Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IS VITAL It is without question that Guyana’s economic outlook does not seem promising, as the prices of the country's biggest financial earners - sugar and rice - continue to fall on the global market while the price of oil is increasing. Except for gold, there is less international demand for these products, which is a setback for the economy. In the past, mere lip service has been paid to the urgent need to diversify the economy and to lessen the dependence of the country on sugar, rice and bauxite, the three main pillars of the economy. The government must embark on measures to stabilize the economy from these external shocks. It presents the perfect opportunity for the administration to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset that can lead to new developmental strategies, innovation and value creation. In a shrinking economy like what Guyana is currently experiencing, there is little debate that the entrepreneurs must be the drivers of needed expansion. The dwindling economy has led to high unemployment and underemployment among youths. Employment opportunities are slim for the thousands of high school and university graduates each year. The onus is on the government to have the University of Guyana train students not only to pass exams but for them to aspire to be entrepreneurs - essentially to create jobs rather than to knock on doors looking for jobs. More than ever, the government needs to focus on institutionalizing an entrepreneurship education programme at UG. This would require an ongoing cycle of learning and innovation that will bring about sustainable job creation in a tight job market, in addition to boosting the economy. This is the perfect opportunity for the University of Guyana, the premier post-secondary education institution in Guyana, to integrate the development of entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and behaviours into its core curriculum. We reiterate that students acquiring this skill set will seize the opportunity to imagine and create successful ventures, by shifting their focus away from finding jobs to creating a space for themselves in the marketplace. They will in essence turn obstacles into opportunity. For decades, governments have always made speeches about the need to diversify and expand the economy, but not much has been done to match words with actions. The depreciation of oil prices by more than 50 percent in the past year had provided a great opportunity for the government to expand the economy. This should have been its focus, especially at a time when there were clear signs that the economy was sliding. It should have been a no-brainer for the coalition government. But now that oil prices are rising again, it will be difficult. Entrepreneurship education is vital. It was not on the agenda of the last administration, which left several unfinished projects all over the country for the current government to complete. Unfortunately, that administration did not realize how significant entrepreneurship education was or even took the time to invest in the idea. As a result, it did not make any plans in that regard. If serious consideration had been given to this and the vast resources of the people were pooled to really tackle it, the country may not have been in the dilemma it is today. In a period of economic uncertainty, there are all sorts of problems. It is time for the government to take action to improve the economy. It is pitiful that our governments have continuously relied on foreigners, who have very little knowledge of Guyana, to develop the economy. This administration needs to break away from that mentality and allow Guyanese experts to help in the pursuit of meaningful change in all sectors. The country will not find its way if it is always depending on foreigners to rescue it.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR COUNSEL SHOULD CONCERN EVERYONE Dear Editor; The recent appointment of Senior Counsel (SC) by the President of Guyana may not concern most of us too much. This is seemingly not as sensitive as the revocation of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre lease by the government; and it certainly is not as sensational. But believe me when I say that it should concern every one of us. The issues are far more serious than they may first appear. However, I think that we should put into context the appointment of SC before we examine the full weight of the government’s actions. It is imperative that I note that what follows is primarily a condensation of the historical and contemporary facts relative to the appointment of SC. For this purpose I have had recourse to good old fashion Google; the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Law Association commissioned Report on the appointment of SC in Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o

(courtesy of Attorney-atLaw Selwyn Pieters); and a quite extensive letter penned by Karl Hudson-Phillips QC (published in Trinidad Newsday Newspapers on January 4, 2012). The legal system of Guyana, and most Englishspeaking territories in the Region, is primarily the Common Law System. In simple terms, the material feature of our legal system was inherited from England through colonisation. Even today most of our laws are just a carbon copy of antique English colonial laws. In 1597 in England the first Queen’s Counsel (QC) was appointed (the term used is ‘given a patent’). The title was enlarged to include King’s Counsel (KC) in 1603. The appointment is made by the monarch of the day, whether queen or king; hence the corresponding reference of Queen’s and King’s Counsel. It is really an honour conferred on the most eminent lawyers who have distinguished

themselves in practice over a stipulated period of time. You must have heard the term ‘Silk’ in reference to senior attorneys; this is because upon appointment, the senior attorneys wear silk gowns. Like our laws, the practice of elevating senior attorneys was handed down to us in the Region. After we (countries in the Region) attained independence we changed the name of the title to Senior Counsel, while retaining its substance. Guyana last appointed SC in 1996. On Saturday, December 31, 2016 the Ministry of Presidency announced the appointments of nine (9) persons as SC effective as at January 1, 2017. The persons appointed are Neil Boston; Charles Fung-A-Fat; Roxane George-Wiltshire; Llewelyn John; Vidyanand Persaud; Rosalie Robertson; Rafiq Khan; Claudette Singh; and Basil Williams. The core criteria for the appointment of SC in Guyana appear to be

‘exemplary experience, erudition, excellence, and diligence in the practice of the law’. Most of these names may be unpopular to most of us. Included in this list are practicing judges and non-practicing attorneys. What is wrong with this? Well here is where we start to examine why the President’s appointment of some of these persons (and nonappointment of others) is worrisome. It has been customary since the appointment of QC/KC (and now SC) to confer this honour on practicing members of the Bar (the formal name for the general body of attorneys); meaning attorneys who are actually appearing in court to defend clients. A Senior Counsel, ideally, is the standard bearer of the profession. He or she sets the standards of skill and conduct all other attorney should aspire to achieve. This is no small responsibility. In England (Continued on page 5)

2016 was bad for rice farmers but 2017 will be worse Dear Editor; Rice production fell by more than 13% for 2016, the first negative growth since 2005 when the La Nina big flood impacted on rice. The Minister of Agriculture stated that rice production was about 600,000 tons; in fact it fell below 600,000, interrupting the annual record-breaking performance which started in 2008. Beginning in 2011, the rice industry recorded a new single crop record every crop for nine straight crops, in spite of some serious inclement weather. The first crop of 2015 was the largest single crop production in our history, at about 375,000 tons. The successive new records for a single crop for rice production was interrupted in the second 2015 rice crop, production falling to below 300,000 tons. There was also a 20% reduction in acreage under cultivation from about 93,000 to less than 71,000 hectares. Both 2016 crops have failed to reach 300,000 tons. The downward trajectory in rice production has forced APNU+AFC into silence. Unlike the end of 2015 when they boasted

about rice production, their 2016 rice posture is a virtual silence. In 2012, rice production topped 400,000 tons for the first time. In 2013, rice production exceeded 500,000 tons. In 2014 production reached 635,000 tons. After the first crop in 2015, production exceeded 375,000 and Guyana was above pace to attain the targeted 700,000 tons. The actual 675,000 tons in 2015 was another record, continuing the work of the PPP government. But, the second crop of 2015 was the smallest since 2011. Now in 2016, the downward trend started in the second crop of 2015 continues unabated. The weather in 2016 was more friendly for rice than the weather in 2014 and 2015. What then caused the downward trend in rice production? The Minister has an obligation to explain to the Guyanese people what happened. The Minister of Agriculture boasted that they secured 35 destinations as market for Guyana's rice. Let him inform the nation which one of these is entirely new and which one the government secured in 2016. All of the 35 destinations for

Guyana's rice in 2016 existed in 2014. It is true we sold more rice to Europe in 2016, but that market was there and we voluntarily reduced our export to Europe between 2009 and 2015 because we chose Venezuela as a more profitable export d e s t i n a t i o n . We l o s t Venezuela by the end of 2015 and so we were forced in 2016 to send more rice to Europe, a lower-priced market. The Mexico market which we always supplied with a very small amount was claimed by PM Nagamootoo to be a new large market towards the end of 2015. He took personal responsibility and credit, but it never materialized in 2016 and there is no indication it will materialize in 2017. Even if it does, it will be a low-priced market. The real catalyst for the downward trend in rice production is farmers are getting between $1,500 and $2,200 per bag for their paddy, far below the more than $3,000 they got up to the first crop of 2015 and a far cry from the $9,000 APNU+AFC promised farmers. Incidentally, some of Guyana's rice still ends up informally in Venezuela.

There is credible evidence that some rice supplied to Venezuela by a certain country comes from Guyana. There is also evidence, as the Minister admitted that some millers are selling rice to Venezuela. It is a small amount, but the farmers do not benefit from the premium prices the PPP Government negotiated with Venezuela. It is reckless to abandon the premium prices in Venezuela only to see our rice ending up there anyway, without benefiting from the premium prices, simply because of the arrogance of APNU+AFC. Blaming bad weather is a cop out. Rice farmers consistently cope with inclement weather. The weather in 2012, 2013 and 2014 were actually less friendly than it was in 2016. What was different in 2016 was farmers had minimal to no support for drainage and irrigation. The MMA was less responsive and the pumps that operated in several regions functioned below optimal capacity. Often there was not enough fuel and just as often the pumps were down, in need of maintenance and repairs. Non-support to cope with (Continued on page 5)

Friday January 06, 2017

The “lease of Red House” does not exist; it never did DEAR EDITOR; I point to Anil Nandlall’s insistence that the government as landlord to a faulty lease could not use its own failures of due diligence in securing that lease to invalidate it, merely because of a change of political administration. However, Red House the monument – which could no longer be considered mere ‘immovable property’ as would a regular building – had already been vested in the Trust and cannot be leased without the Trust as lessor, and without the permission of the Minister. One might as well claim ownership of the 1763 Monument by obtaining the transport for the Square of the Revolution from Lands and Surveys. Unless, CJRC Inc constructed a new structure for its supposed educational purposes, as per the terms of the lease, no structure on the three lots can be said to be in its ownership. Of course, that simply deals with the legal issue. The ethics still remain. By gazetting Red House as a national monument in 2000, the PPP ensured that the state remained obligated, ironically under the National Trust Act, to upkeep the operations of the monument, including maintenance, staffing and utilities. They then authorized the CJRC as a not-for-profit – made up of PPP people including at some point Dr. James Rose, then Executive Chairman of the Trust – to run the

facility as it saw fit and to earn revenue from both fundraising activities and the rental of the facilities, including to state agencies. What the PPP had in essence created was a thinly disguised cash cow, without any independent scrutiny, all the overheads of which – and a considerable part of client revenue – was paid for by the state. And of course, the lawns of Red House were a regular venue for Freedom House soirees. Further, in March of 2012, the $12,000-a-year ‘lease of Red House lands’, as it should properly be called, represented a maelstrom of interrelated conflicts of interest, with one person at its epicentre. Dr. James Rose was at the time simultaneously Chairman of the National Trust, Director of Culture under Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, and a principal of Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc. As Chair of the National Trust, he was colleague of Mr. Doorga Persaud, Commissioner of Lands and Surveys and signatory to the ‘lease’ ostensibly on behalf of the Commission; as principal of CJRC Inc, he was colleague of Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, signatory to the ‘lease’ on behalf of CJRC Inc. And, as Director of Culture, he had overall policy and operational oversight for cultural heritage preservation and protection, including from illicit appropriation. Yet at no point did the Trust, the membership of which consisted of both Rose

and Persaud, object to the ‘lease’ of a gazetted national monument which was its property, a transaction in which it played no part as prescribed by law. And if there were an omission to execute the Order of transferal, it should have been flagged and corrected by both, Persaud in particular, before the ‘lease’ was executed. It is unfortunate that the current NTA protects individual members of the Trust from suit because, in my humble opinion, there is a prima facie case here for gross and deliberate dereliction of duty by both Rose and Persaud. In closing, the “lease of Red House”, the gazetted national monument, is not merely invalid or a nullity in law – it simply does not exist and never did. If anything, what the Honourable Chief Justice’ task it is to decide is whether the ‘lease’ of Lots 65, 66 & 67 is valid considering the lands’ strange ownership by the Lands and Surveys Commission in 2012, when they should have properly been vested in the National Trust since 2000 under Section 15 (2) of the National Trust Act. I suspect it is an oversight she will be compelled by the spirit – if not letter – of the law, to correct. To quote one of Mr. Nandlall’s favourite aphorisms, ‘The Law is not an ass”, no matter how the selfperceived ‘best and brightest’ among us may wish to make it so. Ruel Johnson Cultural Policy Advisor Government of Guyana

APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR COUNSEL... From page 4 and Wales for instance there is what is called a ‘Competency Framework’ which stipulates the qualities which must be possessed by persons charged with the heavy responsibility of being a QC/KC (or SC). In brief, these senior practitioners must be experts in the law whose knowledge is always current and relevant; their oral and written advocacy must be exceptional; they must have an impeccable working relationship with their clients, the courts and other stakeholders in the justice system; their comprehension of diversity and the spectrum of cultural issues, coupled

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with their ability to promote equality, must be strongly persuasive; and their integrity must be beyond reproof, this in observance of their oath, the Legal Profession Act and the ethics of the profession. This list is more expansive in Trinidad and Tobago. It is not feasible for me to give an exhaustive list here. You see my people, the role of the legal profession in the preservation of our democratic way of life is little understood and often trifled with, sadly both by the practitioners and the lay person alike. The public engages attorneys, who have taken an oath to skilfully and honourably advance the

causes of the citizens, with the objective of maintaining civil decency and preserving the rule of law. These factors are at the heart of the democratic process; and should be had regard to, even in a society like ours which pretends to be a democracy. It follows logically that if the standard bearers of the legal profession are appointed in a manner contrary to what is customary then this infraction is a stake in the heart of our democracy. If the standard bearers of our legal profession do not conform to the strictest criteria for appointment as SC then this too is a stake in the heart of our democracy. Ronald J. Daniels

PPP and PNC have mortally damaged the Guyanese people DEAR EDITOR; These two political parties – the PPP and the PNC – have mortally damaged the psyche of the Guyanese people. Just look at the fiasco that is ensuing in connection with the Red House issue. Imagine there are people on the side of the PNC that have turned out to oppose the vigil of the PPP. If this is not political, social cohesive and moral/ commonsensical backwardness, what is? How can the Granger administration and President David Granger himself not understand how damaging to the psyche of any PPP follower, this regressive move will be? Can the PNC not realize that such a move does not make for peace? Does Mr. Granger not understand that he cannot continue to claim to be the champion of Social Cohesion and yet engage in this kind of divisive behaviour? It is obvious that this new administration has a multitude of square pegs in round holes and that they lack the vision needed to move this country forward. After two years, the Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ali, has been kicked out of her position. The United Republican Party (URP) has long argued that she was never the right fit. How can Minister Ali, the ‘Chief Whip’ of the PNC, be asked to serve as the minister charged with bridging the political and racial gap between the two parties and the country? Then we have Minister of Health Mr. George Norton. He was caught lying about millions of dollars he awarded to his buddy and was found guilty of insider trad-

ing, now he has been disgracefully maintained as a minister; even though he was unceremoniously removed from his esteemed position. This administration, which continues to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to corruption, crony-ism and bully-ism, is taking this country down a regressive, oppressive, authoritarian path. The PNC’s old ways are quickly resurfacing. The URP is convinced that this is not what the Guyanese electorate voted for. This latest Red House saga is the latest in a constant rollout of the dangerous enactments of this regime. Why are they so bent on enraging the Guyanese populace? These constant moves of the PNC-ites show utter disdain for the will of the citizenry of Guyana. From the unconscionable removal of the vendors, to the institution of the draconian parking meter, to the utter disrespect shown to the rice and sugar farmers, to the bait-and-switch of the young voters, to the 2017 budget (with its vat on water and light) this Granger-led Government seems to be on a collision course with common sense, logic and patriotism. It is the unnecessary and untimely decision made concerning the Red House that we focus on today. It would have been to the benefit of all if some discussions were engaged in to amiably include the desires and intent of this government and the other stake holders. If the PNC has problems with how the Red House was being utilized, then that too could have been a part of the discussions. It does not take a rocket

scientist to reveal that Guyana is morbidly racially and politically divided. This is so because of the very kinds of behaviour now adopted by the PNC. One would think that knowing the history of Guyana (Mr. Granger himself a historian and the originator of the Social Cohesion Ministry) much thought and restraint would have been employed in such a delicate matter but alas, political bully-ism trumps Social Cohesion and historical correctness. We remembers that when the increased tariffs were agreed upon for electricity in Linden, the Lindeners rejected the idea and even though Mr. Granger and the then Opposition had signed off on the increases, the PPP walked back the tariffs. Where is that spirit of cohesion? Where is that magnanimous leader that the Guyanese first envisioned in Mr. Granger? The PNC-ites are now trying to conjure some sort of nonexistent drama as it relates to the former President Residence, turned Castellani House. Let the records reflect that there were no protests or substantial objection to the move of establishing an art gallery at that property on Vlissingen Road. Additionally, that building was never designated a research center, nor a historical building designated to the life of President Burnham. Such is not true about the Red House, for not only did Dr. Jagan live there but it was also designated a historical building and a research center in his honor and that should be respected. The URP of which I am the (Continued on page 6)

2016 was bad for rice farmers but... From page 4 drainage and irrigation problems, low paddy prices, late payments, high fertilizer prices and paddy bug infestations have combined to cause reduced acreage under cultivation and lower production. The government want to cultivate hundreds of acres of rice after misinforming people that rice cultivation is already in place at Wales and the first crop should be reaped in March 2017, we now have been informed by GUYSUCO that, in

fact, no rice is presently under cultivation. We have also been told that hundreds of acres will be cultivated at Skeldon. Inquiring minds want to know why the government would compete with farmers. Rice has always been a purely private sector activity. With government as a

competitor, they will coerce millers into being preferred sellers of paddy. In short, we end 2016 with rice farmers under assault, not just ignored, but penalized in 2016. Rice farmers confront a bleak and dreary 2017. I expect further reduction in rice production in 2017. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

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From clean-up campaign to sustainable environment DEAR EDITOR; As we experience the rainy season and floods, the search is on again for solutions, that is, sustainable solutions. Let me start by stating that there is need for a comprehensive sustainable community sanitation and environment programme to complement other similar initiatives. In 2012, we commenced the development of a framework for a sustainable sanitation programme which requires communities to take the lead in cleaning their environment. The framework is called ‘Cleanliness and Citizenship – Community-Led Total Sanitation’ (C&C-CLTS) and the concept was borrowed from the CommunityLed Total Sanitation (CLTS) behaviour change approach that was developed by Kamal Kar from India. C&C-CLTS is a model which presents a programme for communities to progress from clean-up

campaigns, to a sustainable environmental programme to motivate, mobilize and organize communities to reduce the practice of ‘Open Garbage Disposal’ (OGD) and clean up communities so they become ‘Open Garbage Disposal Free’ (OGDF) and environmentally friendly; this is done by igniting and sustaining a change in sanitation and environmental behaviour. It concentrates on the whole community rather than on individual behaviours. The collective benefit from stopping open garbage disposal (OGD) can encourage a more cooperative approach. It allows for people in communities to decide together how they will create a more clean and hygienic environment that benefits everyone. The Ministry of Communities, Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), municipalities and relevant authorities cannot sustain a programme

at this point that will maintain a clean environment in communities; there has to be a structured organized collectivist approach which includes community leadership. Many of us have participated in several clean-up campaigns which were not sustained. We have seen the massive cleanup exercise for the 50th Anniversary celebrations, and even that was not sustained; C&C-CLTS offers a short, medium and long term solution. Over the years the configuration of the family and communities has changed; twenty years ago, families consisted of seven, ten and in some cases fifteen and more persons; hence the family could have carried out sanitation and environmental tasks which current demands and limitations do not allow. Family members are now engaged in employment and many other activities outside the home and its environ-

ment, therefore as the society evolves and the institutional construct changes, for instance the family, there is need for other institutional changes. These challenges relative to the current configuration of families and communities have created numerous employment opportunities. There is now a demand for environmental and sanitation services which were provided previously by families. Hundreds of jobs can be created by communities through the implementation of a C&CCLTS framework in communities across Guyana. Additionally, with a key national focus on a green economy, there is need for a framework that will sustain a sanitation and environmental programme in communities. C&C-CLTS will also fill the gap of the community component in the National Solid Waste Master Plan, since it focuses on mobilizing and

Do not compare Tacuma Ogunseye with Eusi advantage of the East because I exposed his finan- of Guyana. Kwayana toral cial skullduggery at SARU? Tacuma cannot want to go Indians. DEAR EDITOR; I refer to a letter from Mr. Nigel Westmass, whom I do not know. However, I do have a lot of respect for his academic writings. Mr. Westmass must not assume what he does not know. I just want to make it absolutely clear; I Sasenarine Singh do know Tacuma Ogunseye. I was in the room at the JFK Library in Georgetown in the early 1990’s, in front of political leaders and US Embassy officials at the time, when Tacuma made the call to import AfroGuyanese from the Caribbean islands into Guyana as a means to suppress the elec-

Does such a person come across as someone who believes in multi-racial unity? Tacuma is no saint as Mr. Westmass, his WPA colleague is attempting to paint him, he is actually a very racist and violent person and he more than anyone else know what he preached on Buxton Line Top to the domestic terrorist of Guyana who was driving fear throughout the land at that time. Secondly, Tacuma is no Eusi Kwayana, and such a thought is nothing but wishful thinking. But isn’t it hypocritical to ask me to take the high road in the debate with Tacuma, when the person who really needed to take the high road was Tacuma. Isn’t it Tacuma with his baseless comments, who used low-life and untruthful propaganda generated by Kwame Mckoy to attack me,

How can a PNC/WPA/ APNU man use PPP propaganda to advance his argument? Can we not see the contradictions and confusion in Tacuma's mind? But this just exposed the desperation of Tacuma. Is Tacuma prepared to do anything to protect his $8 million salary? In his quest for easy gold coins, none of what Tacuma said so far was the truth, so how can he be an honest person? It is unfortunate that Mr. Westmass had to sully his character to come to the defence of this smutty racist individual who was one of the intellectual authors behind the domestic terrorist who cause much destruction all across Guyana for years. Tacuma, s h o u l d not have been at SARU, he should have been in jail again for his violent history against the East Indians

to crab- march and expect the skeletons in his closets, not to be exposed. I know much more stuff on Tacuma that I have chosen at this time to hold fire on. Out of respect for Mr. Westmass, I will take the high road and make this my last letter on this issue, for now. Not everyone will tolerate the infantile rant and raving of Tacuma, he must grow up and learn to debate on issues and ideas. He must also know that many people have his sordid history well documented, so he should be careful what he says in future and focus on his work. Hopefully he recovers a donkey “kart” for the government soon. So far his professional incompetence continues to bungle the work of SARU at a great loss to the taxpayers. But that one is on the Granger administration. Sasenarine Singh

organizing communities around keeping their environment clean. In 2015, with funding from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), we were able to train over forty C&C-CLTS Community Facilitators from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to facilitate programmes for communities to become OGDF. We have also developed eleven sanitation and environmental services which can be provided within communities by CSOs or private businesses; the essential objective of these services will be for communities to attain the status of ‘Open Garbage Disposal Free’. There are some specific criteria which were developed to enable communities to attain the OGDF status. The eleven service area are: Tree trimming, tree cutting, tree planting, weeding and cleaning, cleaning gutters, manufacturing garbage bins with covers, cleaning and painting garbage bins, landscaping, gardening, removal of construction and builders waste materials and earth removal. Ideally, if some aspects of the programme become instutionalized within the Ministry of Communities this will ensure its sustainability, particularly the aspects of monitoring the progress of communities on the C&C-CLTS Open Garbage Disposal Free programme, providing technical and other support to remove solid waste from communities after clean-up exercises, certifying communities which have achieve the status of OGDF, developing an incentivised system for communities which have been

certified and declared OGDF, and to monitor these communities in order to identify and prevent slippage. Some of the recommendations from the training included that C&CCLTS be used as a solution for solid waste management at the community level; further training be done for a trainer of trainers; more C&CCLTS facilitators be trained for both the Ministry of Communities and CSOs; the communities from where the representatives from the CSOs were drawn become the pilot areas for support to attain OGDF status; representatives of these CSOs be trained further in organizational strengthening so that they can legally register their organizations; support would be given to persons who are employed by these CSOs to enable communities to attain OGDF status. Further, training for persons employed by the CSOs could be trained in the eleven business areas mentioned above (such as, tree-cutting, flower gardening, landscaping, making garbage bins and covers); that the CSOs from the pilot communities be supported in setting up their groups and organizations as businesses to provide sanitation and environmental services and create employment for residents in their communities; that the Ministry of Communities adopts the C&C-CLTS programme as a framework for addressing solid waste management problems in communities; and for the international donor community to include the C&C-CLTS framework as a programme area and provide support to CSOs to assist communities to attain OGDF status. Audreyanna Thomas

PPP and PNC have... From page 5 leader continues to be disappointed at the way in which the two political parties govern Guyana. The PPP and the PNC always manage to find ways to engender and highlight the worse racial fears of the Guyanese people. From the outlandish re-

marks of the PPP leaders to the autocratic positions of t h e l e a d e r s of the PNC, Guyana finds itself in a 50 yearold backward struggle, led by selfish, greedy, power-hungry politicians. The New Year has begun with a nasty political bug - one can only imagine how it will end. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu

Friday January 06, 2017

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Govt. undermining SARU …After 20 months, there is no excuse for the sloth in recovery of stolen state assets - Dr. David Hinds

SARU Head, Professor Clive Thomas By Kiana Wilburg After careful consideration of the APNU+AFC administration’s actions since it came to power, political activist Dr. David Hinds is convinced that the Government has not moved as aggressively as it ought to, especially as it relates to the recovery of stolen assets. The Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) made this comment during a recent interview with Kaieteur News. Dr. Hinds said that he is miffed with the less than forthright attitude of the government on the issue of corruption and the recovery of stolen state assets. “The administration started out well by setting up the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), but it undermined the unit by dragging its feet on the legislation to empower the unit. “Surely, after 20 months, there can be no reasonable excuse for the sloth on a matter that is of major importance to the integrity of the country and to the morale of government’s supporters. The tragedy of this lack of decisive action is that corruption continues even though the government has changed, and many of the corrupt people are still in the system. Corruption in Guyana is a culture whose tentacles spread far and wide.” Dr. Hinds was adamant that until the authorities act

SARU’s CEO, Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-Retemyer in a decisive and serious manner, both the per p e t r a t o r s a n d t h e society at large would not t a k e t h e i r e x p l a nations seriously. He emphasised that those who created and presided over the “criminalized State” are more and more, “acting and looking like saints and saviours”. “Ominously for the government, the accused are now boldly accusing them of corruption. That is why I would not have advised them to move against Red House at this time. If you want to move, do so against a hard target like Pradoville Two. Soft targets like Red House are tempting, but as we have seen over the last few days, it could undermine your cause.” At SARU’s end, officials there maintain that the desire to take down corruption remains alive. But without legislation, this department of the Ministry of the Presidency remains confined to a straitjacket. Providing an update on the Bill, SARU’s CEO, Major (Rtd) Aubrey HeathRetemyer said, “We are of the understanding that plans are still on course for it. But we have done our part.” He recalled that there were a number of concerns raised by the Private Sector and those were addressed in a most comprehensive manner by SARU Officials. The Chief Executive Officer said that there were also some concerns expressed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),

Attorney General Basil Williams

Dr. David Hinds

Shalimar Ali-Hack, to the effect that the Bill makes a demand on her to comply with instructions of SARU when it becomes an agency, thereby diluting and compromising the constitutional powers and role of her office. Heath-Retemeyer said that those fears were abated after further discussions between SARU and the DPP. With regard to the Bill and the process for its passage in the National Assembly, the SARU CEO said, “When we last spoke to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, we were given the assurance that by early next year (2017) , it would be read in the House.” He confirmed that the Bill had been with the AG’s Chambers months ago before October in fact. Heath-Retemyer said, “It was passed on to his office months ago and we were assured that he had everything that he needed. We were hoping it would have been read since October, but I believe that there were matters that the AG needed to have clarified. This was only communicated to us until recently. We did clarify those and we have the assurance that the Bill should be before the House sometime next (this) year.” The SARU CEO said that

he is concerned with the manner in which the Bill is being handled. “SARU remains in a straitjacket. And yes, it concerns me, because the longer we wait the more people will think that the government is not serious about addressing asset recovery, or corruption, or those damning forensic audits.” Be that as it may, HeathRetemyer said that the Attorney General has told SARU “…that he is not dodging us, but that he is resolute about getting this Bill passed. He had other issues he had to attend to.” The head of SARU, Dr. Clive Thomas has on numerous occasions, spoken to the importance for attention to be placed on recovering stolen public assets. He said that the “rampant corruption under the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) should not be ignored”. Dr. Thomas stated that any new government pursuing good governance would seek to recover the nation’s assets, which were mismanaged in “some of the most despicable and corrupt ways.” He had said, “A clear line must be drawn against past illicit/corrupt behaviour in order to prevent their future repetition.”

Second suspect in C’tyne cambio dealer robbery detained After weeks of continued investigation into the robbery of Cambio Dealer Devendra Churaman at Number 79 Village, police in Berbice have managed to detain another suspect in connection with the robbery. Crime Chief of B Division, Gary McAllister told this publication that, “We have a suspect in custody and we are continuing with the investigation”. According to McAllister, the suspect was placed under arrest some two days ago based on information received about his possible role in the brazen robbery. On December 19, a teen from Sand Hills appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown and was charged for robbery under arms committed on Devendra Churaman. He was remanded to prison. Just a few weeks ago a 15-man gang armed with AK-47s, shotguns, cutlasses and sledgehammers launched an attack on the businessman, firing multiple shots in the process. Five of the men who were all masked entered through the front window of his two-storey building by smashing the glass with a sledgehammer. The businessman was alone at the time and was left traumatized after the bandits held him at gunpoint while demanding cash and jewellery. They also used a sledgehammer and hammered through a steel door in his house to gain access to his bedroom. The men eventually escaped with some $20 million in local and foreign currency along with $1 million in jewellery. Investigations are continuing.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

VAT (AMENDMENT) BILL 2016 ….

House passes legislation to go after ‘crooks’ and ‘tax dodgers’ By Kiana Wilburg The Value Added Tax Amendment Bill No. 27/2016 was the centre of a heated debate yesterday in the National Assembly. The Opposition wasted no time in discrediting the Amendments to the Bill stating that it has the makings of an instrument that will do nothing more than undermine the constitutional right of citizens to travel outside of Guyana if their taxes are not up to date. The PPP stressed that the Bill will give the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the power to prohibit persons from leaving without having to present a court order, give prior warning, or even a hearing. It is a power the opposition party fears, will be abused and leave citizens open to the whims and fancies of the Commissioner General of GRA. Elaborating further on this line of argument was former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. The Opposition member cited one amendment as mentioned in the Bill. That amendment was in relation to Section 45 (1) of the VAT Act. It says, “By deleting the pro-

viso and substitution for the colon a full stop.” Nandlall said that on the face, this one liner appears innocuous. He stressed however that it comes with devastating consequences for Guyanese. To understand the magnitude of the consequences to come, Nandlall sought to explain to citizens watching via live stream that their freedom to enter and leave Guyana is guaranteed by the Constitution and captured in Article 148 of that document. That article reads, “No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, that is to say, the

right to move freely throughout Guyana, the right to reside in any part of Guyana, the right to enter Guyana, the right to leave Guyana and immunity from expulsion from Guyana…” He then went on to quote Section 45 of the VAT Act. “Where the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that a person may leave Guyana without paying all tax due under this Act, the Commissioner may issue a certificate to the Chief Immigration Officer containing particulars of the tax due and request that the Chief Immigration Officer take the nec-

essary steps to prevent the person from leaving Guyana until the person makes– (a) payment in full; or (b) an arrangement satisfactory to the Commissioner for the payment of the tax ‘Provided that the Commissioner cannot proceed under this subsection unless he has obtained an Order of the Court in respect of the tax due.” The Parliamentarian said that this is the proviso that is being removed. The former Attorney General said that the GRA’s Commissioner General will therefore be empowered to prevent a person from leaving Guyana without notifying him, giving him a hearing, and without presenting a court order. As such, he believes that this is inconsistent with Article 148 in the Constitution. He concluded that the effect of the amendment is simply unconstitutional. Nandlall said, “Why would a government want to remove the resort to the court? Why would you want to stop

a person from leaving without giving him a hearing? Why would you want to give such vast powers to an office without any check and balance given the possibility that it can be abused? I am becoming more and more convinced that we are sliding into authoritarianism.” Finance Minister, Winston Jordan firmly disagreed with the argument put forward by his colleague. He said that the bone of contention is who the GRA is really going after. Jordan said, “Are we going after Priya Manickchand whose taxes are up to date? Are we going after Joseph Harmon whose taxes are up to date, or anyone whose taxes are up to date for that matter? No. We are going after all the crooks that owe taxes and find every legal loophole, and all the high priced lawyers.” The Finance Minister continued, “Guess what Mr. Speaker? Those who are paying their taxes will be forced to pay more. And they are forced to carry those who can build fancy palaces and mansions and take holidays and go where ever they want to go with our money.” He added, “So the burdened taxpayers in this country have asked us to say enough is enough. We will strengthen the armory of the GRA and even further, the Commissioner General, to ensure he goes after all those who are cheating their taxes. We are targeting those who are dodging paying their taxes.” The Finance Minister then turned his attention to

Nandlall’s referral to the VAT Act. He sought to hammer home the fact that in the case of the Income Tax Act, there is no need for a court order. Section 71 of the Income Tax Act states, “Notwithstanding anything in this Act, where the Commissioner is of the opinion that any person is about to or is likely to leave Guyana without making arrangements to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, when required by the Commissioner to do so, for the payment of all income tax that is, or may become payable by that person under this act , on his income accruing or derived from Guyana or elsewhere up to and including the year in which he proposes to leave Guyana , the Commissioner may issue a direction to the Commissioner of Police or Chief immigration Officer or to both to prevent such person from leaving Guyana without paying the taxes or furnishing security to the satisfaction of the Commissioner for the payment thereof.” The Finance Minister said that with the proposed amendment in the Bill, Government is seeking to do two things; make both acts uniform – Income Tax Act and Value Added Tax — and to ensure that GRA is armed with the powers to prevent those who owe taxes such as VAT, from leaving. “I wish to reiterate to the public that we are not going after you who are paying taxes. We are going after the tax dodgers,” Jordan added. The Bill was subsequently put to a vote and passed as printed.

Friday January 06, 2017

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Kaieteur News

The National Trust and Red House The arguments being advanced in relation to the effect of the National Trust Act on property rights to Red House are self-defeating. They do not lend credibility to the actions of the President or those who attempted to gain possession of Red House recently. It is for the Court to adjudicate on the lawfulness of the government’s actions in terms of its attempts to evict the present occupants of State House. The government has the option when the time comes to use the National Trust Act as part of its defence.

Such an invocation is however likely to be the counter to the government’s case of establishing the invalidity of the lease previously granted to the Cheddi Jagan Research Institute or whatever name is ascribed to its legal personality. Rights may be accrued by ‘operation of law’ but property only changes ownership by the perfecting of the act of vesting. The government will have its day in Court. It will have the opportunity to establish that the act of vesting Red House in the name of the National Trust was perfected. But if this argument is used,

then the National Trust will have to explain why, for all these years, it allowed the present tenants of Red House to operate without any protest from the Trust about unlawful occupation or trespass. The government’s claim to trespass is only relevant to the extent that it can prove that it had possession of the land. Trespass is not a criminal offence. A remedy for trespass has to be pursued through civil action. In order to do so, the claimant must establish “possession”. It is for the Court to decide whether the government had “possession” of Red House

on the day the edict of eviction was issued. If in the case of the Red House, the government can prove that ownership was vested properly in the National Trust, this does not automatically grant to the Trust possession of the property. The National Trust, therefore, cannot sue for trespass on this basis. If the government claims ownership of Red House by the National Trust, it will also be confronted by a number of legal obstacles, none of which works in its favour. Section 15 of the National Trust Act addresses the des-

CARICOM congratulates Haiti’s president elect Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has congratulated Haiti’s President-elect Jovenel Moise who was this week declared winner of the country’s November 20 presidential elections. “The Community looks forward to the inauguration of the President-elect on February 7, w h i c h w ould signal the return to constitutional governance and the continuation of the strengthening of Haitian d e m o c r a c y, ” said LaRoque in a release yesterday. Moise, 48, a banana

e x p o r t e r, w o n 5 5 . 6 p e r cent of the votes in the first round of the elections. His major challengers, Jude Celestin, JeanCharles Moise and Maryse Narcisse contested the count and after a verification process, the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) declared Jovenel Moise the outright winner on Tuesday. He will replace interim-President Jocelerme Privert, who led the country after former President Michel Martelly left office without a successor in February last year. (CMC)

CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

ignation of monuments as national monuments and the vesting of such monuments in the National Trust. This Section must be read in conformity with Section 5, which delineates the functions of the National Trust. The Trust is principally concerned with preservation of property, of beauty, or historic interest, and the vesting of property in its name is more concerned with ensuring the preservation of monuments, and not so much with ownership and control. It is not the objective of the National Trust Act to dispossess owners of monuments of public interest, whether those monuments are publicly or privately owned. This is made clearer by Section 19 of the said National Trust Act, which allows the National Trust to be designated guardians of monuments of national interest, regardless of who owns that monument, be that entity public or private. If the government advances the argument that the National Trust is the owner of Red House by virtue of the

provisions of the National Trust Act, then the President and the Ministry of the Presidency have no locus standi in relation to Red House. If, as is being presently contended, it is the National Trust which owns Red House, then the President has no say in this matter. The Ministry of the Presidency has no limb on which to attempt to take possession of the property and to evict its present tenants. If the argument is that the National Trust owns Red House, then it is the National Trust alone which has to give notice to its tenant, not the Ministry of the Presidency. The arguments being advanced at present about the National Trust and Red House are self-defeating to the government’s case.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

My theory is both contextual and philosophical At the philosophical level, I reject with emotional firmness and attitudinal inflexibility, the longevity of individual leadership. It is not healthy for human freedom and intellectual thinking. It stultifies the moral foundations of society. Power is so dangerous that it should never be concentrated in the permanency of possession. I long became suspicious of Fidel Castro’s liberation credentials when I saw his acceptance of permanent leadership. Castro ruled Cuba a few months shy of fifty years. I could never accept such longevity of power, and I have strong philosophical reasons, some of which I alluded to above. Now for the contextual argument. In Guyana, there is not an ordinary but a devastating weak human resource base. It has had a terrible negative effect on the application of knowledge to development. And this is in all spheres of life here; in engineering, surgery, bureaucracy, governance, media, education – the works. This tiny human resource base is going to graphically show up in the face of the Guyanese people when the oil

boom arrives. At every level, we need people with skills and experience. With our young population, we have to share those skills and experience. In this context, I find the Granger Administration extremely unthinking. Take our diplomatic appointments. With our young population and with this country set to reap the benefits of oil, our young people need as much exposure in diplomacy and international relations as they can get. Our recent diplomatic appointments simply do not gel with modern thinking. Let’s go to the private sector. If you examine some of the top financial houses, none of the boards have young, smart graduates, whether from UG or foreign universities. This part of Guyana is an enduring old boys’ network. I know two lecturers at UG, each of whom has three Masters in business-related subjects from western universities. I doubt they were ever asked to sit on the board of any of these financial houses. This is where the country loses out in the accumulation of skills and experience. This has been a long (maybe boring digression) response to a letter in

Wednesday’s edition of KN that criticized me for asking why Mr. K. Juman Yassin should not step down from the presidency of the Guyana Olympics Association after 25 years at the helm. I am glad and pleased that the writer, Harri Narine Singh, was correct in putting my attitude in its right perspective. The column in question was longevity of office. I had not one word to say about Mr. Yassin’s record as a sports organizer. I don’t know anything about the personal and professional life of K. Juman Yassin. I don’t know where he lives and what he does, except he is the president of the GOA I thank Mr. Singh for his kind words on my praxis but I will continue to embrace my theory, for both philosophical and contextual reasons, that longevity in office is not a useful purpose in the life of any country and in Guyana, it should not go on. Let’s look at sports administration from the standpoint of Guyana’s skills shortage. If the GOA presidency was frameworked in two terms only, it would have meant that for the past 30 years we would have had about five persons in Guyana with the skills and

experience of running an Olympics-based entity. We don’t, because when Mr. Yassin’s tenure is over he would have completed 30 years. It is the identical situation elsewhere. Name three persons with the experience of leading the largest trade union in Guyana in the important industry of sugar. The answer is that for the past 35 years, there has only been one such person - Mr. Komal Chand. He was reelected to serve again in September last year. Name four persons with

the craft of administering the affairs of a human rights body. Mr. Mike Mc Cormack has been at the helm of the GHRA for about 40 years. The head of the Guyana Consumers Association was physically incapacitated for over a decade but did not give up on the headship. Her deputy succeeded her. He had been the deputy for almost 20 years. Four years ago he became the head. He isn’t going to leave soon. Lincoln Lewis is a personal friend of mine, but he has been the General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress for 17 years.

Frederick Kissoon The simple lesson to learn is that in the context of our poor and tiny human resource index, term limit has superb, positive effects – it allows for the expansion of skills and experience in the population. That is commonsense, man.

Dem boys seh...

NICIL hire a Slippery Boss and a Slidey Deputy NICIL call a press conference, last week and from de time dem reporters enter de room, three of dem realize something fishy going on. Dem see Jamesey but didn’t see Idle Odle, de head man. De press conference go on and when dem reporters ask who and who owe money to NICIL, Jamesey name couple company. This is de same Jamesey who use to head Linmine. He, Jamesey, now tek over from de fat crook who use to be he boss. When asked at de press conference about all who owe NICIL, he call some names; only about four. Is when de press conference story publish, dem boys find out that Linmine is one that owe NICIL, but he Jamesey

never mention that company. Why? De whole country know wha go on at NICIL under Jagdeo de scamp and Brazzy de fat crook. When dem boys direct Jamesey to de audit report, he seh de audit wrong; that NICIL did nutten wrong. He mek Brazzy look like a altar bai and Bharrat like a pandit. He mek dem reporters smell something fishy. Dem boys decide to dig a little, only to find out that Jamesey was de head and is still de head of Linmine. He use to report to Brazzy. And now he reporting to heself, just like Brazzy. People only find out by accident that Jamesey still heading Linmine. And he try to hide de fact. As a matter of fact he was stam-

mering when de reporter ask him if he is still de head of Linmine. De man answer, “Well…Ah…Yes…You can say that.” Dem boys want to know which mouth he talk wid. Is another Brazzy gone in at NICIL and Jamesey got de same size as Brazzy. Dem boys ain’t certain about de appetite fuh drinks and food. What dem boys certain about is that de head, Idle Odle, slippery and he Jamesey slidey. What dem ain’t certain about is who telling de truth. De audit on NICIL show that Linmine owe NICIL almost US$7 million. Slidey Jamesey seh is an error; de auditor wrong. But de auditor seh de books don’t lie. Talk half and keep you eye on Slippery and Slidey at NICIL.

Main suspect arrested in Williamsburg death One of the main suspects in connection with the death of a domestic worker whose body was recently discovered in a trench at Williamsburg, Corentyne, was arrested yesterday. Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam confirmed to Kaieteur News that the suspect was arrested in the Albion district. He further disclosed that the police are still on the hunt for a second suspect He stressed, however, that his ranks will work diligently to locate and arrest the second suspect. "We are working to get the other person as

well", he said. On December 29, the body of 49-year-old Mohan Ball, of Williamsburg, Corentyne, was discovered in one of the trenches inthe backlands of Williamsburg, by children who were playing in the area. The body bore several marks of violence. According to information, two men beat the domestic worker mercilessly after an argument. His body was then dumped in the trench. Meanwhile, a post mortem examination which was conducted on Ball's remains was inconclusive.

Dead: Mohan Ball

Friday January 06, 2017

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Kaieteur News

What’s the truth?

Goolsarran says LINMINE still owes NICIL $1.3B …but NICIL’s Officer in Charge, who also heads LINMINE, contends otherwise The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is on a mission to recover millions of dollars owed to it by various government agencies and other subsidiaries. This was revealed at NICIL’s first end-of-year press conference held on December 30, last. There, Officer in Charge of NICIL, Horace James told the media, “We have quite a few (companies) in court”. He indicated that the struggling Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) owes NICIL just about $61M for the rental of 199 Camp Street property. James said that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) owes NICIL $74M for works done at Sparendaam. This is for upgrades at Pradoville. These were paid for by NICIL. But, the entity was supposed to be reimbursed by CH&PA. He informed the media that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure also owes NICIL $174M. NICIL had paid for works done on Battery Road leading up to Marriott. James said, “There are other agencies that owe us and they amount to about 30; which are just normal transactions.” The Officer in Charge of NICIL did not mention anything about LINMINE’s outstanding payment to NICIL as noted in the

forensic audit report on NICIL which was prepared by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran. James, who is in charge of LINMINE, was subsequently contacted about this. He said, however, that he was made to understand some time ago that this was an error in Goolsarran’s report. When this was relayed to Goolsarran, the forensic auditor said that he maintains that the money is still outstanding. The former Auditor General said that LIMNINE is a separate legal entity and a 100% subsidiary of NICIL. Therefore, Goolsarran said, in principle, all expenditures incurred by NICIL on behalf of LINMINE should be recovered. Goolsarran said that during the period 2002-2014, total operating expenditure of NICIL was $2.144 billion of which LINMINE accounted for $1.260 billion or 59%. He said that apart from the operations of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge, it is unclear what the activities of LINMINE were to justify the above expenditure and why such expenditure was not recovered. He said that NICIL commented that “Linmine represented a loss on the NICIL side with the expenses related to securing the many assets that were still being held, pending a sale or lease in a transparent manner. In

Officer in Charge of NICIL, Horace James fact, by virtue of this being a NICIL department, the Treasury was insulated from supporting these operations”. NICIL further commented that in 2003 the LINMINE Secretariat was set up to: (a) facilitate the privatization of LINMINE; (b) manage the Watooka Complex and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge; and (c) safeguard the assets that were not part of the part of the privatization. Goolsarran said that in 2003, LINMINE was recorded in the books of NICIL as a subsid-

iary with a value of $3.483 billion. He said that in 2004, the value was reduced to zero, and up to the time of reporting LINMINE remained a subsidiary of NICIL. “In 2002 and 2003, the Auditor General had disclaimed his opinion of LINMINE’s financial statements because of uncertainties of a fundamental nature, mainly relating to fixed assets, inventories, accumulated losses and lack of evidence that the entity had the ability to operate

Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran for the foreseeable as a going concern,” the Chartered Accountant noted. He said that LINMINE’s latest audited accounts continued to show share capital of $3.483 billion. “Therefore, a significant discrepancy existed between the accounts of NICIL and those of LINMINE. NICIL commented that in 2004 LINMINE was privatized and the assets that were not part of the privatization were vested in NICIL, hence the written-down value of the invest-

ment to zero. Notwithstanding NICIL’s explanation, the discrepancy still remained.” Apart from the above, Goolsarran said that the financial statements of NICIL for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed that the LINMINE Secretariat is indebted to NICIL in the sum of $58.288 million. Goolsarran said that there is also a related party transaction involving LINMINE which showed an amount of $2.059 million owing to NICIL.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Allegations of corruption in award of $$B contract…

Gov’t will respect findings of IDB probe - Minister Patterson Government will respect the findings and recommendations of an investigation that is currently being carried out by an anti-corruption arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) into a major electricity project. On Wednesday, during an end-of-year press briefing of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Minister David Patterson, admitted that there has been a complaint filed to the Office of Institutional Integrity (OII), an independent arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He said that as far as he is aware, the project in question has not been halted. “I was informed that it generally takes one month and that time is rapidly expiring. Due process will prevail and we will respect whatever the results,” he said. The project in question is a US$18M-plus one to run new low and medium voltage transmission lines along the coast and the installation of at least 25,000 new meters. It is targeting an improvement of the efficiency of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL). However, the controversial project was thrown in limbo after one of the bidders complained that the evaluation process was corrupt and that the winner, China National Machinery Import and Export (CMC), should not have qualified. The aggrieved bidder, Co-

lombian-owned Enrique Lourido, which has partnered with local contractor, Fix It Depot, is also insisting that it is highly questionable that the Government of Guyana has agreed to pay CMC $1B over the engineer’s estimate, despite other bidders being qualified and lower in the tender amounts. The bidder is expected to be joined by at least one other company in its protests in the coming days. The project, part of a bigger one to improve the technical efficiency of GPL, has been generating attention locally, not only because of the billions of dollars involved, but with questions raised over the procedures to evaluate the bidders. The tenders of the rehabilitation project had been opened since February, and were only reportedly granted Cabinet’s no-objection a few weeks ago – more than nine months later. There has been no official signing of the contract with CMC, the Chinese company that was reportedly awarded the project, as is normal with a state project of this magnitude. It is unclear whether CMC has received any monies as yet. An investigation by the IDB’s anti-corruption and anti-fraud would have effectively halted any disbursements. The IDB has been known

Minister, David Patterson to blacklist contractors and ask for retenders when fraud and other irregularities are found with the projects it is funding. The Parliamentary Opposition has already slammed the delay of the award, noting that it was taking too long and that it appears that something was wrong. Guyana officially learnt of the award when questions were posed to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during considerations of the national budget in the National Assembly. Patterson said that CMC was the lowest responsive bidder - meaning they would have satisfied all the requirements to be a successful bidder.

IDB is expected to take into account a critical consultant report on the construction of seven sub-stations and two power submarine cables by CMC. According to Patterson, the contract is a part of a much larger contract for US$64M and at the time of the tender this was the engineer’s estimate. But there was a delay in terms of the assessment. So “when the assessment was done, the cost was determined by the evaluators to be fair and they were recommended to us, not only to the government of Guyana but also to the IDB as well as the EU”. Both the IDB and the European Union (EU) are funding the US$64M power projects. The aggrieved bidder claimed that, in breach of cur-

rent procurement requirements, they were never told that they were disqualified or informed that an award was made. Five companies tendered for the project - China National Machinery Import and Export/Sino Hydro Corporation (China) - $7.1B; Multi Electrical System N.V. (Suriname) - $6.4B; China National Machinery Import and Export (CMC)/China Sinogy Electric Engineering Co. Limited – $4.6B; Cummings Electrical Limited - $3.67B and Enrique Lourido/Fix it Depot$3.5B. The award to the Chinese company had raised eyebrows, since the company was involved in the construction of seven sub-stations, running new high-powered

transmissions along the coastland and the laying of two submarine cables across the Demerara and Berbice rivers. The cable which was laid across the Demerara River was damaged in July under unknown circumstances. This left the East Demerara and Berbice areas without additional power being supplied by the new Vreed-enHoop power station for a number of months. It was only fixed recently. A key report by CEMCO, the local engineering company that supervised that project, had criticized the quality of work of CMC, including the laying of the submarine cable in the Demerara River.

Friday January 06, 2017

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Leaking of insider info at Health Ministry…

Report paints picture of collusion, “intimacy” with suppliers in contract awards An explosive report probing the leaking of information and the procurement of drugs at the Ministry of Health has found worrying instances of collusion with suppliers last year. The Board of Inquiry, ordered by President David Granger late last year, was headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d), Winston Cosbert. Based on the three weeks of investigation, it is now being recommended that the current Permanent Secretary, Trevor Thomas be removed for failing to effectively carry out his duty. He was also accused of being willfully evasive and deceptive during his testimony. It is not the first time that the Health Ministry has been under scrutiny for contracts. With billions of dollars annually allocated to the ministry to buy pharmaceuticals for its health centres and hospitals countrywide, state audits under the administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had found serious procurement flaws which tilted the process in favour of one companyNew Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) and its sister company. The Coalition administration, which came to power in May 2015, had vowed to level the playing field for pharmaceutical suppliers and implement systems to ensure

- PS recommended removed; shakeup in MMU

Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas transparency. But it appeared that wrongdoing at the Health Ministry was continuing. Procurement and management processes by which the ministry awards contracts for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, services and supplies were not adhered to in many cases, the report indicated. In some cases, companies were awarded contracts for products which they were not authorized to distribute in the first place. It appeared the ministry paid little attention to this. For example, Caribbean Medical Supplies was awarded a contract to supply HIV Rapid Unigold Test Kits for which they were not the authorized distributor. NO ATTENTION PAID Another company, Meditron Inc., was awarded a contract to supply four Hematology Analysers while they were not the authorized

distributor. Caribbean Medical Supplies signed a contract for $70.8M, with the monies paid, but the test kits were not delivered. There were incidents of unauthorized disclosure of information in a specific case, a supplier from Trinidad Western Scientific Company Limited. This was the same company that last year was blacklisted by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). It was alleged that Western Scientific President, Edwin McKoon, breached procurement rules by calling the ministry to verify which drugs were out of stock - this information had not even been made public yet. It showed clearly he knew what was going on. An Office Assistant, Kandasie Aaron, whose close relation to McKoon sparked the probe after a whistleblower threatened to go public, appeared to have been intimately involved with the Trinidad businessman. Despite evidence of several text messages between Aaron and McKoon being brought to the attention of the Permanent Secretary, he never took action. Rather, he transferred Aaron without an investigation. According to the report,

leaking of internal information to suppliers appeared to be normal practice in the Ministry. This had led to the dismissal of former Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan and Prakash Sookdeo, former Head of the Procurement Department. The report by Cosbert noted that while procurement laws have mechanisms, the ministry has nothing in place to identify authorized disclosure of price-sensitive information (leaking info to suppliers). It was found that staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) were untrained and unqualified to fill the job requirements. The PS and his deputy were not effectively supervising the Procurement Department. While under regulations, Collette Adams, the Deputy PS was in charge of procurement for the ministry, this duty was usurped by Thomas. The report said that inventory checks at the Management Accounting System appeared far more than what was found physically on hand. It was

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d), Winston Cosbert disclosed that almost $4B was budgeted for all health posts and regional hospitals except the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. NEW GPC Thomas testified that on October 4th, he signed a contract with New GPC, for

the supply of pharmaceutical and medical items totaling $554M. New GPC was supposed to be paid an advance of 30 percent. However, the ministry instead of paying $166M, paid 50 percent of the amount ($277M). This was a difference of $111M. The report stated that to cover up the matter, Thomas signed adjustment documents without informing other officials, like the then Minister, Dr. George Norton. It was also revealed in the report that Aaron, who leaked information to the Trinidad supplier, was “intimate” with the company’s President, Edwin McKoon - she even stored his name as Mr. Mokoy. She testified that they had started a relationship and became intimate. Among other things, it (Continued on page 27)

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Work on collapsed Stabroek Market Wharf to commence this year - Supenaam Stelling driveway to be extended - Rosignol, New Amsterdam, Morawhanna stellings to be rehabilitated

Despite promises made by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that remedial works to collapsed sections of Stabroek Market Wharf were going to be effected in 2016, vendors are still in harm’s way as they ply their trade in close proximity to the dilapidated areas. One section of the eastern side of the wharf collapsed in early 2014 and was followed by another later that year. The previous administration had given its

assurance that the issues would be rectified – however, upon their exit from office in May 2015, nothing was reportedly done to remedy the situation. Quizzed on the new Administration’s plans to fix the facility, Geoffrey Vaughn, the Coordinator of the Works Service Group (WSG), stated that the works to the wharf falls under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) and will begin this year.

Vaughn was at the time present during the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI)’s End-of-year Review and Projections for 2017 media engagement held at the Transport and Harbours Sports Complex, Thomas Lands, Georgetown on Thursday. Previous reports have indicated that the works are a part of a project called Guyana’s Waterfront Development Programme and entails the construction of

The dilapidated Stabroek Market wharf

boardwalks along Stabroek to Ogle and Vreed-en-Hoop. Last month, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan met the agency’s UK representative and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) officials who are overseeing the projects, “to convince them of the efficacy and the validity of the projects and what they mean for Guyana.” Guyana is now set to receive £ 53.2 million in grant resources which will be applied to the aforementioned waterfront development; water supply improvement and solid waste management among other major infrastructure programmes identified. Meanwhile during the General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Marcelene Merchant’s presentation in Georgetown last week Thursday, she revealed some of the plans for stellings, wharves and vessels in 2017, to improve the level of service provided to the citizenry. The T&HD was allocated $534M in the $250B National Budget for 2017. From this amount, $240M will be used on vessels while $294.2M, will aid in upgrading stellings and $20M for the construction of two water taxis. She disclosed that $130M will be used to extend the

current ‘narrow’ driveway of the Supenaam Stelling to permit easier passage of longbased trucks. The entire driveway has also been slated to be asphalted. M.V SABANTO’S COLLISION WITH SUPENAAM STELLING It was widely reported back in July 2016 when the M.V. Sabanto collided with the floatation unit and cluster piles causing extensive damage to the Supenaam Stelling. Subsequently, rehabilitation works were executed by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) to the tune of $17M, Merchant disclosed. Additional works were also done to the Stelling which includes: the rehabilitation to the sideloading system where three piles were replaced; the reinstallation of defective galvanized safety rails and lamp poles; and recasting of defective curb walls. Currently, works are ongoing to cover up sections of the driveway with asphalt. MORAWHANNA STELLING $20M will be used on the Morawhanna Stelling which will entail rehabilitative works on the bond, wharf, and the fender system. Also, $10M will be spent on rehabilitating the New

T&HD General Manager, Marcelene Merchant Amsterdam and Rosignol Stellings in Berbice. Work is slated to be done on lavatory blocks for staff and passengers, office space, lunchroom and a few deck planks. Merchant reported that works are ongoing on the Wakenaam, Bartica and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings and should be completed in 2017, while roll-over works on the Parika and Leguan Stellings have already been completed. Further, rehabilitation will commence on the dilapidated Mazaruni dockyard. The entire docking facility and workshop would be rehabilitated at a total cost of approximately $50M.

A damaged section of the Supenaam Stelling after the collision back in July last year.

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Kaieteur News

Social Protection Ministry to expend $60M on ‘Palms’ - Plans apace to introduce home care initiative Some $60 million will be expended this year to do improvement works at the Palms Geriatric Home. This is according to former Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence. Lawrence, during a recent interview disclosed that among the improvement measures that will be undertaken will be the inclusion of elevators at the Brickdam, Georgetown facility. The three-flat edifice is one that serves as a residence for elders, some of whom are barely mobile independently. For this reason, the Minister said that it was seen as imperative for the elevator system to be put in place. “We have seniors there, some of whom are unable to move as quickly as we can,” said Lawrence as she pointed out that staffers will benefit considerably from this system too. “There are staffers there who must fetch laundry up the stairs (and) the breakfast and lunch (too) (for the seniors) and so on, and by the time they get up (the stairs) these are cold.” “We are going to put in these lifts and it will cost us around $60 million, but it is a worthwhile investment so that all of these can be taken care of,” said Minister Lawrence. The Minister had also revealed that efforts were also being made for a change in the space at the facility in order to set up an infirmary. Once in place, the Minister said the residents will not have to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical attention.

Former Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence Currently the seniors are taken to the public hospital to access needed health care. The institution, according to Minister Lawrence, currently has two doctors assigned to it who will be able to better render care to the residents in the infirmary. Meanwhile, during the course of this year too, the Social Protection Ministry will be seeking to pilot a home care project. And according to Minister Lawrence, this ambitious project will target senior citizens. This is in light of the fact she noted that over the years there has been an increase in the number of individuals who have been asking for their elderly relatives to be taken into the Palms or the Night Shelter. “We recognise that there is a crisis out there and we have a lot of persons who are even abandoned at the Georgetown Hospital to take up a lot of bed space, and so we want to assist the Ministry of Public Health to remove those persons,” said Minister Lawrence. It is against this

The Palms Geriatric Home

background, the Minister said, that moves were made to conceptualise the home care initiative. According to Lawrence, there have been a number of individuals who have been suitably trained and are therefore experienced enough to cater to the needs of the many individuals who have retired or are otherwise forced to reside alone but cannot care for themselves adequately. “So we are going to start this pilot project to see how we can work with these seniors,” said the Minister, as she disclosed plans for the Ministry to work with two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in particular to get the project going. The NGOs will be specifically tasked with providing home care services in various communities where seniors reside alone. It is expected that the trained persons will attend to the needs of these elders on an hourly basis or as the need arises.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Cost for transfer of motor vehicle registration increased The cost to transfer motor vehicles from one person to another has been increased as a result of the passage of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2016. The amendment was passed yesterday in the National Assembly after it was read for a third time in the House. The amendment speaks to the First Schedule of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act. Regarding motorcycles, a fee of $5,000 will be charged and a sum of $25,000 or two per cent of the selling price or current valuation, whichever is greater, will be charged on all other vehicles. In addition to this, Section 9 of the Act was amended to abolish the requirement for Motor Vehicle compliance from the Guyana Revenue Authority. Further, foreigners who wish to drive in Guyana during their temporary stay will have to pay a cost of $2,000 for a driving permit and the same for a letter of authenticity of drivers’ licences. According to Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, the

requirement for a certificate of compliance was first introduced by Act 14 of 1982. He said that the certificate qualifies that the registered owner, in accordance with Section 60 of the Income Tax Act Cap. 81:01, delivered all returns and paid all outstanding taxes or made arrangements for such. Jordan said that what has happened over the years is that many persons, instead of applying for the certificate, mainly transferred possession of the said vehicles by way of irrevocable Powers of Attorney or some transfer of title through the courts by means of specific performance. He said that this was done to circumvent the process intended to trap persons who have been delinquent in their payments to the revenue authority. Jordan added that it is not unusual that inducements are offered to staff of the GRA to secure the certificate. “Thus the abolishment of this requirement for a certificate of compliance from the Commissioner-General of the revenue authority for

Registered owners will now have to pay increased transfer fees to the GRA possessing a transfer or ownership of motor vehicles will remove these loopholes, but at the same time reduce the burden of taxpayers by removing the duplication of documents submitted by taxpayers to the revenue authority.”

The Finance Minister said that this measure will reduce the processing time and freeup staff and effort to more revenue generating and high risk activities. He said that the Bill will afford benefits on both sides

and will improve tax administration as well as reduce efforts to corrupt staff of the GRA. In his remarks on the amendment, People’s Progressive Party Civic Member of Parliament Nigel Dharamlall said that the

$25,000 will only be applied on any vehicle exceeding a cost of $1.25M after which the two per cent rate will apply. He described it as “another hardship created by the government which Guyanese will have to bear”.

Local manufacturers, importers to pay environmental levy The National Assembly yesterday passed an amendment to the Customs Act which will now require local manufacturers and importers of metal, plastic or glass containers of any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage or water to pay an environmental levy of $10 to the Guyana Revenue Authority. The amendment was made to Section 7 of the Act which deals with customs duties. Section 8 of the Act applied the levy solely to importers of such items. However, with the new amendment, the levy will be applied to local manufacturers as well. The Bill was passed after it was read for a third time in the Assembly. There will be an insertion of a Section 7(A) in the Act which specifies that except as otherwise provided, the levy

shall be paid to the Commissioner-General in relation to goods imported and not warehoused, goods imported and warehoused and removed from the warehouse and goods manufactured or produced in Guyana and removed from the warehouse, factory, bond or other place of storage. Further, the amendment provides that for each container returned to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-General, a credit will be allowed towards the next payment which is due, and excess credit shall be carried forward to the next period until the credit is fully utilized. Persons who fail to pay the levy will be committing an offence and can be found liable to pay a fine of $50,000 added to a sum twice the amount of the levy payable. During the second reading

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan of the Bill yesterday, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said that during his budget presentation of 2016 he had signalled the introduction of a broad-based nondiscriminatory environmental tax. He said that the House should recall the debate last year for the repeal of Section 7(A) as amended by the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 1995. “That Section read as follows, notwithstanding anything in this Act, or in any other written law, there shall be raised, levied and collected a tax in this Section referred to as an environmental tax at the rate of ten dollars on every unit of non-returnable metal, plastic, glass or

cardboard container of any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage imported into Guyana, and if the importer of such beverage shall pay such tax to the Comptroller of Customs and Excise at the same time when any customs duties are paid.” Jordan said that that wording arose out of Rudisa Beverages and Juices NV challenging the government of Guyana as having charged the company an alleged discriminatory environmental tax. He said that the company contended that the provision was contrary to Article 87 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. The Caribbean Court of Justice ruled in favour of Rudisa and the government had to pay a settlement of US$6M. Jordan said that there can be no argument against the government taking measures to protect the environment. He said that human activity which is harmful to the environment can cause public health crises, rendering areas uninhabitable and reducing standard of living. “One just has to look at the unsightly evidence of plastic, glass and other containers being disposed of in the haphazard and dangerous manner in Guyana leading to clogged drains,

PPP/C MP, Anil Nandlall canals and rivers.” According to the Minister, the Bill is a further expression to the government’s green agenda and considerate efforts to protect the environment. Former Attorney General and opposition member Anil Nandlall during his presentation on the Bill said that it seeks to impose the levy on water, which was never done before. He added that not only will the government be taxing water, but is going further to tax the bottle in which the water is contained. He sought to debunk the argument of the Finance Minister that the levy would be revenue neutral, since the money can be retrieved when

the containers are returned by consumers. Nandlall said that the cost a person will have to pay to return to the place of purchase is greater than the levy itself. The former AG added that no prior consultation was carried out by the government with the business community about the levy. He added that when Rudisa had sued the government, efforts were made by the then People’s Progressive Party Civic government to introduce the levy similarly, but at a reduced rate of $5. However, he said that his government was not supported and was highly criticised for not consulting with local manufacturers, a blunder committed by the current government. According to Nandlall, his party welcomes the initiative of greening the economy since it was a concept conceived by the PPP/C. Nevertheless, he said that the avenue to achieve the same end has been different, since the PPP/C planned to do it using foreign funding, but the APNU+AFC government “wants to do this on the backs of Guyanese” and on this ground, he registered his party’s inability to support the amendment.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

Search continues for killers Double execution at Friendship… Cops to check surveillance of Guyanese man in NY New York – (timesledger.com) - A Guyanese man was shot and killed while visiting New York for his grandmother’s funeral when he and his brother were robbed early Monday morning in Richmond Hill, police said. At 3:25 a.m. police arrived outside 104-32 124th St. where they found 31-year-old Ricky Kalisaran with a gunshot wound in the chest and his brother Sunny, 24, with a gunshot wound to his back. The brothers were taken to Jamaica Hospital, where the older Kalisaran was pronounced dead and his brother Sunny was in stable condition, police said. According to police, the brothers were walking toward their car after leaving The Underground Lounge, a bar one block away on 123rd Street near Liberty Avenue when they were approached by a male who attempted to rob them. Sunny was reportedly wearing a flashy gold chain at the time. The brothers resisted and the suspect shot both of them after a struggle for the gun, police said. The suspect fled in a dark-coloured, two-door sedan, possibly a Mercedes Benz, police said. There have been no arrests and the investigation

Ricky Kalisaran was ongoing, police said. Their mother, Anita Kalisaran, was in tears as she talked to reporters in her Cypress Hills home. “They killed my son!” she told the New York Post “Last night, he asked me if he could go out and I said, ‘Yes, go’. Then they shoot him. He was the best son. My son wanted to buy me a house.” A co-worker told the New York Post that he thinks Sunny’s gold chain may have prompted the robbery. “Even at work, we tell him, ‘You can’t dress like that.’ He’s said he’s gotten in fights over his chains before,” the co-worker told the paper. “The killer must suffer like

my sons suffered,” Kalisaran’s mother said. “My son worked very hard. He fought to protect his brother. They killed him for what? A gold chain?” Family members were gathered in the Cypress Hills home Tuesday, preparing to attend the grandmother’s wake, which was the reason for Ricky’s visit to New York. A $1,000 reward has been posted by community members for information leading to an arrest. State Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) was planning on holding a candlelight vigil today at 6 p.m. at the scene of the shooting. “I stand with the victim’s family, the Guyanese community, and all people of good will to condemn this senseless act of violence that ended in the death of Ricky Kalisaran and injured his brother,” Sanders said. “The start of a new year is supposed to be filled with joy and hope, but instead we have a time of tragedy and loss. I call upon the perpetrator of this heinous crime to turn himself in. You will not find refuge in this community. We will not put up with this kind of madness. You will be caught, and you will be brought to justice.”

cameras for possible leads

At the scene Sunday night

The police are said to be checking nearby surveillance cameras for possible leads, as investigation continues into the executionstyle shooting which claimed the lives of two persons at Friendship, East Bank Demerara on New Year’s Day. Poultry vendor, Desmond Singh, 34, and his friend, Azrudeen Hussain were gunned down as they were heading home from a gamecock gambling spot. A police source said that senior crime scene investigators visited the scene after the shooting and interviewed eyewitnesses. The ranks will be checking surveillance cameras nearby for possible leads. Presently, the police are looking for one suspect based on information they received. Two North Ruimveldt men were held earlier in the week but they were released on bail. Post mortem examinations revealed that both victims succumbed to gunshot wounds. The police said that the victims were shot with high-powered rifles. There are still no motives for the shooting. At the scene, a rank was seen removing valuables, including a

smartphone and a small amount of cash, from Singh’s pockets. The fact that nothing was taken from the victims is one of the reasons that the police have ruled out robbery as the motive. This newspaper understands that Singh, who was a frequent visitor to the gamecock gambling spot, won a few bets on roosters earlier in the day at another location, and later in the day went to the Friendship spot to continue the game. It was there that he lost the money he won earlier in the day. A source said that after losing his money, Singh borrowed $100,000 from someone there and lost that money in bets too. It was after losing that Singh and Hussain left to go home when they were attacked by the gunmen, who were hiding in nearby bushes. Police believe that Singh was the gunmen’s target and his friend just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether the shooting is linked to the gambling is unclear at this time, but from all indications, the gunmen were at the location awaiting their intended target.

Passengers have options to claim... From page 18 any formal complaints. In fact, an official disclosed that many passengers are not aware that such a provision exists. Balraj disclosed that Dynamic currently has a $40 Million bond lodged with the local aviation authority as part of its licensing agreement. He went on to explain that before any claim could be made on the bond, the Ministry must first get requests from passengers, since the bond is to refund passengers. “In the Dynamic case, I think the passengers were stranded for two or three days and the bond could be done in a case where a passenger claims a refund, the Ministry would examine that claim and then effect that claim against the bond. No one has filed a claim”, he said. Adding to Balraj's re-

sponse was the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who stated that the Consumer Protection Agency is the body set up to deal with complaints and claims. He added that persons should use that agency to file their complaints. CARIBBEAN AIRLINES, FLY JAMAICAINCIDENT Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing into the accident at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) involving two aircraft. Caribbean Airlines, back in November, had issued a statement saying that one of its planes, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating as BW 527, from JFK International, New York to CJIA, Guyana, was involved in an incident on the ramp. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Fly Jamaica Airways' B767-300 was struck by the wing tip of the

taxiing Caribbean Airlines aircraft. Asked for an update yesterday, Col. Field said: “The results (from the investigation), we should have that shortly. I don't want to put a timeline on the investigators, because it is a detailed investigation. Remember that investigation involves four countries: Guyana, where the incident occurred; Trinidad and Tobago, the country of registration and base of Caribbean Airlines; Jamaica, where Fly Jamaica is based; and the United States of America, where Fly Jamaica is registered.” Because four countries are involved, the Director General said that the investigation will take a little longer. He added that the GCAA has designated investigators from those other countries and they have been invited by the authority's Accidents Investigations Group. “So the investigation is ongoing and soon as the Preliminary report comes out, it is expected to be forwarded to the subject Minister,” Col. Field said.

Friday January 06, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Domestic air travel to be improved through better infrastructure Persons in mining, logging, farming, tourism and other hinterland residents should benefit from the upgraded airstrips and their infrastructural works. This year, the government will be spending $60.7M for maintenance of the 50 airstrips. This was announced by Aerodromes Inspector, Alphonso Mangah at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s year-end review press conference on Wednesday, at Transport and Harbours Ground, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. A total of $170.0M is to be spent on the rehabilitation of three out of the 50 airstrips; Baramita, Region 1 at an estimated cost of $80.0M, Ekereku Bottom, Region 7 estimated to cost $40.0 M and Chi Chi (West) Region 7, to cost approximately $50.0 M. These three airstrips were chosen based on specific criteria. “Number of flights over the past 10 years, aviation safety for aircraft operations and taking into consideration the number of beneficiaries,” Mangah explained. In Guyana there are 57 licenced Government airstrips. Last year 47 were “maintained by the aerodrome department of the Ministry. The remaining 11 airstrips are being maintained by the villagers in their respective location, however inspections are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that they comply with standards outlined by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority,” Mangah explained. Mangah said that in 2016,

Aerodromes Inspector Alphonso Mangah “the budget allocated for the 47 airstrips was $56.6M. Expenditure as at December 31, 2016 was 100%.” Considerable repair and maintenance were done to the following airstrips: To date, the contract for rehabilitation of the nine airstrips was awarded and the contractor has received mobilization advances to commence works. Two of the airstrips have been completed and are in the defects liability period. The others are slated to be completed by June 2017, the Aerodromes Inspector said. Meanwhile the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)’s Director, Egbert Field stated that the air navigation sector is looking at developing the charts for Ogle and the Timehri airport approaches. Field said that, “works have begun ….to be completed by late 2017,” to make landing and takeoff of

planes much safer. The GCAA Director said that 2017 plans include: – Completion of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) project. – More training of personnel – Certification of Air Navigation School – The commencement of building the new headquarters. (The GCAA has been housed in rented buildings for years) -Acquisition of an air navigation state of the art simulator -Installation of distance measuring equipment at Ogle to help guide air craft better Field explained that the Air Navigation School is “to better training, it will greatly enhance the transition of air traffic controllers from the classroom to the actual event.” The simulator has been paid for and is expected to be in Guyana within the next few months. Speaking on works planned for 2017, Field said, “These projects are not small projects, they entail a lot of work, a lot of preparation…with Government’s great help and support…..it will be successful.” The Director expressed his gratitude for the Ministry’s (Public Infrastructure) support throughout the year, and claimed 2016 was, “A very safe and productive year.” He said “One of our greatest challenges was preparation for the audit by the

Report paints picture of.... (From page 13) was recommended that the Deputy PS should also be censored for authorizing the 50 percent advance to New GPC without properly checking the contract. Her excuse was unsatisfactory, the report said, and disciplinary action should be taken. It was also recommended that the Principal Personnel Officer, Chetwin Felix, be trained more. He was described as being adversarial during his testimony. The report recommended that the contract for Finance Manager Sandra Singh not be renewed, and that the present staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) be transferred or alternatively be trained in the area of procurement. It was recommended also that the ministry dismiss Aaron for leaking information

to the Trinidad supplier. The report stressed that there is evidence that she conspired with McKoon for insider information that gave him the edge over other competitors. It was also recommended that McKoon and his companies be barred from future tenders with the ministry. During the three weeks of hearings at the Department of

Public Service, Waterloo Street, some 34 witnesses including the former Minister of Public Health, Dr. Norton; staffers of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, the Director of Food and Drugs Department, Marlan Cole; Auditor General, Deodat Sharma and other suppliers were called to testify.

International Civil Aviation Authority,” from which Guyana came out successful. “We were able to elevate ourselves when we completed that audit by moving from 42.24 percent compliance to 64.66 percent compliance,” stated the Director. Last year a great deal of personnel training was conducted. “Training of our staff which was needed as a result of our audit showed …and I must say a lot of our staff were properly qualified with their initial training and also their on the job training,” the Director explained. Examinations have been computerised for pilots and air traffic controllers, and the GCAA is currently working on having engineers’ tests computerised. Additionally, the study of the economic impact of air transport on the economy of Guyana began in 2016. The year 2016 also saw the addition of three new airlines: FlyAlways out of Suriname, Easy Skies from Honduras and Eastern Airlines from the United States.

Death toll for Linden Highway crash... From page 21 while undergoing surgery. Mendonca, who lives in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, is the only son for his father, Louie Mendonca. His son came home to pick up his US visa. He was staying at his great uncle Dave Primus who also perished in the accident, the man recalled. The older Mendonca said “He went to town to pick up his visa and was coming back with his uncle when this happened. I can't believe it; he is my second child and my only son. It hard, real hard.” The older Mendonca said people were there pretending to assist the injured, but they were there with a different agenda. “Somebody bring my son bag and give me with his papers. They claim they found it in Lover's Lane, Amelia's Ward. I know he collected some money from Western Union and all I got is the slip to show he col-

lected the money, but no money. How the bag meet in Lover's Lane?” David Primus's wife Rachael told this newspaper that both Mendonca and her husband had left for Georgetown on Wednesday morning, but that Mendonca had left earlier than his uncle. However Mendonca joined Primus for the ill-fated trip back to Linden. The woman, who remained somewhat in shock said, “I screamed; I couldn't believe it - I said not my husband - not Dave. “I couldn't believe it because I know my husband was always a good driver, he was never reckless, so I couldn't understand.” Several persons visited the bereaved relatives and offered words of encouragement and prayed with them. Among them were ranks from the Amelia's Ward Police Outpost and Pastors Jordan and Selwyn Sills.

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GRIF Fund enables more training opportunities under Small Business Bureau Five key areas of training will be available to persons from all 10 administrative regions under the Small Business Bureau (SBB). The training will be financed from the Guyana REDD + Investment Fund (GRIF), towards the cost of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Development Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups Project. The GRIF Fund is being managed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the venture targets Small Business and Micro and Small Enterprises operating in the low carbon sector. Finance Officer of the SBB, Simon Pollard, said that the main purpose of the project is to assist the Government in its green economy drive, thereby reducing carbon emissions and deforestation, hence businesses in the low carbon sector will be giving priority. Training will be done in sustainable mining, sustainable forestry, cosmetology, soap manufacturing and skin cream/body lotion manufacturing. These specialised training programmes will be implemented so as to improve the technical capacity of the project beneficiaries to further develop their product lines while ensuring that the merchandise are of acceptable standard. This technical knowledge will be disseminated to SBB clients through sector clusters within the administrative regions. Pollard said that the SBB is asking for specialists to conduct the training so that the young entrepreneurs selected will see their businesses grow, and understand clearly how the products are made and contribute to Guyana’s economy. The SBB is currently advertising for consulting services to conduct training in the five selected areas. It was however, noted that advertising is not only being done locally but also on International websites such as the United

Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

SBB’s Finance Officer, Simon Pollard Nations and CARICOM. The consulting services are required to develop curriculum and execute specialised training programmes, for the MSE Development Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups Project. Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out by the IDB’s policies for the selection and contracting of consultants and is open to all eligible bidders. Pollard, in explaining the selection process for the training, pointed out that persons must have an established business (however if they have a business idea and need training the SBB will help as far as possible), and be a member of the SBB. Emphasising that persons will be selected from all 10 administrative regions because the SBB’s mandate is to ensure that every Region is touched, Pollard explained that the bureau will look at the needs assessment of its clients in relation to the five identified areas and select persons from there as well.

Pollard said that the project has two components – access to finance and business development training. Pollard explained that persons can receive grants to the value of up to $300,000 under the Low Carbon Development Grant Scheme, once businesses reach the criteria. “Our goal is to ensure that after the training these people are fully equipped to see their business become viable, also to see them contributing to the economy, to see them creating jobs, as well for young people and persons within their respective Regions,” Pollard said. The Finance Officer said that there is a follow-up process, whereby officers go into the fields to ensure that persons that were trained, and will be trained, put into practice what would have been taught. He noted that there are some instances whereby persons require additional training, in which the SBB is willing to assist. The GRIF fund will end this year and Pollard said that the SBB is hoping that the GRIF’s 2002 five-year grant funding will be extended with the intention that there will be a phase two of training which they hope comes into effect in the next few years. Pollard noted that during the last four years, a lot was done and he believes that in the final year, more things will be happening. For the last half of 2016, a tremendous amount of training was done in all the administrative regions. Training for this phase project will last for five months and at the end participants will receive certificates.

Opposition denies involvement in banking scandals ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) has denied the involvement of opposition leader, Baldwin Spencer, and UPP political leader Harold Lovell in the Odebrecht and Meinl bank scandals. “UPP officials categorically deny that either Spencer or Lovell was named or implicated in any matter pertaining to Stanford, Odebrecht or any of their associations,” the party said in a release. The statement was in response to a call from the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party for Spencer, a former Prime Minister, and Lovell, the former finance minister, to explain their roles in the b a n k i n g t h a t t he ABLP claimed occurred under their

stewardship while in government between 2004 to 2014. According to the opposition party’s public relations officer, Senator Damani Tabor, the government is using “reverse psychology aimed at creating sensationalism to manipulate public perceptions about findings revealed in the Curitaba Brazil deposition and US court documents.” The ruling party has questioned the role played by Spencer and Lovell in the international banking scandal surrounding R. Allen Stanford. In response UPP officials said the scandal was a huge embarrassment for the country. “However no one in the UPP was ever named or associated in the scandal,” the release added. It is “public knowledge that (Prime Min-

ister) Gaston Browne and Molwyn Joseph each received $300,000 cheques from Stanford . In fact Spencer openly denounced Stanford’s overtures to provide $50 Million to develop infrastructure in the Grays Green community,” the opposition leader said. The party went on to condemn the allegations, stating that they are being raised five years after Stanford’s conviction. “In fact the UPP Government fully cooperated with Federal officials throughout the investigative process.” “The UPP also strongly objects to further allegations about the involvement of the former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the Odebrecht and the Meinl Bank scandal.

Cuba reduces infant mortality births in 2016 HAVANA, Cuba, CMC – Cuba’s Health Minister Roberto Morales says the island reduced its infant mortality rate to 4.3 per thousand live births last year and the results will be replicated in 2017. According to Morales, the Spanish speaking Caribbean island closed the year with improvements in the main sanitary indicators and the child-mother program, while life expectancy continued to grow. Concerning infrastructure, he said nine thousand institutions, including hospitals and clinics, received some rehabilitation work as well as new equipment. The health minister said the Cuban government is de-

termined to continue with a well-designed maintenance policy to avoid spending millions of dollars each year unnecessarily.

¨We have the means for the Cuban health system to become an example of efficiency and sustainability,” he said.

Bahamas to host Inter-American meeting of Ministers of Education NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Issues related to regional developments and challenges in the field of Education will be discussed at the upcoming meeting of Ministers of Education to be held here. The Ninth Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Education (9IAMME) will be held over two days from February 9 at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. The Ministers will also chart the way forward for the 34 representatives of the Organization of Americas States (OAS), and observer states, during the ministerial forum. Conference Chairman, Jerome K. Fitzgerald, who is also The Bahamas’ Minister of Education, Science and

Technology, on Wednesday highlighted the purpose of the 9IAMME stating, “Ministers of Education from the OAS will assemble in The Bahamas to discuss the Education Agenda of the 34 member countries and by extension the Latin American and Caribbean region.” The meeting is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the OAS, the InterAmerican Council for Integral Development and the InterAmerican Committee on Education. In addition to Education Ministers, local and international senior education officials, school administrators and teachers are expected

to attend the conference. According to the Education Minister, The Bahamas has made significant progress in education, “The Bahamas has been at the helm of the global education discussion. We have made significant strides in education and have garnered international attention.” Organizers are excited that for the first time in the meeting’s history, a Trade Exhibition will be showcased which will feature innovative educational products from approximate l y 2 0 l o c a l and international exhibitors who will also display good practices in education.

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VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Repairs to refrigerator, gas stove, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 LANDSCAPING: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor landscaping. Call: 648-1821 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repair. Call: 601-0595

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

Nissan Duke in immaculate condition, lady driven, PTT series, low mileage, price negotiable. Call: 653-0018/6667748 (serious inquiries only) Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815 1 RZ Mini Bus, BTT Series $2.4M negotiable. Call: 6632600/ 226-4419

2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme.Call:677-0583/664-5052 Riverside property, Roed-enRust, East Bank Essequibo, 3 Miles from Parika. Call: 2662217/694-5109

LAND FOR SALE One transported house lot in Tuschen, WCD. Call: 6934667/ 277-3743

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954 Dredge mining operation: excavator, dredge, camp, truck, ATV bike, welding set with gas bottle. Call: 676-7943 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193 Adult Rottweiler dogs, 1 male, 1 female, German Shepherd pups. Call: 2202277/629-1471/220-8904

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

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Fully furnished apartment in South & 2 Bedrooms unfurnsihed apartment in Holmes Street Charlestown. Call: 689-5877 One two bedrooms flat concrete house. Call: 6852690

One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Nintendo DS Lite -$8,000, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 $45,000, Dell Mini Desktop$40,000, Apple Ipad1 $15,000. Call: 694-1748/ 6219604

EDUCATIONAL

La Parfait Harmonie -$1.2M, Providence (100FTX50FT) $3.5M. Call: 651-1969/ 6585897/233-3006 FOR SALE/RENT

Private Custom Brokerage, certificate training course in Jan 2017, Register & get 50% discount for Christmas. Call: 694-8322/671-9603

TO LET

LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

Lessons. Grades 1-6, Queenstown. Call: 695-9625

Rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234

Three bedrooms concrete top flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$85,000 per month. Call: 218-1949

Need dry cow mold average 400bags –call: 643-7193 One Floor Manager, must have at least five (5) years, experience in Hardware Store. Contact # 650-0402 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 600-1898 Carpenter, must have knowledge of plumbing. Call: 225-3234 1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 Lorry Drivers. Requirements: Driver’s License and ID. Call: 682-1048/602-0001

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERFOR THESEASON.CALL:690-6494

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

DRESSMAKING Turn your flair for fashion in an exciting career or hobby, classes starts in January. Call: 626-2629/ 676-6312 Working suits and more, professionally made within 3 days. Call Sharmie: 626-2629/ 676-6312 (Canadian Trained) WANTED American Variety Store: 140 Regent & Light Street: experienced & mature cashier; apply in person with application.

VACANCY Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197 Articulated hauler/dump truck operator for interior location, applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Office Assistant/Customer Representative. Contact Pacific Development Inc, Lot 3 Church Street, G/Town.

Security Guards. Call: 2181156

1 Male janitor to clean and take care of dogs. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling.

Urgently: Handyman to work 7 days per week ½ day in Campbellville, ages 35-45yrs. Call: 641-3687

1 Nanny to look after a one year old boy, must be able to feed, teach & care for a baby. Call: 641-8144

Primary School teachers. Apply to teacher @ OBSC, 8 Oronoque & Lamaha Street, Queenstown. Call: 695-9625

Female Accounts clerk, 4 years experience, apply in person with written application @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling

Cleaners. Apply in person @ Shikhan Hotel, Princess Street, Wortmanville. Call: 227-7749 Experienced salesperson needed in Stall ‘B’ Bourda Market. Call: 227-3407 from 8:00am-4:00pm

One live in couple or a general domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6559419/644-6905 1 Female Shop attendant to work in the Interior. Calll: 6780565 1 Male or female to look after layer birds in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Bahier to cook in the interior. Call: 678-0565

Three bedrooms bottom flat @ South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 628-7496/ 617-0560

Two bedrooms apartment, recently renovated, free Wi-Fi @ Nandy Park. Call: 641-3318

WANTED Live in waitress. Call: 643-9007

Experienced Diesel machine to work in the Interior must have knowledge of Perkins Engine & Doosan Excavator. Call: 661-5307/ 625-1413

Two bedrooms @ Light Street Alberttown -$60,000. Call: 669-3467/ 643-3467

Cuyuni Mining BlocksDistrict 4, 973 Acres, gold and diamond -$4M. Call: 6585897/ 651-1969/233-3006

American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

Room for working/single couple with bed, wardrobe $30,000 monthly+$30,000 security @ Aubrey Barker Road. Call: 623-0076

Friday January 06, 2017

Kaieteur News

1 Porter to work on vehicle in the Interior. Call: 678-0565

Able body workers for Ice Factory, age 18 & older. Call: 642-9191/ 231-1408 1 Canter Driver/Porter preferably from Diamond/ Grove Area. Call: 216-1043/ 677-6620 High school multi subject teacher needed with research, computer & organization skills, teaching certificate is not required. Call: 690-9378 Skill experienced carpenter, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Office clerk age 18-25, security guards, care taker to work in Atlantic Garden, E.C.D- Call: 638-5303/2277380 Cashiers & Sales staff @ Nirva Supermarket. Apply in person with written application @ 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel: 227-5771

Responsible hire car drivers and contract cars. Call: 2317200

Experienced bar/shop worker & handyman for Interior and G/Town. Call: 231-0363 from 9am-4:30pm

Experienced cleaners, waiters and counter servers. Apply with written application, Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. (Day Shift only).

Able-bodied driver/salesman for Leyland DAF lorry, involves lifting. Telles Steel. Call: 226-6771

Domestic help/babysitter required in Kitty. Police Clearance, ID, Proof of Address a must. Call: 6523593/652-3587

Receptionist, Security Guard, Room Attendant. Apply to 233 South Road – Tel: 2250198

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Over 135 Mocha residents receive permission to occupy lands The Government of Guyana said yesterday that it came in for high praise when 135 residents of the community of Mocha/Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD) received their ‘Permission to Occupy State Lands’ documents from Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon at a simple ceremony held at the Marks Supermarket. The document, which is temporary and valid for three months, offers the residents the option of taking up a 50year lease on the lands for a nominal fee. Once the fee is paid and the administrative procedures completed, the residents would be allowed to live and farm on the one acre plots of land, the Ministry of the Presidency said. The residents, who have been occupying the land for up to 25 years, are only now receiving any form of legal documentation. Addressing the beneficiaries and residents from the area, Minister Harmon said that during the course of 2016, the residents sent several letters to his office and that of the President, detailing their plight, noting that under the former administration, they had been denied documentation for the land on which they had been doing agricultural work. Describing the occasion as a ‘new beginning’ for the community, Minister Harmon told the residents that they must now use the land to return to the days of self-sufficiency, especially in the agricultural sector. “The granting of these ‘Permission to Occupy’ [documents]…is a correction of what I would call a historical injustice that denied the residents of Mocha Arcadia use of its surrounding agricultural lands and by extension the community, the opportunity to develop the village economy and create employment especially for its young people. It is hoped that you the recipients would put the land to full, productive use and bring about a rebirth of the enterprising spirit in your community,” Minister Harmon said. The Minister of State told the residents that the initiatives which are undertaken should be done in an ecofriendly manner, and in keeping with the Government’s push for a ‘green’ economy. He further noted that the documents should be used to chart a new course by ensuring that the village’s great potential for agro-enterprises and self-sufficiency are again at the centre of the nation’s development. “Agriculture is nothing new to this community. This ceremony today, therefore, represents a new beginning for this community and the return to its rightful place as an agricultural community.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon (centre) flanked by Chairperson of GL&SC, Ms. Paulette Henry (left), Regional Chairperson, Demerara-Mahaica, Ms. Genevieve Allen (right), CEO of GL&SC, Trevor Benn (fourth from right, back row), and some of the beneficiaries. However, it is a return with a difference, with a different set of circumstances since the advent of the APNUAFC administration. Your Government has committed itself to returning villages to economic viability and sustainability. Mocha Arcadia is a good example of a traditional Guyanese village and had it been given the necessary support, would today, I am quite sure, would have been a viable and prosperous community,” Minister Harmon said. Commissioner of the GL&SC, Trevor Benn detailed the lead-up to what he called, ‘the historical day’. He said that his desk had become inundated with letters from members of the community of Mocha complaining about their inability to access titles for their lands and the length of time many of them had been applying. “In June 2016, a team from the GL&SC came to the village and commenced the land regularisation. On that first occasion in June, we had approximately 300 persons showing up and that triggered what we called a claims and objections period, which allowed people who were occupying land to make a claim. The process ended in November and it resulted in 135 persons being considered,” he said. Benn also said that Mocha has, over the years, become a model farming community and the decision was taken by the Commission to give an acre of land each’ which is enough to allow them to live and at a minimum, maintain a garden. “These lots are not the usual lots you would get from the Central Housing and Plan-

ning Authority (CH&PA). These are one acre lots. This would allow you to do your farming and live on the land. We are doing it because we recognise the hardships that people in the community have faced for many years and could not properly utilise their lands and make a living from it over the years. We have given it at a minimal fee for the prospective leaseholders. Anyone who receives the permissions today will be required to pay a minuscule amount,” Benn told the residents. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Mocha/Arcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Rudolph Adams, in an invited comment, expressed gratitude to the Government for the initiative, noting that it has always been a dream of the community to receive documentation for the lands they have occupied for over two decades. The lands, he said, will now be used to drive self-sufficiency in the village. “I must say how appreciated we feel for this venture in allotting these leases to the residents of Mocha Arcadia. I think this is long overdue and this would take us a very far way in our economic drive towards self-independence; self-independence as promoted by our Excellency, President David Granger to provide entrepreneurial skills to persons within our community and I think that this is the beginning of much more to come. We are very appreciative in seeing some of the dreams of ours for our community being realised,” he said. One resident, who only gave his name as Mr. Mahase, said that he has been living

in the area for over 25 years, and it was indeed a “great feeling” to have finally received his Permission from the Government, just after about one year of seeking intervention.

“I am happy. With the previous government, they wanted to throw us off the land and put us out and all of that, but now we can do work on our land. So many years

we had the land but couldn’t do anything on it because we didn’t have paper so we are happy to get this so that we can go back and do work on our lands,” he said.

Chopping suspect ‘Crab Man’ captured Police have captured the elusive Shamar Mohamed called “Crab Man,” who went into hiding after allegedly chopping his former girlfriend and her mother on Christmas Eve night. An official said that Mohamed was nabbed late yesterday evening after coming out of the Canjie Creek, Corentyne backdam where he had fled on Wednesday to elude police. Police believe that Mohamed got lost in the bushy and swampy area. They reportedly contacted an individual who guided the suspect out of the backlands and took him to a taxi, where the ranks were waiting. On Wednesday, police, acting on information, journeyed some 45 miles up the Canje River and eventually came upon a camp in which

Mohamed was hiding. But Mohamed fled before the police could close in on him. Police took the owner of the camp and four of his workmen into custody. It was on Christmas Eve that Mohamed had allegedly launched a brazen attack on his 23-year-old former girlfriend, Bhartie Udho, and her mother, Amika. The women were severely chopped about the body after the suspect reportedly went berserk with a machete. He allegedly severed Bhartie Udho’s left arm, and chopped her mother to the forehead and chest. The relatives had just left their number 70 Village home for a Christmas Eve outing in the town of Corriverton when the incident took place. The victims were rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospi-

tal and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Kaieteur News has learnt that Bhartie Udho had secured a restraining order against the suspect, with whom she started a relationship some five years ago. Mohamed had allegedly forcibly taken Udho from her home on four occasions; twice in 2012, once in 2013 and 2015. The suspect has also been accused of breaking and entering the family home in an effort to abduct his former girlfriend. The former teacher was forced to quit her job after being repeatedly stalked.

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Kaieteur News

Four Chicago Teens Are Charged with Hate Crime in Facebook Live Attack of Special Needs Student

Four Chicago Teens Are Charged with Hate Crime in Facebook Live Attack of Special Needs Student PEOPLE - The four Chicago teens accused of allegedly kidnapping and torturing a young man for hours while broadcasting the attack online have been charged with hate crimes, PEOPLE confirms. Jordan Hill, Tesfaye Cooper, Brittany Covington and Tanishia Covington, all 18, are facing felony charges after they allegedly videotaped kidnapping and beating a man Tuesday, according to a State’s Attorney news release obtained by PEOPLE. The 30-minute video, allegedly taken by one of the female suspects, depicts a white man tied up, his mouth covered, cowering in a corner of a room. His attackers, all

apparently black according to NPR and the Washington Post, surround him, laughing and shouting “ Donald Trump” and “ white people,” as they kick and punch him, before cutting his forehead with a knife. At one point during the video, one of the female suspects appears to promote her profile on Soundcloud, the music sharing website. The 18-year-old victim was found wandering the streets late Tuesday afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. The victim was detained for at least 24 hours and is “traumatized,” said Area North Commander Kevin Duffin.

Police said they believe the man, who is mentally disabled, was missing from his home and may have been attacked at a home about a block from where he was found by police, the Tribune reports. The four were taken into custody Wednesday after the video was uploaded to YouTube. “If you commit an act of violence in the city of Chicago, you will experience the full weight of the Chicago Police Department,” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a press conference. “Tonight, four individuals have felt the consequences of their actions.”

US transfers more Guantanamo prisoners; 55 remain Washington (CNN) The Pentagon announced Thursday that four inmates were transferred from the Guantanamo Bay prison to Saudi Arabia, dropping the prison’s population to 55. Of those remaining, 19 have undergone a security review process and are eligible for transfer. “The United States is grateful to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The news comes amid reports President Barack Obama is attempting to empty the facility as much

as possible prior to Inauguration Day. President-elect Donald Tr u m p t o o k t o Tw i t t e r Tuesday to slam the administration’s transfers from the prison, nicknamed Gitmo. “There should be no further releases from Gitmo. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield,” he wrote. But White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, said that Trump’s pronouncement would have no effect on Obama’s decisions. “He’ll have an opportunity to implement the policy that he believes is most effective when he takes office on January

20,” Earnest said of Trump. The four transferred inmates are originally from Yemen. Because of the ongoing instability in that country, US officials have been unable to repatriate them and have sought third-party countries like Saudi Arabia to take them in. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which tracks recidivism among former inmates, said in a September report that nine of 161 inmates released since January 2009 had returned to supporting terrorist groups. An additional 11 are “suspected” of having gone back to terrorist activity, though the report notes that the Defense Intelligence Agency puts that number at 15.

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RHTY&SC launch 2017 with donation...

Mallya’s Force India to launch F1 car at Silverstone Force India will be one of the first teams to show off their 2017 Formula One car after announcing a Feb. 22 launch at their Silverstone home base. The Mercedes-powered team, who have a changed driver lineup with 20-year-old Frenchman Esteban Ocon joining Mexi c a n S e r g i o Perez in place of Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg, finished a best ever fourth overall last year. The team rolled out their 2016 car in Barcelona last February, before principal Vijay Mallya had his Indian diplomatic passport revoked in April with a judge in Mumbai

issuing a non-bailable warrant for his arrest. Indian authorities trying to recover about $1.4 billion from his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines want to question Mallya, who last March flew to Britain where he has an indefinite right of residency. Mallya attended only one race in 2016, the British Grand Prix at the circuit across the road from the team’s Silverstone factory, and watched the rest remotely. World champions Mercedes will launch their new car at Silverstone on Feb. 23, with Ferrari next out on the 24th in Italy.

Pre-season testing starts in Barcelona on Feb. 27 with other teams expected to present their cars at the Circuit de Catalunya on the opening day. Teams usually leave launches as late as possible, unless they are just to show off a new livery on an old car, to give themselves as much time as they can to finalize new developments. They will want to start testing with the new cars, however, because 2017 sees new rules with bigger tyres and changed aerodynamics that could shake up the pecking order. (Reuters)

BCUA Secretary Moses Ramphal (right) presents the Honorary Member certificate to Hilbert Foster. (From page 37) of the sport in Berbice and has never sought to influence professionalism of umpires. Simon also noted that the club organises a number of tournaments yearly and not only are umpires well reimbursed but are paid in ad-

vance. In recognition of Foster’s contribution to the development of umpiring in Berbice, the BCUA inducted Foster as an Honorary Member. In response, Foster stated that he was honoured and humbled to become an Honorary Member of such a well-

respected organisation and pledged his full cooperation towards lifting the standard of umpiring in Berbice. He also committed the club towards assisting the BCUA more during the course of the year whilst clubs and the Berbice Cricket Board would also be assisted as much as possible to arrange tournaments at the junior and senior levels so that new talent can be unearthed.

Friday January, 06 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may find that your boss is not delighted with your work lately. You should put your efforts into creative projects. Short trips will prove to be more fruitful than you imagined. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This is a great day to start that new health regimen you've been talking about. Get involved in sports groups or hobbies that attract you. You're ready to take action and take over. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may want to invest in something that will grow in value. You are in a high energy, get it all done, mood and you'll have little patience with those who are slacking off. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may want to take another look at the investment you are about to make. Make career changes that may increase your income. You will take on too much if you aren't careful. Stick to basics. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can finish projects early, which will bring you praise from superiors. You will be relentless when it comes to getting yourself back into shape. You will enjoy the interaction with youngsters and take great pride in the projects you've completed. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't hesitate to sign up for lectures or seminars that will enlighten you. However, you must not neglect your family.

Give everyone in the house a physical chore that will help burn off some of the excess energy. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Snap out of it. Don't spend too much on products that promise amazing cosmetic results. Take your time and try not to overload yourself. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can stabilize your financial situation if you make property investments. Be sure not to burn any bridges. Change will be required to make your life more harmonious. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Don't push your opinions on others today or you may find yourself in the doghouse. You will find that social activities will lead you into passionate meetings. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you today. Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive. Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Consider a trial separation if you and your mate just can't come to terms. Get involved in activities that will bring you knowledge about foreign land, philosophies, or cultures. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can meet potential new mates if you socialize with friends. You may find it difficult to discuss personal matters with family members.

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Lynn’s six-heavy 98* flattens Scorchers Chris Lynn bulldozed the Perth Scorchers in the willing company of Brendon McCullum to offer the Brisbane Heat a rich reward top spot on the table - at the end of the longest road trip of the Big Bash League. The Scorchers thought themselves well placed at the end of their 20 overs, having put up more than 170 via the power-hitting of the sometime Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh. They also had a handsome defensive record to call on. However Lynn and McCullum made short work of the tally, in the process marking the Heat as a team capable of chasing any total, anywhere, and any time during this tournament. Eleven sixes. Eleven, seriously. There had been

put that many beyond the WACA Ground’s boundaries in the course of a single innings. In the process, Lynn hammered his 26th six of the BBL, more than any other team, let alone any other player. The pick of them? Arguably one off Andrew Tye to wide long-on that challenged Mark Waugh’s blow off the bowling of the Heat coach Daniel Vettori in a 1997 Test match as the biggest-ever struck at the ground. Of course it all may have been different when David Willey hung onto a chance at the Prindiville Stand end of the ground off the bowling of Ashton Agar. It was nicely taken apart from the fact the fielder had stood on the boundary rope before

Chris Lynn hit a BBL-record 11 sixes in his 49-ball 98* © Getty Images

Australian summers in the past where that figure would have been considered a

decent tally for an entire season, yet the cool-handed Queenslander was able to

tossing the ball back towards the field of play, thus reprieving Lynn to carry on with his long-hitting feats. While Lynn’s effort was pivotal, the fact that much of his innings was played with a negligible required rate to consider was once again down to the Heat’s bowlers, albeit without the services of Samuel Badree, left out in favour of Nathan Reardon. Instead the spin responsibility fell upon Mitchell Swepson, who responded grandly. Crucially, his first over went for a measly two runs and also featured the wicket of Ian Bell. When he followed up by deceiving Shaun Marsh two overs later, Swepson had put the Heat well on the path to restricting the Scorchers to a total

within Lynn’s ample reach. Swepson did his Australia chances no harm this night. Vi c t o r y i n P e r t h catapulted the Heat to top spot, usurping the Scorchers in the process. This was a win for an aggressive team over opponents who pride themselves on restriction of a batting side, and for the moment there seems no way of containing Lynn in particular. Both sides, however, look sure of a spot in the semi-finals. The only question is which one will emerge at the end of the minor rounds with the right to a home semi and also the final, should they get that far. (ESPNcricinfo)

RHTY&SC, M.S enjoyed successful and... (From page 39) Dancing Competition and Launching of Television Documentary. The physical appearance of the entire township was upgraded along with the construction and opening of the H.D Hoyte Memorial Family Play Park which was a special gift to the Township from the Club. The year was completed in grand fashion with the hosting of the 2nd Annual Christmas Village for youths, annual Children Christmas Party, Senior Citizens Get Together, F e e d i n g o f t h e P o o r, Distribution of Toys to Less Fortunate Children, Hampers for Senior Citizens and Assisting the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club in hosting several programmes for the Church including its Sunday School Party, Christmas Concert, Hampers and Gifts for Church Members and To y s f o r C h i l d r e n . Club Executives are currently focused on preparing a packed schedule for 2017 with an ambitious t a r g e t o f 4 5 0 programmes/activities. Special emphasis would be placed on expanding the Club’s Charity, Say Yes and No Campaign and also its Cricket development programmes. Currently taking care of the needs of Guyana’s largest cricket nursery which has a membership of over 200 junior players, the club is currently working on a

plan to host an Annual Six Month Cricket Academy. The Club would also be hosting a month long c e l e b r a t i o n i n August/September 2017 to mark the 175th Anniversary of the purchase of Rose Hall Village by 57 freed slaves in 1842 from European planter, John Baird. Noting that all its successes over the years would not have been achievable without the support of corporate Guyana, the RHTY&SC is expressing gratitude to every donor and member of the media who’ve contributed to its accomplishments during 2016. Special mention is hereby made of: Bakewell, Farfan and Mendes, Metro, DDL, Gizmos and Gadgets, Ansa McAl, GUYOIL, Edward B. Beharry Co. Ltd, Starr Computers, Goodwood Racing Servicing, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Sterling Products, N A M I L C O , Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, GBTI, Demerara Bank, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Social Protection, New GPC Inc., Busta, De Sinco Trading, Sueria Manufacturing, Food for the Poor, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism, Len’s Craft Optical, John Lewis Style, H. A Snacks Co. Ltd, A. Ally and Sons, Najab’s Trading, Factory Price, The Gift Centre, Sentinel

Berbice Under-15 and First Division Cricket Champions. Security, Ricks and Sari, Digicel, John Fernandes, P&P Insurance Brookers, F&H Printery, National Sports Commission, Toucan Industries, Hand in Hand, Fly Jamaica, Woodpecker Trophies, Fitness Express, TCL, Kings Jewellery Wo r l d , I m p r e s s i o n s , Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, GCB, Ministry of Education, Caribbean Container Inc., Ming’s Products, Dr. Karis Munroe, Sonia Leow, Caribbean Airlines, Roraima Airways, Travel Span, Mohammed Raffik, NPG, Poonai P h a r m a c y, A n a m a y a h Memorial, Region 6 RDC, GWI, Vijai Ramoo, Artie R i c k n a u t h , To r o n t o PNC/R Group, NBS, Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce, BCCBA, Big ‘B’ R e s t a u r a n t , D T V- 8 ,

Donation to the Guyana Police Force. LRTVS CH10 and Anil Ramnarine among numerous others. Special thanks is extended to DTV-8, NCN, L RT V S C H 1 0 , T V G , Newsroom, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana

Times, Kaieteur News, News Update, Franklin Wilson, Gregory Rambarran, Rajiv B i s n a u t h , Av e n a s h Ramzan, Sean Devers, Tray Khan, Claude David, Stephan Sookram, Akeem

Greene, John Ramsingh, Reaz Mohammed, Tanuja Raikha, Travis Seymour, Michael Khan and Stacy Ramcharran for assisting the club to promote its work throughout 2016.

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Nadal cruises, net-focused Raonic slugs it out in Brisbane Former world number one Rafa Nadal bulldozed Mischa Zverev 6-1 6-1 in the Brisbane International yesterday to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with defending champion and top seed Milos Raonic. The 14-time grand slam champion, seeded fifth on his return from a wrist injury that forced him to end his 2016 season in October, took 55 minutes to sweep aside his German opponent in a one-sided contest between two left-handers. ”It’s going to be a tough match,” Nadal said of his match against Raonic. “His serve is huge so I will need to return aggressively.” Raonic began his title defense with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Argentine Diego Schwartzman. Better known for his

Rafa Nadal. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon groundstrokes, the Canadian came to the net 22 times, suggesting serve-volley specialist and former Wi m b l e d o n c h a m p i o n Richard Krajicek - who Raonic added to his coaching team last month - is already exerting an

influence. But he lost 10 of those points, a rate of return he will want to improve on. ”I probably should have approached (the net) 12 more times and I probably should have won a few more,” said the world number three. ”...I hesitated, but also, with him, you’ve got to understand that he’s quite quick. So rarely do you get him sort of reaching for balls,” added Raonic, who smashed 12 aces and won 75 per cent of his first-service points. Former finalist Grigor Dimitrov beat French veteran Nicolas Mahut 6-2 6-4 to set up a quarter-final clash with Austria’s Dominic Thiem who beat Australian wildcard Sam Groth 7-6(5), 6-3. (Reuters)

Svitolina upsets Kerber, Muguruza labors into last four Wo r l d n u m b e r o n e Angelique Kerber was knocked out of the Brisbane International by Elina Svitolina yesterday while second seed Dominika Cibulkova also succumbed to a quarter-final upset. Ukrainian sixth seed Svitolina prevailed 6-4 3-6 6-3 in her slugfest with Kerber to set up a semi-final clash with Karolina Pliskova who beat Roberta Vinci 3-6 6-2 6-2. With Kerber struggling with her serve and rhythm, Svitolina claimed the first set but the German staged a brilliant comeback in the second to force the decider. Kerber seemed to have found her range in the third set but Svitolina broke and then served for her second successive win over the top seed. Earlier, an inspired Alize Cornet pulled off a 6-3 7-5 upset win over Cibulkova to book a lastfour battle with Garbine Muguruza who survived yet another grueling contest at the Pat Rafter Arena. Cibulkova had to toil for her three-set win over China’s Shuai Zheng on Tuesday and the Slovakian world number five did not look convincing against Cornet either. Cornet won the first set without much difficulty and led 5-2 in the second when Cibulkova staged a mini comeback, breaking the unseeded Frenchwoman

Friday January 06, 2017

Djokovic and Murray through in Doha as oldies bow out

Novak Djokovic in action. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari Ageless Czech Radek Stepanek’s run at the Qatar Open was ended by defending champion Novak Djokovic yesterday and fellow veteran Ivo Karlovic also bowed out at the quarter-final stage. World number one Andy Murray, bidding for a third Doha title, joined Djokovic in the semi-final with a hardearned victory over Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, his 27th consecutive win. Stepanek, at 38 the oldest player to reach an ATP

Andy Murray in action. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari

quarter-final since Jimmy Connors in 1995, was no match for a clinical Djokovic, who made light of the breezy conditions with a straightforward 6-3 6-3 victory. The 37-year-old Karlovic, the oldest top-20 player since Ken Rosewall in 1978, lost 6-2 7-5 to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco will face Djokovic for a place in the final. Briton Murray beat Almagro for the fifth time in six matches but was never

comfortable against the hard-hitting Spaniard before posting a 7-6(4) 7-5 victory. Almagro threw everything at the 29-yearold, striking 32 winners to his opponent’s 24, but Murray’s defensive skills proved decisive in the end as he wore down the world number 44. Murray will play Tomas Berdych, victor over France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5 6-3, in today’s semifinals. (Reuters)

Singapore fans want F1 race to continue: survey Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg of Germany leads Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo of Australia during the Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Elina Svitolina. REUTERS/ Steve Holland twice to level at 5-5. Cornet broke Cibulkova again for 65 and served it out on her third attempt. “What a start of the year! It’s the first week and I think my game is not so bad,” Cornet said. “Beating a player like Dominika takes an amazing performance, everybody knows how much she fights and hits the ball hard.” Muguruza had survived tough three-setters against Sam Stosur and Daria Kasatkina in her previous two matches and the Spaniard dug deep to beat Russian Svetlana

Kuznetsova 7-5 6-4. Kuznetsova dictated early terms with her heavy forehand to race to a 4-1 lead, prompting Muguruza into a huddle with her coach. Muguruza changed strategy after the pep talk and tried to keep points shorter. The ploy worked as she reeled off three games to level at 4-4. Muguruza went on to save two set points to claim the first set and broke Kuznetsova twice in the second to advance to the last four. (Reuters)

Formula One fans in Singapore are keen for the race to remain there, despite negotiations between organisers and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone seemingly stalled, according to a survey conducted by British research firm YouGov. The contract for the Singapore race expires this year and Ecclestone and organizers are still in negotiations about extending beyond 2017, though he suggested in an interview with a German autosport magazine last November that talks were not progressing well. The Singapore race costs some S$150 million ($104.69 million) to put on

every year, 60 percent of which is funded by the government. It was first staged in 2008 and the citystate renewed its contract for another five years in 2012. The future of the race, however, was a concern for the 1,002 Singaporean respondents to the survey, with 57 percent keen for it to continue beyond this year. About 70 percent also felt the race had been a net positive for the country. YouGov conducted the survey of 9,332 people within eight countries in the Asia-Pacific area because the future of the sport within the wider region is clouded. The area hosts five Grands Prix on the 20-race calendar this year - in

Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. Malaysian organizers have already said they had no interest in hosting a race after 2018 because of declining ticket sales and television viewing figures. The survey, however, found that overall more than 60 percent of respondents wanted more races within the region with Hong Kong (33 percent), Bangkok (27 percent) and Sydney (20 percent) suggested as potential hosts. While 71 percent would be interested in attending races, high ticket costs and having to travel to another country to do so were major deterrents. (Reuters)

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Friday January 06, 2017

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Kagiso Rabada takes ten in 282-run triumph South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series by claiming the last six wickets before lunch on the fourth morning at Newlands as Sri Lanka continued their illdisciplined ways, a Test side irredeemably trapped in limited-overs mode. On the evidence of their tour of England last summer, and now here, in a changing cricketing world their appetite for the Test game cannot entirely be taken for granted. The chief beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s faulty mind-set was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who took four more wickets to finish with 6 for 55 and ten in the match for next to nothing. Rabada’s graceful fast bowling has been one of the delights of the past year. That said, he is too talented and level headed to become over-excited about the praise that will fall upon him. A gentle shake of the head at a gimme wicket after Dinesh Chandimal chipped a stray delivery to square leg served as the perfect image of a morning when several gifts

Kagiso Rabada made short work of Sri Lanka’s middle order © AFP

were bestowed upon him. His realism did him great credit. Sri Lanka had anticipated a possible Test return to South Africa next year, but suggestions are growing that they might be jilted in favour of India. A 206-run win in Port Elizabeth has been followed by a 282-run margin in Cape Town. Big countries like to win; they also like to feel they have been in a fight. Far from being a surface

that was unfairly doctored to home team demands, this Newlands pitch possessed enough pace and bounce to provide captivating cricket and reward good batsmen and bowlers alike. Vibrant cricket is interesting cricket. Concentration needed other companions, not least cricketing nous and bloodymindedness. Sri Lanka, overly given to limited-overs habits, were not up to it. Rabada has looked a

grand fast bowler in the making ever since he made his mark in Test cricket in South Africa’s home series against England, his action smooth, his development fast and his demeanour underlining that successful fast bowling does not necessarily have to come with glares and curses. Sri Lanka, resuming on 130 for 4, retained three specialist batsmen as they sought to delay South Africa’s victory. All tossed

their wickets aside like picture cards on top of a trump. Within 40 minutes, Rabada had dismissed not only Chandimal, but Upul Tharanga and the captain Angelo Mathews. If anybody still wondered why Tharanga, a one-day opener, is carded in a Test to follow a group of ingénues and bat at No 7, his innings provided the answer. Met by a posse of close fielders, Tharanga struck three of his first balls for four with the air of a man who had no intention of hanging around. His downfall came in Rabada’s next over when he cut at a wide one which did not get up and underedged to the keeper. R a b a d a ’s n e x t t w o wickets did have intrinsic worth. Mathews’ attempt to drive a back-of-a-length ball of the back foot was exposed by challenging pace and bounce. And the dismissal of Suranga Lakmal was excellent: two hostile short balls in a row, the first of them fended uncertainly to short leg, the second deflecting off the glove to the wicketkeeper Quinton de

Kock. Even then, with four wickets in a spell, Rabada’s response was gentle. Amid all this mayhem, Kyle Abbott’s final Test could hardly have been more commonplace. Abbott pounded a challenging line, but to no avail: wicketless in the match, the only figures that mattered being the financial ones variously on offer from Hampshire and Cricket South Africa. Rangana Herath collected an unbeaten 35 while South Africa awaited the kill. It came with de Kock’s stumping of Lahiru Kumara as he made room to drive Keshav Maharaj through the off side and, finally, the splaying of Nuwan Pradeep’s stumps by Vernon Philander. And Johannesburg is next, the most demanding test of all. South Africa 392 (Elgar 129, de Kock 101, Kumara 6 for 122) and 224 for 7 dec (Elgar 55, Lakmal 4-69) beat Sri Lanka 110 (Philander 427, Rabada 4-37) and 224 (Rabada 6-55, Philander 348) by 282 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

Pakistan crumble around Younis hundred Good things come to those who wait. For the SCG crowd it was a couple of sessions of full-blooded play after waiting more than four hours in the rain. For Younis Khan it was a first century in Australia at the end of a barren tour. For Australia, it was a rush of wickets to give them a firm grip of the Pink Test with two days left. The wickets were as much due to Pakistan’s inattention as Australia’s excellence, with Azhar Ali and the captain Misbahul-Haq most due for introspection after falling prey to a run-out and a slog at Nathan Lyon, respectively. Asad Shafiq fell to a sublime catch by Steven Smith when he was already appealing for lbw, while Sarfraz Ahmed was accounted for by the extra bounce of the new ball in Mitchell Starc’s hands. Play was delayed until 2.45pm by light but persistent showers, reducing the minimum overs to be bowled to 54. Younis, though, was unperturbed by the break, continuing in a methodical manner on resumption and working his way towards a century. The milestone made him the only man to have a made a century in all 10 Test-playing nations plus Pakistan’s adopted home in the

UAE. He was, however, complicit in the critical run-out of Azhar, who made it as far as 71 before he was undone by the combination of a ball driven fractionally out of the reach of mid-on - whom he had to wait for - and the strong left arm of Starc, who threw adroitly to the substitute gloveman Peter Handscomb; Matthew Wade being off the field and back at the team hotel with illness. There had been some reverseswing for Starc and Josh Hazlewood when play began, the captain Smith preferring the pace pair to spin for the first 12 overs of the day. In that time Azhar evaded a close lbw shout from Hazlewood when on 59, the ball hitting leg stump but not enough to overrule the on-field call. A couple of other shots fell fractionally short of the fielders, and when Lyon was introduced he was able to gain some appreciable turn. However Azhar’s run-out was the only wicket, as Misbah hung on grimly in Younis’ more comfortable company until tea. One of the more intriguing duels in this series has been that between Misbah and Lyon; more or less the inverse of how things panned out in the UAE in 2014. While Misbah has tried to attack Lyon in the old familiar style, balls have been going to hand

rather than over the boundary, and so it was again when he swung for the Bill O’Reilly Stand and could only find the substitute fielder Jackson Bird. At the other end Steve O ’ K e e f e b o w l e d n e a t l y, challenging the stumps from wide of the crease, and was going up to appeal against Shafiq when a ball skidded on seemingly past the inside edge. Smith was up too, but somehow composed himself to claim a one-handed catch via Handscomb’s leg, which replays showed was the mode of dismissal due to the the thinnest of deflections from the bat. Sarfraz showed his familiar attacking intent but was unable to get over the new ball, offering another chance well held by Bird. Mohammad Amir showed rather less composure than he had done on previous visits to the middle, swishing Lyon heedlessly to midoff. When Wahab Riaz was bowled by Lyon’s sharp offbreak in the penultimate over Australia were very much ascendant, in spite of Younis’ best efforts. Pakistan 8 for 271 (Younis 136*, Azhar 71, Lyon 3-98) trail Australia 8 for 538 dec by 267 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

Younis Khan brought up his 34th Test hundred ©Getty Images

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Friday January 06, 2017

Adams set to take over as Sports officials should sound like Sebert Blake West Indies director of cricket By Edison Jefford Three-Star International Boxing Coach, Sebert Blake made a bold, but courageous, statement recently, which elevated his status as a serious sports official, who is not only interested in producing results, but also the ultimate outcome that is to deliver the elusive Olympic medals to Guyana. Speaking to a television newscast on the return of a Boxing team from Barbados, Blake said that if he gets the resources, he can produce an Olympic medal at the 2020 Games in Osaka, Japan. If not, Blake said he will retire from the sport. In other words, Blake was putting his coaching career on the line for the sake of securing significant results, which is the type of rhetoric that is unheard of on the local sports landscape. Blake had the right forum, and he used it to put his vision in perspective. A Boxing team was returning to Guyana with some success. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Guyana Olympic Association (G.O.A) President K. A. Juman Yassin were present at the Airport to receive the team. Blake knew he had an influential audience, so he used it to rightly challenge himself to perform on the greatest sport platform possible, the Olympic Games, instead of the mundane rhetoric that we have become so accustomed to from sport officials. In the same breath, he also challenged those leaders present to invest in him; athletes must not be misled. B l a k e ’s a t t i t u d e w a s perfectly in order. In fact, more sport officials should sound like him as opposed to

pitiable excuses, especially in the performance realm. Never mind those officials and aficionados, who attempt to undermine the importance of Guyana getting Olympic medals to justify incompetence and nonchalance, athletes must aim for grandeur goals and the Olympic Games is as big as it gets. We in the Caribbean knew of Usain Bolt’s talent since his youth performances at the CARIFTA Games, but Bolt would have never achieved his varying levels of success, if he did not challenge himself and the rest of the world on the biggest stage possible. Bolt single-handedly sustained the Jamaican athletics programme with all its facets and added an overwhelming international appeal that propelled Jamaica to the top of the world in athletics. It is possible for Guyana to achieve a similar outcome, but our lone Olympic medal came in 1980 and since then, we have had leaders and officials making excuses. Blake made his pronouncement based on what he knows, which is that Guyana possesses enough talent to give us Olympic medals. What we lacked over the years is the vision, the accompanying rhetoric and the resources to make the right investment. Generally, we lacked the leadership from our sports officials to produce regional and international results. A new Government was elected in May 2015. Last year, we had the first full year to assess what is Government’s priority as it relates to the development of sports in Guyana. Some key areas are explicit while others need further enunciation. For instance, there is a

robust Ground Enhancement Project underway to develop grounds across the country; more money has been allocated to sports and its development in the national budget; the National Sports Commission has been giving out grants to associations, clubs and individuals in need and there is a plan for the construction of at least two more macro sports facilities, within the confines of the 2 0 1 7 b u d g e t . In addition, a database of local athletes is being developed; a national sports policy was promised this year and there is a stated plan to have a sports organiser and coach in every district. That was an outline of some of the major areas Government has tackled thus far is sports, which alludes to its macro developmental goals. Those actions may not influence individual performances, but could change the regime of sports in Guyana. For performance, the Government is forced to rely on associations, organisations and even coaches, albeit it has a function to provide resources, especially finance and infrastructure. For direct impact and results, officials like Blake become exceptionally important because they interface with athletes more often than Government, which places the burden and responsibility of performance on them. Poor performances from sports officials present an inadequate picture and undermine the work of Government at the macro level. This is why Government must take the lead to ensure that its investment in sport directly impacts the performance of athletes so that there is accountability of officials. What Blake did was one of the refreshing aspects of sport last year. He simply put his hands up and asked to be made accountable for the failures or successes of his pugilists over the next four years. Guyana need more officials with this sense of responsibility as opposed to the sorry excuses that pass as administration, and officials who are merely contented with the title of their position, perks and trips around the world.

Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams has been offered the role of director of cricket for the West Indies. Adams, who turns 49 on Monday, is understood to have originally applied for the position of head coach but was invited to consider the director of cricket role by the West Indies Cricket Board. He is now understood to have accepted the job but is currently negotiating some details with the WICB and has not yet signed a contract. He will replace Richard Pybus who has been in the position since November 2013. Pybus’ initial contract was for a period of three years and was due to expire late last year. Adams would appear to have a better chance than most of uniting all parties involved in Caribbean cricket. He is admired for his record as a player - he averaged 41.26 from his 54Test career - and his work as

Jimmy Adams © Getty Images

a players’ representative while serving as secretary of the West Indies Players Association and president of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations. Combined with his coaching knowledge - he has most recently completed five seasons in England as head coach of Kent - he would appear to have the

respect of all parties for his integrity as much as his experience. The role of head coach remains vacant. While rumours continue to link Stuart Law with the position, it would be a surprise if any appointment is made before Adams’ elevation is confirmed. (ESPNcricinfo)

Brathwaite replaces injured Russell in BBL

Andre Russell © Cricket Australia/ Getty Images A n d r e R u s s e l l ’s problematic Big Bash League campaign has been ended by a combination of hamstring and knee injuries, with the Sydney Thunder calling up his West Indies T20 team-mate Carlos Brathwaite to replace him. Having entered the tournament still waiting on a verdict from the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission over allegations of missing drug tests, Russell was visibly hampered by a knee problem which compounded when he tore his left hamstring during the Thunder’s last-gasp win over the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday night. ”Andre has been playing

with long standing tendinitis of the right knee, that flared up in the opening rounds for the BBL,” the Thunder physio Murray Ryan said. “This was investigated via MRI following the Perth Scorchers game and several interventions implemented to assist his symptoms and allow him to continue playing. ”Unfortunately Andre’s playing fitness has been compounded further by an injury to his left hamstring the extent of this injury to be confirmed further via scans i n S y d n e y t o m o r r o w, however initial signs suggest a minimum 4-6 week recovery.” Paddy Upton, the

Sydney Thunder coach, acknowledged that Russell had been in difficult straits during the tournament, not only physically but due to the implications of the looming drugs verdict. “It’s been a very tough period of his career with his pending judgement hanging over his head and to also be carrying a long standing injury into this tournament,” Upton said. “It’s credit to his professionalism and commitment to his game and Thunder that he’s stuck it out.” Brathwaite toured Australia last summer with the West Indies, then made his name during last year’s Wo r l d T 2 0 i n I n d i a , thumping the winning runs against England in the final. “Carlos is dedicated to learning and advancing his game,” Upton said. ”With both bat and ball he’s a very skilled T20 cricketer. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for a season in the IPL and he really is the highest quality individual. He’s a top quality cricketer and person, which ticks the two big boxes when it comes to Thunder recruiting players.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 06, 2017

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RHTY&SC launch 2017 with donation to Foster made Honorary Member Berbice Cricket Umpires The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S planned Calendar of 400-450 programmes activities for the year 2017 was launched on New Year’s Day with a donation to the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA). The Club donated 12 polo shirts, trophies, medals and other items to the BCUA to assist them in fulfilling their mandate this year and to lift the level of cricket in the ancient county. Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the club has always enjoyed a cordial relationship with almost every cricket organisation in the ancient county and has played a

major role in assisting them to develop as they are committed to lifting Berbice cricket to a higher level. The donation was approved by the Executive Committee of the Club after a formal request was made by the President of the BCUA, Joseph Simon. The shirts would assist the umpires to be properly uniformed in matches while the medals and trophies would be used to honour outstanding umpires at an awards ceremony. The other items are to be used at the annual umpires get together. Foster hailed the Umpires as an important pillar of Berbice cricket and noted that over the years they have played a major

role in making sure that the true tradition of the game is maintained. He urged the professionals to uphold their high standards. All cricket clubs, he stated expects umpires to be unbiased and fair and noted that bad umpiring decisions can change the course of a game and even force people to quit the game completely. Simon expressed gratitude to the club for its timely contribution and stated that the club over the years has assisted the association on a regular basis. The RHTY&SC he noted is committed to the development (Continued on page 32)

RHTY&SC Executive Member Sohan Harry (left) makes the donation to BCUA President Joseph Simon.

Regional Super50 team to be picked this weekend Beaton, Samuels to play for L/Wards By Sean Devers Guyana’s preparation for this year’s Regional Super50 which commences on January 24 in Barbados and Antigua began on Wednesday with an indoor net session at the Chetram Singh Centre at LBI while the training squad had its first fielding session yesterday at Providence. Of the 28 players earmarked for possible selection, only veteran Shiv Chanderpaul was missing from yesterday’s session. Two trial matches were scheduled for today and tomorrow but a damp pitch at Providence due to persistent rain has resulted in those games being quashed with the team to travel to Barbados being picked by this weekend. Also at yesterday’s fielding session, held on a ground which remained hard despite the constant pounding from the rain, was West Indies ‘A’ pacer 24year-old Ronsford Beaton who returns to the territory of his birth to represent the Leeward Islands this season. Beaton was born in the volcano ravaged Island of Montserrat but grew up in Essequibo, Guyana’s largest

but least populated County. Beaton who has 25 wickets from 18 50-overs games is one of the overseas players for Leewards which will also include West Indies and Jamaica batsman Marlon Samuels. According to Head Coach Esuan Crandon, the former Guyana quickie, there is no longer time to play off the trial games and said the team which plays in the Barbados zone should be picked by weekend. Crandon also informed that two practice matches are scheduled before the team departs on January 21 and is hopeful that the rain will stop since it is affecting turf sessions. Crandon also informed that the players were set to have an indoor net session at LBI yesterday afternoon. Guyana have won nine Regional One-Day titles since this format was first played in 1976 but the last t i m e t h e y t o o k Championship honors was 12 years ago when they beat Barbados in 2005 final in fading light at Bourda . The other zone and the final-four will be held in Antigua and this year, a West Indies U-19 team will be involved.

Coaches discussing plans as the Jaguars had their first fielding session for the year at Providence yesterday. The following players are involved in this week’s sessions: Shimron Hetymer, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Raymon Reifer, Devendra Bishoo,

Veerasammy Permaul, Keon J o s e p h , P a u l Wi n t z , Christopher Barnwell, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Taignarine Chanderpaul, Romario Shepherd, Tevin

Imlach, Anthony Adams, Gudakesh Motie, Robin Bacchus, Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Rajendra

Chandrika, Vishaul Singh, Jonathan Foo, Sherfane Rutherford, Royston Crandon, Clinton Pestano, Steven Jacobs, Eon Hooper, Kevon Boodie.

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Friday January 06, 2017

Hassan, Moriah and Singh cop top awards

The respective awardees display their accolades with executive members of the Enmore CC. Imran Hassan, Gavin Moriah and Rudolph Singh were the top awardees when the Enmore Cricket Club held its annual awards ceremony on Monday last. Hassan who scored 413 runs and picked up 12 wickets grabbed the best allrounder of the year award

while left arm seamer Moriah with 28 scalps from 13 matches took the best bowler prize. Singh was given the most improved player trophy after scoring 434 runs. V i s h w a n a u t h Ramlakhan who got 114 against Calcutta SC and 87

versus Fairfield in the SPR Enterprise 40-over competition which was won by Enmore picked up the award for the best batting performance. The best bowling performance went to offspinner Chandraban Seemangal for his 7-35

against Enterprise B in the SPR 40-over competition, while the most consistent player was off-spinner Satesh Jainarine. Nandram Ganesh was voted the most disciplined player, while Jainarine was named most promising player and club captain

Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup fifth-place playoff

Suriname edges T&T in opener

Suriname celebrate after beating hosts Trinidad & Tobago in Couva. (Photo: CA-Images) Couva, Trinidad & To b a g o – I v a n i l d o Rozenblad scored in extra time to lift Suriname to a 2-1 win over host Trinidad & Tobago in the opening match of the 2016/17 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup fifthplace playoff on Wednesday

night atAto Boldon. The Surinamese can advance to a CONCACAF Gold Cup playoff with the fifthplace side from this month’s Copa Centroamericana with a win over Haiti today. After a scoreless first half, Suriname took a 1-0

lead in the 76th minute, when defender Guno Kwasie was given space to launch a left-footed effort from 20yards out that took a deflection off Trinidad’s Carlos Edwards before wrong-footing goalkeeper Adrian Foncette. Tyrone Charles leveled six minutes later with a brilliant free, firing just under the crossbar with his right foot from 30-yards out. As per Caribbean Cup rules, all games, if tied after 90

minutes, must go to extra time and then penalty kicks, if necessary. Just when it looked like the encounter was heading to kicks from the spot, an early CONCACAF goal of the year candidate settled matters in the 119th minute. Ivanildo Rozenblad launched an audacious 28yard effort with his right foot that beat a diving Foncette and settled into the left side of the net. (CONCACAF)

Bheemraj Ramkelwan most committed cricketer. Special awards were also given to caretaker/groundsman Deolall Rajkumar, Treasurer Tahal Ganesh for his outstanding contribution to the club, and the club’s number one fan Narain Singh, who attended almost all the games during the past year. Meanwhile, delivering feature address, President of t h e c l u b , Ta a j n a u t h Jadunauth, told the gathering that the club will collaborate with schools in the area to recruit new members. He noted that while the year was generally successful, there were some challenges, some of which were internal. ”The Enmore Cricket Club has been providing the people with an avenue for recreation, yet some people, who should know better, would not, even grudgingly, give us some recognition for that. But we will continue to do what we have to,” Jadunauth added. ”My disappointment is twofold, we are not getting younger boys to come to the Centre, regardless of which discipline they may be interested in. Whether the reason is school lessons, television or their cell phones, I am seeing a frightening situation. And I hold many parents responsible for that. Additionally some of our current players think that they are too big to be actively involved in activities to raise funds for the Club, but the same persons expect that the Club should carry their match expenses. And these are senior players,” he went on.

Jadunauth also addressed the club’s young membership. “I am pleased to see our younger members stepping up to the plate and I encourage you to see this Club as the Club which brought you to where you are today. The time will come when you will have to take greater responsibility and leadership roles in the Club’s affairs. You should not shy away from those roles because they will serve to make you better individuals,” he posited. Club captain Bheemraj Ramkelawan, stressed that the club’s mandate to rid the streets of Enmore of youths who continue to engage in unwholesome activities, has been met by some discomfort. “The environment that we operate under has b e c o m e o n e o f unfriendliness. This is one of the reasons why parents are reluctant to send their children to the club. A small group of persons are allowed to intimidate our younger members and for that matter new ones also,” Ramkelawan explained. The Club captain further stated that in 2016, the club played 18 games, winning 15, a six percent increase from its winning record the previous year. The Enmore CC also hosted a few fund-raising activities during the year, but was unable to stage the Inter-block softball competition, which will now be held in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, the club will have its Annual General Meeting and elections of office bearers later this month.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 06, 2017

PAGE 41

Over 450 Programmes/Activities completed

RHTY&SC, M.S enjoyed successful and productive 2016 The year 2016 has been described by Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTU&SC), M.S as a record breaking year. Of note, is that for the first time in its history, the year in focus has been quite remarkable in that since its formation in 1990, the club has successfully completed o v e r 4 0 0 programmes/activities during a calendar year. The previous record was 305 in 2015 and the entity was able to surpass its initial target of 300 by late September whilst setting a revised target of 400 on November 29th. The Club during the month of December was able to round o ff t h e y e a r w i t h a n unbelievable 353 activities, the most in its 26 year history. Club Secretary/CEO, the indefatigable Hilbert Foster described the year as the best ever in its history, noting that every year, the activities of the club keeps increasing as they seek to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. FOSTER SINGLED OUT THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR: Induction of His Excellency President David Arthur Granger as its fifth Honorary Patron; Receiving a National Award – The Medal of Service; Hosting the 46th anniversary

Celebration of Rose Hall Town; Opening of a Family Recreational Play Park; Annual Awards Ceremony and the massive Say NO/Say YES campaign. On the cricket field, the club’s players continued to excel and during 2016 and won the Tenelec Under-15 Title (2015), Tenelec First Division 50-overs (2015), Busta Champion of Champions (2015), BCB/New York Business Group Under-19 Tournament (2016). The Under-19 team has also advanced to the Memorex Under-19 final and will play Tucker Park. The club hosted sixteen (16) cricket tournaments including the Smart/King Memorial Female T20, Farouk Kudrath Memorial Under-17, Nasir Memorial 5/5, Hand in Hand Insurance 5/5, Food for the Poor 5/5, Beharry Say No/Say Yes Tournament while the Busta Champion of Champions 2016 and the Ministry of Health Say NO to Suicide Under-19 competitions are still to be concluded. The Club also hosted its annual TCL Cricket Academy which attracted over 100 young players and its 26th Annual Awards ceremony in April where over $2.5M worth of prizes were shared out to Club members. The Cricket section also benefitted from a new concrete pitch compliments of Republic Bank, $500,000 worth of investment in new

cricket gear while also hosting several members of the West Indies Female Cricket team. Shemaine Campbelle was also a member of the winning West Indies Female T20 World Cup Team and was duly rewarded along with Tremayne Smartt. Chanderpaul Govindan represented Berbice at the Under-15 level while Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Keith Simpson played at the Under-17 level. Brandon Prashad and Sylus Tyndall played for the Berbice Under-19 team while ten (10) other members played for the different league teams in the Guyana Cricket Board’s 3day cricket tournament – Collis Butts, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Rajiv Ivan, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Shawn Perriera, Keon Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Jason Sinclair. At the national level, a total of seventeen (17) members represented Guyana at the various levels: Kevlon Anderson, Sheneeta Grimmond, Deborah Vanderstoop, Dian Prahalad, Plaffina Millington, Aleema Arokuim, Shabika Gajnabi, R o s h a n a Ly n c h , E r v a Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Meliane Henry, Eon Hooper, Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon. Hooper made his First Class debut after claiming the most wickets in the GCB three-day tournament while Fudadin (West Indies ‘A’),

West Indies Female cricketers hosted by the club.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receiving the Medal of Service from President Granger on behalf of the club. Erva Giddings and Shemaine Campbelle played for the West Indies. To date, the club remains the only one in Guyana to have a female cricket team and Foster expressed disappointment that neither the GCB nor the WICB has seen it fit to assist in the development of the girls by offering coaches. Focusing more on off the field activities, the club continued to strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others. These activities were held under the sub headings of sports, culture, charity, anti-crime, antidrugs, anti-suicide, educational, youth development, social development, religious, community development, jobs for youths, anniversary

c e l e b r a t i o n s , awards/honours and economic development among others. The hosting of the Edward ‘B’ Beharry Co. Ltd Say NO/YES campaign was the largest of the programmes with the distribution of thousands of youth information booklets, posters and banners to schools across Berbice. Another activity was the Guyana Oil Company Traffic Education Campaign which saw the distribution of posters, brochures, information booklets, car stickers and television commercials, targeting all Primary and Secondary School students in Region 6. Others included the Tribute to Retired Head Te a c h e r s , T r i b u t e t o O u t s t a n d i n g Te a c h e r s , Lower Corentyne Outstanding Students Awards Ceremony, Ansa Mcal Award of Excellence, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Award, Republic Bank, Educational Camp for Grade 6 students, DTV-8 Mother and Father of the Year, Annual Youth Review Magazine, Dolphin Aw a r d o f E x c e l l e n c e , Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Feeding of the Poor, Hampers for Single Parents, Youth Inspiration Forum, Day of Sports, GBTI Inter Secondary School Tape-Ball Competition, Inter Primary School Softball Tournament, Scotia Bank Anti-Suicide Children Mash Parade, Tribute to Head Teachers, Tribute to Heroes, Donation of $1M worth of School Bags to Less Fortunate Students,

Restoration works to Club Office, Educational Scholarships to 60 Needy Students, Installation of Three Say No/Say Yes Billboards. Donation of $600,000.00 worth of trophies to schools, Clubs, Churches and NGO’s, $2M worth of Sport Equipment/Gear to Clubs, Schools and over $8M in clothing, footwear and food items to less fortunate families during the year. The Club also cosponsored 29 sports competitions across Berbice including cricket, softball cricket, dominoes, football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, chess and scrabble. Te n e d u c a t i o n a l competitions were also supported including debates, essay, public speaking and spelling bee for students. As a mandate from the Rose Hall Town Council, the RHTY&SC was given the responsibility to spearhead the 46th Anniversary Celebrations of the Township. With the support of their eight (8) cricket teams, Guyana’s largest Town Week celebrations which lasted from 14th to 25th of September, was undertaken. The programme included among other things, Pubic Exhibition, Medical Outreach, Educational Competitions, Yard Fowl Curry Competition, Public Concert, Feeding of the Poor, Honouring of Senior Citizens, Business Fair, Launching of Tourist Poster and a 40-page Booklet on Rose Hall Town, Day of Sports, Steel Pan Concert, (Continued on page 33)

t r o Sp

Regional Super50 team to be picked this weekend Beaton, Samuels play for L/Wards

The 27 players vying for 2017 Super50 selection having a workout at Providence yesterday.

Sports officials should sound like Sebert Blake

Christopher Jones

Dr. Nicolette Henry

Sebert Blake

RHTY&SC, M.S enjoyed successful and productive 2016 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210