equity in him or what is known in law as ‘proprietary estoppel’; a legal claim which prevents the CJIAC from denying him the use of the hangar until he had recovered the sums expended. He was therefore claiming
an injunction to compel the CJIAC to allow him to continue using the hangar for Exec Jet’s operations. Gangadin also sought in excess of $10 million worth of damages for Breach of Contract with the CJIAC. But in response, the Airport Association argued that contrary to the claims, Gangadin was not the true owner of Exec Jet. According to the information outlined in the affidavit filed by CJIAC in response to the court action, Lall was granted permission to construct a hangar for his aircraft sometime on January, 9 2013 — approximately two years after he applied for permission to build. The document stated that at the material time, Gangadin of Lot B Soesdyke East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Shivnarine Ramsarup of Lot 7 Madewini, East Bank Demerara were appointed with Powers of Attorney for Lall’s estate, inclusive of Kaylee’s Gas Station and Exec Jet Club. “It was one Khamraj Lall — a pilot and the owner of the jet - who had registered the business in 2010.” The document also outlined that Lall had given the CJIAC a Power of Attorney he had registered authorising Gangadin to act as his Manager at times when
he was abroad flying. The Airport Association had argued that since Lall is facing legal battles in the US for a slew of illegal activities, “It was justified in refusing to renew the licence for the hangar as the hangar and the jet housed therein had likely been used for illegal activities.” Additionally, the Airport Corporation said that the hangar had been utilized by Exec Jet under a Licence Agreement for three years. “It had expired in October 2015, after which, the CJIAC had refused to renew it.” “In those circumstances, the CJIAC claimed that by seeking to disguise Exec Jet’s true ownership, Gangadin had not been candid with the court and so was not entitled to an injunction.” The CJIAC also claimed that it was a term of the original agreement that Lall/ Exec Jet would obtain all licences and permits necessary to lawfully operate the hangar. “However, it had come to the CJIAC’s attention that LaII/Exec Jet had never obtained permission from Guyana’s Central Housing & Planning Authority to construct the hangar, which was therefore illegally constructed in breach of the Licence Agreement.” The CJIAC further contended that Gangadin’s action was misconceived as promissory estoppel was an equitable concept, and Guyana’s land law did not recognise equitable interests in land. The CJIAC cited a number of cases decided by the Guyana Courts and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that emphasised that point. Additionally, the Judge in her ruling also pointed out that any sums invested were done at the behest of the Guyana Government — which was a completely separate legal entity from the CJIAC — and therefore, could create no equity against the CJIAC.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Top Cop on personal mission to regain public trust for Police Force
With mere months to go before he ends his career as a lawman, Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, is on a mission to help the Guyana Police Force regain the much needed trust of the nation. Ever since a Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) survey placed the Guyana Police Force at the lower spectrum of public trust, shortly after he assumed office, the Top Cop launched a programme that was designed to reverse that trend. Persaud is exuding quiet confidence that this can be achieved before he leaves office. The move to turn things around is taking place at a time when the Force is facing a major challenge with regard to trust, following news reports of a “Top Secret Document” that implicates one of its senior officers in alleged links to the criminal underworld. But, if one were to pay attention to recent events, it is not difficult to see why the Commissioner should not be upbeat about the prospects. Serious Crime is on the downward trend and this is attributed to slightly improving relations with members of the public. The public trust situation is not unique to Guyana though, but Persaud believes that the local law enforcement agency could overcome all the challenges by sticking with the methods that are being currently employed. “We know that public trust is one of the fronts that we have to continuously work on to develop and we have consciously taken a decision to do that,” the Commissioner told this newspaper. In this regard, the force has introduced the social crime prevention programme, which has its prevention effects, since it is bringing police ranks closer together with members of the community to work on individual projects that will benefit all. Starting in Albouystown, the programme has been expanded to almost every district where the police have a presence. Currently, all Divisional Commanders are required to submit their plans at the beginning of the year and it must include plans to deal with police/community relations among other policing matters. But there are those who feel that the police are not getting the full cooperation from the public in its crime fighting efforts. It was pointed out that many persons do not feel too comfortable giving
Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud information to the police; and there is evidence that members of the public have been confiding in influential persons rather than the established law enforcement agency. But despite this, the Force has boasted that its recent six percent decline in serious crimes is testimony that they are receiving significant information from members of the public; after all the police cannot do it alone. As one senior officer pointed out, “People still love the police.” The Commissioner was not naïve to believe that the Force will command the support of all, noting that even 20 per cent cooperation rather than zero will help the force to some extent. “The thing is, we don’t believe that we will ever achieve 100%. There will be people who have their own
views…We at least try to say to them that we are fair in our words and our actions….our biggest driver is being professional,” the Top Cop stated. The biggest challenge however is to get the people on the frontline to act professionally. And this involves tremendous training, guidance and a surveillance system that sends up a red flag whenever things are not going well and treat with it in a way that is satisfactory. When the Police Social Crime Prevention strategy started in Albouystown, the Commissioner chaired the Steering Committee and was directly involved. Since then it has been expanded to have Divisional Commanders take up leadership roles, then SubDivisional Officers and even down to Station Sergeants, who are now the frontline persons dealing with the communities. “We had a very, very senior religious leader who came and did a presentation on TRUST and what is TRUST to relationships,” Persaud said. The Force has even moved to appoint Community Relations Officers in each Police Division.
The police have been intensifying efforts to reach out to communities like Agricola. “Like how we have somebody in charge of traffic in each Division, somebody in charge of crime, there is somebody in charge of community relations and this is at the officer level,” the Top Cop explained. “It’s a new front in policing…we are changing culture and the best people to put in charge of this area are the young officers like some of the soon to be promoted cadets,” he added. To regain the public trust, an organization like the Guyana Police Force will need committed and dedicated ranks and one way to guarantee that is to improve
their welfare. And this is something that Commissioner Persaud seems committed to. He has overseen the formation of the Fallen Heroes Foundation which looks into the welfare of the
off springs of those cops who were killed in the line of duty. The foundation, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, has received overwhelming support from a wide cross section of society and the government.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
Digicel celebrates ninth anniversary by giving back For its ninth anniversary, Digicel Guyana spent last week leading up to today, giving back in a meaningful way to several orphanages and children’s homes around Guyana. The homes and orphanages visited were the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage in Cornelia Ida, The Shaheed’s Boys Orphanage, The Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home, Gifted Hands Spe-
cial School and the St. John’s Bosco Boys’ Orphanage. “As we celebrate nine years in Guyana, the importance of giving back is a priority on our list of activities. Our commitment to the less fortunate and vulnerable children is steadfast. “In 2013 we completely rebuilt the Mahaica Children’s Home and since then we have continued giving back to homes and orphanages in
A collage of some of the charity work done by Digicel Guyana for its anniversary Guyana,” commented Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara. She noted that the donation included food hampers, groceries, books, teaching aids, desktop computers, back packs and small appliances. In addition to the charitable donations, Digicel also made it possible for nine lucky persons to have their wishes granted. This was done through a special letter writing competition where persons wrote their wishes. Digicel selected nine winners and granted them. This was done by a special selection committee. The wishes granted included an eye test and glasses for one young woman’s mother, a sofa set for a single mother of two who didn’t have one, two laptops for students who needed assistance, full tuition payment for nursing classes for one young lady, a Nikon camera, a shopping spree, a cell phone, a Valentine’s Day dinner for two and a donation to the Palms. Digicel Guyana is a member of Digicel Group, a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel entered the Guyanese market in February 2007 bringing competition to the market to the benefit of all Guyanese. The Telecommunication giant has been recently stepping up their advertising as they call for an end of the telecommunications monopoly so they can become a full service provider by offering landlines, TV and innovative business solutions and much more as they further cement their presence here.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Attorney General boasts of declining backlog in Land Registry By Abena Rockcliffe Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams boasted that his government, during its nine month life span, has been able to address a problem that has been plaguing the legal system in Guyana for years. He announced that there has been a major reduction in the backlog in the Registries. Williams said that while the backlog is being tackled on all fronts, the Land Registry has been most successful in this area. He did not speak about the backlog in the courts. Reducing the back log in the courts was a promise made by Williams during his 2015 Budget speech. The Attorney General said that the Land Registry is now located centrally and has made tremendous strides in removing “The years of debilitating slothfulness. The new Registrar and her team are to be commended.” Basil Williams said that the new administration inherited the Registry in a terrible state. He said that the backlog for Private Transfers was over 3,500, Ministry of Housing Transfers-5000 plus, Mutilated /Lost Titles- 325 plus and Mortgage was 650 plus.
Basil Williams, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs However, the backlog has not been reduced significantly. According to Williams, the Registry has been able to dispose of 2,500 in Private Transfers, Ministry of Housing Transfers-1,600, Mutilated /Lost Titles- 275 and 640 in mortgage. Williams said that in 2016 the Land Registry will embark on capacity building aimed at ensuring that all staff members are equipped to discharge their duties efficiently. The Land Registry’s service to Essequibo will resume and the records of Land Holding in Land Registration areas will be restored and preserved,
Williams added. The Minister said that the Commercial Registry, having moved into new premises, is confidently seeking to build its capacity to give speedy and efficient service to the Guyanese people. He said that the Registry is 80% digitized. Williams pointed to the Auditor-General’s report which shows that only 38% of trademark certificates are issued annually. This backlog has persisted for in excess of 20 years; a trademark is issued four years after application. At present, the Intellectual Property Automation System (IPAS JAVA) is being used to reduce this backlog, by enabling searches, examination and the generation of certificates for trademarks. The Attorney General said that by the end of June, Trademark Certificates will be issued three months after application once all statutory requirements are met by the agents. He said that patents filed since 2003 are now being advertised in the official Gazette and subsequently, certificates will be issued; while, Companies’ Certificates of Incorporation and Business Registrations are now issued within four
Retired Snr. Supt. feels... From page 9 a smaller gratuity and pension. “I want to know why the Commission did not address these issues in the 2015 promotions…If they were addressed then, I am certain that I would not have been left out,” Ramsey stated. He is adamant that he had satisfied the criteria for promotion and feels that his “victimization” came from outside forces and not from within the Force Administration. “If I was promoted in 2015, I would not have been affecting anybody because I would have retired in November and there would have been a vacancy for someone else to be promoted this year. That is how it used to be done years ago,” he explained, adding that in years gone by promotion
looked at seniority as a priority. Ramsey noted that he was functioning in an Assistant Commissioner position as a Divisional Commander since 2012 and he saw no reason why he could not have been made substantive three years later when he was due to retire, since the vacancy already existed. At the time of the promotions last year there were vacancies for eight Assistant Commissioners of Police but strangely enough the Commission only appointed three, excluding Ramsey, Hoppie and Alves in the process. Ramsey could have challenged it but he did not. “You know there was a rumour that some promotions would have come out for independence last year and I thought that my position
would have been corrected. But that wasn’t to be…Now the (PSC) Chairman is talking about vacancies. There were vacancies in 2015,” Ramsey stated. This year all the vacancies for Assistant Commissioners have been filled, but this will be short-lived since the force is staring at the imminent retirement of two senior officers-Assistant Commissioners Balram Persaud and Winston Cosbert- in the not too distant future. “Why is supersession an issue now and it wasn’t an issue in 2015? Is it because of a change of administration that this Chairman wants to let the administration feel he is transparent?” Ramsey questioned. “I feel that the entire Public Service Commission was completely manipulated by political forces,” he added.
days of application. Williams told the House that the Family Court infrastructure is complete and the rules have been comprehensively revised and submitted to the National Assembly. He said that UNICEF has provided assistance with the furnishing and the training of Judges,
Lawyers and support staff for the Family Court. The Attorney General added that the final revision of the Rules of the High Court has been undertaken by a consultant retained by the Caribbean Court of Justice under the Canadian funded Jurist Project. This revision, he said, should be finalized
by March 2016 and implementation will thereafter follow. Work has commenced on the extension to the High Court, which will provide accommodation for the Land Court, additional court rooms, a Case Management Centre and additional library space.
Charges on the cards for Indian... From page 3 file charges against my client, but it is all false allegations," Gupta told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "My client is being victimized. This is all concocted." Pachauri headed the think-tank for more than 30 years. An internal inquiry committee of the think-tank found Pachauri guilty of misconduct and the organization said it was removing him as Director General. However he continued in the role until earlier this week, when he was appointed as TERI's
Executive Vice-Chairman. Some students at TERI University who are due to graduate on March 7 have refused to accept their degrees from Pachauri, who is the University's Chancellor. Dr. Pachauri had chaired the IPCC since 2002 and during his stint it has taken the lead in scientific assessment of the causes and risks of climate change. Its reports are written by thousands of scientists and approved by the IPCC's 195 member nations. Iwokrama was established in 1996 and dedicated as a place for research, “To
develop, demonstrate and make available to Guyana and the international community systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilization of multiple resources of the tropical forest and the conservation of biological diversity”. The Iwokrama rainforest is located in the geological heart of Guyana. It is made up of 371,000 hectares of forest (1.6% of Guyana's landmass and 2% of Guyana's forests). Pachauri was recently in Guyana, meeting with top Government officials.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
Jagdeo deliberately misleads nation on forest giveaway - records indicate productive concessions all gone
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo In recent days, there has been growing anger in the political sphere over what is left of the country’s forests. During the just concluded National Budget debate in the National Assembly, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, made some shocking pronouncements. He said that upon taking up office in May last year, the David Granger administration met an alarming situation
where it was discovered that 100 percent or all of the country’s productive forest was allocated by the past Government, mainly to foreign investors. Minister Trotman questioned, “How could a responsible government preside over the allocation of all, not some, but all of its productive forest?” He said that it was done without any regard for future
generations. Trotman said that in the context of the national patrimony, this can only be seen as a threat to the nation’s long term viability and security as a people. However, Jagdeo disputed the statements of Minister Trotman, when he addressed Parliament. Jagdeo, who served as President from 1999 to 2011, told the National Assembly on Friday that it was approximately 55 percent of state forest cover that was in fact allocated by his party. “The fact is that about fifty-five per cent of the state forest has been given out so far in our history. It’s about seven million hectares out of 12.5 million hectares.” So what is the truth? According to historical documents, including reports that Kaieteur News managed
Army Intelligence rank critical after struck by bus A Guyana Defence Force Sergeant from the army’s Intelligence Unit is in a critical condition after he was struck by a minibus on Church Street around 09.30 hrs yesterday. Sergeant Selwyn Woodroffe, 36, of Crane, West Coast Demerara, was reportedly crossing Church Street, in the vicinity of Guyana Stores, when the vehicle, driven by Leon Kyte, struck him. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the driver has been detained. Kaieteur News understands that Woodroffe was still unconscious up to late yesterday evening. His wife told Kaieteur News that Sergeant Woodroffe was on duty at the time the accident occurred. Army sources also said that Sergeant Woodroffe was seconded to the Intelligence Unit’s Military Criminal Investigation
Department and was on active duty at the time. The bus driver’s wife visited the injured Sergeant and also spoke briefly to his spouse. It was just last December that another army Intelligence rank, Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife, Stacy, and truck driver Linden Eastman were killed during a head-on collision with Pyle’s Toyota Premio and the truck that Eastman was driving. The tragedy occurred on the night of December 30, 2015 on Carifesta Avenue. According to reports, Pyle, who was seconded to the Special Organized Crime Unit, (SOCU), was pursuing another vehicle when he lost control and collided with the Canter. The Guyana Defence Force subsequently confirmed that Sergeant Pyle was deployed on a legitimate operation in support of SOCU when he crashed.
to acquire, Minister Trotman is on point with his report that all of the lands set aside for productive forest use have been given out. Some of the resource materials used to investigate this matter were two books Vivian S. Vieira’s “Logging in Guyana and Considerations for Improvements” and “Profit Without Plunder”. Published data, including some from Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) itself, the body that regulates the use of the forests, revealed that there are other forested areas outside of the land demarcated for timber production. These areas include those parts of the forest for conservation and those that are not easily accessible or economically viable to sustainable logging or other operations. Maps would show that progressively, how between 1953 and 1973, the productive forest lands were expanded. In addition, maps of Guyana showing the areas where the productive forests are located indicate that they are all gone. Since taking office in 1992, the PPP/C opened up new lands, including in Region Nine, in an area now controlled by BaiShanLin, a Chinese logging company. BaiShanLin is under investigation. One particular area is below what is known as the 4th Parallel Line on maps of Guyana. Former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, had ordered that no forest lands were to be allocated for logging in this area. This was a commitment he gave to the international community in
Minister Raphael Trotman the face of Suriname’s claim to Guyana. Dr Jagan’s order was not taken seriously by his successors. It appears that Jagdeo in quoting his 55 percent figure deliberately misled the National Assembly, by referring to all of Guyana’s forest cover. But all the forest could not be available for allocations to loggers and others. Under the GFC’s planning, not all of the country’s forested areas are for production. Rather, large chunks of it have been set aside for conservation purposes or have linkages to Amerindian communities for possible extensions, said one official of the GFC. The issue of forest lands is part of a bigger concern over the giveaway of the country’s resources. With the last two decades, especially under Jagdeo’s rule, state properties, and vast lands for gold mining and logging ended up through questionable circumstances in the hands of a few, many of them foreigners. Some of the companies and individuals were mere speculators. They sold out their concessions
for hundreds of millions of dollars to foreigners, another official pointed out. Guyana, on the other hand, lost out on taxes and other obligatory revenues that would have been earned by the state. Little monitoring and corruption have also helped some of the companies to operate in a seeming wildwest situation, with smuggling, under-declaration and environmental issues resulting. The new administration has vowed to regulate the situation but few persons or companies have been brought to the court or penalized. One government official in defending Trotman’s statements had two questions for Jagdeo. Jagdeo claims 56%. Within the logging boundaries (production forest) of Guyana let him show us where lands are available for investment. Where are lands available to be designated as protected areas above the 4th parallel? See maps on pages 15 to 18 for easy understanding of how the forestry sector expanded over the last 80 years.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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GBCHA - helping businesses take the lead to improve the nation’s health
Some participants of a peer educator training programme By Sharmain Grainger “Regardless of how physically healthy you are, if you are not mentally healthy it simply doesn’t count.” This profound statement was recently vocalized by Executive Director of the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness (GBCHA), Ms. Suzanne French. And it was to address issues such as mental health, among others, that affect people in our society that the GBCHA, a not for profit organisation, redefined its focus in 2012. French, during a recent conversation with me, considered that many of the persons who would have opted to commit suicide did not display any evidence of physical illness. It was only after they would’ve committed the act of taking their own lives that others, sometimes even close family members and friends, realized that they were mentally unhealthy. “The people we read about who jumped off of the Kaieteur Falls and things like that they appeared physically fine, but if you are not sound then being physically healthy is in vain,” French theorised. As such, she noted that GBCHA has been seeking to throw its support behind helping to tackle mental health. French is convinced that her organization is especially poised to lend immense support towards Guyana’s suicide prevention efforts. This is in spite of the fact that there are numerous other organizations that have been delving into the suicide prevention arena. But French explained that since GBCHA already has been collaborating closely with the employees of many
organizations (its membership) some of whom have been trained as peer counsellors, the message of suicide prevention can be channelled through this avenue. “We are the only association of business entities which focuses specifically on health. In terms of promoting good corporate and social responsibility, we can say that GBCHA members are exemplary in doing that,” French boasted. And since mental health has become for the main focuses of the public health sector, GBCHA has decided to incorporate this as one of its areas of focus as well. “This is one of the areas that we are going to be paying specific attention to this year. We will be training counsellors instead of just peer educators. People might just given a flyer, a brochure or a talk…but we will be looking more at helping people to see there are options,” French disclosed. She pointed out that “the issue really is not suicide; suicide is the end result, that is what we see, but the issue that must be addressed is helping people to cope with the things they face and those are the things that we are going to be focusing on a lot this year.” It is the expectation of GBCHA to train counsellors who will be able to work with mentally troubled individuals, some of whom are in the workforce. And it is expected that these persons could be educated about the signs of depression and other mental conditions that may manifest among their family members, friends or others within their communities. “We can only give people advice, but the counsellors will work with individuals to help them make wise choices. They will also make referrals
to the relevant agencies if they recognize that deeper intervention is needed,” French added. One of her observations is that “people aren’t talking to the right people about things that affect them. We see people talking a lot on Facebook…people are voicing a lot of opinions about others, but when people right next to them have issues they don’t have the answers. So we are trying to work with employees who have the interest and skill set so that they can notice certain behaviours.” The aim, according to French, is to be proactive in promoting “mental healthiness” in society. She therefore underscored that the more people GBCHA, with the support of its members, invest in training, the more people will be made aware of their mental health state, and by extension, be in a position to help bring about a needed change. This is important, she added, “because people can’t change their behaviour or help in this regard if they themselves don’t know what changes need to happen.” GBCHA will select persons in the workplace for training based on their impact, reach and competence, according to French. This therefore means that an assessment will be conducted of employees, some of whom have already been trained as peer educators. “We will be looking to train people like human resource and personnel managers, other supervisors and people of influence who might already be dealing with people faced with issues all the time. People might be unproductive in their workplace, but it may not be because they are lazy, it could
be that people have real deep issues.” Currently GBCHA has over 25 privately-operated organisations and five semiautonomous agencies, some with a presence in multiple administrative regions. All of the member organizations have trained peer educators and a training session to advance GBCHA’s plans for this year is slated to be undertaken this week, while a trainer of trainers’ session has been scheduled for April. That session will attract support from the Pan American Health Organisation, according to French. GBCHA (formerly Guyana Business Coalition of HIV and AIDS) was established in 2008, but French has been sitting at its helm as Executive Director since June 2010. Its focus at first was to give technical support to the business community and mobilise resources from the private sector to help the national HIV response. In fulfilling its mandate, the not-for-profit organization was able to forge strate-
Executive Director of GBCHA, Ms. Suzanne French gic partnerships with the Ministries of Human Services (now Ministry of Social Protection) and Health (now Public Health), particularly through its HIV fighting arm – the National AIDS Programme Secretariat.
“Primarily our work was to go into the business community and raise awareness with regards to HIV and AIDS. And much of our work focused on prevention,” French said. This, moreover, translated to (Continued on page 36)
THE BACCOO SPEAKS The more the nation attempts to control the carnage on the roads the more careless drivers, many of them with little experience, would take the roads. Over the past few days five people died on the roads. This spurt will force the police to put even more patrols on the roads. However, there will be another vehicular accident in the coming hours. The country will regain its place as the country with highest road fatality per capita.
**** A scandal would expose some of the evils that were in place a few months ago. One
man has already been held for money laundering, but his local legacy is being resurrected. However, the courts would accept that there was illegality and thwart plans for the continuation of an airport operation. **** The drought has caused many hardships; people who were about to give up are feeling a sense of hope. The rains are coming and none too soon. One test would be the drainage in the city. Residents would be surprised.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
On a street dismal, dark and deadly
…Who killed Trevor Fung on Valentine’s Day 12 years ago?
Last night I walked along Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park, where an unsolved murder happened 12 years ago and devastated a family. I had walked there before, back in February 2004, looking for answers, finding none. Eping Avenue was the same last night, as it was back then…dismal, practically deserted and a potentially deadly place to be after sundown, particularly in those years of the crime wave. It was there that two young robbers killed 18-year-old student Trevor Fung on Valentine’s night. After all this time, they may be still out there, maybe
By Michael Jordan
even reading the yearly tributes to their victim. Maybe someone reading this story knows who they are. I’m counting on that. I’m counting that they have a conscience and that even after all this time has passed, they can find it in themselves to give Trevor’s family some measure of closure. Trevor Julius Fung was a student of St. Stanislaus College, who had excelled at his CXC Exams. He had a love for animals and had his sights set on a career in veterinary medicine after entering university. On the night of February 14, 2004, 18-year-old Trevor
attended a Valentine’s Night party in Arakaka Place, Bel Air Park. At around 8.00 p.m., Trevor and a female University of Guyana student left the party briefly to go to a fast food outlet on Vlissengen Road. After Trevor bought a ‘zinger’, they left the outlet and were heading back to the party when two men on a blue scooter rode directly up to the friends in the vicinity of Eping Avenue and Abary Street. The men immediately made their intentions clear by ordering the friends to hand over their valuables. Trevor pushed the robbers and began to struggle
with one of the attackers, who had shoulder-length dreadlocks and was wearing a white shirt. According to the female friend, she tried to run away after the man drew ‘something’ from his waist. However, the same robber pursued and caught her, then snatched her bag before fleeing. The friend then returned to the scene of the attack and found Trevor lying on the roadway. He had been stabbed four times and was unable to speak. The young woman then returned to the party where she alerted the other friends. A stranger with a car took Trevor to the Georgetown Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit where he was pronounced dead. Although police had a description of Trevor Fung’s killer, they never came close to apprehending anyone. I still remember being in a taxi, hearing my cell phone ring, and Trevor’s mother, Devi Fung, telling me that her eldest son had been murdered. I remember going next day to the area where he had been killed; going also to the fast food outlet that he had visited. I had thought that maybe the killers had trailed Trevor and his friend from the outlet, and that security cameras there might have recorded the suspects. I got nothing. In January 2010, Trevor’s relatives posted a $1M re-
Trevor Julius Fung
ward for information that would lead to the arrest of his killers and also for individuals who had killed his 78-yearold grandmother Rajkumarie Mahadeo in 2009. They got no response. But I am hoping that this time around, even after 12 years, someone who knows Trevor’s killers can do the right thing for a family for whom Valentine’s Day is just a sad anniversary.
If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone. We can also be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 22-58465, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon @hotmail.com
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
These photographs tell the story of a failed 50-year-old journey
From reading my columns, you would know that I politely (it was a polite “no thank you” reaction) declined the Government’s invitation to sit on the National Commemoration Commission. I could not invoke philosophical decency to participate in a national body whose purpose is to instill in Guyanese the conscious desire to celebrate 50 years of Independence. I couldn’t abandon my philosophical conceptions of Guyana and ask the people of this country to rejoice in the achievement of 50 years of Independence. In those 50 years we have achieved very little in physical and economic tangibility and nothing, absolutely nothing, in moral redemption. I love my country, have never migrated from it, would not leave it, but it is my intellectual conclusion that it has been an unworkable construct since Independence in 1966. I believe some countries are enduring tragedies. Russia, Mexico, Pakistan are definitely way on top of the list. It could be seriously argued that Mexico is a failed state. But I would put Guyana right next to Mexico. What is there to rejoice about when May 26, 2016, comes around? Believe me, a pound of imported salted boneless cod in this country costs $4,000. Go to any supermarket and you will see that. A packet of locally salted banga or trout or snapper costs $680. You have to strip, clean and debone it. Only the wealthy classes could buy that boneless salted fish. We do not manufacture boneless salted fish. We do not produce locally canned or boxed fruits, juices,
vegetables and milk. Go to any supermarket and a dozen of varieties of boxed milk can be seen, but none comes from Guyana. But we are celebrating 50 years of Independence. The obvious question is; what have we manufactured and produced in those fifty years? The answer is a sad one – sugar which is dying. One day about four years ago, I looked onto the Railway Embankment from my bedroom window and saw a GPL crew in an expensive vehicle lifting the technicians on a conveyor box way into the skies. They were fixing the
lights on the poles. But after that, a joke was born. Every three months that vehicle comes and the exercise is repeated. Whatever they do, the lights only last for three months. Believe me, since those four years ago, I continue to see that exercise every three months. After 50 years of Independence we cannot get street lights to work for more than twelve weeks. I saw live on television, men with machine guns killing each other at a junction where the street lights shone brightly during the civil war in Ukraine. I saw live on television last year, a huge riot in Buenos Aires where crowds hung banners on the street poles with the lamp lights shining brightly. I spent my energy for years carping during the PPP’s reign about the nonfunctioning traffic signals. The PPP lost power ten months ago and the traffic signals still do not work. At
the junction of UG Road and the Railway Embankment, the scene there is frightening. The signals for some mysterious reason go off at 6 p.m. Any schoolboy can tell you this is a traffic-crazy site. You have UG, Cyril Potter College, Gafoors Complex, Giftland Mall, Caricom Secretariat, Arthur Chung Convention
Centre, Aquatic Centre, National Hardware housing estate, plus the construction of a cinema complex, Massy supermarket and the Specialty Hospital. If any junction needs traffic signals it this area. But they go dead after six in the evening. What an amazingly backward country. The two photographs you see in this column paint a picture of a tragic 50-yearold sojourn. One is from a nightclub which wants waiters, barmen, security personnel, among other categories. The other is from a supermarket which requires a supervisor. Look at the image in both photos. We are a country of dark-complexioned Africans and Indians with a percentage of light-skinned people which is nowhere near being in the majority. Our European population here, even with an influx of Brazilians, is not even four
Frederick Kissoon percent. But the faces in those two placements are white men. Make no mistake, the people who do these artwork are defiant about the white faces. Three well-known business establishments told me that they see nothing wrong with the Caucasian visage in their newspaper placements. The sociologist would refer to this as a reversion to colonial days. I would call it a journey into hell, where redemption is lost and will never be recovered. For the 50th anniversary, we should all wear the circus hat of the clown.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
OUR BLUEPRINT FOR A VIBRANT GUYANA IS AS CLEAR AS IT EVER WAS We are responding to a request by a number of our supporters who are asking for public reassurance that the AFC is steadfastly committed to the pillars that the party has built its foundation on. We laid out those pillars last week as:1. Private sector-driven economy 2. Better equipped facilities to fight crime 3. Equal opportunity so we all live as one nation 4. Political Reforms to pursue our one destiny 5. Greater focus on our Youth, our Future
Today we recapture the mood of Change that this party was founded on in 2006. The following article first appeared pre-election, November 2011. “For over forty years the talk of transforming Guyana has been just that – talk! Oh yes…some lives have been transformed –but take a good look, they are just the ruling elite, but for the average Guyanese, the poor have gotten poorer, our trained skills continue to migrate, and more people suffering from mental illnesses are out in the streets.
But we continue to dream of better days when we could live peacefully, in harmony, from generation to generation. The Alliance for Change is here to tell you that we see, we hear and we can change this altogether because the AFC IS different. We say what we mean and mean what we say! Since this party was formed as a ‘movement’ in 2006 we have stood fast to our founding principles. We have been determined to shape a new brand of politics in Guyana. We know that it must begin with healing and reconciliation and a commit-
ment to work hard to change Guyana’s race-based politics which for centuries has pitted one race against another. We Guyanese are too few, a population of just three quarters of a million, to allow ourselves to be led down that road. That road has destroyed trust and kinship; it had broken up families and torn old friendships apart. That we cannot afford. The AFC’s core principle states that: “The development of a just society is founded on the supremacy of the rule of law and the belief that all persons are equal”. This is the foundation of our collective belief, and our plan to transform Guyana and its economy for the benefit of all Guyanese. THE AFC’S VISION The vision of the AFC, plain and simple, is to bring healing to Guyana through the creation of a just, equitable and unified state, ensuring that we move forward from this struggling underdeveloped, mendicant nation to one that is proud and selfsufficient. There is a story about a few friends who, coming from different places sometimes hostile to each other, found themselves thrown together by a combination of fate and circumstances. These friends didn’t bemoan the disappearance of their habitats. They chose instead to venture out into the
unknown, fully cognizant that the road ahead would be filled with traps and snares. They were confident that with the help of God, their own skills and the support of family and friends, they would emerge on the other side better for the lessons learnt while they were together fighting the adversities they faced. This is the lesson for all of us and our supporters: With goodwill and mutual support, we shall overcome all obstacles. The road to recovery will be long and hard. It will seem endless as we battle the ills of society that were allowed to embed themselves for far too long. Some will lose faith and fall by the wayside. The going will appear to be slow and look as if we’re marking time which we really don’t have the luxury of. We have a country to rebuild for this generation and the next. Goodness and Commonsense will prevail. Progress must be made from the inside out. Systems must be rebuilt with new parts, new ideas to bring about a working model that benefits everyone. But just like the days of old, there will be naysayers, intense opposition, disappointment, attacks, rumour, character assassination, harassment, and a deliberate and consistent twisting of the blatant truth that some of the most stable-minded among us
will begin to doubt even the good and the benefits that they see before them. We will have to grit our teeth and persevere, because the nation expects nothing less of us. We’re already forgetting the past when we were referred to as wishy-washy rejects, upstarts, dreamers and opportunists. When we really get down and dirty to our elbows digging up the rotten roots that are tainting the soils of our land, we fully expect to be accused of every crime that the incumbent has committed and practiced, because they are inventive with the truth. Propaganda is their strong suit, don’t ever forget that. They will score 100% every time for dirty name calling, for twisting the truth, for mudslinging. Having walked around this country and listened to the voices of the people, we believe that what the people of Guyana want is a new political consciousness which peels away the layers of old hatred and old wrongs, political recrimination, finger pointing, killings, corruption, mismanagement, and lawlessness. People want the establishment of a wholesome government, a real government. The AFC intends to work steadfastly and relentlessly to bring this vision to reality. We must be the change if we want there to be change!!”
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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My column
There is love for some, today Today is Valentine’s Day. It is a day when for some reason people focus on love for just that day. To see them behave the way they do, one would think that Guyana is the most loving country in the world. Today women are going to bring out their red and white; men are going to try to capture that woman on whom they had their eyes. They are going to buy things they never did all year. The real winners would be the entertainment centres. They know that madness is the source of money, so they are going to trot out those things that would normally mean nothing, but for the love-struck these things are as good as gold. I can talk about these things, because way back when I was a young man I was caught up in Valentine’s Day. As a schoolboy my teachers had the class draw hearts and colour them red. It never failed to amaze me how adept the girls were. In fact, they were so innovative that some of the teachers actually accepted the things they made and treasured them. I got married early, so Valentine’s Day for me was to get something special for my wife. The first year of the marriage saw me buying panties that were decorated with roses and hearts. Actually, the roses were in
relief - they were raised on the surface. I supplemented these with a box of chocolates. My wife was elated. We went to a dance that night at the Bartica Community Centre and I got into trouble. I happened to dance one number too much with a girl who would be available when wives turned their backs. Nothing could rekindle the spirit of Valentine that year. I never made that mistake again. Valentine parties saw me sticking to my wife like glue to wood. The greatest thing for me on Valentine’s Day was the lunch. My wife would always cook something special. She would cook so much that there were always side dishes to eat days later, thanks to a small refrigerator I bought in 1973. But Valentine’s Day was more than food and parties. It was about sharing with friends, and so formed some of the relationships I enjoy to this day. For some reason there were fewer bad things on Valentine’s Day.
It was as if criminals succumbed to the spirit of love that permeated the air. Drivers appeared to be even more careful, perhaps wary of hitting some young lover. But what is this all about? Somewhere, a man said to be a Saint was imprisoned and was about to be put to death. This is far from the love that prevails today. One story has it that a Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer. On the day before his execution he sent her a letter that he signed ‘Your Valentine.’ That may have been the origin of the Valentine letters. These days young people are not as sentimental. I am not sure that people write letters these days, given the preponderance of social media. I can imagine a young man sending a text or a tweet to his girl with some emoticon. I don’t see too many of them heading to lunch. Banks DIH at one time offered Valentine’s baskets. These would contain, baked chicken, a bottle of wine and cakes decorated in red and
white. The ordinary man would not have bought these because they would have been out of his reach. So they would content themselves with cooking these things, which is what the day should be all about - family. Kaieteur News is family and there will be a Valentine’s Day family gathering. The staff actually looks forward to these family gatherings. The food is free and the drinks flow. Guyana is a large family, too. On Friday, I happened to be talking with some colleagues. As can be expected, the conversation drifted to Valentine’s Day. Of course, we are no longer the sentimental fellas we once were. So the conver-
sation drifted to days past when we did some really strange things back then. The most popular thing we did was drink. In fact, we found an occasion to drink at the drop of a hat. In the same way, my mother found an occasion to sew clothes. She was adept with her hands, but finesse was lacking. No one could have missed a shirt she sewed; the stitching was a dead giveaway. Sewing machine left neat stitching. My mother ’s sewing displayed the thread in the same way countries display their flags. On occasions like Valentine’s Day me, my three sisters at the time and a brother all displayed the same cloth. It was dress to match;
Adam Harris we couldn’t get lost even if we tried. Today dressing alike is a fad, because I see so many people dressed the same way. Tonight I am going to see groups of girls all dressed as though they are sisters. The only thing is that they would be by themselves, because they would have failed to get a Valentine.
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Sunday February 14, 2016
Renewing the Dream: The Coalition’s Policy for Homes and Communities In our 2015 Manifesto, we stated that, ‘The APNU+AFC will initiate a policy called, “Renewing the Dream.” We committed ourselves to, ‘expand and upgrade housing development and facilitate home ownership, not just house lot distribution.” We committed ourselves to building cohesive, empow-
ered and sustainable communities, with all the infrastructure and amenities necessary to ensure that residents can have a dignified life. Having been chosen by the people of Guyana to form the current administration, our 2015 Manifesto has now become government policy. We remain devoted to that
course of action. Our administration has inherited a housing programme which is, truthfully, little more than a house lot distribution scheme. The system, such as it is, is fraught with flaws, delays and inefficiencies. There is a backlog of twenty-five thousand applications, more than
six thousand of those in Demerara-Mahaica (Region # 4), alone. We will clear that backlog. We will fix the housing problems with lasting solutions. The turnkey programme is similarly overcome with problems. Houses, completed before the change of government, are substandard. Many of the dwellings begin to fall apart within days of being occupied. The administration is dedicated to correcting these issues and righting these wrongs. Your government is of the view that people deserve value for their money. We know that a house lot is not a home and a house without available electricity, water supply, nearby roads and access to transportation, is not conducive to dignified living. Our policy remains steadfastly devoted to the building of communities, where children can play in nearby playgrounds and young men and women have access to recreational facilities. Our goal remains to provide serviced lots within communities where there is provision of more than just basic infrastructure. Unlike the former administration’s position that
persons must be 21 years old to obtain a house or lot, we will lower the age to 18 years old. After all, at 18 one can get married, or obtain a driver’s licence. Indeed, one can vote at 18. Your government will end the disrespect of young Guyanese. Your government will take a fresh approach. The system we inherited was not geared towards helping poor and disadvantaged Guyanese. In the past, persons, some of them earning only $75,000 per month, were told that only house lots costing $1.2 million were available. Some such persons were told that they must come up with $600,000 within one month, or lose the allocation. We believe that this is grossly unfair. A caring government would never tolerate such injustices. Therefore, the APNU+AFC administration will make house lots and turnkey homes available at a reasonable cost that the applicant can afford. The money which the applicant pays will go towards building roads, drains and other necessary infrastructure. This administration has no interest in making a profit off the backs of poor people. We are in gov-
ernment to give to the people, not take from them. In conclusion, your government will continue with infrastructure works in existing housing schemes, including the installation of electricity and provision of potable water. New housing developments will commence in areas such as Perseverance, Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Williamsburg, and Amelia’s Ward. In the 2016 budget currently before the National Assembly, we propose to spend $5.279 billion on the housing sector, 98.3% of the money going towards infrastructural works. Hinterland development will also be a priority of your government. More than $644 million will be used to expand hinterland housing projects. The Ministry of Communities will implement the Sustainable Housing in the Hinterland Project, at a cost of USD$3.1 million, to be accessed through the InterAmerican Development Bank. Guyanese throughout the country have reason to hope. Citizens can look forward to a bright future as the government implements a fresh approach to housing issues.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Vitamin Supplements: What you need to know where people have good access to healthy food, such as the United States and Europe, doctors recommend against taking vitamin A supplements. That’s because vitamin A supplements might increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and bone fractures. In pregnant women, taking too much vitamin A can harm the baby. %Vitamin E – Doctors recommend against taking vitamin E supplements. Studies suggest that vitamin E supplements might increase the risk of dying.
By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I am often asked quite a few questions by patients on vitamin supplements and think this may be the best way to shed some light on the “need to know” of Vitamin supplements. I will also deviate a bit from the field to pay respects to my childhood hero, Shivnarine Chanderpaul. WHATARE VITAMINS? Vitamins are substances found in food. Most vitamins are substances the body can’t make on its own but that it needs to work well. Vitamin supplements are pills, capsules, or liquids that have vitamins in them. Supplements are another way (besides food) that people can get vitamins. SHOULD I TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS? You probably do not need to take vitamin supplements. But it probably won’t hurt to take a multivitamin or small doses of individual vitamins. Experts recommend that most adults get their vitamins from food rather than from supplements. That’s because eating vitamin-rich foods has other benefits besides getting you the vitamins you need. Still, there are some cases in which vitamin supplements can be helpful. For example, women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant soon should take certain supplements. This is discussed in more detail below. There are also some groups who might benefit from vitamin supplements. These include: %Adults age 65 and older – Older adults might benefit
Dr. Zulfikar Bux from taking 600 to 800 units of vitamin D a day. This might help strengthen bones and prevent falls. %People with vitamin deficiencies – A vitamin deficiency is when a person does not have enough of a particular vitamin for good health. People with vitamin deficiencies sometimes need supplements. %People who have had weight loss surgery – People who have had weight loss surgery often can’t get all the vitamins they need from food. %People who do not eat any animal products (called “vegans”) – People who do not eat meat, eggs, milk, or other foods that come from animals sometimes need supplements. If you follow a vegan diet, ask your doctor if you should take any supplements. ARE THERE ANY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS I SHOULD NOT TAKE? Yes. Here are some vitamins supplements that can cause problems: %Vitamin A – In places
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET THE VITAMINS I NEED FROM FOOD? The best way is to eat a diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and not a lot of meats or fatty foods. Some vitamins are found only in animal sources, such as meat or eggs. But overall, fruits and vegetables have the highest concentrations of vitamins. Fruits and vegetables also have lots of fibre and other ingredients that promote good health. WHAT IF I WANT TO GET PREGNANT? If you want to get pregnant, take a “prenatal” multivitamin every day that has at least 400 micrograms of folic acid (one of the B vitamins). This helps prevent some birth defects. Start taking the multivitamin at least a month before you start trying to get pregnant. It is important not to take too much of any vitamin during pregnancy, especially vitamin A. Show your doctor or nurse the vitamins you plan to take to make sure the doses are safe for you and your baby.
*********** Shiv Chanderpaul, the hero who batted me through life It’s not often I express my emotions about a personality, but it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t pay respects to a humble fellow who played a part in my upbringing without even knowing it. Growing up cricket was my getaway. It did for me what partying, drinking, smoking; illicit drug use etc., may have done for others. When my family migrated I was 17 and alone here. They had confidence in me and I knew life would be challenging and I had to derive happiness through the challenges. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and cricket was my escape from the harsh realities of life. I watched and followed every innings that Shiv played. Without realizing it, I was marking my ground with the infamous bail every time I took guard, batting in my weird ways, and taking pleasure in defending the ball while others were hitting it out of the grounds. That determination and fighting spirit rubbed off in other aspects in my life and are part of who I am today.
I would skip studying the night before an exam to watch Shiv bat; every Shiv innings was my Superbowl all over again. At some stages in life there wasn’t much to look forward to, but Shiv and cricket provided that for me. For all the defended balls, unorthodox stance, humility, and against-allodds batting that I saw of Shiv, I somehow subconsciously transitioned it to how I approach my cricket and life as a whole. Last weekend I played the typical Shiv innings, but I didn’t take my guard with bail, and I wouldn’t again. It’s my strange way of paying respects to my childhood hero. He is now gone into retirement. I am still following his innings in the Masters Champions League, but I am not a child anymore, and I am prepared for life. My childhood hero did his job to perfection; he helped me along the way and kept me honest. I take my “bails” off to you Shiv. Thank you for the memories and lessons in life!
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Kaieteur News
SUNDAY SPECIAL
Sunday February 14, 2016
assumed that he was merely drunk. She became suspicious around 06.00 hrs the following day, when she noticed that the top half of Ramroop’s door was open. Residents then looked inside and saw the body.
Ramroop Rameshwar with relatives
US READY TO HELP GUYANA PIN THOSE WHO STASH MONEY THERE It was the former US President, George Bush, who warned Third World Leaders not to run away with the idea that they can rob their nation blind then go splurge the money in the US. Bush had said that it would not be allowed. That policy remains and the United States is willing to help Guyana, within the confines of a legal agreement, to track down those who may have sought to stash illegally acquired money in the US. This was revealed during a recent interview with the US Ambassador, Perry Holloway. The US Chief said that his Embassy is constantly in touch with Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other entities. There has been a great deal of information sharing, he said. Holloway said that the presence of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Guyana will also serve to enhance such information sharing. The envoy told Kaieteur News, “We are always interested in money coming into the US illegally so we regularly request information through a legal process that is allowed under a mutual legal assistance treaty that Guyana and the US are both parties to. And so there has been very good cooperation and sharing of information.” However, despite all the complaints made by local government officials about the constraints attached to trying to track stolen state cash that may have been stashed in overseas territory, Holloway said that Guyana has not formally approached the US for information in this regard. Nevertheless, he made it clear that the US is ready to assist once there is a “legitimate case” and if the information is requested though the legal mechanisms in place. Holloway said, “It has to be a real case; there have to be charges or an active investigation. We do not allow witch hunts; we do not send lists of information.” Further, the US Chief of Mission said that dual citizenship will not stand in the way of any legal actions that the US is asked to take. GOVT. LAUNCHING SPECIAL UNIT TO POLICE MINING, LOGGING INDUSTRY -PPP PRESIDED OVER WEAK, INEFFECTUAL SYSTEM OF ENSURING COMPLIANCE – MINISTER TROTMAN Amidst growing concerns over regulatory monitoring of the country’s mining and logging sectors, Government has announced a tougher system to ensure that the country collects its dues. A new inspection department is about to be launched and there will be no exceptions when it comes to enforcement, warned Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, last week Saturday (Feb. 6). The Minister was responding to questions about weaknesses in Government’s systems that has allowed for significant leakage of royalties and taxes from especially the two sectors, amounting to billions of dollars in losses annually to the Treasury. In recent days, there were worrying disclosures that a controversial Chinese company and its principals have been mining but not declaring and paying its taxes and royalties. The Minister disclosed that the finishing touches on a Compliance and Inspectorate
TUESDAY EDITION ‘OWNER’ OF BURNT ROBB STREET PROPERTY, EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH MURDERS/ARSON
Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources are being applied with the body to become operational shortly. The division, he said, will monitor the work of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and miners and loggers to ensure strict compliance with the laws and regulations. Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, will take charge of the division. According to Trotman, over time and under the ruling of the previous government, the regulatory monitoring fell to a low, affecting collections and allowing an undesired situation. ”This year the government is improving the regulatory process which had been allowed to grow weak and ineffectual under the PPP administration.” MONDAY EDITION MAJOR SPIKE RECORDED FOR GGMC MINING LANDS MONTHS BEFORE ELECTIONS – CHINESE AMONG BIG BENEFICIARIES There was a mad rush under last administration to give out mining lands. According to records of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), over the last two years the GGMC processed more than 4,000 applications. According to the GGMC figures, in 2014, almost 3,000 transactions were recorded. This fell to just over 1,100 last year. The figures would be significant when one considers that in 2013, more than 1,300 applications were processed. In 2012 there were 2,500 applications processed. That was the highest recorded figure since 2005 when there were 124 transactions for mining permits, mining licences and other prospecting applications. The number of applications actually picked up in 2009 with 971 transactions that year. In 2011 there were 1,100. This was the signal year for the rush to grab mining lands. Of course, as world prices for gold climbed, there was that rush by miners for more lands spiking in 2012. A glance at the last two years also found that Chinese-owned acquisitions grew significantly months before the May 11, 2015 General Elections which the David Granger administration won by a slim majority. Especially benefitting were two companies–Rong An Inc. and logging company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. Buying up mining lands in his own name
was BaiShanLin’s local principal, Chu Hongbo. Chu Hongbo’s company is facing intense scrutiny for activities in Guyana where the company benefited from billions of dollars in tax waivers and other concessions, including logging and housing lands. FOUR HELD FOR PARIKA PENSIONER’S MURDER Police are questioning four suspects in connection with the murder of Parika pensioner, Ramroop Rameshwar, who was bound, beaten and strangled in his home. One of the detained men is said to be a suspect in another murder case. Ramroop, 54, called ‘Old Boy,’ and ‘Isaac’, was found dead in his house at Parika Squatting Area, Essequibo, around 07.00 hrs last Tuesday. A post mortem revealed the cause of death as asphyxiation due to compression strangulation, compounded by blunt trauma to the head and chest. Relatives believe that the killers made off with a large quantity of jewellery the pensioner had in his possession. The dead man’s niece said that just a few days prior to the murder, Ramroop had shown neighbours and persons at the Parika Market a large quantity of jewellery, which he said he wanted to sell to buy a boat and engine for his grandchildren. Ramroop had originally lived at Wakenaam, but had been residing alone, for over a year, in a shack located in the shantytown community. Jean Halley, the slain man’s next door neighbour, said she heard him screaming for ‘help’ about 21:30hrs on Monday, but she
More than two years after arsonists torched a Robb Street, Georgetown building roasting its occupants alive, police have charged the alleged culprits and placed them before the court. Ganga Kishna, 72, a businessman of Lot 11 North Road, Bourda and his employee Avishkar Kissoon, 24, of Lot 1 Sherriff Street, Georgetown appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a joint murder charge. According to the arraignment, between November 16 and December 21, 2014, Kishna and Kissoon murdered Theresa Rozario, Feresa Rozario and Hilrod Randolph Thomas in the course or furtherance of arson at a dwelling house. The men were not required to plead to the charge. Their Attorney, Mark Conway, provided the court with short details about his clients. He told the court that Kishna is the owner of a welding shop and his co accused is employed as a welder at the said establishment. The men were remanded to prison after their brief appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. The case, which took police investigators more than two years to crack, showed progress recently after a drug addict confessed to police that he was offered money to set fire to a disputed Robb and King Streets building in November 2014. Police investigators were told that a city businessman, who has claimed ownership of the property, had paid the ‘junkie’ to set the building on fire. Police believed that the building was torched to drive out individuals who were also claiming ownership by way of prescriptive rights. The property, which had been at the centre of a prolonged dispute, was being occupied by Hilrod Randolph Thomas and his two daughters at the time of the fire. Theresa Rozario, 15, and her sister Feresa Rozario, 12, were trapped in the early morning inferno. They were reportedly asleep at the time the fire destroyed their home. Their father, Hilrod Randolph Thomas jumped through a window (Continued on page 33)
Sunday February 14, 2016
but suffered second and third degree burns. He later succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Back then, Rosemary Rozario, the mother of the two girls, had claimed that a businessman had threatened to torch the building. GOVT. WILLATTACK GOLD SMUGGLING, RECKLESS EXPLOITATION OF TIMBER – BROOMES TELLS HOUSE
Simona Broomes Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes on Monday told the National Assembly of the plans to ensure that Guyana is able to benefit from the country’s natural resources just as much as those involved in logging and gold mining. ”It is the intention of this administration to ensure that the natural resources sector works for the development of the Guyanese people as a whole. It can no longer exist for the prosperity of a handful,” said Broomes. She made it clear that the high levels of gold smuggling will be aggressively attacked and that no longer will the wanton exploitation of timber resources be tolerated. The Minister told the House that one of the real challenges in the natural resources sector lies in changing old habits. ”Even now, the pockets of poor administration, lack of attention to safety and health, and corrupt practices in the areas of the sector, continue to unfold.” Broomes said that her Ministry and Government seem to be facing a situation where the more the layers of decay are peeled away, more decay is discovered. She said that bringing a sense of order to the natural resources sector is one of the serious challenges of the APNU-AFC administration. The Minister told the House that her government has observed an attitude—by those harvesting the country’s natural resources— that shows a lack of concern for the environment. Broomes said that in addressing that concern, her government has to come to accept the fact that there are companies and individual operators whose only concern is with the profits that can be made from mining and logging. Her comments in this regard reminds of reports to the effect that Guyana’s largest logging company, Bai Shan Lin, has ruthlessly been exploiting the country’s resources. Reports are that the company usually “cuts down everything insight” without even taking the time to replant. Broomes said that that sort of behavior has to change. She added that a commitment to the environment is a commitment to the future Guyana and to the well-being of the international community.
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WEDNESDAY EDITION NEW GPHC CHAIRMAN CHARGED IN US ‘DRUG-DEALING’ SCHEME -FBI TAKES HIM OFF GUYANA-BOUND FLIGHT Former Minister of Health under the Desmond Hoyte led-People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) administration, Dr. Noel Blackman, has been arrested and charged in what US authorities have described as a ‘drugdealing’ scheme. Dr. Blackman reportedly wrote scores of prescriptions for the narcoticbased painkiller – oxycodone. Reports are that Federal authorities last Sunday took the 68-year-old doctor into custody after they ordered a Guyana-bound jet, taxiing for takeoff, to return to an airport terminal. The Herald Courier reported that federal agents were tipped off that the Guyana native planned to leave the country permanently. Dr. Blackman was returning to Guyana to Chair the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Board of Directors. He was officially designated to perform the related duties for the period of one year, from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016. Dr. Blackman is also co-owner of the Hoyte Blackman Television (HBTV- Channel Nine) station. According to a Long Island Newsday article (www.newsday.com), Federal authorities arrested Dr. Blackman late Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. He was suspected of illegally prescribing vast amounts of the painkiller drug in what has been described as a “drug-dealing enterprise spanning three States.” He was arraigned Monday in Central Islip on a charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. There are reports that he prescribed oxycodone to some patients he hadn’t seen, which is especially troubling, since the drug could cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems during the first 72 hours of treatment and anytime the dose is increased. Records show Dr. Blackman wrote 114 prescriptions in 2014 for about 3,800 oxycodone pills and nearly 2,500 prescriptions for about 365,000 pills last year. Officials say US$30,000 was also stashed in the doctor’s luggage. ‘USED TYRESARE LIKEATIME BOMB’ – ACTION TYRE BOSS
Dr. Noel Blackman announced plans to ban the importation of used tyres. It also announced a tax reduction on new ones. This revelation has seemly brought dismay amongst importers of used tyres, vulcanizing establishments and some vehicle owners. The parliamentary opposition has also aired concerns on the issue, contending that the move by the newly elected government will put pressure on the low and middle income earners since new tyres are more expensive than used tyres. Several environmentalists and businessmen, however, have given thumbs up to the government’s initiative which is to create a green economy. While agreeing that the new tyres will cost more, those in support of the ban are calling on consumers to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, that is, the safety and the environmental threats that used tyres are contributing. According to one tyre importer, Ron Persaud, owner of one of the leading tyre services in Guyana – Action Tyre, new tyres will not put a dent on the consumers’ pockets as being peddled in various sections of media.. Persaud has dedicated almost 40 years to his business and is considered one of the leading tyre specialists in Guyana. During an interview on Monday, Persaud explained that the reduction of the duty on new tyres will pave the way for importers to increase the number of tyres being imported. It will make importers eligible for “quantity discount” meaning, the more you buy the less you pay. Persaud continued that this will allow importers to sell at a “lower” price and with the competition expected to take place in the local market, the prices of new tyres will to go lower. Currently, the price the most sought after tyre – that makes up 40 percent of the market – is $17,500 per unit. With the duty reduction and taking the quantity purchase into consideration, the price is expected to plummet to between $12,000 and $15,000 per tyre, Persaud said. THURSDAY EDITION AFTER OVER $1B SPENT …$240M MORE TO RESUSCITATE FIBRE OPTIC CABLE PROJECT —$1.9B INVESTMENT TO POSITION ICT SECTOR AS ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC DRIVER
Action Tyre boss, Ron Persaud During the presentation of this year’s $230B Budget two weeks ago, Government
Deliberations in the National Assembly about the difficulties facing the sugar, rice and gold industries have been sobering remind-
ers to the nation’s policy makers that alternative economic drivers must be sought. Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, contributing to the budget 2016 debates Wednesday in the National Assembly, advocated that the ICT sector and the knowledge management industries will be the ones that will have to be cornerstone of this country’s future. The Minister listed a number of investments that will be made in the ICT sector. The Telecommunications Minister said that in keeping with this thrust to expand broadband connectivity and the integration of Ministries, Government shall invest $240M to resuscitate the troubled Fibre Optic Cable Project. She explained that $140 million has been allocated to consolidate, monitor, maintain and extend the existing eGovernment Fibre Optic and LTE Network around Georgetown and along the coast from Moleson Creek to Charity. Government will spend a further $100 M to repair and upgrade the Georgetown–Linden Fibre Optic Cable, Hughes said. She recalled that this project was abandoned by the previous Administration after it had spent $1B. Hughes said that the lack of a feasibility study, poor planning, absence of effective project management and the use of inexperienced contractors are some of the major contributing factors that led to the failure of this project. Hughes said that Government will move to correct all this so that the people of Guyana, regardless of their socio-economic status or remoteness will be digitally connected and
Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes socially included. The Parliamentarian asserted that the strengthening of the eGovernment system is critical in imparting added value to processes that characterise good governance. She said that improved connectivity within government will permit joint planning and assessment resulting in Government’s business processes becoming more efficient. DEAOPENS GUYANAOFFICE “An absolute plus for Guyana” was how Chancellor Justice Carl Singh described the US launch of a Drug Enforcement Agency in Guyana. On Wednesday, with a focus on intelligence and evidence gathering, the DEA office was launched at the US Embassy in Georgetown. It will be based there. ”We will need to train and equip Magistrates for the kinds of cases that are going to be brought as a result of the efforts and (Continued on page 34)
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(From page 33) initiatives of the DEA and the local police,” said Justice Carl Singh. Justice Carl Singh noted that successful prosecution in courts depends on tangible, credible, cogent, compelling evidence and it is this effort that is going to lead to the presentation of the kind of evidence which will ultimately secure convictions where people are charged for justified reasons. US Ambassador Perry Holloway reminded that the DEA agents will not be going around “kicking down doors and dragging people out on the streets”. Rather they will play a major role in working along with the local agencies in tackling the drug trade and providing information to the local agencies that will benefit the efforts to counter the narco-trade. Considered as one of the world’s top or the most premier institutions to deal with drug enforcement internationally, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan expressed elation that operations have commenced in Guyana. To have the DEA in Guyana will bolster and enhance the efforts of the Guyana Police Force, CANU and the GRA drug enforcement unit, he said. The Minister described the official launch as timely, historical
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He said that there has also been increased attention given to environmental aspects, and to the importance of forest management, both nationally and internationally. Trotman asserted that an updated forest policy will mark a significant shift in emphasis from the development of the timber potential of Guyana’s forests to management of the forests’ multiple goods and services for the national benefit. To give reason as to the importance of the change, Trotman told the National Assembly that much to the “horror” of the new administration upon the assumption of office, “we were met with an alarming situation where we discovered that 100% or all of our productive forest was allocated by the past Government.” Trotman added, “This is what a former head of state would have referred to as ‘confounded nonsense”. FREED: Leon Duncan
Intaz Roopnarine
and relevant even though the agency does not have arresting powers locally. US Ambassador Perry Holloway said the DEA should be seen in the light of addressing matters dealing with drugs and the United States. Regional Director for the DEA, Matthew
Donahue said that partnership is important in the drug fight as Guyana became the eighth Caribbean and Latin American country to have the permanent presence of a DEA office. FRIDAY EDITION NOTHING LEFT AS PPP GOV’T DISTRIBUTED 100% OF GUYANA’S PRODUCTIVE FOREST The new government was horrified to learn that its predecessor had distributed all of Guyana’s productive forest. There is literally nothing left. While previous revelations about the operations of certain logging companies – that are also into gold mining – had raised suspicions that this was the case, the disquieting suspicion was only confirmed last evening when Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman took the floor of the National Assembly to make his contribution to the ongoing Budget debate. Trotman told the House that there has to be a revision of National Forest Policy. He said that in 2016, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to update and rationalize policies and laws relating to the conservation, management, protection and sustainable development of the nation’s patrimony, its forest resources. He said that there have been many changes since the existing policy was crafted. The Minister said that those changes include a transformation in Guyana’s economic, social and political landscape over the last five years.
COOL SQUARE HOTEL MURDERACCUSED FREED After a lengthy trial, Leon Duncan was Thursday acquitted of murder by a mixed twelve-member jury, who found him not guilty of the offence. Duncan, also known as ‘Whistle’, was visibly relieved as the jury foreman announced the decision, and hurriedly departed after being freed. Some of his relatives who were present in the courtroom of Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry shed tears of joy before hastily following their relative from the compound. Duncan, who had been arrested in 2013 for the murder/robbery of businessman Intaz Roopnarine, walked of the Georgetown High Court at around noon and embraced his relatives. He was represented by Attorney Mark Waldron. Roopnarine, called ‘Bobby’ of 169 Mandela Avenue, was shot and robbed at the Cool Square Hotel in Marigold Street, West Ruimveldt on January 24, 2013. The businessman was wearing several pieces of expensive jewellery when he was attacked as he was preparing to leave the hotel. His assailant escaped with a gold and diamond chain worth $500,000, a gold band worth $700,000 and other j e w e l l e r y, a l l p r i c e d a t a t o t a l o f $2,200,000. Roopnarine collapsed and died near to a septic tank aback of the hotel. Sometime after the shooting, Duncan was arrested for the murder. During his trial in the High Court, the accused denied having knowledge of the incident. He claimed that he had checked out of Cool Square Hotel on the night (Continued on page 35)
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(From page 34) before the incident occurred. THREE KILLED INANNAIACCIDENT The police are investigating an accident which occurred early Thursday at Annai, Region Nine, and claimed the lives of three persons. The accident occurred around 08:15 hrs. Dead are Henry George, his wife Belinda, and Belinda’s brother Davis Williams, all of North Rupununi. Williams was the rider of the motorcycle, and was towing his sister and brother-in-law when the bike collided with a car at an intersection. The car’s driver was not injured. SATURDAY EDITION JAGDEO DENIES PPP DISTRIBUTED 100% OF GUYANA’S PRODUCTIVE FOREST Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is disputing statements made by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who had told the National Assembly on Thursday that when the new government took office, it was to learn that its predecessor had distributed all of Guyana’s productive forest. Jagdeo, who served as President from 1999 to 2011, told the National Assembly yesterday that it was approximately 55 percent of state productive land that was in fact allocated in the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) history. “It is said in the newspapers that the PPP gave out all of the productive land in the for-
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estry sector,” Jagdeo said. “The fact is that about fifty five per cent of the state forest has been given out so far in our history. It’s about seven million hectares out of 12.5 million hectares.” “So it is not true that all of our state forests are given out,” Jagdeo protested to the house. “And out of that 55 per cent, just about 40 percent is under extraction. Of the (millions of) hectares that were given out, almost half was given out in the pre-1992 era. Barama alone had 1.7 million hectares.” Jagdeo also informed the House that the PPP administration gave out 568 concessions in the state forest permits, totaling about two million hectares. Maps however reveal that the forest allocation to the mining sector is much larger than what Jagdeo says and closer to Trotman’s allegation. Jagdeo said, “But if the argument was that we are raping the forest, the Norwegians every year based on payments, sent international assessors and these are people who come in here and examine the deforestation rate for the year.” This is a reference to the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) concept, in conjunction with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which involved Guyana managing its forests and reducing deforestation in order to reduce carbon emissions, but get paid for it. A REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), which financed activities and projects under the LCDS, was established in 2010 with the World Bank as the trustee. The establishment of the fund was
owed to an agreement signed between Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway in 2009, in which Norway agreed to provide Guyana up to US$250M by 2015 as long as REDD was adhered to. While Jagdeo is strongly disputing the government’s report on the amount of land granted, previous revelations about the operations of certain logging companies including Chinese giant BaiShanLin—which has even reached into gold mining and housing development— had long raised suspicions that this was the case. Trotman had told the National Assembly that much to the “horror” of the new administration upon the assumption of office, “we were met with an alarming situation where we discovered that 100% or all of our productive forest was allocated by the past Government.” “This is what a former Head of State would have referred to as ‘confounded nonsense,” the Minister said. “How could a responsible government preside over the allocation of all, not some, of its productive forest? Understandably, in the national interest we will have to do something about it.” He said that this must have been done without any regard for future generations. PPP BLEW UP THE “TWIN TOWERS” OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY –PRIME MINISTER Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was intent on showing how the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had no respect for the principles of transparency and accountability during its reign. Describing the said principles as “twin
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towers”, the Prime Minister said that during its 23-year rule, the PPP blew it up, leaving the Government with the job of not only restoring law and order but also the people’s confidence in the administration of the day. Nagamootoo said that a lot of misconceptions were being spewed. The Prime Minister said that the impression laid by the Opposition was that the government is not sincerely interested in helping to ease the burden facing the rice farmers. Nagamootoo said that the thought alone is preposterous. He reminded that the PPP knew that the PetroCaribe deal was not going to be honoured anymore but it never told the citizenry. He said, too, that if the PPP was so interested in assisting the rice farmers, then the $100M loan which was taken from the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) under suspicious circumstances should have been returned to the people to help them. Nagamootoo said that the rice farmers and their issues are being used as a whipping horse on the eve of Local Government Elections. The First Vice President said that he took offence to the Opposition’s derogatory use of the word “geriatrics” throughout the debate. Nagamootoo said, “We may be considered to be old but we are not useless.” He then noted the sterling contributions made to the development of the country by elderly persons. Nagamootoo stated that he finds it absolutely distasteful that Opposition members were now dragging age into the arena of the budget debates as though it is a sin or a crime to be old. He said, too, that it shows nothing but disrespect for elected leaders of the House and should not be tolerated.
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Can Sanders trump... From page 24 their tax dollars that went into bailing out the bank bosses in the financial crisis, but to pay for the social welfare schemes he would implement. “The top one-tenth of one percent”, he declares “owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent”. No one has disputed his figures. He also wants to change income inequality, pointing out that: “The real median income of male workers is $783 less than it was 42 years ago; while the real median income of female workers is over $1,300 less than it was in 2007. That is unacceptable and that has got to change”. He has promised that he will raise the Federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2020, and to expand social security benefits by raising the cap on taxable income beyond the $250,000 per annum at which it now stands. He is
also pledging to make College tuition-free and debt-free. Sanders' well-articulated social and economic policies have found resonance throughout the US, and there is a courage and fearless in him that people seem to admire and trust, as demonstrated in his popularity ratings. He is the opposite of Donald Trump. Between them they represent the extremes of American society, but from an outsider's point of view Bernie Sanders is a better choice. If the Presidential election ends up as a contest between Sanders and Trump, the rest of the world will wait to exhale. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College, University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own.)
GBCHA - helping... From page 25 a lot of work being directed to reducing HIV stigma and discrimination. “A lot of persons became more comfortable being tested for HIV; they were even becoming more comfortable talking about HIV…so there was a lot of awareness we were doing,” she recalled. She however disclosed that while USAID was its financier in the inception, by 2012 funding started to dwindle, thus forcing GBCHA to rethink it modus operandi. After extensive discussions with its membership, the GBCHA Board took the decision to rely on fundraisers and support from its membership to continue its work. But according to French, the decision based on the advice of its membership was not to merely continue its HIV work, but to expand the GBCHA mandate to raise awareness about how other health issues could be prevented. “Our work now has been focused on education and prevention, so we have been promoting behavioural changes to encourage healthy lifestyles. This means preventing illnesses and conditions…things you can work on by having information now and altering your lifestyle. There are people living with certain conditions such as cancer, depression, but what we found was that there was a need for human resources to lend support to bring about awareness…there is a gap, the Social and Health sectors can only do so much, and we are helping to fill the gap,” French asserted. GBCHA has also been lending support to the fight against domestic violence through its awareness efforts.
While it operations include outreaches, GBCHA also carries out its services, including free HIV counselling and testing, at its 108 Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown Secretariat. And, according to French, over 400 people visit the Secretariat, monthly, to access the services offered there. GBCHA has also been tasked with implementing a project for the Ministry of Public Health which requires that it functions as a sub-recipient for the Global Fund HIV Grant. GBCHA moreover monitors five other non-governmental organizations that are implementing HIV programmes. These include Merundoi, Youth Challenge Guyana, G-Plus and FACT Group. As GBCHA advances its health intervention measures, French disclosed that “we are still discussing what other health-related services would be feasible for us to offer.” And she is confident that the entity will continue to evolve in the years to come with a keen focus on helping to realize a healthier Guyana. “A healthier Guyana is our number one aim, but our goal is actually to create compassionate leadership in the workplace and communities; that remains our vision. We believe that businesses can take the lead in what happens in health, because it is the key to the development of our country.” The day-to-day operation of GBCHA is facilitated by a five-member staff, including a Peace Corps Volunteer, and governed by a nine-member Board of Directors drawn from the business sector. Its current Chairperson is Ms. Donna Roberts-Benjamin of John Fernandes Limited.
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Budget 2016 adequately caters for welfare of Indigenous People By Abena Rockcliffe Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, told the National Assembly that the wellbeing of Guyana’s indigenous peoples has been adequately catered for in Budget 2016. During the Budget debate, Allicock boasted about the strides that have already been made by his government to improve the lives of Indigenous People. He also listed some of the plans in store. Allicock apologized to opposition Members of Parliament, Harry Gill and Yvonne Pearson. “I am truly sorry that as a government we were unable, during the nine months in office, to fix all the problems created by the PPP over 23 years. But we are working on that.”
- Minister Allicock
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock The Vice President said that he has however found it encouraging that those members have finally become “enlightened representatives of Indigenous Peoples.” He said that his government will be willing to listen to the MPs’ thoughts
regarding “how we can together undo the damage.” Allicock told the National Assembly that Budget 2016 is about improving the quality of life of Guyanese. “It is about fixing wharves, hinterland airstrips, ocean going vessels which serve our hinterland residents, improving education delivery and health care services, boosting agriculture and creating a healthier economy.” He boasted that his government has already removed the tentacles of central government from the affairs of Indigenous Peoples’ Villages and communities. “Villages are now free of political interference from the government side; I now invite
Mentally-unbalanced - The Good... From page 39 a 'mental case'. At school, teachers and friends do the same, everyone knowing or hoping that the child will 'grow up', start acting responsibly, and start acting like a 'real' man or woman. But it doesn't happen. Then even if we do realize that something may be wrong 'upstairs', getting to the right kind and level of treatment can be a nightmare of waiting, observation, speculation, misdiagnosis, ineffective medication/treatment, and worsening symptoms. There is often an unfair expectation of quick success from a small (very small in Guyana) handful of trained psychiatrists who have to deal with overwhelming numbers of incoherent patients accompanied by distraught relatives. So some people would rather take matters into their own hands or put them in the hands of faith healers, demon dispellers and occultists. Yet others turn to domestic incarceration as allegedly were the case with three women in Essequibo and Berbice recently highlighted in the media. It would be interesting, and also make for great human-interest articles, if reporters could get more background stories to such cases. At what point, for example, does a loved one become such a burden and a liability than an overwhelmed parent or sibling even considers caging him or her like a wild animal? Inhuman, right? Yes, but spare a thought for the care
givers who in many cases, and despite their best intentions, may be poor, semi-literate, and weighed down by their own domestic and social lack; maybe not too far from a breakdown similar to that of those they are struggling to care for. Feels like the start of a particularly vicious cycle to me. So there are the good and the bad, but what about the indifferent? We see them everywhere. Often they are us – thousands of us who daily see 'them' on the streets and in the byways, and do nothing, because it is such a common-place thing, such an accepted norm, so much a part of the social landscape – junkies, beggars, vagrants, the homeless, the destitute, and the mentally-ill, scattered and sprawled about like so much garbage – living, breathing trash. But they are ours. And who am I to judge the rest of us, when I too have been guilty of the same indifference? I remember once seeing a man sprawled on the parapet at Light Street and South Road, sleeping, drunk or dead, I couldn't tell. I felt I should do something, but I had already become one of the apathetic crowd. I walked on, but my conscience pricked me hard all day, and it wasn't until the following morning that it eased after not hearing or seeing anything in the news about a man found dead on the street. I rationalized my behaviour by thinking that the guy had to have been drunk, but it wasn't a convincing justification. A recent Facebook video upset and outraged many who saw it. It showed a man
sprawled on the roadside near a police station, obviously incapacitated, and several uniformed police officers walking by, staring at him, but seemingly doing nothing. Onlookers and passers-by could be heard asking them if they weren't going to help. A few of the officers said something inaudible, but no one moved to help the man on the ground, including those who were disapproving of the police's actions. Quite possibly the video didn't tell the entire story, but it was enough to suggest to what extent apathy has defeated compassion in society. Finally, it's my opinion (again) that we can do much more, as a nation, as communities, and as families, to help those afflicted by mental illness or by social stigmatization. We can start with selfsearching honesty, followed by compassion and proaction. Yet, as I observed before, I understand to some degree why we find it so hard to tackle our mental health problem with courage, energy, and innovation; we too have our own demons to exorcise. Yes, we need more trained mental health-care professionals, but also more not only human, but humane beings like you and me. And I know what I'm talking about, because right now I am fighting a battle to reclaim the mind and heart of someone as close to another as you can get - my own son; and in a way, yours too. Because in a society like ours we cannot help but touch each other's lives – whether good or bad, but hopefully, not indifferent.
the opposition to join us in allowing Villages to breathe free of political pressure again.” Further, the Minister said
that the Amerindian Land Titling Project is back on track. He said that inherited shortcomings of the project are being addressed. Allicock said that the Ministry is addressing other Indigenous Peoples’ Land issues and has started
working on the establishment of the Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples’ Land Commission. Noting that Budget 2016 provides for interventions which are geared to improve the lives of Guyana’s (Continued on page 48)
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The legacy of a pioneer in a challenging industry By Jarryl Bryan Guyana’s tourist industry had an early trailblazer in the person of Richard Ousman, who defied all odds to form his own company, Wonderland Tours, 25 years ago. His views on the industry live on in the form of his daughter Aliecia Figueira, who has since taken over the family business and recently re-opened the popular establishment. WHO WAS RICHARD OUSMAN? So who was this Richard Ousman who inspired so
many? It is said that to understand where one is going; one must look at where they have come from. The youngest of seven siblings, Ousman was born on April 18, 1960. His father was a businessman, and Richard was indoctrinated with the desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. At first he started out in the music industry, as his father, popularly referred to as “Doc”, owned Doc’s Record Bar. In the mid 1970s, Ousman took over the family business and in time local talent was
drawn to the bar like ants to a honey pot. He met Sammy Baksh at the record bar and a friendship sprung up. When he was just 16 he produced Baksh’s first hit single, ‘To be lonely’. He would go on to produce the album “Classical moods.” Ousman’s next music venture was with Eze Rockcliffe & the Yoruba Singers. In 1981 he produced the album “Fighting For Survival” with the Yoruba Singers. He went on to produce with other Guyanese singers, such as Pamela Maynard’s album “Lost,
Lonely and Helpless.” In addition, he produced Sach Persaud, Bonny Alves and Czerina Ali. Ousman’s love affair with the tourism industry started after a visit to Santa Mission. He had travelled extensively throughout the United States of America and the Caribbean, and in the process had made quite a few friends. In 1989, Ousman held a family huddle with his wife and his two children, Syed and Aliecia. As he endeavoured to live his life by family values, he was not about to exclude his family from any business decision that would impact their lives. As a result, Wonderland Tours was born, and the friends he had made on his extensive travels would become his clients. Operating in tandem, the couple’s first move was to establish a tourist desk at the Hotel Tower. While his wife would be the secretary, he would be the tour guide. The business would become successful and Ousman realized he had found a niche. Told that there was no future in tourism in Guyana, Ousman thought differently and was determined to prove everyone wrong. Told to give up, he instead invested in wooden speed boats and engines, life jackets, coolers and the basic outdoor gears. He started with the Santa Mission tour, and then developed the Essequibo river tour. He started taking people to Kaieteur Falls and Orinduik Falls. He developed a Georgetown City tour and as the business grew so did his tours. Ousman also established the Harpy Eagle Jungle Lodge in the Mazaruni River, a forerunner to such lodges. He was also a founding member of the Tourism Association of Guyana (TAG). Wonderland Tours would become his life and he devoted much to the business. CARRYING ON THE TRADITION
Mario and Aliecia Figueira Today his daughter, Aliecia and her husband, Mario Figueira, have carried on the tradition of husband and wife partnerships driving the business. Recalling her father’s achievements and modus operandi, Aliecia was plain in noting that her father was not the easiest person to work for and he often demanded too much of his employees. She noted that he changed many workers but the really good ones stayed and never left. “I remember them as I was growing up and they would all say that (he) was a good man, a perfectionist, a man ahead of his time,” She said. In time, however, Figueira’s health would decline. According to his daughter, he discovered he was diabetic at the age of 32, but never understood how serious the disease was until it was too late. “The last four years of his life my father had lost his eyesight and this was devastating for him and the people that loved him,” she related. “He managed to conquer his blindness and he baffled many people. Today people still say there were moments when they weren’t sure if he was blind or not.” “His love for the arts led him to his final adventure; one I know was very close to his heart,” she continued. “This was the ‘Stress relief’
Richard Ousman comedy show that starred Lyndon ‘Jumbie” Jones, Henry Rodney, Habeeb Khan, Sonia Yarde and others. This would bring much joy to my father’s life; he enjoyed being a part of the laughter and friendship that the actors brought to his life.” Ousman died in 2007, at the age of 47. His daughter then took over Wonderland Tours. She describes her foray into the family business as a journey. “It’s (been eight) years now and I have since gotten married and have been travelling and marketing Guyana. I now see why my father loved Guyana and was a true Guyanese in all aspects.” She noted that, alongside her husband Mario, innumerable time and effort has been invested in the (Continued on page 48)
Ousman (at right) in the early days on one of his popular tours
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The legacy of a pioneer in a... Budget 2016 adequately... (From page 46) business. In addition, she observed that her mother also provides advice. “My father paved the way for tourism in Guyana,” she said. “He always told me that he can’t live anywhere else but Guyana, and now I find myself saying the same thing. My husband Mario and I (will) invest all of our time and effort into the business to make it the best that it could be.” CREEPING CHANGES Observing what is occurring on the tourism landscape of Guyana, Figueira is of the view that a combination of lack of infrastructure, international airlines and poor marketing strategies had led to a decline in the industry, but things have changed. “We have a renewed sense of confidence in tourism in Guyana,” she said. “We were always very vocal on how we felt about the previous government, they did not pay any attention to tourism (and there was) almost (the) feeling that they didn’t want persons to come here to see the truth of Guyana.” “So we decided to re-
launch Wonderland Tours, taking a different approach, knowing that this new government is on our page.” The businesswoman applauded the cleaning up of the city, noting that it had been a major impediment to business. She emphasised that the sector needed all the help and support it could get from the Government of the day. She observed that tourism has not been wholly static over the years. As time has advanced, so have infrastructure and marketing platforms. She also spoke of the creeping changes in the tourism industry over the last two decades. Figueira pointed to the investments in building hotels and resorts, and in transportation. “Tourism has seen a major transformation in the last eight years. We have seen businessmen diversifying and investing in tourism, we have seen tourists from countries that never visited Guyana. We have (also) started using technology and social media to market our product.” “Tourism in Guyana has been given a boost by the local businessman and now it’s time for a boost from the
new government.” PROACTIVE MEASURES She reflected that one area the Government had been wasting money and time in pursuit of was trade shows. She called for more proactive measures, such as arranging for billboards in public places of countries with potential tourists. In addition, another aggressive marketing step she flagged was advertising Guyana’s product on buses and public transportation in these foreign lands. “They should open information offices in New York, London, China, India and all of the other major cities in the world,” she said. “Guyana’s name should be out there, yes, we are a country, yes we speak English, yes we are a part of the Caribbean and South America, yes we have untouched rainforest.” Advocating for measures to ease up on visa restrictions, she also noted that emphasis should be placed on developing specialty tourism and building on the strengths that are already evident. “Guyana is known now for a great night life, people know they can come here and enjoy themselves without any hassle,” she said. “Where tourists can come and be free. Take away this 2 a.m. curfew, it’s bad for tourism and business. Promote entertainment tourism and build on a reputation that we already have.”
(From page 45) Indigenous Peoples in all areas, Allicock sought to note some interventions that fall specifically under education and infrastructure. EDUCATION The Minister said that work has commenced on the design for a new dormitory to house tertiary level students from the hinterland. Allicock said that $10M has been allocated for this. He also spoke of $997.4 million that has been set aside for the expansion of the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services. The Budget also caters for a $35M subvention for the Bina Hill Institute of Learning while $6M has been set aside for the establishment of a Resource and Document Centre for Indigenous People. Another $25M has been set aside for the acquisition of boats, outboard engines and mini buses to get children to and from school. Allicock also indicated that schools in Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa, Baramita, Matthews Ridge, Powaikuru, and Barabina will benefit from improvement and the addition of living quarters, while a new secondary school will be constructed at Waramuri. The Minister said that Akawini will get a new Nursery School. Karawab and Bethany Primary Schools will be improved, Yarashirima will be extended and Warapoka Secondary will also be extended. Mashabo and Bethany Primary will be provided with living quarters for staff. This is all catered for in the allocation of $196.3. Allicock said that Paramakatoi Secondary and
Micobie Nursery will benefit from significant improvement as part of works valued $36.6 million. Also, schools will be constructed at Tabatinga, Pai Pang Baishainidrun. Living quarters will be built at Sand Creek and major improvements are planned for Surama, Aishalton, Wowetta Nursery and Quatata Primary Schools with the allocated sum of $94.6 million. The electricity system at St. Ignatius Secondary will be upgraded as over $9M has been set aside for that and $4.4M has been set aside for solar systems to be installed at Kairuni Nursery , St. Cuthbert’s Primary, Arau and Phillipai Primary Schools. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Allicock said that the Umana Yana—”The pride of Guyana” is being rebuilt. “Its place in the history of Guyana is precious. Guyana will have the Umana Yana in time for the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.” He also told the National Assembly that the electricity supply system for Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Siparuta, Orealla, Moraikobai, MocoMoco, Wauna and Sugar Hill will be improved at a cost in excess of $120M. There will be rehabilitative works done on roads at Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge after two decades of abandonment. More roads will be rehabilitated at Baramita, Bartica, Puruni, Itabali, Mabura, Kurupukari to Tabatinga, Ituni to Kwakani and Madhia. Bridges will be built and fixed at Cassandra Crossing and Sand Creek,
Aishalton, Baishaidrun, Paruima, Hosororo, Papaya and Arocuro. These works will be done at a cost of more than $1.7B. More roads will be constructed at Mabaruma and Moruca to the tune of $31M. The Minister said that the Bartica stelling and the goods wharf at Kingston which serves the North West District will be rehabilitated. Mahdia Airstrip will be completed and the following Hinterland Airstrips will be rehabilitated: Eteringbang, Annai, Paramakatoi, Kurupung, Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain. This is a project worth $241M. ECONOMIC Minister Allicock told the National Assembly that sustainable community based economic projects will be pursued. Included among these are projects specific to Villages and Communities in the area of tourism. Agricultural projects including fruit farms are also on the Ministry’s agenda, said Allicock. He further noted, “Adequate potable water supply is another important agenda item for the Ministry in 2016. In this regard, conversations have commenced. “At the tables are the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Communities, Natural Resources, the Guyana Water Incorporated and the United Nations Development Programme.” Allicock told the House, “From my interaction and in working with my fellow citizens across Guyana’s ten administrative Regions, there are only 32 people who feel that Budget 2016 is not a good Budget.”
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Former Minister urges... From page 38 global challenges, such as Makerere University in Uganda, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), with the hope that the Caribbean can learn from their adaptability and proactive policies. Dookeran's democracy takes on new meaning. Institutions do not jockey for preeminence. Every structure – political, social and economic - is essential and driven by the same bioethical principles of truth, justice, and freedom. It is a mantra that upholds officials to the highest standards. Undoubtedly, this is a sweeping revolution. He maintains that economic and political reforms are inconsequential without fundamental changes in the education sector. “Liberation through education,” he writes, “is the best platform to challenge the workings of a failed political system.” He later offers, “Recognising the theory of multiple intelligences, it is evident that children deserve an education based on their unique abilities,” and “that it is the responsibility of the state to take steps towards revamping the education system so that it is more relevant to the needs of a society.” He also beckons the region's clerics to assume a greater leadership role. They must serve as the moral compass and spiritual bulwark of the region. Faith-based institutions must assist in mold-
ing societies. He is passionate, unambiguous on this matter. “Interventions of faithbased and other non-governmental organisations are welcome to address pressing social issues,” he asserts, confident that religious groups, in fostering unity and tolerance, can promote “the proper environment for growth and sustainable development of a country and the world.” In Dookeran's post-modern Theory of Convergence, the people wield power by virtue of their ready access to information. Boundaries that once divided the region along political, ethnic, racial, and linguistic lines must be dismantled, paving the way for “integration without borders,” the strengthening of individual economies and the holistic development of nations.? F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Crisis and Promise in the Caribbean, Politics and Convergence by Winston Dookeran © 2015 Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Ltd., England Available: Amazon ISBN: 9781472440426 Ratings: Highly recommended
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Infrastructure Minister promises infrastructure development for commuters Is the person behind the mask properly qualified? By Dr. Neromini Fagu Most of us are very trusting and don’t really question certain professionals such as doctors and dentists. However, you need to ensure that your trust is not misplaced. You may be receiving dental services from a person who is not properly qualified or licensed to practice dentistry. Unqualified persons practising dentistry have long been a problem in Guyana. There are many persons out there who are treating the dental health of patients without being properly trained. This practice has flourished for decades because Guyana has long had a shortage of dentists. This is especially so in the outlying communities. How do you know if the person to whom you go for your dental treatment is properly qualified? Dentists are required to register with the Dental Council of Guyana (DCG) to get a licence to practise dentistry. The DCG is mandated to ensure the dentist has met all the requirements and possesses the necessary credentials. This licence is good for one year and must be renewed annually. Each year the DCG publishes a list of the qualified dentists registered to practice in Guyana. Most dentists will have their registration certificate displayed for their patients to see. It is illegal to practice dentistry without a licence
and the penalty is quite severe. There are several reasons why the practice of dentistry by unqualified persons still exists in Guyana. One of the reasons is that the cost of certain dental treatments can be quite expensive so people will look for the cheaper route. However, sacrificing quality for cost is usually not a good thing. And oftentimes inferior or substandard materials are used which willend up costing more to fix or can alsoput your health at risk. Also, people are not aware of the different categories of dental health workers and they think that everyone who treats a patient is a dentist. Don’t let the scrubs (professional clothes) mislead you as the person may not be qualified to perform that particular procedure. Another reason is because in the rural and hinterland communities there are very few dentists or dental health workers. People in need of treatment will try to seek help wherever possible. Some of the unqualified persons have been in operation for so long that the community has come to accept them as qualified dentists. They were able to acquire some dental knowledge by just simple observation of the dental operating procedures. Others may have worked as an auxiliary dental worker in a public facility but then, after hours, open their own “clinic” at home.
Dr. Neromini Fagu Whatever the reason you choose to go to an unqualified person rather than to a qualified dentist, you should know that you are putting your health at risk. It takes many years of training to become a dentist. Setting up a dental clinic is a very expensive investment. Using modern equipment and the latest dental material all add to the cost of providing treatment. Especially important is the proper sterilization of instruments used in dental treatment so as to avoid spreading deadly diseases such as HIV. The best method of sterilization is using an autoclave. This is an expensive piec e of equipment but to a q u a l i f i ed dentist it is a cornerstone of the practice. As a patient of dental health care you should be concerned if the person behind the mask is a qualified dentist. One of the best ways to ensure this is through education. You need to arm yourself with information to protect your health. Ask questions and make sure y o u a r e comfortable with the answers before you elect to have the person work in your mouth. 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.
During his presentation on the 2016 Budget Debate, at the Parliament Building, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, revealed that there will be a chain of advances to better the lives of commuters. Patterson continued that a number of projects have been identified for implementation by the Ministry and that these projects are being funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (DFID) and will focus on stellings and wharf development, waterfront development, port development and airstrips and aerodromes development. These projects will attract an estimated cost of G$15.2B. Upgrade and rehabilitation will be carried
out on the Parika Stelling in Region Three, which will see the facility transformed into a waterfront development. This is estimated to cost $472.5M. Patterson also pointed out that similar upgrades will be carried out on the Port Kaituma Stelling in Region One which is pegged at $1.102B. The Kumaka facility, in the same Region, will also see works being done to the estimated sum of $157.5M. The Bartica Stelling in Region Seven is also scheduled for development which will attract the cost of $315M. The Minister continued that $1.1B will also be used to upgrade the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Stelling in Georgetown and the Stabroek Market Wharf. “We will be building
concessionary stands and floating ramps to accommodate speedboats. And to top it all off, we will be making a walkway linking the Stabroek Market and the Transport and Harbours Wharf.” Patterson informed the House, that the Ministry will be doing sea defence works and land reclamation from Kingston to Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara where a boardwalk will be constructed to link the two areas. This will be executed at a cost of $3.6B. “In Region Six, we will be constructing a similar boardwalk, concession stands, powered by solar lighting and a recreation area in Skeldon…Construction of a boardwalk, concession stands and recreational space for the speedboat operators (Continued on page 66)
Vendors improvising at the collapsed section of the Stabroek Market Wharf during a brief downpour.
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Civil Society Groups not backing down in LGE By Suraj Narine As the ball leading up to Local Government Elections (LGE) continues to roll and gather momentum, several persons attached to various political and non-political parties have raised their hands signalling their intention to represent their respective constituencies, and by all means, do right by their fellow citizens. LGE in Guyana has been absent for more than two decades, and with its return on March 18 this year, it has been hailed as a momentous occasion – “the return of democracy”. As the day draws near, Campaign Managers, Public Relations Officers and supporters are currently in work overload mode as strategies are being planned; outreaches being arranged, along with rallies and the distribution of brochures etc. Over the last few weeks we have seen campaigns being intensified, even some pound for pound on various forms of media. While some parties and groups have begun to unleash, some have decided to stand back and watch, waiting for the appropriate time to unload their arsenals – strategy is key. EDUCATING THE VOTERS For one contestant, Dr. Dawn Stewart, it is all about educating the residents but more specifically, the youths about LGE. Dr. Stewart is of the opinion that with the long absence of LGE in Guyana, the youths are the ones that require eye-opening, so that they can be better informed about the LGE and the impact it plays on the development of their constituency and ultimately their country. She will be contesting for Councillor in Constituency
Number 8 – Newburg/ Stabroek/Werk-en-Rust/ Wortmanville. Her group, “A Nation Building Corps” (ANBC), falls under the Guyana National Civil Society Council Inc. (GNCSC). Dr. Stewart stated that many persons in that constituency asked her to contest, and she thought it best to contest under civil society, since her allegiance is always to the people first. “ I felt that if I was under a (political) party, then my allegiance will have to be first to my party leader, and that to me, would compromise what I am capable of doing and how much I can do and how much I can advocate independently”. She continued that local governance has to do directly with the “governance closest to the citizens” and therefore, no issue should be compromised. “It should be that I would have to answer to the citizens and the citizens should be able to meet me, where we will collaborate to find solutions to problems plaguing them”. Dr. Stewart holds a doctorate in Environmental Science and teaches at the University of Guyana (UG). She served as an Air Force Nurse in the United States Air Force, was employed as an Occupational and Safety Director, an Environmentalist, and has been a member of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) both locally and abroad. She currently runs an NGO, Monique’s Helping Hands and is also a member of the Guyana Women Roundtable (GWR). Through the GWR, Dr. Stewart empowers women to become more involved in the political arena, and the LGEs she pointed out, present the perfect stepping stone for young women to familiarise themselves with the policies,
...voter education outreach begins in earnest legislation etc. so that they can gain promotion. In preparation for the elections, she stated that they have begun door-to-door canvassing; educating and informing the public about local governance and at the same time, rapping with residents and obtaining feedback on the issues and problems that need to be addressed. Indeed, Dr. Stewart noted that the majority of persons do not realise the importance of local governance, and primarily, a significant portion of their work involves voter education on the systems, policies and impact of local governance. The majority of the problems, she revealed, related to safety, education and health concerns within the constituency. She continued that her team has also embarked on a project to sensitize the public about better health practices which are instrumental in maintaining at the familial level to ensuring healthy persons. This then translates to a healthy and productive environment and constituency. It is her opinion that measures should also be implemented to ensure that the sick, differently-able, the old and the needy, have access to get modern conveniences. Dr. Stewart also emphasised the importance of having facilities to deal with issues affecting youths including, suicide and teenage pregnancy. While she did not reveal what she would contribute to the constituency if elected, she pointed out that they are currently collecting data and based on this, if elected, issues being face by residents
will have to be prioritised based on their importance and the funds being made available. She then gave an example, “People have been complaining about crime in the area, where persons have been saying that they don’t come out after dark. Now we will look at this strategically, I would need to find out from the police; is it a perception or is it real crime in our community? What is the crime log in our community? Where is the crime occurring? What types of crime are occurring in that area? And after analysing all of that, we come up with a strategy as to how we address it”. KNOWLEDGE OF CONSTITUENCY Contesting in LGE for Councillor and also Independent Candidate of A Guyana Nation Building Corps (AGNBC), is Feubia Jarvis-Monfort for Constituency Number 13 – East and West Ruimveldt/ Laing Avenue. Jarvis-Monfort said that she was encouraged by the Guyana Women Roundtable (GWR) to contest for the elections. She continued that, what prompted her more to
Dr. Dawn Stewart, candidate for Constituency Number 8 – Newburg/ Stabroek/ Werk-en-Rust/ Wortmanville
Feubia Jarvis-Monfort, Candidate for Constituency Number 13 – East and West Ruimveldt/Laing Avenue
contest was her knowledge of her constituency, since she was involved in various projects with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other agencies that conducted infrastructural works in the communities. Jarvis-Monfort stated that she is committed to ensuring that various issues are addressed such as flooding, squatting, littering, crime and social-related issues. Like Dr. Stewart, JarvisMonfort has already begun her walkabouts, interacting with residents and sensitising them about the LGE and at the same time, raising public
health awareness and best practices. She pointed out that with the long absence of the LGE, the residents have settled into unhealthy practices which not only results in self harm but also harms the environment. While admitting that the task of breaking that outlook by residents would be a difficult one, Jarvis-Monfort said that she is prepared, with the help of AGNBC, to inspire her fellow residents, and armed with the guidance and support she received from the GWR, she will in turn, use her knowledge to educate youths, especially the “many young mothers and single mothers” in her Constituency.
Infrastructure Minister...
A customer taking a chance passing under a section of the collapsed Stabroek Market Wharf. (From page 65) and the travelling public in Supenaam in Region Two.” Some $2.520 billion dollars has been allocated to the Airstrips and Aerodromes development project. This project which will see the rehabilitation and upgrades for the Mahdia, Ekereku, Lethem and the Bartica Airstrips.
Patterson stated that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already published advertisements inviting technical proposals including conceptual designs and financial proposals from suitably qualified individuals and consulting firms. These advertisements he stated, have already attracted interest as far as Europe as
bids are expected in by the end of February 2016. “All of these developments will create employment and major economic input into these Regions. It is our Government’s commitment that the residents and current users will be given first option to jobs and concessions”.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Orealla bound motorcycle bandits charged The four men who were taken off a river boat bound for the riverain community of Orealla with a stolen motor bike in the dead of night, have been charged with the crime. The culprits Trishan Awadh, 23 a labourer, of 1093, Church Street, No. 78 Village Corriverton, Kefford Pyne, 19, of 187 Springlands, Corriverton; Naresh Beharry, 19, of 187 Springlands, Corriverton Berbice; and Richard Jeffery, 25, a labourer of 87 Queenstown, Berbice. They appeared in the Black Bush Polder Magistrate’s court on Friday before Magistrate Charlene Artiga on a charge of simple larceny. They are accused of between December 23 and December 24, 2015, stealing one Jailing 125 ladies motor cycle CH 1036 valued at $189,000. The bike belonged to Suraj Narine, a taxi driver of No. 74 Village, Corriverton, Berbice. The prosecution’s case is that on December 23, last, Narine parked his motorcycle under his house and retired to bed. Upon checking the next morning he realized that his bike was missing. A report was made at the Springlands Police Station and investigations began. The bike was not seen again until January 29, when it showed up and was placed on the boat bound for the Orealla/Siparuta area. The discovery of the bike was reported to the owner. He quickly informed the police who descended to the market wharf and made the interception and arrest just in time. Around 20:05 hrs that Friday, the vessel was just about to leave the wharf when the police turned up and ordered the captain to halt. The police subsequently boarded the boat and quickly found the bike without number plate and well secured. The men who were all on board and were hiding were subsequently arrested and taken into custody. They were placed on $50,000 bail. The matter is set to continue on Tuesday at the Springlands Magistrate’s court.
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FISHERMAN COMMITTED TO STAND TRIAL IN HIGH COURT
The fisherman accused of stabbing his fellow fisherman to death in the Atlantic Ocean has been committed to stand trial in the High Court. Gregory Nahar, called “Biggs” and” Rufus”, 39, of Paradise Village, Essequibo, is charged with the murder of fisherman Ronald Emanuel Reid, called “Mani, 27, of Lot 25 Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown. The killing occurred on October 6, last off the Litchfield foreshore in the Atlantic Ocean. He appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver and was committed on Friday when the Preliminary Inquiry ended in the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court. The case was prosecuted at different stages by Inspector Grace Bristol, Sergeant Althea Solomon and Corporal Racquet Mars. According to the prosecution, the incident occured around 14:30hrs while the fishing boat, the Vidya K 1, was off the
…admits to stabbing victim in self defense Lichfield Foreshore, West Coast Berbice. Reports are that the vessel had been at sea for 14 days prior to the incident. Reid was one of the six-man crew aboard the vessel which was captained by Ram Kumar. Initially two brothers, Gregory and his elder brother, Ray Nahar, 41, of Bounty Hall Essequibo Coast, were initially arrested and placed in custody. However upon the advice of the DPP Gregory alone was charged. Gregory Nahar had admitted, “I juck he,” Investigations revealed that Reid was involved in an argument with the two brothers during which he was fatally stabbed to his back. Boat captain, Kumar, had stated that it was his first trip with Emanuel. “The guy is a pleasant chap but somehow
he and them fellas didn’t agreeing at all.” He told the court that he threw away the black handle knife. Another crew member who witnessed the incident had stated that “for the entire trip, the two brothers and Emanuel were picking at each other.” He noted that “Emanuel asked them to let the story end but dem didn’t stopping.” Both the captain and other crew members related seeing Gregory Nahar run after Reid with a knife. During the preliminary inquiry the prosecution called 11 witnesses. Called to the witness
stand was GDF Lieutenant John Flores who assisted in identifying the location where the incident occurred in the Atlantic. Reid’s father, Brian Reid, also a fisherman, testified to identifying his son’s body. A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Reid at the Georgetown Hospital by Dr. Nehaul Singh revealed that he died from a stab wound. In a sworn statement the accused admitted to stabbing Reid once. Nahar will have to now face a Judge and Jury in the next sitting of the Berbice High Court.
Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?
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Sunday February 14, 2016
GUYANA WELCOMES ANOTHER BATCH OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS Thirty one Peace Corps volunteers from the United States of America are now in Guyana and they are expected to tackle the areas of health and education after completing a two- month training programme here. These volunteers will serve the country for the next two years. They will be placed in Regions Two, Three, Six and Ten. Of the batch, 14 will be placed in the health sector and 17 will work in the Education sector. Kaieteur News was told that the volunteers who are in the health field will focus on Child, Mental and Adolescence Health; Maternal and Neonatal Care among other health areas. They are currently being trained in technical and crosscultural concepts, local language and maintaining personal health, safety and security. The training was designed to provide the volunteers with the necessary practical skills to meet the needs of the communities that they will serve. Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, on Thursday welcomed the group. “We are looking forward to have you working here. I know the Peace Corps has developed a reputation in the Ministry of Public Health system with their development of school health clubs which focus on HIV/ AIDs, adolescent health and teenage pregnancy.” The Minister told the gathering that teenage
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton (sitting centre) with the Peace Corps Volunteers.
pregnancy is a major problem in the country and any help will be appreciated to get this issue under control. “The whole idea of you going out there to work in those particular areas for instance in the maternal, infant and child health, you will be helping individuals to adapt to practices that will lead to healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries,” Dr. Norton noted. “There is a place for instance in Region Nine where we have a hospital, we have a doctor who is on duty, we have a birthing room and pre and post natal clinics but the villagers are still not too
convinced they should go and have their deliveries there. They still have home deliveries.”
He told the volunteers to urge persons to come out and visit the clinics. The Peace Corps is a
volunteer programme run by the United States government. The work is generally related to social and
economic development. Each program participant is an American citizen, typically with a college degree.
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Implement the Bed and Breakfast standard during Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations Nationally, preparations are being made for Guyana to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary as an independent nation during May, 2016. With the anticipated colossal influx of foreigners to our land to participate in the various events, homeowners too can develop their existing facilities to offer accommodation to them. The implementation of the requirements of the National Standard for Bed and Breakfast facilities can assist local homeowners to benefit from this great business opportunity. The Code of Practice for Bed and Breakfast facilities was approved as a national
standard by the National Standards Council in 2010 after it was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Technical Committee – Tourism. This standard, which specifies the minimum requirements for bed and breakfast facilities operating in Guyana, was formulated to improve the quality of services offered by local providers of bed and breakfast facilities. This Code of Practice can be utilized by all stakeholders in the To u r i s m sector and specifically by local bed and breakfast providers and potential investors in t h i s c a t e g o r y, t h e r e b y
promoting standardization for this particular service. The standard provides minimum requirements for three categories of facilities, A, B and C category. For bread and breakfast facilities to be considered as Category A, they must include selfcontained double or single bedroom accommodation with an air conditioned unit, television and other basic amenities including telephone, access to a mini refrigerator and comfortable functioning furniture, in a quiet and attractive setting. In addition, the standard states that private access to rooms is preferable and hot water, hot and cold shower, fresh clean linens and breakfast must be provided. Lunch, dinner or any other meals could be arranged on request at an additional cost. Requirements for facilities falling under Categories B and C are similar to Category A with a few exclusions in descending order. The Code of Practice also addresses minimum requirements for rooms, which include sufficient size for freedom of movement, privacy, requirements for beds and sheet coverings and other furniture requirements. Electrical installation, fire safety, hygiene and pest control are also
addressed by the standard. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) provides guidance and monitoring of facilities endeavouring to meet the requirements outlined in this Code of Practice. The Authority is working to promote facilities, which are registered and inspected according to the requirements of the Code of Practice. The quest to fulfill the growing need to provide quality service and comfortable accommodation to all categories of tourists and other visitors to our country would be tested during the upcoming national celebrations. Acquiring a copy of this standard and implementing the requirements therein, would certainly aid entrepreneurs and operators in the tourism industry particularly, providers of bed and breakfast facilities to offer a level of services that can satisfy the accommodation needs of visitors. Copies are available upon request from the Technical Standards Information Unit of the GNBS. For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 2190064.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
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SQUATTING ERODES AUTHORITY AND RESPECT FOR LAW CONSUMER CONCERNS PAT DIAL Just about two weeks ago, there was a very disturbing media report coming from Charity Village in Esseqibo: Scores of violent squatters had suddenly started to squat on State property at Charity New Housing Scheme and the Dredge Creek area. These squatters in their land grab greed invaded privately-owned farms as well, destroying farmers’ cultivation and staking out these privately-owned lands. The Police seemed to have been inactive. The Chairman of the NDC declared that the situation was out of control and necessitated Central Government intervention. This squatting lawlessness bears much similarity to the large-scale invasion of State land which occurred in Region Four shortly after the new APNU/AFC Government had been installed in office. Several of these squatters were caught on videotape by the newspaper reporters falsely and brazenly declaring that the Parties in the new Government had told them to invade State land! Fortunately, the Police were able to clear the squatters off the
land in a few days. No report of similar success by the Police has come from Essequibo. This squatting lawlessness is an organized activity. Whole families are always involved and their object is to seize as much land as they could with the intention of profiteering on it. Squatting is in effect theft and must be eradicated from Guyanese Society as quickly as possible. It erodes the authority of the Government and State and the public will eventually come to regard such lawlessness as a norm. Government should be resolute in stamping out squatting and the Police should be ordered to nip squatting in the bud. In Guyana the State has always been generous and liberal in granting agricultural and housing leases and there is no example of a genuine lease application for agricultural and housing land being turned down. Those who indulge in squatting are persons and groups with criminal intent. If individuals and groups require land they could easily apply to the Authorities and there is no cost for doing this. The overwhelming majority of squatters are perfectly aware of this.
In the case of Charity, the legitimate farmers whose land had been invaded all had leases. The squatters could equally have applied for leases as the farmers had done. The Governmental Authorities must immediately eject the squatters, assert their authority, uphold Law and Order and merit the respect of the citizenry. The Laws affecting squatting must be quickly strengthened: The Laws affecting State land have already been strengthened and it is now impossible to claim ownership of State land by prescription. Unfortunately, when the Law was being amended, no equal protection was given to private land and this was an omission which should now be rectified. The Laws affecting squatting on private land were fairly adequate up to the late 1960’s and early 1970’s at the time Sir Joseph Luckhoo was Chief Justice. At this time, the establishing of the 12-year rule was uncritically adopted from the current British Legislation. Britain is a highly urban society and the 12-year rule was established there be-
cause such a society needed such a rule. Guyana was, and still is a rural society and had no need of the 12-year rule; indeed, the 12-year rule was at variance with the needs of Guyanese Society and this was further emphasized by the heavy emigration which has affected the country. Many a squatter has made questionable claims of being on an expatriate Guyanese’s land for 12 years but since there was no one to oppose such claims, the Courts have had to accede. The Laws affecting squatting on private land must again be brought into consonance with the amended Laws relating to public land. The 12-year rule should be abolished, reverting to the 33-year rule. The Guyana Consumers Association expects to write the relevant
Authorities asking them to strengthen the Laws protecting private land against squatting greed. The Ministry of Public Security is importuned to instruct the Police to respond to valid complaints of squatting on both public and private land. The Police, in many
cases, avoid their responsibility of responding by saying nonchalantly that squatting is a private matter though it results in the authority of the Government and the State being eroded. A culture of lawlessness being spread and often resulting in present and future chaos and violence.
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PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!! Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Cleaners’ R’ us: janitorial cleaning including: window cleaning, office cleaning, pressure washing, etc. Call: 6609478; 672-0865 or 223-6544 Tax Services: custom brokerages, individual income tax, property tax, value added tax, compliances certificates, etc. Call: 660-9478
TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
WANTED 1 Nail technician with existing clientele. Call: 647-1773 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Urgently! Garbage company needs experienced drivers must have police clearances, two reference one picture. Call: 223-7012/670-7920 Live in waitress 18-28yrs – salary $60,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 Drivers paid salary and contract cars-Call: 231-0002; 219-4087 Salesgirls, porters and security guard. Apply with written application at Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitlugt, Zeelugt and East Coast. Call: 6042207; 611-7223 Handy boys to work, live in accommodation and meals free. Call: 228-5655; 628-1756 Cleaners: persons living in the areas of Soedyke E.B.D to Timehri. Call: 223-6544; between 9:00am-5:00pm One live-in housekeeperCall: 223-0654 One seamstress to work in Barbados- must to cut & clip. Call: 613-7177 Maid to work at Contienental Park between 8am-4pm, attractive salary. Call: 6851403 Live in female, experienced care giver for elderly maleCall: 664-8150; 233-0547 Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, counter servers, waiters, handy boy, pleasant personality, apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Truck Driver wanted to work in Georgetown. Call: 218-1156
Transported property @ Tuschen Housing Scheme $7M negotiable. Call: 2641050; 683-7045/669-3553
FOR SALE BY OWNER: FLORIDA DESIGN, WATER FRONT PROPERTY LOCATED AT MADEWINI RESORT COMMUNITY. CALL: 624-5048; 624-5042 1 Acre land (37X1200) with flat house, chicken pen & fruit trees -$11M negotiableCall: 642-7898 Lot 15 Good Hope, West Coast Demerara – Call: 6906840
DRESSMAKING Learn to cut & sew from elementary to advance @ Enid’s Dress Making Classes - 68 Sixth Street Alberttown. Call: 223-9106; 643-7966
Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079
VEHICLE FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Oswin J’s Auto Imports; New arrivals: Allion 2006; Premio: 2004, 2006 & 2008, Fielder 2007 & Suzuki Escudo. Call: 592-609-2815
LAND FOR SALE Double lot 9950 Sq. Ft @ Republic Gardens, price -$25M (negotiable). Call: 624-7686 Land @ La Grange Public Road to sea dam, 4 acre, could use for housing development-Call: 625-1514 Going Cheap: One house lot at Mon Repos (Martyrsville) - $3.7M negotiable. Call: 220-0538, Joel: 645-2395; 629-5300
To y o t a R a u m , S p a c i o , AT192, Allion, L-Touring Wagon, EP71-starlet, IST, Nissan March & Pickup 4X4 (4door). Call: 6445096; 697-1453 Honda CRV (RD5), PNN series, stick gear -$2,350,000 negotiable, Toyota IST, PSS series, candy pink $1,650,000. Call: 691-1198 1AT 212 PRR, 1 Allion PRR Series, 1 Premio PPP, owner leaving country. Call: 6422645 4X4 PFF 6163 (Green) 4 door LHD,3 liter 3VZ engine, good condition – G$1.6M- Call 6576063 Allion 2010, PTT series. Call: 626-7464
Corner lot for sale 80X45 @ Meadow Brook Gardens, close to Mandela Avenue. Call: 699-9381; 231-4560
Toyota Rav4 J (2001),PNN 6964, in excellent conditionCall: 625-2323; 254-0530
1 Concrete 2 storey property @ Lot 20 Area H Ogle- Call: 254-1663; 622-1610
$1.5M (Fenced land), Parfaite Harmonie (major road), Zeelugt (100ftX50ft) with reserve -$2M. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223
Are you planning on buying a building from $5M to $20M? Call Ron for deals: 611-7223; 604-2207
2008 TOYOTA FIELDER (UNREGISTERED), FULLY LOADED, RIM, BODY KIT, REVERSE CAMERA, TV, DVD -$ 2.5M-CALL: 6427295
Lot 12 Mon Repos, E.C.D, First Street, Market RoadCall: 220-7330
Lot 1884, 20 Ave, First corner, Diamond H/Scheme, 3 bedrooms, flat house- Call: 662-4676, 602-9403
Is the bank about to seize your property? Property already seized? Call Ron: 6117223; 604-2207 Lot 67 First Street Garden of Eden E.B.D – 7 (seven) acres of land with two buildings. Call: 639-8376 2 Storey property: 4 bedrooms (1 master), grilled, toilet (both flat), concrete fence @ Q68 Guyhoc Gardens, Ruimveldt. Call: 231-9174
Residential 100X100 lease lot @ Kuru Kururu- First Hill from Soesdyke Junction, price $1.8M negotiable –Call: 680-6136 Gold & Diamond land @ Ekereu & Parish Hill Berbice River. Call: 600-0036; 223-1273 Large land at Bagotville W.B.D (37"X724") – farming & residential -$5.7M. Call: 600-0036; 223-1273
Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Reduced prices on unregistered cars, Allion, Mazda, Fielder, BlueBird. Call City Motors:626-7478; 6163413 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Noah, Voxy: unregistered, fully loaded, ‘G’ Series-$1.7M –Call: 603-9700
Located @ No.2 Canal Polder, house 3 yrs old & all house appliances, 5 ¾ rice land elsewhere. Call: 690-9331; 661-0374
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: take time for yourself with lovely masseuses. For appointments call: 691-7536
SALON
Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
House on double lot for sale at West Public Road, Waller’s Delight, W.C.D. Call: 6108674
FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – Call: 277-0578
Sunday February 14, 2016
Unregistered Allion: 2004, fog, dark interior, TV DVD, CD. Call: 617-5536 VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045 1 L-Touring Wagon, Toyota Corolla, HB 9912- Call: 690-6840 2008 TOYOTA IST (UNREGISTERED), FULLY LOADED, RIMS, BODY KIT, REVERSE CAMERA, TV DVD -$2.5M -CALL: 642-7295
Mitsubishi Galant PJJ5927, good condition -$550,000. Call Paul Pengel: 660-4495 Toyota Fun Cargo 2007, PPP series, lady driven, excellent condition -$1.3M negotiableCall: 601-3268 Toyota Hilux Surf 2783 cc, mileage 74,000 km, year 2006$8.5M negotiable. First owner driven, excellent condition. Call 626-1372; 656-9100
EDUCATIONAL
1-620-240 DAF Engine, foreign used, 1 Canter GNN 722, 1 Twin Steer CF DAF, GSS 5964. Call: 228-5655; 628-1756
Music 2016!! Register – learn to play musical instruments and train your voice-Call: 225-1151/ 6578404
Toyota verossa year 2004, mileage 69,000 km- $2.2M negotiable. First Owner driven, excellent condition. Call 626-1372; 656-9100
VACANCY 1 Cleaner: apply in person, lot 19, Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown or call: 219-4684. Closing date 19th February 2016 Security Officers; apply in person. Massey Security (Guyana) Inc, Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Call: 225-5773-6 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 Popular East Coast Gas Station: day/night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 6694755; 695-9880, Non-Pareil Local & International e m p l o y m e n t : www.jobfairworldwide.com. Call: 233-6517/622-1957/6380595 between the hours of 9am-5pm Mon –Sat. Waiters to work at 704 contact 223-5273 M A R K E T I N G ASSISTANTS, DRIVERS and WELDER/FABRICATOR. 676 6700 Skilled welder & machinist (limited supervision), apprentice, male & female cleaner. Apply @ Technical Services; 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. “Office Assistant Wanted” Computer Skills Required; MS Word/ExcelConstruction Industry Experience a Plus email: promiseland development@gmail.com One male or female office assistant -$20,000 weeklyCall: 231-8053 Porter - $25,000 weekly, Driver $50,000 weekly, Mechanic $60,000. Call: 231-8053 Pump attendants & cashiers. Call: 680-3863; 624-0033 Cashier to work in super bet - Call: 625-5322 Handyman, domestic/maid, male receptionist, carpenter @ Hilton Hotel. Call: 2234597; 225-9211
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Continued on page 71
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Public Servants CoI report to be presented on February 29 - Harmon - Review panel added to Ministry’s scholarship division By Jarryl Bryan Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday informed the National Assembly that Guyana’s Public Service is in for major changes. He said that the Commission of Inquiry’s (CoI) report on Public Servants will be presented on February 29 and that its recommendations will help in modernising the public sector. The CoI had been launched since September last year, to enquire into the affairs of Guyana’s public service personnel. The Commission’s mandate had included a detailed examination of how salaries and wages for public servants are determined and to determine measures to review the classification and recruitment of workers. Statements had come not only from Guyana, but also from overseas. Harmon noted that at the entry level of the Public Service, all applicants will be required to complete a period of training at the Public Service Staff College. Harmon stressed that Public Service in Guyana has to be reformed so that “It understands its role of being servants of the people.” “We anticipate these Public Service Cadets will do six months of theoretical work and six months attachment to the various branches of the Public Service before they graduate,” Harmon explained. “It is expected that over the next five years, 500 Cadets will be trained in the programme.” According to Harmon, the Public Service Staff College will be in operation from this year. He also said that capacity building in project management, public policy analysis, monitoring, evaluation, and procurement planning will become standard in the public service. “To ensure that this all happens in an environment of accountability, we will be strengthening our internal audit capacity and mechanisms to ensure that the delivery of public goods and services occurs in a transparent manner.” According to Harmon, at the senior level in the Public Service the government will be receiving much help from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (formerly CIDA). “And it is expected that Guyana will host the Sixth Cohort of the Caribbean
Leadership Project capitalized at C’dn$20 million,” he said. “Twelve senior level persons in the Public Service will benefit from this exposure.” Existing public servants are not left out. According to Harmon, the Training Division of the Department of Public Service will be redesigned, with programmes focusing on retraining the current workforce that emphasize the core values of the new concept of Public Service. In addition there will be training on technology use in the workplace “Every Public Servant must become computer literate,” Harmon said. “This Division will receive significant funding in the Department’s Budget to help it to deliver that quality training.” “This Public Service will be well trained, highly motivated and properly remunerated,” Harmon said. “In our vision of a new Public Service, the administration sees a uniformed standard of service in all of Guyana (irrespective of) geographical location.” PUBLIC SERVANTS INCREASE Harmon also spoke to those who have been critical of the Government’s delay in announcing increases for the public service, because of the fact that collective bargaining has not been completed. He referenced Minister o f F i n a n c e , Wi n s t o n J o r d a n ’s budget presentation, during which he had called for a chance for the collective bargaining process to work. “This is what the unions demand,” Harmon told the House. “And as a person connected in the past to the Guyana Public Service Union I can say that this has been a source of frustration for them.” Harmon added that the unions have complained bitterly about the People’s Progressive party (PPP) failure to consult with them, while in power. He noted that instead, the previous administration has kept doling out a five percent increase. SCHOLARSHIPS Harmon also announced that a review panel has been added to the Ministry’s Scholarship Division, which will give its recommendations before approval by the Minister responsible for the Department of Public Service.
From page 70 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 FOR SALE 1-312 CL 35 ft long boom CAT excavator, original CAT Mitsubishi Engine -$15M – Contact: 623-0117 Minister of State, Joseph Harmon He noted that this will aid in making the Division’s work more transparent. The Minister stated that scholarships will be awarded in areas that are critical to Government’s development agenda. He stated that this will include areas such as mining, petroleum engineering, environmental science, charcoal engineering, information technology, agriculture and civil engineering. “The Department will support 574 scholarship students at home and abroad in continuing their studies,” Harmon revealed. “(And) 268 of these will complete their studies in 2016. Additionally, there are 323 commencing Scholarship students for the 2015/2016 academic year.” Harmon noted that the Minister of Finance has given an allocation of $920 million for scholarships and training, an increase over the sum spent in 2015.
1-10 Ton vibratory steel wheel roller, price -$8M. Contact: 623-0117 1 Back Hoe 432 D, excellent condition -$7M – Call: 6230117 Large Silver, 2 door fridge, ice making -$250,000 –Call: 6000036; 223-1273 AMERICAN BULLY DOGS, REMYLINE & GOTTILINECONTACT HARRY: 6100 0 6 8 / 2 2 0 - 7 9 3 3 , WHATSAPP: 667-4845
TO LET Four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market- Call: 6237731; 629-0636 Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City, parking etc, asking $80,000 monthly. Call: 616-7366 or 619-2141
January passenger traffic jumps up by 6% Passenger traffic at Guyana’s main Port of Entry – Cheddi Jagan International Airport — rose by six percent for January 2016. The airport’s statistics department revealed that 17,728 passengers arrived last month compared to 16,667 passengers for the same period in 2015. According to Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer, the proliferation in passenger numbers is due to leisure travel and increased business and tourism activities. Analytical data also indicate that the airlines – Caribbean Airlines, Dynamic Airways, COPA, Suriname Airways, Fly Jamaica and Insel Air – have recorded increases in passenger movement for the month. “Our forecast for the next few months indicates there will be a huge influx of visitors to celebrate our Golden Jubilee activities in May. Management for its part will be working to advance our infrastructure and services provided including Immigration and Customs to ensure a smooth process through the terminal building,” Mr. Ghir added. Meanwhile, in anticipation of a modernized terminal building and extended runway, the CEO along with other Government officials have been aggressively courting a number of North American and Latin American airlines to ply the Georgetown route. Airline executives look for unserved destinations with enormous potential and Guyana is one such destination due to heightened investments in oil and precious mineral explorations. Such investments attract yielding premium passengers which serve as a bonus for airlines serving any route.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Yamaha 40 HP, good working condition @ Meten-MeerZorg. Tel: 672-2578, Boy Blue 1 Leyland (55) 210) Cab/ Chassis/Ford Cargo Chassis and Diff with springs & other truck parts- Call: 275-0014; 660-0604 One D8K Caterpillar Bulldozer, in e x c e l l e n t c o n d i t i o n , ready to work, price $14M. Call: 611-4775; 220-5192 2- Leyland DAF 55.210 Truck, excellent condition $3.5M Each – Contact: 6230117 Crazy Deals: Dell/HP desktop & laptop computers from $49,000, free games & educational programs @ FutureTech: 231-2206 Household Items: curtains, dinette set, wall divider, wares, Sony music system, cupboard, fridge & more, owner migrating. Call Allison: 688-5446 Electric Motor, Marathon, 7 ½ HP, single phase & transformer- Call: 233-2439 LED light Bars: 3", 20", 32" and 45", $20,000, $30,000 & $43,000- Call: 666-9107. Like us on Facebook- LED light Barss Wooden building structure with solid greenheart beams & columns ideal for house building. Reasonable offer accepted! Call: 227-4285; 609-7381 Tibetan pups. Call: 225-4780 1-40ft Keel Boat, 700lbs 5" seine, 3000lb ice box, 15 Yamaha Engine – ($1.6M)Call:660-1825 Play station 4 system $90,000, XBOX one -$85,000, XBOX 360 -$40,000, PS 3$35,000. Call: 621-7497; 6038643; 649-3277 AT 212 Toyota Carina (white)- Call: 663-1597; 2184837 Computer games for sale, wholesale and retail, largest selection-Call: 675-2239 Owner migrating: baby girl clothes -$200 up, baby bag, baby tub, girls tops -$500, barrel, counter top stove – Call: 618-2116
Three storey 75feetX28feet concrete building, open floor, 2 offices & 2 washrooms @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654 Two bedrooms house “A” Field Sophia, $40,000 monthly with 2 months security, must provide job letter & earnings & ID- Call: 693-2237; 219-0211 Apartment for rent @ Kitty Dowding Street: 2 bedrooms apartment, newly printed $55,000 –Call: 652-8970 or 674-3735 Enmore Public Road: office space/2 bedrooms apartment, ideal for Doctors with AC & fully grilled. Call: 270-6260 Two bedrooms apartment; bottom flat @ Middle Road La Penitence -$40,000 monthly- Call: 619-9042; 6114482 2-2 Bedrooms apartment for rent at Mon Repos, North E.C.D –price:$55,000. Call: 692-9295; 688-6005 House for rent in Grove Housing Scheme. Call: 6801282 3 Bedrooms house (furnished) @ Windsor Estates E.B.D with 24hr security- $USD2, 000 negotiable. Call: 600-2031 3 Bedrooms apartment (furnished), Foreshaw Street, Queenstown-$200,000 negotiable-Call: 600-2031 3 Bedrooms apartment (furnished) @ Bougainvillea Park, Farm, E.B.D -$120,000 negotiable- Call: 600-2031 Top Flat @ Diamond, New Housing Scheme-Call: 6783388 Spacious 2 bedrooms house @ Triumph, inside toilet & bath, preferably working couple -$50,000 negotiable. Call: 615-4178 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area close to the Ogle Airport- Call for appointment: 653-2920 2 Bedrooms apartment, at East Bank Demerara -$40,000 monthly- Call: 666-5114 1- One bedroom self contained apartment in Grove, preferably working couple –Call: 687-7376 2 Bedrooms apartment, upper flat, located at D5 Waller’s Delight W.C.D. Call: 662-0187
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Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Russia casts doubt on Syria ceasefire deal as army gains ground Reuters - Russia said yesterday a Syria ceasefire plan was more likely to fail than succeed, as Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes took rebel ground near Aleppo and set their sights on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa province. International divisions over Syria surfaced anew at a Munich conference where Russia rejected French charges that it was bombing civilians, just a day after world powers agreed on the “cessation of hostilities” due to begin in a week’s time. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated accusations that Russia was hitting “legitimate opposition groups” and civilians with its bombing campaign in Syria and said Moscow must change its targets to respect the ceasefire deal. The conflict, reshaped by Russia’s intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. These were suspended earlier this month in Geneva before they got off the ground. In another sign of that escalation, Turkey’s military shelled Kurdish militia targets near the northern Syrian town of Azaz yesterday, a Turkish military source said. A Kurdish official said the shelling targeted the Menagh air base in the northern Aleppo countryside, which he said had been captured by the Kurdish-allied Jaysh al-Thuwwar group. The Syrian army also looked poised to advance into the Islamic State-held province
of Raqqa for the first time since 2014, apparently to pre-empt any move by Saudi Arabia to send ground forces into Syria to fight the jihadist insurgents. A Syrian military source said the army captured positions at the provincial border between Hama and Raqqa in the last two days and intends to advance further. “It is an indication of the direction of coming operations towards Raqqa. In general, the Raqqa front is open ... starting in the direction of the Tabqa area,” the source said. Tabqa is the location of an air base captured by Islamic State two years ago, and the source said the army had moved to within 35 km (20 miles) of the base. The cessation of hostilities deal agreed by major powers falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the warring parties - the government and rebels seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad in a fiveyear war that has killed at least 250,000 people. If its forces retake Aleppo and seal the Turkish border north of the city, Damascus would deal a crushing blow to the insurgents who were on the march until Russia intervened, shoring up Assad’s rule and paving the way to the current reversal of rebel fortunes. Russia has said it will keep bombing Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which in many areas of western Syria fights government forces in close proximity to insurgents deemed moderates by Western states.
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Former Indian PM Singh says Modi govt failing to boost economic investment Reuters - India’s former prime minister Manmohan Singh criticised his successor Narendra Modi’s government in a rare interview, saying it has failed to capitalise on lower commodity prices to propel growth and is inconsistent in its policy towards neighbouring Pakistan. Speaking to the India Today magazine, Singh said Modi’s government should use improving fiscal balances to raise investment in the economy and increase the availability of credit to businesses. “In the hands of a purposeful government, this could be an opportunity to step up investment in the economy in a big way,” said Singh, who left office after a 2014 election loss. Singh, regarded as the architect of economic reforms that led to years of rapid
growth, said the government has not been able to take advantage of falling oil and commodity prices that have low-
Trinidad Guardian - Several Japanese media representatives Friday followed friends and colleagues of murdered Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya, as they laid flowers and candles at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Portof-Spain, spot where her body was found on Wednesday. Foreign media have been arriving in T&T since Thursday to cover the situation involving Nagakiya, 30, whose body was discovered on Ash Wednesday, hours after Carnival 2016 ended. She was still clad in her yellow “Legacy” Carnival costume, wearing jewelry. An autopsy subsequently indicated she was strangled. Police investigating the situation are reported to be collating information, including security camera foot-
age, and were questioning someone in connection with the case. Following Thursday’s “wake” at the Newtown panyard of PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars—with which Nagakiya had played since 2012—Silver Stars bandmates and colleagues from other bands, such as the Codrington Family band, with whom she had also played, went to place flowers at the site where her body was found. The group, dressed mostly in black and led by Silver Stars arranger Marcus Ash, started off from Silver Stars’ Tragarete Road panyard and walked up Woodford Street, Newtown, to the Savannah. They laid single red and white roses on the spot, as well as candles.
Manmohan Singh
Japanese media swarm to T&T
ered India’s import bill. Sharp falls in import prices have reduced the trade deficit, raising hopes that it will boost economic activity. But turbo charged growth figures have been criticised by many analysts for giving too flattering a view. The economy expanded 7.3 percent in the quarter through December, but consumer inflation inched up unexpectedly last month and capital goods production, a proxy for investments, fell nearly 20 percent in December. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wants to present a credible budget on Feb. 29, people involved in the process say, but the government may end up breaking its budget deficit targets to stimulate demand. In a rebuttal on his website and social media accounts, Jaitley blamed Singh’s administration for mismanaging the economy, adding that the opposition Congress has been unwilling to support reforms in parliament. “Both the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and myself have discussed the GST with every senior Congress leader in Parliament,” he said, responding to Singh’s criticism that the government has not consulted the opposition. The proposed goods and services tax (GST), India’s biggest revenue shake-up since independence in 1947, has been stuck in the upper house where it needs Congress’ support to make it a law. Singh also said Modi should focus on improving relations with neighbouring countries, adding that the government had not succeeded at making headway with arch-rival Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting insurgents across their shared border.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Pope calls on Mexico’s President to fight corruption Reuters - Pope Francis launched a broadside against endemic corruption on his first visit to Mexico as pontiff yesterday, calling on President Enrique Pena Nieto and his government to combat it. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. “Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death,” the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, the government and foreign diplomats. He said Mexico’s leaders have a “particular duty” to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. From the U.S. border to the indigenous south, Francis will visit some of Mexico’s poorest and most violent corners on his fiveday trip. Mexico is the world’s second most populous Roman Catholic country and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join the pope on Saturday afternoon in a Mass at Mexico City’s basilica for the country’s patroness, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ that is what she tells me,” the Argentine-born pontiff said ahead of his visit, adding that he wanted to reflect silently in front of her image. Carrying pictures of the pope and the Virgin of Guadalupe, and wrapped up against the winter chill, thousands converged on Mexico City´s historic centre as the pope addressed the government at the presidential palace. “This country needs his blessing. We´re really struggling with corrupt politicians, unemployment and drug gangs, and everyone knows it,” said Juanita Lopez, a 58year-old maid, as she walked to the Zocalo, the capital´s main square, clutching a rosary. The pope earlier this month urged Mexicans to fight against corruption and brutal drug gang violence. Some Mexicans are looking to him to take that even further while he’s here. “We want him to demand that the president kick out all the corrupt people,” said Marbella Vargas, whose son Edgar was one of 43 students abducted and apparently massacred in 2014, a grisly case that hammered the government’s reputation. During his visit, the pope will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico’s poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state that has been plagued by violence between drug gangs and armed vigilante groups.The pope’s trip will end with a prison visit and Mass in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will meet relatives of victims of violence.
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No compliance needed to renew motor vehicle, drivers’ licences Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in winding up the debate of Budget 2016 Friday evening in the National Assembly, said that no compliance certificates will have to be produced when applying for a motor vehicle or a driver’s licence. “They (motor vehicle and drivers’ licences) are not governed by the Tax Act, they fall under the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Act therefore, the submissions of Income Tax returns is not needed for someone seeking to renew either licence,” Minister Jordon explained. He said that the tax measures proposed in Budget 2016 are in keeping with the administration’s intention of seizing every opportunity to deliver the good life to all Guyanese. Addressing the criticisms of the impending tax increases at the local government level, Jordan said that for more than 20 years rates and taxes have not been increased. “The current residential rate is $8,000 per year; this cannot pay a grass cutter for one year…yet all services are being demanded…$500 at least is charged to remove garbage…Local governments cannot finance themselves with 1995 rates yet we want first class services,” Minister Jordan explained. On the same issue, Jordan noted that a number of residential houses have converted their downstairs into commercial properties which means a different rate of tax should be applied hence the need to ensure all rates and other taxes owed to the government are collected. As it relates to the restriction of vehicles older than eight years, the Finance Minister explained that only
Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and motorcars are affected by this measure. Heavy duty vehicles are not included. Similarly, the notice of an imposition of a ban on the importation of used tyres is limited to the class of vehicles labeled SUV and motor cars. To ensure that the tax measures are not applied in a manner that will do harm to persons who may be affected because of their trade, a six month grace period will be given. However, such persons will be required to pay 50% of their licence fee. Minister Jordan explained that the opposition’s argument of where will the citizens get the money to pay their taxes from does not make sense as the law requires everyone who earns to first pay their income taxes. Where persons were not paying their income taxes but were earning, is a direct breach of the law which will no longer be tolerated. On January 18 last, the Tax Reform Committee would have submitted a report on proposed recommendations to improve the country’s tax system. These recommendations according to the Finance Minister, will first be discussed by Cabinet to determine the way forward after which the details of the report will be made public.
According to the Finance Minister, Budget 2016 is a beginning of a number of actions that will be taken by the administration to bring about
the good life. However, the demands placed on government cannot and will not be met unless and until equity in tax is met.
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Sunday February 14, 2016
GPF gets five new Asst Commissioners
Newly appointed Assistanat Commissioners of Police: Ian Amsterdam, Paul Williams and Nigel Hoppie Five Senior Superintendents head the police list of promotions for 2016. The five, Nigel Hoppie, Dale Alves, Lindon Alves, Paul Williams and Ian Amsterdam are now Assistant Commissioners. This list of promotions is a far cry from others in the past. The Police Service Com-
mission questioned the attempts at supersession. Five Senior Superintendents have been promoted to Assistant Commissioners; five Superintendents have been promoted to Senior Superintendents and there are now 14 Superintendents. Below is the full promotion list.
SUBSTANTIVE APPOINTMENT FOR 2016 TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER Designation Names Date of Appointment (1) Senior Superintendent Nigel Hoppie 2016-01-01 (2) Senior Superintendent Dale Alves 2016-01-01 (3) Senior Superintendent Lindon Alves 2016-01-01 (4) Senior Superintendent Paul Williams 2016-01-01 (5) Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam 2016-01-01 TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT Designation NamesDate of Appointment (1) Superintendent Paul Langevine 2016-01-01 (2) Superintendent Kevin Adonis 2016-01-01 (3) Superintendent Huge Dehnert 2016-01-01 (4) Superintendent Huge Jessamy 2016-01-01 (5) Superintendent Fazal Karimbask 2016-01-01 TO SUPERINTENDENT Designation Names Date of Appointment (1) Deputy Superintendent Zulfikar Hamid 2016-01-01 (2) Deputy Superintendent Linden Isles 2016-01-01 (3) Deputy Superintendent Michael Kingston 2016-01-01 (4) Deputy Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden 2016-01-01 (5) Deputy Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus 2016-01-01 (6)W/ Deputy Superintendent Charmaine Stuart 2016-01-01 (7) Deputy Superintendent Ewart Wray 2016-01-01 (8) Deputy Superintendent Walter Stanton 2016-01-01 (9) Deputy Superintendent Boodnarine Parsaud 2016-01-01 (10) Deputy Superintendent Ramesh Ashram 2016-01-01 (11) Deputy Superintendent Norman Timmerman 2016-10-01 (12) Assistant Superintendent Julius Wright 2016-01-01 (13) Assistant Superintendent Joel David 2016-01-01 (14) Assistant Superintendent Natalie Barnwell 2016-01-01 TO DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT Designation Names Date of Appointment (1) Assistant Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine 2016-01-01 (2) Assistant Superintendent Marlon Taylor 2016-01-01 (3) Assistant Superintendent Claymont Johnson 2016-01-01 (4) W/ Assistant Superintendent Loraine Saul 2016-01-01 (5) W/ Assistant Superintendent Grace Davis 2016-01-01 (6) W/Assistant Superintendent Denise Griffith 2016-01-01 (7) Assistant Superintendent Guy Nurse 2016-01-01 (8) W/ Assistant Superintendent Angela Carol Harding 2016-01-01 (9) Assistant Superintendent Roger Martin 2016-01-01 (10) Assistant Superintendent Huge Winter 2016-01-01 (11) Assistant Superintendent Lonsdale Withrite 2016-01-01 (12) Assistant Superintendent Motie Dookie 2016-01-01 (13) Assistant Superintendent Ludovick Scotland 2016-01-01 (14) Assistant Superintendent Karl Wilson 2016-01-01
(15) Assistant Superintendent Dennis Stephens (16) Assistant Superintendent Ravindra Stanley (17) Assistant Superintendent Allison Moore (18) Assistant Superintendent Raphael Rose TO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: Designation Names (1) Chief Inspector Kedarnauth Bejaimal (2) W/Inspector Dorette Gibbons (3) W/Inspector Denise Charles (4) Inspector Kenrick Parris (5) Inspector Ralph Parks (6) Inspector Clifton Davis (7) Inspector Timothy Williams (8) W/Inspector Karen Lilkenny (9) Inspector John Singh (10) W/Inspector Myrna Halley (11) Inspector Khemraj Shivbarran (12) Inspector Frank Jackman-Wilburg (13) Inspector Shreenarine Laljit (14) Inspector Mark Vigilance (15) Inspector Forbes Browne (16) Inspector Bernard Cox (17) Inspector Vishnu Hunte (18) Inspector Morris Fraser (19) Inspector Joseph Jack (20) Inspector Pamela King (21) Inspector Colin Henry (22) Inspector Krishnadat Ramana (23) Cadet Officer Kevon Denny (25) Cadet Officer Kevin Joel Whittaker (26) Cadet Officer Colin Primus (27) Cadet Officer James Tappin (28) Cadet Officer Fredella Boyce (29) Cadet Officer Otis Garraway (30) Cadet Officer Rockel Delph (31) Cadet Officer Collin Sullivan (32) Cadet Officer Keith Williams (33) Cadet Officer Roger Pilgrim (34) Cadet Officer Seecharran Singh (35) Cadet Officer Sherwayne Hilken (36) Cadet Officer Kevin Das TO CHIEF INSPECTOR Designation Names (1) W/Inspector Karen Todd (2) W/Inspector Debra Small (3) Inspector Lennox Barrington (4) Inspector Reynold Venture (5) Inspector Clarence. Huston (6)W/ Inspector Florence. Morrison (7) Inspector Linden. Mc Koy (8) Inspector Letisha. Wilson (9) Inspector Cassandra Anthony TO INSPECTOR: Designation Names 1.Sergeant 12173 Flyod Lewis 2.W/Sergeant 14133 Syndilin Isaacs 3.W/Sergeant 14492 Karen Thornhill 4.Sergeant 14505 Denaise Adams 5.W/Sergeant 16385 Marcia Sealey 6.Sergeant 12870 Arvin Moore 7.Sergeant 13480 Bernard Browne 8.Sergeant 14731 Nigel. Stephens 9.Sergeant 14237 Burton Rayville Carmichael 10.Sergeant 15195 Preston John 11.Sergeant 17187 Sherwyn Matthews 12.W/Sergeant 16180 Jacqueline Persaud Hamilton 13.Sergeant 15969 Ganeshan John 14.Sergeant 18104 Joseph Grant 15.Sergeant 19377 Haimwant Ramsewak 16.W/Sergeant 15675 Donna Ferguson 17.Sergeant 144774 Arunath Ramnauth 18.W/Sergeant 15664 Michelle West 19.Sergeant 15537 Jeffrey Layne 20.Sergeant 15846 Doodnauth Chitram 21.Sergeant 15763 Clay Rose 22.W/Sergeant 17694 Dabbie Handy 23.Sergeant 14863 Nevil Jeffers 24.Sergeant 14327 Christopher Ross 25.Sergeant 20822 Malcolm Melville 26.W/Sergeant 18089 Petal Fypher-Langevine 27.W/Sergeant 16423 Glenda Thomside SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO CHIEF INSPECTOR Designation Names (1) 8844 Sergeant Lakhan Balram TO INSPECTOR: Designation Names 1.W/Sergeant 8909 Pamela Phillips 2.W/Sergeant 9040 Sandra Bakker 3.W/Sergeant 9047 Debra Dey
2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 Date of Appointment 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 2015-01-01 2015-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 Date of Appointment 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-10-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 Date of Appointment 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 Date of Appointment 2016-01-01 Date of Appointment 2016-01-01 2016-01-01 2016-01-01
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
GSSF’s New Board of Directors elected after 2016 Annual General Meeting (From page 74) indoor archery and at the Leonora Synthetic Track for outdoor archery. He indicated that Monday 24th August, 2015 marked another grand occasion for GSSF when at Carifesta Sports Complex Grounds, officially launching Archery Guyana. The Secretary went on to report that since the GSSF at the end of 2014 secured affiliation to the Amateur Trapshooting Association, an internal Trapshooting Committee was tasked with pioneering this sporting discipline in Guyana which ultimately resulted in Saturday 17th October, 2015 marking another momentous day for the Federation when the first clay was launched in a regu-
lated manner at the GDF Range at Yarrowkabra. A Practice Session was hosted at the end of 2015 and the Trapshooting Committee highlighted several areas to work on and already commenced moving forward with these areas so that the GSSF can continue to introduce yet another stepping stone to an Olympic sport discipline to Guyana. Members of the Board of Executives elected to serve for the period 2016-2018 are: President Ms. Vidushi Persaud Vice-President Mr. Mohamed Khan Secretary Mr. Steve Ninvalle Treasurer Mr. Peter Hugh Assistant Secretary and
Treasurer Mr. Ryan McKinnon Chairman (Steel Challenge) Dr. Pravesh Harry Chairman (Practical Shooting) Capt. Roul Bhudu Chairman (Archery) Mr. Nicholas Hing Chairman (Trapshooting) Mr. Gerard Mekdeci Internal Auditor Mr. Jagmohan Bassoo Sincere gratitude were expressed to the various persons who assisted in one way or the other for 2015. The Report of the External Auditors was presented to the membership along with the Financial Statement of the G.S.S.F. This was duly conducted and issued by Auditor, Mr. Harryram Parmesar from the Parmesar Audit Firm.
Sunday February 14, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your ability to ferret out secret information will lead you to an inside scoop on an amazing financial deal. Be careful not to come on too strongly. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your creative talent will prove to be lucrative if put to proper use. Do not let others exhaust you financially. Talk to your mate about a vacation and discuss the expectations of your relationship. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could meet an interesting individual you'll want to get to know better. Sudden changes of heart may cause disruptions in your domestic scene. Take a close look at any contracts you've signed in order to be sure exactly where you stand. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Overstatement will be your downfall. Be careful not to take on other people's problems. You may find yourself in a financial bind. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't get involved in secret affairs or underhanded involvements. A quiet restful day just staying in bed or catching up on reading will be your best bet. Don't hold back; go with the flow and take a bit of a chance. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your irritability will lead to family squabbles. Work hard on improving your living quarters. It will be important that you have your priorities straight.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Avoid overloading your plate. Set the ball in motion and be relentless until you complete the project. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Avoid friends or acquaintances who drink too much. You may want to put your creative thinking cap on. Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't avoid your true feelings. Be prepared to lose friends or alienate other people if you insist on being stubborn. Don't let your mate talk you into going somewhere you'd rather not go. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may want to sign up for courses that will encourage you to have more confidence in yourself. Travel and educational pursuits may help alleviate the stress you have been feeling. Your position may be in question if you haven't been pulling your weight. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't overspend on entertainment, on children, or make poor investments. Now is a good time to ask for favors. You are best to keep your money tied up in a safe and secure place. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone you work with could try to undermine you. If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work.
Page 77
Elton Dharry to fight... (From page 76) Machado returned to his winning ways in February 2015 with a decisive majority win over Jose Larreal and would be keen to maintain the momentum against Dharry. To date, he has chalked up 305 rounds in 40 bouts from which he won 26 (12 by KO) after losing 13 times (4 by KO) and earning one draw. His knockout ratio stands at 30%. Meanwhile, as the local boxers continue their preparations for their respective bouts, former CABOFE Bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques, scheduled to do battle with Venezuelan, Freddy Baleno in a 10 rounds flyweight fight, has intensified his training at the Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG). On Friday afternoon, Marques took a break from sparring and engaged in mostly speed work, a rigorous session on the jump rope and calisthenics. He is rounding
off nicely and continues to voice confidence of winning his bout. Female boxer, Mandessa Moses was also hard at work at the ALBG and under the tutelage of Lennox Daniels. Perspiration poured from her pores as she shadow boxed, punched the heavy bag and skipped for prolonged periods. She wrapped up sessions with rigorous calisthenics. Questioned on the adverse effects her layoff might have on her performance Moses quipped, “I still punch as hard as before.” When Kaieteur Sport visited the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym her opponent, Ansila Norville, had already wrapped up sessions and left, while her coach, James ‘Sack’ Walcott had taken his charges for road work and was unavailable for comment. In the other preliminary bout, Barbados based Guyanese pugilist, Revlon
Lake, will get an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss to Barbadian, Miguel Antoine when they clash over 10 rounds in the welterweight division while Imran Khan has promised to perform his ‘Magic’ against Quincy Gomes in their 6 rounds lightweight duel. Barbados based Guyanese pugilist, Revlon Lake, will oppose Barbadian, Miguel Antoine when they clash over 10 rounds in the welterweight division. Three amateur bouts will complement the card and Nankumar Singh will clash with Jason Phillips while Dennis Thomas and Desmond Amsterdam will duke in out over three rounds in an exhibition match while what has been regarded as a grudge match. Delon Charles and Clairmonte Gibson will round off the amateur segment. Admission is $5000 for a ringside seat while general seating costs $2000.
Sonics convinced it can... (From page 78) compete with them. My team is small (short) so I have to play fast; I have some quicker guys coming up, so I know I will compete. Most of the times we lose in the fourth quarter,” Agard observed. Because the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) suspended Jets for three months, it affected the initial Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) seeding of teams. Because of the new seeding, Sonics will face Republic Bank Nets in the first round. The Sonics versus Nets first round game is an expected humdinger and one of the biggest games, if not the biggest, of the Mecca Roundof-16 (first round). Agard welcomed the challenge, stating that “the last four times, we beat Nets. I would be glad to meet them in the first round to issue that first round exit”. Notwithstanding their seemingly rough road to
Mecca, Sonics is confident they will overcome all challenges to emerge among the top four clubs in Guyana at
least, and ultimately go on to win the top prize and right to be labelled National Champions.
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Kaieteur News
Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap squash Tournament 2016
Nyron Joseph pushed to the max against Raphael DeGroot The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel 2016 season is underway with the Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts. Play continued on day 4 with quarterfinals matches in the Open category and round of sixteen matches in the other categories. Quarterfinal matches in category A were held on the morning of Day 5. In the Open category only one player with a plus handicap is left as the players with minus handicaps completely dominated proceedings in the quarterfinal matches. In the Open category in the match of the tournament so far, Nyron Joseph (-20) had to use all of his guile and fitness to see off the challenge of Raphael DeGroot (-12). Nyron won the first game 15 13, but Raphael bounced back to win the second game 15 - 9 and at 14 - 8 match ball in the third Raphael could feel a semifinal place was almost a certainty but Nyron never gives up and point by point he clawed his way back eventually taking the game and match 15 - 14. In the match between two plus players both of them having plus 7 handicaps,
Sunday February 14, 2016
GSSF’s New Board of Directors elected after 2016 Annual General Meeting
Newly elected Board of Directors pose with the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Department of CY&S, Mr. Alfred King (4th left); From left: Mr. Nicholas Hing, Mr. Gerard Mekdeci, Mr. Mohamed Khan, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, Mr. Peter Hugh, Mr. Steve Ninvalle, Mr. Ryan McKinnon and Mr. Jagmohan Bassoo.
Nyron Joseph (left) had to fight hard to beat Raphael DeGroot on Friday night. (Sean Devers photo) Jonathan Hohenkirk defeated Theron Mohabeer in three games. After winning the first 15 - 13, he dropped the second game 13 - 15 but won the third quite comfortably 15 - 9. The other two quarterfinals were dominated completely by the players with minus handicaps. Defending champion Jason Ray Khalil (25) lost just eight points in his victory over Joe Mekdeci (+4) 15 - 8, 15 – 8, while Regan Pollard (-14) only lost seven points when he completely
outplayed Taylor Fernandes (+5) 15 - 9, 15 - 8. In quarterfinal matches in category A Samuel InceCarvahal (-8) defeated Madison Fernandes (+5) 15 - 11, 15 – 11, while Demetrius DeAbreu (0) beat Kirsten Gomes (+5) 15 - 10, 15 - 10. Gianni Carpenter (-6) easily disposed of Dominic Collins (0) 15 - 7, 15 - 12 while in the only match that went the full three games Ethan Jonas (-3) beat Mohyryan Baksh (+8) 15 - 10, 13 - 15, 15 - 11.
The Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation, successfully held at the Grand Costal Inn on Friday 5th February, 2016 was well attended and members were given an opportunity to discuss the activities and plans for the Federation’s way forward to promote sport shooting in Guyana. At the AGM, President of the G.S.S.F., Ms. Vidushi Persaud opined that 2015 was a phenomenal year for the Federation and the various shooting entities it encompasses which success was due entirely to the support of the members who un-hesitatingly came on board. The Secretary of the G.S.S.F., Mr. Steve Ninvalle then proceeded to deliver a comprehensive Report to the membership, giving a brief background from its establishment in August 2014 to the end of the reporting period of 31 December 2015. He indicated that the Federation conducted thirteen G.S.S.F.’s
Range Discipline & Firearms Safety Courses which is the elementary and essential safety seminar offered by the Federation. Mr. Ninvalle indicated that for 2015, the Federation has successfully hosted five Steel Challenge competitions and four Practical Pistol matches at the GDF’s Timehri Ranges with the fifth Match unfortunately being cancelled because of a prior event at the Range. The Practical Shooting Matches continued to be open to all established Practical shooters, with invitations being sent also to the Guyana National Rifle Association but regrettably it was reported that there has been no response on this. The Federation’s final Match at the end of the year saw the attendance of some members of the Guyana NRA’s IPSC group due to the sharing of this invitation to the Regional Director of IPSC for the Region of Guyana, Mr. Harold Hopkinson. The Secretary further re-
ported on affiliations, stating that the G.S.S.F. is affiliated to three international bodies, the Steel Challenge Shooting Association, the Amateur Trapshooting Association and World Archery Federation. Mr. Ninvalle reported to the members that on July 31, 2015, GSSF was accepted as a permanent member of the World Archery Federation at the 51st World Archery Congress, in Copenhagen when Guyana was among a handful of nations unanimously accepted to Permanent Membership. Thereafter, the Federation in collaboration with World Archery Americas, successfully hosted its Inaugural Archery Development Seminar conducted by international archer/coach Mr. Diego Torres of Columbia The focus of which was archery safety, the fabrication of PVC bows and teaching the correct form for target archery. Shooting sessions were held at the National Gymnasium for (Continued on page 73)
Letter to the Sports Editor
Concerned over the Port Mourant Turf Club Dear Editor, I write seeking your attention on a matter that, in my humble belief, if addressed properly, can result in a direct positive impact on a community in Berbice and give new found hope to our youths. Sir, the Port Mourant Turf Club has been with us for years but at present it is being grossly mismanaged and as a result not fulfilling the purpose of its mandate and creation. At present eighty percent of the trustees have passed away including Marcel Crawford, his wife Lilian Crawford, Gregory Vanderstoop and Mr. Pompey. The mismanagement is now being run by two PPP
supporters who are the only trustees remaining. These two gentlemen seem to have only their own personal issues to deal with and not that of the Club. There is currently a letter in the system from Mr. Crawford recommending new trustees to be put on the board. To this day nothing has been done. I wonder who really is in charge of Port Mourant Turf Club. If I recollect it was said that the British had left that for the People of the Community under Guysuco‘s Supervision. Until recently Guysuco was providing free electricity and water to the facility. This new Government has declared that much more empha-
sis would be put on sports. Why can’t the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport get on board with the Management of Guysuco to establish a new management committee at the club. There is an infield at the track where other sports can be played including cricket and football. The staging more sporting activity will have a direct and positive effect on the young people in and around that community. Sir the benefits are endless, animals are grazing there currently while our children can be using it. Is our focus animals or children? Yours sincerely, Concerned Horse Owner (Name supplied)
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 79
PCL First-Class Cricket George Marshall remembered as a foundation pillar of bodybuilding Singh’s ton highlights rainy day Donald Sinclair, Yale Holder and Eustace Abraham reflects
Yale Holder
Eustace Abraham
By Franklin Wilson
ing. Gyms were few in number - a sprinkling in Georgetown, Berbice, Linden and West Demerara. Venues for national contests often meant the Critchlow Labour College in Woolford Avenue or Luckhoo Pool on Easter Monday.” Sinclair recalled that Marshall’s dedication to the sport shone through in those primitive beginnings: “Soon, he became Guyana’s first IFBB-accredited judge, and was Guyana representative on numerous CAC judging panels. At the Kingsrow Barbell Club, he continued to train alongside and coach many of the Guyana’s top bodybuilding legends. Even after he ceased to be active in bodybuilding administration, George never missed a bodybuilding contest. Sleep well George, the body is tired, the brain needs a rest.” Eustace ‘Robo Cop’ Abraham remembered Marshall as being a very frank and outspoken individual: “He was sometimes pessimistic but with good intentions in other words, he is the kind of person, who says things that we would think about, and this is why some people found it difficult to understand him. We got along well because I understood him. He was what I term, ‘Old School’. He was a fair and knowledgeable Judge. He will be greatly missed.” Another former president, Yale Holder noted that Marshall dedicated more than 20 years to the sport beginning as a competitor before taking on the challenge of becoming an administrator. Holder remembered Marshall taking on progressively more challenging roles in order to develop the sport he loved. In the administrative realms, Marshall took on the role of a General Council member, then as Treasurer, General Secretary and President. His contributions to the sport was recognized by the then
The bodybuilding fraternity in Guyana and the diaspora continues to reflect on the passing of former Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Honorary Lifetime Member, President and first IFBB Judge, George Albert Somercille Marshall who passed away on Tuesday last. Marshall has been described by many as one of the foundation pillars whose efforts and contributions on and off the stage have made an indelible mark in the advances the sport has made over the years up to present. Kaieteur Sport sought the comments of former Presidents Yale Holder who resides in Canada, Donald Sinclair and athlete, Eustace Abraham who still competes. Sinclair noted that with the passing of Marshall, it is clear that a stalwart of the bodybuilding community has departed this space. ”George and I shared an association in the domain of bodybuilding that spanned more than 40 years. It seems just a few short weeks ago (in fact it was close to 40 years ago) that George rode up on his motor cycle to my Queenstown residence to get me interested in playing a role in the then association. He had a very clear vision of what needed to happen for bodybuilding to move forward and also knew clearly who would be assets in that process (those who were to be enlisted) and who would be obstacles (and those were to be circumvented).” Sinclair further reflected that in the 1970s, gyms were essentially bottom house affairs - places that looked more like factories or foundries minus the fire - a far cry from the modern carpeted floors with high tech equipment that are part of the modern setting. ”George was seeded in that early era of bodybuild-
Donald Sinclair
George Marshall the IFBB Judge GABBFF under Holder and he was conferred with the title of Honorary Lifetime Member of the GABBFF. ”On a more personal note, in the early stages of my involvement in the sport George asked me to join the federation to assist him in its development. He was a mentor when I initially joined, showing me the ropes and giving guide with his vast experience and knowledge. He gave me additional responsibilities helping to elect me to General Secretary where we worked closely together to elevate the sport. ”He was also very involved in the activities of Kingsrow Barbell club, with coaching and development activities for up and coming bodybuilders and general fitness fanatics. He also supported our sister sport the powerlifting federation, serving as a Judge and MC for many of its activities. His dedication to the development of our sport will surely be missed. We have lost a brother in iron, a true stalwart and one of our most enduring contributors.” The Funeral Service for the late George Albert Somercille Marshall is set for Thursday February 18. Viewing of the body will take place at Merriman’s Funeral Home from 12:00hrs to 12:45hrs. Funeral Service will be held at St. George’s Cathedral from 14:00hrs with Tributes beginning at 13:00hrs.
By Sean Devers
On another truncated day 121 minutes were lost due to rain in the sixth round PCL four-day First-Class encounter between Guyana Jagaurs and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Providence Stadium yesterday, Vishaul Singh’s unbeaten 104 was the highlight of the depressing day for handful of fans present. When bad light stopped play at 17:14 hrs, the Red Force were 136-3 in reply to the Jaguars’ 237, spearheaded by Singh’s innings which lasted 329 minutes, 218 balls with 14 fours. Reyad Emrit (3-44), Marlon Richards (3-41) and debutant off-spinner Jon Russ Jagessar (3-59) were the wicket-takers for the Red Force who were led by an elegant 49-run third wicket stand between Narsingh Deonarine and Yannick Cariah, who reached a fighting unbeaten 58 from 125 balls, 172 minutes decorated with five fours and a six by the close.
The Jaguars resumed on 204-7 and Devendra Bishoo (11) was taken at gully off Jagessar at 215-8 while Gudakesh Motie (2) was also removed by the impressive Jagessar at 22-3. Singh on 97 was in danger of being left stranded in the 90s. Singh late cut Deonarine for his 14th boundary to reach his fourth century and third for this season. His 100 came from 205 balls and 327 minutes as he became the only batsman with 500 run this season. Rain stopped play after 88.3 overs with the score 2299 and Singh on 101 and Keon Joseph yet to score. After a delay of 41 minutes play restarted at 11:18hrs. Joseph hammered Khan to the mid-wicket boundary while Singh swiveled and pulled Khan in the same overs. The new ball was taken after 90 overs and it was given to Richards. Singh was dropped at gully off Richards on 104 in an otherwise unblemished innings. But Emrit wrapped up the innings when he had Jo-
seph (6) caught at third slip leaving Singh unbeaten. The Red Force reached 19-1 by lunch in overcast conditions, Kyle Hope (9) edged left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul to Leon Johnson at slip in his first over after Reifer and Joseph had sent down four overs with the new ball. After the interval, Lewis smashed Permaul for two delightful boundaries in the over but rain at 13:15hrs delayed the restart by an hour and 15 minutes. When play resumed Lewis began in pugnacious fashion and hit three fours and six but he threw his wicket away, a reckless off-drive to Bishoo at mid-off trying to ‘take on’ Joseph with the total on 49 and his score on 26. Deonarine got off the mark when he deliberately went over the top to fellow Albion spinner Permaul and dumped him for a one-bounce four over the head of mid-off. Yannick Cariah was looking good and played some nice shots as Joseph bowled with good pace on the easy paced track but was also inconsistent with his line. At Tea the Red Force had reached 62-2 with Cariah on 22 and Deonarine on 4 and after the break Deonarine continued to bat fluently and executed back-to-back boundaries off Permaul. The left-handed third wicket pair of Deonarine and Cariah grew in confidence as their innings progressed and both batsman played some handsome shots on the heavy outfield before Deonarine, who seemed to get an inside edge, was given LBW by Umpire Nandkumar Shivsankar. Deonarine’s demise came at 98-3 and his 18 came from 51 balls, 56 minutes and included three fours. Skipper Jason Mohamed joined the well set Cariah who batted with a mixture of tight defence and sensible attack as Bishoo in particular found a nice grove and back to the ‘old’ Bishoo. Motie was soon introduced and the leading wickettaker this with 34 scalps, continued to impress with his guile. Cariah reached his fifty with a pugnacious pull for four off Motie and celebrated with a stunning cover driven boundary off the next ball. His seventh First-Class half-century came from 116 balls, 164 minutes with four fours and a six. Mohamed supported well with an unbeaten 18 going into today’s penultimate day which is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
Rising Sun, Inshan Bacchus $4.5M Horserace meet
CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying C/ship
Banks DIH, Trophy Stall, Jumbo Jet, Chester Fry Chicken among sponsors
Guatemala on Lady Jags’ radar today; Guyana going all out for a win
Preparations have heightened for the Rising Sun Turf club in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service Mashramani one day horserace meet slated for Sunday 21st February at the Club’s entity Rising Sun Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. The event which is being held in memory of the late VP of RSTC, Zaleena Habibulla Lawrie, is dubbed “Hellie’s Day of Racing at Rising Sun.” Eight top notch races are carded for the day with prize monies totaling over $4.5M in cash and trophies are up for the taking in what is expect to be a scorching day of racing. So far over 40 animals have been entered with the feature event being taken care of by Banks DIH Limited and the action is expected to be intense. The feature C class event which will be called the “Hellie Mile” has a total prize money of over $ 1.6M with the win-
ner set to race away with an encouraging $800,000 and trophy compliments of Banks DIH Limited over 1600M. The E Class event has a winner’s prize of $500,000 and trophy over 1400M. The G3 and lower showdown will see the animals running for the $320,000 first prize in a 1000M contest. There is a race for H class horses with the pole position taking set at $300,000 and trophy over 1100M. The I class event is usually very competitive and as such the organizers has put up a winning purse of $260,000 and trophy over 1100M. The event for horses classified J and lower will see the winner receiving $200,000 and trophy over 1100. A first prize of $160,000 and trophy is available for the winner of the race for K and lower animals also over 1100M. The animals classified L and lower will race over 1100M for a winner’s pocket
of $100,000 and trophy. The nation’s largest horseracing sponsors Beverage Giants Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall, Chester Fry Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, Hablaw Meat Centre are among the sponsors so far on board. Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market as usual is on board with sponsorship for the individual prizes which includes the champion jockey, champion trainer and champion stable among others. The Race will be held under the rules of the Rising Sun Turf Club. Persons interested in being a part of the day’s action can contact Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry at Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 232-0232 or 6577010, Donald La w r i e o n t e l e phone nos 225-4530 or 2254565. Entries are expected to close today. Bugle time is 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Guyana Boxing Board of Control ‘Hostile Territory’
Elton Dharry to fight former world champion, Felix Machado, as organizers readjust card By Michael Benjamin They say that in life the only constant is change and officials of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) were forced to conform to this anomaly and effect changes to the boxing card slated for February 27 at the Giftland Office Max Mall, Liliendaal ECD. International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Bantamweight champion, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry, was scheduled to face off with Panamanian boxer, Israel Hidrogo, in a 10 rounds bantamweight duel but reports are that the Panamanian pugilist would be unable to keep his ring date. They say good tidings can lurk behind bad news and this view was effectively endorsed after the organizers were able to fill the void with another lucrative proposition. As such, Guyanese boxing buffs will see an ex-world champion, Venezuelan, Felix Machado, who has replaced Hidrogo, battling Dharry in a ten rounds non-title bantamweight scrap. This much was relayed to Kaieteur Sport Friday afternoon by referee Eon Jardine.
Mandessa Moses
Dexter Marques
Mr. Jardine said that Hidrogo’s misfortune had forced officials to readjust and they immediately contacted Machado’s management team and were able to seal the deal. Both Dharry and Machado are expected in the country on February 23 to keep their ring date. Machado commenced his career in August 1993 with a lopsided victory over his countryman, Elvis Montoya and won the Venezuelan bantamweight title on points against Jesus Rattia within a year after stripping his shirt. He added the WBC FECARBOX super flyweight title to his collection in August 1995 after outpointing another of his countrymen,
Fernando Blanco. The Venezuela added the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight title to his collection in April 1996 after forcing the referee to call a halt to his bout with Alcibel Flores in the 6th round. That win improved his world rankings and it was not long before he faced off with Vicente Rivera for the WBA World bantamweight title which he won after forcing the third man to call a halt in the 5th stanza. Things went a bit awry for Machado and he suffered a few losses that culminated with a loss to Giovanni Caro in November 2010 before Machado decided to take a sabbatical. A rejuvenated (Continued on page 73)
By Franklin Wilson in Houston Texas compliments of Fazia’s Collection, Crown Mining Supply, Anglin Enterprises USA, Stag Beer, Germans Restaurant, Queensway Security Service Guyana’s Lady Jags will be aiming for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, a victory over Guatemala when the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, Group B continues today at the BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas. Like the Lady Jags who qualified as the Caribbean’s third place team, Guatemala, which qualified as the second placed Central American side lost their opening matches to Canada and Trinidad and Tobago by 5-0 and 1-2 margins respectively. Despite the loss to Canada, the 11th placed side in the World Rankings, the 89th placed Lady Jags is confident of doing better against a Guatemala side that can be eliminated from contention today. Guyana can also be eliminated from contention with a loss against the Guatemalans. Head Coach Mark Rodrigues informed that yesterday’s session went well with the girls adapting very well to the tactics that would be used in today’s match. He also shared that the team had a mental session on Friday evening as they sought to get pass the reality of the loss to
Canada while refocusing on today’s challenge. ”Specific tactical changes will be employed; it’s a complete game plan for Guatemala’s game. There are so many benefits that came out of the game against Canada, it’s hard for others to understand but there were tremendous benefits. We were able to see Guatemala play on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. They too were able to see us play but all they saw was how great a defending team the Lady Jags are, so we’ve got a lot more information at our disposal.” The Lady Jags’ ability to defend was severely tested against the Canadians and having put behind what can be the most difficult hurdle in the group, will certainly look forward to playing more freely against the Guatemalans today as well as Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, their final group match. Captain Ashley Rodrigues, who plays with Tampa Bay Helenic in the USA will be the chief tactician on the field in midfield and will be hoping for a good game with the intent of leading her side to a win against Guatemala in the first meeting between these two sides at this level. The Lady Jags are not expected to play an overly attacking game but will be, at least in the opening minutes, gauging their opponents be-
Female Volleyball outreach slated for Sunday 21st February at Skeldon The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA), in its continue drive to bolster its programme and have more female volleyball teams participate in the game, has organised a female Volleyball outreach for Sunday 21st February at the Skeldon Line Path Community Centre. A number of female teams including seniors, U19, school girls are expected to participate in the day’s activity which is expected to get started at 09:00 hrs. A number of players and teams from the Orealla, Siparuta areas are also expected to the coastland for the event. Lectures, coaching and a few exhibition games are part of the day’s programme. Resource persons are expected to include BVA president Levi Nedd and former President Gregory Rambarran. (Samuel Whyte)
fore going for the juggler. In the Trinidad contest on opening night, last Thursday, Guatemala were slower to the ball than the T&T side which won the Caribbean leg of qualifying. Like T&T, the Lady Jags have some quick players in their lineup and forwards Otesha Charles and Calaigh Copland will fancy their chances of carving out what will be a memorable win for their side, when achieved. Along with Captain Rodrigues in the engine room will be Alison Heydorn, Ashlee Savona, Mariam El-Masri and Olivia Gonsalves. Warm up matches for the team has not been a reality but despite this, the Lady Jags, a unit that has been closely knitted, have endeavored to always give 100% on and off the field of play when they are called upon despite the challenges. Leading the defensive line will be the rock solid and experienced Custodian Chante Sandiford along with sisters Briana and Kayla De Souza, Justine Rodrigues and Kailey Leila. Guatemala were awarded a penalty in the first half against T&T which they converted. The Central Americans, which have now lost both matches they have played against T&T by similar 1-2 margins never really threatened the Twin Island defence during the match, the Caribbean side did miss on a few occasions as they dominated the entire second period of play. The Guatemalans will be led by defender Coralia Monterroso who plays with the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Yoselin Franco will be in goal with the other possible members of the starting X1 being Marilyn Rivera, Christian Recinos, Gliria Aguilar, Jennifer Munoz, Ana Lucia Martinez, Vivian Herrera, Kellin Mayen, Didra Martinez and Andrea Rabanales. Kick off time is 12:30hrs Texas time; 14:30hrs Guyana time. The feature clash today brings together Canada and T&T from 15:00hrs, 17:00hrs Guyana time.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 81
Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition
Bishop’s High, Carmel and South Ruimveldt register wins Bishop’s High, South Ruimveldt and Carmel were the teams registering victories when the Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition continued yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. In the day’s full results: Game-1 Christ Church-0 vs Richard Ishmael-0
Game-2 Bishop’s High-5 vs School of the Nations-1 Bishop’s Scorers Kofi Victorine-24th Shemar Britton-28th Joel Morrison-30th Mark John-32nd Lemar Williams-35th School of the Nations Scorer Raymond Perez-20th Game-3 Central High-0 vs South
GCUC BGM set for today The Bi -Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) will be held today at the Union Building, Woolford Avenue at 10:00 hrs. Among the items on the
agenda are reports from the various counties’ associations and election of office bearers. Members are asked to make a special effort to be on time so as to facilitate a prompt.
-Action continues today Ruimveldt-4 Junior Thomas-24th Leon Charles-34th Adrian Aaron-55th Cecil Jackman-60th Game-4 Carmel Secondary vs Sir Leon Lessons Carmel won via walkover
Part of the action in the clash between eventual South Ruimveldt (green bibs) and Central High yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 14, 2016
Double header feature as UDFA Division one league resumes tonight Federal Winners to be challenged by Hi Stars, Panthers oppose Blueberry Hill
Marmalaque Davidson
Devon Caesar
Tony Adams
The Upper Demerara Football Association Division One League, which was halted for the playing of the GT Beer year end tournament, will resume finally tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground with a double header card. Second placed Federal Winners Connection, who have seven points, three behind leaders Topp XX, could join the podium position with a win when they face Hi Stars in the second game of the night at 8.30pm, while in the first at 6.30pm Blueberry Hill take on Amelia’s Ward Panthers. The Winners Connection have played five games, winning two, losing two and drawing the other, while Hi
Stars have five points to be in the fourth spot having won one game, losing two and drawing one. The triple time GT Beer champions are confident that they can walk away with this title having the quality forward Marmalaque Davidson and veteran Rawle Gittens on the forward line, midfield duties with Keon Sears, Chris Young and Gary Thompson and a defence led by Marlon Maxius and the best defender of the GT beer tournament and MVP Derrol Dainty. The Hi Stars side can create an upset but they may find themselves in a quandary if they rest their hopes on forceful striker Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams, which could prove their undoing
against such a strong opponent. The first game is between Blueberry Hill who have four points from five games with one win, two losses and one draw with their opponents the Panthers also with four points but have played one less game, four played, with one win, two losses and one draw. The Panthers are looking to Jevon Babb and Ray Bobbsemple to get their goals principally with Kevin Plowell and Marlon Simon having roles at the midfield and defence to cater for. The Blueberry Hill side will depend much on their goal getters in Devon Caesar and Levi Fraser and a battling all round team.
Sonics convinced it can win National Basketball Championship
By Edison Jefford Mark Agard Jason Squires Trevor Smith Pepsi Sonics may be literally short on some aspects of the one off this time around; I with national guard, Jason game, but confidence does think we have a very good Squires. Agard stated that he not seem to be one of them. chance of getting to the will not be specifically The Mandela Avenue-based semis,” Agard said, adding relying on any one player, basketball team is oozing that some of his key players but is aiming to build a confidence ahead of Mega are injured, but that will not complete roster that will be M e c c a I I I : G u y a n a ’s be a hindrance since they able to compete for the N a t i o n a l B a s k e t b a l l have about three weeks to National Championship recover before Mecca III title. Championships. jump ball. In that regard, he noted Sonics’ Coach, Mark Agard informed that he is that it is likely that players Agard was not at a lost for words yesterday. He made it not the only team that is such as forward, Rawle clear that Sonics is one of the n u r s i n g p l a y e r s w i t h White could return to the t e a m s t o b e a t i n t h e injuries, but importantly, he team’s roster to add some tournament. The former will be ready for the national experience. But holistically, national junior and senior tournament. According to Agard says he has the tools coach informed Kaieteur the notable coach, the to win and that will be Sport that his team will be shooting guard, Trevor demonstrated during the S m i t h i s c u r r e n t l y Championships next month. among the Final Four teams. recovering from an Achilles “I am not as up-tempo as “Honestly, we are one of some teams, but with my the top teams in Mecca; we injury. Smith is a main part of defensive press, I can will be among the last four the Sonics offense along (Continued on page 73) teams. We have to pull this
Sunday February 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 83
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Tournament
Champion Boys, Showstoppers highlight Night Two action
Part of second night action in the West Side Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Tournament currently being played at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. C h a m p i o n B o y s , encounter preceded the clash Marvin Josiah-25th Game-6 S h o w s t o p p e r s , C r a n e between Showstoppers and Game-3 West Side Ballers-1 vs Raiders and Comfort Ballers Patentia Street Ballers which Crane Raiders-1 vs Harmony Ballers-‘B’-1 were among the winning the former won 2-0 through DeKinderen United-0 West Side Ballers won 1-0 teams on the second night of s t r i k e s f r o m O w e n Kevon Jones-14th on penalty kicks action in the West Side McGarrell (3rd) and Marvin Game-4 West Side Scorers Guinness ‘Greatest of the Josiah (25th). Samaroo Dam-0 vs Morgan Denny-23rd Streets’ Futsal Tournament In the night’s full results: Comfort Ballers-1 Harmony Ballers-‘B’ Scorer which continued on Friday Game-1 Mark Boyce-11th Keifer Adams-16th night, at the Pouderoyen Champion Boys-1 vs Water Red Card-Nathan AllicockGame-7 Tarmac. Street Agricola-0 12th minute Brothers United-1 vs Best Kevin Rahat’s 13th Kevin Rahat-13th Spitting on a player Road Ballers-0 minute strike secured full Game-2 Game-5 Gadi Hoyte-7th points for Champion Boys in Showstoppers-2 vs Patentia Bagotstown Warriors-1 vs Game-8 their clash against Water Street Ballers-0 Harmony Ballers-0 Agricola Upsetters-1 vs Street of Agricola and this Owen McGarrell-3rd Eon Alfred-11th Shattaville Gunners-0
GFF Stag Beer Elite League
Slingerz commences campaign with 1-0 win over Pele
League Genesis champion Slingerz FC commenced the second round of their campaign on the right footing with a 1-0 win against Pele in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League on Friday, at the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayanganna. Captain Tichard Joseph 32nd minute strike from the penalty spot made the difference between the two teams, before a fair-sized crowd. Joseph’s right footed effort was placed into the lower left hand corner, leaving the opposing goalkeeper no chance of saving.
Tichard Joseph
Jermin Jefford-8th
The victory means that the West Demerara-based unit collected three points, while Pele was left without a point. In the other game of the double header, League Genesis runner-up Alpha United and Fruta Conquerors encounter ended
in a 1-1 draw. Darren Harris put Alpha United in the 36th minute with a neat finish into the lower left corner from the centre of the box, before Conquerors equalised in the 66th minute through Shaquille Agard after he dinked his effort over the advancing
goalkeeper from a Jahaal Greaves through pass. Both teamswereawardedapointeach. Action in the League is set to resume today, at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) in Bourda with another doubleheader. In the opening encounter
a t -Alpha draw with Conquerors 18:00hrs, the Guyana Defence Force second, third and fourth ( G D F ) t a c k l e B u x t o n placed teams will take home United, while GFC engages $2million, $1million and Monedderlust FC in the $500,000 respectively. Additionally, the point’s feature contest at 20:30hrs. leader prior to the knockout The winning team will receive $4million, while the stage will pocket $1million.
t r o Sp CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying C/ship
Guatemala on Lady Jags’ radar today; Guyana going all out for a win
Lady Jags defenders will be aiming for a clean sheet against Guatemala.
PCL First-Class Cricket
Singh’s ton highlights rainy day
Narsingh Deonarine plays defensively to his Albion team mate Veerasammy Permaul at Providence yesterday.
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