Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris A. A. Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL CRIME, CORRUPTION AND THE ECONOMY IN 2018 In some quarters there is strong optimism that in the new year the country will see meaningful development. There is the feeling that 2018 cannot be like 2017; that somehow the problems in 2017 will not be there this year. The hope is to obviously be in a better place as a nation. Most of us have made resolutions of some sort, but before the first quarter ends, they are abandoned or forgotten altogether. Part of the reason for the abandonment of many resolutions is that they were not practical; too deeply rooted in unrealistic expectations, such as expecting others to fulfill them instead of developing personal plans to achieve them. Not only individuals have problems that may carry over from one year to another, countries do as well, and Guyana is no exception. Elusive economic growth continues to be one of the persistent maladies of our time. We hope to see a more aggressive stance by the government, the private sector and all stakeholders to expand and diversify the economy. Based on its 2018 budget predictions and allocations, the government has the ability to achieve its much-vaunted three percent economic growth rate this year and a little higher by the next election cycle. But it will take more than unbridled optimism to grow the economy. Indulging in a game of musical chairs may give the impression that all is well. However, new and transparent initiatives are needed as well as the enthusiasm of the people. Another persistent problem is crime. At last count, more than 120 persons were murdered in Guyana in 2017, most of these by gun. Resources must be found to stop illegal guns and other contraband goods being smuggled into the country. Gun smuggling is big business in the criminal underworld and the authorities must do all they can to end it. It is easy to blame the present government for the existing crime situation, but in essence it inherited the mess from the previous administration and has tried its best to tame it. People are more convinced than ever before that the last administration did not have the answer to solve crime. Crime grew progressively worse during the PPP reign and remains a particularly daunting problem for the incumbent administration. Many of the crimes committed these days are by people who benefit handsomely from their dastardly acts, and those who believe that greed and the accumulation of wealth and power are the things that best define them as individuals. They are convinced that the best way to live is by a code that says that life is all about them and others be damned. Which brings us to another problem—corruption. Not only was corruption rampant during the last administration, but it was also nurtured. Inexplicably, even though many public officials in the PPP government were and have been accused of corrupt practices, no effort was made by that administration to discipline, let alone charge them. Today, many of those alleged offenders are boldly, and one could say shamelessly accusing this government of corruption. This does not mean that everyone in the current government is above board, there are hints of corrupt practices, thus, everything should be done to curb the lure of getting rich overnight. For 2018 there has to be the resolve that firm action and a comprehensive strategy will expand the economy, tackle crime effectively and deter rampant corruption. The Opposition, civil society, and other groups must be engaged in this national effort. More intelligent approaches are required to solve the aforementioned problems; they will not be resolved by any ill-conceived fiat by those who hold the reins of power.
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Displaced sugar workers need to start looking after their interests DEAREDITOR, While retrenched sugar workers have for the most part been aware of the very real possibility that they might be laid off, for those who spent much of their lives on the estates, such a scenario very likely seemed unthinkable. Unfortunately, political interference and mismanagement going back to the terms of PPP administration have borne their unpleasant results. Now is hardly the time to be political, but sugar workers should recognize that what is unfolding as an economic disaster for their communities and an upheaval of their personal lives was brought about by the PPP administration itself. It resisted efforts to either transform or close the sugar industry in a manner that allowed sugar workers to receive maximum benefit in terms of severance, simply to maintain their political support from sugar workers. Even now, the PPP continues to prostitute itself as representing interests of sugar workers. What has made the situation immensely more difficult was the clearly uncoordinated efforts to deliver timely severance by the coalition administration, which I have already observed is nothing short of political victimization. This being said, it is suggested, now, that time be spent by these workers looking after their best interests. In respect of the part-severance they expect to receive by the end of January, sugar workers should recognize that this money, based on government’s intention of paying the second part in the second half of the year (no date specified), is expected to last
for a fairly long time. They are therefore urged to ensure that they monitor their expenditures wisely. It is worth reiterating that the business community is encouraged to extend some consideration to displaced sugar workers. Jobs could be offered that involve training in an effort to integrate them into the workforce on a more permanent basis. Potential employers are also encouraged to recognize that they may need to extend some flexibility to sugar workers initially for the first couple of months to allow them to adjust to their new work environment. Some sugar workers may come on the job with a fair amount of stress, and this has to be considered in ensuring they are ultimately successful at their new jobs. For sugar workers, key to getting a job is carrying an upright character and proper attitude. Relations with your new employers should be based on honesty. Both during job interviews and on the job, being honest allows your employer to understand you a bit more so that he can better gauge your skills and better manage their relationship with you. Hiring and training employees is a time consuming and costly affair, so try to ensure that every effort is made to build a strong and understanding relationship with your employer/supervisor. One of the things that sugar workers are encouraged to reflect on is that the leader of their union, Mr. Komal Chand, was a standing member of the PPP’s Central Committee since at least 2008.
In this position, how could he ever honestly represent the interest of sugar workers through the years? Sugar workers could also explore avenues for recouping their union dues from GAWU, and consider also approaching the court to have the operations of GAWU stopped on the basis of fraud because its union leader had a conflict of interest, being a member of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee, and so could not exercise his duties to sugar workers in a fair and impartial manner. Although this claim may be less relevant now, sugar workers should understand the nature of the beast they are dealing with. All sugar workers have every reason to be proud in spite of what is unfolding in the sugar industry. Although they have been taken advantage of by successive governments, as evidenced by their depressed welfare, sugar workers can hold their heads high and with dignity knowing that their labor has generated much foreign currency through the decades which has helped support Guyanese’ way of life. Finally, although PPP supporters are probably having a good laugh at coalition supporters because they were made fools by the Coalition administration with a bundle of empty promises and lies, all Guyanese, particularly those of African descent, can take this opportunity to confirm that the PPP is a liar by embracing our fallen sugar workers and giving them a place in society, where they rightfully belong. Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester.
PPP IS 75 YEARS TOO LATE IN EMBRACING INDIA DEAREDITOR, Itwaswidelyreported that the PPP sent 17 of its Members of Parliament to the first People of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentarian Conference in New Delhi, India. This is a welcome development but it comes 75 years too late. GiventhePPP’shistorical embrace of communism and the Soviet Union what contribution could the PPP have made to the conference? Could the PPP really speak for and on behalf of Indo Guyanese? What was the real purpose of the visit? To understand one must look at the anti-Indian history of the PPP and the current situation the party finds itself in. EversincethePPP founder leader Cheddi Jagan, in dodging the military draft in the USA, returned to British Guiana in 1943, he had embraced communist ideology and the Soviet Union at the expense of the welfare and well being of Indo Guyanese and all Guyana. He took Guyanese into the Cold War with his anti-USA/British posturing and his frenetic support of the Soviet Union and it led to social/racial unrest that set Guyana on a path of racial polarization and dictatorship politics. Much destruction was done to the Indo Guyanese cause by the PPP. Dr.Jaganandthe PPP helped to destroy Indian culture and values by denigrating all Indian intellectuals, degrading Hindu leadership, sent thousands of mainly Hindu youths to the Soviet Union for ideological brainwashing,
and established a People’s Culture Corps that promoted Russian and Cuban revolutionary songs, music, and plays! Hindu youths were gustily singing the Internationale and Guantanamera! Indo youths were socialized by the PPP to discard their Indian identity and culture. Indians were discouraged from engaging in intellectual discourse on ethnic issues and encouraged to simply parrot Marxist phraseology promoting working class identity. Even with the collapse of the Soviet Union and its communist empire by 1990 the PPP persisted with communist ideology. The consequences o f f a i l e d Jagan/PPP/Jagdeo leadership are reflected in the state of Indo Guyanese many of whom have largely descended into the sub culture abuses of rum, noise, domestic violence, wife beating, rum violence at wedding houses, drunk driving, vehicular accidents and the glorification of theft of public funds, drug trafficking, money laundering, gold smuggling, and trafficking in people. If there were any doubt of the degeneration of Indian values one only has to look at the video footage of PPP parliamentarians disobeying the Speaker, disobeying the Sergeant of Arms, and assaulting police officers in the chambers of parliament while screaming like disorderly drunks. The consequences o f f a i l e d Jagan/PPP/Jagdeo leadership are further reflected in our nasty political
culture, an electoral system geared at racial mobilization, a farce of a parliament, a constitution that enables elected dictatorship, a mockery of free and fair elections and a culture of government corruption. What exactly did the PPP delegation contribute to the conference? They could not have been telling the rest of the world how to behave in parliament or run a parliamentary democracy, how to eradicate corruption, or how to craft a constitution steeped in democratic values. They could not have been extolling the achievements, advancement, and progress of Indians after their 23 years reign. They could not have been talking about ethnic issues in Guyana because they never addressed such matters. The PPP’s contribution would have been zero. So why did the PPP go to India? To identify with its electoral base and to signal to the Coalition Government that it has an emerging super power watching its back. In case of high level prosecutions for theft of public funds, receiving drug proceeds, trafficking in drugs, and money laundering they can cry ethnic victimization and persecution to the Govt. of India and apply for sanctuary there. Maybe, the Guyana Government should hire special financial crimes investigators and prosecutors from India to complement SOCU and FIU. YoursSincerely, MalcolmHarripaul
Friday January 12, 2018
The pain is real for sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to Mr Abel Seetaram’s letter titled “The dead, sugar, PPP and GAWU gains” which appeared in the January 10, 2018 Guyana Chronicle and Kaieteur News. From his letter, Mr Seetaram, we recognized, is engaged in all sorts of gymnastics and let the Government and GuySuCo off the hook for the sad and depressing situation that has now engulfed scores of villages and thousands of ordinary, now jobless, Guyanese. While Mr Seetaram contends that the workers were well aware for some time that they would have received redundancy letters, one cannot help but come to the conclusion that the Region #5 councilor had not been paying keen attention to the news. Certainly had he being doing so, he would have known that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, is reported in the November 17, 2017 Guyana Chronicle as saying “the scheduled year-end closure of the Rose Hall and Enmore estates will be delayed until 2018”. Given the Minister’s announcement workers would have obviously been disturbingly surprised to receive letters telling them that their last
day of work was December 29, 2017. The letter writer then goes on to argue that the Government should put profits before people, something President David Granger said he is opposed to if his remarks in Nairobi are anything to go by. Again, Mr Seetaram’s ignorance of the news is exposed as only days ago President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohamad Raffik, according to the January 5, 2018 Stabroek News, told Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in reference to the closure of estate that “… financial consideration of profitability is important, but it is not the only criterion the government got to look at”. Mr Seetaram went on saying that our Union, among others, has sought to link the suicides of the workers to the plans for sugar. This is not hearsay or gossip but the cold hard reality that has been spawned from the heartless and cruel plans to put people out of work without any glimmer of hope for a secured future. No amount of confabulations or justifications by Mr Seetaram and his colleagues can take away the pain and hurt the loved one of the two sugar workers have felt and are feeling at this time. Then not surprisingly, Mr
I salute Dr. Bibi Jabar. DEAR EDITOR, I recently learnt of the transfer of one of Essequibo Islands / West Demerara best medical practitioners, both at the administrative level and attending to patients, to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). It is indeed sad to know that the Ministry of Public Health took such a stance from my viewpoint. However it can also be viewed as a tactical move to strengthen the complement at GPHC since Dr. Jabar has a track record of putting a smile on patients’ faces even in times of uncertainty. I recall back in 2015, when my grandmother-in-law required medical attention at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and was facing a difficult time. I remember making strong representation on her
behalf and wanted to speak to the senior doctor. I was given contact details for the Medical Superintendent and when Dr. Jabar came to me she listened to my case and dealt with it with full professionalism. I remember in 2016 when another family member fell ill and was given maximum attention from Dr. Jabar with detailed advice on how to handle the medical complications and there are two other circumstances of similar nature. In 2017, I was reassigned duties from the Ministry of Communities to Regional Administration Essequibo Islands / West Demerara. In performing my duties as Regional Information Officer I personally had the opportunity to witness Dr. Jabar (Continued on page 6)
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Seetaram ignominiously seeks to blame GAWU for the actions taken by the two workers. This is beyond comprehension, is reprehensible and speaks to the low levels that are being sunk to in order to justify, regardless of the consequences, the decisions taken with respect to the sugar industry. We want to tell the letter writer that GAWU was dutybound to tell the workers the truth, a truth staring the workers in their faces. How could we paint a rosy picture when there was no paradise to go to. Minister Harmon, in the article we referred to earlier, is reported to say that the delay in the closure was due “since no system has been put in place for the sugar workers following the closure”. This reality is borne out, as Mr Seetaram’s friends who occupy the seats of power, have not gone to tell the workers what is in store for them. All they see is a despondent future. GAWU as a responsible organization urged workers not to take extreme manifestations as we have seen in two cases. We do not believe that can be deemed an answer and we have advised workers and others who are affected to seek counsel of others and to share their thoughts. We have even shared with workers the contact information of the national suicide hotline in an effort to give the thousands affected an outlet to vent their frustrations. Right now, for thousands in the sugar belt they are hurt, dismayed and despondent by the vindictive and spiteful act to punish them for reasons best known to the decision makers. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Jagdeo and Edghill are disingenuous DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the statements made by both the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Member of Parliament, Mr. Juan Edghill, challenging the Government of Guyana’s support of the Hope Beach Windfarm Project. This project would supply power to the national grid at a price they assumed would be higher than US$0.12 per kW. According to the Opposition members, this transaction is “corrupt” for not being tendered and for the involvement of Mr. Lloyd Singh, a businessman who is considered to be a supporter of this Government. Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Edghill further misrepresented that this Government had issued Mr. Singh a 50-year lease of lands at Hope Beach for the project. I responded by pointing out the duplicity of the allegations, specifically that the transaction originated since 2000, but did not take off due to the previous d e v e l o p e r ’s f a i l u r e t o secure financing. The former Government had, in 2007, issued the developer a 50-year lease on lands at Hope Beach for the project and, in 2014, approved the said Lloyd Singh’s participation in the project and the sale of power to the Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) at US$0.18 per kW on a BOOT arrangement. Mr. Samuel Hinds, former Prime Minister with
responsibility for the power sector, in an attempt to provide perspective and justification for agreeing to such terms, now advises that “the reported claim of the businessman Lloyd Singh of having a 50-year lease should be thoroughly checked.” It must be emphasized that it is not this Government that issued the project a 50-year lease. Rather, it was issued during Mr. Jagdeo’s tenure. The rights to the said development were never tendered. Further, having kept the transaction alive for 15 years with the hope of the Hope Beach Windfarm Project being the first major renewable energy project to serve the national grid, the former Prime Minister now suggests that the environment for renewable energy development has changed significantly since the APNU+AFC Coalition Government came into office at the end of 2015; that the considerations, once valid and relevant to the transaction during the PPP administration, are no longer so. He further recommends that the MOU and other agreements the then Government entered into with the developer should now be scrutinized and terminated if lacking compliance. Since 1994, renewable energy development generally, and to supply the national grid, has been a major pillar of our national energy policy. The former Prime Minister – having held
responsibility for the power sector for 21 years but without success in achieving any major form of renewable energy development – would be, more than anyone else, intimately aware of the many challenges in bringing such development to reality. Indeed, in recent years there has been increased world attention and promotion of all forms of renewable energy to counter climate change and to move towards more sustainable means of development. While international financing to support this agenda has increased, affordable financing on terms acceptable to Government, without adding to the national debt, continues to be a major challenge to which every Government in our circumstances has to address and determine what is in the best interest o f t h e c o u n t r y. I t g o e s without saying that every investment opportunity, whether private or public has to be justified; the H o p e B e a c h Wi n d f a r m Project is no exception. As stated previously, the Government is supported with expert advice in reviewing this investment opportunity and will make its final decision when the developer completes studies and presents a final proposal to the Government. Yours faithfully, Hon. David Patterson, M.P. Minister of Public Infrastructure (with responsibility forElectricity and Energy)
PAGE 6
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Cryptocurrency and preventing rigged elections DEAR EDITOR, If you heard of BITCOIN, you know of cryptocurrency. BITCOIN has started a revolution so great that it threatens the very existence of how our current system of government, finance and business is done. IT aims to do away with paper money all together and banks can become obsolete. For the first time, the people can gain control over the forces that drives economic growth. This idea currently has big businesses and Governments scrambling to find a way to control this revolution. I will now attempt to explain this system to you as a non IT professional. The technology that cryptocurrency runs on is call “Blockchain” and it is the most secure system for monitoring and tracking transaction never before seen in human history. Blockchain was created by an anonymous programmer that uses an alias called SantoshiNakamoto. It is a system of global ledgers that tracks transaction using an encryption consisting of fifty eight (58) alphanumeric characters that is unique to that transaction, which is call a
key. The transaction, such a s a b a n k t r a n s f e r, i s tracked by this key and stored on multiple servers worldwide. These servers record the exact transaction and therefore it is virtually impossible to hack and steal this information because each server checks on the others to make sure there are no changes unless all of them agree. The only person that can make changes is the person to whom the transactions belongs and has a matching key for that transaction. The beauty of blockchain, is that it operates on an open source platform and not controlled by a single entity, therefore, no single entity or person can manipulate the records of that transaction unless it has the ability to hack into a million computers at the same time, which is virtually impossible. That is why blockchain technology is the answer to prevent election rigging by stopping voter fraud. The same concept that protects the transactions of cryptocurrency can also protect one person one vote in an election. And it will not be too expensive or difficult to implement.
There are companies currently building voting platforms for electoral systems to operate on with the intention to change the democratic process worldwide. The way it would work is, a voter would be recorded into the blockchain as an eligible voter and their information would then be stored with the same protection as mentioned above, the voter would then be issued a unique key and matching barcode to use for voting. At the time of voting, the voter would show up at the voting booth with that key and record his vote, after which that record is now stored on the blockchain. After voting is over, there will be no way to edit or delete any votes since it would be protected by millions of servers across the world. At this time, GECOM will only have to tabulate and share the results. This system will also support voting from abroad and home with the use of any online device such as a phone or laptop, because each key cannot be replicated, therefore, it can only be recorded for that vote. Blockchain has handed its powers to the people and it is only the beginning. Malcolm Watkins.
A most undiplomatic post from a government functionary DEAR EDITOR, Below is a post to Face Book by the Government’s Chief Information Officer (or whatever his equivalent designation is) which in my view is certainly not the way someone in his capacity, notwithstanding that this post is to his personal Face Book Page, should treat an issue in the conduct of relations between two countries. Yes, there is the use of public diplomacy in the conduct of relations between and among states, but certainly his treatment of this issue, if in fact there is an issue and that I am not even sure about, is misplaced and unbecoming of a senior government functionary. Imran Khan 21 hrs · Something smells. And it ain’t parfum. Is the Indian High Commission in Guyana interfering in Guyana’s internal affairs and attempting to engage in destabilization of the Coalition Government? Were any of the IndoGuyanese ministers of government and sitting Members of Parliament invited to the Persons of Indian Origin Members of Parliament Conference currently ongoing in India? Or did the High Commission only and deliberately invite three Coalition Government backbench parliamentarians while specifically ignoring ministers? If so, on what basis was this decision made? Is it true that 23
Guyanese Members of Parliament were invited and that 20 of the invitees are PPP MPs while a mere 3 are Coalition MPs?” If the Government of Guyana has an issue with any country about which it is unclear and/or unh a p p y, t h e p r o t o c o l would be for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the ambassador or high commissioner of t h a t c o u n t r y t o Ta k u b a Lodge to discuss and seek to resolve the problem if one exists. It is not for any senior government functionary whether in a personal or official capacity to treat the issue in the public domain until and unless all other official efforts to resolve “the issue” have been exhausted. I would be surprised if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have encouraged or is even aware that such a post was being made to social media. Over the years, especially during the periods when the PNC formed the government, Guyana was well known and respected fo r its high standards of diplomatic practice. To b o r r o w a q u o t e from Deryck Murray in
his missive to his friend Dave Martins about West Indies cricket, “Ah shame”! Is this what our diplomacy has degenerated into? I hope not. I saw where a current government minister requested on the g e n t l e m a n ’s F B t h r e a d that he remove the post since this is not how the Government of Guyana treats with friendly countries. Twenty hours later, at the time of penning this letter, the post was still up. Is this man so powerful that he can disregard a simple request, some good advice, from a senior minister? Many may call Forbes Burnham a dictator. He had his faults like all of us but I wouldn’t consider him a dictator. But for something like this, in the Burnham era, this gentleman would have been shown the door, especially after being advised by one of his seniors, to remove the post. I suppose his being able to make the post, let alone disregard the advice of a senior minister, is a consequence of coalition government and politics. Regards, Wesley Kirton
I salute Dr. Bibi Jabar. From page 5 coordinate four medical outreaches at Parika, Wakenaam, Leguan, and Wales. The outreaches were coordinated when she acted as Regional Health Officer in the space of just a couple of months. Doctors from Georgetown and WDRH had the opportunity to assist more than one thousand persons from these rural communities and I know Ministers Volda Lawrence and Karen Cummings were extremely happy since the outreaches were in keeping with Ministry of Public Health’s mission to provide quality health care to all. I believe the most admirable quality of Dr. Jabar is her ability to communicate effectively and her charismatic approach to situations. She al-
ways holds a smile and never complained even though the difficult circumstances and limited resources can often send you crazy. She is a mentally strong woman and I hope that her replacement is as good as her or even better for it not Essequibo Islands / West Demerara will lose big time. If I can, I would have begged for her to stay knowing her ability and zest to further improve our hospital at Essequibo Islands / West Demerara, but maybe the Ministry knows best. I salute you, Dr. J, and wish you tons of luck. Continue to be humble and as you told me before, peace of mind is the best medication to have best health. Yours sincerely, Ganesh Mahipaul.
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Illegal to delay severance payment to sugar workers - GAWU The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is not happy that some 4,000 sugar workers made redundant last year have to wait almost three weeks more to receive half of their severance pay. In fact, the announcement of President David Granger on Wednesday that the other half of the payment will not come until the latter half of the year could be illegal. Yesterday, GAWU noted that ‘while the grass is growing the horse is starving’. The union made it clear that workers’ redundancy payments are a legal requirement. “Certainly it is due in full payment at the end of the month’s notice period – December 29, 2017.” On Wednesday, President Granger, in a statement read by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to the National Assembly, underscored the administration’s commitment in ensuring sugar remains in the Guyana configuration. The decision to close four estates in the last 12 months has to do with safeguarding the long-term viability of the industry and halting the bleeding of the treasury. Since coming to office in May 2015, the administration says it has plugged almost $32B into the Guyana Sugar Corporation, but can no longer afford to do so. GAWU, responding to Granger yesterday, said that he has confirmed the worst fears of many workers - that
President David Granger Protest action at the Rose Hall area, East Berbice, earlier this week. their full redundancy payments would not be honoured in a timely manner. “For many of the thousands of families affected, the receipt of those payments is critical to their sustenance at this sorrowful time.” GAWU also pointed out that the President’s statement would be in contrast to that of his Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who had committed to a month-end payout of the severance. “This only adds to the confusion of what is clearly an upsetting and depressing situation. This type of confusion or game-playing seems to be characteristic of this Coalition Government and, certainly, does not do the distressed workers any good.” The union said that for the sugar workers who last received earnings on December 29, 2017, the repainting of “perfectly good buildings or building impressive fences as well as other extravagances” do not seem to illustrate there
is a lack of finances. With regards to the Government’s claim it has invested heavily in the industry in recent times, the union stressed that it is a fact that two-thirds of that expenditure took place during his (Granger’s) term of office. “That fact of notoriety, we believe, should have leapt out at him and cause him to question why sugar production has slumped 40 per cent during the period of the Coalition Government, especially at a time when employment costs have fallen by 15 per cent in the same period.” GAWU noted that from the message, it can be concluded that just 100 or 2.5 per cent of the displaced workers would benefit from training programmes that are organized. “In terms of the sum of $100M being made available to workers for the pursuit of other economic endeavors, this is equivalent to a measly $25,000 per displaced worker.
Such sum, we contend, is hardly sufficient to engage in any serious economic activity. That sum is even inadequate to get off the ground the heavily touted plantain chip and cook-up rice endeavours.” The union called on Government to explain more about the work of the sugar industry’s Special Purpose
Unit (SPU) which has been tasked with finding investors. “We noted too the President’s commitment to engage the workers’ organisations. Our union looks forward to meeting with him and his administration on the question of the industry’s future and the plans for workers. Just a few days ago, we sent to Minister of State, Jo-
seph Harmon, a request for such an interaction and we have every reason to believe, in light of the President’s statement, such an engagement would be soon forthcoming.” GAWU urged the administration to visit affected sugar community areas to engage the workers and others.
PAGE 8
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Almost a decade later…
Hope Beach wind farm project…
Ministry has uphill task recovering over $3M from errant contractor
Patterson: Land was leased for 50 years by Jagdeo Govt.
The Ministry of Public Security is still trying to recover over $3M from a contractor that was hired to carry out infrastructural works within the Camp Street prison in 2007. This was since the Ministry was controlled by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)’s Clement Rohee. Back then it was called the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Audit Office of Guyana has highlighted the fact that the Ministry is still to recover the tax dollars given to the contractor who did not perform as required. In his 2016 report, Auditor General Deodat Sharma noted that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board awarded the contract for the construction of the New Capital Dormitory at the Georgetown Prisons to the lowest bidder in the sum of $24.654M in 2007. However, the contract
was terminated in October 2008 after over $21M was paid to the contractor. The reason for the termination of the contract was stated as extreme lack of diligence on the part of the contractor. The Auditor General noted that an assessment of the completed works revealed that the contractor was overpaid $10.410M. Sharma wrote, “In this regard, the Ministry levied on a Performance Bond of $12.237M, which was held with the now defunct insurance firm Colonial Life General Company Limited (CLICO). However, the Performance Bond Agreement had expired on 7 June 2009. On 17 January 2011 the Ministry was able to recover the sum of $7.008M from the proceeds of the $12.237M Bond and the balance on the overpayment in the sum of $3.402M was sought.” The Auditor General said
that evidence was seen where the Ministry of Public Security wrote the Ministry of Legal Affairs seeking assistance and advice for the institution of legal proceedings against the contractor. A reminder was sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs on 12 February 2015 in an effort to conclude this matter. No further action was taken since by the Ministry. It so turns out that the Ministry dealt itself a bad hand. The Auditor General stated in his report, “The Head of Budget Agency explained the matter went to Court in 2015 and the Ministry was advised that by accepting the claim for the sum $7.008M initially offered, the Ministry forfeited the right to any further claims. The Ministry was advised that that matter should be dealt with by the Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance.
Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson
Businessman Lloyd Singh
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Government is still to make a final decision on the future of a wind farm at Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara. Yesterday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson who holds the portfolio for energy, disclosed that the matter is engaging the attention of the administration with “expert advice” in reviewing the proposed investment. Government “will make its final decision when the developer completes studies and presents a final proposal to the Government”, Patterson said in a letter to the editor on the issue to Kaieteur News. Last month, it was reported that Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill, had challenged the Government’s support of the Hope Beach Wind Farm Project. Patterson said that according to the Opposition members, the transaction is “corrupt” for not being tendered and for the involvement of Lloyd Singh, a businessman who is considered to be a supporter of the Government. The Opposition was misrepresenting the facts when it said that this Government had issued Singh a 50-year lease of lands at Hope Beach for the project, the minister stressed yesterday. “I responded by pointing out the duplicity of the allegations, specifically that the transaction originated since 2000, but did not take off due to the previous developer’s failure to secure financing. The former Government had, in 2007, issued the developer a 50-year lease of lands at Hope Beach for the project and, in 2014, approved the said Lloyd Singh’s participation in the project and the sale of power to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) at US$0.18 per kW on a BOOT arrangement.” Patterson pointed out that Samuel Hinds, former Prime Minister with responsibility
for the power sector, in an attempt to provide perspective and justification for agreeing to such terms, is now advising that “the reported claim of the businessman Lloyd Singh of having a 50-year lease should be thoroughly checked.” According to Minister Patterson, it must be emphasized that it is not this Government that issued the project a 50-year lease; rather, it was issued during Jagdeo’s tenure. “The rights to the said development were never tendered. Further, having kept the transaction alive for 15 years with the hope of the Hope Beach Wind Farm Project being the first major renewable energy project to serve the national grid, the retired Prime Minister now suggests that the environment for renewable energy development has changed s i g n i f icantly since the APNU+AFC Coalition Government came into office at the end of 2015 and that the considerations, once valid and relevant to the transaction during the PPP administration, are no longer so.” Patterson explained that since 1994, renewable energy development generally, and to supply the national grid, has been a major pillar of the national energy policy. “The former Prime Minister – having held responsibility for the power sector for 21 years but without success in achieving any major form of renewable energy development – would be, more than anyone else, intimately aware of the many challenges in bringing such development to reality.” Indeed, Patterson argued, in recent years there has been increased world attention and promotion of all forms of renewable energy to counter climate change and to move towards more sustainable means of development. “While international financing to support this agenda has increased, afford-
able financing on terms acceptable to Government, without adding to the national debt, continues to be a major challenge to which every Government in our circumstances has to address and determine what is in the best interest of the country.” It goes without saying, the minister said, that every investment opportunity, whether private or public has to be justified; the Hope Beach Wind Farm Project is no exception. Last month, Singh in an exclusive with Kaieteur News, made it clear that plans are very much on stream to construct a smaller, 12-megawatt (Mw), US$32M wind farm at Hope Beach. The businessman, owner of International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), assured that the project is very much alive, though its magnitude has been revised because of technical reasons. While Singh had been teaming up with a Chinese partner, he has managed to attract Danish and other European investors into the project. He said that the project has not reached a stage where a power purchase agreement is being negotiated. However, there have been major talks recently on the project. According to Singh, present at the meeting were representatives of the Guyana Power and Light Inc., the Guyana Energy Agency, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Environmental Protection Agency, as well as overseas consultants on the power sector. There were also representatives from the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association. Guyana is moving into other forms of renewable energy including solar and even natural gas- powered generators for the Guyana Power and Light Inc. The country’s annual fuel import bill is around US$100M.
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Bishop Edghill’s suspension is unconstitutional The PPP/C blundered by not challenging the constitutionality of the National Assembly’s decision to suspend Bishop Juan Edghill. Bishop Edghill was last month suspended from the National Assembly by virtue of a motion accusing him of gross misconduct. The motion was moved and carried by the government’s side of the House. In effect, the motion deprives Bishop Edghill of his constitutional right to participate in the work of the National Assembly. The motion is not dissimilar to the gag order which the National Assembly imposed in 2012 on then Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee. That gag order followed on the heels of a motion which was ploughed through the House and which sought to limit Mr. Rohee’s right to speak, pending the outcome of a finding by the Committee of Privileges. The PPP/C had challenged that decision in the court. The court ruled that the National Assembly could not infringe Rohee’s constitutional rights as a member of the National Assembly. The then Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, had inge-
niously attempted to make the distinction between Rohee speaking as an elected member and as the Minister of Home Affairs. Justice Ian Chang in his ruling said that Rohee’s status as Minister had no relevance to the case. He ruled that it was Rohee’s elected status and not his tenure as Minister which gave rise to his right to speak in the National Assembly. The then acting Chief Justice in his ruling said “…it is the view of this court that Mr. Rohee’s right to speak in the National Assembly derives from his office as a member of the National Assembly and not from his office as an executive Minister. This, his right as an elected member of the National Assembly, must be concomitant with his constitutional duty to speak for and to represent his electors in the National Assembly who, in turn, have a concomitant right to be represented”. This ruling is relevant to the right of Bishop Edghill to participate in the work of the National Assembly. It is also relevant to the means by which he can be prevented from exercising such a right. It is hereby contended that the constitutional right of an elected member of the Na-
tional Assembly cannot be deprived or restricted by virtue of a motion, other than a motion which follows from the finding of the Committee of Privileges. In other words, it was improper for a motion to have been approved for consideration of the House for the charge of gross misconduct when the determination of gross misconduct, as was the instance in the Rohee matter, was not adjudicated by the Committee of Privileges. Edghill was not found guilty of any misconduct by the Committee of Privileges and therefore the motion was premature. It was also ultra vires of Edghill’s constitutional rights as a member of the Assembly. Those rights cannot be denied other than via a motion stemming from the findings of the Committee of Privileges. It is only the Speaker and the Committee of Privileges which can pronounce on the issue of gross misconduct. Juan Edghill had refused to comply with a directive from the Speaker to take his seat during consideration of the Estimates of the 2018 Budget. The Speaker then ordered Edghill to leave the Assembly. Edghill also disobeyed this directive. There
followed a ruckus in the Assembly. The Speaker could have referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges. This would afford Edghill the right to due process on the charge of gross misconduct. This did not happen, because he was sanctioned for gross misconduct by way of motion. The absurdity of this is obvious. Any side of the House can, with a one-seat majority, silence or restrict the participation of a member in the National Assembly. In other words, if someone is caught scratching his private
parts or sleeping during a sitting, the side of the House with a one-seat majority can have that person sanctioned for gross misconduct by way of motion. This is not to say that Juan Edghill could not have been sanctioned outside of a finding of the Committee of Privileges. The Speaker has the power to hold Edghill in contempt just as how a former Speaker had held Cheddi Jagan in contempt for throwing down the Mace. The Speaker has the authority to suspend Bishop Edghill for as long as he, the
Speaker, deems fit, if he the Speaker finds the Bishop to be in contempt, which was clearly the case. But the Bishop cannot be suspended by virtue of a motion, other than a motion which seeks to implement the findings of the Committee of Privileges. The PPP/C should appeal the suspension of Juan Edghill. It is unconstitutional.
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Friday January 12, 2018
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
PAGE 14
Kaieteur News
Friday January 12, 2018
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
‘Fit and Proper’ criteria…
Former Trini banker linked to insider trading “declines” top GBTI post Almost two months after being introduced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Trinidadian Larry Nath has “declined” the position. Contacted yesterday, Governor of Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga, disclosed that his office has received correspondence from GBTI which indicated that Nath will not be taking up the position. GBTI has since named another person as the interim head. Nath was introduced in November as the new CEO, but there were questions raised last month about his background. Nath resigned from Trinidad’s First Citizens Bank in late 2014 amid a major investigation involving insider trading. Several other persons were sacked and the entire board of that state-owned bank resigned as a result. Last month, the Bank of Guyana and Guyana Securities Council both confirmed that they were probing how
No longer interested? Former Trinidadian banker, Larry Nath Nath was named as GBTI’s CEO. At both institutions, Kaieteur News was told, there are regulations in place that compel financial institutions to provide evidence that their managers are “fit and proper” to hold those positions. In Nath’s case, it was unclear whether his troubles in
Trinidad, where the insider trading issue, was widely reported, was brought to the attention of both the Bank of Guyana and that of the Guyana Securities Council, as regulators of the financial sector. The accusation was that Nath allegedly acquired shares in the state-owned bank which was going public. As a result, he and other executives made millions of dollars. Trinidad’s news was filled with the First Citizens Bank’s scandal. The Trinidad Express, on December 4, 2014, reported that Nath, First Citizens’ CEO, resigned from the company with immediate effect. The Trinidad Guardian reported that First Citizens shares went on the market in the lead-up to 2014, with Nath acquiring 215,000 of the bank’s shares for TT$4.7 million. As at December 2014 trading price, those shares were worth TT$7.9 million. “Among the senior executives and directors of First
Electrical inspectorate to clamp down on inferior fittings Given the incidence of fires, the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) plans to work with several agencies to minimize the use of inferior fittings in the construction of homes and buildings. Arnold Barclay, Chief Electrical Inspector, dismissed the notion that all electrical fires are caused by the electricity supplier, Guyana Power and Light Inc., noting that there are cases where inferior electrical fittings are used. “There is a myth out there that once there is a fire in a building it is electrical in origin. This is the reason why we are embarking on this programme to eliminate the causes of fires through fake materials,” Barclay stated. Explaining the process of certification of electrical materials, Barclay noted that before the items can be sold on the market, the electrical items are examined by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to establish proper labelling. He said that the labels help GNBS determine that the items are safe to be used. “These materials are to be tested, listed and labeled for the intended purpose by a recognized body. In Guyana, materials are being sold at various stores and they are
Arnold Barclay (right) and Joseph Peters not listed, they are not labeled and they are not marked. This does not ensure that these materials are used for the intended purpose,” Barclay noted. Barclay pointed out that electricity produces heat and if a cable is not tested, labeled and marked, it shouldn’t be used indoor, because there is no guarantee that the cables would withstand the amount of current it is intended to be used for, and that could cause a serious problem. Joseph Peters, an electrical inspector at the inspectorate, has seen some of the inferior items being sold in stores. “We are talking about electrical receptacles that you would find in a regular
home…panels, cables among other things that we will use in our homes on a daily basis. Practically the entire Guyana is exposed to this regularly. By the labeling on these articles we will be able to recognize which laboratory tested them and approved them for the purpose for which they would be used,” Peters stated. He noted that the electrical installation must be undertaken by someone who is a certified electrical contractor, and that is versed with the governing codes. “Nobody wants to know that when they are finished building a home it is destroyed by electrical fire. It is advised that what you use is certified,” Peters emphasised.
Citizens, Nath’s purchase of shares in the IPO was eclipsed only by the group’s former chief risk officer, Phillip Rahaman, who acquired 659,588 shares. Rahaman’s purchase of the shares for over TT$14 million generated a huge controversy in the first half of 2014 over how he financed the acquisition and whether he bought the shares for himself or some relatives,” the Guard-
ian reported. One month into the controversy, the board dismissed Rahaman, saying it had “lost confidence” in his ability to carry out his duties following an extensive internal investigation. All the First Citizens directors who served during the IPO have been replaced, most notably the bank’s chair, Portof-Spain attorney Nyree Alfonso, who resigned just
before the June 17, 2014 special meeting. The transaction was labeled as insider trading, highly illegal in certain territories. The subsequent investigation had recommended disciplinary action be taken against Nath, deputy chief executive and corporate secretary, Sharon Christopher, and head of the legal department, Lindi Ballah-Tull.
PAGE 16
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Pap smears more effective than VIA in testing for cervical cancer As part of the fight against cervical cancer, a campaign had long ensued by the Public Health Ministry to encourage women to be screened with a view to advancing early detection and early treatment. This is in light of the fact that once detected and treated at an early stage, cancer can be eliminated altogether. Among the screening measures that the public health sector has been promoting is that of the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid [VIA]. The VIA screening programme has been catching on countrywide and has even been regarded as successful, since an increasing number of women have been accessing the service free of cost at many public health and even private health facilities. But according to Consultant Oncologist and Medical Director at the Guyana Cancer Institute, Dr. Sayan Chakraborty, while the VIA screening method has enabled health sectors throughout the world to conduct successful screening programmes, utilising the Pap smear process is by far a more meticulous choice. He noted that while both screening processes can help to detect for cervical cancer, the basic difference lies in the way each is carried out. In the case of the VIA test, he explained that “we are putting some acetic acid on the cervix and we are noting the colour change...it is an effective process of screening, true, and it is used at many places and in many countries.” But in the case of the Pap smear, Dr. Chakraborty noted, this screening process actually takes scrapings from the
- Oncologist
Dr. Sayan Chakraborty, Consultant Oncologist cervix and vagina and these are closely examined. “It is just like putting a swab in the cervix and taking the secretions and putting it on a slide and looking at it under a microscope,” explained Dr. Chakraborty. In fact, he informed that the Pap smear is more specific in finding pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions. This he attributed to the fact that it is examined under a microscope, thereby allowing the medical practitioner to have a better understanding of the sample being examined. According to the Consultant Oncologist, the use of VIA as the more popular screening method for cervical cancer can be easily linked to the fact that it works well for resource intensive settings. “Yes, VIA is less costly than Pap Smear...” but he underscored that it is also important to ascertain the most advantageous process before a decision is made. “We have to understand that the cervix contains two
parts – a part we can see from outside, and there is a canal which is called the endocervical canal; it cannot be seen from outside. So in a VIA we can only see that part of the cervix which is seen from outside, but if there is any cancer present which is growing inside the cervical canal, which is again very common, we are not able to see that, because that canal cannot be seen from outside,” Dr. Chakraborty stated. This therefore means, he said, that with a Pap smear, “we can take smears or scrapings from the cervix, vagina and also from the endocervical canal. So any cancer involving this part of the vagina, outer part of the cervix or even the endocervical canal can be effectively [detected] by the Pap smear...” For this very reason, Dr. Chakraborty is of the conviction that the Pap smear test far outweighs that of the VIA test. “By and large, if you ask me which is the most effective screening test, of course I would be endorsing the Pap smear a little bit more than VIA,” he said. For this entire month, the Guyana Cancer Institute is offering free cancer screening to women as part of its efforts to commemorate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The Institute has also joined a movement to end cervical cancer by 2025 which comes as part of its membership in the Healthy Caribbean Coalition which has been pushing for the elimination of cervical (Continued on page 30)
PAGE 26
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Female cases dominated 20142016 TIP reports The Annual Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2016 has found that the profiles of suspected perpetrators of TIP were predominantly middle-aged persons who provided entertainment for the public. It was also stated that family members of the alleged victims were often involved in the perpetration of the crime. The report which was on Wednesday laid in the National Assembly by Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the Task Force, Khemraj Ramjattan, also revealed that there were 98 alleged victims of TIP stemming from 38 reported cases in 2016. Of the 38 reported cases for 2016, 30 were sent for legal advice and 19 TIP charges laid. In contrast, there were 18 reported cases in 2015 and 18 in 2014. These cases involved 55 alleged perpetrators, up from 32 in 2015 and 26 in 2014. According to the report, there was one conviction for a case initiated in 2016 and one from 2015. In the first matter, the perpetrator was not sentenced but was ordered to pay $884,000 in restitution to the survivor and fined $50,000. This verdict was appealed by both the state and the perpetrator, Joyce Lawrence. In the second case, Sharlene Oxley was sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to pay $2M in restitution to the survivor. The verdict was appealed by the perpetrator. In both matters, the perpetrators were related to the survivor. Analytical data of the cases considered by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has shown that in 2016 most alleged victims of the crime were females, which accounted for 86.7 percent of the 98 victims. Females dominated TIP reports from 2014 to 2016 with 89.3 percent, while alleged male victims accounted for 10.7 percent. For the period 2014-2016, each year saw an increase in the number of alleged victims of TIP in Guyana. It is the Task Force’s contention that this increase can be attributed to increased awareness among the general populace. Statistics for 2014-2016 show that the 12-18 age group was the most vulnerable in Guyana with 36 percent, closely followed by the 19-25 age group with 34 percent. “The general trend was a decrease in the prevalence of alleged trafficking in persons as age groups rose, strongly suggesting that
younger individuals were most vulnerable to the crime. However, each of the age groups recorded alleged victims, suggesting that no one was immune”, the report states. The majority of victims were of Mixed-Race with 52.3 percent falling into this ethnic group. This group, as recorded by the Police statistics, comprised largely of individuals from Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Venezuela. The report went on to state that this ethnic group was followed by the Indigenous People with 24.9 percent, Afro-Guyanese with 13.7 percent and Indo-Guyanese with 9.1 percent. The majority of incidents of alleged TIP from 2014 – 2016, occurred in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) with 44.2 percent, followed by Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with 22.3 percent. Other notable locations were Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), Region One (BarimaWaini) and Caribbean countries with 5.6 percent. While Region Four was the area with the most incidents of alleged TIP in 2014 and 2016, in 2015, Region Seven led in this regard with 47.4 percent. Interestingly, Police figures indicate that in 2015, the majority of alleged TIP victims in Guyana were from overseas, accounting for 52.5 percent. This figure, according to the report, was 38.8 percent in 2016, mostly represented by individuals from the Dominican Republic and Brazil. The report highlights the Government’s awareness of the problem and efforts by supporting entities to combat TIP, but also demonstrates that there is a lot of work still to be done. In the most recent TIP Report, Guyana was elevated from Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 2, with the Report stating that Guyana “did not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.” According to the Report of the Ministerial Task Force, Guyana takes these Tier placements seriously and desires that the country be placed on Tier 1 in the near future, which it recognises would require increased efforts and concrete results. The 2017-2018 National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons released in January 2017, is described as an important stepping stone in the fight against TIP.
Friday January 12, 2018
GRA’s Special Investigative Unit up and running After months of planning and training, the Special Investigative Unit of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is up and running. This was recently confirmed by GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia. The special unit is part of the authority’s plan to fight internal acts of corruption or collusion that may lead to billions of dollars in revenue leakages. Statia noted that by half year, cases which were being handled by Internal Affairs would be completed, along with recommendations for appropriate action. He noted that new cases will also be pursued. The Commissioner General asserted that among the duties of the Unit will be the vetting of shortlisted applicants prior to their employment with the revenue authority. In an interview with Kaieteur News, Statia also explained that such a department is absolutely necessary for the Authority, as it seeks to restore the confidence of the public in the entity as well as improve its day to day operations. Statia said, too, that he is interested in accountability and transparency, and it is in this light he will be seeking to not only catch those taxpayers trying to cheat the system, but even those officials within GRA who may be working along with them. “We need a proper internal affairs department that properly investigates our staff, to see who is living
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Govt. liquidating $40M Dynamic Airways bond to refund over 600 passengers
…as fight against internal corruption, collusion continues
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia above their means and what is actually taking place. I have been in discussions with former police officers and I have been able to get the former Crime Chief Mr. Henry Chester, and he would head that team.” Speaking to the importance of such a department, Statia reminded of some of the damning discoveries he made when he took over as Commissioner General. In this regard, he cited the fact that there were corrupt practices involving certain GRA staff in the customs department, which has resulted in tremendous revenue leakages. The tax boss noted that the Customs Department was one area which was fraught with various corrupt acts and schemes. “When I got there, I did a
few set of analyses and I found that in the area of customs, there were lots of misclassification of imports. Based on the codes, you know that they misclassified a lot of items, and this was so that (importers) either get zero rates or lower rates,” Statia disclosed. He said he found that the misclassification of imports was due to two reasons; ignorance or collusion. With respect to collusion, Statia found that there were instances where some officers were placed at the wharves just to collect benefits for their superiors. “What we have also found is that some of the supervisors and some of the heads and wharf managers… they have their people, whether or not you like it. People were transferred to wharves strictly to collect (benefits) for their managers and their heads. I know the entire trick…” To address the issue of collusion, the CommissionerGeneral said that he had to put in place a system of staff rotation. “What that approach does, is it enables you to move people around, so that by doing so, those who take over from them have the opportunity of checking to see the work that was done before,” Statia had said. (Kiana Wilburg)
Government is moving to liquidate US$200,000 held in escrow to pay off Dynamic Airways passengers who were stranded late last year. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, it has initiated the process to access a bond for the sum of US$200,000 which was lodged by Dynamic International Airways, LLC, in collaboration with their local handling agent, Roraima Airways Inc. “The funds will be used to refund passengers in Guyana who purchased tickets to travel on the now defunct Dynamic Airways, provided that they have not been able to use the whole or part of same to travel,” it was explained. It was also disclosed that Roraima Airways has submitted to the Ministry, a list of 609 passengers who are eligible for the refund. “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure will publish the names of the eligible passengers in the local press, and details for these individuals to
uplift their refunds. Passengers eligible for a refund whose names are not published are asked to contact Roraima Airways Inc. to access same.” The Ministry said that it is assuring affected passengers that it is working assiduously to have the process expedited. In October 2017, Dynamic Airways confirmed that it was pulling out, leaving close to 200 unemployed. The North American operation had been here for four years, flying five times weekly before reducing to two flights last year. During the four-year period, it had transported at least 80,000 passengers to and from Guyana. The step of declining from air travel services was taken by the authorities of Dynamic Airways after they would have been sued by several passengers due to their ‘inhumane experiences’. It was announced in July 2017 that US-based air carrier, Dynamic International Air-
ways, had filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of North Carolina, Greensboro Division. The airline's decision to file followed upon litigation matters resulting from Hajj flights the airline operated in 2014 for Air India. It also followed the entry of a judgment in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina affirming an arbitration award against Dynamic Intl. issued by the Canadian Arbitration Association in April 2017, which determined that Dynamic Intl. was in breach of contract by failing to pay commissions to BKP Enterprises in connection with the Hajj flights. While it filed a notice of appeal and intends to challenge the judgment and award, Dynamic Intl. had no immediate recourse to stay the judgment and determined the commencement of the Chapter 11 case was necessary.
PAGE 28
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
13 hospitalized as bus driver loses control of vehicle
The bus that was involved in the accident Thirteen passengers were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday afternoon after a route 44 mini-bus driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle. The driver has been identified as 41-year old Eustace Gentle, a father of nine, who hails from Buxton. According to his 26-year old conductor, Ryan Muesa, “We de coming from de East Coast to town. When we approach de light (traffic light)
it was sayin’ green and a canter that de coming across just jump (the traffic light). Me driver see the canter, but in the space of time he couldn’t stop fuh do anything”. It was while trying to avoid colliding with the canter that the mini-bus, registered as BWW 1234, ended up in a nearby canal on Sheriff Street, after the driver lost control of the vehicle. Kaieteur News understands that there were no fatalities, however 13 persons
were rushed to GPHC. The driver was said to be in a critical condition, while the other victims are nursing broken bones and lacerations Among the victims are Ellen Seaforth, who is said to be in her 60s, Fiona Seaforth, 39 and Angela Hackett, who is in her 40s. These victims are all relatives of Asana Seaforth who was in tears at the GPHC. She was too distraught to offer a comment.
Church should stay away from partisan politics – Archdeacon CASTRIES, St. Lucia - CMC -The new Archdeacon of the Anglican Church of St. Lucia, Christian Ezekiel Glasgow, says that the church ought not to become involved in partisan party politics. But at the same time, the Clergyman told reporters that the church must be involved in politics. ‘As church, must be able to observe and speak freely: ‘Thus says the Lord’ when it is necessary,’ said Glasgow officially takes up responsibility for the Island’s four active Anglican churches, this week. Glasgow explained in response to questions from reporters. The native of Saint Vincent stated that the church does not function in the way most people believe it ought to. ‘We can’t be jumping up and making noise at every issue. The church must deal with issues where they begin and must be able to speak truth to power where that ought to be done – not necessarily in the public,’ Glasgow, who previously served in Grenada, noted.
‘I have found, for example that in the Grenada context, we have been able to speak to leaders of political parties, we have been able to speak to the cabinet – we don’t make noise about these things, but we speak truth to them and I think that’s what is going to be very important here,’ he stated. Glasgow declared that his main concern is not about people who may have left the church, but rather, preaching the gospel. He expressed the hope that as he preaches the gospel and it spreads far and wide, persons hearing it will want to become part of the Anglican Communion. The new Anglican Archdeacon said that gospel promotion is more than putting people in the pews. ‘The church must always remember that its welfare is bound up in the welfare of the community where it lives and as such, the church must have a positive impact,’ he explained.
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Maternal Death at Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital...
Monumental measures were engaged to save patient’s life – Gynaecologist “I have lots of regrets about not being able to save her, but there is nothing more that we could have done.” These were the sobering words of Gynaecologist and Medical Director of the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital, Dr. Madhu Singh, during an interview with this publication yesterday. Her sombre remarks comes on the heels of the passing of one of her patients, 37year-old Stacy Peters, a resident of 1296 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Peters was pronounced dead at approximately 05:38hrs on Wednesday at the hospital, but according to Dr. Singh, it certainly was not because of a lack of meticulous care and a swift team response when the patient developed complications. Peters had one day earlier become a mother of three after she gave birth to a baby girl at the very hospital. But according to Dr. Singh, deliberate care and attention was given to the patient throughout her pregnancy since she was listed as high risk and was counselled as such. The Gynaecologist said that not only was the patient a sickler [suffering from sickle cell anaemia] but she also had a reoccurrence of multiple large fibroids, and thus had previous myomectomy [a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids]. Because of past
Medical Director and Gynaecologist, Dr. Madhu Singh
Dead: Stacy Peters
issues, Dr. Singh said that she had communicated to the patient the possibility of even having to remove her womb during surgery. “This was because of the previous myomectomy and she had huge fibroids again. Whenever a patient with such big fibroids has a caesarean we may end up having to remove the womb in order to stop bleeding,” the experienced Gynaecologist shared. For this reason, she said that keen attention was given to
the patient throughout her caesarean section. The surgical procedure was uneventful and, according to Dr. Singh, “we were happy with her condition postsurgery.” The woman appeared to be recovering well and showed no adverse signs. What the medical experts who were attending to the woman were not aware of was that a clot had developed. Speaking to this state of affairs, Dr. Singh explained, “a clot like
this can happen in any surgery, especially pelvic surgery like a caesarean or any other gynaecological surgery. Women who are pregnant and women who have just had a baby are at high risk for developing clots...it is called deep vein thrombosis.” When a clot develops, Dr. Singh revealed that it can always detach at anytime and become lodged in important parts of the body such as the heart, lungs or the brain, in which case it becomes a thromboembolism [blockage in a blood vessel]. In the case of Peters, a huge clot became detached from one of her veins and went to the heart and became lodged in the pulmonary artery. A post mortem examination was conducted yesterday. According to Dr. Singh, such conditions are so rare that they present three in every 1000 patients. Dr. Singh disclosed that the clot was, moreover, not detected before the woman was operated on. She however noted that there was no hesitation on the part of medical experts at the hospital to respond to the complications the woman developed. In fact, Dr. Singh divulged that the response was within minutes. Peters’ complications reportedly all started with her complaining of feeling dizzy. This led to the ER doctor being summoned. Recognising that the
patient was in a crisis, the ER doctor in turn called in Dr. Singh, the attending gynaecologist, who also requested the presence of other specialists. “We had a cardiologist coming out at 5 o clock in the morning, there is no other hospital that offers that kind of facility, I can tell you that, and that is because we have a full-time cardiologist always on call,” said Dr. Singh. It was within minutes of the cardiologist’s arrival that Peters’ condition was diagnosed and immediate moves were made to take her into the Cath Lab to suction the clot. “These are usually post mortem diagnosis...when the patient is dead, a lot of times the cause is known, but we were able to make the diagnosis before but we still couldn’t save her,” confessed Dr. Singh. She continued, “We did everything that would have been done in any international centre, but this patient had such a massive clot that she couldn’t be saved.” Even as she stressed that there was no negligence or wanting care by experts at the hospital, Dr. Singh asserted that “even in the most advanced countries some deaths do occur. We did our best to save this patient and we did what any advanced centre could have done, including providing emergency Cath Lab facilities.” Dr. Singh noted that while
the progression of Peters’ condition was detailed to her husband, other relatives who were not even present at the hospital, opted to share a controversial version of the situation with another section of the media. “They are saying how we left a clot in the patient; we didn’t leave a clot inside her. I can’t go and leave a clot in a patient’s blood vessel. I don’t think that they understood what we were explaining, but we did explain everything to the husband and he seemed to understand,” said Dr. Singh. The hospital has also refuted reports that demands were made the family to pay off the hospital bill before Peters’ baby could be released into their care. In fact what was done, the hospital said in a statement, was that “an offer was made for our Paediatric nurses to care for the baby while the father was making arrangements for the baby’s care. At no time was it said that the bill must be paid off before the baby can leave the hospital.” “Further to this, it was also stated to the father that the baby must complete a 24-hour observation period before being discharged from the hospital,” the hospital statement added. It was also amplified in the statement that “the hospital did everything humanly possible to try to save the life of this patient.”
PAGE 30
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Pap smears more effective...
FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OFAC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822. Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)6788683 For efficient repairs, installations, assembly of imported furniture and gym equipment, mounting TV etc. Call:673-2692/233-3006
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1 BMW Car $1.7M 1 Cement mixer truck $2.9M 1 Bobcat $3.3M. House lots @ Blankenburg . Contact 6500402/603-1402. One miller, welding generator, excellent condition. One mig welder. Contact: 699-4300, 228-2734 Corner property at 2006 Festival City Entrance. Call: 665-3622/670-8799. Pure breed German Shepherd for sale (Black & Black and tan) Tele no: 626-0953 or 6509998
Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 6036400. 1 Flat concrete house (Tiled, grilled,PVC ceiling) 3 bedroom, 1 self-contained room @ Parafaite Harmonie & Onderneerming, $50,000 monthly #662-6818. 3 bedroom Apt in Diamond 3rd Avenue. Tel: 666-6503, 592684-7599, 695-7427 2 bedroom semi-furnished apartment, tiled, grilled, secured at 13 Lyng & Sussex St Charlestown. No children, contact 601-1585/674-6394, 225-1418. Three (3) Bedroom bottom flat at 116 Caneview Avenue South Riumveldt Gardens. Price $75,000. Tel: 625-0392, 609-7826, 218-1688
12ft & 14ft Aluminum boat for sale 222-5671, 641-6162
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
EDUCATION
Are you moving out, need transportation, have stuff to fix up/disassemble? Call: 6585897/233-3006
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Alliance Françaíse Guyana French classes January 2018, Register 61 Upper Robb Street Bourda, Thurday 11th Friday 12th 4:30-6pm & Saturday 13th 10:30-12pm #692-2965.
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
Learn Mandarin now! New year, new skills, new you! Call now for more information! #603-0018
LEARN TO DRIVE
DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 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 MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 Car for rent or taxi, Call 6996715 TOLET
Ultraviolet driving school is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500.Come and enjoy it! Tel: 602-2583 SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
VACANCY
Full time waiter/waitress to work at Aagman Restaurant, Sheriff street, experience preferred. Call: 219-0158/ 2190161. Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Male to work night shift at hotel. Tel: 225-9211. Apply in person.
Male factory worker, age 18 and above, must have working experience. For more info call: 223-0090 Chef and assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit us 172 Sheriff Street. General maintenance man, Ages 24-55. Address 233 South road, Tele# 225-0198 One customer service representative. Age 18 and over. Must have working experience, send application via email: humredes@gmail.com
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Wanted experience wash bay workers Nandy park. Tel:2335227 One cashier, one secretary, attractive salary. Call: 2237165. Security guards, 1 heavy duty mechanic, 1 cashier, 1 filing clerk, 1 accounting clerk, 1 company secretary. Call: 6044149 Experienced drivers, Waiters, Roti & puri cook, apply with written application, Hacks Restaurant, 5 Commerce St. Experienced hire car drivers and dispatchers for princess hotel Contact 616-5419, 2657076 Heavy duty mechanic to work in interior. Must know to drive and welding is an asset. 6802702 One welder to work in the interior. Meals and accommodation provided. Must have driver’s license. 680-2702
1 used Jialing JH125-35B Motorcycle. Call: 613-7771/ 688-8887 3 storey wooden building for sale and removal in Queenstown,Georgetown. 610-7558/223-4125/225-0018
Lessons: Phonics, Reading & Writing for kindergarten, grades 1-5 Mathematics & English lessons for form 1-5. Call: 690-9378
C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
WANTED
One business space, located at 177 Charlotte & Alexander St. Kindly call: 689-3462, 6443555. Serious enquiries only. One three bedroom house at West Riumveldt $50,000 per month. Tel: 672-7194/692-7377
300+ acres fertile agriculture land on E.C.D. to lease OR partnership in agriculture project. 682-8251 1 Live-in nanny to take care of children and home. Must know to cook various food. 682-8251 1 Live-in maid between age 3550. Prefer out of town persons. Contact Ms. Edwards 6643918 between 8am-4pm Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. Private tutor for ACAA, Any two papers among F5-F9. Email interest to odalexa@yahoo.com We buy land in Eccles and Herstelling, we buy oil paintings on canvas. Tel# 656-0701/651-1969 Experience hair cutters/ stylists, nail technicians and Estheticians required at upscale salon. Please contact: 688-6945
One receptionist, age 18 and over, must have working experience. Please send application via email: humresdes@gmail.com One Mechanic with sewing machine experience, age 25 and over, please send application via email: humresdes@gmail.com Housekeeper, Female, age 2550 years able bodied. 6912186, 663-3399 1 male to work at vulcanizing & Tyre repair shop. Must have experience. Call 690-4722 Cook/Baker & Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 1 cleaner & kitchen assistant, preferably female (to work in chinese restaurant). Contact: 231-5108, 625-8884 Experienced Security Professionals. Must have 3 yrs. experience, past military/ security. Send resume & picture by email:. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m One female cleaner and driver for office in Eccles. Call: 2332745 One maid for East Bank area, must know to cook and clean. Call: 614-4358 Cleaner – submit written application to Barton-Sukhraj Accounting Lot 78 Breda & Hadfield Street, Werk-en-rust or e-mail to bs.taxes@yahoo.com Office clerk Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset, Call: 223-7500
(From page 16) cancer. The Cancer Institute has also been the beneficiary of a grant from the Government of Australia which has been helping it to screen almost 1,000 women annually, at no cost. “We are offering urban women the luxury of having a free Pap smear,” said Outreach Director of the Cancer Institute, Dr. Syed Ghazi. He noted that while for the majority of women VIA is more practical, the Pap smear is in fact the gold test. “Like we have the mammogram as the gold test for [screening] for breast cancer, the Pap smear is the gold test for screening for cervical cancer,” said Dr. Ghazi, as he added, “We are part of the system, but we have our own resources, and we try to give state-of-the-art medical facilities and treatment to our patients.”
VACANCY Handyman, age 20-50 years, able bodied, police clearance required. 691-2186, 663-3399 One maid. #639-9449 Female domestic worker to work at private residence. Call: 690-4722. Live-in or part time maid, call 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 9am to 4pm Welder/fabricator, machinist, mechanic, must have technical background and three years’ experience. Call: 233-2745 LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie $1.5M Uitvlugt-$2.5M Zeelugt$2.4M.Tel:642-1252 Parafaite Harmonie- High income 2nd Avenue pitch road with big parpet, concrete wall (100ft x 50ft) $3M Tele: 6560701/651-1969 Farm (Newly fence) (East Bank) $3.5M Uivlugt (100ft x 50ft) $3M Herstelling $2.5M Parafaite Harmonie $1M & 1.4M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969
Temporary Tax Consultant – Minimum qualification – CXC inclusive of Mathematics, Accounting & English, e-mail application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com
Parafaite Harmonie 1.4M 3.5M 1.6M 2.5M Herstelling 3.5M Tuschen 5M 5.5M, all prices negotiable. Call: 6662326.
WANTED
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Drivers for Private cars & minibus route 44 all previous applicants can re-apply. Call: 225-3234
Supermarket at 17th Avenue, Diamond. Tel: 626-3423
One skilled gasoline mechanic Contact 671-8122/649-1290 Attractive Salary
Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Indian envoy clashes with senior Govt. spokesman over MPs trip to India In what is believed to be an unprecedented diplomatic development, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam yesterday took on Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, over a social media post. Khan took to Facebook on Wednesday evening, stating that ‘something smells and it ain’t parfum’. He questioned whether the Indian High Commission in Guyana was interfering in Guyana’s internal affairs and attempting to engage in destabilization of the Coalition Government. His post was in connection with the 23 representatives from Guyana who attended Tuesday’s special conference for the People of Indian Origin Members of Parliament, held in India. Guyana’s delegation was the largest and included 20 MPs, 17 from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and three from the coalition Government. The PPP fielded just 12 members at Wednesday’s sit-
India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam
Director of Public Information, Imran Khan
ting of the National Assembly which was designated private members’ business day, designed to primarily address matters brought by the opposition. “Were any of the IndoGuyanese ministers of government and sitting Members of Parliament invited to the Persons of Indian Origin Members of Parliament Conference currently ongoing in India? Or did the High Commission
only and deliberately invite three Coalition Government backbench parliamentarians while specifically ignoring ministers? If so, on what basis was this decision made?” Khan questioned. Khan also tagged the Indian High Commissioner in the post. Several comments supported Khan’s decision to express his views via his personal Facebook page while others were critical of a
senior government spokesman making his views public. Some persons called on Khan to remove the post, including Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence. “This is distasteful and not in keeping with how this Government treats their guests,” Lawrence stated in response to Khan’s post. Up to last evening, the post was not removed Kaieteur News understands that the post has not been well received by the Indian diplomatic missing in Guyana. According to Mahalingam, many in the top hierarchy of the Government and Guyana High Commission in New Delhi are aware of the invitations from Government of India for 23 MPs and 3 Mayors of Guyana and the rationale behind inviting only those Persons of Indian Ori-
gin MPs who are not Ministers. The High Commissioner described Khan’s comments as reckless in addressing a serious issue on social media. He stated that comments were a clear intention to mislead the general public by none other than Director of Public Information. “[It] is unfortunate, irresponsible, unprofessional and to say the least, mischievous, given the excellent bilateral relations being enjoyed by both India and Guyana and the ongoing friendly cooperation in various multilateral fora,” Mahalingam stated. According to Indian officials, the PPP delegation was led by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo; and includes Clement Rohee, Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Dr. Frank Anthony, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Indranie
Chandarpal, Collin Croal, Bheri S. Ramsarran, Zulfikar Mustapha, Ganga Persaud, Neendkumar, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, Nigel Dharamlall, Bhagmattie Veerasammy and Vickram Bharrat. The coalition members who attended the conference are Rajcoomarie Bancroft, Charrandass Persaud and Haimraj Rajkumar. Corriverton’s Mayor, Krishnand Jaichand, was in attendance along with Anna Regina’s Mayor, Rabindranauth Mohan, and Vijay Ramoo, the Mayor of Rose Hall. The Indian Government believes the one-day interaction will help to establish a network with leaders of Indian origin in various countries, and get a feedback on the direction in which Indian engagement with the Diaspora should proceed.
PAGE 32
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
President Granger convenes urgent meeting on crime, security President David Granger yesterday convened a meeting of the National Security Committee to address issues relating to crime and security. A Ministry of the Presidency release stated that the meeting was also held
to review the security sector’s 2017 performance and to plan programmes for 2018. It is unclear whether the meeting was held to address the recent spate of brazen robberies that occurred last year, and which seem to have escalated
since the new year broke. The robberies have been compounded by several carjackings and, after a lull, attacks on persons leaving commercial banks. Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine recently stated that the Force
had recorded an eleven percent decrease in serious crimes such as murder and robbery under arms in 2017. But he had also expressed concern for what he described as a “worrisome” rise in carjackings.
There were 47 recorded carjackings in 2017. In contrast, in 2015 there were 41 cases, and 36 in 2016. Of the 47 cars stolen last year, 16 were Toyota Premio, a n d e i g h t w e r e To y o t a Allion.” In recent weeks, police have also had to contend almost d a i l y w i t h several robberies. Attacks by persons on motorcycles were among these. On Tuesday, gunmen robbed a female dental surgeon at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, and a pensioner at Mittelholzer Street, Festival City. Debra Skeete, a 49-year-old dental surgeon, was held at gunpoint outside her Eccles, East Bank Demerara home. She had just left the Republic Bank branch, located on the public road at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The gunmen, who were on a motorcycle, robbed her of 60 Pounds Sterling, $25,000 in local currency, which were in a shoulder bag containing an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy phone, Republic Bank and GBTI cards, and national identificat i o n a n d NIS cards. Dr. Skeete went to the Republic Bank at around 10:45 hrs. She deposited $25,000 in the ATM, then drove to Bounty Super-
market, located on the public road at Grove, East Bank Demerara. Dr. Skeete then drove to her home located on the East Bank. She had just parked when two men on a motorcycle rode up to her. One of the robbers drew a handgun, opened the car door and snatched the bag. He then escaped on the motorcycle with his accomplice. Then, at around 13.45 hrs, a gunman on a motorbike struck in similar fashion at Mittelholzer Street, F e s t i v a l C i t y, r o b b i n g Whitfield Wright, 74, of $527,000 in his yard. Police said that Wright had withdrawn the cash from a Scotiabank branch. He then drove to his Festival City home, and had entered his yard when a man, who was riding a motorcycle, held him at gunpoint and relieved him of an envelope containing the money. The attacker then escaped. On Wednesday night, a pillion rider on a motorcycle gun-butted a policeman, relieved him of a gold chain, and escaped with an accomplice. And yesterday, bandits escaped in a car after robbing a cashier at the Western Union outlet at the C&F Mall in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
Calls made for legislation to command local content contribution from oil companies President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar recently pointed out that Guyana is in serious need of legislation which would not merely encourage but command that there be local content contribution from oil companies. Sharma said that this feeling is shared by various members within the Chamber and the private sector body as a whole. In fact, the Government has been promising local content policy in the last two years and a strong final document is yet to be produced. Several members of the private sector have expressed disappointment with Government’s overall attitude towards the matter of strong local content policy and legislation. Indar related to this newspaper that Private Sector Commission members, and even those of GCCI, believe that legislation as well as a policy is necessary, given the eyeopening experiences of countries which paid a significant price for having poor local content provisions in place. In this regard, members
pointed to the fact that Trinidad and Tobago, a sister CARICOM nation, was very strict about what oil companies must do when it comes to local content. One Private Sector Member told Kaieteur News, “Trinidad and Tobago has years of experience in the oil sector and it has seen significant development of its oil services industry which today, is world class, owned by Trinidadians, and contributes significantly to its economy.” The member continued, “But what we should also pay attention to is the Trinidadian Government’s enactment of legislation on what oil companies can and cannot do. The Aliens Act and the more recent Foreign Investment Act restrict foreign oil companies from owning land and building offices thereby requiring them to rent offices built by Trinidadian Companies.” He added, “The result was that Trinidadian entrepreneurs built millions of square footage of first world office space thereby creating thousands of jobs, bringing in local taxes and a sustainable stream of income that is continually reinvested in the lo-
GCCI President, Deodat Indar cal economy. The thinking of that Government then was that if they allow Oil and Gas Companies, as powerful and important as they are, to build their own offices, there would be no trickle down benefits to Trinidadians.” The Private Sector Member insisted that in Guyana’s case, local content legislation ought to include unambiguous deliverables from such companies. Strategic Advisor and former Minister for Energy in Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine had expressed similar sentiments. He too as-
serted that a mere local content policy would not be enough. He insisted that it must be backed by legislation if one intends to really compel companies to utilize local goods and services for the oil and gas sector. He shared that Trinidad only woke up to Local Content around 2004. He said that this was pretty late for the twin island republic. In spite of the late start, Ramnarine said that the country made the decision to fabricate offshore platforms which were previously manufactured by other nations. The Strategic Advisor said, “So from 2003 to 2017, we fabricated eight offshore platforms in Trinidad. These used to be fabricated in the United States of America or Mexico before we started it…There is a local content policy in Trinidad. But now, having the benefit of hindsight, it should be legislated.” Ramnarine added, “The sooner you get there the better, or it will take a lot longer to get there. You have to have the power of law to compel the companies to use local goods and services.” Minister of Natural Re-
sources, Raphael Trotman had indicated that by the end of 2017, Guyana would have in place, a robust Local Content Policy for the oil and gas sector. But this did not materialize. Trotman had said that the Government retained the services of world-renowned expert, Mr. Anthony Paul. The Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) noted that Paul was keen on completing and having distributed for consultation, the first draft policy. Trotman expressed, “The idea for this is that we could not move to legislation without first having a policy. Legislation should follow policy rather than the reverse and so it was thought that we should craft the policy before 2020”. LOCAL CONTENT POLICY Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy has been criticized in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies. The draft speaks nothing of how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among other crucial areas. Instead, the draft Local Content Policy framework
seeks to address, the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses. The Policy articulates that this will be done through training, development and employment initiatives (Capacity Development), ensuring availability of ownership participation for qualified Guyanese equity interest (Ownership Value), supplier development provisions for goods and services by locals to support sector operations (Local Content); and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits (Societal Benefits). It also describes what will be done to ensure that the activities in the petroleum sector are conducted in a manner that transparently secures the maximum benefit for the people of Guyana, while recognizing the limitations of the country and holding all actors accountable to the present and future generations of Guyanese who are the owners of the nation’s petroleum resources.
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
Friday January 12, 2018
CONCACAF teams with MLS for Caribbean Combine MIAMI – CONCACAF and Major League Soccer teamed up for this week’s 2018 MLS Caribbean Combine, which took place from January 9-11 at the Sawgrass Hotel and Suites Sports Complex in Sunrise, Florida. Twenty-three players from 16 CONCACAF Member Associations across the Caribbean took part in the invitation-only event. They competed in front of MLS scouts, with the potential of being signed directly during an upcoming transfer window. ”This, the fifth-annual Caribbean Combine is the fruit of on-going collaboration between CONCACAF and Major League Soccer, and repre-
sents the Confederation’s commitment to unlocking new modes of access to the sport at all levels for all its Member Associations and their players,” said CONCACAF Director of Caribbean Football Horace Reid. ”Providing professional opportunity for these young players — ages 18-21 — complements other Confederation initiatives to enhance the club game across the region, including recently expanded club competition platforms for the Caribbean Club Championship and the Scotiabank CONCACAF League.” The participating countries in alphabetical order were: Anguilla, Antigua,
Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, French Guiana, Jamaica, Martinique, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos Islands. The Caribbean Combine will lead into the 2018 MLS Player Combine to be held Jan. 11-17 in Orlando. Both Combines will be followed by the 2018 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 19 in Philadelphia. 2018 MLS Caribbean Combine Player Pool Oniel Anderson (Jamaica); Jeff Beljour (Turks & Caicos Islands); Mazhye Burchall (Bermuda); Thierry Catherine (Martinique); Jonah Ebanks (Cayman Is-
Friday January 12 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be cautious while traveling to foreign countries. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Your intuition will be right on. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be entertained and intrigued by the logic foreigners possess. Get ready to do some fancy footwork when it comes to taking care of your financial situation. You must look into your options. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Family outings that aren't expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. Focus on your own domestic problems. CANCER(June21–July22) Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals. Do not ruffle feathers if possible. Don't think the worst if you hear something negative about your partner. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't make any drastic changes or begin new projects today. Find a way to consolidate. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul-searching. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Discuss your objectives with partners or peers. Focus your efforts on details, and keep to yourself in order to finish your work.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try to curb overindulgence today. Your romantic inclination should lead to a committed relationship. Get busy trying to make more money. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. Take some time to change your house around. If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. Be careful signing important contracts today. Invite friends over. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can make gains if you look at long-term investments. You will be encouraged to get involved in a moneymaking venture. Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your ability to put a deal together will surprise others. It's time to get yourself back on track. Don't let others bully you into agreeing with them. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You are best to avoid joint ventures, and whatever you do, don't lend to friends or relatives. Abrupt changes in your home may send you for a loop. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad.
lands); Kyle Edwards (St. Vincent & the Grenadines); Djai Essed (Sint Maarten); Maalique Foster (Jamaica); Jules Haabo (French Guiana); Hadan Holligan (Barbados); Germain Hughes (Anguilla); Andrez Joseph (Dominica); Tyrique Lake (Anguilla); Alex Marshall (Jamaica); Gylles Mitchel (Dominica); Yohannes Mitchum (St. Kitts & Nevis); Nickenson Paul (Aruba); Na-jir Jacques Peney (Curacao); Jamarlie Stevens (Antigua & Barbuda); Kathon St. Hillaire (Trinidad & Tobago); Josiah Trimmingham (Trinidad & Tobago); Gregorio van der Biezen (Aruba), Jeadine White (Jamaica). (CONCACAF)
Aruba’s Nickenson Paul (right) was one of 23 players that participated in the 2018 MLS/Caribbean Combine. (Photo: Mexsport)
Friday January 12, 2018
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
Hemraj, Johnson bat solidly before rain interrupts Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Solid batting from Chanderpaul Hemraj and Leon Johnson gave newlycrowned champions Guyana Jaguars a strong start to their top-of-the-table clash with Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday here. Hemraj hit 90 and Johnson made 56, as the Jaguars reached 184 for five in their first innings at the close, after they were put in to bat on a rain-marred first day of their ninth-round match against Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval. The left-handed pair shared 148 for the second wicket to give the innings backbone, but three wickets in the final period set them back before a torrent of rain about 25 minutes prior to the scheduled close brought an early end to play with Shivnarine Chanderpaul not out on three and Barbados-born, West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer not out on one. Hemraj struck 10 fours and three sixes from 145 balls in just over 3 ½ hours at the crease and Johnson collected nine boundaries from 207 balls in a 4 ½-hour stay. Play started 40 minutes late, due to a couple damp patches close to the pitch on the eastern side of the ground. Jaguars, whose victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the previous round confirmed them as champions for a fourth straight season, suffered an early setback, when left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was bowled with the second ball of the match from Windies fast bowler Kemar Roach for a duck.
Johnson, the successful Jaguars captain, came to the crease and, for the next 3 ½ hours, defied a Barbados attack that comprised mainly four fast bowlers including Roach, fellow West Indies star Miguel Cummins, Under19 World Cup-winner Chemar Holder and uncapped Justin Greaves. They carried Jaguars to 58 for one at lunch, but Hemraj was fortunate. He was on 12, when gully fielder Roston Chase failed to hold a high chance off Roach. Second ball after lunch, Roach was again the suffering bowler, when second slip Jonathan Carter muffed a high chance from Johnson, on 25, and first slip Kraigg Brathwaite failed to hold onto the rebound. The two left-handers knuckled down and plundered cheap runs, as Barb a d o s c a p t a i n S h a m a rh Brooks strangely employed the off-spin of Chase for nine straight overs after the interval and the tactic of the fast bowlers of bowling short had limited success with the two batsmen prepared to cut and pull. Hemraj was the more fluent and reached his 50 from 115 balls, when he turned Chase into short mid-wicket for a single in the second halfhour after lunch, and continued to score freely after reaching the landmark. He looked set to hit his maiden first-class hundred, when the lanky Holder was brought back for a second spell inside the final half-hour before tea and had him caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich to leave the Jaguars 148 for
two. At tea, Jaguars were 155 for two, and Johnson reached his 50 from 194 balls after the break, when he played a delivery from Holder down at his feet and responded positively to a call from non-striker Vishaul Singh for a single. In just under an hour’s play either side of a 13-minute stoppage for rain, Jaguars lost the wickets of Singh, Johnson and Anthony Bramble, slipping from 175 for three to 182 for five in the space of 13 deliveries. Singh miscued a pull at a short-ball from Greaves and was caught at mid-on for 11, Johnson was caught at midwicket off Holder trying the same shot and Anthony Bramble was lbw plumb playing across a low full-toss from Roach before rain swept
across the ground to force the players off. Though umpires Johnathan Blades and Patrick Gustard tried for a re-start about half-hour past the scheduled close, the light had faded significantly and the players trekked off again with another ball being delivered. Jaguars made three changes from the previous match, bringing Tagenarine Chanderpaul, as well as Sherfane Rutherford and fellow fast-medium bowler Romario Shepherd in to replace Akshaya Persaud, Gudakesh Motie and injured fast bowler Keon Joseph. Pride has been boosted with the return of Windies stars Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich and Miguel Cummins and the inclusion of
Holder in place of Anthony Alleyne, Tevyn Walcott, Kevin Stoute and Hayden Walsh, Jr. Jaguars entered the match with an unassailable 135 points, but have so far gained no batting points, but Pride have gained one bowling point and one pace bowling point to add to their season total of 85.8. Close Volcanoes 270-4 vs Red Force St George’s, Grenada, CMC – Windward Islands Volcanoes, sent in by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, reached 270 for four in their first innings at the close on the opening day of their ninth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the National Stadium here yesterday. Scores: VOLCANOES 270
for four (Kavem Hodge 87 not out, Kyle Mayers 73 not out, Devon Smith 46, Roland Cato 26; Daniel St Clair 2-44) vs RED FORCE. Close Scorpions (197) vs Hurricanes 60-4 Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Leeward Islands Hurricanes, replying to Jamaica Scorpions’ first innings of 197, were 60 for four at the close on the opening day of their ninth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at Sabina Park here yesterday. Scores: SCORPIONS 197 (Jermaine Blackwood 81, John Campbell 28, Assad Fudadin 24; Sheno Berridge 4-46, Chaim Holder 3-50, Jeremiah Louis 3-62). HURRICANES 60 for four (Keacy Carty 20 not out; Damion Jacobs 3-41).
PAGE 36
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Over 700 programmes and activities achieved for the first... From page 38 23 NGOs received millions of dollars worth of cricket g e a r, b a l l s a n d s p o r t s equipment. Schools and NGOs also benefitted from a million dollars worth of trophies and medals while the cricket teams also assisted Ms. World Guyana Ve n a Mookram in organising a Diabetes Fair and Fitness Walk as part of her preparation for the Ms World Contest in China. The year ended with the successful hosting o f t h e C l u b ’s p o p u l a r Christmas Village and the distribution of toys, clothing, footwear, educational materials and food hampers to less fortunate families. RHTY& SC under its Community Development Programme in 2017 also constructed a scoreboard, a 175th Rose Hall Monument to honour the fifty seven former slaves who had purchased the Village in 1842. The club also secured
funding to the tune of $5M to pave and asphalt the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The Area ‘H’ Ground is also currently undergoing major restoration works in another club inspired project. Foster stated that despite the successes in 2017, the club has already started working towards its target of 700 programmes/ activities for 2018. Among those planned are the expanding of its cricket section, construction of an Indoor Facility, planting of grass and the installation of flood lights at the Area ‘H’ ground, an all weather tarmac to accommodate matches and practice sessions and the expansion of the highly successful Say No/say Yes Campaign. Gratitude is being extended to the national media especially Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, TVG, DTV8, LRTVS-CH10, NCN and Stabroek News for the coverage of the club’s activities during the year.
Spelling Bee competition winners The Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town, especially Vejai Ramoo and Dave Budhu were lauded for their support while spe-
cial thanks have been extended to every sponsor, donors, President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Min-
ister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister Volda Lawrence, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Region 6 Regional Chair-
man David Armogan, Vice Chairman Dennis Deroop and Regional Executive Off i c e r K i m Wi l l i a m s Stephens.
Friday January 12, 2018
Federer to open Australia Open against Bedene Melbourne (Reuters) Roger Federer will open his Australian Open title defense against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene next week, while top seed Rafa Nadal, the losing finalist last year, was paired with Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos at the draw yesterday. Wo m e n ’s t o p s e e d Simona Halep of Romania faces Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki starting out against Halep’s compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu. Serena Williams will not defend the women’s title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany’s Tatjana Maria. Williams’s sister Venus, who lost to her sibling in the final last year, is seeded fourth and the 37-year-old was handed a tricky first encounter against Swiss former world number seven Be l i n d a Bencic, who is 17 years her junior. Men’s third seed Grigor Dimitrov will face a qualifier, with Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth, playing Italian Thomas Fabbiano but with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, returning after surgery, in his section of the draw. Young gun Zverev had little luck in his first Australian Open draw as a top five seed with either Wa w r i n k a , w h o p l a y s Ricardas Berankis, or
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Qualifier Giorgi ousts Radwanska to set up Kerber clash Camila Giorgi
Roger Federer Novak Djokovic potentially standing in his path in the quarter-finals. Six-times Melbourne Park champion Djokovic, seeded 14th after missing the back end of last season with an elbow injury, will take on American lefthander Donald Young in his first match with mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils looming in round two. Federer also has Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych in his quarter of the draw, while Nadal would appear to have the easier section, although former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic looms as a lasteight opponent. If the draw goes to seeding, Dimitrov would face American Jack Sock in the last eight, with ailing world number five Dominic Thiem, who withdrew from Kooyong because of illness on yesterday, taking on Zverev. Britain’s Andy Murray
and Japan’s Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the championships and women’s world number three Garbine Muguruza has twice pulled out of tournaments over the last two weeks due to leg cramps and a thigh problem. The Wimbledon champion is scheduled take on France’s Jessika Ponchet in the first round, while French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was paired with veteran Francesca Schiavone and U.S Open champion Sloane Stephens will take on China’s Zhang Shuai. Australia’s sole men’s seed, Nick Kyrgios, takes on Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and local women’s 18th seed Ashleigh Barty takes on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
Sydney (Reuters) - Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi continued her impressive run at the Sydney International by racing past Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1 6-2 yesterday to set up a last four clash with Angelique Kerber. Giorgi, belying her ranking of 100th in the world, beat U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round and then ousted twice Wimbledon and former Sydney champion Petra Kvitova. She is yet to drop a set over six matches in qualifying or the main draw and will next meet world number 22 Kerber who staged a 6-3 6-1 victory over Dominika Cibulkova in the last eight. Former world number one Kerber fell out of the top 20 last year but has made a strong start to the year ahead of next week’s Australian Open with victories over Lucie Safarova and Venus Williams this week. ”I‘m not looking back 2017 anymore,” Kerber, who won the
Australian Open and the U.S. Open titles in 2016, said. “I’ve had a great off-season and I‘m working hard. I‘m trying to do my best on court and win as many matches before going to Melbourne. ”It’s just the beginning of the year. I‘m trying to play my game again, enjoy every minute on court. I‘m trying to be aggressive and play like I did the year before last.” The other semi-final in Sydney will be an all-Australian affair between Ashleigh Barty
and Daria Gavrilova. Barty completed a confident 6-3 6-2 victory over Czech Barbora Strycova, while Gavrilova advanced after her last-eight opponent Garbine Muguruza withdrew due to a leg injury. ”I think it’s amazing for Sydney and for Australian tennis – we’re gonna have an Aussie in the final, which is awesome,” Barty said after her win at the Ken Rosewall Arena. “Dash and I know each other very well so hopefully we can play some good tennis.”
PAGE 38
Hero CPL Global Audience continues to increase
Gros Islet, St Lucia - The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has continued its fantastic growth during the 2017 season with combined broadcast and digital viewership of almost 200 million. This represents an increase of 25% on last season, further cementing the Hero CPL as one of the fastest growing cricket tournaments in the world. The largest audience
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
share was in India where broadcast viewership increased by 19% to more than 97million. The next largest broadcast market was the Caribbean where there was a total viewership figure of 48million for the tournament that took place between 4 August and 9 September 2017. As well as success in India and the Caribbean there was also a significant increase in the USA where there was
more than a 100% lift in viewership on the figures from the 2016 Hero CPL. There was also a further increase in the digital viewership for the tournament, with 25% of the total audience coming through various digital channels, which is testament to the innovative nature of the Hero CPL’s online offerings. Damien O’Donohoe, the
Chief Executive Officer of Hero CPL, said: “With continued year-on-year growth the Hero CPL goes into the 2018 season with momentum to secure an even larger audience for the next edition of the tournament. We are delighted to see the Biggest Party in Sport being watched by more people than ever before and expect that trend to continue next year.”
Costa Rica to face England in friendly
Action from the FIFA World Cup match between Costa Rica and England on June 24, 2014, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images) San Jose, Costa Rica – Costa Rica will face host England in a pre-World Cup friendly on June 7, 2018, the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol announced Wednesday. It will be the second-ever meeting between the sides, following up on their groupstage encounter in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which ended in 0-0 draw. The Ticos will use the match as preparation for their Group E rivals at Russia 2018: Serbia (June 17), Brazil (June
22) and Switzerland (June 27). ”England is a benchmark, has a good rhythm and we are looking for national teams that resemble the football we will face in the World Cup” said Costa Rica Head Coach Oscar Ramirez. “This team has the characteristics of Serbia and Switzerland.” Ramirez also stated that his squad will convene for a minicamp on March 19 in anticipation of playing two friendlies in Europe later that month. (CONCACAF)
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Page 39
BEI needle BHS to gain revenge in female football match organised by ODSC
The outstanding Individual Players displaying their prizes. The Overseas D i sturbance Sports Club (ODSC) activities continued on Wednesday last with a female football match between old rivals Berbice High School (BHS) and Berbice Educational (BEI). The match which is being contested for the second consecutive year was played at the All Saints Scot Church ground, Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam and it was BEI which gained revenge over BHS by a 1-0 margin, the latter had won last year. For most of the 60minute encounter, the game was evenly balanced until
the 38th minute when a well directed free kick just out of the penalty area by Melissa Tores struck the goalkeeper and bounced over her head into the goal to seal the victory for BEI. Following the match, trophies and other incentives were presented to the BEI and the outstanding players with BEI collecting the Robert ‘Buntin’ Carrington trophy, Carrington was a former player and student of the BEI. The winning team won three individual awards; the Most Valuable Player was Melissa Tores, Best Goalkeeper being Sheanelly
Joseph while the Best Forward accolade went to Afeya Thomas. Outstanding for the BHS were Aleyah Elexey w ho copped the Best Midfielder prize while Zafia McKend emerged as the Best Defender. They all received trophies presented by Daniel Thomas, a former student and player of BEI. A number of other players received incentives: Te x i k a A r t h u r ( M o s t Improved Player), Kela Hope of BEI and Kerry Ann Benjamin received football boots, Urina Mentore of BEI collected a full outfit while
BHS’ Nia Wilson received a pair of shin pads. The Overseas Disturbance Sports Club is made up Guyanese now living in the Diaspora. Coordinator Owen Humphrey informed that the organisation is made up of mostly former residents and players from Berbice. Humphrey stated that the donations and activities are part of the group’s effort in remembering where they originated from. Humphrey said that they are more than happy to contribute to development activities here including sports, education and
GCA tournaments to restart on Jan 27 Last month Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Shawn Massiah had tentatively set January 13 as the date for the resumption of all GCA Cricket Competitions. However, due to the inclement weather, the fixtures in the City will not resume as planned. ”The weather seems to be improving and once it continues to do so GCA cricket should now
resume on January 27" said Massiah. The GCA is urging clubs to ensure that their grounds and players are ready for the anticipated restart. ”I want to remind clubs that the ‘transfer window’ is in effect and closes on January 31 while at the same time you are required to submit registered names of new members” Massiah informed.The Carib Beer T20 tournament is at the final stage
with DCC facing-off with GCC in a repeat of the last final which ended in victory for the Bourda boys at the DCC ground. The continuation of the GISE, Star Party Rental & Trophy Stall division-one, the New Building Society second-division 40-over and the Noble House Seafood’s second-division two-day competitions are also slated for January 27, weather permitting.
community activities among others. Among activities undertaken so far is the donation of football gear to two football teams, Arsenal FC of New Amsterdam and St. Ignatius Football Team of South Rupununi, Region 9. Reverend John Rodrigues, Pastor of the All Saints Anglican Church, New Amsterdam received the donation on behalf of the St. Ignatius Football Team. Rodrigues was a former N a t i o n a l G o a l k e e p e r, Swimmer, Cyclist and National Flyweight champion between 1982 1985. S c h o o l Te a c h e r Onefa George received on behalf of Arsenal FC which has over the years produced several national players in
the form of the Forde brothers Adrian and Sherwin, Wilbur Hope, James Paul, Richard Felix, Marlon Steel, Amdeo ‘Abor’ Hazel and Rudolph Caesar. There were also a number of age group football competitions contested while number of other activities are still on the cards including a grudge match between ODSC and Hearts of Oak; cricket will also be contested. A m o n g t h o s e contributing to the success of the group are The Humphrey’s family, Colin Wilson and Family, Robert Carrington, Daniel Thomas, the Hope family, Frankie Victor and Delroy Rigby, among others. (Samuel Whyte)
GRFU AGM set for January 28 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will take place on January 28 next at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. Among the agenda items will be the usual president and secretary reports as well as the election of officer bearers. The meeting will be called to order at 11:00hrs.
Page 40
Kaieteur News
Friday January 12, 2018
Over 700 programmes and activities achieved for the first time 2017 was a success for RHTY&SC When the Executive Kelvin Sinclair and Jason Anderson and Shabeka Committee of Guyana’s Sinclair, while at the Gajnabi received awards leading youth and Sports National youth level, Junior from the GCB. Organisation, the Rose Hall S i n c l a i r a n d K e v l o n Off the field of play, the Town Youth & Sports Club Anderson played for Guyana club hosted a two-week (RHTY&SC) MS met in (U-17) with Anderson, Academy for over 80 young early December 2016, it set Kevin Sinclair and Sylus cricketers and hosted 21 itself a target of 500 Tyndall making the U-19 tournaments including the programmes/activities for team. Patron’s Green Economy 2017. M a r i a n S a m a r o o , Cup, Busta Champion of Members agreed it was Sheneeta Grimmond, Uma C h a m p i o n s , N a s i r an ambitious target that M a t a d i n , P l a f f i a n a Memorial, GWI Under-19, would require hard work and Millington, Melanie Henry, Republic Bank Under-17, c o o r d i n a t i o n . B u t o n Shemaine Campbelle and Say No/Say Yes 5/5 Cup, September 1, 2017 that Erva Giddings played for the Hand-in-Hand Anniversary target was surpassed when National Female Senior Cup, GBTI Inter Secondary the Corentyne, Berbice club Te a m , w h i l e C l i n t o n T o u r n a m e n t a n d and its ten cricket teams Pestano, Eon Hooper and Smartt/King Memorial. hosted an Evening of Music Assad Fudadin played at the The club’s players were Busta Champion of Champions for residents Senior Male level. also involved in a six-month winner of andGuyana’s Busta officials smallest Town. Fudadin also played for C o a c h i n g p r o g r a m m e L o n g s e r v i n g the Amazon Warriors in the sponsored by the Demerara Secretary/CEO Hilbert Caribbean Premier League Mutual Life Assurance Foster described 2017 as a and is currently representing Society. Major repairs were year of unbelievable success Jamaica in the PCL. Towards also undertaken on the main and the most successful one the end of 2017, Jonathan pavilion at the Area ‘H’ in the Club’s 27-year history. Rampersaud, Mahendra ground. Huge successes were Gopilall, Shivnarine During 2017, the club achieved on and off the Ramnarain, Christopher introduced two new cricket cricket field and Foster D e r o o p , A n g e l i n o teams, Rose Hall Town King hailed the outstanding Ramdihal, Reyad Rahaman, Solomon Logistics Underc o n t r i b u t i o n o f e v e r y Matthew Pattaya, Jeremy 12 and the Poonai Pharmacy executive member, Patron of Sandian, Shamar Scott and Under-13. Under its Sports the Club, His Excellency J o n a t h a n D e V e i r Outreach Programme, the President David Granger r e p r e s e n t e d U p p e r club organised or sponsored and all members. C o r e n t y n e w i t h g r e a t a total of 37 tournaments The year ended with the success at the U-13 and U-15 including football, chess, c l u b s u c c e s s f u l l y levels. dominos, table tennis, completing a mammoth 712 To conclude a highly volleyball, basketball, programmes/activities. successful year Shemaine bodybuilding, scrabble and A total of 22 members C a m p b e l l e , K e v l o n cycling. represented Berbice, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President’s XI and Guyana at different levels, while Erva Giddings and Shemaine Campbelle played for the West Indies Women’s team. Campbelle and Giddings along with Mahendra Gopilall, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Marian Samaroo, Plaffiana Millington, Shabeka Gajnabi, Dian Prahalad, B. Thomas, K. Munroe, Sheneeta Grimmond, Sherica Campbelle, Aleema Arokium, Roshanna Lynch, Uma Matadin and Melanie Henry represented Berbice at the different levels. In the GCB Franchise League, the RHTY&SC was represented by Royston Crandon, Clinton Pestano, E o n H o o p e r, K e v l o n Honoring of RHTY&SC National Cricketers 2017 Anderson, Shawn Pereira,
The club even sponsored a female 5-aside development football tournament for the East Bank Football Association whilst donating over $500,000 worth of cricket gear to its own members as part of the cricket developmental drive. Under the highly successful Say No/Say Yes Campaign, the club hosted o v e r 2 0 0 programmes/activities including the first ever Top Ten Awards Scheme to honour outstanding Grade Six Students, Republic Bank Summer Camp, Youth Information Booklet, Scotia Bank Tribute to Outstanding Te a c h e r s , C S E C To p Students Awards, Youth Inspiration Forum, GuyOil Life Programme, Educational Scholarships, Tribute to Retired Teachers, Educational Posters, Television Commercials, billboards and the DMLAS Teachers of the Year Awards. Over $1.5M worth of school bags and $1M in exercise books were distributed, 25 bicycles to less fortunate students were handed out along with close to $1M in school uniforms and footwear. A total of 39 schools
received assistance to help them fulfill their mandate under the Patron’s Fund. Assistance was also provided to three different classes at the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana while 73 students received assistance towards the successful completion of their CSEC, SBAs. The RHTY& SC also assisted eight students who requested payment for their CSEC dues while a total of 16 senior citizens received funds for medical expenses. The Social Programme was also expanded in 2017 and included General Feeding Programmes for less fortunate families, distribution of $3M worth of clothing, Mash Parade with over 700 students, Evening of Music, Mother of the Year Award Scheme, Father of the Ye a r Aw a r d S c h e m e , donation of a combined 250 hampers to mothers and fathers, Dare to Dream Programme, Make a Wish Project, Role Model of the Year, Say No to Drugs Campaign, Say No to Alcohol Campaign, Say Yes to Life Programme and Say Yes to Religion Campaign. The club also launched a massive programme to provide pensioners with
refreshments every month as they wait to uplift their Old Age Pension. The club’s ten teams also successfully hosted the 175th Anniversary Celebration of Rose Hall Town. Fifteen residents also received wheelchairs while 500 copies of the Rose Hall Town History Booklets were distributed to residents. The Club worked closely with the Guyana Police Force under its Say No to Crime Programme and made several donations to assist the fight against crime. Numerous award ceremonies were organised to honour outstanding Berbicians and these included the Ansa Mcal Aw a r d o f E x c e l l e n c e , Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Tribute to Heroes and Region 6 Sports Award. Seventeen Guyanese were honoured with the club’s highest award - The D o l p h i n Aw a r d o f Excellence including Prime Minister Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Minister Amna Ally and Region 6 Regional Chairman David Armogan. Over 50 cricket clubs and (Continued on page 34)
Friday January 12, 2018
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Trophy Stall wins bid for LGC’s Works to commence by February season opening tournament on 8 Lane Synthetic Track at Linden A section of the Synthetic Track at Leonora, Linden is a short time away from having their own.
LGC President Aleem Hussain (right) receives one of the trophies from Trophy Stall Owner, Ramesh Sunich. Trophy Stall has been afforded the honour of starting the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) 2018 season by sponsoring the first major tournament. A release form the club indicated that a full-field of golfers has already registered as they return to the newly renovated course and a chance to seize bragging rights for the year. Lots of prizes, lunch, and snacks will be provided for players, members and guests as the LGC seek to establish itself as the destination for events and relaxation. Members of the public are welcome to come out and support their favourite players as 8-
time Women’s champion Christine Sukhram is expected to be challenged by 2-time champion Joann Deo while 8-time men’s champion Avinash Persaud will be put to the test by a host of challengers. Trophy Stall has been a long-time sponsor of the Lusignan Golf Club over the years and Managing Director Ramesh Sunich pledged to continue his support especially in light of the plans that the club has for the next few years. For information, persons can contact the LGC on 220 5660 or visit the Lusignan Golf Club facebook page.
Instead of a four lane synthetic Track as had previously been bargained for, Linden will be getting an eight Lane Track at the Bayroc Community Centre ground, commonly referred to as the Basin. Work on the facility is expected to commence as early as next month. Some $160M was allocated in the 2016 budget for the building of the Bayroc facility and another in New Amsterdam. These disclosures were made on Tuesday by a team of officials who paid a courtesy call on Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland. The team headed by Assistant Director of Sport Mellissa Dow-Richardson had earlier visited the Bayroc ground. It was reportedly their third visit to the area.
Dow-Richardson said that Bayroc was the preferred location based on stakeholder consultations and according to correspondence received from the Mayor’s office. She said that as Project Manager she was tasked with putting the team together, engaging consultants and maintaining dialogue with the community. She was accompanied by members of the Public Infrastructure Special Projects Team. Both the members of Dow-Richardson’s team and Mayor Holland spoke excitedly of the possibilities that the track will facilitate and the fact that Linden’s athletes would be afforded the opportunity of training at an International styled f a c i l i t y. S u r v e y i n g components would be done
by today according to Lawrence Mentor, a member of the team. Holland said that the facility would be very impactful for Linden. “I had been lobbying for a six lane track only recently and now we are getting an eight lane track…that is even better…. we can do well with this facility”, Holland declared. BSW Regupol was awarded the contract for the construction of the Synthetic Track in 2017 and work on the facility was expected to begin before the end of the said year. Minister George Norton, who has responsibility for Sport, during a visit to the designated site last year had stated that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board had approved the contract.
GCA’s Massiah pleased with past season but wants to see more grounds available Chairman of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Competition Committee Shaun Massiah said he is looking forward to more grounds being made available by clubs as they prepare for the new season which is set to bowl off on January 27. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Massiah who also plays for Transport Sports Club said that despite the challenges, 2017 was a fine year for the GCA whereas they were able to successfully host a number of competitions at various levels. Massiah pointed out that a number of players were selected for the respective
national teams and some went on to represent the West Indies which is a motivation for the others. Five Guyanese have been selected to play for the regional side at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup set to start shortly in New Zealand with all of them playing for clubs in the GCA; Ashmead Nedd (DCC), Bhaskar Yadram (Everest), Ronaldo Alimohamed (GCC), Raymond Perez (DCC) and Joshua Persaud (GNIC SC). Massiah pointed out that one of the biggest challenges for the past year was the availability of grounds and he hopes that clubs will make their venues available more regularly for the upcoming season.
”There was some improvement in this area coming to the end of the previous season and we hope that this can continue so more competitions can be played. Due to this we find that certain tournaments take a long time to complete and this is one of the biggest hurdles we face,” he said. Another obstacle is the lack of adequate covers at most of the venues. “A number of clubs have recently acquired covers and it would be nice to see if others can do likewise so play will not be affected as much when it rains,” he noted. Sponsorship can be challenging but while
expressing gratitude to the various sponsors, Massiah added that they are looking to obtain sponsorship for U15, U19 and first division 50over competitions which will help to further boost the young players. The GCA’s AGM will be held on January 30th at the Muslim Youth Organisation and Massiah is looking forward to a full turn out of the clubs so they can iron out certain issues affecting them. He stated that the GCA is embarking on hosting coaching clinics and umpiring seminars for the players so they can be made aware of the laws of the game, especially the 2017
code. T h e C o m p e t i t i o n ’s Committee Chairman added that he would like to see the Transport Sports Club ground being upgraded soonest so its members do not have to rely on other grounds to train. This he said has been in the pipeline for some time now and it’s affecting the players immensely. ”MYO has recently re-laid their pitch which is a step in the right direction and we hope to see other clubs following suit.” He informed that they also started the New Building Society second division 40over and the first division two-day tournaments, and will be staging the final of the
Shaun Massiah first division T20 shortly. Massiah congratulated those players who were selected for national duties and thanked the ground curators as well as the Georgetown Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers Association. (Zaheer Mohamed)
rt o p S
Hemraj, Johnson bat solidly before rain interrupts P.33
Leon Johnson ŠAFP
Chandrapaul Hemraj ‌ top-scored with 90.
The winning BEI team showcase their silverware in the presence of supporters, teachers and the organisers, ODSC.
P.37
BEI needle BHS to gain revenge in female football match organised by ODSC Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.