Kaieteur News

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

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

Editorial EMBRACING IDEALS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP In his book titled “Transforming Leadership” published in 1978, American Historian and Pulitzer Prize winner James MacGregor Burns states that transformative leadership is a process where leaders are engaged in motivating and uplifting people to higher standards and levels of morality. Transformative leaders inspire their followers by appealing to their higher ideals and values. They are enlightened leaders whose single most essential quality should be honesty, transparency and accountability. The consensus is that some in authority do not fit into the transformative leadership model because of their insensitivity to the needs of the people and the failure to inspire them. It is leadership from the front and the communication of ideas and policies to the people. Transformative leaders are not perfect human beings. They are likely to make mistakes, misjudge situations, misinterpret information, and underestimate one’s ability. However, identifying, acknowledging and correcting the mistakes represent the true test of a transformative leader. Transformative leaders very seldom break their promises to the people or overlook the need to address their issues and the problems facing the nation. They turn words into actions and set the standards of how one should lead. One of their foremost duties is to accept responsibility for their failures, which is consistent with being accountable. It is raising the bar in terms of morality, civility and credibility. Our current leaders would do very well if they follow the examples above and put the nation’s interest ahead of theirs. They should not be selfish, vindictive or greedy and must sanction wrongdoing committed by public officials. Transformative leaders tend to respect the wishes of the people and treat them with utmost respect. Our current leaders should strive to help people avoid the pain and embarrassment suffered under the last administration. They should not tolerate misbehaviour by public officials or condone blatant wrongdoing and awkward scandals. They are also required to explain to the nation why in some instances, glaring double standards are being encouraged. If our leaders are to be seen as credible and want to have the trust and confidence of the people, they have to be fair to all, irrespective of their race, political affiliations or status. It is neither right nor fair to employ people based on personal relationships and not on merit. Further, public officials should not have their reputations and careers tarnished by the powers that be for alleged corruption and illegal activities if they do not have the evidence to file criminal charges against them. It should not be allowed to happen. Transformative leadership is needed to grow the economy, create jobs, shrink the national debt, reduce corruption as well as crime, and generally improve the lives of the citizenry. Most people will remember the manner in which this government when in opposition had ridiculed the last administration for its failure to boost the economy, create employment and effectively address crime, among other unsettling issues. The shoe is now firmly on the other foot, and joblessness and poverty remain in crippling proportions. The GDP growth rate has slid by nearly two percent in the last year and it is becoming ever more evident that money is not circulating. The administration opines that this has been the case since the underground economy has collapsed. Some financial analysts, however, have suggested that the slide in GDP is due largely to poor economic policies, reduced production in almost all sectors, and the failure to attract any substantial amount of foreign investment in the country in over a year. Most of the macroeconomic indicators have suggested that the economy will continue to slide this year due to rising oil prices and lower prices for commodities on the world market. Moving Guyana forward requires transformative leaders. Such individuals would need to embrace the necessary ideals. Do we have them among us?

Sunday January 22, 2017

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

Likening Minister Cathy Hughes to a Sophist DEAR EDITOR, Reading a comment from Mrs. Cathy Hughes, Minister in the Granger government that “the APNU/AFC Government is committed to reducing corruption” immediately reminds me of the SOPHISTs. The Sophist were a motley bunch of travelling people who lectured for a fee in a sort of peripatetic schools, meaning that the instructor would walk with students and talk with them for a fee; meaning knowledge for a fee. They taught the skills of rhetoric. Rhetoric can be described as the art of composition and it matters not if it is the truth or not, it just had to be said. The Sophists abandoned science, philosophy, logic, evidence, mathematics and ethics. What they taught was the subtle art of persuasion by whatever means necessary. A Sophist was a person

who attempted to prove a position whether that position was correct or incorrect. In other words, what mattered was not the truth, but just getting the message out and hoping to persuade the uninformed. According to one of these Sophist, Gorgias of Leontini (c.485-c.380 B.C.), they believed that nothing is good or bad since everything depends on the occasion. Plato’s treatment of the Sophists in his late dialogue is hardly flattering because he found them as people with low ethics. He does not treat them as real seekers after truth but as men whose only concern was making money and spread propaganda with one aim of winning the debate, irrespective of how immoral their messages. Aristotle said that a Sophist was one who was

made superficial wisdom. I see Mrs. Cathy Hughes as a modern day Sophist because only a Sophist will say they are committed to reducing corruption but stand up in Parliament and defend one of the biggest act of public deception in the last 3 years – the Durban Park Scheme Project which has caused hundreds of millions of cash to be leaked from this public taxpayers-funded project into dubious areas for work not done. One person who is now close to the leadership of the PNC is reported to have invested over American dollars in a Florida establishment. One only has to take a close look at the business owned by person close to the PNC to see it has moved from a state of bankruptcy to a state of full solvency during the life of this Durban Park Project. I wonder why? It is alleged that

a male person high up the AFC ladder is not clean as we though. So how can a clean person like you defend this project, Mrs. Hughes? I want to ask Mrs. Cathy Hughes directly, who is Mr. Larry Singh. I want to ask her, if she knows the big wig which facilitate all sorts of deals with Mr. Larry Singh, many of which are single sourced with no competition? You see, the answers to these questions will prove that Mrs Cathy Hughes cannot believe in her message that the APNU / AFC and WPA government is committed to reducing corruption. All she is doing is carrying a sophist line as instructed by political bosses. If you continue like this Cathy, the Guyanese people are not going to listen to you. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever! Jai (Harry) Lal

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

APNU+AFC’S ASSAULTS ON FARMERS CONTINUE UNABATED DEAR EDITOR, We must not be under any illusion - the increases in fees for land leases and drainage and irrigation in the MMA is not merely another revenuegenerating scheme on the backs of working class Guyanese to benefit the ruling clique. It is political punishment targeting farmers and further efforts by APNU+AFC to KILL agriculture. I stand in full solidarity with the farmers in the MMA and throughout Guyana. In the twenty (20) months since APNU+AFC took over Guyana’s Government, they

have done everything to stagnate agriculture, unleashing the most vicious assaults on agriculture and on farmers throughout the country. These vicious attacks on farmers are motivated by politics. APNU+AFC view agriculture as a base for the PPP. From the very first day, they not only abandoned the farmers, but have sought to punish them. This is not shocking coming from APNU, but the silence of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who presented themselves as the champions of farmers is nauseating and treacherous.

APNU+AFC’s latest assault targets farmers in the largest single agriculture scheme in the Caribbean- the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agriculture Scheme. Without any consultation APNU+AFC has increased fees for farmers in the MMA. The fee for land lease for rice farmers and drainage and irrigation charges have increased from $3,500 per acre to $15,000, an increase of about 500%. The land leases increased from $2,500 to $8,000 and drainage and irrigation charges were increased from $1,000 to $7,000. Cattle and

cash crop farmers have seen increases in fees of more than 100%. Cattle pasture land leases have increased from $487 to $2,500 per acre and other pastures have increased from $200 to $1,400 per acre. These are unconscionable increases, designed to punish farmers at a time when the government needs to stimulate agricultural production and the economy. When I was Minister of Agriculture, each month from January 2012 to May 2015, I discouraged any discussion of increases in fees, even modest increases. Far from

Fires are the result of poor building codes DEAR EDITOR, There seems to be a dire lack of concern for the safety of people and property in Guyana by the Housing Authorities. Just a few months ago I indicated that Guyana has poor building codes and non-existent safety enforcement procedures. The recent fire at Cummings Lodge and at the Medical Storage bond in Patentia (West Demerara) bears sad testimony to this. A mere six months ago Fazia’s Collection building on Avenue of the Republic fell victim to similar tragedy. The fire at Gafoor’s bond a year ago further supports this analysis. Guyana needs a complete overhaul of its archaic building codes and safety standards. Here are some solutions: 1.Buildings in Guyana have no classification. Single family homes are converted into tenant occupied portions so that homeowners can accommodate family members and get some income. The flaw in this is that there is the same original plumbing and electric systems that now have to support more lighting and appliances. As Guyana is entering the technology era, a host of appliances are utilized—almost always, invariably, from one outlet. A microwave oven, an

air conditioner and an iron can total as much as 4,000 Watts—enough to induce overloading and precipitate (sparks) fire. Extension cords, most times hidden under carpet, with their multiple connections pose extreme fire hazard. Then there is the scenario where persons break off one of the prongs in three way plugs to accommodate plugins. The earth safety is thus discarded and overloading is facilitated. 2.Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings, prevalent in the University vicinity, need to be registered with the Building Department and given a Registration number. In this way inspection, say on a yearly basis, can be carried out, safety designs instituted, and complaints taken and investigated. A phone # must be established for this. 35 persons occupying uninsured building borders on insanity. 3. Commercial buildings need sprinkler systems: a series of road-side connections to connect fire hoses which will distribute water inside a building in event of fire. Automated oxygen retardant systems need to be installed inside where an increase in temperature (say at 110 F) will trigger off the chemical spray. As this chemical sucks out

the oxygen the fire will be greatly contained. Smoke alarms are cheap and should be installed along corridors which are the principal pathways for smoke. 4. Bonds, regardless of what is stored, need to be sectionalized, much like the compartments in ships such as oil tankers. Concrete separating walls with steel (fireproof) connecting doors must be the code for storage warehouses. This, coupled with periodic safety inspections, must be the way forward. Storage of cooking gas containers must never be inside a closed building. Propane is highly flammable (after all people cook with it) and needs to be stored outdoors: any leakage/explosion will dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere. 5. Perhaps the worst aspect of construction in Guyana is the electrical system, material and installation codes. This is in serious need of overhauling. Systems such as 100 Amperes distribution with Fly Back Breakers are the standard for commercial

buildings such as warehouses, offices, shopping centres, and night clubs and so on. This is virtually nonexistent. JFI outlets (with built in overload kick-out) rarely exist while electric wiring is predominantly vinyl coated (easily combustible) copper wire. Additionally, old wiring, coupled with corroded fuses, which do not trip or ‘blow’, poses severe risk of fire. As evidenced in the Cummings Lodge case. 6. The Bureau of Standards must arise from its slumber and monitor the very poor quality of electrical fittings and accessories (mostly from China) that flood the Guyanese market. And the Housing Authority must determine the safety features and occupancy of commercial buildings. The partitioning of buildings with the mere addition of a few walls to obtain an ‘apartment’ to get rental income has proven to have fatal consequences. Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine Real Estate Builder (New York)

increasing fees, we found additional ways to provide incentives to farmers. I accommodated management by seeking additional support from the Cabinet. Our goal was to accommodate farmers to produce more, not to make it unaffordable and not to impoverish farmers. The PPP ensured that fees were suspended during difficult times. When farmers had to deal with droughts or with floods because of inclement weather, the PPP suspended fees for the period that farmers experienced inclement weather. APNU+AFC on the other hand continue to heap one assault after another on farmers. During recent flooding, the MMA provided minimum if any support to farmers. The present situation is that farmers are left ignored as they combat difficult weather conditions. APNU+AFC have suffocated rice and have actively pursued the closure of sugar. They promised $9,000 per bag of paddy pre-election 2015. Now farmers are lucky to get $2,000 per bag and often the price is as low as $1,500. Support for early payments has vanished and there is no subsidy for fertilizers. The most lucrative rice market in Venezuela was lost and the promised Mexico market is just a BIG LIE. Sugar workers who were promised 20% wage increases have had zero wage increase for both 2015 and 2016 and they have already been warned that 2017 will not be different. Their API for 2015 was reduced by more than 50% and they were denied any API for 2016. Wales was closed at the end of 2016 and Rose Hall is about to close in 2017. Cane cultivation has ceased in Wales and Providence in

Berbice and already curtailed at Skeldon and LBI. When added to other measures by APNU+AFC, agriculture is faced with a bleak future. This year the inclusion of VAT on electricity and water, the removal of zero-rated goods, increases in transportation, removal of VAT and Excise Tax waivers from agriculture equipment and supplies, low paddy prices with non-support from government, closure of sugar estates and a myriad of other measures have contributed to stagnate agriculture and, in the process, stagnate the economy. APNU+AFC has done nothing to support cash crop farmers, aquaculture has virtually grounded to a halt, the mega farm projects have been left dangling . The PPP’s push to include corn, soya, potato, carrots, as major agriculture products is being marginalized. The efforts to become a major aquaculture producer and livestock giant in CARICOM have been abandoned. Importantly, the Minister of Agriculture is clueless and disinterested. Agriculture, more than oil or gold, is the foundation for our development. Without food security, no amount of oil or gold will transform our country into a prosperous country. Guyana can supply all of the rice, sugar, fruits, vegetables, poultry products, other meat products and all dairy products CARICOM needs. CARICOM imports $US4B in food from outside CARICOM. The attack on farmers in the MMA, like the attacks on agriculture elsewhere in Guyana is KILLING AGRICULTURE. This is simply foolish. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

PAGE 6

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

City Hall eroding the Georgetown support of the PNC

Anil Nandlall makes the record unambiguous

DEAR EDITOR, A notice is being circulated to vendors around the city that seems to have come from the Office of the Town Clerk, stating that all street vendors in Georgetown will have to register with the city at which time (January 23 to February 27) they must have in their possession National Identification Card/Passport, TIN Certificate, two passport-sized photographs and three thousand dollars ($3000). What is not clear to us is that if $3000 is just registration, a yearly fee, or if they will have to continue paying the $1500 per week. What is strange is that food handlers pay a yearly fee of $3000 for their licence, so that if vendors have to pay $3000 for registration, plus the $1500 cleansing fee per week ($6000) per month, this takes it to at least $75000 per year. The message being conveyed by the various oppressive actions of City Hall is that ‘You comply or you will be dealt with.’ This is a clear act of terror. City Hall seems to have a fixation on vendors, they seem to have no plan as to how they must treat these small business entrepreneurs; they plant them in some anti-business area one day,

then unceremoniously uproot them shortly after. There are affluent property-owners out there who owe the City Council millions of dollars. They are not going after them, but try to disguise their inefficiencies by creating a farcical Christmas-time amnesty, an exercise that is obviously geared towards benefitting the rich propertyowners. The city is the biggest loser in this exercise. Vending in Guyana has become very traumatic, in that a vendor leaves his/ her home with great apprehension, since they are not sure what spontaneous, draconian terror tactics, City Hall is going to put on them. What the vendors need to know, is, into what account City Hall will put the $6000-plus dollars collected from them monthly. Obviously, some of the money could have been used to develop a business- friendly place for the vendors. What is heartrending, is that the vendors had to endure more than twenty (20) years of this kind of behaviour under the former Government, but even though we have turned a new page, it’s the same script. What needs to be noted is that the vendors made a tangible con-

tribution to that change. The new directors seem to be basking in the euphoria of their assumed power, but it is by the promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak; effective actions to deal with the vending situation is dependent on having an agreed policy and procedure. If the same problem is occurring regularly, it simply means that effective policies are not in place. The actions of the Georgetown City Council are contributing to — if not creating — an underclass culture of idleness, dependency and self-perpetuating poverty. It is pellucid that their refusal to meet with the Guyana Market Vendors Union — coupled with their concomitant, crass behavior — is geared towards the vendors / stallholders not having union representation. Finally, it is no secret that most of the vendors / stallholders are hard line, militant supporters of the present administration, but some actors at City Hall are displaying very perplexing behaviour, which is slowly eroding the fabric of PNC militancy in Georgetown. Eon Andrews, President Guyana Market Vendors Union

Attorney Sase Gunraj says Nandlall, as AG, never contracted him DEAR EDITOR, I observed a letter to the Editor appearing in the Kaieteur News edition of Saturday, 21st January, 2017 under the caption, “The double standard of Anil Nandlall” purportedly written by Carl Witherspoon. In the letter aforesaid, the writer inquired thus: “What about Manoj Narayan and Sase Gunraj

who work in Mr. Nandlall’s Chambers and who were contracted for many of the civil cases for the State?” I wish to state categorically that I have never been contracted by Mr. Nandlall in his capacity as Attorney General or the Government of Guyana to appear in any civil case for the State. In the circumstances, I hereby challenge Carl

Witherspoon, if he does exist, to provide evidence of any single civil matter in which I appeared for the State, while Mr. Nandlall held the office of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Upon his inability so to do, I expect an unqualified apology from him. Sase R. Gunraj Attorney-at-Law GUNRAJ & CO.

DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter published in the Kaieteur News on 21-01-2017, under the caption “Double Standard of Anil Nandlall” written by Carl Witherspoon. Mr. Witherspoon completely misunderstood what I said about the Special Prosecutors. I expressed three criticisms. Firstly, that these prosecutors are hired by the Government and paid for by money budgeted by the Government. This is unconstitutional. The constitution resides the Director of Public Prosecutions with the exclusive responsibility to prosecute criminal offences; that if prosecutors outside of the DPP’s are to be retained, it is only the DPP who can lawfully do so; that it is not the role and function of the Executive to prosecute criminal offences. Secondly, that the prosecutors chosen were handpicked and are friends, allies and relatives of Ministers of the Government. Therefore, the process stinks of cronyism, nepotism and political patronage. Thirdly, that the Minister of Finance cut the DPP’s budget by several millions thereby affecting the DPP from prosecuting those charged

with serious criminal offences such as murder, rape and robberies but budgets $100,000,000 to prosecute political opponents, PPP leaders and Former Ministers of the PPP Government. Sanjeev Datadin and yours truly were retained by the DPP as Special Prosecutors, not the Government. The Linden Commission of Inquiry was not a prosecution but an inquiry commissioned by the President and therefore, it is the Government in that instance that had the responsibility of hiring lawyers for the Commission. During my tenure as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, neither Sase Gunraj nor Manoj Narayan was ever retained by the AG’s Chambers to do any case. In fact, the only lawyers in private practice whom I ever retained to do cases for the State, were Stephen Fraser, Roysdale Forde and Kamal Ramkarran. None has any known affiliation with the PPP. I hope I have set the public’s record straight on these matters. Mohabir Anil Nandlall M.P. Attorney-at- Law

The administration of the City Police is not professional DEAR EDITOR, On page ten (10) of the Stabroek News Paper dated Tuesday January 10, 2017, there was an article captioned ‘Constabulary Officers suspended for misconduct.’ The article indicated that Woman Inspector Petal Bancroft and Woman Constable Crystal Barton were engaged in a scuffle and on the recommendation of the Mayor with support from the majority of Councillors, the decision was carried. Was the Legal Affairs Committee allowed to exercise its mandate before going to M&CC Statutory meeting? I do agree that indiscipline in any organisation, especially the Military / ParaMilitary is unacceptable but before the scuffle occurred there was clearly an act of gross insubordination on the part of one of the pugilists who disobeyed a lawful order. From what occurs in the

City Constabulary it is clear that women get little or no respect in the Constabulary. The wild decision to dismiss three women Constables because they became pregnant quickly comes to mind. Then we had that scandalous and grave situation whereby, in a relationship with a young Woman Constable, the man beat her and discharged rounds from his service revolver, in a fit of rage, through jealousy and drunken stupor. That Senior Officer was arrested by the National Police and the incident made headline in the daily newspapers. The City Council swept that matter under the table. It died a natural death and the young lady was quietly transferred and tucked away in another department of the City Council. The said Officer owns many of the noisy music carts

that are found around the City among other vending business. With all the controversial activities this officer is engaged in, instead of being sanctioned, he gets a pat on the back and is even allowed to act in a higher appointment. It is sad to hear what happened between these two women. It is also a clear indication that the standard of City Policing has fallen so low; the Junior Ranks have no respect for their superiors. It is also clear that the present hierarchy of the city Police are just a figure heads who are satisfied with sitting back thereby allowing a few civilian individuals to run the oldest police organisations in the country. They obviously cannot manage the Constabulary. The City Constabulary is in such a terrible state, the Minister of Public Security or the Ministry of Communities should consider seconding a senior officer from the Guyana Police Force or the Guyana Defense Force to head that organisation. It is definitely in a crisis. Joel P.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur M@ilbox DEAR EDITOR, A fire on Robb Street this past week has really brought home a number of many important and dangerous issues which need to be addressed immediately by the authorities. I have operated a business in Regent Street for the past fifteen years and I could recall that there were three frightening major fires within the last few years in the area between Camp and Alexander Streets at locations occupied by Chinese businesses with all of them being in relatively close proximity to each other: the former Kissoon facility at Camp and Robb Streets, Chinese store on Regent Street where four or five buildings were destroyed, and now the four-storey building on Robb Street. One would wonder if the relevant authorities make periodic inspections at these business places to ensure that fire prevention rules, electrical regulations, business licenses and other required compliance issues are in order since the overwhelming public perception is that many of the business owners try to do “their own thing” regardless of what the law specifies. The Guyana Fire Service seems to be in need of an overhaul which must include training and testing for rapid deployment and suppression of fires. These required skills are severely lacking and those shortcomings were demonstrated at the last three fires mentioned. When the fire occurred on Regent Street, there was mass confusion with the Fire Service workers unaware of where Fire hydrants were located and they were running around in Robb Street when the fire was in Regent Street.

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

hand, there were a number “helpers” in the building Suggestions for the improvement of fire-fighting onofduring the fire helping themThe fire at Robb and Camp Streets also saw the same disorganized approach by the Fire Service workers who were confused and had to be told by the many onlookers where to point the water. The fire last week at the four- storey building on Robb Street saw the main fire truck with the mechanical ladder arriving very late and it took a long time for them to figure out how to fight the fire with a very laboured and slow response. It is obvious that they are not adept at their job or in the use of their resources which could have limited the damage to the building and the contents. To compound to their poor organization and lack of attention to detail, they left the location prematurely and had to return when smoke started to billow again from the fourth floor shortly after their departure. However, some of the Fire Officers performed valiantly and one whose name was mentioned was Station Officer Harry who made his way up the fire escape and entered the building to try to suppress the fire. There were many other officers who performed well and should be given credit. As a business owner with friends who have suffered losses due to fire, I feel that the authorities are not doing their jobs to prevent fires. Case in point is a busy welding shop located under an old dilapidated and unpainted wooden house located behind an old and unpainted wooden building occupied by a Chinese restaurant in Robb Street, a few door from the

last fire. The welding shop uses welding torches with open flames and other tools that generate sparks. I was in the Chinese restaurant one day and noticed massive equipment arriving at that small wooden house that houses the welding shop and right away remembered the Regent Street fire. There are many other welding shops, cook shops, mechanic shops and other such businesses that use open flames which are not licensed for these activities nor were they ever inspected by the Fire Service or other government agencies. Why should others have to suffer because of these illegal businesses and the failure of the Fire Service and other Government Officers to inspect them? Where any business operation, legal or illegal, has the potential to cause destruction to property and lives, they must be regulated as permissible by law or shut down forthwith, if they are not in compliance with the law and pose a threat to the community. The seat-warmers at the Fire Service and other Government offices need to walk around the City and locate all such business and ensure they are complying with the laws before we have another spreading fire in the City. With so many high-rise buildings in the City today, authorities should plan for emergencies especially in the event of a fire. Many of the streets in Georgetown have GPL and GT&T overhead wires crossing the streets which could prevent the Fire Tenders from

extending their ladders to fight fires. Fire hydrants should be installed in more areas and tested frequently. Fire Service and the Police should have coordinated training activities to deal with high-rise building emergencies. Tow trucks should be on hand to tow away any vehicles blocking the deployment of the Fire Trucks. Looting during fires is a despicable act and all perpetrators should be dealt with in a condign manner to set an example to others. The massive looting at the Robb and Camp Streets fire which went on for days,

adults, and Pastor Allen’s Church is unacceptable. That situation has been there for a very, very long period, it has become distressful to motor vehicle owners and pedestrians who traverse daily in that area. Leaders and Councillors of both political organs, who have responsibilities for specific areas must show or indicate their concern for deteriorating situations in our town. Lights are blown and not being replaced in a timely manner. Dark roads are very dangerous for citizens, especially children who leave school when it’s dark. During the Mayorship of the late Mr. Hugh Harris, the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) broadcasted a weekly programme titled “Mayor’s Weekly Report”, there is none to date. Lindentown have fre-

quent outages, especially on Wismar but no one says anything. What we are sure to hear are the regular abuses and misunderstandings among Councillors who are paid to manage our town. It is shameful to see drains and roads built in 2011 all badly broken. The drain cover across the Winifred Gaskin Highway road has been broken and repaired many times,

selves and this was not detected by members of the Fire Service or Police. They were seen by neighbours at the back of the building throwing out merchandise into the alleyway. While citizens should be thankful for the services offered by the Fire and Police Services, we know that they can do a much better job with more training and practice of their skills. I am hoping that the authorities will take immediate action to inspect all businesses to ensure they are in compliance with fire and other regulations. Clayton R. Harris

Woeful cries about non-existent roads in new housing schemes DEAR EDITOR, Construction of new roads and maintenance of those in existence seem to be a colossal problem throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. People are crying foul in many areas about bad roads, in new housing communities and those that have been in existence for many years. It’s very hard to comprehend the logics and plans for new housing areas that have struggled for years without water, electricity and of course telephone services and to compound it with deplorable roads is like punishment not deserved. I have been following the protest at one of our locations that have roads that are always or mostly in a very deplorable state, I have frequently travelled that road in the past so I know firsthand of the conditions that pertains there.

Lamentations on Linden’s terrible conditions DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space to express my disgust as it relates to the bad condition of roads and street lighting in ‘Lindentown’. Sir, Lindentown as I call it, is blessed with creeks and mostly man-made lakes made by the removal of the rich mineral (bauxite), a reminder of our contributions towards our Dear Land of Guyana. The word lake as defined in the English Dictionary is exactly what we see on a length of road formally named Arvida Road, which had an association with the then Bauxite Company, DEMBA, an auxiliary to Alcan, a Canadian Company. That road is now called Republic Avenue. My contention is that the lake or pond at the entrance of the Hymara Fun Park and Entertainment Centre for the young, not so young and the

will go down as one of the most heinous and lawless acts witnessed by citizens and tourists alike. The Guyana Police Force should be commended for their control of the area around the Robb Street fire which prevented a repeat of the mass looting that occurred at the Regent and Camp Streets fire. It was a welcoming sight to see Police reinforcements arrive but while the situation was already under control on the Street, more work still needs to be done in crime prevention at building fires. Even though so many police were

recently constructed culverts wash away causing damage to GTT cables and the list goes on. Linden needs better from our own. It is time for us to do things correctly and properly. I’m a taxpayer; it gives me and all others the right to speak out against the wrong in our society. This town belongs to all of us “Let us try” B. Winslow Parris

Roads, we all must know are about develo p m e n t . Without proper roads then progress, commercial and otherwise would be retarded, communities in Guyana need to be the recipients of decent smooth access into and out of their places of abode and those businesses in these areas need to have egress and ingress without must hassle. It is about getting goods and services done without the burden of additional cost for transportation of supplies. I live in a new housing area and there are two entrances in and out of the communities of Herstelling (East) and South of Herstelling. One entrance leads obliquely opposite the vulcanizing shop on Herstelling Public Road, and north of the Hindu Temple, and the overhead water tank and the other entrance is on the extreme northern side next to the Roger Khan scheme, both roads are in a bad state. I hastened to occupy my plot of land by constructing our house less than a year of possession of the land. This is due to the fact that the then Ministry of Housing stipulated a period to start con-

struction. We live there as the only residence for three years, without water (which we now have) and electricity (none up to now) now to be saddled with deplorable roads is like pulverizing the residence of these two communities. Let me be candid, and I am not being untruthful; before May 2015 the roads used to be graded regularly by the then contractors, but now residents are left to languish with vehicles being damaged daily, and added to this hardship those who do not own a vehicle and have to depend on taxi service are being made to walk through this slushy road since driver/owners do not want to risk their cars destroyed by the potholes in these roads. I trust that those responsible would take note of my simple letter done in truthfulness and out concern for improvement for life in the communities mentioned above, and action would be expedited and there won’t have to be protest action to get attention, I humbly submit that conflict, confrontation and confusion can be averted if some attention can be given to fix this or these roads. Ivan John.

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Jailhouse overcrowding…

Steering Committee to assist in critical IDB-funded project Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of a Steering Committee for the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB)-approved US$8 million Criminal Justice System Project, which is aimed at assisting Guyana to overcome prison overcrowding, by reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told media operatives at the Ministry of the Presidency, Georgetown that the Committee will comprise representatives of the Ministry of Legal Affairs; Supreme Court of Judicature; Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions; the Ministry of Public Security; the Social Protection Ministry and the Ministry of Finance. This committee, Trotman explained, will provide oversight and strategic direction and recommendations, and ensure the coordination of the programme’s activities with those of the various Government offices that will be affected by its implementation. The IDB website states that the loan’s objective is to

contribute meaningfully to addressing the high concentrations of prison population in the country, which stands at 256 per 100,000 of national population, well above the world average of 146 per 100,000. The IDB says: “The Guyanese criminal justice system “tends to use incarceration as the default sanction. However, high rates of imprisonment have been associated with an individual’s future proclivity for crime and difficulties in securing employment, among other negative factors. Building or expanding prison facilities can be a shortterm fix for overcrowding, but if root causes are not addressed, the new facilities will eventually be filled”. The project is divided into two components. The first seeks to reduce the use of pre-trial detention, especially for individuals accused of minor offences. The idea is to provide better legal assistance to individuals accused of non-violent offences, improve the prosecutors’ ability to handle cases according to the seriousness of the offence,

The Camp Street Prison, Georgetown.

strengthen the judiciary, and design and implement a restorative justice programme. The second component seeks to increase the use of alternative sentencing by the criminal justice system in Guyana. This includes strengthening the country’s legal drafting functions, modernizing probation services and imple-

menting a pilot project at the Magistrate Court level to apply alternatives to imprisonment to non-violent offenders. The programme is designed to complement a previously approved citizen security programme targeting high crime neighbourhoods. The $8 million loan is divided into two parts. Four

million dollars is financed via the IDB’s ordinary capital, has a 30-year amortization period and an interest rate based on Libor. The remaining $4 million is through the IDB’s subsidized lending arm. It has a 40year amortization period and a fixed interest rate of 0.25 percent. The State spends ap-

proximately $485,000 on one prisoner per year at the Camp Street penitentiary, which amounts to $1,329 per day, while repeat offenders have increased by over 100 percent .This, was disclosed in the findings of the recent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Camp Street prison riot that claimed 17 lives following a fire on March 3, 2016.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Embattled GPHC Matron...

Former Chairman insists COI into allegations was above board The evidence presented against Director of Nursing Services (Matron) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Ms. Collene Hicks, during a Committee of Inquiry (COI) was damning enough for even the panel member who represented her Union to vote in favour of her termination. This disclosure was made by former Chairman of the hospital’s Board of Directors, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman. According to Dr. Hanoman, the Committee which was tasked with investigating a plethora of allegations levelled against the Matron, had in fact unanimously voted against her continued service at the public health institution. The investigation was triggered by a petition signed by some 150 staffers of the hospital who had demanded that Hicks’ services be terminated because of her conduct that was reportedly not consistent with professionalism. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been representing the interest of Hicks. Moreover, Dr. Hanoman said that even before the Committee was constituted, he had consulted with the Union. “I gave the Union every opportunity for representation...initially Mr. (Patrick) Yarde (GPSU President) said that he wanted a ‘Mr. Butts’ to represent the union, then he changed his mind and said the union would instead be represented by Mr. (Reginald) Brotherson,” Dr. Hanoman recounted. But it was only after the Board had agreed on five out of seven possible candidates to make up the Committee that Yarde continued his protest, even insisting that the Board should be constituted of three and not five members, Dr. Hanoman continued. Even as he insisted that the investigation was above board, he added, “Setting up the Committee was not a one-man show...I didn’t make the decision on my own, the entire Board had to agree before we went ahead.” Dr. Hanoman’s defence of the process of inquiry follows on the heels of concerns vocalised by the GPSU President. Yarde has called the process “insensitive” and “reckless,” even as he contended that the Board had in fact failed to adhere to standard industrial relations guidelines. The GPSU Continued on page 14

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Rape victim frustrated as file of cops soliciting money from her disappears As if having been raped is not enough, a 30-year-old woman is sickened after learning a file in which the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended departmental charges for two female police officers, who tried to solicit money from her back in 2014, has disappeared. The woman claims to have run “from station to station” and met with different departmental heads, but the file cannot be located. The file has statements taken from a police corporal, a constable, and the Eccles, East Bank Demerara woman, concerning an allegation made by the victim that the two cops tried to solicit $200,000 from her. The victim also has a recording of the police corporal asking her who will drop off the cash (to them). The corporal was heard saying, “Me nah trust you.” According to information received, back in 2014, the woman had been raped by a contractor who was working on her parents’ home. She did not report the matter immediately because the suspect had threatened to kill

her entire family. However, a few weeks later when one of the contractor’s workers confronted her on the road, she decided to tell her parents and the matter was then reported. Statements were taken from the contractor and his worker and also from the woman. The file was subsequently sent to the DPP. According to the victim, when the file returned, it was advised that she be charged for making false allegation against the suspects. “I ask the policewoman how come I get charged and I am the victim, and she said that the contractor paid her $500,000 to write a false statement for me and they scrap my original statement and she said that she got to lock me up, but if I want I can give her $200,000 and I would never get charged.” The woman claims it was then that she took out her phone and began recording the police woman asking for $200,000. This newspaper was told that $40,000 was handed over to the cops, including $10,000 bail right there.

After she was placed on bail, the woman claimed that she took the recording to the Police Complaints Authority and a sting operation was set up. “The police tell me to act normal and to go and give them the money, but like someone tipped them off because when I went to drop off the money, the corporal was not there and the constable said that they get certain information and they won’t be accepting the money.” Eventually, both of the ranks were arrested based on the recording and a handwriting expert was called in to examine the signature on the statement which the ranks allegedly forged to pass off as the victim’s signature. “After all this was done, a file was sent to the DPP and it was advised that the ranks be charged departmentally.

They took statements from me and the ranks. They had 18 witnesses to testify at the Brickdam station.” According to the woman, after months passed and she did not hear anything regarding the case, she went to the station early this year to enquire—it was there that she learnt that the case had been dismissed and the ranks were transferred to other stations. When she enquired about her bail money, she then learnt that the file had disappeared. The woman is upset that even though she has a recording of the ranks soliciting money from her— a rape victim, they are still in the force. A police source from the Police Complaints Authority said that the case will be re-opened and statements will have to be taken all over again.

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?

PAGE 10

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

AFC leadership should be rotated -Trotman By Kiana Wilburg With the National Executive Conference of the Alliance for Change (AFC) only six days away, concerns continue to mount as to whether the party’s leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, can and should run for the position a third time. While some within the party believe that Ramjattan, who also serves as the Minister of Public Security, is allowed to do so, there are others who feel otherwise. This is the case with cofounder of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman. He is of the belief that the leadership of the party should be rotated. He made this comment during an interview with this newspaper yesterday. Trotman reminded that the AFC’s Constitution says “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible

- Says this was the intention of Article 19 (1) of the party’s Constitution

AFC co-founder, Raphael Trotman so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership.” Further, Article 8 of the same document says that the National Executive Committee shall comprise the following voting members: the leader, the chairman, deputy chairman, general secretary, treasurer, ten members each representing the diaspora in

the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean and five persons co-opted by the National Executive from among the members to ensure gender, age, ethnic and regional representation. With this in mind, the AFC Executive Member commented, “The Constitution says ought to rotate and I believe that we should, unless there is some extraordinary situation. The delegates will of course, have a right to choose. But I believe that we should try to adhere to the constitution unless the delegates feel otherwise…I believe that it is something the delegates would have to make a decision on.” Trotman continued, “So definitely, it does not say ‘shall’ like the Constitution, but I believe the intention of the framers of the AFC constitution— and I was certainly one of them— was to ensure that there was movement. And we should do our best to ensure that we honour the spirit of the (AFC) Constitution…I believe that this is something the delegates would have to ponder and make a decision on.” The Minister of Natural Resources reiterated that while the AFC’s Constitution does not make it “absolute” that the position of leadership

be rotated, he firmly believes that “the spirit and intent” of the phrase ‘ought to rotate’ was to ensure there was “a constant flow.” Trotman added, “Ramjattan is my good friend; he is a good leader. I always say to people that I like his tenacity and he has led the party well. It’s a matter for the delegates to ponder, and he and I have spoken on it…and it is up for discussion. We are allowing our names to go up for leadership along with others.” The AFC Executive Member said that he does not foresee the matter causing any problems among members. NO CONSCIENCE In yesterday’s edition, one letter writer, Pradeep Bachan of Region Five, expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that Ramjattan would be running for the leadership position for a third time. Bachan in his letter stated, “I find it very disheartening that Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the Alliance for Change, who has condemned the third term for Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo sees it fit to justify a third term for himself. This must be a non-issue for the AFC. I was part of the National Executive Committee

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan from the year 2006 to 2011 when the AFC Constitution had the rotation principle for the leadership.” The AFC member said that that aspect was amended, paving the way for other leaders to contest for the leadership, making the AFC more democratic. He went on to state, “The current AFC Constitution provides for anyone to contest the leadership once they are financial members for one year, but nothing is stated about third terms which is understood to mean that two terms are allowed.” Bachan also accused the AFC Leader of refusing to do the honourable thing by not running for a third term. In this regard, he commented, “I find that to be very unprincipled, because in the past, before the constitution was amended from the rotation principle, it provided for two terms. Now I see a misuse of conscience.”

Bachan said that at the AFC’s upcoming national conference, Region 5 delegates will not support Ramjattan for any third term. He stressed that a third term will only bring disunity and confusion to the AFC. In this regard, he reasoned that anyone elected for a third term is in danger of becoming a dictator. In response to his concerns, Trotman said that the AFC represents a democracy and members are always encouraged to give their views. He maintained that the delegates will determine the way forward. Trotman disclosed that he has discussed the matter with Ramjattan and “no one wants to harm the party.” He assured that “everything will be resolved in the right way.” CLARITY Yesterday, the AFC via a statement to the media, sought to clarify Article 19 (1) of its constitution which says, “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership.” The Party said that the Constitution does not make (Continued on page 11)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Parking meters in the Capital...

Spots close to street corners will be removed - Traffic Chief

A demarcated spot close to the Charlotte and King Streets junction. Several spots demarcated close to street corners by the parking meter company – Smart City Solutions (SCS) and its partner, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), will have to be removed says Traffic Chief Dion Moore. Moore was contacted yesterday by Kaieteur News after concerns were raised by vehicle operators who would have posited that the

demarcations are too close to street corners and would prove to be a hindrance. They argued that this development flies directly in the face of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department whose lectures prior to the granting of a driver’s licences, emphasise that there shall be no stopping or parking within 30 feet of a corner.

Police lecturers would advise that by stopping or parking close to corners, other drivers are prevented from having a full view of intersecting traffic and would also render the “three-point” turning system – an advisable technique as opposed to the illegal U-turn – useless. Back in January 2013, traffic ranks were reminded of ticket-able offences and “stopping within 30 feet from any corner” was included in that list. The offence comes under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Cap. 51:02. and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations. Moore was quizzed by this publication on whether he was consulted and what his contributions were. The Traffic Chief said that during the recent consultation session held on Friday, the GPF raised the issue with the implementers and it was advised that the spots be removed. Additionally, the company and City Hall will not be allowed to implement the initiative in front of public buildings, including Government Ministries and Police Stations, Moore pointed out. The Traffic Chief said that City Hall’s traffic department will be playing the role of enforcing and monitoring the activities of the initiative, while the GPF’s Traffic Headquarters will play the supportive role should situations become too

overwhelming for the City Traffic Department. Several other issues were also raised Moore said, however consultations are still ongoing, and the implementers are cooperating to rectify some of these issues. SCS came under heat a few weeks ago after concerns were raised over the setting up of parking meters in proximity to public schools. The company had subsequently signalled its intention to meet with the schools/teachers’ representatives, however, Kaieteur News understands that this meeting was never convened. Efforts to secure a comment from teachers’ representatives yesterday were futile. Meanwhile, SCS has clarified that payment for the use of parking meters will begin tomorrow. During last week, company representatives were seen demonstrating how the meters work to passersby. On December 21, 2016, SCS launched its first meter on Regent Street outside City Hall.

PAGE 11

AFC leadership... (From page 10) it mandatory for such rotationand leaves room for the membership to nominate or elect leaders to continue in a post for a longer period. It said that the larger membership may want this recognition of the experience and expertise of certain leaders, and in the interest of the unity of the party’s leadership. The Party also stated that the matter of the interpretation of the AFC Constitution is for AFC members who will freely elect and re-elect leaders. It further noted that there will be 16 contested positions at the AFC National Conference. These include; Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, and National Executives (12 positions). These positions will be filled after elections by secret ballot. The current elected members are Khemraj Ramjattan who is the Party Leader, Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo and General Secretary David Patterson. The post of Chairman remains vacant. It was held by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes. National Executives include Michael Carrington, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Vladimir Glasgow, Cathy Hughes, Neilson McKenzie, Charrandas Persaud, Latchmin Punalall, Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya, Mark Ross, Abel Seetaram, Raphael Trotman and Trevor Williams. The deadline for nominations is noon tomorrow and the final list of nominees will be announced on Wednesday. The National Conference will be held at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School.

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Conductor in custody after man fatally stabbed A 43-year-old man died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Friday night after being stabbed in the chest during an altercation with two men. The incident occurred around 21:30 hrs on Croal Street, in the vicinity of Demico House at Stabroek Market Square. The dead man has been identified as Raul Rodrigues,

a father of three, and carpenter, of 64 Leopold Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown. The Guyana Police Force said that a 28-year-old bus conductor of Meadow Brook Gardens is in custody assisting with the probe. Investigations so far have revealed that Rodrigues and two males had an altercation when he was allegedly stabbed once to the chest by

one of the men with an object. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC. At Rodrigues’ home yesterday, his sister Anastasia said that she received a call sometime after 21:00hrs on Friday from someone who informed her that her sibling had been stabbed. Shortly after, she received another call that he had succumbed. “I went to the hospital and the police give me a hard time to see him. I tell them that I just wanted to see if it was my brother who was stabbed and they had me waiting more than an hour,” the woman related.

She explained that after she got to see her brother’s body, she went to the scene but got no information as to what happened. The devastated woman claimed that she was informed that the victim was attacked at the Dairy Bus Park and collapsed in front of Demico House after running from his attacker(s). “The police said that they looking at it as a robbery because he had two phones, an iPhone and a Blu phone and the police only got the Blu phone,” the woman claimed. According to Rodrigues, her brother had been imbibing in Leopold Street and later

left to go to the Stabroek Market. She said that she was informed that her sibling only had $100 on him at the time of his death. The woman said that she did not hear about any altercation her sibling was involved in with two men. Meanwhile, the dead man’s mother, Joycelyn Rodrigues was inconsolable. “If they robbed him, why kill him. They done get his phone, why they had to stab him, why not leave him alone, let him go,” the woman cried. The police are looking for a second individual as they continue to probe the man’s death.

Dead: Raul Rodrigues

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Night Court concludes next month - FOUR MAGISTRATES ATTACK BACKLOG

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Four months after the introduction of Night Court which was put in place to ease the backlog of cases, it appears that a great deal of work has been done by the four Magistrates who were assigned to the task. The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts will be concluding its Night Court next month. According to information, the last sitting of the Night Court will be held on February 24 in Court Six before Magistrate Beverly Bishop-Cheddie. The first sitting of the Night Court was held on October 10, last, at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts, and four temporary Magistrates presided over summary offences. The capable quartet employed to tackle the backlog included Magistrate Beverly Bishop-Cheddie, Magistrate Brendon Glasford, Magistrate Madan Kissoon and Magistrate Leslie Benjamin. As such Magistrate Kissoon held matters in Courts 10 and 11 on Mondays; Magistrate Bishop-Cheddie held matters on Tuesdays and Fridays in Court six; Magistrate Glasford held matters on Wednesdays in Court 12 and Magistrate Benjamin in Courts 8 and 9 on Thursdays.

The Night Court hearings are conducted Mondays to Fridays from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. Kaieteur News understands that if there is any other build-up of cases, the Magistrates will return to tackle the matters. Some of the summary matters that have been heard at the Night Court are: assault causing actual bodily harm, simple larceny, threatening and abusive language, threatening language, attempt to commit a felony, robbery with violence, fraudulent conversion, break and entry, unlawfully and maliciously wounding, etc. Among the matters held in

the Night Court was one in which Michael Ferdinand, a vagrant, was sentenced to three years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a charge which stated that he broke and entered the Christian Mission Church and stole a quantity of peanut butter. Before his sentencing he told the court “I took it because I heard the people at the church does normally give out food, but the day when I go there no one was there, so I decided to go and take it myself”. The need for a Night

Court was amplified after the March 3, 2013 prison unrest at the Georgetown Prisons at Camp and D’Urban Streets when 17 inmates, most of whom were on remand, lost their lives. Out of the Commission of Inquiry into the unrest, one of the solutions highlighted was for the Government to undertake initiatives to reduce the quantum of backlogged cases. After a high level meeting was held between the representatives of Government and the Judiciary

the Night Court was established. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams. Representing the judiciary were Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh, Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. A total of $25M was Continued on page 14

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Night Court concludes next month Former Chairman insists COI into... From page 13 secured by the government to finance the payment of salaries of the temporary magistrates and ancillary staff. President David Granger had communicated his favourable assurance towards the establishment of the Night Court through Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. For many years the issue of backlogged cases was found to be responsible for the high prison population which resulted in the overcrowding of the penal system. After the COI into the riot was completed, it was revealed that 60 percent of the inmates were on remand. Of that amount, 50 percent

had been awaiting trial for more than three years and the further 30 percent for more than four years. The report said that these figures and the lack of effective – or even ineffective action to remedy them, pointed to serious dysfunction in the administration of justice. It was highlighted that delayed trials contributed significantly to the overcrowding and failures on the part of agencies of the state had contributed to the state of the prison. Meanwhile, the daily sitting of the court is expected to continue Mondays-Fridays from 09:00hrs to 14:30 hrs.

From page 9 President said that the Union did not only have issues with the Board’s decision to constitute a three-man panel to investigate the allegations against Hicks, but also because the Committee failed to grant her permission to be accompanied by a union officer. According to him, “They invited the Matron and we sent an officer to accompany her, but they refused to allow him (the union officer) in the room....never heard of. We said no, no that is totally out of place and we would not have anything to do with that.” Yarde is also not accepting the fact that Hicks was unable to face her accusers during the course of the investigation, and has asserted that the Union will not dignify the findings or the recommendations of the COI. “Our position was that the panel was biased and we wrote to them (the Board) about it even before they proceeded after we were told what was going on. We told them (even then) that we

would not recognise it unless they correct it (our concerns),” Yarde noted. Hicks was sent on administrative leave early last year to facilitate the inquiry which commenced in October. The COI, this publication was told, was tasked with assessing the truthfulness of the allegations or complaints made against the Matron and make a determination as to whether these were injurious or destructive to the effective and efficient delivery of the health care delivered at the GPHC. The Committee was reportedly guided by a Terms of Reference (TOR), which required that it compiled through interviews with staff of the hospital, including doctors and nurses or through investigations, a list of allegations or complaints of displeasure or misconduct against the Matron. Added to this, the COI was expected to specifically examine the promotion of nurses under the Matron to determine whether these were based on merit. Further the

Committee was tasked with examining the relationship between the Matron and the doctors of the institution to ascertain if this affected the delivery of health care at the hospital. A report of the inquiry was handed over to former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and outlined, among other things, that Hicks’ continued service at the GPHC would not be in the best interest of the public health institution. Dr. Norton had told this publication that the recommendations will more than likely be implemented. He had however noted that Cabinet will be tasked with deciding on the way forward. But this publication was reliably informed that moves are afoot to have Hicks reinstated. There are reports that some members of staff who worked closely with Hicks have been encouraging staff members, reportedly under duress, to sign a petition in the quest to make the reinstatement a reality shortly.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Acid-dousing suspect arrested following accident in Linden The man who allegedly doused his reputed ex-wife with a corrosive substance was detained early yesterday, after he was injured in an accident at Linden. Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, said that the some of his ranks, acting on information, worked with law enforcement officers in Linden to arrest the suspect. According to reports, 36year-old Alfred De Younge was involved in an accident and immediately after receiving medical attention, was taken into custody by police stationed there. Amsterdam confirmed

that the man was transported to Berbice yesterday to await charges. Shondel Williamson, 26, of New Street, New Amsterdam, a mother of two boys aged six and three, is said to be in a stable but critical condition after suffering first degree burns to her face, hands and abdomen, following the acid attack. She is reportedly still unable to open her left eye. A close relative told Kaieteur News that at around 20.00hrs on the night in question, Shondel Williamson was returning home and noticed a man clad

in women’s clothing coming towards her. The victim identified the man as her estranged reputed husband, 34-year-old Alfred De Younge, called “Not ah Bai.” The relative said that the man threw a white substance on Williamson and escaped in a waiting car. The young woman was immediately rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was given a bath before she was treated for the burns. The relative recounted in tears that the woman broke off their eight-year on and off relationship just two months

ago, after becoming fearful for her life due her reputed husband’s frequent abuse. Sources say that the woman told her relatives that

her ‘child father’ was speaking to her via telephone a few minutes before the incident occurred and had requested to speak to his

children. The woman was under the impression that the man was at his home in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Guyana making ‘significant headway’ with EITI application According to Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, Guyana is making significant headway in relation to the application process for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). EITI is a widely-accepted international framework for strengthening transparency and accountability in the extractives sector. Adherence to, and implementation of EITI as part of a menu of good governance measures, is important for Guyana’s economic and social development. The initiative requires governments in participating countries to disclose revenues earned and that oil, gas and mining companies share data on payments made. These figures are then compared to discover any discrepancies, and the information made public as a

way to foster public scrutiny and greater accountability over natural resource profits earned by governments. To do this, a MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) comprising representatives of government, civil society and industry is formed to facilitate and drive the process. The Multi-stakeholder group (MSG) is central to the operation and philosophy of the EITI. Minister Trotman was pleased to disclose that great progress has been made with regard to identifying the members for the MSG. “Support has been received from the World Bank and from the Carter Center, so we made great strides. However, I must say that we were unable to identify up until the end of last year, a candidate to become the EITI coordinator. So that is necessary so that we can establish a secretariat.”

The Minister added, “We did have several rounds of interviews and there is a likely candidate. We expect that the person will be appointed from February 1. Once that happens, the application to the secretariat in Norway can proceed, because all the other necessary parts would be in place. So we have made significant progress.” At the time, Trotman said he could not recall the names of the members of the individuals on the MSG. He directed this newspaper to speak with Michael McCormack, a human rights activist. He said that Mc Cormack was in charge of the policy forum that selected the civil society representative. When contacted by thus newspaper, Mc Cormack declined to name the representative, stating that it is for the Minister to announce same.

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

US prosecutors rev up for coke trial against Guyanese cash-jet pilot A Guyana-born New Jersey-based pilot who landed himself in deep trouble after authorities found more than half of a million in US dollars on board his private jet is set for trial in May on two cocaine-related charges. Khamraj Lall’s legal woes, which spanned three US jurisdictions and Guyana, is now entering its third year. Last week, a New York court set the jury trial date as May 1st, 2017. It will be recalled that in July 2015, Lall was arrested in New Jersey and was accused by prosecutors of conspiring to bring five kilos of cocaine aboard his plane from Guyana to the US, even while he was facing a court in Puerto Rico for cash smuggling charges. Shortly before those cocaine charges, the businessman who is well known in Guyana, had pleaded guilty to cash smuggling charges in a deal with US prosecutors and was out on bail awaiting sentencing. It was announced that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Lall, of New Jersey, with possession with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine and importation of five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a US$10,000,000 fine. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between December 2013 and February 10, 2015, the defendant conspired to possess and import from Guyana into the United States, five kilograms or more of cocaine. Lall is accused of transporting the cocaine on his flights from Guyana to the United States. Following his arrest in New Jersey, he made an initial appearance in federal court in the District of New Jersey and was detained. Lall’s arrest was connected to that of nine other defendants in February 2015. Edward Mighty, Seymour Brown, Andre Taylor, Ricardo Bailey, Robert Wilson, Kenneth Harper, Desmond Bice and Christopher Samuels, all of Rochester, New York, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base. They were accused of using a telephone

Khamraj Lall to facilitate drug trafficking. Defendants Mighty, Brown, Taylor, Wilson, Harper, Bice, and Samuels were also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to the complaint, Mighty is one of the leaders of a Rochester-based drug trafficking organization and would obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine from Winifredo Gonzales. The cocaine was transported to Rochester and processed, re-packaged, and distributed in various quantities of both powder and crack cocaine through multiple sellers in the Rochester area. On February 10, 2015, officers executed a search warrant and arrested Gonzales at a residence in Brooklyn. Officers recovered 17 kilograms of cocaine and two handguns, including an Uzi 9mm pistol. Officers also seized approximately $70,000 in United States currency. According to prosecutors, Lall’s indictment is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service; Criminal Investigation

Division; the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. The cocaine-related charge meant that Lall violated his bail in the bulk cash smuggling by participating in another crime. He had been on a $100,000 secured bond on December 1, 2014 in New Jersey. Lall was nabbed by Puerto Rican authorities in a high profile arrest back in November 2014 while transporting more than US$600,000 in cash aboard his jet. In a plea deal submitted, Lall agreed for the US$620,588 along with the 1988 Israel fixed wing multi-engine aircraft bearing Registration N822Ql and used in the crime, to be forfeited. Authorities have also moved to seize another plane he owns along with properties. Under the deal with the US Government, Lall pleaded guilty to one count – of concealing more than US$10,000 in his plane and attempting to transfer it outside of the US to Guyana. He would have been facing up to five years on a number of charges if he had opted for a trial and found guilty, according to court documents. Lall, who had operated from a private hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and controlled KayLees Gas Station at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, has also agreed that other assets may be subject to forfeiture as there is still a pending civil matter for assets seizure in New Jersey, where he has homes, vehicles, cash and other properties. As part of his filings, Lall, who had his licences revoked, submitted a waiver of right to trial by jury. Lall is also facing a civil matter, with the US Government going after luxury vehicles, another

One of the seized planes

plane, more than US$400,000 cash lying in several frozen bank accounts as well as at least three properties. When he was detained in late 2014 in Puerto Rico, authorities found stashed, in different parts of the plane, more than US$600,000 that Prosecutors say was not

declared by Lall. He reportedly took responsibility for the cash at the time of arrest. On board were his father and another person. There were swirling questions over the operations of the hangar he had at Timehri. The PPP/C

Government had denied that it granted the company any special privileges and said that the operations were in keeping with regulations. The Government of Guyana has since taken possession of the hangar that Lall operated at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

They might as well be contagious too!! By Sharmain Grainger Although they are no less threatening, most people have a healthy respect for communicable diseases, especially those that are transmitted sexually. The list of these types of diseases is quite lengthy. Always leading the list is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus simply known to many as HIV (this can also be transmitted through other bodily fluids such a blood and breast milk), and then there are syphilis, gonorrhea, the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, Herpes, Hepatitis, Chlamydia, Pubic or Crab lice, and the list goes on. For some of these sexually transmitted infections there is no cure, although there are treatments and strategic measures that can be used to suppress them to a point of almost halting transmission. Even the dreaded airborne Tuberculosis bacteria - which is known as history’s deadliest health challenge - has been well managed, although if merged with HIV it can yield devastating results. But the public health sector, based on shared information, has been doing a considerably good job to combat these infections, all of which fall under the category of chronic communicable diseases. While a grand sum is spent annually to help in this regard, the public health sector reportedly spends even more in the area of Chronic Non Communicable diseases (NCDs). This is particularly surprising, since there are many instances that NCDs can be prevented altogether. Granted there are quite a few people who develop these diseases because of their genes or autoimmunity. But for those who haven’t these excuses, prevention can be as simple as embracing the importance of diet while being cautious of the intake of salt, sugars and fat. Exercise, moderate consumption of alcohol, and avoiding the use tobacco as far as possible, are just as crucial in combating NCDs. But for many of us this

simply isn’t seen as important – well, usually not until we develop a condition such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke or chronic lung disease. What we are beginning to learn is that while the public health sector offers many free services to ailing patients to treat these conditions, it can barely afford to continue along this vein. In fact the Public Health Ministry has been deliberately cutting back in some areas in order to ensure that it has the financial capacity to reach more health-related needs. Many renal failure patients are already feeling the resulting “squeeze”. Not so long ago, Junior Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, revealed that the majority of the health budget is usually plugged into the NCDs response. This is quite alarming, as it emphasises that this is a big challenge, although it can be avoided in many instances if persons take responsibility for their health. According to Minister Cummings, since 70 percent of the national health budget is usually expended on dealing with NCDs, the Ministry is appealing to persons to adopt healthy lifestyle choices and practices at an early stage, so that they do not fall prey to NCDs later in life. While her appeal is understandable, as a great deal of people develop NCDs when they are older, it has however been found that many young people are being diagnosed with these conditions too. Although the public health sector has warned that the onus is on individuals to help prevent the impact of NCDs, Minister Cummings did reveal that the Ministry has been forging strategic partnerships, perhaps because of the financial strain on the sector, to help advance its NCDs response. The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is among the organisations that the Ministry has been relying on for support.

According to the WHO, the four main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. These understandably are not contagious; that is, they are not transmitted from one person to another. But the WHO says they are of long duration and generally slow progression. The WHO has also been able to deduce that NCDs already disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries where nearly threequarters of NCD-related deaths – 28 million – occur. The body has also substantiated that all age groups and all regions are affected by NCDs. “NCDs are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that 16 million of all deaths attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) occur before the age of 70. Of these ‘premature’ deaths, 82 percent occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Children, adults

The Baccoo Speaks The fire demon is very active. He is moving across the country and will return to the eastern part of the country. Again, damage would be substantial. The cause of the fire would be determined to be electrical. ** A group of young bandits is targeting the people who visit the commercial banks. This has been the case in recent times. This

time around the bandits will miscalculate, because people often have friends. In this

case the friend would be close by when they attack the intended victim. The result would be what is expected in every case. ** Drug smuggling is seen as a common feature these days. And it would seem that jail is not much of a deterrent. A man who had just completed a jail sentence would be arrested after he attempts to ship cocaine out of the country.

and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors that contribute to noncommunicable diseases, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the effects of the harmful use of alcohol,” the WHO has indicated. The rate at which NCDs has been infiltrating the globe begs the question whether it could in fact be graduated to a contagious phenomenon. But we all know better! In fact,

on far too many occasions we have glanced at a leaflet or seen an advertisement that persuades healthy living, although the unhealthy ones outstrip these, we can opt to, in our own small way, help to improve our own health and those of our families, and possibly even prevent the extinction of the human race. In doing so, we could be well on our way to achieving the ambitious goal of the health sector to have Guyana

become the healthiest nation in the Caribbean and Latin American by 2020. Can we do it, sure we can! According to Minister Cummings, an informed population will make informed choices. So it can be deduced that if the population is constantly reminded of measures that can promote a healthy lifestyle, chances are, it will eventually adopt these. Among the measures that the WHO is hoping that countries will embrace to tackle the prevalence of NCDs is a move to reduce modifiable risk factors for NCDs and underlying social determinants, through creation of health-promoting environments. It has also recommended that efforts are made to strengthen and orient health systems to address the prevention and control of NCDs and the underlying social determinants through peoplecentred primary health care and universal health coverage. Already the local health sector has been reaching out to various factions of communities across the country to impress the importance of nutrition in the quest to realize a healthy nation and, by extension, help to reduce the assault of NCDs on our people. This essentially suggests we are heading in the right direction, but sustainability of such an approach coupled with requisite adherence is left to be seen.

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

An oxymoronic moment in 2016 I appreciated deeply, the offer to serve Guyana by being part of the National Commemoration Commission - to plan and shape the celebration of the 50 years of Independence last year. But at the same time, I was disappointed that given my philosophical views, such an offer could have been made in the first place. I couldn’t bring myself to be part of that organization, because deep down I felt there was hardly anything to celebrate. The Guyanese people, from the standpoint of being human, are not different from all the other nationalities of the world. We have our great sides, not so great sides, soulful sides, bad sides, primitive habits, blunted instincts, progressive conceptualization, friendly dispositions, just like any other nation. In the realm of psychology, Guyanese are

a problematic species, but that is not the subject of this column, so I will move on. Guyana in totality has not travelled far and has in fact retrogressed. It is against the background of this conscious knowledge of our failure that I could not - for both philosophical and psychological reason - be part of the planning of the Golden Jubilee. When I got the invitation, I immediately asked myself that banal question that, perhaps, was natural from a cynical mind like mine – celebrate what? I would describe myself as a radical, existentialist anarchist. Please do not debase the term, “anarchism.” It has no connection to the word, “anarchy.” Anarchism is a philosophical school of thought that argues that power, and by extension the authority it brings into being, is inherently flawed, and it destroys the natural

humaneness that comes from our existentialist ontology. Anarchism then argues that no matter how good is the intention, the possession of power leads the mind astray. I have watched all my life how power has destroyed Guyana. How power took the place of patriotism and nationalism, and progress, and a modern future got sacrificed in the brutal pursuit of this lust. It was pointless, then, to ask someone like me to be part of the National Commemoration Commission. In our long journey of 50 years, I do not see progress but failure. If you want you can classify me as a sempiternal pessimist but from my vantage point, I did not see a developing Guyana and I do not see a bright future, oil or no oil. Oil may very well deepen the fanaticism of power. When I was asked to serve on the

Commission, it was natural to let one’s memory roam over those 50 years. It was not an inviting journey. I saw 50 years of a nation’s jaded psychology and faded physiology. Here I was being asked to serve in an organization whose specific purpose was to highlight what we achieved the past 50 years. I saw nonachievement instead. This country is not for the fainthearted. I worked at the University of Guyana for 26 consecutive years, and I put my integrity on the line when I say that as each year passed by, I saw the deepening of decline, not the expansion of achievement. My 26 years ended in 2012 and up to that point I never had a telephone in my office and that was so for a majority of lecturers. The centrepiece of the Golden Jubilee I had moral and political objection to – the con-

struction of D’Urban Park. If a rich country like Qatar, Brunei, or Saudi Arabia had built that site for Guyana as a gift, I could have lived with that. But we took more than a billion dollars to build what I profoundly believe was not necessary; was a waste of money. It was money that could have been used for the eradication of poverty. It sickened me to the core of my soul when I saw the conditions of the toilet of a public school that was carried in this newspaper that children of a certain part of the interior had to use. This was happening in a country 50 years after Independence. I mentioned this thing with the National Commemoration Commission because I am in the process, as most columnists do, of looking back at 2016. I have done several columns last week and the week before reflect-

Frederick Kissoon ing on Guyana in 2016. If you read them you would know I didn’t find life in 2016 enthralling. I will end on a note that is utterly confusing to me. Go back 10 years ago and you will read of people being robbed as they left the bank. It hasn’t not stop since then. It happened again three days ago. What changes for the better in Guyana?

PAGE 28

For too long in Guyana we have done things the old traditional way with a rigid economy that depended on a handful of agricultural products. Many countries had long diversified their agricultural, manufacturing, services, commercial and other economic activities but Guyana was left behind, and the government of the day was just spouting political rhetoric, hoping to convince Guyanese and our international donors that they had sound economic policies. The PPP’s true colours have been exposed. The Opposition is now in heat, accusing APNU-AFC every chance they get of the very things they themselves have perpetrated on the Guyanese people in the last two decades and three years – corruption, kickbacks, abject ignorance, and baseless loan accounts that our grandchildren will be repaying. We wish to assure Guyanese that this government has already implemented some very transformative projects to improve your lives

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Towards an enabling environment and livelihoods. We are in the process of interweaving Information, Communication and other types of Technologies into all facets of life. It is going to be a long, very involved process, but there are benefits from the get-go. Specifically, the transformation of the public services is underway. The eGovernment Agency is in the process of installing hardware and software at key ministries and agencies for online digital services, e.g. to make the processes from application to production of passports or drivers’ and compliance licences easier. ICT has been integrated into the GRA’s services, into in-country and international trade, and we are currently looking for the fastest means of introducing telemedicine to Guyana, and expanding available resources for eLearning at the secondary and tertiary levels. We have corrected much

of the bad infrastructure and turned around the previous (perceived) unwillingness among the ICT skill pool to participate. We have turned around the legacy of ICT mismanagement and functional incompetence that was entrenched when the administration changed in 2015. We have found working remedies for the failure of the Fibre Optic cable that the previous government had landed from Brazil, the same cable that was laid on the top soil along the Linden/Lethem road (instead of being buried). This delicate cable had to be discarded because it was badly handled, badly damaged. The PPP had given over ownership of it to a building contractor just before the 2015 elections … the same cable that could have been providing ICT capacity to our people in hinterland regions. It could not be repaired, but

this government is still paying back the Billion-dollar loan. That was willful squandermania. The point is that we seem to forget quickly. We’ve forgotten how broken our citizens had become because your rights had been taken away. We’ve forgotten how we had to personally beg individuals at the inaptly named ‘Freedom House’ for our potholed streets to be fixed, or for our children’s school to be repaired because a seven-year-old had fallen through the floor. We forget that we could not buy a piece of land at the front of Providence or Eccles, East Bank Demerara, because large parcels had been sold, gifted or bartered away to government executives, their confederates and a handful of foreign investors with deep pockets. At the Administrative level, the independence of many key institutions was stripped away to allow for hands-on control, for people in ‘high places’ to purchase bolts and nuts or toilet seats for thousands of U.S. dollars, or to utilize your taxes to pay millions to somebody’s friend/relative who made

sloppy repairs to a government-owned building. We forget the numerous reports of bribe taking to allow ‘contractors’ to buck the system and ultimately deliver nothing. Before 2015 there were countless communities that never had pipes or wells to take potable water to their communities, much less to their homes. They have that now, and they have street lamps for the very first time in decades in communities in Berbice and East Bank Demerara. This is just a snapshot of the mess we have been cleaning up since assuming office in May 2015. We really did underestimate the volume of filth, corruption and the widespread practice, high and low, of bending the regulations. The broken systems are being fixed, but it will certainly take more than a year or two. It was not unexpected that the economy would underperform in 2016. Budget 2017 was crafted to balance out the underperforming sectors with the ones that are turning in profits, and with the anticipated success of imminent projects such as the eco-

nomic zone that is being established at Lethem. Now this latter project is by no means a new one. It was a private sector initiative that had been on the PPP’s table for quite a few years. It was never on their agenda. Today it’s on our agenda. We’re going to make it happen, just like our promise to take the internet to the Hinterland. It’s already there in some communities. In Lethem, the eGovernment Unit has to complete some remedial work on the LTE tower then the town will be internet-connected. Today many countries are under the strain of a contracting world economy – Trinidad, Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela to name a few. Guyana can grow and we can only hope that our citizens become immune to the opposition’s destructive sensationalism and rank propaganda flowing like so much sewage. They are trying to destroy your hopes and your drive to go where you need to be, but they refuse to come to the table with ideas that put the citizens first. Please do not allow the PPP to hijack your future! We promised you an enabling environment, and that’s what we’re determined to provide.

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

My column

I was a suspected drug courier There was a time a few decades ago when just about everyone wanted to go to the United States. Of course, when the news hit the community that So and So were leaving for the ‘Big Apple’, there was the get together. People shared reminiscences and on the day of the departure there were the tears and the farewells. Then the time came when people wanted to leave, but found that leaving was very difficult. The American Embassy in Guyana became stingy with the visas. People spent a lot of money just to secure one. Some were conned by the smart entrepreneur. Backtracking became a household word. People spent millions of dollars that they could have actually made life a little better for themselves, just because they were responding to the lure of America. Things are different today. The visas come easy, but people simply go for a vacation. Life in the Big Apple for people is not the dream it once was. People have been known to visit relatives only to see a side of those relatives that they never knew existed. They found that they could only stay there for a very short while. I never had those problems, but I had the opportunity to hear people cuss out Guyana, complaining how things are bad in the country. There was this time when I picked up my brother to take him for a drink. No sooner had I done this than the same people who complained how “Things bad in Guyana” joined the fraternal union and

had me digging deep into my pocket. Of course I could not resist asking them how it was that they could expect me to buy drinks for them when I had just come from the ‘deh bad country.’ They couldn’t answer, so I would rub it in. I would tell them that the people at home were living better than most of them. Having said that, I must admit that I find no joy in travelling to the United States these days. The hassle is not worth it. I came out this past week to undertake a medical procedure and for the first time I was subjected to a comprehensive drug search. I stepped off the plane and headed to the immigration section as is required. At the counter there was this officer who spent an inordinate time examining my documents. That was expected. In fact, there were times when I even had to be further examined, and that was because I surrendered my green card way back in 1996. The reason was simple; I had a job back in Guyana and none in the United States, so I was not prepared to leave the certain for the uncertain. So my fingerprints were in the system. The result was that whenever someone saw the fingerprints, that person wanted to know if I had a brush with the law. I would be sent for further investigation. I had no problem with that. In fact, after twenty years I didn’t mind spending a few more minutes with immigration. But this time was different. The immigration fella had me standing there

while he pored over my entrances and exits. “I see you come here a lot,” he said. I replied that I had been doing so since 1988. He was silent for a minute, then he asked, “How come?” Well I have a mother who is still alive. In fact, her 93rd birthday was yesterday. I have children, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, aunts, grandchildren and even one great granddaughter in the United States. I told the fella that I have every reason to visit. In fact, I even said to him that I can afford a vacation once a year. I suppose he had it at the back of his head that I was a coke swallower, so the longer he kept me there the more discomfited I would be. He would have had a long time to wait. He then said to me that when I proceeded to the exit I would collect my passport. That was a first for me. I went to the exit and to the Customs section. This officer directed me to a colleague who decided to examine my luggage. I only travel with a hand piece ever since I learnt that people would put drugs in your suitcase. The casual chat began. “Did you pack this suitcase?” “Do you know what is inside?” And the conversation went on. “Do you have more than $10,000?” He proceeded to search the hand luggage. There and then I learnt that the luggage had a lining that could be unzipped. The fellow poked and prodded after removing the few pieces of clothing there were. He sniffed my hair dressing and my cologne, rattled the container that held

my toothbrush and even tapped the handle on the luggage. Not satisfied, he took it somewhere. I am still to check to see if he punched holes in the handle. The only thing he didn’t do was to take me inside some room, make me squat or spread my butt cheeks. When it was over, I asked him about the reason for such a detailed check. The man told me that it was random. Will I be subjected to another detailed search in the future? He said that he would not be working there. I have since concluded that being a

Guyanese has severe disadvantages. We are expected to be drug couriers. Our age does not matter. In fact, I have concluded that the older we are the more likely it is that we would be a courier. I have heard tales of the immigration people shouting to each other that the Guyana flight has arrived. There would then be a mad scramble to check all who would arrive. I am not happy to be targeted and I can only imagine how a first time arrival would feel. The truth is that too often Guyanese are nabbed with drugs and their colleagues

Adam Harris immediately become suspects. I became the most recent suspect.

PAGE 30

(Address by His Excellency Brigadier David Granger President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at the launch of a National Plan of Action against Human Trafficking on January 18, 2017) Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It is a crime against humanity. It constitutes a form of modernday slavery. It is an affront to civilised society. It is a denial of human rights, particularly, of freedom from human servitude. Trafficking in Persons, despite its abhorrent character, is considered to be one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. It has transnational dimensions. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that more than twenty-one million persons are victims each year of forced labour. LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Laws of Guyana explicitly prohibit trafficking in persons. Guyana is a state of laws. Laws are effective, however, only to the extent that people are educated to recognise and respect them and that means exist to enforce the law. The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005 designates trafficking in persons as a crime, punishable under the law. Laws are not enough. There is need for a practical plan and effective measures to combat and eliminate trafficking of persons. Trafficking in Persons represents an assault on citizens’ fundamental rights and

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

It is time to lift the veil on human trafficking freedoms which are protected by our Constitution. Persons who are victims, or potential victims, of ‘trafficking in persons,’ are entitled to the protection of the law. It is the duty of both the State and citizens to ensure that the right to liberty and the freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment are protected. The Constitution, at Article 139 (1), provides that “No person shall be deprived of his or her personal liberty save as may be authorized by law…” Article 140 (1) states that “No person shall be held in slavery or servitude. Article 140(2) adds that “No person shall be required to perform forced labour.” Article 141 (1) provides “No person shall be subject to torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.” The Laws of Guyana, specifically in the ‘Combating of Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005,’ defines ‘trafficking in persons’ as: … the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of the threat or use of force or other means of coercion or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation. The state of Guyana, further, is signatory to the United Nations Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime and to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, es-

President, David Granger pecially Women and Children. The Protocol’s objectives are: - To prevent and combat trafficking in persons, paying particular attention to women and children; - To protect and assist the victims of such trafficking, with full respect for their human rights; and, - To promote cooperation among States Parties in order to meet those objectives. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is a state of laws. Laws are effective, however, only to the extent that people are educated to recognise and respect them, that means exist to enforce them and that they help to eliminate crime. THE DEBATE I recall that, as Leader of

the Opposition in the National Assembly, I brought a motion on Wednesday, 22nd May, 2013, calling for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the crime of Trafficking in Persons. I urged the governmentof-the-day to “…lift the veil” on trafficking in persons and to stop denying that the crime was taking place and needed to be eliminated. I added that denial of the existence of Trafficking in Persons in Guyana makes matters worse. “There is a syndrome of dodging the problem and pretending that the persons who are being trafficked have voluntarily entered into a state of prostitution”. I told the National Assembly that Trafficking in Persons was a form of modernday slavery. I warned that human trafficking was a crime of international jurisdiction and culprits could be prosecuted for it in any part of the world. The Motion titled, “Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the incidence of Trafficking in Persons in Guyana” was approved by the National Assembly. To our country’s shame, it was not assented to and implemented by the national President at the time. EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY I was sworn in as President on 16th May 2015, and immediately changed the name of the Ministry of Human Services to that of Ministry of Social Protection. I also changed the name of the Ministry of Home Affairs to that of the Ministry of Public Security. I wanted to emphasise the State’s responsibility for the protection of its vulnerable citizens and the security of the public. Those Minis-

tries, I am happy to say, have been enhancing their capability to eliminate trafficking and other crimes against the person. The United States Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons issues an annual dossier which reports on trafficking in persons around the world. The Government of Guyana, in past years, regrettably, rather than implement the report’s recommendations, denied, disparaged and dismissed them. The Government of Guyana, today, is solving the problem not suppressing bad news. We are successfully prosecuting traffickers; collaborating with counter-trafficking non-governmental organisations, international organisations and friendly countries; strengthening the inter-ministerial coordination of our efforts and financing a shelter and enhancing psycho-social services to victims. We have, this year, started the establishment of a ‘Corps of Wardens’ who will patrol mining and logging settlements and border areas where trafficking has been reported. A NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION A National Plan of Action against Human Trafficking is the Executive’s response to the need for the effective enforcement of the laws prohibiting trafficking in persons. Human trafficking must be confronted fearlessly, frontally and fully. The legal proscription against human trafficking must be backed by a plan of action aimed at eventually eliminating trafficking from our homeland. The previous administration’s efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons often reflected its notorious indifference and indecisiveness to the crime. The seriousness of the crime was deemphasized. Few efforts were made to combat trafficking in a systematic way. The Government of Guyana, today, is committed to reversing this indifference towards the crime of trafficking in persons. We will do so by enhancing education and strengthening enforcement in order to eliminate the scourge entirely. The strict enforcement of human trafficking laws requires action on a wide range of fronts – sensitizing the public to the effects of trafficking in persons and building institutional capacity to enforce the law. An effective Plan of Action to combat human trafficking must have two main objectives:

· Education: Public education, understanding and support are vital to success in eliminating the crime. Trafficking in Persons is not fully and clearly understood by the average citizen and is often confused with backtracking (illegal migration) and smuggling of persons across borders and even everyday prostitution. The public needs to understand the range of offences defined as human trafficking in order to identify the crime and help support the efforts of law enforcement in investigating allegations of trafficking in persons. Public education about human trafficking is important since human trafficking is an underground activity which seems to be more pronounced in hinterland areas which are more difficult to police. · Enforcement: Trafficking must be identified and prosecuted with the full force of the law. The fear of prosecution must serve as a deterrent against human trafficking. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 68/192 – titled Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons – on 18th December 2013. The ‘Resolution’ called on member states of the United Nations to address the social, economic, cultural, political and other factors which make people vulnerable to trafficking in persons. It listed some of these factors as including poverty, unemployment, inequality, natural disasters, sexual violence, gender discrimination, social exclusion and marginalization as well as a culture of tolerance towards violence against women, youth and children. Guyana seeks to provide a ‘good life’ for all of its citizens. The ‘good life’ includes protecting vulnerable citizens from the threats of servitude, sexual exploitation and forced labour. A GOOD LIFE Victims of trafficking in persons need protection. They are often helpless. They are often afraid to speak out. They generally lack resources to seek assistance. Many of the victims being held against their will may be illegal immigrants and, therefore, afraid to go to the authorities for fear of being deported or prosecuted. Victims of trafficking in persons must be protected and provided with assistance for their recovery and reintegration into society. I congratulate the Ministry of Public Security for developing this National Plan of Action against Human Trafficking. This is evidence of government’s resolve to rid our country of the scourge of trafficking in persons.

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Things you need to know about food poisoning By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Food poisoning is a very common occurrence worldwide. Patients that have food poisoning will go through the bout and most often recover. A small few can become significantly dehydrated or develop a systemic infection. Children and the elderly are most often susceptible to this. Today I will highlight some important facts about food poisoning so that we can all be more aware about this common condition. WHAT IS FOOD POISONING? Food poisoning is an illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Food poisoning is caused by eating food that contains germs, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Viruses are the most common causes of food poisoning. The norovirus is the most common viral cause of food poisoning. Two examples of bacteria that are common

causes of food poisoning are Salmonella and E. coli. HOW CAN GERMS GET IN FOOD? Germs can get in food in different ways: - People who are sick can spread their germs to the food they cook if they do not wash their hands before they touch the food. - Germs can live in or on food. If food is not washed or cooked enough, the germs in it or on it can infect people. Foods that are left for long periods without proper storage will also harbor germs. - Germs from one food can get on another food. This can happen when a person uses the same cutting board or knife to prepare different foods. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING? Symptoms can happen right after a person eats the food, or not until days or weeks later. Common symptoms of food poisoning include: - Nausea or vomiting

- Belly pain - Diarrhea that can be watery or bloody - Fever Other symptoms can include problems with the nervous system, such as blurry vision or feeling dizzy. But these problems are not as common. IS THEREANYTHING I CAN DO ON MY OWN TO FEEL BETTER? Yes. You can: - Drink enough liquids so that your body does not get “dehydrated.” Dehydration is when the body loses too much water. - Eat small meals that do not have a lot of fat in them - Rest, if you feel tired WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR? See your doctor if you: - Have severe belly pain - Cannot eat or drink - Vomit blood or have blood in your bowel movements - Have a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) Young children and older

adults with symptoms should make sure to see their doctor or nurse. That’s because these groups can get dehydrated more easily. DO I NEED TO HAVE TESTS? Many people do not need to have tests. But it’s possible that your doctor will do tests to check if you are dehydrated or to figure out which germ caused your food poisoning. Your doctor might do: - Blood tests - Urine tests - Tests on a sample of your bowel movement HOW IS FOOD POISONING TREATED? Many people do not need any treatment, because their symptoms will get better on their own. But some people need: %Antibiotics – These medicines treat bacterial infections. - Fluids through an “IV” – An IV is a thin tube that goes into your vein. People with a lot of diarrhea or vomiting might need IV fluids to treat or prevent dehydration.

Doctors do not usually recommend that people take anti-diarrhea medicines. That’s because these medicines can make the symptoms last longer. CAN FOOD POISONING BE PREVENTED? You can reduce your chance of getting food poisoning or spreading germs that can cause food poisoning by: - Washing your hands after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, touching animals, or taking out the trash - Staying home from work or school until you feel better (if you are sick) - Paying attention to food safety. Tips include: •Not drinking unpasteurized milk or foods made with it •Washing fruits and vegetables well before eating them •Keeping the refrigerator colder than 40°F (4.4°C) and the freezer below 0°F (-18°C) •Cooking meat and seafood until well done

Dr Zulfikar Bux •Cooking eggs until the yolk is firm •Washing hands, knives, and cutting boards after they touch raw food. Pregnant women and people whose bodies have trouble fighting off infections can do more things to prevent getting food poisoning. If you are pregnant or have trouble fighting off infections, talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent getting food poisoning.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

SUNDAY SPECIAL RAMJATTAN, PATTERSON ‘OUGHT’ NOT TO RE-RUN FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS — AFC’S CONSTITUTION The functions and operations of any organisation, more so a political party is often governed by a Constitution which prescribes how certain activities are to be conducted to ensure the smooth running of the entity. On this basis, Article 19(1) of the Alliance for Change’s constitution has prescribed that “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership.” Further, Article 8 of the same document says that the National Executive Committee shall comprise the following voting members: the leader, the chairman, deputy chairman, general secretary, treasurer, ten members each representing the diaspora in the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean and five persons co-opted by the National Executive from among the members to ensure gender, age, ethnic and regional representation. As one would have noticed, AFC member and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, is a member of the National Executive Committee since he is the leader of the party as well as Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson who is the party’s general secretary. In 2012, both were appointed to their posts following the party’s Third National Conference which was held at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara. The fourth conference was held on December 6, 2014 after which they were re-elected to sit in the same positions. At this juncture, it would mean that both members have served in their posts for two consecutive terms. Based on the constitution it is not encouraged that they run for a third term because it would prevent other members from taking up leadership roles thereby promoting broader activism. When Minister Patterson was contacted concerning the matter he said that it all boils down to how persons wish to interpret the Article. According to him, persons need to pay specific attention to the terminology used. He pointed out that the words “ought to be rotated” does not necessarily bar members of the National Executive Committee from running for a third term.

two new top judges in the judiciary – a Chancellor of the Judiciary and a Chief Justice. On January 14, the Supreme Court of Judicature published a vacancy notice for both positions in Kaieteur News. The current Chancellor (acting) is Carl Singh, who is due to retire next month. The Chief Justice (ag) is Yonnette Cummings-Edwards. She has not been confirmed since being sworn in by the Coalition Government in December 2015. In essence, the Chief Justice is the most senior judge in the High Court. According to the vacancy notice, under the constitution, both positions have to be appointed by the President, after obtaining an agreement from the Leader of the Opposition. “There is a vacancy for the Office of the Chancellor. A vacancy for the office of the Chief Justice shall shortly arise,” the notice said. The Chancellor has long since been considered as head of the judiciary. The persons applying for the positions must be a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court. The candidates must also be qualified for admission as an attorneyat-law in Guyana and has been so qualified for such period as may be prescribed by Parliament. The date for the closing of applications is on January 27th with applications to be sent to the Minister of State, Ministry of the Presidency.

AS KEY THIRD TERM RULING LOOMS…GOVT BEGINS QUEST FOR NEW CHANCELLOR, CHIEF JUSTICE

MONDAY EDITION 20 MONTHS LATER…NO ACTION TAKEN BY GOVT. ON DAMNING OMBUDSMAN REPORTS

As the country gets ready for a possible Court of Appeal ruling for a third presidential term for Bharrat Jagdeo, Government is moving ahead with the process to choose

“The appointment of an Ombudsman is only part of the task. We must ensure that the office is effective.” Those words were spoken by

a national leader and staunch anticorruption advocate. In fact, the former head of the political opposition was one who fought aggressively for the operationalization of the office of the Ombudsman, a constitutional office that was non-functioning for more than seven years. That same man and even members of his team spoke at length about the worrying findings coming from the two damning reports prepared by that office. They said that the reports show injustice, vindictiveness, grave wrongdoing and the financial treachery of the PPP administration. Twenty months later, many are disappointed that the David Granger-led administration has not taken a single action on those two damning reports, which were prepared by Justice Winston Moore, before he passed away September last. Moore was appointed to serve in that office by the Ramotar administration in January 2014. One report deals with the issue of Kaieteur News columnist Freddie Kissoon being wrongfully dismissed from the University of

Sunday January 22, 2017

Guyana. Kissoon was on a contract with the University of Guyana but it was terminated by the tertiary institution in January 18, 2012. This was in spite of the fact that Kissoon’s contract had five months remaining, at the end of which, he would have reached the age of retirement. Rather than the story that he was dismissed, the University had said that it merely ended the contract earlier, eight months before the contract expired. The contract stipulated that it could be terminated and three months’ salary paid in lieu of notice. Kissoon did not hear from the University despite several efforts for a reason for why his contract was terminated prematurely. Following a complaint lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman, UG was notified that the newspaper columnist’s contract being terminated in such a manner breached UG’s regulations. The report on the issue said that he should be compensated. Since the Ombudsman made this pronouncement in January 6, 2015 no action has been by the institution to compensate Kissoon. The Ombudsman had also ruled on another controversial matter relating to the New Building Society (NBS). The Office of the Ombudsman concluded in November 2014 that police wrongfully charged the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and two of his managers of a massive $69M fraud at the New Building Society, in 2006. The explosive document by the public complaint office was based on complaints by Maurice Arjoon, the former CEO. Arjoon, in his complaint, said he and two managers, Kissoon Baldeo, and Kent Vincent, were deliberately and maliciously charged by police for a $69M scam. PARKING METERS PLACED IN FRONT OF SOME SCHOOLS – COMPANY OPEN TO NEGOTIATIONS Smart City Solutions’ parking

meter project is expected to attract further controversy, with the placement of meters in front of some City schools. Already, two meters have been placed along Carmichael Street in front of The Bishops’ High School. A third has been placed in front of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. This means that a teacher who owns a car and works for six hours a day may end up paying as much as $1,200 a day, or $6,000 per week in parking fees. At present, parking fees are $200 an hour. The company’s Public Relations Officer, Kit Nascimento, said that at the moment, no special parking rates are being offered to the parents of students, or their teachers. He added that the company has had talks with private sector entities and government agencies, in order to come up with special packages. He said that no representative of any educational institution, or from the Guyana Teachers’ Union had made contact with the company to discuss having a special rate offered. However, Nascimento said that the company is willing to consider special rates for school districts and is open to negotiating with the relevant stakeholders. The company aims to install 157 parking meters in the city for 3237 parking spaces as part of the first phase of the project. The instruments will be placed along Quamina Street, Charlotte Street, Avenue of the Republic, King Street, Wellington Street, North Road, Hadfield Street, Regent Street, Croal Street, South Road, Robb Street, Camp Street, Church Street, Water Street and Brickdam. There will be a fee of $50 for every parking rotation which lasts for 15 minutes. If persons breach their allotted time, wardens would place a lock on the wheel of the vehicle preventing it from moving. In the event of this, vehicle owners would have to pay an $8000 fine. If this fee (Continued on page 33)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

(From page 32) is not paid, owners risk their vehicle being impounded. Paid parking will be in effect from 07:00hrs to 19:00hrs from Monday to Saturday. Motorists will not have to pay on Sundays or any National holiday. TUESDAY EDITION LITTLE PROGRESS…AG’S LEGAL ADVICE SOUGHT ON EAST BANK LANDS TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS More than five years after huge swaths of prime housing lands on East Bank Demerara were sold under questionable circumstances by the previous administration to private developers, there is little progress being made. The matter is now engaging the attention of the Attorney General’s Chambers with the possibilities being explored whether the lands more than 400 acres - can be repossessed. The disclosures were made by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, during a press conference on the performance of his ministry last year. The decision to sell those lands to a number of developers was made in the last days of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led administration, with most of the deals consummated under former President Donald Ramotar. There was no clear basis what methodology was used to determine the prices per acre-— some developers just paid more than others. However, the developers largely failed to build, with most of them not even completing the initial infrastructural works for drainage and internal roads. The deals had caused anger, especially with questions swirling, particularly in light of the fact that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) had more than

20,000 applications for lands in its database. Bulkan admitted under questioning that there is the issue of significant concern to administration and one that spoke of lethargy, sluggishness and malaise from the developers - it is clear that despite the commitments made, nothing much has been done. He said that the Attorney General Chambers has been asked to explore the possibilities of repossessing the lands, if necessary, if continued engagements with the developers fail to show progress. HEAVY FLOODING THREATENS SHELL BEACH Heavy spring tides and strong winds have caused widespread flooding in Shell Beach, a Region One community. According to Aubrey James, Warden of the protected area, the flooding which started on January 13, was one of worst in years for the area. Shell Beach, located on the Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima-

Waini region, near the Venezuelan border, is a popular nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species and was named as a protected area. Shell Beach extends for approximately 145 km. However, it appears that times are changing and several families who lived in the area, forced in recent years to move elsewhere. According to James, about nine of 40 families had remained in the beach area, helping with conservation work, among other things. “This flooding is one of the worst in years. Families are seriously thinking about moving to safer grounds.” Fortunately, the nesting season is not due to start for several weeks. The turtles are not under threat. “The water has started to recede but the damage has been done,” the warden said. The situation is a nervous one for Annette Arjoon-Martins, who works closely with the conservation efforts and Shell Beach. “We are monitoring the situation and working closely with the regional authorities to assess the dam-

age,” the official said last Monday. Turtles used to be slaughtered for their meat and eggs but are now part of a non-governmental conservation programme called the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS), founded by Dr. Peter Pritchard and Romeo De Freitas. WEDNESDAY EDITION QUESTIONS RAISED OVER NEW COMPANY THAT REPLACES WARTSILA There are very little details about a new company that is supposed to manage the Wartsila power engines now that the contract with the previous operator has ended. According to official records at the registry, the Power Producers and Distribution Inc. (PPDI) was formed last month but has two officials-—one director and one secretary. The director is Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Balraj Balram. The Secretary and incorporator is attorneyat-law Ronald Burch-Smith.

On January 1, 2017, PPDI took over the operations of Wartsila, a Finnish company that has been here for two decades and which has, over time, been maintaining almost 20 engines for the State-owned Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL). Those engines produce a major part of the power that GPL uses along the coastland. The Coalition government, one year after taking power, last year, announced that it will not renew Wartsila’s maintenance contract. Rather, a private company would be established that would take over the almost 100 employees that Wartsila had. It will also manage the engines. It was the thinking of government and GPL that Wartsila was being paid too much. Wartsila has not altogether left. It has a contract to manage a power production operation at the Skeldon Energy Inc., at the Skeldon estate, East Berbice. Wartsila has also reportedly been retained to supply parts and few other services to GPL and PPDI. There were very little details what PPDI would do as at January 1. Its staffers have not met any representatives from a board of directors. The management has remained largely the same. As a matter of fact, on paper, there is no evidence that one exists. GPL would be paying hundreds of millions annually to PPDI for the management of the engines. According to official documents filed at the registry, on December 14, attorney-at-law Mark Waldron was engaged in the formation of PPDI, which has its offices at Wight’s Lane, the same offices as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, where the Permanent Secretary is based. Waldron declared that the company had complied with regulations. GRANGER SHOWS TWOFACED STANCE ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION –RAMOTAR Former President Donald Ramotar believes that his successor, President David Granger, has not taken a sincere stance when it comes to fighting corruption in Guyana. In an interview with Kaieteur News, the PPP Executive Member (Continued on page 34)

PAGE 34

(From page 33) said that Granger was quite aggressive in the case of the forensic audits which implicated officials of the past. But the flipside to that picture, he said, sees the President being less than enthusiastic about stamping out corruption in his own camp. Ramotar said that he has also seen reluctance on the part of the Head of State to hold his own officials accountable for failing to address corruption in all its forms in a swift manner. ”When you walk the streets, there is the perception out there that corruption itself has taken over the government already. Surely Granger must be seeing what the Guyanese people are seeing when it comes to his own issues. I would not venture into all their corruption scandals but there is still great suspicion surrounding the controversial bond deal and the mysterious trip Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made to China,” Ramotar said. The former President continued, “Moving George Norton from the Ministry of Public Health to Social Cohesion does not change what he did with the controversial bond deal. It is a travesty and it must be rescinded. ”In the case of the Harmon trip, the nation is yet to see the documents which he brought back from his trip. Questions remain unanswered. Granger has not been as stern as he should have been on these two issues to say the least. Both cases only show that there seems to be a lack of any enthusiasm in going after corruption in his government.” The politician added, “Significant, too, is that in the face of all this, Granger still wants the nation to believe that he is wholeheartedly interested in taking down corruption. If you want to be convincing then you cannot be indifferent; you cannot be afraid to ‘crack the whip’ when your own are faced with allegations of corruption.” Ramotar opined that in Granger’s ambition to be the “Champion of anti-corruption”, he must pursue the fight ahead without fear or favour for anyone. THURSDAY EDITION OPPOSITION AGREES TO

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

MEET AG ON GECOM CHAIRPERSON IMPASSE The Opposition has agreed to meet with Attorney General Basil Williams, to learn more about the administration’s interpretation of the Constitution when it comes to the selection process for a chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). A statement from the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, last Wednesday, indicated that his office has received a letter from President David Granger “which does not provide the clarifications that the President promised”. The administration and the Opposition are at odds over the selection of new chairperson following the announced resignation of Dr. Steve Surujbally, effective November 30, 2016. A list of six persons sent to President Granger last month has been rejected, with the Head of State making it clear that the names did not meet the requirements of the Constitution. The Opposition disagreed. Jagdeo’s office explained that on January 5th, he received a letter from President Granger, informing him that the list of nominees which the Leader of the Opposition had submitted to the President for the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM was “unacceptable within the meaning of the Constitution”. In that letter, the President requested “a new list of persons who are not unacceptable”. ”As a result, by letter dated 10th January, 2017, the Leader of the Opposition wrote to the President requesting certain clarifications on the President’s interpretation of Article 161(2) of the Constitution and a meeting to discuss the matter. This request became of even greater importance because of certain interpretations which the President placed upon Article 161(2) when he spoke to the media at a State House function.” On January 11th, while speaking to the media again, the President indicated that the “legal clarifications”, which the Leader of the Opposition has requested will be provided. “Instead, the President pro-

posed that a meeting be held between Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams and a person of the Leader of the Opposition’s choice “in order to avoid further misinterpretation or misunderstanding of this important constitutional matter,” the statement from the Opposition Leader said. WAY PAVED FOR ED AHMAD SENTENCING …AS FORMER SENATOR HE SECRETLY RECORDED FOR FBI GETS 5 YEARS A former New York senator, who has roots in Guyana, was last Wednesday jailed for five years, in a case that implicated politicians and powerful businessmen. The sentencing now paves the way for prominent Guyana-born businessman, Ed Ahmad, to be sentenced on real estate fraud charges. John Sampson will spend five years in prison for lying and obstructing justice to cover up his misuse of escrow money as a private lawyer. Brooklyn U.S. District Judge, Dora Irizarry, also imposed a US$75,000 fine on the former Democratic leader from Canarsie, whose 2015 conviction was one in a string of corruption cases that have rocked Albany, New York, according to a Newsday report Wednesday.

Sampson, 51, had allegedly misused US$440,000 held in escrow to help finance a political campaign for District Attorney in Brooklyn, then did favours for Ahmad, who gave him US$188,000 to help cover up the misuse of funds. He was not convicted of those charges, but was convicted of lying to the FBI and recruiting a childhood friend, Sam Noel, who worked for the Brooklyn US Attorney’s office, as a mole to keep track of an investigation of Ahmad, whom he feared might become an informant. The ex-legislator said his greatest regret was ruining the career of Noel, who was his buddy growing up in a rough Brooklyn neighbourhood and struggling to succeed, and expressed remorse. “My parents raised me better than this,” he told Judge Irizarry. “They did not sacrifice for me to be in this predicament. I apologize for my actions, but most of all I apologize for not respecting others.” PRADOVILLE TWO AND GUYANA CWC INC ISSUES… AG PROVIDES NO CLARITY ON SELECTION PROCESS FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTORS Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams is yet to provide clarity on the selection process for the special prosecutors chosen to ensure the effective and efficient prosecution of criminal charges into the Sparendaam Housing Project known as Pradoville Two, and the operations of Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc. During an interview with this newspaper, Williams was asked to respond to concerns regarding the selection process for the prosecutors, their retainer fees, and how these were arrived at. These complaints, among others, were raised specifically by former AG, Anil Nandlall. Williams however stated that he does not take Nandlall seriously and in any case, he could not answer the questions as he was in a meeting. He said that this publication could make contact with him later Wednesday. But all further calls proved fu-

tile. In the meantime, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said he was not aware of the selection process or if there was one to begin with. As for Nandlall’s concerns, Ramjattan said, “He could haul he ass. Every time you do something is ‘money for the boys’. Leh they haul they ass, man. It is bulls**t. Nothing but bulls**t.” Only recently, Nandlall, told media operatives at the PPP/C’s Headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown that lawyers who will be or have been hired as Special Prosecutors, are operating out of Government Ministers’ “former” firms. “One operates out of Minister (of State) Joseph Harmon’s former Law Office, two are operating out of Minister (of Legal Affairs and Attorney General) Basil Williams’ former Law Office and another was a candidate on the APNU/AFC 2015 General Elections’ List of Candidates and was the Returning Officer at Congress Place for PNC’s Internal Elections at their Congress last August,” Nandlall reported. “This is yet another political witch-hunt that is contaminated with cronyism, nepotism and money for the boys.” Nandlall did not disclose the identities of these lawyers. However, on January 7, 2017, the state-owned Guyana Chronicle reported that Cabinet had approved the appointment of six attorneys to serve as “special prosecutors on several cases – including but not limited to – the range of forensic audits conducted by the administration when it came into power in May 2015.” FRIDAY EDITION ‘IT’S NOT AMAILA OR DEATH!’ – PRES. GRANGER …GOVT. LOOKING TO PURSUE GREEN ENERGY; AIMING AT ‘SATISFACTORY MIX’ President David Granger posits that Guyana’s hope at becoming a ‘Green State’ does not solely depend on the Amaila Hydropower project. According to the President “it is not (Continued on page 35)

Sunday January 22, 2017

(From page 34) Amaila or death.” Granger made his position known during the recent televised programme The Public Interest. The Head of State was asked to comment on a recommendation made in the final report of the future of the Amaila project done by Norconsult AS of Norway. The report had recommended that government should take a second look at the Hydropower project which was intended to produce 165 megawatts of power. The President said that his government has examined the project from every point of view and has realised that there are other forms of generating sustainable energy instead of depending on one single project. ”All we’re asking is that Norway should look at a menu of measures for generating green energy, and I think we can reach an agreement. So it is not Amaila or death, it is green energy, and we feel that we have been able to put a satisfactory mix to the government of the Kingdom of Norway.” According to Granger, Guyana can have several projects because there are about 100 hydropower sites on which hydroelectricity can be generated. “Rather than depend on Amaila we can focus on half a dozen sites. Amaila is very expensive and I don’t think that the expectation that we bring down the cost of electricity would be fulfilled.” In addition to hydroelectricity, the Head of State said that there are other forms of renewable energy in a number of places which can be exploited. “You know, places like the Rupununi and the Berbice Savannahs, these are huge grasslands with very high levels of sunlight, we are looking at wind along the coast, and we feel that these other forms of energy should be put into the mix, and this is the advice which we have given to Norway.” He added that the carbon credits which were generated under the agreement with Norway and Guyana should not be pinned down for a single project. Granger was then asked if he believes that having a reliable source of sustainable energy would help to boost investment. He said that this is a definite outcome. DRUG CONVICT BARRY DATARAM GETS 3 MORE YEARS…FOR ILLEGALAMMO – WIFE FREED OF CHARGE Having been found guilty of possession of illegal ammunition resulted in an additional three years being added to the sentence of drug convict, Barry Dataram, last Thursday, when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Dataram was also fined $60,000. Dataram’s reputed wife, 21-yearold Anjanie Boodnarine of 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, was freed of the

Kaieteur News

charge. Dataram’s sentence will run concurrently with his 60-month sentence for possession of narcotics. The couple was charged earlier this year for having 180 rounds of .223 ammunition in their possession on April 16, at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block ‘X’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara, when they were not holders of firearm licences. They had both pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them on a previous occasion. ANSA MCAL PULLS PLUG ON SOCA MONARCH COMPETITION After 10 years of facilitating the Mash Carib Soca Monarch Competition, ANSA McAl has withdrawn its sponsorship of the competition. This was recently revealed at a press conference which was held at the Ministry of Education’s Culture Department on Main Street. There, Coordinator for Mashramani Lennox Canterbury revealed that there will be no Soca Monarch competition this year. He explained that the beverage company, while it does not reject the idea of the beloved soca monarch contest, will now have a different focus, and will be sponsoring three major music events sometime later this year. Kaieteur Entertainment understands that the company has spent more than $100M, over a 10-year period, in the soca contest. Musicians closely associated with the production of the competition noted that while the venture would have been a worthwhile one for Guyana’s singers, it is their understanding that financially, it has not been the same for the company. Additionally, there are criticisms to the effect that after 10 years, the music for the competition was not progressing in quality of lyrics or sound. The number of Guyanese who turn out to support the event over the years has also seen a decline SATURDAY EDITION OMAR SHARIFF SACKED Government has terminated the services of Omar Shariff, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of the Presidency, who is under investiga-

tion for suspected money laundering. The news came one day after Shariff, who was sent on leave since June, appeared in a city magistrate’s court to face a charge relating to his alleged refusal to cooperate with investigators. With regards to Shariff’s termination, the ministry disclosed that it took effect as of December 31, 2016. “Abena Moore has been appointed to the position of substantive Permanent Secretary as of January 3, 2017.” On June 30, 2016, Shariff was

PAGE 35

sent on leave by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, pending an investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force. Shariff has been part of an investigation where over $500M could not be accounted for in payment to the Public Service Ministry. Investigators found several large sums passing through bank accounts and launched a separate probe. The matter saw the Guyana Revenue Authority also becoming involved, as Shariff and his legal team insisted that the monies were from sales of phone credits. It amounted to billions of dollars passing through his accounts. At worst, the issue was one where taxes were not fully paid and not one of money laundering, the PS had insisted. Since being sent on leave last June, SOCU had been busy looking into the affairs of Shariff and his wife, Sabeita Hardeo. In October, Chief Justice (acting), Yonette Cummings-Edwards, granted a production order, which compels individuals or organizations to produce information to help assist in an investigation. The order was for both the former PS and his wife. The two apparently did not comply, despite being reminded and written to by

SOCU to provide requested information. A charge - Failing to Comply with a Production Order - under the AntiMoney Laundering Act, was filed. Last Thursday, the two appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was not read after uncertainty whether the matter could be handled there, as the Production Order had been granted by the High Court. Charges under the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act have not been very prevalent. The matter has since been cleared up and Shariff and his wife are expected to appear Monday afternoon in the same magistrate’s court to answer the charge. FATE OF PERMANENT SECRETARY HANGS IN BALANCE …AS PRESIDENT STUDIES HEALTH MINISTRYINQUIRY REPORT President David Granger is currently studying a damning report that has recommended the removal of Trevor Thomas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, for failing to effectively carrying out his job. The Board of Inquiry report, conducted by Assistant (Continued on page 36)

PAGE 36

(From page 35) Commissioner of Police (Ret’d), Winston Cosbert, made its way into the public domain earlier this month without the administration having a chance to pronounce on the recommendations. Thomas has been very much on the job, and has been seen making official visits and in photos released by the state media. Questioned on Thursday about the Permanent Secretary’s future, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman disclosed that the inquiry report is currently being considered by the President and based on the recommendations and findings, the Head of State will “act accordingly, in due course” on the matter. Trotman was at the time hosting the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. The report, probing the leaking of information and the procurement of drugs at the Ministry of Public Health, found worrying instances of collusion with suppliers last year. Based on the three weeks of investigation, it was recommended that Thomas be removed for failing to effectively carry out his duty. He was also accused of being willfully evasive and deceptive during his testimony to the Board of Inquiry. It is not the first time that the Health Ministry has been under scrutiny for contracts. With billions of dollars annually allocated to the ministry to buy pharmaceuticals for its health centres and hospitals countrywide, state audits under the administrations

Kaieteur News

of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had found serious procurement flaws. The Coalition administration, which came to power in May 2015, had vowed to level the playing field for pharmaceutical suppliers and implement systems to ensure transparency. But it appeared that wrongdoing at the Health Ministry was continuing. Procurement and management processes by which the ministry awards contracts for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, services and supplies were not adhered to in many cases, the report indicated. In some cases, companies were awarded contracts for products which they were not authorized to distribute in the first place. It appeared the ministry paid little attention to this. There were incidents of unauthorized disclosure of information in a specific case. According to the report, leaking of internal information to suppliers appeared to be normal practice in the Ministry. This had led to the dismissal of former Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan and Prakash Sookdeo, former Head of the Procurement Department. The report by Cosbert noted that while procurement laws have mechanisms, the ministry has nothing in place to identify authorized disclosure of price-sensitive information (leaking info to suppliers). It was found that staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) were untrained and unqualified to fill the job requirements. The PS and his deputy were not effectively

supervising the Procurement Department. While under regulations, Collette Adams, the Deputy PS was in charge of procurement for the ministry, this duty was usurped by Thomas. Thomas testified that on October 4th, he signed a contract with New GPC, for the supply of pharmaceutical and medical items totaling $554M. New GPC was supposed to be paid an advance of 30 percent. However, the ministry instead of paying $166M, paid 50 percent of the amount ($277M). This was a difference of $111M. The report stated that to cover up the matter, Thomas signed adjustment documents without informing other officials, like the then Minister, Dr. George Norton. Among other things, it was recommended that the Deputy PS should also be censored for authorizing the 50 percent advance to New GPC without properly checking the contract. Her excuse was unsatisfactory, the report said, and disciplinary action should be taken. The report recommended that the contract for Finance Manager Sandra Singh not be renewed, and that the present staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) be

transferred or alternatively be trained in the area of procurement. During the three weeks of hearings at the Department of Public Service, Waterloo Street, some 34 witnesses including the former Minister of Public Health, Dr. Norton; staffers of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, the Director of Food and Drugs Department, Marlan Cole; Auditor General, Deodat Sharma and other suppliers were called to testify. ESTRANGED LOVER DISGUISES AS FEMALE, DOUSES WOMAN WITH ACID Months after ending an abusive relationship, a 26year-old woman is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after being doused with a corrosive substance on Thursday evening. Shondel Williamson of New Street, New Amsterdam, a mother of two boys - aged six and three - is said to be in a stable but critical condition. According to police officials, the woman suffered first degree burns to her face, hands and abdomen. She is also unable to open her left eye, and it is unclear if the eye was damaged.

Sunday January 22, 2017

A close relative told Kaieteur News that at around 8pm on Thursday, the woman was returning home and noticed a man clad in women’s clothing coming towards her direction. As he approached, she recognised the person as her abusive ‘child father’, 34year-old Alfred DeYounge called “Not ah Bai”. The relative related that the man carried a white bowl with a liquid substance which he threw on the victim and quickly made his escape in an awaiting car. Sources relayed that the woman told her relatives that her child father was speaking to her via telephone a few minutes before the incident occurred, during which time he requested to speak to his children. The woman was, however, under the impression that the man was at his home in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and not in Berbice. She was immediately rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was given a bath before she was treated for the burns. The relative recounted in tears that the woman broke off their 8-year on-and-off relationship just two months ago after becoming fearful for her life due her reputed husband’s frequent abuse.

“The relationship they shared was violent and on many occasions she reported it to the station and sometimes she didn’t. Why she finally decided to call it quits is because he choked her until she froth from the mouth and she blacked out. And he did this in front of the kids. Like he didn’t care what happened. And she said ‘enough is enough’”. Kaieteur News was told that the man had threatened the mother of two countless times but no action was taken. “He told her nuff time that if I can’t have you, no other man can. And now he do it so no other man ain’t gonna want she. She was scared. Always living scared cause she didn’t know if he was gonna kill her or what.” The relative said that “Shondel life change forever. She will never be the same again. All we saying is why he didn’t leave her alone and just go tek another lady. Why he had to do her this. He didn’t even think about the kids and how this will affect them.” Police are hunting for the suspect who has since been on the run. Investigations are ongoing.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Power players and scary... From page 38 oblivion. That's a far-fetched scenario, so we should hope, but one wonders, with all the seemingly power-drunk leaders, bigots, racists, and Machiavellis amongst us in positions of social dominance if something not too dissimilar, even without divine intervention, could happen? Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking seems to think so, although he gives it another couple of hundred to a thousand years during which time, he says, we should establish self-sustaining colonies in space. He declared, "We face a number of threats to our survival, from nuclear war, catastrophic global warming, and genetically-engineered viruses. The number is likely to increase in the future, with the development of new technologies, and new ways that things can go wrong. Although the chance of a disaster to Planet Earth in a given year may be quite low, it adds up over time. We have spread out into space and to other stars, so a disaster on Earth would not mean the end of the human race..." Thanks for the

optimism! American author Tony Schwartz has a somewhat different perspective, and guess whom it is centred on? Yep, he's the man who co-authored 'The Art of the Deal' that helped make Donald Trump a household name. This is what he said recently. "I put lipstick on a pig. I feel a deep sense of remorse that I contributed to presenting Trump in a way that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing than he is. I genuinely believe that if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes, there is an excellent possibility that it will lead to the end of civilization" Much of my sincere rambling with respect to power may be dismissed as speculation and fearful imagination. Life will go on as Earth continues spinning on her wobbly, perennial axis for thousands or millions of years. Mankind may enter an age of moral and spiritual reawakening; medical science could wipe out disease and forestall death. Donald Trump may turn out to be America's saviour president! And we Guyanese may finally

validate our country's national motto - things that make you go "Yeah, right!" In the end, the various forms of apparent power could in fact be just one universal phenomenon - something like the Star Wars 'force' that envelops everyone and everything, which can be harnessed for good or evil, having both a light and a dark side - the duality that we see all around us. Scientists are finding out some amazing things about energy/power and the material universe which appear to show the latter as being subordinate to the former. So when Guyanese politicians argue over a building, or the possibility of the opposition leader becoming a third-term president; or Americans cringe at the thought of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in a tête-à-tête; or the world watches Kim Jong Un and that 10,000 km-range missile, or a thousand such possibilities, they should remember both the fearfulness and the fragility of power assumed by us humans. It needn't spell doom - unless allowed to.

Hillary and our partisan... From page 44 of those who thought the status quo could never be shaken to its core. Wall Street and Capitol Hill will never be the same again. A rude awakening is upon us. The world has changed. The countries which band together and do things differently, away from what we believe are text-book strokes, will be the ones to survive. For me personally, we can no longer allow our politicians to divide us with meaningless talk. All hands are needed on deck to ensure we don't waste a single day to

make Guyana great. The work should start now. When 2020 comes, we have to be like Hillary and ensure that we put country first. I sometimes wish we could have more persons like former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica. In 2005, Mujica married Lucía Topolansky. They have no children and live on an austere farm in the outskirts of Montevideo where they cultivate chrysanthemums for

sale, having declined to live in the opulent presidential palace or use its staff. There the former president drove a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle, and was described as one of the world's poorest ones... he reportedly donated around 90 percent of his $12,000 monthly salary to charities that benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs. We need more Jose Mujicas.

PAGE 45

PAGE 46

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Guyana’s emerging oil sector…

Training, independent regulatory body critical Rob Strong, President of Canadian-based Consultancy firm, Rob Strong and Associates, was in Guyana last week assisting the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) with the planning and execution of a public lecture series which is expected to commence sometime in March of this year. His trip to Guyana comes several months after his first visit last year which entailed a period of exchanges relating to the establishment of the GOGA. Back then, he came as an expert and adviser. Kaieteur News caught up with Strong at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, where he shared some insights drawing from his almost four decades of experience in the oil and gas industry. The consultant said that there is a lot of optimism emanating from oil companies when ExxonMobil announced the presence of

high quality oil at its Liza-2 well in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Strong said that a new wave of excitement was triggered on January 12, 2017, when the US Company made another announcement of positive results from its Payara-1 well, also located in the Stabroek Block. Exxon had stated that in addition to the Payara discovery, appraisal drilling at Liza-3 has identified an additional high quality, deeper reservoir directly below the Liza field, which is estimated to contain between 100-150 million oil equivalent barrels. The Consultant labelled Guyana as the “new frontier” which is garnering a lot of attention, as is evident in the many trade-oriented articles being published every day, both in the print and online media. He was asked specifically about his views with regards to Guyana’s preparation stage and what was required at this juncture,

to ‘get our house in order’. “What you guys need, amongst others things, is a clear seat of guidelines. You know, to say what the regulations are, what the expectations are, and what the realities are,” FAST TRACK EDUCATIONAND TRAINING Strong also emphasised the importance and the dire need to fast track enhanced education and training. “You’re not going on a rig either Exxon or Hess or Nexen or any oil company where safety is number one, unless you’re properly trained. Whether it’s a wielder, pipefitter, or even a catering position. So the onus is on the government and the people. This is your oil not Exxon’s however, your Government cannot go to Exxon and say hire 20 persons unless they’re properly trained,” He pointed out that Newfoundland, Canada – his

- Consultant homeland, some 40 years ago, was at the stage where Guyana is right now when oil was discovered there. “We went through the same thing in Newfoundland forty years ago when I started. We thought that hey, we’re Newfoundlanders, we’re gonna get jobs on the rigs – well sorry! We had to be trained. Training is critical! Exxon, in my estimation, will be producing 100,000 barrels of oil a day. It’s a high risk; you got to be properly trained. “ Strong emphasised. INDEPENDENT REGULATORY BODY Strong also stressed the importance of an independent regulatory body which is free from political interference. “You can’t have the politicians monitoring this body. I’m very encouraged to

hear that Guyana is moving very quickly in this regard,” “I have heard that Guyana is modelling its regulatory body around the NPD – Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, and I’ve been to Norway 30, 40 times in the past two decades, and if you want to see a country that does it right – it’s Norway.” Strong said that it is customary that when people hear about offshore drilling, oil spills come come to mind. “But it can be done right, and Norway of all oilproducing areas that I know of, has done it right. They have a strong and a forceful regulatory body. They do it right because they care about their environment. Even if you walk up several streets you will notice that they are clean. People actually care about their environment .You don’t get these spills in Norway and if you do, heads roll. It comes down to a strong

regulatory body. The Guyana Government should look at Norway,” Strong said in conclusion. In November last year, Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, leader of Nigeria’s Ogale people sued Royal Dutch Shell in a London Court for what the leader described as “decades of oil spills”. Okpabi reportedly unpacked four bottles of water from his homeland and lined them up on a table to show why his subjects are suing the company. Reports emanating from Africa and several parts of the United Kingdom (UK), state that the Nigerian water is contaminated with oil and cancer-causing compounds such as benzene. Lawyers for more than 40,000 Nigerians took their fight to Shell’s home base because they claim that the Nigerian courts are too corrupt.

Using ethanol to mitigate State’s fuel costs could kill rum industry The Board of Directors and the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) appeared on Friday before the National Assembly’s Economic Services Committee (ESC), to deliver an oral presentation on the state of corporation and the industry. During the presentation, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Errol Hanoman, spoke about the diversification of the industry stamping out the once heavily touted production of ethanol as a means of mitigating the State’s fuel costs. Back in 2013, the then Minister of Agriculture under the former regime – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) - Leslie Ramsammy had stated that government was considering legislation to facilitate this initiative. Little is being said of this initiative now, despite the mammoth attention it received in 2013, including the negotiations between the State and 14 groups – inclusive of foreign entities –

- GuySuCo’s CEO with the aim of inking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It was envisaged that the ethanol would be mixed with regular fuel. Hanoman said that this would kill the local rum industry which remains heavily dependent on molasses provided by GuySuCo. The CEO was at the time listing several measures that were suggested in the past to rescue the ailing sugar industry. The conversion of molasses to ethanol was part of that list which was deemed as uncompetitive based on a study, the CEO explained. Meanwhile, Hanoman revealed some statistics with regard to the Corporation’s performance during the last few years. He stated that the company would have lost some $17.5B in 2014; $18.1B in 2015; and 12.1B in 2016. Stressing that if GuySuCo is not restructured immediately, the corporation is expected to lose $13.7B this

GuySuCo CEO, Errol Hanoman year. “Of even greater concern, if there can be greater concern given those large losses, is the question of subsidies. In 2012, there were some subsides of $4B; $4B in 2013; $6B in 2014; $12B in 2015; $11B in 2016 and if there are no changes in the shape or form of GuySuCo, we’re looking at some $18.6B in 2017. These massive plugs, the CEO added, do not take into consideration the servicing of debts. “GuySuCo’s status quo cannot remain. Changes must take place in the interest of the employees of GuySuCo and the interest of the economy. While we argue that funds are needed to keep sugar operational, at this point in time, the way sugar is structured; it’s probably better applied producing more profitable products. Time is of the essence, and decisions are urgently needed,” Hanoman stressed.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 47

PAGE 48

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Shipping company sails confidently in highly... From page 22 provide this kind of service play an important part in keeping the wheels of business turning in most economies.” In this regard, Gaskin

pointed out that it is one of those critical services on which businesses rely and millions of packages and parcels are collected and delivered every day around the

world by courier companies. Gaskin stated that good logistics is the key to being able to provide these services. He said that one cannot last in this type of business un-

less you have top notch systems in place to handle the volume of transactions that are demanded globally. Like most industries in most economies, the Business

Minister said that the shipping industry is driven by consumption or consumerism and this particular business DHL Express or Guywillship is no different.

He noted that the government supports local enterprise because it recognizes the value of investments and the employment opportunities that businesses create and the taxes that businesses pay. “As a government therefore we have no desire to see businesses fail in Guyana and we have every reason to want our businesses to succeed and this is why we support business growth and development and why we are interested in seeing new investments take place,” Gaskin stated. He continued, “But we are also cognizant of the realities of our economy, and we understand that the biggest factor in whether or not businesses are successful is the state of the local economy, and in particular, the amount of money circulating in our local economy.” The Business Minister added, “I have been hearing since I came into office about twenty months ago that money is not circulating in our economy and that people are not spending the way they used to. I have no reason to disbelieve this, because when we examine the few industries that bring money into our economy, we realize that they are not doing as well as they ought to.” While this is mostly due to lower prices on international markets, the politician said that it still affects citizens here and all would need to take action to reduce the vulnerability to fluctuating global market prices for commodities. “And one of the things that we need to do is to start producing more and start exporting more so that more money comes into our economy and more money stays in our economy,” the Business Minister asserted. In that way, Gaskin said that there will be more money circulating and being spent locally and therefore more local businesses making bigger profits and hiring more people and reinvesting those profits in expansion projects. He added, “And of course paying more taxes and VAT so that our government can provide better services and we can all enjoy better living conditions.” In addition to congratulating the owners of the business on the opening of its new premises, Gaskin left one simple message for them to ponder. “In today's consumer world let us be more conscious of what we consume and let us be more aware of what we produce right here in Guyana and let us consume more of what WE produce, so our Guyanese producers can develop and grow and one day become world leaders just like DHL.”

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 49

Kaieteur News

Bauxite Union’s response to RUSAL on workers’ welfare imminent The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) is expected to respond to a proposal which it had received from the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated, controlled by the Russian Aluminium Company (RUSAL). General Secretary of the union, Lincoln Lewis, told this publication that the proposal is currently being deliberated on by a team which has been put together to address it. Lewis said that he presumes by Wednesday, January 25, the company will be in receipt of an answer. The General Secretary said that he is a member of the team which is going through the document and that it is currently on his desk. He added that at this point in time, this is the only update which can be provided by anyone involved in the matter. The last move by RUSAL as it relates to its workers’ interests being represented was its announcement last November that it intends to establish a “Workers’ Social

GB&GWU General-Secretary, Lincoln Lewis Welfare Committee” from among the non-management workforce. According to the GB&GWU, who received a memo of the company’s announcement, the ‘Welfare Committee’ is expected to address workers’ socioeconomic issues and serve as the avenue through which workers can relay information to the management of BCGI. According to the GB&GWU, the missive from the Russian management of

BCGI went as far as determining the exact numbers that will comprise the Welfare Committee and instructs that its ‘terms of reference and mode of operations will be made known to all employees’, evidently without any prior consultation on the mentioned terms of reference. Based on the union’s examination of the situation, the Committee was intended to completely isolate the workers from their chosen trade union, which is the GB&GWU. The union had called on the RUSAL workers to unanimously reject the development, describing it as an insidious control mechanism. This move came a day after BCGI/RUSAL had refused to attend a meeting which was organised by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour to discuss with both parties, outstanding labourrelated matters. Minister within the Ministry Keith Scott had

viewed the company’s absence with great concern and found it to be very disrespectful. The company along with ministry officials had met in August of last year to discuss over 30 grievances which workers expressed to ministry representatives when they visited the company’s mining sites. Additionally, in that same month the GB&GWU had condemned the government for meeting with the bauxite company in the absence of complying with the 2012 High Court decision to reissue letters for the start of arbitration.

The Union had said that the move by government signalled the state’s complicity with a foreign management to disrespect the nation’s judiciary and rights of Guyanese labour. The

company was also reprimanded for hiring employees on a written contract which stood to rob the country’s treasury of national insurance and income tax deductions.

PAGE 50

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

Time to put TB on a diet Although the mortality rate has dropped by 47% since 1990 due to advances in preventive and treatment options, the tuberculosis bacillus is growing increasingly resistant to antibiotics. For this reason, biochemists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, are attempting to identify the mechanisms that enable the bacterium to reproduce, spread and survive in latent form in our macrophages. The scientists have discovered that the bacterium has the ability to “reprogramme” the cell it infects so that it can feed on its lipids. The UNIGE research results, which are published in the PLOS Pathogens journal, will pave the way for new treatment opportunities based on starving and weakening the bacterium. Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air via droplets of saliva. Although treatments exist for tuberculosis, new antibiotic-resistant strains are preventing TB from being eradicated. The goal is to find new ways to tackle the disease, which requires a thorough understanding of how the bacterium, known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, behaves once it takes hold of the macrophages in our lungs. The

team headed by Thierry Soldati, Professor at the Biochemistry department in UNIGE’s Science faculty, has been working on a model system that acts like the macrophages in our immune system: the social amoeba Dictyostelium, a unicellular microorganism. “We infected the amoebae with the Mycobacterium marinum bacterium, which induces tuberculosis in fish,” explains Caroline Barisch, a researcher at UNIGE and the study’s first author. “The pathogen behaves in the same manner as the TB bacillus, which means that we were able to use our simple and ethically responsible system to undertake experiments that could not be carried out directly on humans.” Scientists had previously recognised that for the bacterium to survive, replicate and spread, it needed to consume the lipids that exist in the form of droplets in macrophages. Without this source of food, the bacillus cannot survive latently and wait for a weakness in the immune system in order to develop. It is well worth remembering that 30% of the world’s population is infected by a dormant form of the TB bacillus. The UNIGE biochemists observed the infection in vitro, analysing each stage of

the process whereby the bacterium feeds on the lipids of its host. As Thierry Soldati explains: «We subsequently discovered that the mycobacterium can “reprogramm” the infected cell so that it diverts and attracts all the amoeba’s fat reserves -not just the lipid droplets but also the membranes - so that it can feed on them.» The researchers suppressed the lipid droplets of the host cells, the bacterium’s preferred food source, and found that the bacterium has a back-up plan that allows it to compensate for this shortage by drawing on the lipids within the host’s membranes. This shows that this lipid diet is most likely crucial for the survival of the bacterium. “We now know that the bacillus is extremely ‘addicted’ to this high-fat food,” continues Caroline Barisch. “Our current aim is to find a way to starve the bacillus by depriving it of access to the fat stores in our macrophages. The goal will be to target the enzymes of the bacillus and render them incapable of absorbing lipids.” It is a discovery that opens the door to the prospect of new forms of treatment for neutralising the strains that are resistant to antibiotics. http:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/ releases/315374.php.

Millions of people with metabolic syndrome may need more vitamin E New research has shown that people with metabolic syndrome need significantly more vitamin E - which could be a serious public health concern, in light of the millions of people who have this condition that’s often related to obesity. A study just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also made it clear that conventional tests to measure vitamin E levels in the blood may have limited accuracy compared to tests made in research laboratories, to the point that conventional tests can actually mask an underlying problem. Vitamin E - one of the more difficult micronutrients to obtain by dietary means - is an antioxidant important for cell protection. It also affects gene expression, immune function, aids in repair of wounds and the damage of atherosclerosis, is important for vision and neurologic function, and largely prevents fat from going rancid. Nutrition surveys have estimated that 92 percent of men and 96 percent of women in the United States fail to get an adequate daily intake of

vitamin E in their diet. It is found at high levels in almonds, wheat germ, various seeds and oils, and at much lower levels in some vegetables and salad greens, such as spinach and kale. This study was done by researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and the Human Nutrition Program at The Ohio State University, as a double-blind, crossover clinical trial focusing on vitamin E levels in people with metabolic syndrome. It was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Dairy Council and DSM Nutrition. “The research showed that people with metabolic syndrome need about 30-50 percent more vitamin E than those who are generally healthy,” said Maret Traber, a professor in the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences, and Ava Helen Pauling Professor in the Linus Pauling Institute. “In previous work we showed that people with metabolic syndrome had lower bioavailability of vitamin E. Our current work uses a novel approach to measure

how much vitamin E the body needs. This study clearly demonstrates that people with metabolic syndrome need a higher intake of this vitamin.” More than 30 percent of the American public are obese, and more than 25 percent of the adults in the United States meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, putting them at significantly increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes - primary causes of death in the developed world. That syndrome is defined by diagnosis of three or more of several conditions, including abdominal obesity, elevated lipids, high blood pressure, pro-inflammatory state, a pro-thrombotic state and insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance. This research, for the first time, also clearly outlined a flaw with conventional approaches to measuring vitamin E. By “labeling” vitamin E with deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen, scientists were able to measure the amount of the micronutrient that was eliminated by the body, compared to the intake.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 51

Prune Juice: Health Benefits and Nutritional Information Prune juice is commonly used to ease constipation, but the benefits do not stop there. Prune juice has a wide array of health benefits. It is a common misconception that a prune is its own specific fruit. A prune is the dried version of any type of plum. There are many different types of plums, ranging in color, texture, and taste. They all come from the Prunus family, however, and this is where the name prune comes from. Relatives of the plum include nectarines, peaches, and almonds. Drinking prune juice is one way of consuming these fruits. Any dried plum may be considered a prune, but the term usually applies to the dried version of the European plum (Prunus domestica), which is commonly found in stores. Other variations of plums include the Prunus salicina and Prunus Americana. These three types of plums contribute to most of the prune production in the world. They are all freestone plums, meaning that the pit within the fruit comes out easily. This makes drying and storage simple, and ensures the prune stays as whole as possible throughout the entire process. Prunes have been used in traditional medicines for centuries. Folk remedies often used prunes as a key ingredient for conditions, such as high blood pressure, jaundice,

fever, diabetes, digestion, and constipation . A study posted to the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research looked at the wide range of compounds in prunes and discovered some exciting nutritional information. Nutritionally, prunes contain dietary fibers, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Prunes are a source of some major nutrients, including: Amino acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin K, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium and Boron. Prunes are also high in potassium, which may help with cardiovascular issues. Prunes are a rich source of dietary fiber, containing around 7 grams per 100 grams of fruit About 80 percent of the fiber in prunes is soluble fiber. The process of drying a plum into a prune actually increases the amount of fiber in the fruit itself. There are also many different medical compounds in prunes, providing specific medicinal actions such as; Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic. Prunes are a rich source of simple sugars. Glucose, fructose, sorbitol, and sucrose are all found within prunes. Because of the natural fibers within the fruit, prunes do not spike the blood sugar as much as the sugars themselves would. However, regular consump-

tion of sugary foods such as prunes should still be monitored. Prunes are also full of antioxidants. Compounds like chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and rutin are all found in prunes. These specific antioxidants, called polyphenols, may prevent cell mutation and reduce cancer cell formation. Prunes were found to have the highest range of polyphenols when compared with other dried fruits, such as raisins, figs, and dates. Prunes are probably most known for their laxative effect. Prunes have the ability to mobilize the digestive system and decrease the transit time of bowel movements. This may be due to the combination of soluble fiber and high levels of sorbitol, which is a known laxative. In a review posted to Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, researchers noted that prune consumption was more effective than high fiber psyllium husk at treating constipation. The studies note that for people with constipation, prunes may help to increase the frequency of bowel movements and improve the consistency of the stool itself. For people without constipation, though, the results are not as promising. The researchers noted that more studies are still needed to determine the digestive benefits in nonconstipated individu-

als. For people with constipation, drinking ½ cup to one cup of prune juice in the morning may help stimulate digestion. A second cup 30 minutes to 1 hour after a heavy meal may also be helpful. There are also some precautions that people should take when considering adding prune juice to their diet. It is important to remember that excess juice consumption also means excess sugar consumption. Too much sugary juice can lead to worsened overall health, such as increasing the risk of diabetes and weight gain. http:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/315340.php.

Sunday January 22, 2017

CONSUMER CONCERNS

Kaieteur News

PAGE 63

PAGE 64

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

AFC should revise position on Local Govt. issues The Alliance for Change’s fourth National Conference is slated for January 28 and it is the expectation of Deputy Mayor of Georgetown and AFC member Sherod Duncan that among the issues to be discussed, Local Government has to be one. Being one of the vocal personalities in the local government arena since the March 2016 elections, Duncan was contacted by this publication to ascertain whether he would urge his party to place more emphasis on the issues affecting local democratic organs and

communities. Speaking with Kaieteur News last Thursday, the Deputy Mayor said that he believes his party needs to recalibrate its efforts, in view of the Cummingsburg Accord elapsing, and also with a view of its position in the 2019 Local Government Elections, and holistically, its position on a range of local government issues. “I believe the impending Conference will offer us an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues, local government being one.” When asked what are some of the issues he believes deserve to be urgently addressed, Duncan said, “Our vision for the city or any other Municipality or Neighbourhood Democratic Council, our positions on issues like vending; whether Municipalities can better be

served by executive Mayors; how we proceed with property re-evaluations and a host of other issues; our view on increasing our tax base to be able to balance our budgets; our views on additional revenue streams for municipalities and NDCs”. According to Duncan, the AFC would largely need to engage a policy plan as a legislative agenda on the various issues which he outlined. He said that amendments would have to be made to existing laws and new legislation may need to be enacted. Providing an example of existing legislation which requires consideration, Duncan referred to the Municipal and District Councils Act Cap. 28:01. He said that the Act clearly indicates that certain types of

- Deputy Mayor vending is illegal. “We either confirm to the legislation or change it. 28:01 says barbering-related vocation must not be done in public, open places; hence how it is being done now is illegal. We either change the law or conform to it. Selling chicken (poultry meat) in public, in the street outside of a market is illegal, yet we allow it.” Further, Duncan said that the responsibility for drainage of the city is something which needs to be looked at under the Act. He said too that attention needs to be placed on how tied elections at the Local Government level can be resolved. He added, “I believe also as there are responsibilities and duties for councillors in 28:01, there should be the same for Mayors and Deputies, so that we can utilize the energies of our municipal leaders distinctly, efficiently and in an orderly manner”.

When asked if he would be willing to take up a leadership role in the party, Duncan said, “I have been approached by several persons to contest for various positions, I am ready to continue serving my party in whatever capacity it deems fit. The Party has my full commitment at Local Government and will have the same in whatever other capacity it deems necessary for me to serve in.” The AFC’s Conference will be held at the Vreed-enHoop Secondary School in Region Three. Sixteen positions will be contested at the event. The party operates under an Electoral College system comprising 275 delegates allocated as follows: Region One – 10 delegates; Region Two – 20 delegates; Region Three – 15 delegates; Region Four – 75 delegates; Region Five – 20 delegates; Region Six – 40 delegates; Region Seven – 10 delegates; Region Eight – 10 delegates; Region Nine – 10 delegates; Region Ten – 20 delegates; Women for

Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan Change – 10 delegates; Youths for Change – 10 delegates; USA Chapter – nine delegates; Canada Chapter – six delegates; Caribbean Chapter – six delegates and the United Kingdom Chapter – four delegates. According to the party’s General Secretary, voting will be by secret ballot and nominations will close at noon tomorrow, January 23.

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 65

Kaieteur News

Strategic care project launched to manage diabetes There is no denying that the impact of diabetes can be very far reaching. It could lend to the development of complications such as renal failure and without life-long dialysis or an eventual kidney transplant, the ultimate outcome could be fatal. Over the years the Ministry of Public Health has reportedly recorded an increased number of persons of all age groups developing diabetes and by extension, renal failure. It was against this background that a desperate move was made last year to introduce a strategic programme to specifically tackle the challenge of diabetes. Speaking to the issues recently, Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings disclosed that the Guyana Diabetes Care Project began operation in June 2016 and saw the establishment of a centre for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people

with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults. Part of the project saw the introduction of a programme aimed at improving care to mothers with gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy. Since the introduction of the project, 103 persons have been screened for diabetic retinopathy and eight received treatment, according to Minister Cummings. She added, too, that the project is in the process of validating the Indian Diabetes Risk Score, which is a simple paperbased tool to detect undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. The latter initiative was developed in 2009 and involved partnerships with the private sector enterprises of the country to procure insulin, glucometers, testing strips, pens, lancets and prep pads for children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. But according to Dr. Cummings, “Unfortunately, the private sector enterprises have abandoned the cause, but the Ministry of Public

Health continues to ensure that supplies are procured in a timely manner and in adequate quantities”. There are 63 patients still currently registered in the programme. But back in 2009 the Ministry had boasted of having a diabetes register that was proving to be a success for doctors who, through this avenue, were able to keep track of their patients and were thereby able to ensure that they utilise the correct medication. At the time there were approximately 7,000 persons living with diabetes. In Region Two, there were 226 persons on the diabetes register and these were reportedly monitored individually to assess the evolvement of the disease. It was noted that of the 226, a mere five had Type One diabetes (insulin-dependent) which occurs mostly in children. There were also 240 complications being experienced by those living with the disease, 209 of them had hypertension and four living with renal failure and five of them had developed strokes. There were then 41 persons on the registry who were between 15 and 44 years

Case management, meditation will... From page 20 form of resolution will bring cases to a conclusion quickly; compared to years they are taking presently. The Senior Judge continued, “In Mediation we teach the mediator a different way of mediating. It is called 'win win mediation' and what these trained mediators do is not talk about the problem that brought them (parties involved) to court, but about their history”. “You don't sue strangers. There is always a history and at one time they were good friends, business partners…or whatever. And what the 'win win mediation' does it get them back to their original relationship and to help them to solve their problems. That's why it is so powerful…people walk out of the court friends again.” An important part of case management, the Judge highlighted is sorting case files in getting them ready for trial. He recalled, “What we found out in our experience in

Botswana is that very often somebody has died or their lawyer has gone away. The case is just sitting there…dead for years. What the judge does is move out those cases and then set the others for trial…but goes through the process of quickly identifying what is necessary.” He stated that case management allows the pace of litigation to be decided by the judge and not the attorneys. Wallace complimented Guyana on having a very good judiciary and “fine” Bar Association. “You have a very good judiciary here. You have a fine bar association. You just need a different way of doing things.” The Chief Judge Emeritus explained that in case management every Judge will be assigned to a certain number of cases and also be responsible for everything that deals with that case until it is completed. This method, he said, was applied in Botswana which had a backlog twice in number, and within two years, 80

percent of the cases were completed. He is confident that these methods once adapted will bring relief to the backlog in cases at the High Court. In the case of Guyana, the Judge calculated that if the 10,000 cases were to be divided among our 13 High Court judges, each judge will be mandated to about 770 cases. He pointed out that this number might seem a lot, but in Botswana, which has a similar number of High Court judges, each judge was assigned to 1800 cases. Judge Wallace made reference to Guyana and other countries inheriting the British method, which he says, works very fine. However, he pointed out that it is not effective in dealing with backlogs. The Senior Judge also disclosed that Britain has changed its court system. He said that other countries that have come out of the British regime are still making modifications.

old, while in fact there were two persons who were between five and 14 years old that lived with the disease. But that was then when the numbers were believed to be stable and the Ministry was forthcoming with the data related to diabetes. Based on reliable information received by this publication, the number of persons living with diabetes today by far exceeds what obtained back in 2009. In addition to monitoring patients, the diabetes registry was also intended to assist the Ministry in monitoring the amount of drugs being used

by each hospital, thus minimising the possibility of persons stealing drugs from the bond. The registry further served to reduce the waiting time at hospitals and health centres, as doctors and nurses do not wait for people to show up with the illness, but they can now monitor patients from their homes, so as to delay some of the complications experienced. They can manage the disease better in identifying the risk factors at an early stage. In effectively tackling the issue, the Health Minister explained that there are

currently foot care programmes in the Primary Health Care system. There are 26 health facilities in Guyana that have foot care programmes where screening of certain kinds of foot problems is done. By 2010 it was predicted that there would have been more than 50 health facilities in Guyana which will provide screening. Added to this, the Ministry had introduced a public awareness campaign to teach citizens to examine their own feet, thereby allowing for a more than 50 percent reduction in the rate of amputation.

PAGE 66

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 67

Kaieteur News

Why you should change your toothbrush regularly By Dr. Neromini Fagu Sometimes we get attached to things and it is hard to let go. However, your toothbrush should not be one of those things. Being attached to your toothbrush can cause you more harm than you think. Some things are just not meant to last forever and hopefully after reading this you will make separation with your toothbrush a regular occurrence. In addition to routine brushing and flossing, you should also be changing your toothbrush on a regular basis. The normal recommended time is every three months, but this may vary depending on certain factors. People who wear braces, for example,

may have the bristles of their toothbrush become frayed more quickly, and therefore need replacement more often. FRAYED BRISTLES With regular use, the bristles on your tooth will become frayed at the ends and won’t be able to remove food particles and the plaque off your teeth as it should. Even though the bristles might still look clean, they won’t be able to get in between all the nooks and crannies or those hard to reach places at the back of your mouth if they’ve lost their strength and shape. SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE When bristles become frayed the ends usually become sharp and may cut your gums and make the

gums susceptible to infection. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to different organs in your body. BACTERIAHAVEN Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can contain as many as 10 million germs and bacteria. The moistness of a used toothbrush makes a perfect place for these bacteria to

grow, making it more likely to transfer bad bacteria into your mouth when you brush again. REINFECTION If you have a cold, the flu, or a cold sore, some of the bacteria will remain on your toothbrush. Even when you become better, the bacteria from the original infection that remain on your toothbrush may cause a new outbreak. Changing your toothbrush

CONSUMER CONCERNS

Telephone users’ alertness prevents exploitation By PAT DIAL

The motto of the Guyana Consumers Association is “Value For Money.” The meaning of this motto is that in buying goods and services, consumers must make the best choice, which they could only arrive at by comparison. In other words consumers need to shop around, comparing prices and quality before making a choice. The other meaning of “Value For Money” is that consumers have to be on the alert that they are not exploited or overcharged, especially by the Public Utilities. In this offering we will alert consumers of a few of the snares the Telephone industry has quietly placed in their path:1 ) W R O N G LY CHARGED FOR CALLS: Most consumers are unaware that the telephone must ring a minimum of eight times. To telephones which have voicemail, as soon as the voicemail is activated, then the person making the call is charged for a call. If the voicemail is activated before eight rings, then by PUC ruling, the caller should not be charged for a call. But the companies ignore this ruling and illegally charge consumers for such calls. Numerous consumers have told us that oftentimes they make a phone call, voicemail is activated long before eight rings and they are billed for such calls.

We have raised this issue with the telephone companies and they have promised to put themselves in order but have never done so. Consumers could protect themselves from such exploitation by making a note of the date and number telephoned, where voicemail is activated before eight rings and write the companies requesting such credit and the companies usually comply. One could do this on a monthly basis. Consumers are urged to ask for their money. 2.) INTERNET OVERCHARGE: Several consumers have complained that the Internet service they have paid for is not supplied for many hours per week, oftentimes amounting to several days per month. Consumers should make a note of the time and date such service was not supplied and claim a rebate from the company. In case the Company is being recalcitrant, bring your complaint to the Public Utilities Commission or the Guyana Consumers Association. Also when the telephone was out-of-order and your Internet was not working, you could also claim a rebate for these hours and days. Consumers could be reimbursed quite substantial sums. Former Government Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, a few days ago, made a bitter complaint in the press about this failing of GTT. 3.) UNACCEPTABLE DEMAND FOR PAYMENT

FOR REPLACING DEFECTIVE TELEPHONE INSTRUMENTS: Some consumers have informed us that GTT are now demanding that consumers pay them for replacing defective telephone instruments, a service which obtained without charge for the last 25 years. From our perspective, GTT are acting wrongly since they are contractually obligated to replace such defective telephone instruments without charge. Further, when a consumer contracted with GTT to supply a telephone service, the only way such service could have been supplied is with the instrument. GTT are claiming that they rented the consumer a line, but this is a spurious position, since consumers cannot speak through or receive messages through a piece of wire. The GCA has taken up this matter with the PUC and are confident the consumer would be treated justly. If any consumers have had this kind of problem, they may contact the PUC or the GCA. The GCA email addresses are at the end of this article. 4.) GTT ARE PLANNING TO INSERT VOICEMAIL IN ALL LANDLINE PHONES SO THAT THEY COULD COLLECT MORE MONEY FROM TELEPHONE USERS: At present, if one makes a call and the party to whom the call is made is not present, the caller pays nothing since the call was not

completed. By GTT’s new and surreptitious strategy, by inserting voicemail in the landline, every caller will have to pay. In addition to the extra financial burden to be placed on the consumer, there are other serious implications: For once a message is left on one’s voicemail, one becomes obligated to act on it. Some messages could have legal implications and the recipient of the voicemail becomes liable. Further, people will have to spend time and energy listening to voicemails at the end of every day, a burden which they do not have to bear now. This free insertion of voicemail in landline phones will not only collect large sums of money from consumers which they do not now pay, but could also open them to lawsuits, and time-wasting checking of voicemails at the end of each day. GTT should insert such voicemail in the landline only if the customer requests it; they should not illegally trespass into customers’ telephones, invading their privacy, and inserting voicemail without their permission. Customers must begin to make their position known before GTT stealthily inserts this voicemail. There are such telephone matters we will address in future articles. (You can contact the GCA via email: jainarined2001@ y a h o o . c o m ; patdial26@gmail.com).

after recovering from an illness can keep infectious germs that are lingering on the brush from spreading to your family members or even reinfecting you. Also, you may consider changing your toothbrush when another family member has been sick, especially if your toothbrushes are stored near each other. TRAVELLING While you are on your travels, you should use a plastic case to protect the bristles of your toothbrush. If you go to a place where there might have been any risk of infection or if you were just tossing your toothbrush in your accessories bag during your trip, you should consider replacing it when you return home. SHARING You should not share your toothbrush with someone else because the germs that they are carrying may have a negative effect on you. Brushing may create tiny cuts in your mouth and blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B may be transferred onto the toothbrush and could then be transmitted to another person who uses the same brush. GROWING CHILD There are different types of toothbrushes for the

Dr. Neromini Fagu different stages of childhood. You may need to change your child’s toothbrush more often than you do yours, as the soft toddler bristles tend to wear out faster than adults. If you notice that your child is brushing with hard force, try to encourage them to use softer strokes. When caring for your toothbrush, you should rinse it thoroughly after each use to remove any excess debris or toothpaste. Store your toothbrush upright so it can dry properly and don’t let it touch other toothbrushes. Do not store your toothbrush within three feet of the toilet as the airborne droplets of water that spray up when you flush will settle on your toothbrush. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

PAGE 68

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

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. LANDSCAPING: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor landscaping. Call: 648-1821 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326 Repairs and services all types of domestic, commercial and industrial A/ C, washers, dryers etc. Call: 675-4959 JADESCO: offering architectural designs, 3D modeling and building estimates and quotations. Call: 612-0468/ 649-3059 Do you need a building contractor, estimate, house plan to be drawn? Give us a call: 216-0671/692-8464/6220267

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 618-2417 The new creation of hair salon (Duncan St) is offering cosmetology & nail arts courses. Call: 270-5074/616-6221 EARN A CERTIFICATE IN CERTIFICATE IN COSMETOLOGY AT ARTEE’S BEAUTY SALON (W.C.D) - $75,000 & WATCH REPAIRING SERVICES .CALL: 275-0267/ 680-0156

TO LET Top flat: 2 bedrooms apartment, Phoenix Park, W.B.D. Call Jennifer: 6782570/ Thandeka: 603-0067

FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

Eccles New Housing Scheme property for sale by owner. Call: 618-2603

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

2 Storey house & land at UG area, East Coast Demerara. Call: 657-4349

PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193

1-2 Story building: top flat4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157

Honda S2000 Convertible$3.2M, Audi A4-$3.6M, 318i BMW-$2.6M, Toyota IST-$2M. Contact#650-0402/260-4988

Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483 Land 50X120, building 70X22, Friendship Public Road, E.B.D. Call/ Whatsapp: 661-8802 1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 6247341/227-6817/226-5183 3068 Amelia’s Ward: house for sale, double lot will be showing on Sunday January 22, 2017 @ 1pm. Call: 6404731/ 641-6450 One two storey building and business for sale @ Anna CatherinaW.C.D. Call: 661-9880

3 Bedroom house to rent @ Good Hope East Coast Demerara. Call: 234-0510/674-0278

Transported property @ Cane Grove, serious inquiries. Call: 611-4512

3 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Prashad Nagar, Parking available. Call: 626-9007/ 6538924/629-1322/225-7868

7 Bedrooms house on double lot @ Ruimveldt Public Road. Call: 609-7766

One bedroom fully furnished air-condition apartments, price $65,000 & $85,000 monthly (negotiable). Call: 668-0306/ 694-7617 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages)

St Hill Electrical Service, Electrical Maintenance Works to all buildings, BS 7671 testing Certification. Call 604-9596 or 646-9087 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 apartments downstairs, all self contained, Avenue ‘B’, Diamond, E.B.D- Call: 6585452 1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms – 1 self contained, Water Street, Agenda, E.B.D- Call: 658-5452

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

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

1 Two storey building @ Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, New Scheme. Call: 628-4436 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500 Elevator, very good condition, price negotiable. Call: 231-1284 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000 hours), Fiatagri L413 (2500 hours), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 One Nissan Duke, lady driven, immaculate condition, PTT series, low mileage. Call: 653-0018/ 6667748, price negotiable serious enquires. Nissan Bluebird 2011 model -$2.7M, Toyota Rush 2006 model -$2.8M. (unregistered vehicles) Call:655-3400 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson -165 $1.7M, MF-135 - $1.2M, MF265 -$2.2M, 165 Loader tractor -$2.4M. Call: 6825230/ 628-9596 2005 Tacoma from Canada bull bar -$2.4M, Ford F150 sport -$1.5M, Ranger sport $1.4M. Call: 682-5230/ 6289596 1 Titan, reasonable cash offer will not be turned down. Call: 623-8737

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

Toyota Camry 2004 model, excellent condition. Call: 2270609 (Monday –Friday 8:00am-4:00pm)

Cool Tech Solution: for sale 2-45 tons chill water system, use to supply chill water work as a A/C – Call: 675-4959/ 2332008

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

Wholesale: Foxtail Palm Plant -$300.00, Foxtail Palm Seed $200.00. Call: 638-8858

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

One 6inch dredge, owner is ill. Call:673-7883/619-5784/ 610-6738 1- Leyland 45 DAF flat bed with tail lift GRR series, price $2M. Call: 647-8621 Parts for sale: 45 DAF engine, gear box, cab and lots more. Call: 647-8621

Toyota Coaster bus, excellent condition, price $1.95M. Call: 266-3173-6 1- Toyota Fielder Wagon, automatic, price $1.850M negotiable. Call: 668-8431 One Toyota Verossa- $2.4M negotiable. Call: 614-0694

Popular taxi service for sale located on Sheriff Street Georgetown, includes 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704

Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197 1 - Secretary & office clerk, must have maths,english and accounts. Contact # 650-0402 \ 260-4124. Experienced bartenders and cleaners. Call: 225-8572, between 7am-9pm Driver/Salesman, lorry licence, residing on East Bank Demerara. 266 4427 Exist for female to sort/pick goods. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street: experienced & mature cashier apply with written application. Secretary, operations manager, civil engineer, waitress, cook. Interested persons send e-mail: chungsoffice@gmail.com Sales Representative: CXC subjects including Mathematics & English grade 1& 2; 2yr experience & Computer literate. Email: sales@fibretechguyana.com Tel:220-6907 Graphic Designer/It Technician: &Office Assistance Computer literate. Apply in person / Email: sales@fibretech guyana.com. Tel:220-6907 Exist for an experienced driver/salesman to work with baker. Call: 681-3983 One carpenter – Call:225-3234 One fabricator & welder must have experience contact # 223-5273/74 1 Salesgirl, 1 daytime security, 2 labourers, 1 mason/ carpenter. Call: 2653586 8am-4pm WANTED

One (1) 14ft Trampoline, no reasonable offer refuse- Call: 618-8878

FOR SALE

Cat 928F Loader $7.3M, 3406 Caterpillar Engine $1.3M, 3306 Caterpillar Engine $1.3 M - Contact: 6500402\260-4115

AE 100 Ventura Toyota- A/C fully powered, 4 wheel drive, excellent condition, low mileage, pensioner own it. Call: 234-0510/ 674-0278

One (1) 14ft Trampoline, no reasonable offer refuse- Call: 618-8878

3116 Caterpillar Engine$ 1 . 1 M, 3208 Caterpillar Engine $700,000, Diesel Welder, BMW 318I $2.5M, IST $2M. Contact: 6500402\260-4115

One 4 Cylinder Diesel welding generator on trailer miller 55D, 2 miller welding generator, all in excellent condition. Call: 699-4300/ 2282734

VACANCY

Leyland DAF 75 Hauler in good condition GNN series -$2.2M.

Immediate vacancy exists for workers to work at Crystal Ice Factory in Berbice. Please call: 231-1408/6429191 between 8am-1pm Couple to live in: husbandhandyman, wife-domestic. Call: 227-1830 General Live in domestic wanted must be between the ages 35-50years preferably animal lover. Call: 688-7282 New Management: GT Express wanted contract cars (1 week free base fee), Dispatcher & Drivers. Tel: 231-0316/ 231-0002 Continue on page 69

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 69

Kaieteur News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

GNBS Act at final stage of review The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has completed the review and inclusion of proposed amendments to the legislation that mandates its activities. Through its legal consultant, work commenced in 2012 to review the Standards Act of 1984 and its amendment of 1997 to make the legislation more supportive to the services provided by the National Standards Body to facilitate business growth and development, and ensure that the public is protected from substandard products and services. With just a few, but crucial changes, the proposed amendments to the legislation will also address new developments which have occurred

– to benefit all stakeholders regionally and internationally since the last amendment in 1997. These changes include the implementation of a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and the establishment, administration and operationalization of schemes of standardization and certification of commodities; some of which are ongoing, but need the legislative backing. Activities which fall under the NQI that will be supported by the proposed new legislation include the certification of commodities, the auditing of management systems of businesses, the accreditation of

Youth groups will be... From page 62 stakeholders so far and they are going to have a monthly supply, given that it's coming from the community, and are being made by the youths. We are going to market the products within our boundary,” Hicken said. Kaieteur News understands that while the youth groups were budgeted for by the Guyana Police Force, additional income from the sales of these products will also assist the groups in carrying out their activities. Hicken said that they started off with one youth group and now have 17 with the formation of one as recent as last Friday.

laboratories, the provision of consultancy services and the training of business personnel to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in relation to standards and quality on the job. Other proposed amendments to the legislation include the approval of minimum standards of local industrial products by inspection and testing of all such products; the use of technical regulations to protect consumers from danger in relation to health and safety, and the use of standards and technical regulations as prima facie evidence in any proceedings. In addition, the amendments include the establishment of laboratories, the conduct of the verification of measuring devices used in trade, and the promotion of activities conducted by other institutions that are consistent with the Act. During 2012-2013, the GNBS, along with a legal consultant, extensively promoted the content of the amended Act in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10

and comments received were considered. A final effort will be made by the GNBS to gather the comments and inputs of stakeholders when it conducts a public consultation on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 13:30 hours at the National Library, Georgetown. Importers, manufacturers, regulators and consumers are encouraged to participate in this session to provide their comments and inputs which may be included in the amended Act. The proposed amended Act can be viewed on the GNBS We b s i t e : www.gnbsgy.org and comments/inputs can be submitted to Email: info@gnbsgy.org For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0066.

From page 68

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 House in South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 629-2912 Two bedrooms apartment located @ little Diamond Public Road for more info and rental cost call: 679-3213 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles. Call: 225-3234 Bedroom- for single or couple working @ Aubrey Barker Rd. South Ruimveldt Gardens, G/Town, $30,000 monthly + $30,000 security. Call:623-0076

LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com Eccles New Scheme (semiconcrete fenced) -$5M, Herstelling-$2.5M, Uitvlugt $2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M. Call: 658-5897/ 6511969 Land for sale @ Land of Canaan, Riverside 9.9 acres. Call: 621-1139 Lot 20 Philippi Courantyne Coast, situated on both of the Highway Farmland is included. Call: 333-3717 Schoon’Ord first street 50X100 -$1.7M, Diamond $3.5M, Moblissa -30A, Loo Creek-35A, Saxacalli -26A. GME: 231-2199/ 618-7483 Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles $5M. Call: 604-6724 Land @ Diamond and Eccles (cheap). Call: 609-7766 37 Acres of transported land at Big Biaboo Mahaica Rivers. Call: 699-4300/ 2282734 HEALTH Free on call RBS Strips at CarimerCare, Church Street, Next to Rossignol Butchery. (While stocks Last). Call:6985105/ 2234159

Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$80,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600-USD$1,000 monthlyCall:668-7687/ 677-9638/6976421 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban):650Sq.Ft Professional/Office/ Business (no food retailing) space. Call: 668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421 One bedroom self contained apartment, preferably working couple @ Grove -$25,000 per month. Call: 618-8878 2 Bedrooms apartment for working individuals, recently renovated, free wifi. Call:641-3318 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 KITTY APARTMENTS: UNFURNISHED, GRILLED, 2-BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $70,000 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 6724532

WANTED Male & female factory workers from age 18 and older with working experience. Call: 223-0090 1 live in waitress with secondary education, starts at $70,000 monthly, boarding and lodging free. Call: 6103974 One live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 655-9419/ 644-6905 Senior Mechanic & Driver. Call: 227-1717 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 The Boardroom: one experienced cashier to work evening shift. Call Kareshma: 680-9091/ Sasha: 652-6533 Diesel mechanic to work in the interior. Must have knowledge of Perkins engine & Doosan excavators. Call: 226-9768 or 615-6172 Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 Experienced drivers, waiters, roti/puri cooks, day shift only. Apply at Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street. Couple to live in: husbandhandyman, wife-domestic. Call: 227-1830 Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279 Urgently – house lot in Diamond New Scheme, front half between 7th & 10th Avenue, price $2M-$2.5M. Call: 610-5957 1- Honest Driver salesman, must have lorry license, CXC subjects. Mail application to 10 La Grange, W.B.D. Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665

KITTY APARTMENTS: FURNISHED, GRILLED, 2BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $120,000 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 672-4532

1 Live in domestic. Call: 6749999/661-5992

One bachelor’s apartment for rent in Industry, E.C.D. Call: 638-5330

Waitress to work in a bar. Call: 692-4649

1-Self contained 2 bedrooms apartment to rent Avenue B, Diamond E.B.D, working couple preferred-Call: 658-5452

One experienced domestic babysitter to worm in Tuschen, preferably from W.C.D, attractive salary. Call:667-1777 between 8am-12pm

Experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety on Lombard Street. Call: 227-8529

PAGE 70

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Sunday January 22, 2017

PAGE 71

Kaieteur News

Ruling of Presidential third term appeal looms - Lawyers file written submissions, claim rights of citizen not restricted by two term limit. Among the questions being asked by Attorneys representing the State in the Appeal case in the third term Presidential case is the meaning of the clause “sovereignty belongs to the people” found in Article 9 of the Constitution of Guyana. That clause among others is the basis by which Cedric Richardson, a resident of Georgetown won a court case, after he challenged the legal limitation of a Guyanese President in 2014. Former Chief Justice Ian Chang had ruled that an elected President can run for more than two terms. The ruling, based on Richardson’s Constitutional challenge, was filed in February, 2014. The applicant argued that Act 17 of 2001, which was passed by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly, unconstitutionally curtails and restricts his sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect former President Bharrat Jagdeo as the Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Richardson had contended that the limit was unconstitutional and illegal.

He also wanted the court to determine whether the amendment with a referendum should not have been held, instead of the two-thirds majority in the National Assembly having the powers to decide to limit the number of terms. After several months in the court, the former CJ ruled in favour of Richardson’s argument, setting the stage for Jagdeo to have a third term as President. However, the decision did not sit well with Attorney General Basil Williams and the APNU/AFC administration. Ahead of the ruling next month, Attorneys representing the State have submitted the written arguments in which they identified the questions to be answered. According to the legal document among the queries before the court, the lawyers representing the State are seeking clarification for the meaning of the clause “Democratic Sovereign State” in Article 1 of the Constitution of Guyana. The document prepared by Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, and filed at the Court of Appeal on Friday, outlined the respondent, (Richardson) contended that Act No. 17 of

Bharrat Jagdeo 2001 though it purported to amend Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana by adding two Clauses to the said Article 90, had the effect and consequence of curtailing and diminishing the electorate’s choice of Presidential Candidate, by rendering ineligible the candidature of any person who had been re-elected once as President. Richardson, through his attorneys, had submitted that the right to choose a Presidential Candidate for President of the Respondent’s or

Attorney General Basil Williams a citizen’s own choosing is a specie of the right of expression. “It is also submitted that the exercise of a choice of a Presidential Candidate by the Respondent or a citizen occurs or culminates at the Ballot Box. It was therefore submitted that the right to choose a Presidential Candidate does not extend to the eligibility of or the disqualification of possible candidates for President,” the document underlined. However, the applicant has noted that Act No. 17 of

2011 amended Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana by the insertion of the provisions that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once; “A person who acceded to the Presidency after the year 2000 and served therein on a single occasion for not less than such period as may be determined by the National Assembly is eligible for election as President only once.” The State is therefore relying on authorities such as People’s Union of Civil Liberties v. Union of India anor No. 490, 509 and 515 of 2012. In that case, the Judge noted that there is a clear distinction between the conferment of the right to vote and the right in the final act of expressing choice towards a Particular Candidate by means of ballot. “Though the initial right cannot be placed on the ped-

estal of a fundamental right, but, at the stage when the voter goes to the polling booth and casts his vote, his freedom to express arises. The casting of vote in favour of one or the other candidate is tantamount to expression of his opinion and preference and that final stage in the exercise of voting right marks the accomplishment of freedom of expression of the voter. It is submitted therefore that the right to choose a person as President by the Respondent or the citizen is completely unaffected by the amendment of Article 90 of the Constitution by Act No. 17 of 2001.” The document underscored therefore that “article 90 of the Constitution as amended does not limit or restrict in any manner the freedom of expressing a choice and the casting of a vote at the ballot box in favour of any particular Presidential Candidate.”

PAGE 72

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

GPL writes Ministry on company replacing Wartsila PPDI has started operations but there are questions.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

PS Balraj Balram

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has been written to by corporate management of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on a new company that has been established to replace Wartsila. The letter was reportedly dispatched more than a week ago and would come after announcements that Power Producers and Distribution Inc. (PPDI), a supposedly stateowned entity, has taken over the operations of Demerara Power Company, a local subsidiary of Wartsila that has been maintaining almost 20 engines and selling power to GPL. Under previous arrangements, GPL would provide the fuel to Wartsila, which in turn

maintained the engines and produced power that is then sold to the power company. The Coalition Government confirmed reports last year by Kaieteur News that it was moving to end the twodecade old maintenance and power production contract with the Finnish company. It said that a Governmentowned company would be created, and this would take over the almost 100 staffers and operations countrywide of Wartsila. PPDI started operations on January 1st, 2017 but GPL is unsure how to handle the new situation. There is no power purchase agreement signed as yet and GPL is unsure how

much it has to pay the new company, and for what. Officials familiar with the situation said that GPL’s corporate management raised these concerns in its letter to the Ministry. GPL’s board is supposed to meet next week and the issue is reportedly bound to be raised, it was disclosed. There are questions about PPDI itself. According to official records at the registry, the company was formed last month, but has only two officials-—one Director and one Secretary.

The Director is Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Balraj Balram. The Secretary and Incorporator is Attorney-atLaw Ronald Burch-Smith. The GPL engines that PPDI would maintain and ensure that they produce power, represent a major part of what GPL uses along the coastland. Government has been saying that Wartsila, which specializes in manufacturing engines for ships and power companies around the world, has been receiving too much

money, putting a strain on the finances of GPL. Wartsila has not altogether left. It still has a contract to manage a power production operation at the Skeldon Energy Inc., located at the Skeldon estate, East Berbice. Wartsila has also reportedly been retained to supply parts and few other services to GPL and PPDI. There were very few details on what PPDI would do as at January 1. Its staffers have not met any representatives from a Board of Direc-

tors. The management has remained largely the same. As a matter of fact, on paper, there is no evidence that a Board of Directors exists. GPL would be paying hundreds of millions annually to PPDI for the management of the engines. According to official documents filed at the Registry, on December 14, Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron was engaged in the formation of PPDI, which has its offices at Wight’s Lane, the same offices as the (Continued on page 74)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 73

PAGE 74

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

US President’s son-in-law Kushner can serve as White House adviser - Justice Department Reuters - President Donald Trump can hire his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior White House adviser without breaking federal antinepotism laws, the U.S. Department of Justice said. In a letter dated Jan. Friday posted on its website, the department’s Office of Legal Counsel said the president has special hiring authority that exempts White House positions from laws barring the president from naming a relative to lead a federal agency. The New York

Times first reported the decision, saying it was posted to the department’s site Friday. Questions about Kushner’s role emerged as voters and lawmakers questioned potential conflicts of interest for Trump, given his wide-ranging business interests, history of employing family members, and the influence of his daughter Ivanka Trump, who is married to Kushner. The office of White House counsel had asked the Justice Department for a definitive opinion

on Kushner’s role. The Justice Department said that if Trump chooses to officially hire Kushner and give him security clearance usually granted for White House staff, then conflict-of-interest laws would apply and Kushner would have to abide by their restrictions. “Congress has not blocked, and most likely could not block, the president from seeking advice from family members in their personal capacities,” the department wrote in its 14-page opinion.

GPL writes Ministry on company ... From page 72 Ministry of Public Infrastructure, where the Permanent Secretary is based. Waldron declared that the company had complied with regulations. The documents said that the company has 100,000 ordinary shares worth $100 each. It was stated that there are “no restrictions of share transfer” and that the company can have no fewer than one Director and not more than six. The company was incorporated on December 14. According to legal officials, based on the documents filed in the Registry, it indeed seems a strange “formulation” for what was supposed to be a State-owned company. ”The fact that a lawyer is the Incorporator and a Permanent Secretary with little or no experience in producing power are the principals and the shares are in the control of the lawyer is indeed strange. It needs to be explained,” according to a legal official last week.

”If this was supposed to be a State-owned company, why has there been a delay in the issuance of the shares of the company? There are some questions to be answered.” GPL has been facing a spate of blackouts within the last six months with the company denying it has to do with generation capacity. Rather, the problems have to do with the aging transmission and distribution infrastructure. GPL has been under pressure to reduce its technical and commercial losses with almost a third of its power being lost to theft and hardware efficiency problems. GPL has been spending at least US$70M annually, at current prices, to buy fuel for its engines. Wartsila’s operations in Guyana were the largest for the Finnish company in the region. They were brought here in the 1990s by former President Cheddi Jagan, with one plant built at Garden of Eden. Several more power plants have been built since then.

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 75

Warriors top Rockets for sixth straight win From the boxing (ring) to the suffer... (The Sports Xchange) Having already delivered convincing statements earlier this week by drubbing the Cavaliers and Thunder, the Warriors were quick to send the message on Friday that exacting revenge for a previous loss was a pressing priority. While All-Star Game starters Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry split responsibility orchestrating the offense, the Golden State Warriors’ collective length dominated defensively in a 125-108 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Warriors (37-6) stretched their winning streak to six games by overwhelming the Rockets (33-13) on both ends of the court. Durant finished with 32 points and seven assists while Curry chipped in 24 points and seven assists as Golden State surged ahead in the first quarter and never looked back in a rematch of a Dec. 1 show-

down won by the Rockets in double overtime at Oracle Arena. Rockets guard James Harden produced 17 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists but was 0 for 5 on 3pointers. Houston shot just 7 for 35 from behind the arc with Eric Gordon, the league leader in treys, going 2 for 14 overall and 0 for 7 on 3s. As part of their defensive might, the Warriors recorded seven blocks and eight steals. They limited the Rockets to 44.8 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. The Warriors first flashed their offensive execution with a 10-0 run to the lead in the first quarter. Houston leaned on Harden and a pair of reserves, forward Sam Dekker (17 points) and center Clint Capela (22 points, 12 rebounds) to keep the deficit manageable, and when Golden State darted to a 14-point lead midway

through the second quarter, Harden returned to action and keyed another rally. The Rockets managed just six points in the second quarter prior to a Patrick Beverley 3-pointer with 6:06 left in the half. Harden and Dekker followed by combining for 17 points the remainder of the period before Curry beat the buzzer with a 3 that gave the Warriors a 62-57 halftime lead and reclaimed momentum. Golden State siphoned the life out of the Rockets in the third quarter. While Houston shot 0 for 10 on 3s, the Warriors opened the period with three layups, a Durant dunk, a wide-open trey from Draymond Green (15 points, eight boards, seven assists, three blocks), a fourth layup and another Durant dunk. When Curry added backto-back 3-pointers, the Warriors led 87-67 and coasted in to victory.

Sunday January 22, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Slow down the pace today, Aries. This is a day to sit back and observe and contemplate. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your nurturing instincts are strong today, Taurus. This is an excellent day to reveal your opinions. You've probably been sitting in the background, quietly observing and collecting data for quite some time.

similar hobbies. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may have to make some serious adjustments to your approach today in order to chime in with the energy of the group, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should feel a renewed sense of confidence today that will help anchor your emotions and give strength to your thoughts and ideas, Scorpio.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Things aren't necessarily going to go well today, Gemini. There is the potential for conflict. You may feel a bit lost in the fog. Strap on your compass and you will be fine.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Many people spend their whole adult lives trying to discover their true self, Sagittarius. A great deal of social conditioning by parents and our environment plays a role in shaping our minds.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is a day of reckoning in some ways, Cancer. Attention to detail is important, but make sure it doesn't become your only focus.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Tod a y i s a n e x t r e m e l y creative day for you, Capricorn. You should allot time and space to pursuing an artistic goal.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be more sensitive to other people's space today, Leo. Respect their feelings and give them room to breathe. This is a great day to pursue creative projects.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Make sure you have everything in line now so you don't get caught dealing with that one thing that ends up putting a monkey wrench in your plans later.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Think about old times and people with whom you've had strong connections, Virgo. Remember the good times you shared with people of common interests and

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your intuitive side is aligning with your rational side today, Pisces. Listen to your emotions. Take a sensitive approach to all people and situations.

(From page 77) fights with one against an American, Thomas Baker ending in a stalemate. Terrence got his big break in November 1983 when he fought Puerto Rican, Ivan Montalvo in a fight driven by fate (and as he jocularly pronounced, “also driven by faith”). He was the main sparring partner for 1976 Olympic gold medalist, Howard Davis Jr. and Davis sustained an injury during sparring sessions two days prior to the fight. The promoters drafted Alli in as a substitute and he endorsed their confidence with a knockout victory that catapulted him into the world rankings. By now, Alli had earned quite a name for himself. He remained patriotic and entered the ring draped with the Golden Arrowhead over his shoulder. Fans will also remember his trademark back

Nand Persaud, Sky Plus... (From page 78) 880yards for a take home of $100,000 and trophy. Jockeys will earn points if their horses place during the events. Horses will not be allowed to race if they are not listed in the classification. All entries must be paid in full before the race start. The event will be run under the rules of the Sky Plus Incorporated. Sky Plus reserves the right to cancel/refrain any race mentioned. Interested persons can contact Neil on telephone 6853658 or 325-3564 or Mohini on 600-4728 for further information. The Coordinator is Mohendra Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)

Jaguars depart for... (From page 76) players before the knock out stages so they can come up with the right combination, adding that this is good for the game in the Region. Zone B which will be played in Antigua includes, The West Indies U19, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Leeward Island Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and English County side Kent Spitfires. The Guyana Jaguars squad reads; Leon Johnson (Captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Paul Wintz, Raymond Reifer, Jonathan Foo, Steven Jacobs and Rajendra Chandrika.

flip after every victory. Alli battled against the odds but at 27 years old, failed in his second attempt at winning a world title, against Jose Ramirez in July 1987. “My fans were shouting out to me to hit Ramirez hard but they were not telling him not to hit me hard,” Alli joked when asked about the toughness of the fight. Nevertheless, Ali still felt that he was robbed. It took him 21 fights over a period of 6 years after that loss before he received another shot at the title, against Julio Caesar Chavez for the WBC World super/lightweight title. The Mexican methodically cut his man down extinguishing Alli’s hopes of winning the coveted accolade. Alli fought seven other fights afterwards but failed to register a victory, losing on points in his final attempt to Danish fighter, Frank Olsen in October 1997, marking the end of a prolific career and little finance to show after years of toil in the ring. Also an American citizen, Terrence spends most of his time in Mahaicony, ECD, engaged in small scale farming. He has retained his generosity and offered this writer fruits and vegetables from his farm which currently provides a small income. He said that he has bequeathed his

property in Miramar, Miami to his reputed wife and 4 children. Asked of the chances of reuniting with her he jocularly countered, “At the moment another man is wearing my pajamas!” He also debunks the theory that he is crazy and mentally out of sorts. Fans that once tripped over each other to be in his company are now gone leaving the former champ with bittersweet memories of his heydays. “People avoid me now because they think I will beg for my survival but I have too much pride and refuse to stoop that low,” he sadly muttered. Quizzed on the possibility of contributing to the lives of contemporary boxers he ruefully pronounced, “These youngsters are not learning the fundamentals of the sport and are not willing to listen to advice.” It has been a long arduous journey that commenced in the boxing (ring) and culminated in deep suffer(ring) but the champ has not lost his self-esteem nor uncanny humor. “I still look in the mirror and wonder; who is that awesome and handsome guy staring at me?” he chuckled. “And then I realize it is Terrence Alli, former world rater and Guyanese to the bone.”

PAGE 76

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Fourth edition of Anamayah Memorial Basketball competition begins in Berbice today Basketball players in Berbice will once again have the chance to show off their skills when the fourth edition

of the annual Anamayah Memorial Basketball competition bounces off from today with one game in the

Ancient County. Six teams are participating in this year’s competition.

The teams are Rose Hall Town Jammers, Fyrish Black Sharks, New A m s t e r d a m Wa r r i o r s , Smithfield Rockers and Ithaca Hardliners. The first game will see new comers Ros e H all To w n p u t t i n g t h e i r skills against Fyrish

Black S harks in a game w hich is s lated for the Fyrish Basketball from 16:00hrs. The tournament will be played on a round robin basis with the top two teams qualifying for the finals. At stake in the competition will be cash and

other incentives for the winning and runner-up teams and other outstanding players. The tournament is being organised by sports enthusiast Vibert Garnett. Fyrish are the defending champions, but will be hard pressed this year to retain their title since all the teams have been hard at training and are expected to give a good account of themselves. (Samuel Whyte)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 75

Star Party Rentals latest on board Limacol Football Star Party Rentals became the latest entity to add its support to the 2nd Annual Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition after pledging an undisclosed sum of money, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at its Craig Street, Campbellville Head Office yesterday. The business which is owned by former national cricketer Lennox Cush has been a frequent supporter of the Petra Organisation, organisers of the tournament and the assistance was another manifestation of the entity’s support for sports. Michelle Henry, who represented the entity, during the feature address said, “We are pleased once again to partner with Petra to host the event. We have over the years constantly supported Petra in many football activities by providing our unique service which ensures that the organising is successful. We would like to thank Petra for the opportunity to continue

our social responsibility. The owner of Star Party Rentals who has been a part of sports is pleased to be associated with tournament.” Mark Alleyne, who received the sponsorship on behalf of the Petra Organisation, said, “We at Petra are happy for the support of the event and we recognise that this company has supported us over the

years. Without the support, we would not be successful. We want to take this opportunity to thank the company for coming onboard and looking forward to great tournament.” Meanwhile, the winner of each group will receive $100,000, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed finishers will be given $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 each.

Representative of Star Party Rentals Michelle Henry (left) hands over the cheque for an undisclosed sum to Petra Organisation member Mark Alleyne at the business location yesterday.

The winner of the competition will take home $500,000 and a trophy, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th

placed teams will collect $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively and trophies.

The competition kicks off next Monday with a double header at the GFC ground.

PAGE 78

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

STAG Nations Cup KO Football

City vs West side double tonight at Tucville as semi final spots at stake The reward of booking a place in the final four is at stake in tonight’s double header when the quarter finals of the Stag Nations Cup knock-out football championship commences at the Tucville ground in the City. In the City versus West Demerara faceoff, Santos FC will open against Pouderoyen at 18:00hrs with the feature clash between Western Tigers and Uitvlugt Warriors. All four teams on show tonight will fancy their chances of advancing to the cash leg of the competition which has prizes of $2M, $1M, $500,000 and $300,000 at stake for the first to fourth placed teams. Western Tigers which breezed to a thumping 8-0 win over fellow City side Flamingo at the same venue on December 18th in their round-of-16 clash will find Uitvlugt Warriors, the top side in the West Demerara FA much more formidable opponents. Uitvlugt earned their date with the Tigers owing to a 3-0 penalty mark triumph over another City team, Northern Rangers, that match was played at the Leonora Track and Field Football Field on December 21st. The Warriors did not look their potent self against Rangers and this would give

Santos FC

Playing pivotal roles for Uitvlugt’s win over Northern Rangers from right, Shawn Brower, Keon Duke, David Blake and Carlsie Carrol. the Tigers some level of confidence but the City side must not take that for granted as this is another day and a different scenario. The top West Demerara side will hope, under the Guidance of former national defender Orville Bobb, who is Head Coach, to see their players firing against the pride of West Ruimveldt. To this end, the experienced Lerone Jacobs will have to turn up today if he is to make his years of experience count in securing a win for his team. Jacobs’ supporting cast will also have to bring their A game to the Tucville arena; the Duke brothers, Keyon and Kevin, Jamal Petty, Carisle Carryol, Alex Moore, Denzil Smith,

Daniel Floyd, Jermaine Accra, Ryan Andrews, Kevin Fraser along with their last line of defence, goalkeepers, Travis Fraser and Shawn Browel. Western Tigers on the other hand will start with home advantage apart from playing on a turf that has brought great rewards for them over the years. Randolph Wagner, who led them with a brace in their rampant win over Flamingo will be aiming once again to lead from the front. He would fine able support in the form of Rensford Colridge, Shamar Wilson, Darren Benjamin, Anthony Sancho, Andre Webber and Dwayne Mc Lennon who were all on the score sheet in that win.

Esan Nelson (right) and Kayode King - Pouderoyen FC

While the Tigers would be tipped to win, time will tell who would book the second semi final spot as the winner of the opening salvo between Santos and Pouderoyen would have taken the first. This match too is anticipated to be a stern tester for both teams with a place in the final four being a huge motivating factor. Pouderoyen had clawed their way back from being a goal down to defeat Mahaica Determinators at Leonora and will have to replicate and

even improve that performance if they are to get past Santos tonight. Pouderoyen’s Kiode King and Esan Nelson were the men who orchestrated the win over Mahaica and would be hoping for another good day at the park for their team. Backing up would be the Harding brothers, Anthony and Ashley, Dwayne St. Kitts, Morgan Denny, Kayode King, Marvin Frank, Denzil Boyce, Quessey Alleyne, Esan N els o n an d cu s to d ian Sherwin Bernard.

Santos too would be harbouring ambitious thoughts of a place in the final four. Like the Tigers, they would start with the advantage of playing at the Tucville ground on numerous occasions and can easily call this venue, home. Keith Cains and teammate Orin Yard had each blasted the nets twice in their 4-0 victory over Herstelling Raiders on December 18th and will more than likely be hunting another such performance.

Jaguars depart for Regional Super 50 By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Jaguars departed yesterday morning for Barbados where they will compete in zone B of the Regional Super 50 tournament which will commence on Tuesday. The Jaguars will take on last year ’s runner up Barbados Pride in their opening game at the Kensington Oval. Also in zone B are Jamaica Scorpions, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and the ICC Americas. Guyana who lost to Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 final, last won the Regional 50-oover tournament in 2005 when they defeated Barbados at Bourda. Speaking prior to the team departure at the Windjammer hotel in Kitty, secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie urged the players to

remain committed and play as a unit. Sanasie noted that Guyana has dominated Regional cricket in recent years and said he is confident the team can bring home the title. “I once told you to make winning a habit and you have done that, but somehow or the other this particular tournament has eluded us, so I think we can break that jinx,” he stated. Sanasie commended the players on their fitness and discipline. He advised Leon Johnson to continue with his positive approach as Captain, adding that he has caused the other teams to up their game. The GCB secretary who is also a director on the West Indies Cricket Board said, the fact that the competition is getting bigger is good for Guyana’s cricket. Treasurer of the GCB Anand Kalladeen wished the players well and advised that

they stay on top of their game. He reminded them that England will be touring the Caribbean soon. Captain Johnson said the players are raring to go and thanked the GCB for their efforts in preparing the team. He said while they cannot make any predictions, the players are capable of holding their own, adding that the will give their best efforts. Manager Rayon Griffith stated that he is satisfied with the preparation of the team. “The players worked very hard in the nets and this will help the team going into the tournament,” he related. Griffith said that they will not take any team for granted and strongly believes his team can go all the way. He feels that the extended tournament will give the management team a better chance of seeing the (Continued on page 73)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 79

From the boxing (ring) to the suffer (ring) Terrence Ali is still our champion By Michael Benjamin In 2001, there were 3 world welterweight boxing champions; ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley (WBA), Vernon Forrest (IBF) and James Page (WBA). Then there was a mean Guyanese southpaw pugilist named Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis, merely a top contender and a threat to their ‘invincibility’. Immense sacrifices, shrewd manipulations and the right contacts eventually paid dividends and the memories of ‘Six head’ punching his way to stardom on February 17, 2001, still remains etched in the minds of Guyanese of all walks of life. ‘Six head’ took the plaudits but it was Terrence Ali, who had sustained the struggle to break the world title jinx for Guyana; many will remember the famous back flip followed by his patriotic ranting after each victory. Alli was creating waves on the international scene while dominating the ESPN Networks causing the pundits to tab him as the man to break the world title jinx. This was never to be as Terrence had near misses with Harry Arroyo in January 1985, when he became complacent as the fight wound down, got tagged, and the rest is history. He also fought Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC World lightweight title in July 1987 and lost unanimously. Alli was a warrior and

after the Ramirez loss, repaired his career with wins over several top contenders the likes of Joey Olivera, Miguel Santana, Darryl Tyson and Jerry Page; he defeated them all and set the stage for another attempt at the world title. On May 2, 1993 he faced off with Julio Caesar Chavez for the WBC World Super/lightweight title and was woefully outclassed. Nevertheless, he exited the ring the same way he had entered, as a true patriot with the Golden Arrowhead draped around his shoulders. Indeed, after the Chavez encounter, the writing was on the wall for Alli who lost 7 successive fights, one of them, a TKO loss to Andrew ‘Six head’ Lewis in September 1996, a fight the experts opined was the catalyst to Lewis’ eventual lucrative world ranking and subsequent world title win. Terrence closed off his career in October 1997 on a sad note, surrendering a lopsided verdict to Danish fighter, Frank Olsen, in Copenhagen, Denmark. It marked the end of an illustrious career but the beginning of prolonged suffer(ring) in a fight for survival outside the (boxing) ring.’ History is replete with great fighters that have earned millions of dollars but failed miserably in the shrewd management of their funds; those that have lifted themselves from rags to riches before slumping to

Terrence Alli has his hands raised following a victory during his heyday.

their original status. Terrence Alli is thought to be a boxer of such ilk. Unsubstantiated rumors also labeled Alli as a rabid marijuana smoker which contributed in large part to his economic demise. “That is far from the truth!” Alli emphatically stated when Kaieteur Sport engaged him at his residence in Catherine, Mahaicony, recently. “In the very early stages of my life I have dabbled in the Rastafarian culture, sported dreadlocks and (culturally) engaged in marijuana binges,” he admitted. However, Alli stated that all this occurred during his infancy days in the sport when he resided in Linden. “I relinquished the (Rastafarian) faith long before I left Guyana (for Trinidad) and stopped smoking marijuana,” he declared. But what has happened to the millions that he has earned during his heydays? “I hardly fought for the big bucks; during my sojourn on the ESPN Network my purse never surpassed US$7,500,” he stated. Fans will recollect that Alli dominated this network between 1982 through the early 90s. He then made a damning revelation, “I received paltry purses of US$45,000 and US$60,000 for those world title bouts against Jose Luis Ramirez and Harry Arroyo, respectively and those sums were before other prefight expenses were discounted.” The former world contender further disclosed that he had to resort to the legal proceeding to accrue a decent purse for the Chavez fight. I was initially offered just $100,000 but was not prepared to continue selling myself for such pittance so I sought the services of a lawyer and after a short legal battle, managed to clinch an improved purse of US$300,000. I honestly felt that I was worth around US$3M at that time but in those days fighters, especially from foreign countries, had to haggle furiously to clinch decent purses,” said Alli. The uninitiated may measure ‘greatness’ by the number of fights won by a boxer but the true boxing pundit will weigh the issue using such yardstick as the era, quality of the opposition

Alli rests on port canvass following a Chavez assault, is experiencing similar fortunes following his service to this nation.

and the availability of opportunities within the sector. Alli might not have won a world title but no one could deny the fact that his tenure was fraught with challenges and difficulties that hindered the upward mobility of stalwarts, especially those emanating from poor third world countries. It was amidst such ‘turbulence’ that Alli distinguished himself among his peers and cemented his position as a top contender when he invaded the scene in the United States of America and dominated the ESPN networks with top class performances. Born Terrence Haley, Terrence experienced a name change after one of his trainers inadvertently erred in the pronunciation. Somehow, Terrence adored the new tab and it was not long before he adhered to the prerequisites that authenticated it. Alli’s career began in Linden, December 1979, with a points victory over Winston Goodridge. He then lost his next bout to fellow Lindener, Walter Smith, in March 1980. In those days (local) boxing cards were infrequent forcing a resilient Terrence to pack his suitcase and journey to Trinidad and Tobago where he resumed his career with 8 straight w i n s b e f o r e s u ff e r i n g another loss to American, Ishmael Santana in

November 1981. Despite increased activity in Trinidad and Tobago, Terrence still felt that his potential was being stifled so he set his sights on North America. At that time there were no visa restrictions to Canada but the authorities insisted that a legal resident meet the visitor at the port of entry. One of his aunts had promised to meet him but she did not show up. “I had a lucky break after the immigration officer allowed me through,” explained Alli. In January 1982, Terrence resumed his career against Nedrick Simmonds, a Guyanese who had earlier migrated to Canada and forced Simmonds to retire midway of the 10 rounds contest. He then defeated Canadian, Rick Papa, on points but surrendered a points decision to Papa’s countryman, Johnny Sumerhayes, in a ten rounds scrap 3 months later. Despite such a successful sojourn in Canada, Alli knew that if he wanted to realize his goal as a world champion he had to cross over to the USA. Only this time he needed a visa. “I was prepared to do whatever it took to get into the USA; I had heard of so many success stories of boxers living there that I knew that I just had to get in,” he reminisces. He was able to make some contacts and eventually paid for fake

documents that enabled him to pass through the checkpoint that bordered the Niagara/Buffalo crossing into the USA. Terrence was more of a classy boxer and not a knockout artiste, and at that time, his record of 14 wins, 3 losses and 2 knockouts was endorsement. Five months later, on October 11, 1982, Alli stepped into the ring at the Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, for a super/lightweight bout against American, Norberto Ve l e z a n d p r e v a i l e d unanimously. “I spent a few months in Gleason’s Gym, Front Street Brooklyn, before moving over to Times Square Gym in 42nd Street,” Alli recounted. The opportunities were numerous; there were the Friday Night Fights and frequent bouts on the ESPN Network. Alli gravitated to the latter option and pretty soon he became a household product on that network. He squared off with Edwin Luis Rivera, Jerome Artis and Ezzard Charles Adams among other big guns and knocked out every one excepting Rivera, improving his ratings in the ESPN Networks. Earlier, Alli had met legendary trainer, Jimmy Glen, the owner of the Times Square Gym, and his (Alli) success story continued. Between September 1982 and October 1984 Alli chalked up 13 wins from14 (Continued on page 73)

PAGE 80

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 22, 2017

Nand Persaud, Sky Plus Inc stages another Sprint Classic Horserace meet The Nand Persaud and Company Limited known for its signature Karibee Rice Brand, in association with their Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Company will be holding their third Sprint Classic event. This one is set for Sunday February 19th at the company’s new and improving racing facilities at No 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice, starting time is 1 3 : 0 0 h r s . The activity will be coordinated by the Sky P l u s I n c o r p o r a t e d . The event will once again see the horses running in a straight line from start to finish and dubbed as the “Nand Persaud Karibee

S p r i n t C l a s s i c ” . The races will be 880, 660 and 440 yards. There are seven races listed on the day’s card with cash, trophies and other incentives totaling close to $4M. The main event will be for horses classified D and lower over 880 yards for a winning purse of $400,000 and trophy. The lineup is expected to include the likes of Honey Flow, Brave Sky and Golden Blue Echo. The other events are for animals classified F and lower over 660 yards for a top prize of $320,000 and trophy. There is the race for H and lower horses running a distance of 880 yards for a winning take of $300,000 and trophy. The animals classified I3 and lower will be competing for a winning take of $240,000 and trophy over 660 yards. Animals classified Three year maiden, born and bred in Guyana and the West Indies will have a chance to match skills over 660yards for a $200,000 top prize and trophy. The L and lower animals will be running the 880yards distance for the first prize of $105,000 and trophy. The animals classified LL will also be running (Continued on page 73)

Sunday January 22, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 81

Serena marches on to fourth round M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) Serena Williams gave compatriot Nicole Gibbs a lesson in grand slam tennis with a 6-1 63 thrashing to charge into the fourth round of the Australian Open yesterday. Having passed her earlier tests against more accomplished players, second seed Williams had far too many weapons for the 92nd-ranked Gibbs, who appeared overawed by the occasion at a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena. Williams suffered a brief lapse when serving for the match at 5-2 and was broken for the first time, but she promptly broke back to close out the one-sided contest in just over an hour. The 35-year-old American, bidding for a record 23rd grand slam title in the professional era and a seventh at Melbourne Park, heads into the second week, and a clash against 16th seed Barbora Strycova, in fine

touch. “I feel like I have been able to do pretty good,” Williams told reporters, having had only two tour matches to warm up for the tournament after calling off her season after the U.S. Open last September to deal with a knee injury. “I have been doing the things I have been doing in practice, and hopefully I can build up on this. “That’s all I want to do.” Ominously for Czech Strycova and other Tour rivals, Williams could do a whole lot more. She landed only half her first serves against Gibbs and racked up 26 unforced errors. It hardly mattered, as Gibbs’s feisty opening salvo early in the first set was quickly subdued by Williams’s power hitting. A former national collegiate champion, the outspoken Gibbs has developed a profile with her

Serena Williams of the U.S. shakes hands after winning her Women’s singles third round match against Nicole Gibbs of the U.S. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter) commentary on various social issues such as gun control and race, but the 23year-old had enough problems of her own to deal with against Williams. She double-faulted meekly to drop serve for a second time and trail 5-1 in the first set, and Williams closed it out in 26 minutes.

GAPF honour three at AGM

Former GAPF GS now Committee Member Melissa Tucker (left) presents a token of appreciation to Tracy Shamsudeen. Law Student Tracy Shamsudeen who is also an active powerlifter in the RAW 72kg class along with TV Sports Show Host Max Messiah and Kathleen Paul, a Sports Therapist/Masseuse were all recognized by the Ed Caesar led Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) at their

Annual General Meeting that took place one week ago at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue. Caesar in giving a brief on the contributions of the three awardees stated that they have all made valuable contributions to the body which is very grateful.

Shamsudeen contributed to the redrafting and updating of the constitution which needed to be relevant to the times; Messiah assisted the federation with p u b l i c i t y, w h i l e P a u l assisted many athletes including at the international level, to be fit and ready for competing.

Statistically, Gibbs was up against it, with Williams not losing to a player ranked outside the top 50 since a shock loss to Virginie Razzano at Roland Garros in 2012. Adding to that, Williams has lost only twice in 29 matches against fellow Americans since an injury-

hampered quarter-final defeat by Sloane Stephens at Melbourne Park in 2013. Ever generous in praising opponents after crushing them, Williams said Gibbs did “a great job” and that she had not intimidated. “The same thing with me when I was growing up,”

said the former world number one. “I was in awe and had so much respect for these (top) player s . B u t w h e n I stepped out there, I wanted to see what I can do, all my years of work and how it would stand up against the greatest.”

t r o Sp STAG Nations Cup KO Football

City vs West side double tonight at Tucville as semi final spots at stake

Western Tigers FC

Jaguars depart for Regional Super 50

Members of the Guyana Jaguars team with GCB secretary Anand Sanasie (right) and treasurer Anand Kalladeen (left) prior to their departure at the Windjammer Hotel in Kitty. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210