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

Editorial PUTTING GUYANA FIRST IN 2018 The New Year has provided opportunities for the government to reduce poverty, stamp out corruption and end the illegal drug trade. There are opportunities to transform Guyana and provide a better life for all. There is a desire for the government to tackle the crucial issues that have dogged us for years. In order to achieve real progress amidst the many problems, there are some vital areas that, if addressed, could significantly improve the national welfare. The government has reduced the lawlessness in society and has fired many corrupt officials in various departments and state agencies. The casual observer would point to the crime situation that has actually provoked a warning from the United States embassy to its people visiting Guyana. But there are more bridges to cross. The events of the last few months serve as an apropos illustration of this fact. First came the most obscene behaviour in Parliament from members of the opposition during President Granger’s address. Then there was the subsequent suspension of one of its members from the House due to his mulish behaviour. On the national scale came the retrenchment of some 4,000 workers from GUYSUCO during the Christmas season with no clear plan for the immediate welfare or future employment of the workers. Indeed some of them are being retrained but the majority simply saw themselves as being permanently unemployed. This situation has sparked protests even as the brouhaha over the signing bonus between Exxon Mobil and the government for US$18 million, was attracting protests of its own. The government insists that the money is being to cover the legal expense created by the border controversy with Venezuela. There were other tempestuous issues. The oil contract was one such but the government silenced the mob when it released the contract. If one thought that would have been the end of the criticisms one was mistaken. The critics merely changed tact. But the government is maintaining its drive for transparency to the point of being accused of bowing to the dictates of anyone who thinks that he is a national leader. Small businesses have been the backbone of the economy in that they have provided jobs and boosted income levels throughout the country. Big business, of course, provides a large part of the tax revenue and many other benefits. They both help move Guyana along. In 2018, we should capitalize on the potential value of foreign investment to boost the economy and the largely untapped talents of Guyanese, both at home and abroad to help develop the country and solve our social problems, which is a result of the poor values and belief systems of our youth—the main perpetrators of crime. Over the years, we have had a serious breakdown of societal values due largely to poor parenting, increasing poverty and an absence of systems to foster youth development. It was a case of pandering to the rich. Today Guyana is paying the price and this government must continue to pursue opportunities to reverse the trend which is seeing so many negative things. For one, the prison population is becoming younger. There is so much to be done. We need bold and courageous leaders to return us to the foundation on which society was built by our fore-parents. We also need visionary and transformative leaders with integrity and values and who are committed to justice and truth and to putting Guyana first in 2018.

Sunday January 14, 2018

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

President Trump’s hate-filled comments DEAR EDITOR, Governments and diplomats throughout Africa and the Global South continue to express their outrage and disgust at Donald Trump’s most recent ignorant and racist diatribe, in which he suggested that the US should focus its immigrant entry policy on countries such as Norway, rather than El Salvador, Haiti and countries of the African continent, which he actually described as “shithole countries”. In an effort at damage control, he later denied using those words. However, Dick Durbin, a Democratic senator who attended the meeting where Trump uttered his latest faux pas, told reporters, “He said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly… ‘shitholes’ was the exact word the US leader used.” Why are we so shocked when finally a US president is simply stating out loud what has been the perception behind closed doors since the very inception of what we know today as the United States of America, a nation

that was founded on the genocide of the indigenous peoples dwelling there, and built by the free labour of captured Africans. Since its inception, Donald Trump’s country has relentlessly pursued a foreign policy based on an implicit belief in white supremacy. In this context, are such comments really surprising? The only positive aspect of Trump’s presidency is that he is exposing, once and for all, the true nature of the Empire. As I watch the hue and cry over his latest remarks, I am reminded of Adolph Hitler’s response to Europe’s criticism of his policies. He told them: “I am only doing out in the open what you have been doing behind closed doors for centuries.” A meme that was circulated at the end of Obama’s presidency said it best: “Only in shallow, self-absorbed, privileged America could a leader drop 26,000 bombs on seven countries in a single year, and have citizens mourn the end of his term because he looked and sounded

classy while doing it.” The only difference now is that all the “classy” is gone and the Emperor and his Empire is standing before us naked, and it is not a pretty picture. An understanding of the historical dynamics of imperialism will show that it is only a matter of time before the US empire collapses. Rather than shocking us, Trump’s latest remarks and his presidency should serve as a wakeup call to all those seeking to immigrate to the US, where millions of people live in poverty, where more people are imprisoned per capita than any other nation on earth, where millions are denied basic human rights such as housing and healthcare, where the illiteracy statistics among school leavers have been described as shocking, and where black people are gunned down on the streets with impunity. The white supremacists who govern the US to this day, the descendants of those who enslaved our ancestors, continue to plunder our wealth right here in Guyana

and throughout the Global South, while ensuring that any nation refusing to be subjugated is, quite literally, destroyed. The persistent poverty and chaos we see all over Africa, South America and the Caribbean is a direct result of the actions of this powerful minority. Surely it is time to move out from among them. Instead of immigrating to their country, where we are scorned, why not remain in and develop our own beautiful and resource rich homelands, which we can only do by rejecting Empire and all its trappings. If El Salvador, Haiti and the entire African continent are being described this way by the US president, then we can safely assume that Guyana also falls into the “shithole” category. If being called a “shithole” is not enough, then what will it take to wake us up from our slumber and force us to summon the dignity and courage we need to finally break free. Gerald A. Perreira Leader, Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

Sunday January 14, 2018

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Time to set up a bi-partisan, multi-stakeholder and highly technical Economic Commission

Shame on Jagdeo and his administration

DEAR EDITOR, The huge oil and gas find has the potential to leap-frog the country from a low income to high income status if properly managed. Already concerns were raised by the International Monetary Fund and several local analysts regarding the terms and conditions of the contract entered into between the Government and the oil giant Exxon Mobil, which could see the country losing billions of dollars by way of revenues. The government has already started on a bad note by initially attempting to hide a pre-signing bonus of $US18M and while there is nothing to suggest any sinister motive, it does raise concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the context of the Financial Management and Accountability Framework. Unfortunately, the full benefits of oil will be lost to us due to two main reasons, firstly that the drilling operations are offshore which severely limits local employment opportunities and secondly, because the processing of the crude into refined prod-

ucts will be done overseas. This means that there is very little, if any, scope for value added operations. The challenge for Guyana is to find ways to mobilize the requisite capital to finance the construction of an oil refinery. A similar fate was experienced in the case of bauxite when we were unable to mobilize capital to set up a bauxite refinery plant in Linden thereby losing millions by way of value added products, export earnings and job opportunities. We seem doomed to be a producer of primary products in which we sell cheap and buy dear thereby worsening an already unfavourable terms of trade and balance of payments. We are condemned economically to getting, as it were, the raw end of the stick. We remained a primary producer of raw sugar for decades and all hopes of constructing a sugar refinery has now dissipated in thin air with the downsizing of sugar operations. We are poor because we are poor. However, this need not be the case especially in this age of venture

capital and transnational h e g e m o n y. W h a t i s r e quired is new and innovative thinking and a strategic repositioning of the economy to take advantage of emerging technologies and markets. I believe the time is ripe for the setting up of a bipartisan, multi-stakeholder and highly technical Economic Commission especially in the context of our emerging oil and gas economy. Guyana’s fortunes and developmental prospects cannot be placed in the hands of a selected few; many of whom lacked the technical expertise to effectively and competently manage the economic destiny of this resource-rich country. Hydar Ally

DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to express my analysis to the people of Guyana. Over the past month there has been a topical i s s u e o n signing bonus from Exxon Mobile and the disclosure of the contract that was signed since in 1999. The Jagdeo administration of course was in power then and keeps focusing on US$18 million bonuses while losing the main focus that Guyana oil has more than just 18 million. Mr. Editor, whether we like it or not, Guyana will be an oil producing country and we have to all prepare for it whether rich or poor. What Jagdeo and his friends forgot that while they were in power they didn’t even place one bit of emphasis to improve the University of Guyana

to equip its citizen for the Oil and Gas Industry. It’s a shame that we have no engineer that will be hired to be on that rig. All we can do is provide services that will go to some of their rich colleagues. They wanted the majority of their supporters to cut cane and live on the sugar industry. Tell me Mr. Editor was it a miracle when the coalition government won power, we found Oil? You want to tell me that the PPP didn’t h a v e a n y k n o w l edge that there was oil out there. Thank God for the Granger administration that they are trying their best to open the eyes of the sugar workers to prepare for the Oil and Gas industry. l keep saying this in many of my chats that we should b o r r o w a p a g e

from Qutar. I am tired of people talking of signing bonuses and losing focus on the billions yet to c o m e . We a r e o v e r t e n years behind technology. This is another disappointing topic on the PPP administration. They couldn’t even run a simple fiber optic cable. Mr. Editor, I recently read that CGX wants to renegotiate its contracts and plans. I will advise my government not to do so because they didn’t inform the people of Guyana of their progress and status but bec a u s e O i l i s h o t i n Guyana everyone wants a bite of the cake. Let them wait; we have current issues to deal with and a nation to transform. United we will do this! Deonarine Ramsaroop (AFC Member)

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The President cannot arbitrarily put a new process in place without consensus DEAR EDITOR, In the consideration of candidates for appointment to the posts of Chancellor and Chief Justice, there continues to be discussion as to the persons identified to fill these posts and the reported nonapplication for the job of Chief Justice by the person currently performing the duties. The persons that are being proposed by the President for appointment were arrived at through a process that involved applying for the job and a panel established to conduct the interviews and make recommendations. President Granger has said that he had proposed the stated process to former President Donald Ramotar, during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, but the latter did not accept same. As such, when he ascended to the presidency he instituted this new process. In governance, precedents and practices hold firm wherever you are. And in this specific case, the process in filling these vacancies by advertising throughout the

British Commonwealth, receiving applications, and the appointment of interviewing panel were never part of the process. The interviewing panel constituted persons I have the highest regard for. Their competencies are not being questioned and their role in this process is duly recognised, but let me place it in context. When a citizen is asked by the president to play his or her role by participating in a national activity of this nature, it is anti-national in refusing to do so. As such, what the panel has done must be seen as being nationalistic and recorded that its members had nothing to do with the establishing of the new process but just participated and confirmed to national service. The mere fact that the Guyana Constitution says that the appointments have to be done after agreement with the Leader of the Opposition is indicative that the President cannot arbitrarily put in place a new process without having, at least at the minimum, consensus

between the two. If for some reason the Leader of the Opposition nominates the persons currently acting in the position as Chancellor and Chief Justice he will be within his right to do so, merely because the custom and practices in the system regarding these appointments have been ignored. Democratic governance is not practiced based on feelings but the application of rules, laws, precedents and time-honoured principles. Reliance on gut feelings or some idea not grounded in careful thought for retaining and strengthening the institutions of governance will pose serious challenges to bringing about good governance and ensuring the comity of the citizens. The Constitution of Guyana expressly states the President and Leader of the Opposition have to agree on who fill the offices of Chancellor and Chief Justice. Departing from the principles and practices in making the

appointments destroy the spirit and intent of the nation’s two premier political office holders working to achieve consensus and agreements in arriving at regularising the nation’s judicial service. Custom and practice in filling these vacancies are that the leaders would meet, names are proposed by both sides, discussions relating to the appointments ensue, and agreement follows. Article 127(1) expressly states, “The Chancellor and Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the President, acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.” In effect what this article says is that even the process in arriving at the appointments there must be agreement. Note is taken that the Caribbean Court of Justice Head, has called for the appointments to be filled and recognition that the intent of the Constitution was never to have the office holders acting for extending periods.

Prolonged acting appointment is not a function of the constitution but the inability of the politicians to put a nation before partisan self-interest. This matter is not about whether Kenneth Benjamin is eligible to fill the post of Chancellor or not, Yonette Cummings-Edwards that of Chief Justice, and Roxanne George-Wiltshire not reportedly applying for either positions; it is about a long-held principle in how the vacancies should be filled which has been torpedoed for years by the inability to work for consensus and agreement. Changing of the process is tampering with the appointments. While it is not known whether the current acting Chief Justice has an interest in being appointed to the job or not, the fact that she was considered good enough to act, and the precedence established that persons never had to apply, competing with other persons outside the Guyanese jurisdiction, she

should have been considered for the job. Let it be very clear, the process in arriving at these appointments require the two political leaders meeting and proposing names, and most naturally they would have consulted with the persons they intent to nominate. The deviation from this in worker/ management relations is considered a departure from norms and practices and raping of existing agreement. At the worker level, agreement, existing processes, and standard practices are there to insulate them from being discriminated against or discriminated in favour of another. Any failure in having agreement on the appointment and confirmation of a Chancellor and Chief Justice both the President and Leader of the Opposition must be held responsible. This nation deserves better from its leadership and must demand better. Lincoln Lewis.

Negligence by Government in observing the Constitution DEAR EDITOR, Our Constitution and other laws require the appointments of several Constitutional Commissions and various statutory bodies. The nation expects that the responsible authorities and agencies would act promptly in the appointment of suitably qualified persons without racial, political, or any other discrimination in our plural society of multi-ethnic, multireligious and multi-cultural composition. The gross negligence of timely actions by the responsible Governing Authorities is

unacceptable and must be corrected by the authorities to gain lost trust and respect from large sections of the population. A few examples of non-appointment of constitutional and statutory bodies include: the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Integrity Commission, the Public Service Commission, the University of Guyana Council, and the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board, among others. Would the Governing Authorities of the National Assembly and the Executive correct the disrespect of the Con-

stitution and other laws of our land, and obey these Laws? The people of Guyana elected the representatives of the political parties and the Executive Government to always act promptly in keeping with requirements of the Constitution and other Laws of Guyana in the national interest, and not on partisan and narrow political self-interest. These authorities – members of the National Assembly, Ministers, and the Executive Government, and Public Servants must act promptly in a transparent, inclusive manner, and must be held accountable

to the public for inordinate and unreasonable delays in discharging their public duties. The public calls on His Excellency, the President of all of Guyana to discipline and sanction all public officials for misconduct and gross negligence in the discharge of their public duties. Ministerial heads and Public Servants heads must roll as appropriate. As a minimum, the worn out, mediocre, and third-rate pack of political cards, must be reshuffled for the national good. Joshua Singh

Sunday January 14, 2018

Jury empanelled to oversee trial into 2003 wedding house murder A mixed 12-member jury was empanelled before Justice Navindra Singh on Thursday to oversee the murder trial of Radesh Guyadeen. Guyadeen is before the Court for a murder which occurred back in 2003. According to the allegation on May 4, 2003, Guyadeen known as “Bruks man” murdered N a n d r a m M a n o u a r, a farmer nicknamed “Nano,” of Lancaster Village, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. The incident allegedly happened at a wedding house in the said village. According to reports, the accused stabbed Manouar in the chest. The man was accused of puncturing G u y a d e e n ’s bicycle wheel shortly after he left the wedding house.

He was heard a short while later screaming that he had been stabbed. A group of persons r e p o r t e d l y rushed to Manouar’s rescue. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC) where he died while receiving treatment. Guyadeen fled the scene and was never seen again. He reportedly fled the jurisdiction and was hiding out in Suriname. He returned to Guyana, some ten years later. He was arrested for the crime while liming at a drug block in the same village. Police had received

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information about his whereabouts and swarmed down on the corner, where they found the accused smoking a marijuana joint. He was taken to the Mahaica Police Station and later placed before the court in 2014. Guyadeen has since pleaded not guilty to the indictment read to him in the High Court. The case against him will be pres e n t e d b y St a t e A t t o r neys, Abigail Gibbs and Natasha Backer. He will be represented by Attorney -at -Law Maxwell Mc Kay at the trial which is scheduled to continue on Monday January 15.

Several state boards appointed for 2018 The Cabinet has approved the appointment of several Directors of Boards of State Agencies, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said on Friday. The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) will be chaired by Patricia Bacchus and will include Dr. Shameer Bacchus, Basil Blackman, representatives of the Private Sector, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC), the Ministry of F o r e i g n A ff a i r s , t h e Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Environmental Protection A g e n c y ( E PA ) a n d a member of the parliamentary Opposition. Approval was also granted for the Income Tax

Board of Review which will be chaired by Basil Joseph. Other members include Nigel Hinds, Donna Ellis, Trevor Bowen, and a representative of the parliamentary Opposition. The Dependants Pension Fund’s Board was also approved for the period January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. This will be chaired by Jennifer Chapman and includes Lincoln Lewis, Patrick Ya r d e , L a n c e B a p t i s t e , Professor Harold Lutchman, Mohan Khan and Gillian Rockliffe. Cabinet also approved the Institutional Review Board of the Ministry of Public Health. The life of the board began in November last year and will run until December 2019.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of H e a l t h D r. S h a m d e o Persaud is serving as the Chairman and other m e m b e r s a r e D r. H o l l y Alexander, Sylvia Conway, Asif Suberan, Pauline Welch, Michelle France, Dawn Lyken-Stewart and Michelle Smith. Burt Sukhai has been appointed Chairman of the Firearm Licensing Board, which is expected to operate between February 1, 2018, to January 1, 2019. Other Members are D r. Bhiro Harry, Kim KyteJ o h n , a n d Christine Jagmohan. According to Minister Harmon, the Ministers of Public Health and Public Security are to select another person from the Public Health Ministry.

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Sunday January 14, 2018

‘Systemic campaign’ on Local Government Elections to begin February The Ministry of Communities will undertake an awareness campaign for both councillors and voters ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for later this year. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, said the campaign commences in February and will engage various levels of existing and prospective candidates of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) across the country. “Essentially, it’s a systemic campaign, one that will have training material and personnel, and that will allow for an engagement at various levels with NDCs probably via our RDCs where this level of voter education and greater

Minister Ronald Bulkan details with regards to what are the expectations and the responsibility, various responsibilities of councillors.” The Minister said that the administration is determined to restore the system of local government to ensure the proper delivery of services to residences. “Those councillors will, in keeping with the strategic policy of this administration, be empowered to manage that community without undue interference from -Central Government and

this is the message we will be taking to people in communities all across our country”, he explained. It is critical for councillors and voters to understand the importance of the election the minister noted. “If you do not vote then you’re surrendering the management of your community only to persons who participate.” T h e a w a r e n e s s campaign is also intended to improve voter turnout. Minister Bulkan said the government has a target of “a minimum 50 percent turnout” at this year’s election. “We have a very important responsibility and we have a programme where we will go into communities across our country to educate our citizens of their need to participate and for them to have a fuller understanding that these councils that will come into being will have lawful responsibility to undertake all activities on their behalf.” The government has allocated $2.9B for the hosting of the LGE slated between the beginning of November and early December, this year.

Sunday January 14, 2018

Whiskey smuggling file on former SWAT Commander with DPP Police have completed their investigations into the alleged whiskey smuggling scandal that led to former SWAT Commander, Motie Dookie, being relieved of his position and being placed under close arrest. A release stated that the file has been sent for legal advice. “Deputy Superintendent M. Dookie who was posted (temporarily) to the Strategic Planning Unit has proceeded on his annual vacation leave, to which he is entitled to, on yesterday’s date,” the release added. Dookie, the former head of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, was apprehended in a minibus with 30

smuggled cases of Johnny Walker whisky on December 31, 2017 at Whim, Corentyne. The driver was also arrested. The former SWAT commander had reportedly told the ranks that the whisky belonged to him and that he was taking the cases to an Old Year’s Night party. He reportedly later denied knowledge of the whiskey. Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine later told reporters that Dookie had been temporarily transferred to the Strategic Planning Unit. Investigators from the Guyana Revenue Authority also reportedly questioned the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Former SWAT Commander Motie Dookie

Govt. to review state of procurement every month The Ministry of Communities will be conducting monthly reviews of procurements for capital projects and purchases in 2018 as a means of improving Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) implementation. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, said the decision seeks to prevent a repeat of last year’s poor performance of PSIP. The Minister was speaking at the Ministry of Communities Senior Staff Conference held at the Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara “Given the efforts that

were made in the second half of 2017, that is, the creation of planning units and targeted interventions…the monitoring of those procurement plans that have already been submitted that there will be less room for excuses in 2018,” Minister Bulkan explained. The staff conference is an annual event that is intended “to alert and sensitise” the Ministry of Communities senior leadership to the need for more effective delivery of its various responsibilities. There was also a review of 2017 and plans and projections for 2018.

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There was deep worry last year after it became known that for two consecutive years, state spending in the various regions were below targets. A number of problems, including slow procurement process and uncooperative council members have all contributed to the issue. The administration has introduced an early budget and has announced plans to keep a closer eye on the process. Contractors complained of waiting ages for their mobilization orders.

Dem boys seh... People right to feel sorry fuh cane cutters People never miss de water till de well run dry. Some people does have a wuk. Dem does go late; dem does absent and when it suit dem if de boss challenge dem is one cussing he does get. But when dem get knock off and have no job is another story. That is when people does hear how de boss bad, how he always picking pun de worker and how de government encourage it. That is de GuySuCo story. Dem cane cutters use to refuse to wuk when it suit dem. When de boss talk dem use to strike. Dem was de same people who use to do things to brick up de sugar factory. Dem boys remember

times when dem use to bun cane and stop people from going to wuk. All of that add up. GuySuCo ain’t got no cane fuh bun and dem ain’t got no factory to bruck up. De people who use to sit down and watch how de union had dem cane cutters behaving bad never seh nutten. Now dem talking how de poor cane cutters get treat like dawg. But dem boys know that de people who talking now was milking money. Every time de cane cutter get pay de union use to tek a small piece. Dem boys hear de union use to collect $1 million every day. When de Waterfalls paper write de story, de union write

back a story and seh how is not so much. Dem boys want to know is how much because de union not talking. Wha dem boys know is that de union collect so much money that it should have been feeding dem cane cutters now that dem ain’t wukking. De money enough to pay dem severance but if de union tek it de union boss can’t collect he million dollar salary. That is de problem. And dem boys know that de sugar workers get retrench but check de union. Not one of de staff getting retrench. Talk half and feel sorry fuh dem cane cutters

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Sunday January 14, 2018

Foreign Affairs Ministry develops Major oil companies operating in Investment Assessment Tool for Guyana Guyana did not even bother to

Wi t h G u y a n a ’s n e w frontier—oil—the Ministry o f F o r e i g n Aff a i r s h a s found it necessary to work even harder than before to protect Guyana’s sovereignty. This, coupled with the economic diplomacy that the APNU+AFC government has been forging, is keeping the Ministry’s staff on the proverbial good foot. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, said that recently as he addressed the National Assembly. Greenidge said that the preservation of Guyana‘s territorial integrity and sovereignty has always been a paramount responsibility of this Government. “The defence of our territory is a defence of our patrimony, our public infrastructure, the private assets of our people and investors, and their right to enjoy those assets within the limits of our laws. “Towards this end, we have endeavoured to bring closure to the border controversy with the support of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Good Officer Mechanism, and we will continue to do so, in 2018.” He also told the House that in February 2017, Guyana chaired the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “We are working to ensure that CARICOM continues to provide wider opportunities for our people under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), especially given that our trade within the Community represents about 25 percent of our GDP.” Greenidge said that Guyana has actively joined in efforts to finalize negotiations on expanding CARICOM-Cuba trade relations, CARICOM-Japan cooperation, and plans on deepening CARICOMSouth Korea relations, all of which contain rich economic benefits and opportunities for foreign investment in Guyana.

Greenidge boasted that these efforts already have borne fruit with Guyana penetrating the Cuban rice market and also receiving Japanese grant assistance of US$15 million for alternative energy uses. He said, “For 2018, Government will continue to work with our bilateral and multilateral partners to support our further development and the vision and deliverables of the Green State Development Strategy.” Investment tool Greenidge also told the National Assembly that the development of the oil and gas sector has brought increased interest in Guyana from countries near and far. He said that interest ranges from providing logistic support to offering training in the sector. Greenidge said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently developing an Investment Assessment Tool to evaluate the risks and benefits of potential investments to Guyana’s security. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working assiduously towards presenting a favourable image of the country to all investors through its relations with the Diaspora guided by the Diaspora Engagement Strategy in an effort to leverage the expertise, talent, and investment.

incorporate domestic branch - But all its subsidiaries stand to get big benefits- Ram The Petroleum Sharing Agreement that the APNU+AFC government signed is with three other companies. These companies are Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited, which is an American company; Hess Corporation, also American; and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC Group which is a major national oil company in China. Together, these companies are going to start producing oil out of Guyana in about two years.Approximately 450 million barrels of oil will be produced in just the first phase of the Liza oil field development, 120 miles offshore Guyana. Yet, none of these companies have bothered to incorporate a local branch. This was pointed out by Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram. He recently noted, “A general observation between the two Agreements is that while the 1999 Agreement was with Esso, the 2016 Agreement is with three companies – Esso, Hess and CNOOC, each of which will have Affiliated Companies which can benefit from the concessions and facilities under the Agreement. “It is also worth noting that none of these three entities have incorporated a domestic company and each has its registered office at the

Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram same address – 62, Hadfield and Cross Streets, the same address as Hughes, Fields and Stoby, Attorneys-atLaw,” said Ram. The concessions under the agreement are vast. The contract states, “After the signing of this agreement and in conformance with Article 15, the government shall not increase the economic burdens on the contractor under this agreement, or by applying to this agreement, or the operations conducted thereunder any increase of, or any new petroleum related fiscal obligation, including, but not

limited to any new taxes whatsoever, any new royalties, duties, fees, charges, Value Added Tax or other imports”. With regards to import duties, the government has committed to ExxonMobil, its partners, and sub-contractors engaged in petroleum operations to waive all duties, taxes and other imports on all equipment and supplies except food and alcoholic beverages. The company is also exempt from paying export duties on such items that have been brought into the country for petroleum operations.

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Relatives of murdered Agricola housewife recount finding corpse in yard Relatives of murdered Agricola housewife, Donna Taylor, recounted seeing her corpse in the yard shortly after she was attacked and killed on January, 31 2014. Those testifying before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and the mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court on Thursday included the daughter of the deceased, Marcel Collymore, and her husband, Charles Collymore. The couple told the court that they received a phone call and rushed down to Taylor ’s residence at Agricola. While there, the couple recounted seeing Taylor’s body in the yard with what appeared to be blood around it. During her testimony, Marcel Collymore told the court further, that her mother, earlier that day, had an argument with her alleged killer, Abiola Jacobs. Jacobs, a former rank of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), is facing a trial in the

Abiola Jacobs High Court for the murder. On Tuesday, the dead woman’s son, Bertram Taylor, who once shared a relationship with Jacobs, told the court that his mother’s bound body was found at the back

of her Lot 16-17 Public Road Agricola, East Bank Demerara home. She was found with her hands bound behind her back, a slit throat and a piece of cloth wrapped around her neck. The mother of four was said to have been attacked in her bed and slain. She was then dragged to her backyard. The other occupant of the rented upper flat, Samantha Sabat, was subsequently found lying unconscious in the front yard. The British-based Sabat was a guest of the Taylors. She reportedly escaped by removing the panes from her bedroom window and jumping to the ground from the top flat of the two-storey structure. Sabat, who had arrived three weeks before the murder from the United Kingdom, reportedly sustained a fractured arm and lacerations to her face and parts of her body. She had come to attend her father’s funeral. Although Taylor’s home was ransacked and some valuables reportedly stolen, Kaieteur News learnt that a rivalry between Jacobs and Sabat, was the motive for the killing.

Sunday January 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Guarding against the resource curse!

Oil and Gas Unit to receive extensive training in revenue management - Finance Minister sion 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 hindGRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia By Kiana Wilburg While the oil and gas industry can bring billions of dollars in revenue, the absence of prudent management, among other factors, can easily make way for the resource curse to take over. The resource curse is a term that has often been used to describe nations which have an abundance of resources yet there is no real economic growth taking place. In fact, nations plagued by this problem even see worse development outcomes. As Guyana prepares for oil production by March 2020, the government insists that it is doing all that is necessary to protect the nation from the resource curse. In his budget 2018 speech, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, said that while the government continues to build capacity for effectively managing and regulating the oil and gas sector, it will ensure that systems and regulations are in place to properly and transparently account for, and manage oil revenues. He said that an oil and gas unit will also be established within the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The economist said that the Unit will benefit from extensive training in revenue administration within the context of Production Sharing Agreements. The Finance Minister stated that the prudent management of these revenues, in addition to a well-thought out development plan, will help to guard against the resource curse. According to GRA’s Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, training for the Oil and Gas Unit is set to commence in March with the staff being identified prior to this date. Statia said that the majority of the staff will be external and applications will be invited this month. The tax chief said it should be noted that this unit will initially be under the Large Taxpayers Unit and later spinoff as activity increases.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

GCCI President, Deodat Indar

Although oil remains the main focus of this emerging sector, Minister Jordan stated that the government is carefully exploring the feasibility of utilizing natural gas as a temporary alternative for power generation. In the coming year, he said that further steps will be taken to identify the preferred option for transporting gas onshore, including the most suitable location. Additionally, to prepare the private sector for rapid growth in this sector, the Finance Minister said that the Government will be hosting an Oil and Gas Exposition and Business Summit in the first quarter of 2018, to bring together various segments of the private sector towards creating partnerships and facilitating information sharing for business opportunities. But it appears that the main concern for the private sector bodies is the need for legislation which would compel oil companies to use local products and services. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, recently articulated that Guyana has a short space of time to get itself together for the booming oil and gas industry. He said that the failure to address certain critical issues correctly will leave Guyanese businesses out in the cold. He provided details on the observations he and members of the Chamber made during a recent visit to Canada. Indar said, “We went there to look at the oil and gas industry not only from a trade perspective. We wanted to understand the local content system that they have there. We wanted to learn how they were able to develop their industry when they found oil in 1966…” The GCCI President continued, “Because oil production kicks in by 2020, we have a short time span. We want to learn from Canada, how our companies can become part of the supply chain when

ExxonMobil gets into full swing. “Joint ventures between locals and foreigners will be the fastest way to get there and this mission is to help in that regard.” The businessman added, “While in Canada, we looked at their legal structure, training facilities, response facilities in case anything happens and what would be their response time…We met with a whole host of people just to understand the structure they have and how we can replicate their strengths here.” Indar said that he and the delegation from Guyana were able to see firsthand, how Canada’s private sector is able to successfully play a role in the oil and gas sector. For that to happen here, Indar insists that legislation is needed. Indar said, “We need legislation which says you need to come to us first before you go to the Caribbean and further afield for products and services. If you need water, see if anyone here can supply it first.” The GCCI President said that if this is not done then Guyana’s businesses will lose out. He commented, “What you need is local content legislation which brings enforcement. Operators may not like it but for development to take place, our local businesses need production. Give us the opportunity to see if we can supply…” Strategic Advisor and former Minister for Energy in Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine, recently advocated that having a local content policy would not be enough. He too, 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 deci-

sight, 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 Resources, Raphael Trotman had said that it is very likely by the end of last year, Guyana would have in place, a robust Local Content Policy for the

oil and gas sector. This is yet to materialize. Be that as it may, Trotman reminded that the government has 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. “The idea for this is that (Continued on page 15)

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Sunday January 14, 2018

The Crisis of the Absent Male Teacher By Olato Sam The current situation regarding males in education is significant enough to warrant a strategic long-term intervention. Our education system cannot continue to operate as though all is well and hope that this pressing problem will somehow work itself out. For over a decade there has been clear evidence that the boys in our schools are not having an equal experience to that of girls. More importantly, as studies have unearthed, the issue goes well beyond a mere question of competence, interest in or value for education. There are deep socio-cultural and other factors at play that indicate the need for a multifaceted approach towards addressing the issue. The potential conse-

quences of ignoring the problem are dire and the red-flags are numerous, demanding that something be done at the soonest. The issue is affecting the entire Caribbean and as such, there are some lessons from sister territories that could inform the approaches adopted. One dimension and arguably one of the most significant contributors to the problem is the absence of male teachers in the system. The exodus of males from the teaching profession would have been chronicled over the last three decades. The process unfolded gradually, and over time it appears that the system simply adjusted to the changes. There has not been any intervention to target the absence of male teachers in the system. Initially, economics

was considered the major push factor at play. The question of whether this remains the primary consideration has merit and studies are now examining why boys are not opting for teaching as a career. Regardless of the causes, there has to be a well thought out solution since the issue has now hit crisis proportions. The most recent data from the Ministry of Education show that there are 7,909 female teachers in the system as compared to a mere 1, 314 males. Of these, only 404, less than one third, are at the key formative primary level. As one might expect, there are only five male teachers at the nursery level and the remainder are scattered across the higher levels of the education system. Research has indicated

that this acute imbalance impacts the quality of the educational experiences boys are having. In a future article what is termed ‘male underachievement’ will be addressed in greater detail. However, it is important to mention here that female teachers view the behaviour of boys much differently from male teachers. The research indicates that female teachers consider boys at the primary level to be highly disruptive and uninterested in education— whereas girls on the other hand are viewed as settled model pupils. An extension of this is that boys are more often penalized for their behaviour which in turn impacts their academic experiences. As early as grade four there are decisions made regarding the academic potential of boys that have little basis in competence indices but more to do with their behaviour. Where male teachers are present, there is likely to be a greater understanding and appreciation of the key biological differences which affect the perception of boys as behavioural issues, resulting in more balanced approaches in addressing the needs of boys in schools. In studies across the world boys have reported that their male teachers encourage them more and have a greater impact on their confidence levels as pupils. This issue has implications well beyond the academic experiences boys are having however, and speaks to the very nature of their socialization. Schools are critical socializing institutions

and the absence of male role models in schools must impact the extent to which boys receive critical social cues regarding their gender identity and their expected roles. Hunte, since 2002, has lamented the fact that the absence of male teachers further compounds the problem of the education of the ‘emotions of boys’. This forces boys to seek such guidance from alternative external sources that oftentimes are not as wholesome. Research has also shown that boys feel more comfortable speaking to male teachers about issues they are having both at home and at school. As Hunte states, “Women, however talented, cannot be substitutes for men because they do not know or have experienced the emotions of men”. It must be noted here that boys are not the only ones to benefit greatly from the presence of males teachers. Girls also need solid male role models to provide balance in their socialization. In addition, to the extent that schools are a microcosm of the society, they should fully reflect the diversity and prevailing cultural dynamics found in the wider society. There is an overabundance of accounts of the ‘feminization’ of schooling brought about in large part due to the absence of male teachers in the profession. Both female and male inputs are vital to the effective delivery of education. The work environment is greatly enhanced by the presence of male teachers providing balance in perspectives and approaches. Traditionally males

have championed the use of technology and the importance of sports and other extracurricular activities in schools. Their absence has left key voids that need to be addressed. Although the problem has persisted for some time, there has been no coherent plan of action devised to address the issue. A strategic approach has to be developed to attract and retain males in the teaching profession. Such a plan has got to go well beyond the issue of salaries and hone in on the factors that would make teaching a more attractive career option to males. Scholarship opportunities, incentive packages and accelerated career options are only a few approaches adopted by other education systems to attract more males. Where plans have worked, equal consideration was given to dimensions of the working conditions that would also ensure, once recruited, that males enjoy the degree of job satisfaction that would ensure their retention and serve to encourage others to join the profession. Attention must be paid to the elements that would make teaching a more ‘male friendly’ professional pursuit and that would ensure the long-term success of the intervention. It will require openness to innovative approaches that are culturally and contextually relevant given the diversity of our country. This has deep implications for the overall status of teaching within the society and would ultimately benefit all teachers, male and female, and by extension the nation at large.

Sunday January 14, 2018

Indonesia changes law to avoid Cost Recovery... (From page 3) should consider renegotiating the contract it has with ExxonMobil to allow for a revenue-sharing model to be in place, similar to that which currently exists in Indonesia. PROFIT VS. REVENUE SHARING In a profit-sharing arrangement, Goolsarran explained that the oil company uses the revenue derived from production to recover its capital and operational expenditure. This he said is known as 'cost oil'. The remainder, known as 'profit oil', is split between the government and the company. Goolsarran said that the extent to which countries have a dual arrangement in place (i.e. royalty plus profitsharing), it stands to reason that royalty rates will be lower than those that receive royalties only. In Guyana's case, it is only receiving a two percent royalty. According to Goolsarran, a key concern relating to profit-sharing arrangements is that profits can vary significantly from year to year. He said that this can be as a result of the unpredictability of prices on the world market and the need to recover the initial investment over a period of time. Goolsarran said that countries such as India, Tanzania and Indonesia are experiencing significant difficulties in terms of their ability to inde-

pendently verify the reasonableness of the expenditure that is charged against revenue to arrive at a profit. The Chartered Accountant said that given the uncertainty of the extent of profits that is likely to accrue; there are strong arguments for there to be in place, revenue sharing agreements rather than those relating to profit-sharing. The former Auditor General said that a revenue-sharing agreement provides a guaranteed flow of income to governments once production begins, and can be monitored easily from the government's perspective. He said that there will no longer be a need for detailed and independent scrutiny of oil companies' costs to ensure that only legitimate expenditure is charged against revenue. He said that this is an area that has been the subject to intense disagreements between oil companies and governments. An additional consideration Goolsarran highlighted, is that oil companies can curtail production in anticipation of higher prices in the future, with consequent adverse impact on profits. He said that it was mainly for these reasons that India has moved away from the profit-sharing model to one of revenue-sharing, based on a recommendation of the country's Auditor General.

Court blocks M&CC attempt to lease Bel Air Park playfield to housing developer Justice Gino Persaud, last week handed down a decision which essentially blocked Mayor and City Council (M&CC) intention to sell or lease reserved community lands to a private developer. The land at the centre of the contention is located along Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park Georgetown. According to court documents seen by this newspaper, the application was filed last year by Attorney-at-Law, Devindra Kissoon, who is also a resident of Bel Air Park. Kissoon, a founding partner of London House Chambers (Law Firm), sued the M&CC and Central Housing and Planning seeking to prohibit the development of a community reserve property in Bel Air Park for the purpose of housing. Kaieteur News understands that the Council was in negotiations with local housing developer, Terrence Taljit to transfer to him prime community lands to him despite a restriction on the transport of the property for use as community purposes only. The plot of land is earmarked as the Bel Air Park playground. Court documents revealed that the property historically existed as an open space, first as an air field then as a horse race course and thereafter was maintained by the M&CC and Housing Department from the 1960s through the 1990's as a park, used by residents as a play-

Oil and Gas Unit to receive... (From page 13) 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…” 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. 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 eq-

uity 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. Additionally, the draft policy recognizes that the petroleum resources of Guyana belong to all its citizens, and represent an asset of significant intrinsic value, which once removed diminishes the wealth of the nation, unless there is transformation in value from resources below the ground to improved quality of life above it for current and future generations of

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese. The draft says, “Guyana will approach the development of its petroleum resources, people and businesses in a pragmatic, transparent and accountable manner. This will be conditioned by existing circumstances and an analytical approach to understanding the resource, the activities it engenders and our input capabilities. “We shall pursue strategic opportunities for local capacity development and participation that give us the maximum possible benefit now and in the future.” The Policy also states that Guyanese will participate in a manner that gives preferred access and opportunities to improve and enhance the country’s capabilities so that it can become internationally competitive and in the end, the country will progressively provide a greater amount of future services. Capacity development, to enable more value retention, will be treated as an investment, rather than a cost, the policy outlines.

ground and cricket field. However, the land has since been taken over by weeds and overgrown. The Council at a meeting expressed that it was desirous of using the recreational land for building a “town house for the Mayor, town clerk, city engineer and medical officer of health.” In the action, Kissoon through his Attorneys Kamal Ramkraran and Nicholas Caryll highlighted the fact that a letter was sent to City Hall notifying the Council that not only does the community reserve form part of the mandatory open space requirements established by the Town and County Planning Act, the Public Health Ordinance, and the Housing Act, necessary for Bel Air Park to remain a residential community, but there exists a specific prohibition on the use of the Property in favour of all residents of Bel Air Park for purposes other than recreational purposes. The lawyer commenced the lawsuit after noticing the lands were being surveyed despite objections by him for the council to cease and desist. He noted there were reports that the M&CC intends to confiscate and build hous-

ing on a three-acre empty community reserve known as R3 Bel Air Park, and had built a guard but for the purpose of overseeing this construction. As such, Kissoon in his application sought a declaration that the M&CC and CH&PA are bound by the servitude made and contained in Transport No. 1580 restricting the use of the property situated at Block R.3 and C.1 part of Block R.4, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, Guyana to community purposes only (the servitude). He also sought a declaration that the intended use of the Community Reserve Property for the purpose of building residential homes is in breach of the Servitude made and a declaration that the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown and the Town Clerk of the City of Georgetown are under a duty to maintain the Community Reserve property pursuant to Section 302 (7) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Cap 28:01. The applicant also sought an injunction restraining the Town Clerk of the City of Georgetown and the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown by themselves, their representatives, officers

and or agents collectively and individually and each and every one of them restraining whomsoever and howsoever from using, leasing, transferring, assigning, conveying, licensing, selling, encumbering, dealing or permitting the use of the Property for the purpose of building residential homes or otherwise other than for Community purposes, or doing any act which would breach the Servitude contained in transport No.1580 in respect of the Community Reserve property. In his ruling on January 8, last, Justice Persaud declared that the M&CC is permanently restrained from using a community reserve property in Bel Air Park for housing. Central Housing consented to an order that the land is reserved for community purposes and Justice Persaud restrained the M&CC. Justice Persaud also ordered that the Council had a duty to maintain the property. Residents in the area had expressed disgust that the Town Clerk and Mayor would vote at a council meeting to take community land for personal housing, despite the existence of the covenant and despite the obvious conflict.

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Caribbean wobbles under the impact of climate change (Excerpt from a CMC feature written by Peter Richards) In 2017, the Caribbean felt the full brunt of climate change with a warning that current trends indicate that there will be no respite. Within a two-week period, Hurricanes Irma and Maria brought home the reality of the impact of climate change as they churned their way across the Lesser Antilles destroying everything in their paths. Hurricane Harvey had in August set the stage for what was to come; with devastation in Houston, Texas, amounting to nearly US$200billion. “The unprecedented nature of this climatic event highlights the unusual nature of weather patterns that continue to affect nations across the globe,” the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said in a message to United States President Donald Trump, as Harvey made landfall in the United States after whipping up strong winds and heavy rains in the Caribbean. It took less than a month for his statement to bear fruit. Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two Category 5 storms left so many Caribbean islands devastated in September that the CARICOM Chairman and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said “there can be no question that for us in the Caribbean, climate change is an existential threat”. The islands dealt the hardest blow were Barbuda where the entire population had to be evacuated to the larger island of Antigua, Dominica where at least 30 people were killed, Anguilla, The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, The British Virgin Islands and St. Kitts-Nevis. “The task of rebuilding is beyond us,” LaRocque noted as Caribbean countries put the cost of the damage at billions of dollars. “With physical and emotional difficulty, I have left my bleeding nation to be with you here today, because these are the moments for which the United Nations exists,” Dominica’s Prime Min-

ister Roosevelt Skerrit told the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he pleaded for international assistance to rebuild his battered country. “We dug graves today in Dominica! We buried loved ones yesterday; and, I am sure that as I return home tomorrow, we shall discover additional fatalities, as a consequence of this encounter. Our homes are flattened, our buildings roofless, our water pipes smashed, and road infrastructure destroyed. “Our hospital is without power, and schools have disappeared beneath the rubble. Our crops are uprooted. Where there was green, there is now only dust and dirt. The desolation is beyond imagination,” an emotional Skerrit said, noting that Caribbean countries do not produce greenhouse gases or sulphate aerosols, nor do they pollute or overfish the oceans. “We have made no contribution to global warming that can move the needle. But yet, we are among the main victims – on the frontline,” he added. But even as the international community pledged more than two billions US dollars in aid, loans and debt relief, for regional countries there’s a great deal more to be done. For years, Caribbean countries have complained about the conditions for accessing concessionary loans on the international market and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres urged the international community to re-think the policy. Guterres, who paid a visit to hurricane-battered Caribbean countries, said most of the islands impacted by the storms were middle-income countries and because of that, they are deprived of the form of assistance or concessional loans that low-income countries can have access to. “The fact is that even though these countries have graduated as middle-income countries, they have a number of vulnerabilities that need to be taken into account if we want them to be sustain-

Dominica’s capital, Roseau, after being hit by Hurricane Maria (STR/AFP) able as middle-income countries,” he added. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne argued that it was unfair for small, vulnerable states to be denied access to concessionary rates because of their per capita income. He told the UNGA there was no justice in large, wealthy countries borrowing at a favourable three per cent per annum while “so called ‘high income’ small island states are forced to borrow commercially at 12 per cent per annum, to repeatedly rebuild. “I want to make the call again for the issue of per capita income, that nonsensical criterion, to be scrapped. It is an impediment to the growth and development of small island states,” said Browne, a former senior banker. Dominica has made it known it wants to become the world’s first climate resilient country, with Skerrit emphasizing “it’s an existential matter for us. It’s the only way forward”. The Caribbean has since launched a new public-private coalition to create the world’s first “Climate-Smart Zone” aimed at finding a way to

The Baccoo Speaks The focus is on the maternity situation in Guyana. During the first two weeks of the year a woman has died and a baby has died. Another has been mutilated by a midwife. Suddenly, the medical world is embedded in investigations. The issue gets testy when the investigators are caught between protecting their own or doing their sacred duty. **

The young criminals are active. People are on the alert and that is going to lead to the capture of two young

criminals in the act. They are going to attack a woman who has left a bank but they have not bargained for the public and a police patrol ** Just when the society is going to believe that the roads are becoming safer, a driver is going to run into a utility pole. Alcohol is going to be the cause. He would simply drop to sleep and that is going to cause pain to a number of people.

break through the systemic obstacles that stop finance flowing to climate-smart investments. The ambitious eight billion US dollar investment plan is intended to bring greater energy and infrastructure resilience to 3.2 million Caribbean households. “The Caribbean is in the ‘eye of the storm’ and we need coordinated international support to rebuild and better plan for the future. At the World Bank Group, we welcome the Caribbean ClimateSmart Coalition and plan to support it so countries get back on their feet and are better able to deal with the growing frequency and intensity of storms and hurricane,” said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank

Group president. The project has brought together a coalition of global organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), as well as businesses and supporters from the Caribbean and the international community. “This is a great first step. Now, we need to turn this possibility into a set of realities that benefit all our people. We all need to work together to change the rules of the game to accelerate climatesmart financial flows for the Caribbean,” said Mitchell. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine

Lagarde, said the Washington-based financial institution is prepared to support the Caribbean with recovery funding and is cognizant of the impact of natural disasters on economic development and stability in the Caribbean. Addressing the sixth IMF High level Caribbean forum in Jamaica in November, she said that the IMF is ready to provide leadership with sourcing special funding and expertise to assist the region in developing mitigation and resilience strategies over the short and long term. Lagarde said the hurricanes “have again highlighted the special vulnerabilities of the Caribbean, and the need to strengthen its resilience.

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Three murdered people in the spiritualist’s home By Michael Jordan If you’re receptive enough, there are crime scenes that you will visit where you’ll feel an overwhelming presence of evil. That’s happened to me twice; back in 2000, when I came upon a shallow grave in which two boys had buried a teenage girl that they had raped and murdered. There was also the time in June 2005, when I saw the hacked-off head of David Barrow at Agricola. And surely the cops felt that same sense of all-pervading evil when they visited the home of Rockliffe Alves on Saturday November 20, 2004. They had been summoned there by Mr. Alves, a professed spiritualist, who said that three people had been slaughtered in his house . On the verandah, detectives found the mutilated body of Sonny Harris, a 22year-old handyman. Someone had chopped him on the shoulder, neck and jaw. The detectives then entered the kitchen, where they found the body of the family’s 46-year-old housekeeper

known as ‘Stella’. Her throat bore two gaping wounds. In a bedroom, lying in her bed, was the spiritualist’s 84year-old mother, Ismay Alves. She had a gaping wound to the throat and her clothing was spattered with dried blood and vomit. Amazingly, she was still alive, though unconscious. She was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. The detectives immediately ruled out robbery as a

motive. The victims were all wearing jewellery, and there was no sign of forced entry to the premises. They appeared to have been viciously slashed a few days prior to the discovery. A pot of cook-up rice, which had begun to attract fungus, was in the kitchen. Scouring the crime scene, the detectives found a cutlass by a television stand near the verandah door. But the real murder weapon appeared to be a bloodstained chopper,

which they found under a chair cushion. They also found a bloody towel on the back fence. Rockliffe Alves told the detectives that he had travelled to Georgetown one day before (on November 19), and had spoken to the three victims before leaving. He claimed to have only eaten some bread, since Stella, who had been their housekeeper for 15 years, had not finished cooking. Alves said that he returned at around 14:00 hrs the following day when he made the horrifying discovery. At the time, he had assumed that his mother was also dead. But the detectives were not convinced that a pot of cook-up could have attracted a growth of fungus in such a short time. Police surmised at first that the three were victims of a ritual. They estimated that the murders had occurred at

least two days prior to the discovery. Detectives began to question other residents. But the Alves house was some 200 yards from the nearest property, and all of the neighbours said that they had heard no unusual sounds coming from the residence. Suspicion fell on Rockliffe Alves, and he has taken into custody. Denying that he had anything to do with the crime, Alves then claimed that his life was being threatened by a man who the spiritualist allegedly owed money. He alleged that his handyman, Sonny Harris, had also been threatened by another man. Meanwhile, police awaited word from medical officials on whether they could question Ms. Alves, the lone survivor of the attack. Hopefully, she would identify the killer. Relatives were reportedly assured that the elderly woman would pull through. But Ismay Alves never recovered. She eventually passed away a few months after being discharged from hospital. She was never able to divulge the identity of her attacker. Continuing with their investigation, the police were told by some neighbours that Rockliffe Alves had left for Georgetown about two days before the bodies were found. The neighbours recalled

speaking with the victims after Mr. Alves had left. In addition, some road construction workers who were in the area at the time recalled seeing two men going to the Alves property around the same time that it is estimated that the occupants were attacked. One of the men was said to have been extremely tall. The workers could not recall seeing the men pass back. Medical evidence reportedly showed that from the angle of his injuries, whoever attacked Harris was at least six feet tall. Now, one would reasonably assume that a spiritualist—someone with the gift of second sight— would have some idea about the identity of the persons who committed mayhem in his home. But to this day, neither Rockliffe Alves nor the police, seem to have a clue as to who entered the secluded house, more than 13 years ago. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office. Our numbers are 22-58458, 2258465, 22-58482 and 2258491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@hotmail.com

Sunday January 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

I made a painful mistake I will regret the rest of my life No human will ever walk into a time machine, go back into the past, and achieve mental peace through the removal of a torment that nags at their soul. I came back to Guyana in the mid-eighties after studies abroad and working with the Maurice Bishop Government in Grenada. In 1988, I became a columnist with the Stabroek News and around the same time, a columnist, too, with the Catholic Standard. I put in for membership of the Colgrain swimming pool which at the time was administered by Guyana Stores, that was headed by the brother in-law of former President, Forbes Burnham. Mr. Herbert “Herbie” Harper was the brother of Mrs. Viola Burnham. I had already become a critic of the PNC Government under President Hoyte, and maybe that deterred Mr. Harper from sign-

ing my membership form. I was advised to see Mr. Harper himself, but I refused. For such a small issue, I felt Mr. Harper was too small-minded. After going with friends to swim as their guest, I got to know the lifeguard/pool attendant, Roy. His real name is Odat Singh. I swam very early in the mornings, so Roy allowed me to use the pool since Mr. Harper rarely touched down then, and when he did, it was always in the afternoons, when the middle class of Guyana would be there. Roy allowed me to use the pool with the connivance of the security guard, who no doubt knew me from my columns. I would strap my daughter in her buggy and swim, while Roy and the security guard kept an eye on her. Then bad luck stepped in. At the western end of the pool was a huge pear tree. Appar-

ently Mr. Harper issued instructions for the employees not to pick the pears. But Roy did pick the pears, and on that day there was a new security guard. She reported the matter. I never thought anything of the incident, but the next morning, Mr. Harper turned up and saw me swimming. He said not a word. The next day, I was banned and Roy was fired. I asked attorney Oswell Legall, then deputy leader of the Democratic Labour Movement headed by Paul Tennassee, if he could sue Mr. Harper for denying me my right to swim. He agreed to do the case pro bono. That was it for me and Colgrain swimming pool. I never went back since that day. I never saw that place since. I caused Roy, a man with children, to lose his employment. Maybe I should

have swallowed my pride and begged Mr. Harper for his reemployment. If I had to live my life over again, I would beg Mr. Harper. You cannot put poor people on the breadline, and I did exactly that to Roy. I hadn’t any money that I could have given Roy. I never saw Roy again. I walk my dog late at nights at the back of Giftland Mall car park. One night in last year, I saw this security rank walking towards me. He called out my name. I couldn’t make him out at first. It was Roy. I was hugely delighted to see Roy. There was no question about it; I told Roy to let me know whatever I could do for him, including money. But he is a modest man. I renewed my friendship with Roy after about three decades, but he never asked me for a cent or a favour last year. On the night of December

27, a few Giftland Mall security personnel came up to me while walking my dog. They asked if I had heard what happened to Roy. On Christmas Eve night, a motorist, parked in lane 9, reported a burglary in his car and his firearm was stolen. Giftland called in the police. The Turkeyen ranks beat Roy and put him in the van. Superintendent Mansell of Cove and John ordered the detention of Roy at Sparendaam station, despite the intervention of Giftland security administrators who told Mansell that Roy did not work in lane 9, but lane 5, and that they could vouch for him. Giftland’s cameras are not working. Giftland security people asked that he be put on bail. Mansell refused. He spent December 24, 25 and 26 in the lock-up. He was released on $50,000 bail and is back with

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Frederick Kissoon Giftland security. My research into the case revealed that Mansell and the complainant are good friends. I asked Superintendent Brutus of Cove and John to investigate. He promised to. I went Friday last to get Roy’s bail money. Superintendent Withrite of Sparendaam said that cannot be done soon. The poor will always suffer in this land.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 14, 2018

Restoring order to our roadways must be a priority For the umpteenth time this week, a speeding 15seater minibus, clearly overloaded with 17 people, crashed because the driver was irresponsible, in a hurry to get to his destination and determined to make as much money as he could in a single day. Georgetown Hospital management said on Thursday that they had 16 people being treated for serious injuries, including six who were critical. Based on information provided to police and media outlets, it was clear that the bus driver is the one at fault but as is the practice of the police traffic department, the driver of the canter trick which the bus clipped and later turned turtle, had to unfortunately, if not unfairly, be detained by police for hours. This is despite the fact that it was not his fault.

This is the sad thing about accidents as any driver of any vehicle, regardless of race, creed, class or gender could leave home with all good and progressive intentions on any given day, get rammed by an unruly, uncouth bus or truck driver and end up in a police cell or on a bench for hours because your vehicle was involved in a road accident. Thursday’s smash up is just the latest of several in recent months that should provide food for thought both for regulators and the thousands who have no other means of moving around but to depend on these virtual death traps. That so many have crashed on city roads, rather than on rural highways or on interior roads with higher speed limits, should itself be of concern to all Guyanese. First, there are several

new measures that authorities ought to begin considering, going forward, to deal with the worsening road traffic situation. Nearly 10,000 new vehicles are registered in the country each year and when it comes to the city and areas near the capital, it must be noted that no major new road networks have been constructed to take off this influx. This is especially so in central and commercial Georgetown. In collaboration with the Traffic Department, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, under the very capable hands of Minister David Patterson, has done a commendable job installing speed bumps and humps at various intersections in the city. A few standouts include the Queenstown, Alberttown and North Cummingsburg areas. There is little doubt that the

number of fatal, serious and even fender bender accidents has been reduced to a bare minimum with the installation of these bumps. We say to Minister Patterson, please let your technicians do a survey around the city and its environs, and start making moves to install even more of these. Secondly, the time may be fast approaching for police to reconsider the age and maturity levels of drivers who apply to be graded as mini bus controllers with commercial licences. Currently, there is no special qualification needed to obtain a licence, apart from being a vehicle driver for a specified number of years. Perhaps the age qualification should be reviewed, and random tests for alcohol and drug abuse administered daily to drivers at bus parks or on routes, as it is not uncommon to see some drivers operating

vehicles with a Guinness or GT Beer in hand. Thirdly, passengers ought to rethink their general submissive and passive attitude to irresponsible drivers. The few who complain about over-speeding and dangerous risk-taking antics of drivers are usually shouted down by the majority, seemingly oblivious of the dangers and the need to keep drivers and conductors in check. The police administration also needs to get a grip of its officers and ranks on the roads. In too many cases, the cosy relationship between bus crews and ranks makes passengers and observers uncomfortable. The other major issue here relates to the fact that many police ranks own buses which ply commercial routes, so oversight is sometimes compromised. We are no doubt losing too many young people to

road accidents. Parents are burying too many children. This has nothing to do with, class, race and creed. This is not how it is supposed work in normal life. It is the other way around. Many surviving parents made New Year resolutions for safer roads, hoping the nation would lose fewer of our promising young people in 2018. One remembers that fatal accident on the Corentyne Highway late last year that claimed a carload of people, most of them from a single family. How are surviving relatives and friends supposed to cope with such horrific losses? So it is quite obvious that the ball has to be placed in the court of the police and the Infrastructure Ministry to restore some order to our roadways, through creative regulation and legislation where required.

Sunday January 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

My column

Donald Trump has insulted the cradle of evolution People are always proud of where they come from. Indeed many migrate because they all seek better, but in the long run they return to their roots. I remember Alex Haley and his famous novel, Roots. He got the itch to find his roots and after some research he travelled to Africa. The story eventually begins with an ancestor who is captured by traders and shipped to the United States. From there, between torture, torment and moments of happiness, Alex Haley emerges. But he is not the only one who goes back to his roots. Some Guyanese have traced theirs back to their ancestors. I remember Bharrat Jagdeo going to India and being taken to a village where he found some of his relatives. He could not speak the language nor could they speak his. Whether he found the origins of his family was not stated, but he did find relatives who wanted to come with him to Guyana. They envisaged a better life. I am unable to trace mine, because I can only go as far as the Deeds Registry would allow me. I have been able to go to my great-great grandparents on my mother’s side.

There were records of their birth and later, at the baptism of their children I was able to come down to present day. I am still to try searching my father’s side but then again, my story would make an interesting novel. I was in my fifties when I knew him, although I had been associating with his mother and sisters unknowingly. They died, and although I firmly believe that my father’s mother knew who I was, she never let on. But as a schoolboy I learnt that life as we know it began in Africa. I was confused, because I could not understand how life as it is today could have come from a single stock that produced people the colour of the rainbow. So I asked if I am black and my roots are in Africa and Donald Trump Is white and his roots are in Africa, how is it that we are so different? I heard about migration and adaptation that led to the changes. Of course there had to be inter-racial unions. Even today when I look at the Meghan Markle story I can understand how in another

few years her children would actually be white. One does not, however, abuse one’s roots. Markle had a problem identifying her ethnicity in a single box, so her father advised her to draw her own box. He is white and Markle’s mother is black. My children all have two sets of roots. One root leading from me spans coastal Guyana, reaching Fyrish, West Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara. The other from their mother goes deep into Amerindian territory. So we come to Donald Trump and his comment that African nations are shithole countries. The comedian in me would say that he is right if he is a product. But to lump us all into that category is most derogatory. Many of us who came from Africa made some stirring contributions to America. We patented many of the inventions that people take for granted. Even in the field of medicine we made breakthroughs. In South Africa there was a doctor, Chris Bernard, who has been credited with the first heart transplant. It later came to light that the pioneer was his partner, a black man. The first blood transfu-

sion was credited to a black man who died because he could not get one at the white hospital. So it was with a measure of disgust that I read of Mr. Trump questioning his people about wanting immigrants from Africa and Haiti, two ‘shithole countries’ as he put it, although Africa is a continent. This is the racism that the world desperately wants to avoid. Indeed, there is white America that wants to see the back of anyone who is not white. That would be nice, they say, after they built their society on the backs of the very blacks. I cannot see Mr. Trump having a cordial conversation with black leaders. People at the meeting would wonder about what are their real thoughts about each other. Yet I can understand the mood of most of white America. From my vantage point in Guyana, I saw a man travelling to New York to kill a black man. I saw black people going out of their way to kill white people. I can imagine the confusion his comment caused in inter-racial homes. I can see teachers struggling to console pupils who are of a dif-

ferent ethnicity. And to think that America has some stringent laws against hate crimes. Its lawmakers went to the end of the earth to be inclusive. I have seen white people going to the defence of black people and citing the constitution as they did so. It is to the good of mankind that there were people at the forum that spawned Mr. Trump’s comments. They did not hesitate to make it public. Of course Mr. Trump would say that he never uttered those words or that he was taken out of context. He is going to describe the entire episode as fake news, designed to make him look bad. What is unfortunate is that there are people from these countries who go to America and do some dastardly things. I shudder every time I read of a Guyanese who does something horrendous in white America. There was one fellow who killed a white man and his family then ate pizza in the man’s home. From the time the news came that he was from Guyana, I am willing to bet that people began to paint all Guyanese. The Haitians are no differ-

Adam Harris A. A. ent. They do some silly things. The Nigerians trick people out of their money. People make a big song and dance about Ebola with its roots in Africa. But these things pale into insignificance when one sees the achievements of the vast majority of immigrants from the shithole countries. Yet, I can assure that this too will blow over. Some will forget; immigration officers would look at some of us and hear Trump’s words echoing in their heads. More policemen are going to pull over black drivers and shoot some of them out of hand. And life would continue, because Guyanese are going to keep seeking visas to America.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 14, 2018

The sugar industry is being consolidated; it is not being closed The Guyana Sugar Corporation has been in a state of crisis for over 25 years. The Government has acted resolutely and responsibly to protect the livelihood of workers, to preserve the viability of rural communities and prevent the further financial depletion of the country’s treasury. It is apposite to note that as of 1992 there were nine sugar estates; Skeldon, Rose Hall, Blairmont, LBI, Enmore, Wales and Uitvlugt. The work force at that time was 28,000. In 2011, during the Peoples Progressive Party’s administration, Diamond’s cultivation was closed and LBI’s factory was closed. This left seven estates. The Government, including previous administrations, struggled to maintain the industry’s viability; by: - engaging international advisory, technical and managerial corporations such as

Booker-Tate Ltd., Bosch Projects (PTY) and Global Cane Sugar between 1992 and 2015; - erecting a new factory at Skeldon in the East BerbiceCorentyne Region at a cost of US$ 121 mn; - expending G$48.02 bn in financial support to the industry since 2011 and G$32 billion over the past thirty months – a rate of about a billion dollars a month. This Government cannot sustain the sugar industry in its current state. It has had to make difficult choices in order to ensure the industry’s viability. Its earliest measures included: - convening a commission of inquiry into the state of the industry in October 2015; - publishing a State Paper on the future of the industry in May 2017; - creating a ‘Special Purpose Unit’ to manage the reform of the industry in June

2017. In his address to the 71st sitting of the National Assembly on 2nd November 2017 President Granger said that: “The sugar industry is being consolidated; it is not being closed. We will explore all options…to ensure a viable industry, mindful of its impact on the Nation’s rural economy and its residents.” The Government is committed to making the industry efficient and competitive by consolidating cultivation in East Berbice at Albion, in West Berbice at Blairmont and West Demerara at Uitvlugt. The Corporation will aim at producing 147,000 tonnes annually, preserving three enlarged estates and protecting the jobs of over 11,000 workers. The Government is committed to the welfare of sugar workers and their families. It has: - estimated for the expen-

diture of over $2.0 bn to provide fifty per cent of severance pay due to all redundant workers by the end of January 2018, the remainder being paid in the second half of the year; - embarked on an extensive review of expenditure in every sector to the extent of reducing ministerial budgets in order to find funds to enable sugar workers to receive their severance pay; and, - earmarked $100 mn to train workers in entrepreneurial skills and to open opportunities for employment after leaving the sugar industry. The Guyana Sugar Corporation is not being dismantled. It is working actively to ameliorate the impact of retrenchment on workers livelihood. It has: - established an Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), aimed at

providing support by enabling displaced employees to access available opportunities to function in other fields; - embarked on the training of employees to work in new operational fields across the industry in places such as the field workshop and providing services; - engaged 500 employees from the West and East Demerara Estates with over 100 of them signaling their willingness to be retrained – in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works and in small business enterprises. - A special business and financial investment program is scheduled to begin in the last week of January. The forum will offer advice as to how to invest and manage the money they would have received as severance. Trainers will demonstrate how to in-

vest in the local stock market, advise workers on the type of insurance policies they should acquire, preferably including policies with pension plans. This is specifically for Wales and Enmore estates. Rose Hall and Skeldon will follow soon after. - Special face to face, one on one, coaching sessions with trainers are also being arranged for workers who take part in the program and other initiatives are on the cards and will be announced in the coming days. The Government is cognizant of the invaluable contribution of the sugar industry to the development of Guyana. The Government will continue to work towards returning the reformed sugar industry to profitability and improving the personal income of sugar workers while seeking to provide a good life for current and future generations.

Sunday January 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Male circumcision: Should you or your child get circumcised? By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Studies are increasingly showing the benefits of circumcision. Parents and adult males are requesting circumcision now more than ever. Circumcision is catching on as a healthy practice. Today I will highlight the facts about circumcision so that you can make a more informed decision on what’s best for you or your child. WHAT IS CIRCUMCISION? Circumcision is a surgery that removes the skin that covers the tip of the penis, called the “foreskin”. Some choose to do it just after birth while other parents wait until their child has fully developed. It is becoming increasingly common

in the US and other developed countries because of the health benefits. Religious belief and tradition are other reasons why circumcision is done, especially in the developing world. SHOULD MEAND/MY CHILD GET CIRCUMCISED? It is a decision that you need to make. There are pros and cons, but evidence is showing that the benefits far outweigh the risks. I will list the benefits and risks below so that you can be able to make a more informed decision. WHATARE THE BENEFITS OF CIRCUMCISION? Circumcised boys have

lower rates of: - Urinary tract infections - Swelling of the opening at the tip of the penis Circumcised men seem to have lower rates of: - Urinary tract infections - Swelling of the opening at the tip of the penis - Penis cancer - HIV and other infections that you catch during sex - Cervical cancer in the women they have sex with Some circumcised men often claim to have prolonged sexual encounters whileothersclaimalittle decrease in sexual stimulation. Circumcised males often have better hygiene because it’s easier to wash the penis and urine does not get caught under the foreskin. WHATARE THE RISKS OF CIRCUMCISION?

Risks include: - Bleeding or infection from the surgery - Damage to the penis if it’s done improperly - A chance that the doctor will cut off too much or not enough of the foreskin Studies show that only about 1 out of every 200 circumcision leads to problems. HOW IS CIRCUMCISION DONE IN BABY BOYS? First, the baby gets medicine so he won’t feel pain. This might be a cream on the skin or a shot into the base of the penis. Next, the doctor cleans the baby’s penis well. Then he or she uses special tools to cut off the foreskin. Most doctors often stitch the cut area to improve the cosmetic effect of the

circumcision. Finally, the doctor wraps a bandage (called gauze) around the baby’s penis. If you have your baby circumcised, his doctor will give you instructions on how to care for him after the surgery. It is important that you follow those instructions carefully. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY? Your doctor will advise you what to look for after surgery. The first day will be a bit painful; taking pain medications prescribed by your doctor will ease this problem. You can take off the dressings around 48 hours after the circumcision. By then you are able to wash the penis with soap and water. The penis will heal by day 10. During this

Dr. Zulfikar Bux period you will be advised to apply antibiotic ointment or Vaseline on the penis after washing it. By day 21 the newly circumcised penis is as good as new and back to normal. Now that you have more information about male circumcision, you should be able to make a more informed decision about it. Hopefully, I would have been able to alleviate most of the fears associated with it.

Sunday January 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Repeat offender remanded for swindling woman of $4.1M A real estate officer who was recently sentenced to 68 months imprisonment for scamming several persons of house lots, was on Friday remanded to prison after being slapped with eight fraud related charges. Vishaul Moonilal, 48, of Bel Air Park, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The first charge alleged that on February 5, 2015, he obtained $370,000 from Diane Cosby, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to survey 10-21 Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. The second charge alleged that on March 20, 2015 at Georgetown, he obtained the sum of US$450 from Cosby for a court case, knowing same to be false. It was also alleged that on June 16, 2015 the accused obtained US$2,000 from Cosby, by falsely pretending that the money would be used to hire an attorney and legal fees, knowing same to be false. It is alleged that on June 11, 2015, Moonilal obtained US$3,000 to do an appraisal for Lot 10-21 Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank

Charged: Vishaul Moonilal Demerara. It was further alleged that during the month of October 2015, he obtained US$2,000 from Cosby by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell her several house lots at Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, knowing same to be false. Moonilal was also charged

for obtaining US$4050 from Cosby, by falsely pretending that the money was to be paid for surveying the property he sold her. It was also alleged that on November 6, 2015, he obtained $600,000 from Cosby by falsely pretending that the money was for him to survey the house lots. The last charged alleged that on June 16, 2017, he obtained the sum of $400,000 from Cosby by pretending that he was in a position to retain a lawyer on her behalf. Moonilal was represented by Attorney-at-law Marcel Bobb. Police Prosecutor objected to bail being granted to him citing that he is currently serving a sentence for similar charges. Moonilal was remanded to prison and he was instructed to make his next court appearance on January 24.

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Sunday January 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

Developing human capacity for over... From page 62 will also place focus on a national policy for agricultural education. “The School has now completed more than fifty years of operation. A Strategic Plan developed through a consultative approach, along with a Policy on Agricultural Education will serve the institution in a powerful way by focusing material and other resources in achieving the goals that have been set. The School has approached the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through the Ministry of Agriculture for technical assistance in the elaboration of a Strategic Plan for GSA as well as a National Policy on Agriculture Education in Guyana. FAO's Representative in Guyana has agreed to incorporate these in its work plan for the 2018-2019 biennium.” “We have incorporated this request as one of the outcomes or indicators in our 2018 budget submission. A decision has been taken to review the entire curriculum to make it responsive to new developments in agriculture, the educational environment, as well as the ever-changing requirements of employers. A broad-based Committee comprising key stakeholders is being promulgated as the vehicle to complete this work. This Committee will continue its work in 2018 and will be supported by specialist help,

either from a qualified firm or a team of consultants, in order to accelerate the achievement of deliverables set for curriculum reform.” “Organizational structure, complete job descriptions and specifications, and a human resource manual, remain key elements, too, in fostering efficient management and use of resources. A systematic review of these areas of operation will be initiated to make them more responsive to the needs of the School.” Furthermore, capacity building and training have long been recognized as an important component of the School's developmental activities. In order to maintain and improve the quality of education offered by the institution, it has acknowledged that there needs to be a continuous effort to build the capacity of its faculty. This year, the school hopes to initiate a rule-based formal support system for staff members who are desirous of improving their professional qualifications. In addition, the school has said that Continuous Worker Education Credits will continue to provide opportunities for staff development. IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY In order to get youths to take up careers in agriculture, the practice of agriculture has to be made more attractive. There is therefore, the need to

Some of the products produced by the Guyana School of Agriculture Developing human capacity for over 50 years move away from labour-intensive operations to one which makes use of more mechanization and improved technologies which will encourage youths to become more involved in agriculture. In this regard, officials at the Ministry of Agriculture said, “Agricultural production is vulnerable to climate change. Conditions of increased temperatures and heavy rainfall have served to reduce yields of cultivated crops and have encouraged the proliferation of pests and diseases. The dry season is considered the most conducive period for crop production, as low humidity discour-

ages the occurrence of diseases. During periods of intense rainfall there is flooding which results in significant crop loss.” “The issues of climate change are best addressed through adaptation. The School is therefore, seeking to demonstrate the use of protected agriculture technology for the production of high value crops. In this regard, the School is seeking to erect one shade house with raised beds.” MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES Accreditation provided by a reputable agency provides the requisite assurance that minimum standards are being upheld in the delivery of service. With this in mind, the School has been working with the National Accreditation Council to have its programmes accredited. To successfully gain accreditation, facilities that are specifically meant for direct teaching and learning must meet industry standards. Facilities including classrooms, classroom seats, laboratories, li-

brary and audio-visual learning equipment must be adequate. These will include constant maintenance of living quarters, main buildings, farm buildings and infrastructure, computer and laboratory facilities, library, recreational and other miscellaneous facilities. Ministry officials said that there is need therefore for resources to be committed to the maintenance of the School's facilities. Ministry of Agriculture officials have since noted that equipping the school's facilities with modern electrical systems which comply with the National Electrical Code as well as fire protection garnered through centralized electronic systems and extinguishers, will enhance the record of providing a safe education environment for hundreds of students, local and overseas, including workers. REGISTRATIONAND ACCREDITATION The National Accreditation Council Act 2004 makes provision for establishment of a National Accreditation Coun-

cil (NAC) and for this Council to grant recognition to awards obtained in Guyana and elsewhere and to determine equivalence of all awards for the purpose of establishing acceptable standards. The Guyana School of Agriculture falls under this regulatory control which is critical to the delivery of quality services. The National Accreditation Council has announced the imminent implementation of a National Qualifications and Credit Framework for Guyana. In 2018, GSA said it will continue to work with the NAC to streamline its operations so as to satisfy set standards. These pertain to a wide range and include the following areas: Governance and Administration, Quality Management System, Legal, Policy and Regulatory Requirements, Resource Management, Teaching-Learning Process and Continuous Improvement. RELATIONS WITH CTVET The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) was established under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act. 2004. Its main role is to promote Technical and Vocational Training. The Ministry of Agriculture has stated that the Guyana School of Agriculture falls under the Technical and Vocational Education Training System, and therefore can benefit under the rubric, Competency Based Education. The officials said that GSA graduates may benefit from having their diplomas and certificates being recognized in Guyana and the Caribbean, having been granted such status by CTVET. They said that 2018 therefore, will witness enhanced efforts in solidifying the relationship between GSA and CTVET.

Sunday January 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

Political stalwart Sandra Adams laid to rest

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31 Village Councils to be audited by February - preparations underway for Village elections

The crowd at the funeral for Sandra Adams Sandra Michelle Adams was yesterday interred at the Bamia Cemetery after a funeral service at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. Among those in attendance were President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams; Adams’s elder sister and Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Yearwood and Minister within the Ministry of Health Volda Lawrence. There were other key Government and Regional Officials. Throughout the funeral service Adams was praised and recognized for her hard work and commitment to the

APNU Party, and her selfless work to help improve the quality of life of Linden and Region Ten residents. Among those paying tributes to the PNCR stalwart was President David Granger. The President, reflecting on Adams’s passion for getting things done, alluded to the Region Ten party office which was rehabilitated last year. He said that Adams mobilized $8.5M to effect the renovation of the Building. “I don't know how she did it but it was done. I want to see more Sandras!!"the President declared. President Granger recalled his first meeting with Adams

where she told him that all she wanted to do was work for the party and that she was not looking for position or power. He said that she came back (to Guyana) with a lifelong record of service. She was elected a member of the National Assembly in 1997 the President noted. Adams later left Guyana for personal reasons but came back and bore the burden of the highest per capita support for the APNU at the last elections, he added. Citing her credentials as impeccable, he pointed out that her receipt of the Medal of Service was not an inducement but was a reward.

In other tributes Adams was described as “ferociously committed to the Party, a tower of strength, affable, dynamic, eloquent and vocal.” Sandra Michelle Adams was born on November 18, 1970. She died January 2, last. Regi o n a l C h a i r m a n Rennis Morian in an interview shortly after her passing said that her imminent replacement would be a monumental task. (By Enid Joaquin)

Financial audits will be conducted in 31 Indigenous Villages Councils by the end of February, in preparation for the upcoming Village Election. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, explained that the aim of the audit is to provide a clear understanding of each community’s financial situation so as to better inform incoming village councils or otherwise on its functioning. Audits are conducted three months prior to planned Village Elections. This is in keeping with the Amerindian Act 2006 which stipulates that ‘the Minister shall arrange a general audit, financial and documentary, before the date of Village Council elections.’ The audits are led by an independent auditor. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affair has been facilitating audits since 2015. However, due to a lack of resources, audits were not conducted in most of the communities. Minister Allicock has confirmed that letters were sent to the respective regional administrations and Toshaos, with regards to the hosting of the Village Elections. According to him, the ministry is awaiting feedback from the regions, to move forward with additional plans. Village Councils are managed by a Toshao (chairman), secretary, treasurer, and councillors, and are tasked with ensuring that the community’s finances and assets are properly managed. Over 200 Indigenous communities and villages will be conducting elections for Toshaos and Village Councillors. To be elected as a Toshao, a person must be 18 years and over, and must be eligible to stand as Councillor and should not have held the position for the two terms immediately preceding his or her nomination.

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‘Cash jet’ pilot attracts money Cancer specialists warns against laundering probe in Guyana distraction from medical treatment Guyanese-born embattled pilot, Khamraj Lall, who is facing jail and forfeiture of properties in the US for drug smuggling, is out on bail but his troubles are far from over. He managed to secure a US$1M bail last month, pledging two New Jersey properties. According to court documents, Lall was appointed a third party custodian, subjected to home incarceration with electronic monitoring, the surrender of all passports and restricted to travel in the state of New Jersey. He was also ordered to surrender his pilot's license and signed over a US$150,000 home equity line of credit to help secure his bail. In 2016, Puerto Rico, a jurisdiction of the US, forfeited one plane and US$620,000 in cash that he had stashed in his plane. In Guyana, the police Special Organised Crime Unit reportedly is looking at Lall’s interest in Guyana. He is reportedly the owner of Kaylees Gas Station, East Bank Demerara and had operated a limo service. There have been questions about a number of heavy duty equipment which was contracted to two large scale gold mines. These are

Khamraj Lall parked at the gas station. However, the operator had insisted he was only renting the property and had no relations with Lall. SOCU would be trying to determine whether Lall laundered his monies in Guyana, in properties. He is believed to have laundered US$7.5M in Guyana, according to US court documents. Prior to his high profile arrest in 2014, the pilot also got permission under the previous government to build a hangar at the Timehri airport for his two jets. He reportedly even flew former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Government of

Guyana has since taken the hangar, saying the pilot breached his lease. After his arrest for the cash smuggling, Lall was later detained again and refused bail until last month. He was accused of smuggling several kilos of cocaine into New Jersey and New York, then laundering more than US$7.5M (G$1.5B) in proceeds back to Guyana. Lall, 51, was indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy charges following his July 2015 arrest in connection with what authorities said was a five-kilo load carried on his plane. Eight co-defendants from Rochester, N.Y., also were arrested at the time. Authorities identified them as Edward Mighty, Seymour Brown, Andre Taylor, Ricardo Bailey, Robert Wilson, Kenneth Harper, Desmond Bice and Christopher Samuels. Mighty, they said, headed a Rochester-based drug-trafficking ring. Lall was also being investigated in the US for laundering cash in separate banks, hiding the transactions by depositing a little here and a little there. Lall deposited, or had others deposit, roughly US$7,549,775 into more than 20 different bank accounts in cash through 1,287 transactions of under US$10,000 to circumvent federal banking reporting laws from April 2011 through November 2014, investigators said. The case has been garnering much attention here, as Lall was popular in Guyana.

“If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it.” This has been a statement often used by people who have tried something, believe in it and would like others to respect that until they can offer and informed differing opinion. But there just might be a thin line or a glaring gap in utilising an alternative to proven medical care. This notion was recently amplified when officials of the Guyana Cancer Institute spoke of cancer cases that might have progressed because early medical care was not sought. This is particularly troubling to the officials since early detection of this disease could see it being cured thus allowing for a life to be saved. The officials were at the time addressing the state of cervical cancer in Guyana. They pointed out that while earnest efforts are being continually made to combat cancer, these efforts are sometimes considerably undermined. This state of affairs was recently amplified by Medical Director and Consultant Oncologist at the Cancer Institute, Dr. Sayan Chakraborty. “The problem with the cervical cancer lies with the misinformation or the ignorance regarding the diagnosis and the treatment of the disease,” Dr. Chakraborty said. For this reason, he said that a number of patients he has seen over the years have turned up for medical care when they are at an advanced stage. According to Outreach Director, Dr. Syed Ghazi he has been involved in the Cancer Institute since its inception and from that point he noted

Dr. Sayan Chakraborty

Syed Ghazi

that far too many women were presenting with stages three and four cancer. But very little can be done at such advance stages, he noted. He added that while an increasing number of women are even seeking to be screened because of ongoing awareness campaigns, there are still a few who are in denial. According to Dr. Ghazi oftentimes some patients are guilty of not even taking the signs and symptoms serious enough. But there are times when patients seek the care of one doctor after the other before they are finally diagnosed. This of course can add to the delay in starting treatment. But then there is a financial constraint. Dr. Ghazi recalled that during a visit to Mabaruma there was one woman suffering from stage four cancer. “She was lying there with her six-year-old son by her side,” recalled Dr. Ghazi as he disclosed how the woman was unable to seek care because she didn’t have the financial wherewithal to travel to Georgetown.

This inability resulted in the woman’s husband opting to provide her with ‘bush’ medicine. But such distractions, according to Dr. Ghazi, can cause more harm than good. He explained that forms of medical treatment will always be highly promoted because they are backed by millions of dollars in research that prove that they actually work. Sadly, the Outreach Director noted, “Sometimes people put them aside and say treatment will kill. Chemotherapy will kill you; radiation is going to burn you. [They say] this person is doing this or that and they go there, but guess what when they come to us six months or five months later they are at a higher stage where they cannot come back and we see this every year,” Dr. Ghazi shared. According to him, “Every year I lose three or four women...Last year I lost three of my breast cancer patients because they were distracted from the treatment.” “I have begged people if (Continued on page 69)

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STANDARDS IN FOCUS

THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING STANDARDS The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is mandated to facilitate the development of standards. Standards are rules and/or guidelines, that are presented (developed) for use within various fields of practice as required; following studies and consensus, standards are presented for use as approved, by agencies recognised internationally, such as a National Standards Body. Some standards, as they apply to products, processes or production methods may include or deal exclusively with terminologies, symbols, packaging, marking requirements or labelling requirements. To develop any standard by consensus is crucial. Consensus is the general agreement, achieved by all of the parties concerned as to a specific standard being developed. Standards are important for the development of any economy, since they provide the benchmark for quality, consistency and reliability. Standards provide confidence and there is an agreement for example on specification, size, appearance, quality, safety, performance, security or any other criteria, for the product, process or service under consideration. In Guyana, we often observe inconsistencies in

the quality of some products being sold or certain services being delivered. If you encounter any of these, it is a clear indication that a standard has not been developed, implemented or enforced. In this week’s article, the GNBS would be outlining the process to have standards developed, therefore, as consumers and citizens of Guyana; anyone can submit a request to the GNBS for a standard to be developed, to address the quality, safety or performance of any product, process or service under consideration. The standards development process comprises of the following steps: 1. The standards development process begins with the completion of a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) which is submitted by the proposer. This NWIP documents all information which justifies the need for a particular standard. This completed form must be submitted to the GNBS for consideration. 2. The completed NWIP and any supporting documents submitted to GNBS, are evaluated and assigned priority based on social and economic importance, stakeholders perceived needs, and future needs, in keeping with

National Development Plans and Policies. 3. The National Standards Council (NSC) reviews the submission and decides whether to approve or reject the proposal based on its importance and relevance. 4. Once approved, research is done by the GNBS to identify whether such a standard exists at similar International, Regional or other National Standard Bodies (e.g. ISO, IEC, ASTM, ANSI, BS). If a suitable standard is found, it is either 1) adopted (as is), or 2) modified. If no standard is available, further research on the subject is conducted and a draft standard is prepared by the assigned technical committee. 5. The Draft standard is prepared by the GNBS and is reviewed by a Technical Committee (TC) comprising members from Government, private sector, consumer, academia, individual and NGOs. 6. After the Technical Committee has approved the draft standard, it is advertised for Public Comments for a period of 60 days. Public Consultation sessions are held during this time. In urgent cases, the fast tract method is utilized. The comments period will be reduced to 30 days. This is a very important stage in the standards development process, since it ensures that manufacturers, importers,

consumers, regulators and other interested parties are provided with an opportunity to comment on the proposed requirements of the standard under development. 7. All of the comments received from stakeholders during the Public consultation period are reviewed by the TC, which determines whether each comment is accepted or rejected (with justification). A final draft is prepared by the GNBS and submitted to the NSC for approval as a Guyana Standard. Once approved,

the standard is published and made available for sale at the GNBS. To make a Guyana Standard mandatory, a request can be made by any stakeholder and a justification must accompany such a request. The National Standards Council reviews the request and once the Council is satisfied, the request is forwarded to the Minister of Business with recommendations for it to be made mandatory. All mandatory standards are Gazetted.

In order to ensure consistency and reliability in the production and delivery of quality products and services, standards must be developed and implemented. Let us all be observant and develop the culture of using standards, to improve our local products and services. For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190062, 219-0065 or 2190069. Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy

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FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.- CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics 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)678-8683 For efficient repairs, installations, assembly of imported furniture and gym equipment, mounting TV etc. Call:673-2692/233-3006 Are you moving out, need transportation, have stuff to fix up/disassemble? Call: 6585897/233-3006

VEHICLE FOR SALE F150 late model GSS series no problem lifted suspension for $2.4 million on best offer, excellent condition. Contact:695-7676/676-3612 LEARN TO DRIVE Ultraviolet driving school is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500.Come and enjoy it! Tel: 602-2583 C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

Sunday January 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

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 Two Hino 30 seater buses in good condition BLL series, Contact 679-2497 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 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 12ft & 14ft Aluminum boat for sale 222-5671, 641-6162 One Mark Two vehicle in good condition with very low mileage PKK series, Contact 679-2497 1 two story concrete building completed with all amenities, 44 Village Corentyne. Large yard space 104ft x 1 mile, Contact 679-2497 Land 2,500 acres excellent for logging, In the Kortbradt to Pletanchor, East Bank Berbice areas, Contact 679-2497 Land 4.018 acres, suitable for a number of activities situated at N 1/2 mudlot 10 Strand New Amsterdam, Contact 679-2497 Four stories full furnished building, in good condition, situated at Lot Q Springlands, Corentyne. Contact 679-2497 Over 13,000 square ft (6 acres) of real estate situated at No. 75 Village Corentyne, Contact 679-2497 Spacious four story building on large land space situated at Lot 3 Springlands, Contact 679-2497 Two storey concrete building, fully furnished for sale. Anna Catherina WCD, Contact: 661-9880 New constructed property on Lamaha Gardens $95M 4/3 bedroom house $35/20M on the ECD. Contact: 624-7777/ 223-2153 1 longboom hitach Ex200LC 1 315BL Excavator, 2 John Deere tractor 5403 & 5705. Tel# 661-4255/686-1962 Freezers. Call: 671-3004

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 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 Business place to rent. 14 Lombard St Georgetown. 2271385/653-0506 1 two bedroom apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 Prime Business place to rent 79 DeWilliam, North Public road WCD. Call: 615-4765 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818 Republic Park- three bedroom house, master bedroom, heater, A/C etc. Price $35 million. Ph: 617-4261 FOR SALE Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354, 654-5662

WANTED 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. Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm 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 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 Drivers for Private cars & minibus route 44 all previous applicants can re-apply. Call: 225-3234 American Variety Store 140 Regent & Light Georgetownwanted experience cashier, supervisor & salegirls apply in person.

1 2 RZ for sale BMM 634. Price $1.6million Tel no: 668-0040/ 626-9825. Excellent condition

Sales persons apply to Shanta’s. 225 Camp St Workers for interior. Jetman and markman. Tel no: 6450361 1 male cook for interior. $100,000 monthly. Call btw 8:00-5:00pm

4 months old female Rattweiler $120,000, Call 639-8924/2274674

Teacher needed for grades 1 & 2. To schedule appointment, call: 677-0296

Brand new rattan lobby sets, a sofa, a love & a single piece with a coffee table $220,000

Live-in couple- Husband driving & mechanical experience, wife-domestic. Tel: 227-1830

PEN PAL Male 50 years E.Indian looking for female pen friend. 649-4914

Artist who paint both scenes and portraits professionally must have works to show. Whatsapp: 611-7223

You deserve a relationship filled with love. Call Harmony. 676-6312

Urgently needed one plot of land in Eccles New Scheme from $3M-$5M Tel# 656-0701

VACANCY

VACANCY

Male factory worker, age 18 Handyman, age 20-50 years, and above, must have able bodied, police clearance working experience. For required. 691-2186, 663-3399 more info call: 223-0090 One maid. #639-9449 Chef and assistant cook. Call: Female domestic worker to 225-7933 or visit us 172 work at private residence. Call: Sheriff Street. 690-4722. General maintenance man, Live-in or part time maid, call Ages 24-55. Address 233 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 9am to 4pm South road, Tele# 225-0198 Welder/fabricator, machinist, One customer service mechanic, must have representative. Age 18 and technical background and over. Must have working experience, send application three years’ experience. Call: via email: 233-2745 Office clerk Senior/Junior CXC humredes@gmail.com English/Mathematics, One receptionist, age 18 and Computer knowledge an over, must have working asset, Call: 223-7500 experience. Please send One maid for East Bank area, application via email: must know to cook and clean. humresdes@gmail.com Call: 614-4358 One Mechanic with sewing Vacancy exists for individuals machine experience, age 25 in Berbice. Work your own and over, please send time, unlimited earnings, application via email: attractive benefits. Call 679humresdes@gmail.com 2497 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

Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630

Cleaner – submit written application to Barton-Sukhraj Accounting Lot 78 Breda & Hadfield Street, Werk-en-rust or e-mail to bs.taxes@yahoo.com

Parafaite Harmonie- High income 2nd Avenue pitch road with big parpet, concrete wall (100ft x 50ft) $3M Tele: 6560701/651-1969

Shipping Assistant, Accounts Cook/Baker & Kitchen clerk- must have knowledge Assistant for interior location. of QuickBooks. Tel: 616-5591/ Applicants must be 665-3676/226-0395. experienced. Call: 618-2020 Receptionist/Washer & Experienced Security Presser/Hotel attendant/Bell Professionals. Must have 3 boy info@vgiworld.com yrs. experience, past military/ P o r t e r / C l e r k / D r i v e r security. Send resume & info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ picture by email:. 223-3448. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m Live in maid, must know to cook and clean. More info 664One female cleaner and driver 5503 or 676-1748 for office in Eccles. Call: 233LAND FOR SALE 2745

Temporary Tax Consultant – Minimum qualification – CXC inclusive of Mathematics, Accounting & English, e-mail application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 645-6149/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@yahoo.com

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 Parafaite Harmonie 1.4M 3.5M 1.6M 2.5M Herstelling 3.5M Tuschen 5M 5.5M, all prices negotiable. Call: 6662326. 100 acres Agricultural land, right bank, Barima river,NWD, Essequibo. 668-7687/677-9638 Lot 46 (Long Dam) Vergenoegen East Bank Essequibo. Land approx 10,000 sq ft Building 656 sq ft. $4.5 neg. Tel: 628-9390

SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009

2 acres of land at Farm, Public road EBD. For further info call: 617-1809 Eccles New Scheme (100ft x 50ft) $6M Tel#651-1969 Continued on page 69

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

DON’T LET ITC REVOLUTION PASS OVER US By PAT DIAL Information Technology (IT) has moved with such rapidity in the modern world that it gives greater economic, technical, social and political advantage to those countries which are further advanced in such technology over those which are lesser advanced. But likewise, the rapid advance of such technology in any country has always disadvantaged large numbers of persons in the Society such as older people and poor and lower paid people since the IT Revolution would have passed over their heads. Every modern state has therefore tried to get into the IT Revolution to retain its place in the world power structure and to address the plight of those citizens who have been left out of this mainstream development, thus inevitably falling into greater social and economic distress and poverty. During the Industrial Revolution the same trend occurred which led to the emergence of violent groups such as the Luddites and Saboteurs. At the beginning of the new millennium, the Guyanese State grasped the importance of being fully immersed in the IT Revolution. It began to try various methodologies to address this problem. Unfortunately, the mass of the population was only very slowly grasping the danger of being left behind and the

State’s efforts, so far, have not been as impacting as expected. The most important of these methodologies was to give each family a free laptop computer and to mount countrywi d e t r a i n i n g i n t h eir use. The obvious achievement of this “One laptop per family” programme was that it introduced the population to the computer. Several thousand persons learnt the basics of manipulating the machine. It broke the mystique of the computer for both adults and children. At the same time, teaching of Information Technology in the Secondary Schools was introduced and the Caribbean Examinations Council offered it as one of the subjects for the CXC Examinations. These efforts of the “One laptop per family” programme and IT in the Educational System did not bring about the immediate explosion which was hoped for, but they had brought Guyana to the point of an immediate and successful take off into the heart of the IT Revolution. In keeping with this movement into the IT Revolution, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications has outlined its first step for the New Year. The Ministry will utilize US $17 million from the funds Norway had granted Guyana under REDD to give basic computer training to some 170

communities involving 89,000 persons. This programme will be conducted under the auspices of the Industry and Innovation Unit of the Ministry and be managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The basic training as outlined by Minister Catherine Hughes will include “being comfortable with the computer, internet access, how you create an email address, how you would communicate by email, maintain an email account, and then into the social media which could serve as a vehicle for entrepreneurs to market their products internationally and locally.” In this process of training there would be a second tier where the Ministry would be collaborating with the Private Sector to be able to equip participants with particular skills in office productivity, entry skills and coding and software development. The Ministry has announced that it has already commenced its citizens’ outreach and awareness

activities. Minister Catherine Hughes must be commended for this initiative of again seriously getting Guyana back into the heart of the IT Revolution which the “One laptop per family” had launched. There are a few things that officials have to keep in mind to bring the Minister ’s vision to full realization: Special provision and encouragement have to be given to the old, the poor and less privileged, to bring them into the stream to take advantage of the training offered. In this regard, the methods used in other countries could be successfully employed. Places of training should be on the bus routes so that trainees could cheaply and regularly attend classes. When this is impossible, itinerant trainers could be used. “Computer libraries” should be established where computer training students could go and use the computer. The person who supervises such “computer libraries” should

have some knowledge of computers so that he/she could assist the learners. If one has one’s own computer or has full access to one, the learner is able to assimilate what is taught much quicker since a few hours of classroom training per week would not suffice. Some scheme should be worked out where learners could buy subsidized computers. Also, computers should be assembled here and these would be much less expensive than brand name products. One local company assembles on a small scale. Most important and a fundamental factor in the programme achieving full success is that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company(GTT) must connect landlines to all trainees who need them. The Ministry at the highest level will have to intercede with GTT since the Company is very reluctant to honour its obligation of providing a universal landline service. Without the landline, one could not have Internet. Every effort should be made to support this training programme and bring it to success.

From page 68

EDUCATION Learn Mandarin now! New year, new skills, new you! Call now for more information! #603-0018 First Aid/CPR and Home Nursing. New classes starting shortly at St John. Tel: 2259082 TOLET One three bedroom house at West Riumveldt $50,000 per month. Tel: 672-7194/692-7377 Lodge (Vlissengen/Durban): Professional/Office/Business space (no food retailing) 6687687/677-9638/697-6421 Furnished 1 & 2 bedroom apartment in Nandy Park. Parking available. Call 2335560 evening only (for further information) Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-60,000 p/m. Furnished (for visitors) $600 US p/m. 668-7687/6779638/697-6421 2 Bedroom @ $60,000-$20,000. Location ECD, EBD, WCD, G/ T. Contact: 624-7777/223-2153

Cancer specialists warns... (From page 66) you want to advise people, you can [tell them] use them [alternative treatment] together with the [medical] treatment. You can add it but for God’s sake don’t tell people not to take the treatment, that is harmful...I am not against spirituality, I am not against nature but for God’s sake don’t kill people.” Gravitating to medical care at an early stage is especially important, according to Dr. Chakraborty. He revealed that in a span of five days he screened five patients all of whom were found to have precancerous lesions which had every potential of becoming cancerous within a year or two. He noted that if these lesions are addressed at the precancerous stage then the results of treatment cannot only be fantastic but help to ensure that the patient maintains a normal life. In the case of treatment of cancer of the cervix there are three main pillars-- chemotherapy, external beam radiation therapy and the internal therapy. According to Dr. Chakraborty, “Fortunately

right now we have all of the treatment that is on par with the international standard.” He noted, too, that with the newest therapy offered by the institution – brachytherapy – internal radiation therapy is administered through a fully computerised treatment planning system. Through this method the source of radiation is sent directly into the cancerous tumour and kills its cells without harming the surrounding normal organs. This is advanced therapy, according to Dr. Chakraborty. It is only currently available in few other Caribbean territories. With chemotherapy which is popular for eliminating cancerous tumours, Dr. Chakraborty explained that parts of some normal cells are also affected. “That cannot be prevented but with this particular new [brachytherapy] machine we can actually pin point our treatment through the tumour and the tumour only, providing safety to the surrounding normal structure from radiation,” Dr. Chakraborty said.

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 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

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Kaieteur News

CARICOM condemns Trump’s ‘repulsive’ language GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP) — The 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday condemned US President Donald Trump’s use of “repulsive language” to reportedly describe Haiti and African nations. CARICOM “is deeply disturbed by reports about the use of derogatory and repulsive language by the President of the United States in respect of our member state, Haiti, and other developing countries,” the bloc’s Guyana-based headquarters said in a statement. “CARICOM condemns in the strongest terms, the unenlightened views reportedly expressed.” At a White House meeting with Trump on Thursday, lawmakers raised the issue of

protections for immigrants from African nations, Haiti and El Salvador. Trump then reportedly demanded to know why the US should accept immigrants from “s...hole countries” rather than – for instance – wealthy and overwhelmingly white Norway. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who was present at the meeting, said Trump specifically asked, “Do we need more Haitians?” before launching into a diatribe about African immigration. As his remarks sparked a global firestorm, the president on Friday denied he ever said “anything derogatory” about the people of Haiti, whose government called Trump’s reported remarks racist. CARICOM expressed full support for the Haitian

government’s reaction “to this highly offensive reference,” said the bloc which includes former British, Dutch and French colonies. “It should be recalled that Haiti is the second democracy in the Western hemisphere after the United States and that Haitians continue to contribute significantly in many spheres to the global community and particularly to the United States of America,” CARICOM said. The bloc “therefore views this insult to the character of the countries named and their citizens as totally unacceptable.” The majority of Caribbean citizens are descendants of African slaves, while the ancestors of many others were indentured labourers from India.

Activists, ICE face off over detained Trinidadian community leader NEW YORK – An escalating legal battle played out on Friday in the case of Trinidadian R a v i R a g b i r, a n i m m i grant rights activist whose detention on Thursday by US federal immigration authorities sparked protests that led to the arrest of 18 people, including members of the New York City Council. Ragbir, 53, the executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of N e w Yo r k C i t y, h a d shown up for a check-in with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency on Thursday morning, at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Lower Manhattan. According to his wife, Amy Gottlieb, when officials told him that he was going to be detained and deported, Ragbir fainted. When events turned chaotic. Ragbir’s lawyer from New York University Immigrant Rights Clinic, Alina Das, said that, as he was regaining consciousness, she argued that she was still pursuing legal remedies for Ragbir. The attorney stated that Scott Mechkowski, the assistant field office director for ICE, dismissed her arguments and had officers handcuff Ragbir. The police report that an ambulance called for Ragbir was met with an-

gry protesters as it left the federal building. The protest extended onto Broadway and toward City Hall and Council Members Ydanis Rodriguez and Caribbean American Jumaane D. Williams were among the 18 arrested. Late Thursday in response to a lawsuit brought by Ragbir’s lawyers, a Federal District Court judge in Manhattan granted him a temporary stay of removal and a hearing on January 19 to determine whether the agents were right to detain him. The judge, Katherine B. Forrest, ordered Ragbir to be detained in the New York area so that he could be near his lawyer and family, however on Friday, the paper said the government contested the order. The New York Times reports that the hearing on whether he can be brought back from Miami will be held in the District Court of the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. It said Ragbir became an immigrant rights activist because of his own case. He came to the United States in 1991 f r o m Tr i n i d a d a n d To bago. He had been a lawful permanent resident when he was convicted of wire fraud in 2000. After he served his

sentence, Ragbir was ordered deported in 2006 and detained by immigration officials. In 2011, the New York field office of ICE granted him a stay of removal. Last April, he was granted an extension of that stay, but only until January 19, eight days after his check-in. Rachael Yong Yow, a spokeswoman for the New York field office of ICE, said in a statement on Thursday that, in the l a s t 1 2 y e a r s , R a g b i r ’s immigration case has undergone extensive judicial review at multiple levels. “In each review, the c o u r t s h a v e u niformly held that Mr Ragbir does not have a legal basis to remain in the US,” she said. “He has since exhausted his petitions and appeals through the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the US District Court. He will remain in custody pending removal to Trinidad.” Gottlieb said she understood the legal disagreements over the case, but questioned the government’s lack of transparency in its operations. “Basic human decency requires that his wife and lawyers know where he is, so that we don’t live in a country where people are whisked away to secret facilities,” Gottlieb said. (CMC)

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U.S. ultimatum on nuclear deal, new sanctions draw Iran threat MOSCOW (Reuters) Iran said yesterday it would retaliate against new sanctions imposed by the United States after President Donald Trump set an ultimatum to fix “disastrous flaws” in a deal curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme. Trump said on Friday he would waive nuclear sanctions on Iran for the last time to give the United States and European allies a final chance to amend the pact. Washington also imposed sanctions on the head of Iran’s judiciary and others. Russia - one of the parties to the Iran pact alongside the United States, China, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union - called Trump’s comments “ex-

tremely negative.” The ultimatum puts pressure on Europeans, key backers of the 2015 nuclear deal, to satisfy Trump, who wants the pact strengthened with a separate agreement within 120 days. While approving the waiver on U.S. sanctions related to the nuclear deal, Washington announced other sanctions against 14 Iranian entities and people, including judiciary head Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, a close ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Describing sanctions against Larijani as “hostile action”, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the move “crossed all red lines of conduct in the

international community and is a violation of international law and will surely be answered by a serious reaction of the Islamic Republic,” state media reported. It did not specify what any retaliation might involve. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier said on Twitter that the deal was “not renegotiable” and that Trump’s move “amounts to desperate attempts to undermine a solid multilateral agreement.” Iran says its nuclear programme has only peaceful aims and says it will stick to the accord as long as others respect it. But it has said it would “shred” the deal if Washington quit.

Report: Trump lawyer brokered $130,000 payment to porn star WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer brokered a $130,000 payment to a porn actress to prevent her from publicly discussing an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal. Trump met Stephanie Clifford, whose goes by the name Stormy Daniels in films, at a golf event in 2006 — a year after Trump’s marriage to his wife, Melania. According to the Journal’s report, Clifford began talking with ABC News in the fall of 2016 for a story involving an alleged relationship with Trump, but reached a $130,000 deal a month before the election, which prevented her from going public. Trump’s longtime attorney Michael Cohen arranged for the payment through Clifford’s lawyer, Keith Davidson, the Journal reported.

Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels Clifford had also been in discussions with the online magazine Slate, The New York Times reported Friday. Jacob Weisberg, editor-in-chief of the Slate Group, told the Times that Clifford had told him she had an affair with Trump. In a statement to the Journal, Cohen did not address his role in negotiating the sup-

posed payment but said Trump denies any such relationship with Clifford. Clifford has previously denied an alleged relationship with Trump. Cohen also sent the Journal a statement — signed by “Stormy Daniels” — in which the actress denied receiving “hush money” from Trump. On Friday afternoon, the White House issued a statement calling the Journal’s story “old, recycled reports, which were published and strongly denied prior to the election.” Cohen also accused the Journal of perpetuating “a false narrative for over a year.” Just days before the 2016 election, the Journal published a story stating that the National Enquirer — run by David Pecker, a fervid supporter of Trump — had paid $150,000 to silence former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal about a sexual relationship she allegedly had with Trump a decade ago.

South Korea and North Korea to hold working-level talks tomorrow SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea and South Korea have agreed to hold working-level talks at the Tongil Pavilion on the North Korean side of the truce village of Panmunjom tomorrow, South Korea’s unification ministry said in a statement yesterday. The delegation led by the unification minister Cho Myung-kyun, will be sent to hold talks on the prospects of North Korea sending its performance art group to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, the ministry said in a statement. Inter-Korean talks are held alternately at the Peace House, which is on the South Korean side of Panmunjom in the demilitarized

zone, and Tongil Pavilion in the North. The ministry said earlier yesterday that North Korea had proposed holding talks tomorrow about the matter. “In addition, the ministry also requested for a quick response for South Korea’s proposal Friday to have workinglevel talks about the North’s participation in Pyongchang winter Olympics,” added the ministry. Officials from North and South last week said they had agreed to hold negotiations to resolve problems and avert accidental conflict, after their first official dialogue in more than two years amid high tension over the North’s weapons programme.

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South Africa to target investment, graft under new ANC leader EAST LONDON, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa wants to attract foreign investors to help it kick-start economic growth and will crack down on corruption, the

new leader of the ruling African National Congress said yesterday. Cyril Ramaphosa, who narrowly won the race to succeed President Jacob Zuma as

ANC leader last month, also used a speech to mark 106 years since the founding of Africa’s oldest liberation movement to call for party unity after a bitter leader-

ship contest. South A f r i c a ’s economy has slowed to a near-standstill over Zuma’s two presidential terms, as allegations of influence-

peddling in government and mismanagement of stateowned enterprises have dented consumer and business confidence. But Ramaphosa’s election win has injected a sense of optimism that the ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, could win back the trust of voters and investors disillusioned with Zuma’s rule. Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader and one of the country’s wealthiest businessmen, pledged during his campaign for ANC leader to address record unemployment and a sluggish economy. “South Africa is open for investment,” he told tens of thousands of cheering ANC members in a stadium in the Eastern Cape province yesterday. Through foreign investment “we can grow our economy, create jobs, end poverty,” he said. “ We m u s t h a v e a n economy that offers policy certainty and addresses areas that inhibit investment, growth as well as social inclusion.” Ramaphosa reassured investors that the role, mandate and independence of the central bank would be maintained while plans for free higher education for the poor would be implemented gradu-

ally so as to safeguard public finances. The ANC needs to follow the example of liberation hero Nelson Mandela to unite the country and combat the racial inequalities that persist to this day, he added. Ramaphosa faces a difficult balancing act as he must accommodate the competing interests of rival ANC factions vying for control of the party. One faction backed his bid for ANC leader, while another favoured Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former cabinet minister and ex-wife of Zuma. There has been widespread speculation that Ramaphosa and his allies are lobbying ANC members to oust Zuma as head of state in the coming weeks, but he made no mention of Zuma’s future. Zuma, 75, sat alongside Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to hear Ramaphosa speak and was booed on several occasions during Saturday’s anniversary celebrations. Zuma’s second presidential term doesn’t officially end until 2019 when national elections will be held, but he could be removed early through a motion of no confidence in parliament or at a meeting of the ANC’s national executive committee.

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U-19 WORLD CUP CONCACAF chief responds Allen, Ravindra lead NZ to to Trump’s racial slur MIAMI, United States (AFP) — The head of CONCACAF Victor Montagliani responded to Donald Trump’s “s...hole” slur Friday, emphasising the region’s embrace of diversity as it enters a key phase in its bid for the 2026 World Cup. Victor Montagliani, the president of the confederation for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), took to Twitter to address Trump’s remarks, which have been branded as racist at home and abroad. “In the footballing community we understand that diversity of experience and background provides strength to the team,” Montagliani wrote on Twitter above a link to a news story about the Trump comments. “The @CONCACAF family stands alongside those in and from Haiti, El Salvador and around the world, in reminding that all are welcome on the field. #UNITY,” Montagliani added. Trump ignited a storm of controversy on Thursday after denouncing immigration to the

United States from “s...hole countries” during a meeting with lawmakers. The comment was widely condemned as racist, although Trump later denied saying “anything derogatory” about the people of Haiti. The controversy flared just two months before the United States, Canada and Mexico must formally submit their joint bid to stage the 2026 World Cup to world governing body FIFA on March 16. The CONCACAF region’s bid has long been seen as the clear front-runner in the race for the tournament, which has so far seen only one other country — Morocco — confirm plans to bid for the event. The 37-member FIFA Council will decide in June whether one or both of the two bids will advance to a final vote at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow on June 13. If neither bid is ultimately successful, other regions could enter the running in a revised bid process which would exclude the initial bidders — possibly paving the way for a bid from Europe or Asia.

Sunday January 14, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Spontaneity often serves you well, encouraging you to initiate action before you consider the consequences. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You are extremely motivated to clarify your intentions for the future. Although you’re able to meet your obligations, you might feel as if you’re treading water rather than making real progress. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your curiosity is operating on overdrive and it’s time to act on your recently acquired knowledge. Although you’ve been known to bury yourself under piles of data, your current ability to uncover the most useful information brings you exactly what you need to know. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Although relationships can be hard work, they offer you the emotional security you crave. However, you worry about living up to the expectations of your partner or friend. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The pressure to make changes in your daily routine continues to rise and fall like waves washing up on the beach. However, the feeling of dissatisfaction doesn’t go away today, even when the tension eases. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Expressing yourself creatively connects your inner feelings with your outer world. However, you may choose to tone down your message today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You’re being pushed to the edge of your comfort zone today, yet you might not want others to know. Someone’s unpredictable behavior may be turning your life upside down and you believe that self-restraint on your part can flip a potential upset into a victory. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The atmosphere is buzzing with noise today, making it difficult to discern what’s important from trivial matters. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Your nerves are all fired up, but you can’t put your finger on the cause of your jumpiness. You wish you could settle down today, but it feels as if the cosmos has other plans for you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Although your life seems to be on a path to stabilization these days, you’re feeling restless and ready for major movement today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your dreams are larger than life and there is little you can do to ignore them today. Your imagination is vivid, and your thoughts are loud. You are happily aware that your positive attitude shapes your future. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) What you see is only part of what you get today. There’s a lot going on and you can prevent emotional indigestion by biting off a little bit at a time.

eight-wicket win over Windies ESPNcricinfo - Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen, two men who were part of New Zealand’s disastrous Under19 World Cup campaign two years ago in Bangladesh where they finished tenth, opened the 2018 edition at home with stirring displays. West Indies, the defending champions, slumped to a eight-wicket defeat at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, the manner in which they collapsed reminiscent of their seniors, who endured a winless tour of New Zealand not too long ago. Ravindra picked three wickets with his left-arm spin while Allen, the No. 3 batsman, brought up a counter-attacking 92-ball century, his first in youth ODIs, as New Zealand

Young Chanderpaul bats Jaguars... From page 79 two days. Roach, who pulled up lame bowling on the previous day, batted for 99 minutes, faced 59 balls and struck nine fours. Before he reached his landmark, Warrican was caught at gully for 22 to become Shepherd’s fifth wicket, and soon after he reached his 50, Roach was caught behind off left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul cutting at a wide ball. Keemo Paul brought the innings to a close, when he bowled Holder for five. Jaguars entered the match with an unassailable 135 points, but have so far gained two batting points, three bowling points and 1.8 pace bowling points. Pride have gained three bowling points, no batting points and 2.6 pace bowling points to add to their season total of 85.8. Scores: GUYANA J A G U A R S 297 (Chanderpaul Hemraj 90, Leon Johnson 56, Raymon Reifer 33, Sherfane Rutherford 32, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 30; Chemar Holder 17.5-2-57-5, Kemar Roach 3-31) and 154 for f o u r ( Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul 66 not out, Vishaul Singh 43, Chanderpaul Hemraj 21; Chemar Holder 3-56). BARBADOS PRIDE 199 (Kemar Roach 51, Shamarh Brooks 25, Shayne Moseley 24, Jomel Warrican 22, Jonathan Carter 21; Romario Shepherd 14-4-405, Keemo Paul 2-41).

cruised home with plenty to spare. Allen, who was unbeaten on 115, forged a second-wicket stand worth 163 with Jakob Bhula, who made 83. Ravindra’s dismissal for 16, flashing at a short and wide delivery that he nicked to the wicketkeeper off Ronaldo Alimohamed, was the only blot in an otherwise ruthless display. A hint of rain and a thick cloud cover made conditions ideal for West Indies’ pacers to exploit. But they sprayed the ball all over the pitch. Their sloppiness on the field didn’t help either. What could’ve been an intense contest turned rather cold halfway through the chase. Allen was strong square of the wicket, but his use of the sweep against spin was particularly impressive as he chugged along consistently at over a run-a-ball. Bhula, slightly more circumspect to begin with, grew in confidence but fell to a tame caught-and-bowled dismissal

with the target within touching distance. Allen then saw off the chase with captain Kaylum Boshier just as rain started to spit down. While Allen polished off the runs, it was Ravindra who broke West Indies’ back after their openers Kimani Melius and Keagan Simmons, nephew of batsman Lendl Simmons, put together 123 in 27.2 overs to set a solid platform. Ravindra, who cleverly varied his pace and use of his angles, finished with 3 for 30 off seven overs as West Indies, handily placed at 149 for 2, were restricted to 223 for 8 in 50 overs. Simmons, who battled through the innings and looked set for his maiden youth ODI century, was left unbeaten on 92. Scores: New Zealand Under-19 234 for 2 (Allen 115*, Bhula 83) beat West Indies Under-19 233 for 8 (Simmons 92, Melius 78, Ravindra 3-30, Fisher 3-61) by eight wickets.

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Downes, Campbell, Gentle & Kalekyezi... From backpage stressed for building on the successful hosting of the event which was competed in the under-12 to under-18 categories, to see increased participation by players and also nations, as the GLTA sets out to make the Cup of the Guianas a premier tennis event in the region. Mae’s Secondary, Afruica Gentle, who partnered with Cristy Campbell in their doubles victorious campaign in 2017, won the Junior Female player of the year award. In her address, Gentle thanked her parents, coaches Dexter Lewis and Rebecca Mitchell along with her doubles teammate Campbell who always pushes her to be the best that she can be. Meanwhile, the Junior Male player of the year went to Joshua Kalekyezi. The form three Queen’s College student thanked his parents and friends

for encouraging him, especially Heimraj Rasul and Jordan Beaton and he hopes to have another good year as it’s a great honor to receive the award. The most improved boy after the 2017 season was Vadenand Rasul of Marian Academy, while Alana Chung of School of the Nations was adjudged most improved girl. As the GLTA continues to battle with the issue of limited facilities, assistant director of the NSC, Brian Smith, during his address at the awards ceremony, noted that the tennis community is set to benefit soon as the plans in the current upgrading of the National Gymnasium sports complex, includes a Tennis Court. Meanwhile, the NSC’s multipurpose facility in Bartica, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018, will include a tennis court as well.

Sunday January 14, 2018

‘D’ Grill Kings support ‘Jumbie’ B/day Domino Competition The Domino fraternity will come together today to mark the 63rd Birth Anniversary of Organising Secretary Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire at a specially organized tournament to celebrate the occasion. The venue is the Turning Point Sports Bar and doublesix time is 15:00hrs. To this end, ‘D’ Grill Kings OF Bar-b-Cue fame situated on Mandela Avenue has offered to be on board and on Friday at its location Manager Nickita Barrington handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Wiltshire as part of the entity’s support. Wiltshire in his response thanked the entity for its support promising that the tournament will be played with a degree of discipline that will be appreciated by the sponsors. Over $300,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs with the winning team set to receive $175,000 and the winner’s trophy, while second, third, fourth and fifth place finishers will take home $80,000, $40,000, $20,000 and $10,000 along with trophies respectively. The tournament will be played on a points system format, while all the Guyana National Dominoes Federation rules will be in

‘D’ Grill Kings representative Nickita Barrington hands over the cheque to Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire on Friday. effect. Most Valuable Player of the finals will receive $5,000, while the Best Female Player in the tournament will be given $10,000. All prizes are guaranteed and the Organisers have stated that zero tolerance for indiscipline will also be in effect. Entrance fee is $12,000 per team and interested teams can contact Wiltshire on tele#6555855. Only teams that pay will

be allowed to play according to the Organiser. There will be an after domino Oldies with Big P and Revolution One Man Band. Bar-b-Cue will be on sale at a cost of $1,000. Among the other sponsors on board are: Sweet Point, Big Boss Trucking Service, Hopkinson Mining, Strikers DC, Dynasty Restaurant, N&H Car Rental, Tony’s Jewellery, Faye Joseph and Spartans.

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Young Chanderpaul bats Jaguars into superior position – 3rd day, 9th round BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit a halfcentury to put the grind on a listless Barbados Pride attack to tighten the grip of newlycrowned champions Guyana Jaguars on their Regional 4Day Championship match yesterday here. The left-handed opener was unbeaten on 66, as Jaguars reached 154 for four in their second innings, when bad light stopped play 20 minutes past the scheduled close on the third day of their ninth-round match at Kensington Oval, for an overall lead of 252. Chanderpaul, whose 197ball innings in just under five hours includes a mere five boundaries, shared solid stands of 44 with fellow lefthanded opener Chanderpaul Hemraj for the first wicket and 73 with Vishaul Singh for the third wicket. West Indies Under-19 World Cup winner Chemar

Holder has been the most successful Pride bowler with 3-56 from 18 overs. This followed West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach hitting the top score of 51, as the Pride surrendered a first innings lead of 98, when they were bowled out for 199 in their first innings. He shared a rearguard of 52 for the eighth wicket with Jomel Warrican that offered Pride hope of reach the 200run mark and earning a batting point, but they fell agonisingly short. Romario Shepherd was the pick of the Jaguars bowlers, grabbing 5-40 from 14 overs, and Keemo Paul snapped up 2-41 from 15.5 overs. Chanderpaul and Hemraj carried the Jaguars to lunch on 41 for no wicket with little fuss before Holder made the breakthrough for the Pride in the third over after the interval, when he had the latter caught at deep mid-

wicket for 21. Jaguars captain Leon Johnson spent 40 minutes at the crease before he was caught at point off Holder for six to leave the Jaguars 64 for two. Singh came to the crease and with Chanderpaul continued to wear down the Pride bowlers for the next two hours either side of tea with defiant batting, also enduring a couple of stoppages for light showers. They carried Pride to 105 for two at tea and continued merrily after the break to bat the Jaguars into an impregnable position. Pride captain Shamarh Brooks employed the slow bowling duo of left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and Roston Chase after the break for more than an hour and it yielded moderate success only. Warrican had Singh stumped for 43, when the lefthander charged down the

India ruin South Africa’s progress with run outs as Amla falls PRETORIA (Reuters) India surged back into contention against South Africa after two run outs late yesterday, including the key wicket of Hashim Amla, saw the hosts slip to 269 for six at the close on the opening day of the second test. South Africa had seemed set for a big first innings total when they reached 246 for three but some brilliant fielding and poor decision making combined to rattle their middle order and leave the honours even after the first day. Home captain Faf du Plessis is not out on 24 and will resume his innings today with Keshav Maharaj (10) on a slow wicket that is expected to quicken over the next few days. Amla looked in total control of his innings and struck 14 fours in his 82 before being called through for a risky single by Du Plessis. The bowler, Hardik Pandya, reacted quickly though and his speed to the ball, swivel and quick release to the bowlers’ end found Amla two feet short. Quinton de Kock was then out for a first ball duck, caught at slip by India captain Virat Kohli off the bowling of hard-

working spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3-90), who sent down an impressive 31 overs on the opening day. The hosts’ misery was compounded when Vernon Philander was also out without scoring, charging down the wicket for a run as Du Plessis screamed at him from the non-striker’s end to stop. Both players ended up on the same side of the wicket. The poor half-hour undid the excellent work of opener Aiden Markram earlier as he compiled an eye-catching 94 before being caught by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel off Ashwin, denied a third test century in seven innings. Dean Elgar (31) was Ashwin’s other victim, while

impressive seamer Ishant Sharma (1-32) induced an edge from the dangerous AB de Villiers (20) onto his own wicket. The wicket has also shown some variable bounce already and is expected to break up on days four and five. South Africa have selected uncapped seamer Lungi Ngidi as a replacement for the injured Dale Steyn, the only change to their side from the 72-run first test victory in Cape Town. India made three changes as opener Lokesh Rahul, Patel and Sharma replaced Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar respectively. Scores: South Africa 269 for 6 (Markram 94, Amla 82, Ashwin 3-90) v India.

Annual General Meeting of LABA tonight at MSC Pavilion The Annual General Meeting of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) will he held from 19.00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club Pavilion tonight. High in the agenda will be the reports from President Lawrence Simon, who will chair the proceedings, secretary and treasurer. The clubs are invited to send at least two representatives -who will represent Victory Valley Royals, Block 22 Flames, Half Mile Bulls, Bankers Trust Falcons, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Retrieve Raiders, Christianburg Pistons and Kwakwani. However, before the start of the meeting each club must affiliate for 2018 and register their players for the new season.

pitch and was deceived with the flight of delivery. Next over, Holder got veteran and former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine’s dad, to edge a loose drive and caught behind for a sevenball duck to leave Jaguars 138 for four. Bramble joined the

younger Chanderpaul and they batted for close to an hour through to the close, but not without incident. The Jaguars wicketkeeper/batsman appeared to have been dropped by Dowrich behind the stumps first ball off Holder and then had to seek medical attention when he

struck on the helmet by West Indies fast bowler Miguel Cummins. Earlier, Pride, starting the day on 147 for seven, were bowled out in just over an hour, after play began halfhour earlier than regularly scheduled due to weather interruptions on the previous Continued on page 75

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Benjamin forced to renovate Sports Store and Gym due to faulty construction

The extended Gym and new equipment.

After expending millions to construct and establish a sports store and International Fitness Gym, former national cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin was forced to dig deeper into his resources to fork out millions more to do major renovation and remodeling works on the building. This was simply due to faulty works done by the previous contractor. According to Benjamin the two stories building especially the upper flat was built with a lot of faults that caused the building to shake. He said that he first established a cycling store and then expanded it into a sports store. He subsequently decided to add an upper flat to house a fitness gym. Following the construction and launching the gym, it was soon realized that the building was not properly constructed. The upper floor which housed the gym was shaking and vibrating a lot whenever persons use it. Benjamin was forced to take the decision to close the gym which had over 400 members enrolled. It was soon decided to close the entire building and redo the floor, which had to be torn down. The materials used were inferior and too small. Benjamin stated that at the same time, he decided to lengthen the building by 30 feet and do some remodeling. The, 100ft x30ft, two story edifice is now equipped with

Benjamin speaks to some cyclists who were working out in the refurbish gym.

shower and change area in addition to toilets for both male and females and an office. The work cost him even more than he spent before. In addition to the fitness gym and sports store there is a car wash in place. The multimillion dollars edifice is situated at Lot 220 Courtland Village Corentyne Berbice along the Corentyne highway. The gym and car wash was open last year, while the Benjamin Cycle and then Sports Store were opened a few years ago. The fitness gym is well equipped with all the modern training equipment including

Afghanistan U-19s upset Pakistan with Rasooli’s 76* ESPNcricinfo - Darwish Rasooli struck an unbeaten 78ball 76 to lead Afghanistan to victory in their opening match of the Under-19 World Cup, beating Pakistan by five wickets. Chasing 189, Afghanistan were reduced to 50 for 3, before Rasooli, in the company of wicketkeeper Ikram Ali Khil, staved off Pakistan’s challenge. Rasooli shared partnerships of 75 with Khil (46), 42 with Nisar Wahdat (19) and 27* with Azmatullah Omarzai (12*) to carry Afghanistan home with 15 balls to spare. Prior to the start of their campaign, Rasooli had spoken about the ease with which he can hit sixes and so his concentration was on batting long and pulling his team out of trouble. After Pakistan had chosen to bat, they lost opener Muhammad Zaid for 0 and No. 3 Ammad Alam for 1. Wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir resurrected the innings in the company of Ali Zaryab Asif (30). The pair put on 88 off 138 balls. Nazir’s dismissal for 81 sparked a collapse as Pakistan gave away their last seven wickets for 42 runs. Fast bowler Omarzai and legspinner Qais Ahmadpicked up three wickets apiece. Scores: Afghanistan Under-19 194 for 5 (Rasooli 76*, Khil 46) beat Pakistan U-19188 (Nazir 81, Omarzai 3-34, Ahmad 3-38) by five wickets. Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

exercise bikes, tread mills, weighting lifting machines, electrical step up machines, dumbbells, barbells and cardio machines among other equipment. The gym is open daily from 09:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs and trainers are in place. Among the 400 odd attendees were weight and power lifters, body builders, members of sports teams and those interested in just keeping fit. The gym is now reopened and an official launching will be held soon. Regular members are given a free gym jersey, towel, gym gloves, yoga mat and step counter. Everyone is welcome to join. The car wash provides the best and cheapest prices and certain concessions. Benjamin, a native of Berbice, started his riding career as a school boy back in the 80’s as a member of the FACC; though living overseas he is still a member of the club. He still rides in his adopted home land of Canada and on the North America circuit and would still compete whenever he is home in Guyana. He is now a successful businessman and sponsors several events which are organised by the FACC and are open to cyclists throughout the country. He also assists his club and members with a number of items including cycles, tires, tubes, speed ammeter, helmet and clothing among other apparel. Benjamin represented Guyana at both the junior and senior levels. He was also a former school and junior champion who won the national school championship on three consecutive occasions. (Samuel Whyte)