Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Citizens’ rights and the law The state of affairs in relation to the protection of the rights of consumers in Guyana needs attention. Some inroads have been made with the passing of the Consumer Protection Bill and the bolstering of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission. The question as to whether enough has been done still has merit however, since to a large extent, most of the challenges facing consumers remain. A number of relevant factors collectively contribute to this reality. Citizens are still not fully aware of their rights, we lack the human resources necessary to effectively police the system, businesses will not conform to new expectations until they are forced to do so and the watchdog groups required to support the work of the government agencies do not exist. A visit to the commercial centres across this country would underscore the need for greater protection for our citizens. It is not uncommon to find businesses still unabashedly curtailing customers’ rights to refunds and exchanges for faulty products and services. Consumers are still saddled with goods—even pharmaceuticals—with foreign language labels or no labels at all. In the latter cases, our consumers are oblivious of the contents, weight and nutritional or other value of the products they are purchasing. Likewise, one would be hard-pressed to find a consistent approach to warranties on goods that comply with the established laws. Bait and switch and other underhand practices that dupe the average consumer are common in advertising. Hire-purchase and loan contracts are devoid of the basic protections one would expect and have led to untold numbers of consumers being hoodwinked on a daily basis. The list of prevailing abuses goes on with little sense of change in sight. Few of the victims are aware of or even bother to pursue the recourse options currently available to them and in frustration, some have recently aired their grievances in the press. In the first instance, a more broad-based, sustained consumer rights education approach needs to be implemented. Our citizens need to have ready access to information that informs the decisions they make in relation to purchasing goods and services. Consumerism can go a long way in changing the status quo, since customers armed with the relevant knowledge make better, more informed decisions, thereby forcing commercial entities to conform to expectations. It is important therefore for consumer education to include the school-age population in their target audience so that over time, a new culture could be created where an appreciation of the totality of one’s rights as a consumer is a given. Equally important is the enforcement of the existing laws. Our history demonstrates that without enforcement, many of our laws, despite being well placed and relevant, are meaningless. The sad reality is that many of the businesses will not comply with the regulations until some are made an example of and are dragged before the courts. There is no basis upon which one would expect that the current commercial practices of some would change overnight without strong legal pressure. Legalism and consumerism combined over time can serve to bring about a change in behaviour to the benefit of all citizens. Equally important is the presence of watchdog groups that consistently monitor prevailing practices and highlight any transgressions. Lastly, the avenues and mechanisms for recourse must be known, readily available and responsive to the plights of consumers. Highly bureaucratic structures only serve to dissuade the average person from reporting grievances and following up cases. The status quo needs to and can change; it requires a number of different factors to synchronize and collectively orchestrate a new reality for consumers.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
The morbid one is Freddie, not the PPP/C nor Jagdeo DEAR EDITOR, Let me acknowledge publicly that I read the “Freddie Kissoon Column” whenever it is at hand (so too – “Peeping Tom”, “Ian on Sunday”, “Future Notes”, “So it Go”, and others) not as a Freddie fan, far from being a fan, but respectful as I should be of the opinion of any fellow Guyanese, and aware that Freddie’s view would be informed by some scholarship, although in my view too often forced, selective, distorted, all to be critical of the PPP and the PPP/C. Freddie’s article on Jagdeo in KN of Tuesday, January 23, is true to form – morbidity would be a more apt descriptor of Freddie than of the PPP, PPP/C or Former President and currently, Leader of the Opposition (LOP),Jagdeo, who provided the great opportunities for the transformation of Guyanese and Guyana for the better. Going to Freddie’s
Column, paragraphs 2,3,4 and 5,as well as the fourth from the end are quotes from a recent press-conference of the LOP in which he reiterates forcefully what has been the aspiration of the PPP (and the PPP/C) from their conception: a party that in its leadership reflects Guyana, so that us Guyanese thrown together so recently, historically speaking, may see in the leadership of the party, - whatever our race, religion, or region of Guyana from which we come, fellow citizens looking like ourselves who could empathize with us. No doubt there have been any number of instances when any number of PPP and PPP/C persons may have fallen below our high ideals of seeing and treating with each other primarily as Guyanese, but whoever questions the earnestness and persistence of the PPP in this regard should look to historical
facts: the four founding members in 1943, c o m p o s i n g t h e PA C (Political Affairs Committee) – Cheddi, Janet, Jocelyn Hubbard, Ashton Chase; the grabbing of the recently returned young lawyer, L F S Burnham, to be Chairman of the newly founded (in 1950) PPP; the formation in 1990 of the PPP/C when it appeared that there might be a return to fair and free elections, adding and combining new nonPPP persons (patriotic and not anti-PPP) with those who had stuck with Cheddi and the PPP during the years after 1964. I want to reiterate that whilst in office, we PPP/C including President Jagdeo, sought to do in the context of the time and resources available, what was good for developing Guyanese and Guyana holistically: I can’t recall ever going through a list – this programme is for Indians, this for Africans,
this for Amerindians and so on. As I have recalled on previous occasions, in 1994 we put aside the commitment of the then outgoing PNC to close the bauxite operations forthwith, if profitability could not be found by the International Manager. We read in the newspapers today about all our Coalition Government has to face in reforming our sugar sector. Well, we PPP/C and Jagdeo, faced all the same issues (about paying severance pay promptly and reconciling and making good the workers’ saving scheme, statutory remittances to GRA and NIS, and so on). We did what we had to do without any fuss, as we were Government for all Guyanese and Guyana. Concerning the four specific examples given by Freddie of actions taken by the PPP/C under Jagdeo to seemingly alienate (Continued on page 6)
Sunday January 28, 2018
We need better conditions for teachers in riverine communities DEAR EDITOR, As a member of the Saxacalli Primary School P.T.A, I was shocked when I learnt that our headmaster was required to pay ten percent of his salary as rent for the teacher’s house he is temporarily occupying. Riverine schools have always had a problem attracting teachers from the Coastland and Saxacalli Primary is of no exception. In fact, in the past, our school was always under staffed. Happily, this situation changed when our headmaster was appointed. Editor, to leave your home and family and venture into the interior is a sacrifice. Apparently the Minister of Education does not recognize this fact. I think that if a little research was done this drastic
measure might not have been implemented. Our headmaster who took up his appointment less than a year ago, is doing a wonderful job and should be encouraged. In fact all riverine teachers who leave their homes to serve interior locations should be lauded. I happen to know that our headteacher is paying rent where he and his family reside on the West Bank of Demerara. To expect a teacher who is already under paid to pay rent for two houses, is I think, unfair. It is my humble opinion, that teachers in the interior areas should be given special considerations since dedicated teachers are often out of pocket for simple things which the Ministry of Education does not supply. Grants
are inadequate and can never supply everything needed. For instance, our headteacher uses his privately owned computer and printer to do school work. Ink for printers is expensive and the cost is never reimbursed. Teachers who have families out of the district are already sacrificing part of their salaries. The Ministry of Education should deal with teachers and especially those with a university degree in such a way that they will not seek greener pastures abroad. The powers that be, should do some research and make the necessary adjustments where riverine teachers are concerned. It will be a sad day for Saxacalli if because of this drastic measure our sir decides to leave. Mr. E. C. Lobert
SEND THEM PACKING DEAR EDITOR, My reference is your report “Minister chides M&CC over Bel Air Park playfield takeover”, to which I say hooray! The Minister has very finely stepped forward. I have in the past said that Minister Bulkan should assert himself in matters concerning the M & CC and hopefully he would move more frequently and purposely in putting that Council on even keel. Far too many behavioral oddities are besmirching that Council and it is only a blind person cannot see the coming calamity.That task is very challenging as the list of oddities include:
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Kaieteur News
1. An all powerful TC whose explosions and expressions most make no sense 2. Intense secrecy over matters that all Councillors should be aware of, but darkness envelops the secrecy 3. Disregard for the norms of autocratic operations which despite being all powerful, still have to comply with the norms of society and the rule of law.Both the Mayor and the Town Clerk should be sent on permanent leave for they are unable to do the tasks required of them.Take my advice Mister Minister, send them packing now, Carl Veecock
The current processes at GGMC do not work for the small miners DEAR EDITOR, We would like to respond to yesterday’s article in the Kaieteur News highlighting some processes at the GGMC. We know that the Minister through her over 20 years’ experience is well aware of the many processes of GGMC. She was only highlighting one issue out of the many complaints she has received from small miners about the functioning of GGMC, especially relating to Land Management issues. However the minister is well able to represent herself. The above is only one example of the many injustices small miners suffer because of the current processes at the GGMC. The broader point we want to make is that the current processes at GGMC do not work for the small miners and should be changed. Allow me space for a few more examples of the process not working for us small miners. 1. What process prevents a single mother, Ms. Matilda Leonce, who has been paying for three claims since 2001 which she located several times, from receiving her mining license from GGMC despite several verifications? 2. What process allows a small mining group from Albouystown to apply for
two blocks since 2014 and not receive them despite over 10 documented visits to GGMC while a large miner recently applied for the same blocks and received them? 3. What process allows a small miner to apply and receive legal position to work on an executive member of the GGDMA’s land, then to have the GGDMA member evict the small miner immediately after he ‘bores’ gold? 4. What process allows a miner with many properties who abuses workers, threatens, intimidates and fires shots at small miners resulting in an ongoing police investigation to receive several blocks in the same area which small miners applied for but were denied? 5. What process allows the president of the GGDMA to receive 15 Blocks in Karrau for small miners in his name while sitting on the board at GGMC which signs off on the issuance of mining blocks? 6. What process results in a PPMS holder who applies for a Mining Licence conversion to have to wait a year while another miner with an
‘alternative letter’ receives a PPMS and then has it converted into an ML in three months. The list has no end. We small miners want to clearly state that the current process at GGMC is not working for small miners and should be changed. It is for this reason why the mining syndicates of Guyana comprising of hundreds of small miners recently submitted a petition to the President of Guyana, the Minister of Natural Resources and The Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, asking for the changing of the Land Management Manager at GGMC and an enquiry into the operations of the GGMC starting with the Land Management Department. There are five other requests. Arthur Adams Syndicate in One
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Kaieteur News
Government should consider ‘privatization’of public hospitals DEAR EDITOR, This week I had the misfortune of being forced to use the services (so-called but quite absent!) of the Skeldon Public Hospital which resonated with other negative reports of poor, inhumane (mis)treatment as with other public hospitals. My family doctor insisted that I go there immediately for oxygen and X-ray before proceeding by ambulance to the Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown for specialist attention. My family accordingly called for the ambulance attached to the Skeldon Public Hospital which is a stone’s throw away from our residence. I soon realized that it was a mere building with the misnomer of a Hospital. This completely negative impression is based on the very arrogant, non-empathic attitude of the staff and virtual absence of basic amenities. The staff were like inanimate fixtures attached like posts to the building devoid of any humane quality, professional pride or sense of being of service to the poor souls who are forced to seek their unwilling help.First of all the ambulance arrived and waited for me; it was still facing my house instead of the road; the doors were open to the opposite side of the steps so I had to walk around to ascend the vehicle while the driver and attendant were still standing nonchalantly outside. It took about five minutes before we could leave my
yard; I got the feeling that I could have walked across to the hospital in less time. As we arrived with the ambulance at the hospital, it took several minutes before the doctor moved from his ‘gaffing’ with others standing around him to come in and arrogantly ask me what was wrong. In the meantime I noticed two other patients waiting in the beds in the waiting room and being completely ignored while in obvious discomfort. After some perfunctory processes, I was put into a wheelchair to be pushed across the compound to another building that housed the X-ray unit; the ride in the wheelchair pushed by a hefty, aggressive attendant, reminded me of the taxi and minibus drivers on the public road, rough and hitting every hump and obstacle on the way to the X-ray unit where the X-ray technician was already loudly complaining about having to wait after 4.00 pm to attend to me; she roughly and rudely went through the motions of taking the X-ray with equipment that looked so dirty that I felt uncomfortable to touch it as I was barked at by the attendant to wait for the results, which in any case I was not allowed to take with me to the specialist in Georgetown! I naturally wondered what was the use of taking the X-ray! The ambulance was then ready to take me to Georgetown; as I re-entered it I was told by the attendant
that I had to lie down on the ugly, dirty, metallic ‘benchbed’ for the ride to Georgetown; the siren of the ambulance was perfunctorily put on and it added considerably the feeling of riding in a rickety old truck. When I asked the attendant if she was not going to put on the oxygen, she blandly told me that there was no oxygen! I could not fathom the absence of oxygen in an ambulance taking a patient with a suspected heart condition from Skeldon to Georgetown.I felt t h e r e was no need for the ambulance so I directed that i t b e stopped so that I could join my family who were following the ambulance in my car and we continued on the way to Georgetown in the better comfort and speed of my car. As we arrived at the Woodlands Hospital, the entire experience of getting me ensconced was so diametrically opposite what I had experienced at the Skeldon Public Hospital that I now feel obliged to report it publicly with my personal recommendation that the Government should seriously consider shutting this and possibly all other public hospitals which from previous widespread reports are not different from the Skeldon Public Hospital. The taxpayers’ money thus saved can be put to better use. Sick people, no matter how poor they are, should (Continue on page 7)
Sunday January 28, 2018
The morbid one is Freddie, ... From page 4 Afro-Guyanese, one who is not morbid would see them as possibly mistakes though well intended and well-intended they were: (i) whatever was in Roger Luncheon’s mind when he told the court “that no African Guyanese at the time was qualified to be a diplomat”, there must have been subsequent review because soon thereafter without notice and fanfare, a number of African Guyanese were appointed diplomats(ii) the then Chairman of the ERC recalls endeavouring to gather data from many agencies of government and private institutions to give an ethnic breakdown of their interactions with the public – the universal response was that there was not the practice of determining and recording the ethnicity of clients – it was thus indicated that a bigger project was necessary to obtain the useful information desired; (iii)siting of the 1823 monument at the seawall was appropriate as the design evoked the uprising and struggle, and it could be readily erected at the seawall site – siting at Parade Ground should and probably would have attracted considerations of other designs appropriate for that site, perhaps designs evoking the “torture, mutilations and executions” perpetrated at that site; (iv) I went to the trouble to obtain and read a copy of the letter referred to by Freddie and it could only be considered “venomous” in the pain
of its truth. Some persons see similar sentiments and concerns expressed by Freddie himself in his series entitled “Vodoo Political theory”. I, like Jagdeo and Ramotar, sense no case for sanctioning that lady. We PPP/C cannot hold out that we set out to do anything specifically, exclusively directed and intended for Afro-Guyanese but we will hold out that AfroGuyanese shared equitability in the growth and development that all of us Guyanese engaged ourselves in during the years of the PPP/C in Office. We are not reluctant to acknowledge the actions of Former President Desmond Hoyte which (re)opened roads to growth and development. I am not reluctant to argue that, subsequently, we have to largely thank Jagdeo as an exceedingly competent and practical economist and politician, as Finance Minister and then as President. It so happened that in the same issue of KN in an article entitled, “Getting Help”, Peeping Tom remarks on how skillfully and successfully Bharrat Jagdeo managed the effects of the world financial crisis of 2008. It would be informative and good to have listings for our citizens who were able to acquire their first vehicles and/or their first homes during 1992 to 2015, with the PPP/C and Jagdeo in Office, to enter their names, and I would be ready to wager a big jill that it would be found that AfroGuyanese have enjoyed a reasonably proportional improvement when compared to what Afro-Guyanese and all Guyanese had before 1992. Turning to the “poor Sam Hinds” in the last two paragraphs of the column, Freddie seemingly forgets the circumstances, the foregoing of the PPP and the unwritten covenants under which Cheddi and the PPP formed the Civic
Component. Recall that when it looked like the anticipated 1990 election might be fair and free, not rigged, Cheddi Jagan recognizing the estrangement and isolation that would have grown between our peoples post 1964, and sensing the need once more to pull our Guyanese people together, formed the PPP/C seeking to bring into an extended leadership (and support base) any Guyanese who at that time was not hostile to and was ready to work with the historical PPP to rebuild and restore and take Guyana forward. It was obvious that once again Afro-Guyanese were particularly sought after by Cheddi and the PPP even when they may have been at the heart of the PNC earlier. Jagdeo is carrying on along the longheld aspirations of the PPP and PPP/C.It was known at the time that Cheddi was seeking an Afro-Guyanese Civic to be his running mate and Prime Ministerial candidate. Again, as was widely known, the then well-known economist, Dr. Clive Thomas headed his list which was said to include other then known persons, Gordon Todd, Aubrey Armstrong, Maurice Odle, all known to and respected by Cheddi. It was when these (and perhaps others) could not accept for various reasons that the name of then unknown but lucky Sam Hinds came on the table, and he has not been poor for it. Sam Hinds was a novice to politics who had no expectations of becoming President, and his stepping aside was him being true to the unwritten PPP/C covenant. A document presented by President Jagdeo about 2005, entitled “Building Trust” points to what we, all Guyanese (including Freddie), should be working towards. Samuel A. A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Unfair treatment of the Rupununi Mining Association DEAR EDITOR, Due to the ongoing dispute between the small miners of Rupununi Mining District 6 and Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd., the small miners have merged to form the Rupununi Mining Association so that we can have one voice. Mining activities in Marudi Mountain is at a standstill since the displaced miners are out of work. Romanex has acquired the rights for the concession for decades now, but have not started any mining since the apparent abandonment. The small miners in the area started working two mountains that contains gold, and that gold is found
in the rocks, which means that it has to be processed with crushers. There are currently 70 crushers working, of which employs a minimum of five persons each that all have families, therefore, thousands of people directly and indirectly that are now depending on that place to earn their daily bread. Romanex has promised them that if they move the landing to another location, they will allow the people to work. As such, with great effort, the landing was moved to a new location and up to this date Romanex has not allowed the people to recommence working. President Granger himself
Government should... From Page 6 not have to endure such uncouth public service behaviour for a virtual non-service. The Government owes all its citizens, rich and poor, corrective action or let the private hospitals take over for stipends paid to them from the savings of shutting down the so-called public hospitals as is the case in more progressive countries. Nowrang Persaud
had promised the people that he would see to it that they would work (this is recorded in video), the Minister of Natural Resources himself made promises to take action in favor of the small miners. Many GGMC officials and others have visited the area and made promises and it is now over 2 years that people are waiting and suffering. Some persons have already lost their proprieties to banks because they are unable to pay their loans. Many people have sold whatever little they had in order to invest in mining at Marudi and now the equipment is deteriorating and they are becoming frustrated and desperate. The way I see this situation, we are at a breaking point now, and everyone is getting desperate, there are talks of rioting against the company in order to recommence working. It was published in the Kaieteur News last week Saturday that the Government has given access to land to the small miners and the Guyana Women Miners Orga-
nization, but those lands do not have any sort of gold potential. That seems more like a joke to us. The only place that has gold potential is on the two mountains. As such, we are requesting one mountain be given to us and the other to Romanex in order for everyone to earn a living. As I have mentioned before, these people have really been stretched out, and they are at breaking point now. The miners have decided that if they cannot get the appropriate approval from the Government by the end of the new week, they will go ahead and start back working, with or without approval! They said, ‘we have families, and we have to eat and to live. It is over two years now and we are holding up ‘we side’, but all we getting from the Government is ‘nuff sweet talk’.’ We are kindly seeking Governmental intervention before the situation gets out of control. Marlon Johnson, President, Rupununi Mining Association
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Michael Parris should be Guyana’s 2020 Olympics flag bearer DEAR EDITOR, For as long as I can recall, I have always followed Sports Internationally via television broadcast, newspapers, magazines, videos etc. and I will admit, it’s the Olympic Games which is very close to my heart for many reasons...Perhaps it’s the unity of nationalities from all representing nations that I am always impressed with among other reasons. That been said, I don’t believe there is anyone who would tell me otherwise that the opening ceremony is one of the most nerve racking experience especially walking out carrying the flag of your country and facing the universe with honour. To date, the following persons were flag bearers on behalf of Guyana: 1972 Munich, Germany Gordon Sankies 1984 Los Angeles, USA Earl Haley 1988 Seoul ,Korea Alfred Thomas 1992 Barcelona,Spain Aubrey Richmond 1996 Atlanta,USA John Douglas 2000 Sydney,Australia Aliann Pompey 2004 Athens, Greece Aliann Pompey 2008 Beijing, China Niall Roberts 2012 London,United Kingdom Winston George 2016 Rio,Brasil Hannibal Gaskin.. As Guyana prepares to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, I now call on the GOA to consider Bronze Medalist, Michael Parris for this venture. He is the only person to date with an Olympic Medal for Guyana and on that note, I believe he deserves that honour. T.Pemberton
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Sugar talks lead to bitter internal fallout in PPP...
Komal Chand prepared to back workers over party affiliation President of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, said yesterday that he will continue to place the needs of workers above political considerations. Chand, a Member of Parliament for the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has come under criticisms for leading the union in a meeting with Government on January 19, last, to discuss the way forward for over 7000 workers who were cut from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). “I have always stood with the workers. GAWU is a mass organization. We are not affiliated with the PPP as we were in the mid-70s. I have always stood very firm with the workers. My loyalty first is
with the workers,” Chand told Kaieteur News. President David Granger, and members of his Cabinet, met with GAWU and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) at the Ministry of the Presidency to discuss the future of the sugar industry. A Government release stated that after more than two hours of discussions, the parties were able to find common ground and the Unions agreed to fully cooperate with the Government to find a solution, which can benefit all stakeholders. Chand stated that the meeting was based on a request from the membership which wanted to get certain matters clarified, including the payment of severance.
At a press conference yesterday, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, expressed personal issues with the statement in the press release of the parties working on common grounds. He said that the Government scored public relations points from the meeting and questioned the common grounds which were agreed upon between the two parties. “The unions came away with nothing and the Government came out with a wonderful statement. We met, big photo [opportunity] around the world; they agreed with the union to work on a common ground for the future. What is this future?” Jagdeo questioned. The Opposition Leader’s criticisms followed an article published in the Guyana Times that called for Chand’s removal as president of GAWU. The Times newspaper is owned by Jagdeo’s best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi 'Bobby' Ramroop and has
over the years been labeled as a mouthpiece of the PPP. Several political analysts believe that the meeting has angered the leadership of the PPP and attempts are being made to have Chand removed as the union’s president. Chand said it is suspicious that an article calling for his removal would appear in one newspaper and not the other parts of the media. He noted that people call for the removal of union heads on a regular basis, but it is not carried on the front page of a national newspaper. “I have had no problem with the PPP with all the previous leaders and General Secretaries. They have not caused any problem because they understood that we are an independent organization,” Chand noted. He added, “I am the leader of the union, having been elected. I am serving the workers. If the PPP or any organization I am in wants to change my position on issues on behalf of the sugar workers and wider membership I will have to take the position of the workers and if that organization wants to part company with me then what can I do about that?” Jagdeo downplayed that
Komal Chand
Bharrat jagdeo
the meeting between the unions and Government had caused a rift in the PPP. “The Party has no rift between anyone. I am just telling you issues that I have concerns about, but the party and GAWU are allies. In this case we are fighting for the same cause,” Jagdeo noted. Jagdeo pointed out that GAWU is an institution where workers, who pay their dues, determine their leadership. “They are free to elect their leaders and they are free to call for their removal at anytime. That is not the PPP’s business. Somehow, some newspaper article was sold by
some as the PPP’s position,” Jagdeo stated. He maintained that the Government cannot pay the workers all of their severance yet the union found them as a good partner to talk with. “They decimated half of your membership and there is no promise to help them in the future. What is, if not a PR exercise? The PPP is an old party; we can see it. We saw Granger’s efforts to do public relations. We are not going to show there for meeting just to satisfy Granger’s government public relations when they don’t mean anything,” Jagdeo stated.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Dem boys seh...
JAGDEO IS DE CENTRE OF EVERYTHING Every living thing that can breathe and smell love sugar. You put down sugar, ants, bees even li’l children does push dem tongue in it. Sugar mek Jagdeo, that scamp, learn to thief. He mamma use to send him to de store to buy groceries and he use to full sugar in ee pocket. He tun president and decide that nobody must eat sugar suh he bruck up de sugar industry. He buy a US$8 million corn flour plant fuh grind sugar cane at Skeldon and seh he pay US$200 million. De thing never grind a pound of cane. De workers use to throw balls inside and de factory couldn’t grind dem workers balls. It surely didn’t grind Jagdeo own. That was de beginning of de collapse of de sugar industry. Now this scamp putting blame pun Komal Chand and others. Is de same thing he do wid thiefing Exxon. He sign a secret contract giving away all of Guyana to de oil company. Today he blaming de new govt. De oil company give Guyana a bill fuh US$460 million from 1999 to 2013, de exact period when he, Jagdeo, was president. Exxon did only buy a few plane tickets to come here and meet him over those years and now we hearing that Guyana owe US$460 million to Exxon even before dem bring a hose, a pipe or a generator. Dem boys seh that half of that money is kickback to Jagdeo, money that he done collect. That was de beginning of kickbacks to dem politicians and it continue to today. No wonder he can build a US$5 million mansion when his entire life salary ain’t even meet US$1 million, even if he never spend a dollar from it. And de US$5 million don’t include de half million US chandelier. If you think dem boys incorrect, do de Maths. Check wheh he wuk, how much he use to get against his mansion alone.
Talk half and hope Exxon stop de scampishness and look back at de contract wha dem using to rob de babies of dem milk in Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
GBTI names director as new chief The Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry (GBTI) has named Richard Isava, a director, as its new chief. Isava, who heads up the Guyana Americas Merchant Bank Inc., a sister company of the bank, was appointed by the Board of Directors to act in the capacity of Executive Director of the bank effective January 8, 2018. “As Executive Director, Mr. Isava assumes overall charge and responsibility for the day to day management of the Bank, until further notice,” GBTI said in a statement published in the state owned Guyana Chronicle. Isava would have replaced Trinidadian, Larry Nath, who was earmarked for the Chief Executive Officer position, but earlier this month “declined” the position after questions were raised over his track record. Nath was linked to an insider’s trading scandal at the state owned First Citizens Bank in Trinidad. In Guyana, when it became known late last year that he was named as the new chief for the bank, there were immediate questions about him being “fit and proper”, a
criterion that he would have had to overcome before being confirmed in that sensitive position. Controlled by the Beharry Group, GBTI is one of the country’s largest banks but has been facing some troubles recently. Earlier this month, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga, disclosed that his office had received correspondence from GBTI which indicated that Nath will not be taking up the position. He said that GBTI has since named another person as the interim head. Nath resigned from
Trinidad’s First Citizens Bank in late 2014 amid a major investigation involving insider trading. Several other persons were sacked and the entire board of that state-owned bank resigned as a result. In December, the Bank of Guyana and Guyana Securities Council both confirmed that they were probing how Nath was named as GBTI’s CEO. At both institutions, Kaieteur News was told, there are regulations in place that compel financial institutions to provide evidence that their managers are “fit and proper” to hold those positions. In Nath’s case, it was unclear whether his troubles
New GBTI chief: Richard Isava in Trinidad, where the insider trading issue, was widely reported, was brought to the attention of both the Bank of Guyana and that of the Continued on page 69
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Govt. secure mediocre Local Content provisions in contract with ExxonMobil For several months, members of the private sector community and even various commentators have issued calls for there to be proper Local Content provisions in place. The Government had promised the citizenry that this would have been secured in the contract it renewed in 2016 with USA oil king, ExxonMobil. But after a careful examination of the contract, critics have found that the local content provisions secured by the government are trivial or insignificant to say the least. This was pointed out recently by Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram. Ram in his recent writings highlighted several aspects of the contract which speak to Local Content. He noted that Article 18 of the contract which deals with local content has been subject to a number of modifications when compared with the 1999 Agreement.
He said that one of the obvious changes is that the activities regarding local content will be carried out not by the Contractor but by an Operator appointed by the three companies making up the Contractor. The Three Companies that make up the Contractor ExxonMobil are Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited, and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited. In respect of goods and services, Ram noted that Article 18 requires the Operator to give preference to Guyanese goods and materials of a quality and quantity, timely delivery and competitive prices. However, when it comes to Guyanese Sub-Contractors, Ram was careful to highlight that the contract says that preference is to be given “if they are commercially competitive and meet financial and technical requirements”.
- Chartered Accountant highlights numerous flaws Furthermore, the lawyer points out that Article 18.2 requiring the Contractor to establish tender procedures remains unchanged for the acquisition of goods, materials and services which shall ensure that Guyanese suppliers and Sub-Contractors are given adequate opportunity to compete for the supply of goods and services. Ram said that there is also a requirement in the petroleum agreement for the Contractor to train Guyanese suppliers and Sub¬ contractors in the procedures for participating in tenders and competing for contracts to be offered in the Operations. He said that under the 1999 Agreement, “The old Article 18.3 required the Contractor, within 90 days of the end of the year, to provide the
Minister with a report outlining its achievements in utilizing Guyanese resources during that calendar year. “That has now been replaced in 18.4 with a provision that requires the Contractor and the Minister (sic) to prepare a yearly plan for the utilization of qualified Guyanese resources for the upcoming year.” “Further, the sub-Article requires the Contractor and the Minister to meet and consider the effectiveness of the plan (which they have prepared!). Within 30 days of each half-year, the Contractor is required to provide a report to the Minister outlining its achievements in utilizing qualified Guyanese resources during the previous half-year and to make appropriate adjustments to the yearly plan
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram to better accomplish the local content goal.” The attorney said that apart from the amateur drafting of this highly important Article, it seems that once again, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, has gone outside of the legislation which requires proposals on local content to be part of the application for a prospecting
and a production licence. Ram stressed that these licences are usually issued on condition that such objectives are achieved. EMPLOYMENTAND TRAINING Ram pointed out that Article 19 of the contract which speaks to Employment and Training has been amended. Ram said that at Article 19.2 of the 1999 Agreement, the Contractor was required to employ to the maximum extent possible, employ, and encourage Sub-Contractors to employ Guyanese citizens having appropriate qualifications and experience. He said that the words “maximum extent possible” have, rather unfortunately, been deleted while instead of encourage, the Contractor is required to “contractually obligate” sub-Contractors to hire appropriately qualified Guyanese. Additionally, Ram states (Continued on page 16)
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Nonperforming loans and the decline of lending by banks One of the core functions of a bank is to provide loans so that companies can make worthwhile investments that would lead to job creation. On a much smaller scale, loans to individuals can assist them in the purchase of a car or the construction of a home. But it is not only the indi-
vidual or company that benefits from this arrangement. The bank is also expected to benefit as it earns money from the interest it receives on these loans. When a bank gets involved in this practice, it is not without risk. The bank can never be sure that the com-
pany or individual will repay the money within the agreed time span. If the borrower stops paying back the loan or the interest, after a specific amount of time the bank must classify the loan as a “bad debt” or “nonperforming”. The overall manager of
loans in Guyana’s financial system is Central Bank. Officials from the Central Bank generally consider a loan to be non-performing when more than 90 days have passed without the borrower paying the agreed installments. This often happens when a borrower faces unexpected financial difficulties, for example when an individual loses his job and therefore cannot repay their mortgage as agreed, or when a company experiences financial constraints. In the worst case scenario, the borrower is completely unable to repay the loan and the bank needs to correct the value of the loan on its balance sheet – sometimes even to zero. This is often referred to as “writing off” a loan. To be successful in the long run, a bank needs to keep the level of bad loans at a minimum so that it can still earn a profit from giving out loans. Once the value of non-performing loans exceeds a certain level, the bank’s profitability suffers because it earns less money from its credit business. Banks need to put money aside, i.e. make a provision, as a safety net in case they need to write down or write off the loan at some point in time. Both the drop in income and the money set aside for the worst-case scenario result in the bank having less money available to provide new loans, further reducing its profits. A bank with too much bad debt cannot properly provide companies with the credit they need to invest and create jobs. If this happens to many banks on a large scale, it affects the economy as whole and therefore individual members of society. Reduced investment by companies and a lower number of newly created jobs lead to less growth. This essentially sums up the situation that has been taking place in Guyana over the last few years. It is at this point, we shall dive head on into the hardcore statistics. REVIEWING 2016 Reflecting on its accomplishments for 2016, Central Bank is convinced that it has remained steadfast in observing its duties to the nation as price and monetary stability was maintained. But there are still a few challenges within the financial sector that it remains concerned about. According to Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, the issue of nonperforming loans remained a worrying issue. The Central Bank Gover-
nor said that it remains a major challenge since the last eighteen months has seen the elevated level of non-performing loans. He said that this was due in part to the decline in nonoil commodity prices and reclassification of exposures by a few banks. Dr. Ganga said that nonperforming loans remain the focus of intense scrutiny by the Bank of Guyana as it continues to monitor and encourage financial institutions to implement measures to reduce same. The level of non-performing loans deteriorated by a further 17.1 percent (following the 41.5 percent rise at endDecember 2015), to close at G$30,286 million at end-December 2016. The deterioration was attributed to five Licensed Depository Financial Institutions (LDFIs). Non-performing loans represented 11.5 percent of total loans, 1.4 percentage points above end December 2015. Total loans grew by 2.0 percent over the comparative period to G$262,526 million, with five LDFIs recording increases ranging 1.6 percent to 13.3 percent. Five of the eight LDFIs recorded increases in the level of their non-performing loans, taking the aggregate non-performing loans 17.1 percent (G$4,412 million) above the G$25,874 million reported at end-December 2015. The three remaining LDFIs’ loan portfolios improved with their nonperforming loans declining within the range of 1.9 percent to 8.3 percent. The 17.1 percent rise in the overall level of nonperforming loans was due mainly to a 12.2 percent ($2,412 million) increase in non-performing loans in the business enterprises sector. Sectoral Non-Performing Loans On a sectoral basis, nonperforming loans expanded in both the business enterprises and households sectors by a respective 12.2 percent and 32.9 percent when compared with 2015. The increases in the services and manufacturing subsectors of 33.7 percent and 7.8 percent respectively were responsible for the overall increase in the business enterprises non-performing loans. The sub-sectors with the highest concentrations of non-performing loans were
the construction and engineering sub-sector accounting for 75.6 percent of the manufacturing sector; and the distribution subsector (wholesale and retail trade) accounting for 43.5 percent of the services sub-sector. The housing sub-sector (including purchase of land and real estate) accounted for 65.8 percent of the households sector. Provision for loan losses The ratio of provision for loan losses to nonperforming loans at end-December 2016 was 44.6 percent, up from 37.7 percent at end-December 2015. RISK ASSESSMENT The overall assessment of the banks’ credit risk remained high and increasing as the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans rose to 12.9 percent, up from 11.5 percent at end-December 2015. Poor credit administration and inadequate credit risk management were the main contributors to this rating. Three banks were rated as high and increasing due to the growing levels of NPLs. NBS’ credit risk rating was assessed as low and stable while HIHT’s was assessed as high and decreasing. Loan concentration among large borrowers deepened with exposure to the industry’s top twenty borrowers as at December 31, 2016 of G$58,578 million reflecting a 4.3 percent (G$2,392 million) expansion above the level at end-December 2015. Four LDFIs recorded increases ranging from 1.0 percent to 23.9 percent in their respective exposures, while the remaining four LDFIs had respective decreases ranging from 5.1 percent to 15.0 percent. The ratio of the industry’s top twenty borrowers to total exposure was 14.6 percent, 10 basis points above the end December 2015 level. Loans to Related Parties Loans to related parties of G$9,127 million as at December 2016 were 10.7 percent below the end December 2015 level, following a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year. The ratio of related parties’ loans to total loans was 3.5 percent, 50 basis points below the previous year. Loans to related parties remained concentrated in the ‘other related persons’ category, which accounted for 81.3 percent of the aggregate loans to related parties, 4.4 (Continued on page 70)
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Kaieteur News
Incestuous relations highlighted at Eugene F. Correia Airport …as Correia Mining Company land special lease One of the original investors of Ogle Airport Inc, (OAI) Michael Correia, has been able to lease for himself a sizeable plot of land at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Since 2010, the land was leased to Correia Mining Company Inc. (CMC).One source told Kaieteur News, “When we found out about the land, we wondered what a mining company wanted with land at an airport. We were later told that the he was planning to provide ‘support services,’ whatever that means.” This newspaper is in possession of a copy of the lease agreement between OAI and CMC. The agreement states clearly that the land was supposed to be developed within two years. The agreement states, “The Lessee wishes to sublease from the lessor that portion of the property described hereunder for the purpose of providing support services to the airport.” Then under the beneficial operation clause, it is stated that “the lessee shall within two years from the commencement date of this lease, complete the construction on the premises of an aircraft hanger and or other suitable structures in accordance with plans submitted by the lessee and approved by the lessor.” Despite these provisions in the agreement, not only was the land permitted to remain undeveloped seven years later. Today, there seems to have been recent approval for the land to be used as a football field. Kaieteur News understands that there are several other subleases for large tracts of non-airside land
which have been issued by Ogle Airport Inc. to a large aircraft operator since 2003 that also remains undeveloped. In spite of the clear requirement to be developed within four years, the OAI has permitted these subleases to remain undeveloped. All this is happening while two small Guyanese aircraft operators are still awaiting a positive feedback from OAI to their long expressed interest in being allocated small parcels of land on both the airside and non-airside of the airport. In 2011, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government, being aware of the abuse of land, had taken a decision to prohibit any further land distribution at the airport without the approval of cabinet and had written to Ogle Airport Inc. on this matter. Kaieteur News is in possession of that letter signed by the then Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn. It is unclear as to what the position of the present administration is, but aviation stakeholders are hoping that the relevant Ministers would look into the matter of abuse of land at the airport which is a public utility. Eugene F. Correia International Airport is operated by OAI. OAI is a private sector company with several investors, Correia being one of the largest. OAI was granted a lease Lands and Survey Department for 441 acres. The land lease to OAI is bound by specific conditions agreed to between the government and OAI. The lease specifies that OAI must first cater to the needs of those in the aviation sector.
An overhead shot of the “development”
The football field
Opposition dares Granger to set up CoI into crime wave murders Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday dared President David Granger to fulfill the promise made to set up a commission of inquiry (CoI) into the spate of murders that occurred over a decade between 20002010. On Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that the CoI is in keeping with a commitment made by President David Granger while he was in the opposition. Jagdeo said that the President has not been shy in putting in place CoIs since being elected in 2015. "Why not this one? It’s been almost three years and I dare him to do this," Jagdeo noted. Hundreds of persons died during the crime wave, including, the former Minister
- Seeking to help craft terms of reference
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo of Agriculture, Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh. while Jagdeo was President. While in control of Government, Jagdeo and the People's Progressive Party (PPP) resisted repeated calls to establish the CoI.
Jagdeo repeated calls to work with the President to establsih the terms of reference for the CoI because the PPP wants to look at the political operatives who were working with the drug dealers. He continues to doubt the administration's seriousness in establishing the CoI. "They keep pulling this out of the hat this thing about this troubled period. Granger has been speaking about it a long time," Jagdeo noted. "Let’s have this CoI by all means, but let us have proper terms of reference and proper commissioners. Not the Paul Slowe type. Then we would see how politically-inspired many of those killings were," Jagdeo pointed out.
He stated that the PPP plans to provide information to the CoI, maintaining that the killings were politically motivated and pointed to members who sit in the current Government as preventing the joint services from pursuing criminals during the period. On Thursday, in his address to the members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the opening ceremony of the Annual Officers’ Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna, the President said that his administration will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Harmon pointed out that there is no closure for the persons affected by the wanton
murders which scarred Guyana. “At some point in time, you have to bring closure to some things and I believe that is what the President is saying. We have to bring closure. Under the laws of Guyana, any crime where there is an unnatural death, the law requires that an inquest is held under the Coroner’s Inquest Act,” Harmon stated. President Granger said that the previous administration never bothered to account to the nation for the hundreds of lives lost through criminal violence because it refused even to conduct inquests into the assassinations of its own Minister of
Agriculture at La Bonne Intention. Other untouched high profile probes include the death of Leon Fraser, Head of the Police Force’s Target Special Squad on the LindenSoesdyke Highway; Vibert Inniss, Deputy Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit in Buxton; and of the attempted assassination of Denis Hanomansingh, the Director of Public Prosecution in Kitty. There were massacres in Agricola, BagotstownEccles, Bartica, Bourda, Campbellville, Kitty, Lamaha Gardens, Lindo Creek, Lusignan and elsewhere. The coalition Government believes that the crimes have not been explained and the memories have not been erased.
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Sunday January 28, 2018
EDUCATION CORNER
The Neglect of Extra-Curricular Activities by Olato Sam What it means to be an educated person has been widely debated on a highly philosophical level. This debate has deep implications for our education system in Guyana and our prevailing educational practices. Historically, the focus of education was on literacy, numeracy and the technical and vocational pursuits regarded as critical to the narrow colonial priorities of the day. Post-independence reforms moved us away from those realities and schools
endeavoured to provide broad-based educational experiences for students. This was grounded in an appreciation of the importance of the holistic development of the child. Longstanding education theories have pointed to the benefit of this as an essential aspect of effective education, emphasizing balance and well-rounded development. Even further, it has been argued that we do our children a disservice by not addressing the multiplicity of developmental needs they require, well beyond the
cognitive dimension. Given the nature of many of these undertakings at the core of such development, they were widely referred to as enrichment or extra-curricular activities. It could be this characterization that might have contributed in some measure to individuals regarding them as being less important to the development of our children and ultimately their neglect within the system. An examination of the status quo in schools across the country would reveal a
notable shift away from all non-academic pursuits. Simply put, if it will not appear on an examination, it is virtually nonexistent or ascribed little value in our schools. This dangerous practice only serves to undermine the developmental potential of our children and in-turn significantly limits the scope of our development as a nation. Over time, our society can only reflect what our schools produce. Hence, there is great need to place emphasis on extra-curricular pursuits if we want rounded citizens able to contribute to and participate in all facets of our society. The conspicuous absence of extra-curricular activities in our schools today has occurred gradually over the last few decades. The greater the importance placed on examinations and academic qualifications, the more the other holistic development dimensions have suffered. Schools have struggled to maintain a balance in the face of limited human and material resources required to sustain these enrichment programmes. It must be noted that where they are offered, the pressure placed on students to pass examinations have meant that lessons now take priority over such engagements and few participate. Traditionally, many extracurricular activities were conducted after school but today it is not uncommon to find schools fully deserted a few minutes after the final bell. As such, schools now have sporadic activities organized around specific events on our schools’ academic calendar— Mashramani or schools sports for example—which are wholly inadequate in creating any sustained interest or higher levels of competence
in these areas. Few schools have structured, year-round extracurricular programmes for students. Where they do exist, teachers lament the lack of interest on the part of parents to have students participate, particularly in grades related to national or regional assessments. Even further, the structural and institutional arrangements within our society do not place emphasis and value on these areas of pursuit. Few opportunities exist for viable career options in non-academic areas. The arts and sports for example, have been relegated to the lower levels on the list of serious career options in Guyana. There are no scholarships, defined pathways and no developed industries in these dimensions. There is an entire body of potential pathways that remain untapped and undervalued within our national structures. Key lessons could be learned from our sister nations within the Caribbean that have well defined industries developed around the areas we now openly neglect. As a result, few students have been specializing in these areas, which compounds the problem of the absence of the requisite human resources to sustain these aspects of the education system. Where opportunities do exist for specialization, such as CSEC options in Theatre Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education and Sports, the numbers reveal a telling tale of neglect. In 2016, one student in the entire country wrote music at the CSEC level. Attempts to reintroduce and reemphasize the importance of these aspects of education have
been thwarted by the share absence of competent instructors as a result of years of neglect. It is vital that the Cyril Potter College of Education begins to provide opportunities for teachers to specialize in these areas— although some courses have been advertised, they have not yet commenced. In addition, linkages need to be formed with other relevant institutions like the Burrowes School of Art, music schools and governmental and private sports entities to resource and train various cohorts of teachers to effectively reintegrate these areas into the schools’ programmes. Given the absence of males in the education system, this must be recognized as an avenue through which some males are reintroduced to education. Key decisions will have to be made as to which components need to fully integrated into the programmes of schools and which should adopt other forms. A range of relevant areas under the broad umbrella of enrichment can be reintroduced to schools in the form of clubs and other semistructured arrangements. As a stopgap measure, resource persons with the requisite skillsets could be vetted and coopted to provide the required guidance for our students. Attention must also be given to the structural elements that will support these undertakings within our society. Despite the interest, young people will be dissuaded from specializing in these areas if no opportunities for viable careers exist within the wider society. A conversation should Continued on page 69
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Govt. secure mediocre... (From page 10) that Article 19.3 of the 1999 Agreement required payments ranging from US$30,000 to US$45,000 during each of the two phases of the Initial, First and Second Renewals to be applied to designated purposes. That sum has now been increased to US$300,000 annually to be paid “directly into bank accounts held and controlled by the Government.” The use to which this money can be put as set out in the Agreement are: (a) to provide Guyanese personnel nominated by the Government with on-the-job training in Contractor’s operations in Guyana and overseas and/or practical training at institutions abroad; (b) to send qualified Guyanese personnel selected by the Government on courses not exceeding one year at universities, colleges or other training institutions; (c) to send Guyanese personnel selected by the Government to conferences and seminars related to the petroleum industry; and (d) to
purchase for the Government advanced technical books, professional publications, scientific instruments or other equipment required by the Government. The Chartered Accountant said, “It seems rather embarrassing for a Minister of the Guyana Government to repeat in the 2016 Agreement, the stipulation that the Contractor will provide funds to a sovereign Government to buy technical books for the Government. “Clearly mendicancy is firmly planted in our emerging petroleum sector. It also seems a paltry sum to pay for courses in training at universities… on the job training abroad and to send officials to conferences and seminars.” Furthermore, a new Article of the Contract, 19.4, requires the Contractor and the Minister to provide, within sixty days of a new year, a yearly plan for the utilization of qualified Guyanese personnel for the upcoming year. Ram opined that in what appears to be a cut and paste job, the Minister and the Contractor will meet and consider the effectiveness of their plan, while the Contractor is required to submit half-yearly reports on how their plans are working out.
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Global takeaways from Trump’s Davos speech By John Lloyd (Reuters) “When people are forgotten the world becomes fractured,” President Donald Trump observed to the Davos forum in his breathlessly-awaited speech Friday. That he himself was the fracturer-in-chief must have entered the minds of more than a few in the crowded hall. Many expected the speech to be a clash of civilizations: that of America First, the pursuit of national advantage, the raising of the barriers both to trade and to immigration – and that of cooperation, a lowering of borders and barriers, a privileging of free trade and – at least until recently – free movement of labor. Along with that, there was a zany, unpredictable often deeply unpleasant governing style, based heavily on tweets, and a hatred of news media – which in a post-speech Q-andA he could not refrain from branding as “nasty, vicious…and fake.” (He got a few hisses and boos for that.) But the speech was crafted for a kind of virtual togetherness, a merging of “America first” with everybody else as partners. America was certainly first, and Trump said he had put it there: the stock market had added $7 trillion, 2.4 million new jobs had been created and U.S. unemployment was at a new low “since my election.” This was good for everyone. And for many of the attendees there, they are part of the everyone. The top part, in the past, present and future. Not surprising. The world economy is growing. The giants are growing especially rapidly, with India, at over 7 percent in 2017, growing faster than China, at 6.9 percent. Trump can tweet with delight: the International Monetary Fund, not a friend, says that his tax cuts approved by Congress last month will likely cause businesses to invest more, create more jobs. Most boats are raised by this tide – even perhaps, a little, poor old Britain, suffering side effects of Brexit before it’s got to the exit, growing by only 1.8 per cent in 2017 but forecast by a government treasury minister to do better than the 1.6 per-
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned about the ‘opposite of globalization’ (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) cent this year that several forecasts claim. Trump did not hint at the widespread skepticism that this can last. William White, head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s review board, said that “all the market indicators right now look very similar to what we saw before the Lehman crisis, but the lesson has somehow been forgotten.” Even if that can be disregarded, many of those in Davos this past week spoke as much about reforms and shifts in attitudes and troubles ahead as of growth. Christine Lagarde, the IMF’s managing director, though happy about improvement, warned of a social disaster even while economies grow, saying that, in Europe, “working-age people, especially the young, are falling behind. Without action, a generation may never be able to recover.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a somber speech, arguing that “it feels like the opposite of globalization is happening…(it) cannot be considered less dangerous than climate change or terrorism.” Still more chillingly, Freedom House, the U.S.-based institute which surveys the progress of democracy, civil society, freedom of speech and the media round the world has produced a report headlined “Democracy in Crisis” – a grim reportage showing that democracy’s “basic tenets – in-
cluding guarantees of free and fair elections, the rights of minorities, freedom of the press, and the rule of law – came under attack around the world.” The new element in this from last time Freedom House looked is Trump and his radically anti-globalization, antifree trade, anti-immigrant rhetoric. The U.S. president’s actions have been milder – or thwarted – than his words, but even as he told Davos delegates that “America First does not mean America alone,” he stressed that he was taking steps to secure an immigration system “stuck in the past.” Trump’s approach has fazed foreign political and business leaders and called into question some of the fundamentals of the Western world’s post-war assumptions – not least, that the United States was on the globalizers’ side. The top people, bankers, industrialists, politicians, celebrities – the U.S. president is an unusual exception – are avatars of globalization. But the politicians among them mix with and solicit votes from ordinary people, who live their lives locally rather than globally and who are – in David Goodhart’s analysis – “somewhere” people as against the “anywhere” globalizers. The politicians know that
The Baccoo Speaks A domestic dispute is going to lead to a man assaulting his neighbour. This is an interesting situation, because the neighbour is a relative who intervenes. The husband is going to be even angrier and despite the admonitions of those around, the man would do the unthinkable. He would have just collected his severance pay, but this is going to be wasted soliciting legal advice. **
There will be another report of a missing girl, because this is becoming a trend. There are people out there who want to make money from human flesh. Young girls are
vulnerable and they are now the main targets. The authorities are going to get involved, but by then the situation would reach chaotic proportions. ** Careless driving is going to cause yet another road fatality. Again, alcohol is going to play a part, despite the warnings and the presence of the law enforcers on the roads. However, this is going to happen in the dead of night when the eye of the law would be dimmed.
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) in order to retain globalization and the benefits which flow from it, the “somewhere” people must share more in the fruits of globalization than they presently do. Unless that happens, the angry challenge to mainstream politics, to free markets and to capitalism itself, will continue, grow and may become ungovernable. Trump has made it clear in the past he despises the
Davos crowd: his erstwhile friend and chief counselor, Steve Bannon, now out of the White House and presumably no longer on the president’s speed dial, has said that “I’d rather be governed by the first hundred people at a Trump rally than by the Party of Davos,” continuing, in the same interview, to note that blue-collar workers like his father and grandfather, were
“more decent, and have the community’s well-being more than these guys.” There was none of that disdain for the white-collar executives in Trump’s carefully-crafted Davos speech. Instead, the U.S. president touted his tax changes and the message the “there’s never been a better time to do business in America.” However, globalization is a political as much as an economic movement, and in the end requires political support. The globalizers need at least the passive assent from those like the left-behinds, the somewherers, the people who have not done well out of the past decade since the financial crash and who will do much worse should the forecasts by experts like White and Lagarde prove well-founded. Every democratic leader must now be consumed with fear of a revolt, seeking policies which address that discontent and calms it, while trying to avoid even more debt on the nation’s balance sheet. That’s a difficult trick – and one that democratic leaders must turn to now that the febrile anticipation of Trump’s speech is over and they descend from the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps.
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Murder at the Mootoos By Michael Jordan What else could go wrong on a night like this? That’s what we all thought on Thursday, May 9, 2013. Police had found the bodies of two young lovers in a car at Pearl, East Bank of Demerara; victims of a murder/suicide. The reporter who had covered the story had left for the day.After all, what else could go so tragically wrong? But just before midnight, something did. A loud explosion shook houses inArea Q, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara - a quiet, upscale community also known as GuySuCo Scheme. Those who rushed to the scene of the explosion were greeted by the eerie sight of flames emanating from a concrete, two-storey house in the community. The blast had punched a huge hole in one of the walls. Residents could see the flickering flames through the gaping hole. The Lot 22 property belonged to 54-year-old businessman Totaram Mootoo, also known as ‘Beer’, and his 48-yearold wife, Bhajmattie Mootoo. Sheik Yaseen, a close friend of the couple, would later state that he had heard two gunshots prior to the blast. One of the first at the scene, Yaseen reportedly observed a white car with tinted windows driving away from the a r e a . Yaseen also noticed that both of Mr. Mootoo’s vehicles were parked outside the premises. But where were Totaram and Bhajmattie? Close relatives tried to reach the couple on their cell phones. They got no answer. Snapping off the padlock from one of the gates, Yaseen entered the house via an unlocked door in the bottom flat. But the intense heat drove him back. Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after. They eventually gained control of the blaze and began to scour the house. Shortly after midnight,
Totaram Mootoo’s badly burned body, with hands bound behind his back with duct-tape, was found in the couple’s master bedroom. Nearby, investigators found his wife’s charred remains. They found no trace of Mr. Mootoo’s licensed handgun. It was all too clear that police were dealing with a brutal doublemurder. Investigators concluded that the killers arrived shortly before 11.00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at the Mootoos’ home. It is believed that the businessman did not feel threatened by his visitors, so he let them in. It is believed that the visitors and their intended target conversed at a table and even had refreshments. Then things quickly turned ugly. Some sources believe that after that ‘decent conversation’, the visitors forced the Mootoos to accompany them to the couple’s bedroom, where they duct-taped the businessman’s hands behind his back. It is believed that the visitors tortured the couple and forced Mr. Mootoo to open a money safe in his room. The killers then placed a 20pound gas cylinder on the bed and ignited it. The cylinder ‘bomb’ blew a hole in the bedroom wall and tore off parts of the zinc-sheet roof. Fragments of a gas cylinder were found on the bed and other fragments in the yard. A post mortem confirmed that the Mootoos were alive when the killers detonated their ‘bomb’. They had succumbed to extensive burns and smoke inhalation. Both victims also sustained blunt trauma. An investigator at the scene would later remark that he had seen explosives such as grenades used in other local killings, but never a gas cylinder. He said that the use of the gas cylinder was reminiscent to crude incendiary devices used in bombings in Iraq.
Totaram and Bhajmattie Mootoo But who could have planned such a cruel death for the Mootoos? Detectives were unable to glean any information from surveillance cameras in the community. The fire had also destroyed the sole surveillance camera on the slain couple’s home. Some of the detectives knew Totaram Mootoo. He was once incarcerated and later freed for manslaughter. He had operated a rum shop and subsequently became involved in several businesses, including money-changing, gold mining and the sale of fuel. Some close relatives of the slain man said that he had repeatedly complained of being owed large sums of money. Police also received reports that Mootoo was expected to collect some $57M on the Thursday that he was killed.
This pointed to a theory of someone killing the couple to avoid paying off their debts. But everything else suggested that someone with a proficiency in executionstyle killings had murdered the couple. Some pointed to the fact that two of Mootoo’s close associates, Intaz Roopnarine and Jason Wills, were gunned down a few months earlier. These sources, including some police ranks, suggested that the victims were slain by persons linked to a foreign gang that had accused some Guyanese of fleecing them of a substantial amount of money. There were reports that Mootoo had recently sold a plot of land for some $40M, allegedly with the intention of paying his debt. However, the individual to whom he sold the property failed to pay him
immediately. The businessman was still waiting for payment when he was executed. Police officials sharply dismissed this theory. Meanwhile, investigators detained then released, three of Mootoo’s close associates, including a bodyguard and a handyman. But some three weeks later, one of Totaram Mootoo’s brothers contacted me. He had flown in from overseas. He was convinced that two avaricious men with very, very close ties to the couple plotted their death. He believed that the men hired a close associate of his brother to carry out the execution. According to the brother, the two suspects stood to reap huge financial gains from his brother’s demise. According to the brother, he learned about the couple’s death sometime after 03:45 hrs on May 10, 2013, after receiving a call from one of his brothers. He said that two suspects immediately came to mind, and he subsequently received information that seemed to confirm his suspicions. The man said that he contacted the couple’s two sons, who subsequently travelled to Guyana. Mootoo’s brother suggested that the murder plot was hatched about a month prior to the Mootoos’ execution. He also believes that someone tampered with the surveil-
lance equipment in the couple’s residence. According to the brother, Totaram Mootoo was in the habit of keeping large sums of currency in his home and was upset after several million in local currency disappeared from his residence. He claimed that the money-changer kept two safes in his residence and alleged that one of the safes had disappeared. He suggested that the individuals who plotted his brother’s death paid off the killers with some of the cash from his sibling’s stolen s a f e . Police sources later confirmed that the brother and an in-law of Totaram Mootoo had relayed their suspicions to them. Mootoo’s brother at the time had said that he was determined to assist the police in every possible way to bring the killers to justice. But almost five years later, the case appears to have gone in the direction of other execution-style killings; that is, nowhere. If you have any information about any unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58465, 2258473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com.
The couple’s house
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Are there shithole/shithouse countries in the world? There is a line in the Billy Wilder comedy, “Avanti!” starring the inimitable Jack Lemmon, where the American Ambassador to Italy couldn’t get a public document because of long lunch hours, and in frustration yelled out that the US pours money into Italy yet the country doesn’t work. It is a very instructive scene in the film and it tells a sociological story that is as old as time itself. It doesn’t matter if a person’s character is essentially flawed, but once that person has money to give to others, that person becomes the standard by which you judge others. It is the same with countries. If a wealthy state bankrolls other nations, it becomes the centre of the universe. The peoples in the countries of the world come to admire rich countries that pour money into their pockets. I remember an amazing irony
as a young Guyanese growing up. The population wanted free and fair elections, but the entire country admired a land where there were no free and fair elections, including political parties that were fighting for free and fair election here in Guyana. The reason was because of Cuba’s assistance to Guyana. If we are going to judge whether a country is phenomenally positive, we have to judge it by its culture, social mores, sociological values, philosophical essence, its overall ontological nature; not only by the wealth it has. Personally speaking, I have no admiration for Australia and block that country from my mind. If I have to put it bluntly, I would say I do not like Australia. For me, India is a phenomenal wonder, even though the levels of poverty are sickening. While studying in Canada,
I travelled outside, but did not visit the US. I first went to the US in 2000 for treatment of my eyes in Miami arranged by Father Andrew Morrison, then-editor of the Catholic Standard. Jacob Rambarran, owner of channel 13, arranged for me to stay at his Haitian friend. I came out of surgery at 6 30am. I called the Haitian gentleman to tell him I was out. He said to me to take a taxi from the hospital and not a bus. He warned me to keep away from standing at any bus stop since it was sunset, and head straight home. He also advised me not to worry how expensive the fare was; just get into a taxi. He lived far from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the fare was indeed expensive. When I reached home, he explained how dangerous it would be for a stranger like me, not knowing
my way in the night in Miami. This was a culture shock to me. We were taking about the US – the centre of the universe. Father Morrison had asked me to visit a fellow Jesuit priest before I left Miami. That night, I called the priest to tell him I was coming and had a little gift Father Morrison sent for him. The priest told me not to come in the night, because of where he lived, but suggested I visit in the morning. I was leaving in the morning. I didn’t get to see him. That was my first impression of the USA. I wasn’t in El Salvador. Two of my Canadian friends were robbed in Italy while I was a student at the University of Toronto. When they came back they told me that the Italian police were the most incompetent they had ever seen for all the countries they ever visited, including
several Third World states. If countries allow themselves to be fed, housed and clothed by other territories and to be treated as lesser lands in a civilized world, then they will be treated like shithole/ shithouse nations as Donald Trump insultingly referred to El Salvador, Haiti and Africa. One must remember that in his Freudian mind, Trump was thinking of poor, non-white lands that forever look to the US for money. The UK Ambassador to Kenya referring to the begging mentality of some Third World countries, said, “they vomit on our shoes.” Bruce Golding, while Prime Minister of Jamaica, referred to Guyana under President Jagdeo as a panhandler that is always begging the international community. So we still have to answer the question in the caption above. Not because we have disdain for President Trump
Frederick Kissoon it means that he is wrong. He is not. The evidence does not prove him wrong. He is a president of a democratic superpower and should not have even uttered those words. But the scientific fact is that you can measure some countries and conclude that they are shithole/shithouse territories. I honestly think and believe Guyana is one such wasteland.
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Sunday January 28, 2018
It is undeniable that the dynamics in the sugar industry are changing It is undeniable that the dynamics in the sugar industry are changing. Off the bat, it is that the political chains that allowed for the pull and push of some 16,000 members of the voting public is being released. It is the beginning of the independence of the industry and its workers though their ability to sustain themselves. It might be a long and tedious task but in the end, all sides will win. It was a bold and daring move by a newly elected government to restructure an entire industry depending mainly on the cooperation of all stakeholders to make it happen, knowing very well the political climate in which they exist and knowing that despite what might be in store, persons would not take mildly not even the idea of losing their jobs. But it had to be done.
To liberate the economy, to liberate the industry, and most importantly to liberate the people from financial and political arrest. It’s been stated ad nauseam the amount of programs, workshops, counseling, coaching and other sessions set up for workers and their families. The government has begun to honour workers’ benefits and committed to severance payments. They have also set up programs to help them decide on investments given some large sums of money they are expected to receive. It would be political suicide for this new government or any other to make such a drastic change and leave the people behind. It was never the intention of this government to restructure the industry and toss
workers to the side, yet some would have it seem that this is the nature of the government. For some time, the administration had been calling for partnerships and support to aid the transformation, but was met with resistance over and over again. Resistance on one end to continue the pumping of billions of taxpayers’ money into a company that is not using this sum to rejuvenate itself, but only to cover expenses, while on the other end the politics involving sugar workers and their affiliations was being played on masterly. The People’s Progressive Party is known to have a strong support base in sugar workers and they have for years just patted them on the head over the failing industry, instead of saying honestly to the workers that things must change. Instead of coming clean and saying to them why after more than two decades of their leadership the sugar industry was in such a bad shape. They were not telling sugar workers what they did with GuySuCo’s money to cause the company to bankrupt. This government did not heed the PPP’s rhetoric and display because we knew what had to be done. Things were not going right and the people voted for change. The government kept on, enduring punches from all sides. It maintained its posture and held firm to its commitment to honour obligations. Now that the government and GuySuCo are closer to fulfilling these obligations to the workers, there is nothing left to holler about. The programs are being rolled out, the relevant agencies are involved in the transformation, and workers are being paid and trained. So now the opposition has conceded
that change is necessary and it can work if all sides join hands and cooperate. What time we could have saved. GAWU’s president Komal Chand was the first to state his delight in government committing to pay the workers’ severance and actually making arrangements to have this done. He saw the meeting with President David Granger and his team as a success. Now it appears he is being haunted, apparently by his own party, for wanting to work with the government to swiftly address the workers’ concerns and that of the industry. This is the same GAWU that heightened the fight to weaken and remove the PNC from office in the late 80s. Without considering the consequences, GAWU helped to put the industry at risk to meet a political end, done in favour of the PPP, the party which Komal Chand himself serves. In our last column, when the GAWU was described as always being the trade union or labour arm of the PPP, it was met with criticism and claims that the AFC is upset over the union’s militancy. It must be clear to Mr. Chand now that this clearly is not the case. He is now being criticized for poorly representing workers after decades as union president under the PPP administration. If the sugar industry is changing for the better, then the “negative” effects will fall on those people that secretly supported the failure of GuySuCo to maintain control over its workforce. Now GAWU cannot openly say that it will not support government efforts, its business is in the interest of the workers not to play politics. The agency cannot serve two masters.
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Kaieteur News
My column
Sexual predators and the damage they do Sex is usually the dominant factor in people’s lives, be they heterosexual or homosexual. In days gone by, a homosexual was an object of ridicule and scorn. There were a few who provided humour. Then science came along to state that homosexuals are normal people. They may be aberrations, but normal and more common than people think. With that revelation came the term ‘coming out’. People came out of the closet in droves. Then came the law that permitted them to get married. Of course there were homosexual weddings long before the United States and Australia legalized such marriages. I was a little boy, perhaps no more than eight when there was a homosexual wedding reception in Den Amstel. The newspapers made a lot of fuss about it. I remember the name George Pellew. The group set Den Amstel alight. This past week it was all about sex again, but the people involved were the predators and their victims. Some female gymnasts in the United States came forward and helped send their perverted doctor, Larry Nassar, to jail for life. This thing, according to the gymnasts, had been going on for years but they kept their mouths shut.
But when the bubble burst the outpouring of hate and scorn was enough to blanket the globe. I am not going to attempt to analyse how molestation to this extent could occur because generally, victims of rape and sexual assaults are embarrassed. At the same time, I could not understand this doctor continuing this abhorrent habit, knowing that most if not all of his victims were not amused, because they could not have been amused. He would have known, because their expressions would have told him. I watched his gymnasts perform on the world stage and they thrilled the world. Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and so many others—some 150 all told— spoke of the assault. That is a lot of women for one man to assault, but the doctor did. And I am certain that there are more. Suffice it to say that the judge, in sentencing Nassar, told him that she was giving him a death sentence. She sentenced him to 175 years in jail. She said that she was ensuring that he never walked the streets again. I thought about the sentence and wondered at the nature of the man who was prepared to risk his life for
sex, not that it is unusual. There were men who killed themselves and those who killed others, thus putting their lives away. Guyana also had its sex predator this past week. Rohan Daniels got two life sentences which will run concurrently. He molested a family member over a period of three years. For his part, he was unrepresented. He is heading to jail where he will be pounced on by prisoners who have a code—one does not molest children. The story about Daniels is horrifying to say the least. The child was no more than 10 when the molestation started. Today she is damaged. Her relatives were in court to read a statement which told of what she is today, a little girl who has lost her childhood. On November 27, 2017, a San Antonio newspaper screamed, ‘Convicted child sex offender gets two life sentences, plus 1,000 years in prison’. He molested two young girls. This obsession with young girls is unbelievable. On October 17, last year, in Guyana one headline read, ‘Corentyne labourer gets life sentence for raping threeyear-old’. On January 8, 2016 there
was the situation that caused a newspaper to report, ‘Man jailed for 40 years for sexual activity with 10-yr-old relative’. I suppose there is no end to this kind of activity. I speak with Ms. Ann Greene, head of the Child Welfare Department, and she tells me some horror stories. The facts in this article do not begin to explain the depths to which child molestation has reached. The fact that many do not reach public view is due to the fact that the child’s parents are too embarrassed to report the incident. It is not only children who are sexually abused, but they are the most vulnerable. Women are sexually assaulted almost every day, but many say nothing. I remember the case of a Black Bush Polder wife who was sexually assaulted by a relative. She was brave to report the incident and the relative is before the court. I also remember a murder in South Sophia that stemmed from an assault on a young girl. This man assaulted the girl, was caught, and taken before the courts. After he was released on bail, he went back
into the community and assaulted the girl again. As the saying goes, enough is enough. The community took action. I am not aware of the final chapter in this episode. I got a call from a woman who has since moved out of the jurisdiction informing me that she wanted some action for the rape of her daughter. There is no statutory limitation on rape, so the matter can be reopened. The girl is now thirty and has a problem starting relationships to the extent that her mother is worried. The male in this case was the mother’s husband, who is carrying on with his life and refusing to acknowledge that he did something wrong. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is waiting to hear from the complainant who now lives in Barbados, but who would come home to put an end to this chapter in her life. As a man, I know about the sex urge, but I was also trained to recognize that not every woman is prey. I also learned that when a woman says no, it must be no. A
Adam Harris A. A. woman must be respected. To destroy a woman is to condemn her to a life of misery. That is why I was one of the few who railed against the paucity of convictions for sex offences. I saw all too often the victim going to court and telling the judge that she no longer wanted to continue with the matter. I wish there is some way that the court could continue anyhow. I welcome the sharp jail sentences. I also notice the absence of appeals, although there are appeals for sharp sentences for murder. Some judges have even contended that sharp sentences are unrealistic. I hold the opposing view.
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Sunday January 28, 2018
Regionalism and national development (Remarks by H.E. David Granger at the Second Meeting of the National Regional Development Consultative Committee on January 19, 2018) The state of Guyana, founded as three Dutch colonies – Essequibo-Demerara and Berbice – and ceded to Britain by the Treaty of London in 1814, was united by Royal Commission as a single colony in 1831. The burden of history, however, weighs heavily on the system of public administration. The colony of British Guiana was divided into three counties – Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice – which adopted the geographical and historical contours of the original Dutch colonies. They were not functional or developmental from an economic or administrative point of view. These counties, by the middle of the last century, were sub-divided into nine districts – East Berbice, West Berbice, East Demerara, West Demerara, Essequibo Islands and Essequibo; North-West; Mazaruni-Potaro and Rupununi – which evolved, largely, into the ten administrative ‘regions’ which exist today. Districts, in the colonial era, were governed by ‘District Commissioners’ whose principal duties were to coordinate the activities of the various Govern-
ment departments. This centralised policy has had a lasting impact on the system of public administration. Guyana, today, administers a regional system, in accordance with the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. This makes provisions for the division of the country into ten regions, inter alia. Local democratic organs – including municipalities, neighbourhood democratic councils, community councils and village councils – form part of the state’s democratic composition. The Constitution requires: “…local democratic organs to ensure…the efficient management and development of their areas and to provide leadership by example. It requires, further: “…local democratic organs shall organize popular political cooperation in respect to political, cooperation in respect of the political, economic cultural and social life of the people. The Constitution demands, therefore, that local democratic organs be responsible for the management and development of their areas and for organised forms of popular cooperation. The historical emphasis on strong central government control and the absence, for over two decades, of local democracy, however, retarded the development of a vibrant system of local government. The re-introduction of local
government elections on 2016.03.18 renewed local democracy and opened an opportunity to empower local democratic organs and wean them off excessive dependency on central government. The new regional system must not embalm the obsolete colonial approach by perpetuating the arrogant attitudes of the past. This opportunity must be used to abandon the colonial approach and to adopt a consultative approach to public administration. Guyana, geographically, is a state of relatively large regions, some of which are bigger than Caribbean countries. Demographically and economically, also, regions are not uniform with 90 per cent of the country’s population and most of the commercial agricultural and manufacturing enterprises located on the coastland which accounts for 7.5 per cent of its territory. The Government, for these reasons, is continuously strengthening its system of public administration by making each region administratively resourceful, geographically and infrastructurally integrated, economically robust and demographically populous. The Government aims, eventually, at ensuring that each region possesses its own capital town to deliver administrative services and to promote eco-
nomic development. Each region, eventually, should have its own aerodromes, banks, chambers of commerce, courts, factories, hospitals, museums and galleries, newspapers, radio and television stations, passport and registrar’s offices, police stations, secondary schools, sporting stadiums, sub-treasuries, and other amenities and public services. Each region should be capable of creating employment opportunities for its young people – by attracting investors, encouraging commerce with the Caribbean and other parts of the world and developing thriving business districts, industrial parks, busy highways and bustling stellings. A rich country cannot be built on poor regions. Rich regions require cooperation among local government organs to ensure that they are working towards common goals. The establishment of this Regional Development Consultative Committee (RDCC), therefore, is a means of promoting cooperation among municipalities, neighbourhood democratic councils and regional democratic councils to achieve these common goals. RDCCs must bring local government organs together with other stakeholders, to discuss and determine the development their regions’ development ob-
President David Granger jectives. The National Regional Development Consultative Council (NRDCC), on the other hand, can foster dialogue between the RDCCs and other national stakeholders. Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), within the limits of the law, must work with municipalities, neighbourhood democratic councils, village councils and other stakeholders to promote the development of their re-
spective regions. RDCs must superintend the work of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Village Councils, giving them support and assistance where needed. The National Regional Development Consultative Committee is an important step towards strengthening our system of modern and appropriate public administration.
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Kaieteur News
Common fungal infections of the skin By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Have you ever heard of ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch? They are skin infections caused by a fungus and are becoming more common, especially in tropical countries like Guyana. These types of fungal infections are also called “tinea.” Some people call these fungal infections “ringworm,” because they often cause a ring-shaped, red, itchy rash on the skin. But a ring-shaped rash is not always there. People with athlete’s foot might instead have moist, raw skin between their toes, or flaking skin on the bottoms of their feet. People with jock itch often just have a red or dark rash on the groin. Sometimes, especially in children, the fungus can infect the scalp. On the scalp, the infection can look like a bald spot or a round flaky patch of skin.
HOW CAN YOU GET A FUNGAL INFECTION? You can catch fungal infections from anyone who is infected. You can also catch them from an infected dog or cat. Plus, you can pick up the infections from places where the fungus might be, such as: - A shower stall - The locker room floor - The area near a pool If you have a fungal infection on one part of your body, you can also spread it to other parts. For instance, men with a fungal infection on their feet sometimes spread it to their groin. WHO IS AT RISK OF GETTINGFUNGAL INFECTION? Fungal infections are common in humans and are usually not very serious if they are treated quickly and correctly. Anyone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to contract a fungal infection, as well as anyone who is taking antibiotics. Cancer treatment and diabe-
tes may also make a person more prone to fungal infections. HOWARE FUNGAL INFECTIONS TREATED? The treatment for a fungal infection depends on which body part is affected. If you have a fungal infection on your scalp, you must take pills that will kill the fungus. Treatment for scalp infections usually lasts 1 to 3 months. If you have a fungal infection on your feet, groin, or another body part, you probably will not need pills. Instead, you can use a special gel, cream, lotion, or powder that kills fungus. Treatment with these products lasts 2 to 4 weeks. If you have a fungal infection on your groin and on your feet, you must treat both infections at the same time. If you do not, the infection on your feet can spread to your groin again. HOW DO I KEEP FROM GETTING A FUNGAL INFECTION AGAIN? If someone in your
home has had a fungal infection on their scalp: - Get rid of any combs, brushes, hair clips, or other hair products that could have the fungus on them - Make sure you check everyone in the house for a fungal infection - If the fungal infection might have come from a pet, have it checked by a vet Here are some other general tips on how to prevent fungal infections: - Do not share unwashed clothes, sports gear, or towels with other people - Always wear slippers or sandals when at the gym,
pool, or other public areas. That includes public showers. - Wash with soap and shampoo after sports or exercise - Change your socks and underwear at least once a day - Keep your skin clean a n d d r y. A l w a y s d r y yourself well after swimming or showering. - Use oil or petroleumbased products around areas on skin that sweats a lot. Fungus thrives in moist areas. It is very important that you get your fungal infection detected and
Dr. Zulfikar Bux treated early. Leaving it to be become chronic may lead to stubborn infections that can take months, up to a year or even more, to treat.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
CARICOM, UN Environment discuss closer cooperation
Head of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Leo Heileman (L), pays a courtesy call on CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has expressed strong interest in strengthening its collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to improve environmental sustainability in the region. Regional director and head of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Leo Heileman visited the CARICOM Secretariat on Wednesday, during which he paid a courtesy call on CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque.He updated the secretary-general on work of the UN Environment Caribbean Office located in Jamaica which is providing technical support to countries of the region in strengthening their environmental capacity. Heileman also met with a team from the Secretariat led by Dr Douglas Slater,
assistant secretary-general, human and social development (HSD) and officials from the government of Guyana. A UN environment coordination desk is being established in Georgetown to provide technical support during the elaboration and development of a green state development strategy (GSDS). The CARICOM Secretariat is also involved in the consultative process of the GSDS.The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in the areas of environmental sustainability, oceans governance, climate change, Guyana’s GSDS and regional developments in advancing green economies and trade. Heileman highlighted several aspects of UNEP’s regional and bilateral partnerships including its work to advance Haiti’s green
development via initiatives in agriculture, mangrove protection, renewable energy, and natural resource efficiency. The Secretariat underscored the importance of technical support for small island and low-lying coastal developing states (SIDS) to access funds for climate change and environmental sustainability available under the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other funds. The meeting recommended that the CARICOM-UNEP cooperation be formalised in a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Both parties agreed that the formal mechanism for cooperation established between the CARICOM Secretariat and the UN System in July 2017, will be the frame of reference for the proposed MOU.
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ECLAC outlines priorities for Latin America and Caribbean at World Economic Forum DAVOS, Switzerland (CMC) – The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, says growth with equality, integration and migration are priority issues for Latin America and the Caribbean Addressing the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that ended here Friday, she said the region wanted to put an end to the culture of privilege and advance toward economic, social and environmental equality to guarantee its inhabitants’ right to development. The United Nations offi-
cial participated in several sessions of the Forum addressing recent trends and the determining factors behind the evolution of inequality at the global and regional levels; the challenges facing the Pacific Alliance and integration in Latin America and the Caribbean; the strengthening of institutional and regulatory architecture to advance toward gender equality, and the dilemma of migration in the region, among others.“Latin America is characterized by high levels of inequality brought to bear not only in the income gap between rich and poor, but also in the gap in achievements and opportunities in jobs,
education, health, and across various population groups,” said Bárcena during remarks she made on the panel The Big Picture on Inequality. Bárcena said that in the last 15 years, Latin America has progressed in the reduction of inequality in income distribution; however, this trend has slowed significantly in recent years. She pointed out that between 2002-2008, the simple average of Gini coefficients for the region fell by a rate of 1.5 per cent per year; between 2008-2014, the reduction was 0.7 per cent annually; while between 2014-2016, the inequality average was reduced by just 0.4% per year.
Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC (third from left),took part in the panel Bridges vs Borders: The Migration Dilemma. (Photo: ECLAC) “Equality must be the engine of economic growth and sustainable development in the region. Latin America and the Caribbean urgently require the dismantling of the culture of privilege that still prevails in the region and is manifested, for instance, in existing high levels of tax evasion and corruption,” she added. Bárcena also moderated a panel on the challenges facing the Pacific Alliance and integration in Latin America and the Caribbean in the current global context. In that context, she underlined that spaces must be sought to strengthen the convergence between the Alliance and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), with the purpose of boosting and facilitating intra-regional trade. “The Pacific Alliance is at this moment aiming to con-
solidate itself, expand and establish a more long-term strategic outlook,” said Bárcena, announcing that, on that path, ECLAC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will support the presidencies of Colombia and Mexico in the formulation of an ambitious vision of the future. During her presentation, Bárcena highlighted the opportunity opening up for the region as ties are strengthened between Latin America and the Caribbean and China. She said that, according to ECLAC’s estimates, bilateral trade multiplied 22 times between 2000 and 2013, and in 2017 reached US$ 266 billion.“This means progress of 53 per cent toward the goal with seven years to reach it,” she said, highlighting the upcoming signing of the TransPacific Economic Cooperation Agreement (TPP-11), which will take place in the
Chilean capital in March. On the issue of migration, Bárcena urged countries to look at migration as a contribution to democracy, diversity and sustainable development. She said that there are currently 30 million natives of the region living outside their country of birth, amounting to four per cent of the population.On the other hand, the population born outside the region and currently residing in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is equivalent to a quarter of those who have emigrated and make up just 1.1 per cent of the region’s total population. In contrast, immigrants from within the region of Latin America and the Caribbean represent 62.8 per cent of total immigrants, a figure that continues to grow in relation to previous decades.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
27,000 cellphones offered as GTT celebrates 27th anniversary GTT is celebrating its 27th anniversary with several promotions.
GTT today celebrates its 27th Anniversary of service to Guyana. The company, in a statement, said it has been at the lead in the telecommunication technology since its entrance to the Guyana market and can be credited for changing the telecommunication landscape in Guyana.The anniversary celebration is being marked by several promotions for c u s t o m e r s . ”Among the several promotions is a “Saleabration offer” of five selected handsets at special prices from as low as $14,499 and includes 4GB Data, 200 SMS and 100 minutes to call local, US and Canada.” Twenty-seven thousand loyal GTT customers will also receive special handset offers for them and someone special to them. “For new customers there
are also ways to celebrate. Every purchase of a SIM with a monthly bundle, a handset with a monthly bundle or sign up for blaze or DSL gets you an entry coupon to win an allinclusive GTT Mash Package to revel with GTT on Mash Day. “During the 27 years, GTT has delivered innovative telecommunications to Guyana. We are proud to be an integral part of the community and culture of our people. Whether it is by being the first high speed internet provider, and the first mobile services provider, by providing the digital backbone of e-commerce, or by being the leader in the fibre optic technology, we are committed to the development of our country across the consumer and business landscape,” said the CEO, Justin Nedd. GTT is the only provider
with direct subsea cables connectivity to Guyana, the company said. As part of the anniversary CSR initiative, the company will present footwear to children in several children’s homes. “During the next few days, customers visiting our stores will be able share our birthday cake. Seven lucky persons who correctly answer questions in our Facebook trivia can also win costumes for them and their besties to be part of our Mash Band. Plus one lucky customer will win an iPhone for simply sharing how GTT has helped them over the years.” As a staff initiative, the company in partnership with Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and the Georgetown Dental School extended free dental care to 120 staff over the last few days.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
What are the best foods to fight aging? Often, we find praise for “superfoods” in the media – foods so high in nutritional value that they are seen as dietary superheroes. Nutritionists reject the term “superfoods” as a buzzword that can influence people to place too high an expectation on a limited range of foods when, in reality, a balanced diet and healthful lifestyle require more effort than eating your five-a-day. Still, there are certain foods that are more nutritious than others, and many that, as research has shown, have a protective effect against a range of diseases. Here, we give you an overview of some of the best foods that you may want to consider including in your diet in your quest for a happy, healthy life. Edamame (soybeans) Edamame, or fresh soybeans, have been a staple of Asian cuisine for generations, but they have also been gaining popularity on the Western front of late. Soybeans are often sold in snack packs, but they are also added to a varied range of dishes, from soups to rice-based meals, though they are served as cooked and seasoned on their
own, too. The beans are rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen – that is. plantderived, estrogen-like substances. Isoflavones are known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties. Thus, they can help to regulate the inflammatory response of the body, slow down cellular aging, fight microbes, as well as, reportedly, protect against certain types of cancer. Edamame are rich in two types of isoflavones, in particular: genistein and daidzein. A study covered last year on Medical News Today found that genistein could be used to improve breast cancer treatment. In the meantime, the study authors note that “lifetime intake of soy [...] has been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer,” so we may want to include soybeans in our normal diet. Tofu (soybean curd) Similarly, tofu, a white cheese-like product made of soybean curds, has been linked to a wealth of health benefits for the same reasons. Tofu is often found cooked
in typical Eastern Asian dishes; it can be fried, baked, or boiled (for instance, in soups). As a soy product, it is rich in isoflavones, whose health benefits we’ve outlined above; it is also a good source of protein, and it contains all the essential amino acids that our bodies need to synthesize protein. Moreover, it is also rich in minerals, which our bodies need to keep our teeth and bones strong and healthy,
and to derive energy. Tofu is a source of calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Some specialists also suggest that eating tofu can make you feel fuller for longer, so incorporating it into your meals may help to prevent overeating. Carrots This common culinary ingredient, best known in its orange variety, is famously recommended for its high
content of beta-carotene, a pigment — and carotenoid — that gives the widespread version of this root vegetable its color. Beta-carotene can be converted by our bodies into vitamin A, which, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication.” Our bodies cannot produce vitamin A on their own, so it must be derived from our diet.
This pigment is also an antioxidant that can protect the cells in our bodies from the aging damage caused by free radicals. Moreover, research has shown that foods rich in carotenoids — and, of course, carrots are a prime example here — can protect against age-related macular degeneration, the vision damage caused by old age. Some varieties of carrots, such as white carrots, do not contain the orange pigment beta-carotene, but they do all contain falcarinol, a nutrient which, some studies claim, may have a protective effect against cancer. While raw carrots may be best for health, as they retain their nutrients, there are also ways of cooking carrots that can keep most of their nutrients “locked in.” In an interview, one researcher who investigated the anti-cancer effect of falcarinol from carrots, Kirsten Brandt — from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom — suggests that we may want to boil our carrots whole if we want them cooked, but still bursting with nutrients. “Chopping up your car-
Eating less may not the best way to lose weight Does skipping breakfast really lead to overeating? Faris Zuraikat, a graduate student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, led the new study, which follows up from a previous 1-year randomized controlled trial that investigated how different food portions influenced weight loss. The former trial aimed to explore the so-called “portion size effect,” which occurs when people are served bigger portions than what they originally wanted but end up eating more nonetheless. To this end, the previous trial trained the participants to gain more control over their portions, presenting them with useful strategies for portion size management. In this new trial study, the researchers wanted to see if people who had been previously trained to manage their portions would respond differently to increasing portion sizes by comparison with untrained people. As the study’s first author explains, the researchers “[w]ere also interested in whether those untrained individuals with overweight and obesity or normal weight differed in their response.” To find out, the researchers gathered three groups of women: 34 women who were overweight and had not participated in the previous trial,
29 healthy “control” women who had a regular weight and who had also not participated in the trial, and finally, 39 women with overweight and obesity who had taken part in the portion-controlling trial. During the study, all women were served the same foods once a week for 4 weeks, but the size of their food increased in a random order. Additionally — and significantly — the calorie content of the food served also varied. The foods ranged from high-calorie ones, such as garlic bread, to low-calorie foods, such as salads. The study revealed that when given bigger portions, the women across all three groups consumed more food.
However, the participants who had been trained in portion control in the previous trial consumed fewer calories than the untrained participants. “The lower energy intake of trained participants was attributable to consuming meals with a greater proportion of lower-[energy density] foods than controls,” write the authors. “All the groups were served the same meals, but their food choices differed,” explains the study’s lead author. “The participants who went through the training consumed more of the lower calorie-dense foods and less of the higher calorie-dense foods than the untrained controls.”
Juggling the demands of modern life can leave little time for breakfast, despite it being hailed as the most important meal of the day. But contrary to previous research, a new study suggests that skipping breakfast may not necessarily cause us to eat more later on. The study, which involved 40 teenage girls, found that participants consumed more than 350 fewer calories on days when they missed breakfast, compared with the days when they ate breakfast. Lead study author Dr. Julia Zakrzewski-Fruer, of the University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom, and colleagues say that their results challenge previous research suggesting that skipping breakfast may lead to overeating later in the day. The researchers recently reported their findings in the British Journal of Nutrition. For many, having breakfast is a major part of our daily routine. For others, those extra few minutes in bed are preferable to a slice of toast or a bowl of cereal. In fact, a 2015 survey found that only 47 percent of people in the United States eat breakfast every day. But what effect does skipping breakfast have on our health? Previous research has linked breakfast omission to poorer heart health, while other studies have suggested that miss-
ing a morning meal may lead to overeating and increase a person’s risk of obesity. For this latest study, Dr. Zakrzewski-Fruer and colleagues sought to find out more about the latter. The study included 40 girls aged 11–15 years. Each subject was required to participate in two 3-day breakfast conditions. In one condition, participants consumed a standard, low glycemic index (GI) breakfast, which contained 468 calories. In the other condition, participants did not eat breakfast. Dr. ZakrzewskiFruet and team say that the aim of their research was to “examine the effect of 3 consecutive days of breakfast consumption compared with breakfast omission on freeliving energy intake and
physical activity in adolescent girls.” As part of the study, each participant was required to keep a food diary, and their physical activity levels were monitored with an accelerometer. The researchers found that on days when participants missed breakfast, they consumed a total of 353 fewer calories than on days when they ate breakfast. Breakfast consumption appeared to have no influence on physical activity levels, the team reports. While the team’s study cannot prove how skipping breakfast influences food intake and weight, the researchers believe that it does raise questions about the presumed benefits of eating breakfast.
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Kaieteur News
Inside Cardi B’s Insane Year Rising to the Top What a difference a year makes. Heading into Grammys weekend 2017, the only people who might’ve recognized the name Cardi B were fans of Love & Hip Hop: New York, the VH1 reality show she’d just quit after two seasons. But the former stripper and burgeoning. rapper, born Balcalis Almanzar, was about to become a household name, taking the music industry by storm in a way that literally no one saw coming. As the “Bodak Yellow” singer prepares to take the stage at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 28 to join Bruno Mars for a performance of their recent hit, the official “Finesse” remix, let’s take a look back at her record-making year. Shortly after walking away from L&HH, and with only two mixtapes and some internet fame under her belt (the amazingly titled Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 and Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2), Cardi landed her first major record label recording contract, signing with Atlantic Records in late February. Around the same time, she was invited to be the opening act during hip-hop trio The Lox’s February 25 tour stop, alongside legendary femcees Lil’ Kim and Remy Ma. Without a single commercial release under her belt, the rap world was already starting to pay attention. By May, she would land two BET Award nominations, for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, both of which she went on to lose. But the losses did nothing to stop her momentum. A month later, just a few days before she would release the song that took the world by storm, she was invited by Remy Ma to join her set at Hot 97’s Summer Jam music festival for a performance of Queen Latifah’s classic “U.N.I.T.Y.” alongside a list of legendary femcees that included Lil’ Kim, MC Lyte, The Lady of
Rage, Young M.A. and the Queen herself. Just five days later, on June 16, “Bodak Yellow,” her first single as an Atlantic Records artist, was released. The track, whose title is a reference to rapper Kodak Black (appropriate since she borrows some of his cadences from his track “No Flockin’), would start its complete and utter domination of summer radio slowly, only entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart (at number 85) during the week of July 22. Five weeks and a performance on The Wendy Williams Show later, the track jumped to number 14, becoming her first top 20 entry in the United States. It wouldn’t be her last. “Bodak Yellow” would continue to rule the airwaves throughout the summer and heading into fall, as more and more people began to take notice of this internet star with the bona fides to back up her entertaining bluster. By the week of September 25, she would claim the top spot on the Hot 100, knocking Taylor Swift and her comeback smash “Look What You Made Me Do” off their pedestal, becoming the first solo
female rapper to do so since Lauryn Hill in 1998. That wouldn’t be the only record Cardi would break in her first year as a commercial recording artist. By October, after three consecutive weeks at the number one spot, she would come to tie T.Swift at the longest-running female at the top of the charts in 2017. Not too shabby for a girl from the Bronx with literally only one solo single under her belt. By November, thanks to her features on G-Eazy’s “No Limit” and Migos’ “MotorSport” (alongside her rumored rival Nicki Minaj, the currently reigning queen of rap), she would become the first female to have three singles in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at the same time. By December, she became the first femcee to ever have her first three singles all crack the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Of course, her year wasn’t all about breaking records. (Though it could’ve been.) No, in September, Cardi also managed to land nine nominations at the BET Hip-Hop Awards (tying DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar for the most),
winning five. In October, she became engaged with Migos member Offset, showing off an enormous 8-carat ring. And then Grammy came calling. In November, it was revealed that she’d been nominated for both Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. Should she win in either category, she’ll be—you guessed it—the first female to have ever done so. With her second solo single, “Bartier Cardi,” released and her collaboration with Bruno dominating the airwaves, this is truly only the beginning for Cardi. After all, she hasn’t even released her first album yet. “I am nervous. You want to know something? You want to know something? I already feel like a winner, you know what I’m saying?”shetoldJimmy Fallon during a visit to The Tonight Show in December. “Because it’s like, ‘I never thought…me?’ Like, I already won. What’s good?” Something tells us the winning is only going to continue for Cardi B. http:// www.eonline.com/news/ 909076/inside-cardi-b-s-insane-year-rising-to-the-top.
Lady Gaga Bares Her Soul for Stripped Down “Joanne” Music Video
Lady Gaga brought it back to the basics for her newest music video. This year’s two-time Grammy nominee released a piano rendition and accompanying stripped down visual for her hit track, “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?),” inspired by her late aunt, Joanne Germanotta. Gaga pays tribute to Germanotta, who influenced the eponymous track and the star’s fifth studio album, with the opening words, “Joanne was my father’s sister who died at the age of 19 from the auto-immune disease Lupus. My father was only 15 when she passed away.” Throughout the understated visual, the songstress keeps the attention on the music as she sings and plays behind a keyboard and frolics through the woods with a guitar. Her vocals are crystal clear backed solely by a single piano. The scenes are picturesque as cameras capture the star twirling outside and hone in on her expressive face. The visual alternates between
color and black and white as Gaga walks alone down a street and joins friends for a round of pool at a bar. There’s a noticeable addition to the song as she concludes with the phrase, “Call me Joanne. xo, Joanne. xoxo, Joanne.” “Joanne Stefani Germanotta 03.12.5512.18.74,” a slide reads at the end of the video. “My connection to her has been strong my whole life. I always wondered what it was—the mystery of Joanne—this person that I never got to meet that was an absolute tornado of both love and tragedy,” Gaga told E! News of her aunt in 2016. “She was a powerful, beautiful force in my family’s life and then it’s like a beautiful light that just goes out, so I’ve always used the fact that she didn’t get to live the rest of her life as a sense of strength and power within me that I have to go out and live the rest for her.” http:// www.eonline.com/news/ 909304/lady-gaga-bares-hersoul-for-stripped-downjoanne-music-video.
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When a Man Cooks! When a man volunteers to do the BBQ, the following chain of events is put into motion. Routine... 1) The woman buys the food. 2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes the dessert. 3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill, beer in hand. 4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three-meter exclusion zone where the exuberance of manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman. v Here comes the important part: 5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL. More Routine.... 6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery. 7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he flips the meat. Important Again: 8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN. More Routine... 9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table. 10) After eating, the woman clears the table and washes the dishes. And most important of all: 11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts. 12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off, and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.... Don't Mess With Your Wife After being married for 50 years, I took a careful look at my wife one day and said, "Fifty years ago we had a cheap house, a junk car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 23-year-old girl. "Now... We have an $800,000 home, a $65,000 car, a nice big bed and a large-screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 73-year-old woman. It seems to me that you're not holding up your side of the bargain." My wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out and find a hot 23-year-old girl and she would make sure that I would once again be living in a cheap house, driving a junk car, sleeping on a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV. Aren't older women great? They really know how to solve an old guy's problems. God Will Provide A young woman brings home her fiance to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out more about the young man. The father invites the fiancee to his study to find out more about him. "So what are your plans?" the father asks. "I am a bible scholar," the young man replies. "A bible scholar, huh", the father says. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice home for my daughter to live in, as she is used to having?" The young man replies, "I will study and God will provide for us." "And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, which she deserves?" asks the father. "I will concentrate on my studies and God provide for us," replies the young man. The conversation proceeds in this manner, which each question the father asks, the young man replies that God will provide. Later, the mother asks, "How did the conversation go?" The father answers, "He has no job and no plans, but the good news is that he thinks I am God."
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
Sunday January 28, 2018
Best Makeup Sponges And Blenders Continued from last week This new silicone sponge is taking over the beauty scene and has received so much attention this year – all for a good reason. The odd-looking applicator gives you a flawless finish without wasting your precious foundation. Unlike the conventional sponge applicator that soaks up the product, this one does not absorb even a single drop. It perfectly applies and blends your blush, foundation, highlighter, concealer, and primer! However, just a heads-up, this one's not made for everybody. Some of you may not like the way this works, but you'll have to try it before you come to a conclusion. 3. MAC All Blending Sponge Pros Ultra-soft Latex-free Gives you precise application Durable Cons A little difficult to hold and clean I was curious to try out this makeup sponge by MAC. I liked the pointed end, which is perfect for patting and blending the product into the nooks of the face – around the eyes, nose, and lips. It does the job with ease and precision. This is definitely denser than the Beauty Blender, which makes it more durable. Although I was a little taken aback because it is slightly tricky to hold; but once you conquer that, this one's a great applicator that gives you a seamless finish. 4. Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge Pros Incredible design Very soft Easy to use Cruelty-free Cons Requires maintenance Rihanna's Precision Makeup Sponge stole my heart. This is a 3-sided, latex-free sponge that feels like a cloud and blends all formulas with ease and perfection. It's slightly smaller than the original Beauty Blender, but it works the same way. With its flat edge, applying concealer has never been more convenient as it adds more precision. It's also great for applying creme contour. With a price tag of $16, this left me so impressed! Do give this a try! 5. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Pros Leaves you with a very natural finish Easy to use Has a unique design Affordable To be continued......
SOLUTION FOR LAST WEEK’S SEARCH & FIND
Kaieteur News
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The
Three Kick Rule
M
r. Han was a lawyer. He loves fishing and hunting. It was a clear Saturday and he decided to spend his day fishing and hunting. He drove a long way to reach the forest and a lake was located near the forest. He decided to try his chance in fishing. Unfortunately, he could not catch even a single fish. He decided to return home. Suddenly he saw a rabbit moving around in the nearby area. He shot the rabbit and the rabbit fallen down on the ground inside a fence of a garden. The lawyer had a quick glance in and around the garden and he saw nobody was there. He jumped inside the garden, grabbed the rabbit and when he was about to climb back the fence, he was caught by the garden owner. The garden owner and lawyer argued for the ownership of the rabbit. The lawyer told he shot the rabbit and it belonged to him. The owner argued, the rabbit grew in his garden and it was lying in his garden. So it
belonged to him. The lawyer shouted at the owner, 'See, I'm a lawyer! I can sue you in the court and get you severe punishment!' The owner decided to teach a lesson to the lawyer. He said, 'Okay. I'll kick you three times with my strength. You again kick me three times with your full strength. Let us continue this until you or I request to give up! The one who gives up lose the game and the other one wins and owns the rabbit! Lawyer agreed to the 'Three Kick' rule and he was confident that he could win it! Apparently, the lawyer looked bigger and stronger than the garden owner. They then argued on who should kick first. The decided on tossing a coin and the garden owner won the toss. He decided to kick the lawyer first! The garden owner kicked him on his stomach, his legs and face! The lawyer groaned in pain and before he starts kicking the owner, the garden owner said, 'I give up! It is all yours. Now, enjoy the rabbit!' Never underestimate anyone and never become overconfident on your talent and powers. A big blow on the right place on you can bring you down.
y
by Uncle Ro
Most children keep these problems inside, And don't know what to do, And soon they find the trouble becomes worse, Until it is very hard to get through. Whenever you see this happening to you, Do not be afraid to speak out; Tell your parents what is worrying you, And ask them to help you out.
Junior page How to make
Tissue paper CHERRY BLOSSOM tree Materials to make Tree: Cherry Blossom Tree Template Glue Plate Pink tissue paper cut up into squares (Mine were slightly smaller than 2"x2") How to make Tree: 1. Print out the template. 2. Pour glue into plate. 3. 'Smoosh' tissue paper squares into flowers. Dip them into glue and then stick them to your tree! Ahh, now stare at your pink blossoms and remind yourself that spring is just around the corner. T e m p l a t e : https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxp KjCdhK1EnUmZ1Nm1jT2UwdkU/vi ew
Here are 5 riddles and their mixed-up answers! Unscramble each group of letters to form a word. Use those words to fill in the answer blanks.
Y FUN WITH POETR
There are many times that children find They have problems with what others do, Sometimes it is with some friend, And it can be with their teacher too.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
Double your Blessings T
here is a certain lady in our neighbourhood who always places her candles in front of a mirror so that she gets a lot more light from them than if she had left them against a dull background, which did not reflect the light and make the place brighter. Suppose we were to apply this practice to our own conduct. If we were to emphasise the good around us, we would really be holding it up to a kind of mirror. Like the reflected light of the candles, we would be doubling this good and making the world a better place. And, if we think carefully about it, we can find so many ways of doing this. We can talk about the good things that someone has done or spoken, we can tell someone about the kind and generous qualities of some mutual friend, or we can try to repay some kindness by helping some other person who can benefit from our help. It is a normal thing for people to talk bad things about others, even about their
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Judge me not Judge me not, I'm only human, I try to do right, but sometimes am wrong; Mistakes are made by every man; Judge me not, I'm only trying to sing my song. There are times when I'm sure I'm right, These times I tend to come on strong; Judge me not, this is how we humans Try to cope with life's ups and downs.
friends and relatives. But is it usual for them to repeat the good in others and in what they do? Sadly this is not so. If you take the time to listen to others, you would readily find that they are more ready to criticise or to repeat something negative about someone else than they are about the many positive things he/or she does or says. In the same way that we can double
the good that others do by reflecting their positives, we are multiplying the evil in the world by this negative way in which we treat others. It is therefore left for each of us to use the mirror of our mind to reflect the positive things that others do that we meet as we go about our daily lives. Then we will find that, just as we will increase those positives, our own blessings will double as a direct result.
Buzz words
The future will bring even more challenges, And I will dare to act as well as I can; I know I will still make mistakes, But judge me not, I will still be human.
When you see the goodness in others, it is the same goodness shining in you.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
CROSSWORD
Look at this sample honeycomb. The shaded O and the six letters surrounding it spell COSTUME, which matches one of the clues below. In the same way, find a 7-letter word for each of the remaining clues. Keep track of the center letter for each answer you find.
1. Special set of clothes costume - O 2. Soft cotton cloth 3. Opposite of eastern 4. Alike 5. Wheeled toy with footboard 6. Observer 7. Ugly, terrifying creature Now find the BUZZWORD for this puzzle by unscrambling all 7 of the center letters to spell the answer to this clue: a greeting
MAGIC SQUARES
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Country
Sunday January 28, 2018
Profile
Myanmar M
yanmar, also known as Burma, was long considered a pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011. The generals who ran the country suppressed almost all dissent - symbolised by the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi - and stood accused of gross human rights abuses, prompting international condemnation and sanctions. A gradual liberalisation process has been under way since 2010. The country is expected to see a major shift after the government changed hands early in 2016. The dominance of the largest ethnic group, the Burman or Bamar people, over the country's many minorities has been fuelling a series of long-running rebellions, although a gradual peace process yielded a draft ceasefire deal in 2015.
whoever sits in that chair will be her proxy. Her reputation was battered in 2017 by her apparent disregard for the suffering of Muslim Rohinya, whom the UN described as targets of ethnic cleansing at the hands of the military. Htin Kyaw will be remembered by history as the first civilian president for Myanmar and the head of its first government to be elected in free and fair polls. The military retains considerable amount of power in the government and parliament.
President Htin Kyaw
Myanmar's media have seen a gradual easing of strict state controls since 2011. But media freedom has not been a priority for the democratically elected government that took office in 2016, says Reporters Without Borders. The state still controls the main broadcasters and publications, and
KEY FACTS Republic of the Union of Myanmar Capital: Nay Pyi Taw Population 53 million Currency Kyat Area 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq miles) Major language Burmese, minority languages Major religions Buddhism Life expectancy 64 years (men), 69 years (women) UN LEADERS President: Htin Kyaw Htin Kyaw was sworn in as president in March 2016, ushering in the first democratically elected government into office after
MEDIA
self-censorship is commonly practised. TIMELINE 1057 - King Anawrahta founds the first unified Myanmar state at Pagan and adopts Theravada Buddhism. 1531 - Toungoo dynasty reunites country as Burma. 1885-86 - Burma comes under British rule. 1948 - Burma becomes independent. 1962 - The military junta takes over, initially in the shape of a single-party socialist system.
1990 - Opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) wins landslide victory in elections, but the military ignores the result. 2011 - The military hands over to a nominally civilian government following elections the previous year. 2015 - Elections. Opposition National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi - wins enough seats in parliament to form a government. 2017 - Exodus of the Rohinya minority following what the UN said was ethnic cleansing by the army.
The ruined city of Pagan, capital of the Kingdom of Pagan Aung San Suu Kyi symbolised opposition to military rule decades of military rule. Rightfully, the job belonged to Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been the face of the pro-democracy movement and who endured decades of house arrest and harassment by military rulers without ever giving up on her non-violent campaign to unseat them. But Suu Kyi was barred by the constitution from becoming president, and she made it clear that
After delivering the sweetest film of 2017, Kriti has signed a sweet deal in 2018! K
riti Sanon has signed one of the most popular chocolate brands. Kriti Sanon who won everyone's hearts with her performance in the sleeper hit film 'Bareilly ki Barfi' has signed a new endorsement deal with a well-known chocolate brand. Interestingly the chocolate brand which Kriti has signed now happens to be one of the first few brands for which the actress has shot for as a model Kriti Sanon feels proud and thrilled as she has now become the face of the chocolate brand which she likes from her childhood.
The actress took to her social media handle in elation and tweeted,"Proud and thrilled to be the face of the new & yummy Cadbury's Fuse!! Cadbury's is a brand I've loved since I was a kid and one of my first few brands I shot for as a model. Such a great feeling to be a part of the Cadbury's family now! My new Cadbury's Fuse ad" Kriti Sanon was last seen playing the role of a young and free minded girl, Bitti, from a small town, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh in Junglee Pictures film Bareilly Ki Barfi where her performance was hailed by the audiences and critics. On the work front, Kriti Sanon will be seen in Arjun Patiala.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Magistrate to comply with directions of DPP and commit “Grey Boy” for murder Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman was on Thursday told by Justice Dawn Gregory, an appellate judge that she will have to comply with the order of the Direction of Public Prosecution (DPP) and commit Regan Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy’, to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing. This ruling comes months after the Magistrate was ordered by Justice Brassington Reynolds to comply with the directions of the DPP. The Magistrate, after being ordered by the Judge appeal the matter, said that the DPP cannot interfere with her judicial work. The Magistrate had argued that any law which seems to give the DPP that power is clearly an interference with the independence of the judiciary and such law ought to be declared null and void. She is being represented by Attorney-at-law Arud Gossai. The lawyer in an interview with this publication stated that the Court of Appeal agrees that the issues raised by the Magistrate in her appeal are extremely important and will be given a full hearing. The court further opined that the committal of Rodrigues will not affect the appeal by the Magistrate. This ruling comes months after the Magistrate discharged Rodrigues of murder. Her reason was insufficient evidence. Particulars of the charge against Rodrigues are that on March 10, 2015 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Crum-Ewing. The lawyer disagrees with the ruling of the Judge as they believe that a direction from the DPP to the Magistrate to commit an accused person to stand trial is a clear interference with the independence of the judiciary. Article 122 of the Constitution is extremely clear on this point of interference with the judiciary. The lawyer argues that the DPP cannot interfere in the judicial determination of the Magistrate. Attorney Gossai added that the DPP herself failed to follow the procedure set out in section 72 of the Criminal Law Procedure Act as she did not request the notes from the Magistrate as she was required to do under the said section 72. The DPP did request the notes after the first discharge but she did not request the notes after further evidence was taken. During the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Magistrate Latchman ruled that while the court was satisfied that CrumEwing was shot with a gun retrieved from a house which
- pending the hearing and determination
Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack
Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman
Murdered, Courtney Crum-Ewing
Regan ‘Grey Boy’ Rodrigues
was occupied by Rodrigues, at Riverview, Ruimveldt, there was no evidence that Rodrigues “used the gun, pulled the trigger and shot Crum-Ewing.” Crum-Ewing died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot wounds. This was supported by the evidence of Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh who testified that CrumEwing received five gunshot
wounds- one of which was at close range. The Magistrate said that the court believed that CrumEwing died as a result of gunshot wounds. Fourteen oral statements given to police by Rodrigues were admitted to form part and parcel of evidence in the matter by Magistrate Latchman. However, the Magistrate ruled that these oral statements did not implicate Rodrigues in the murder.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
In spite of 2% royalty, 50/50 cut…
Proper due diligence necessary to ensure parties live up to terms of oil agreement - Tax Chief By: Kiana Wilburg Several affiliates of the administration have contended for some time that the APNU+AFC coalition secured a good deal with ExxonMobil given the two percent royalty and the 50/50 cut of the crude oil. But even with that deal in place, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, strongly believes that proper due diligence mechanisms will still be needed to ensure that the parties involved live up to the end of their deal. Mr Statia made these remarks during an exclusive in-
terview with this publication. He was at the time commenting on some of the findings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which produced a report on Guyana’s future oil sector and the fiscal changes that need to take place. Statia noted that the IMF, unfortunately, was brought in post event. Those who might be quick to digest the findings of the Fund would be wise to recognize that fact. He noted that the Fund actually conducted such an analysis at the behest of the Ministry of Finance. The Tax Chief said, “They were never consulted prior to
these things and those who are talking about the IMF said this and said that, (should also know that) the IMF said that the deal is not as bad as persons are making it out to be.” The GRA Boss recalled a few points this newspaper had carried from the IMF report regarding cost recovery. The IMF said when there is a cost recovery limit and the minimum government share of the profit is greater than zero, a royalty is obviously embedded on the agreement it would have with the oil operator. The Fund explained that in Guyana’s case, the cost recovery limit as set out in the contract is 75 percent. This means that on the annual earnings from the production oil, the contractor is allowed to recover 75 percent of his expenses. This means that there is 25 percent of the profit remaining to split evenly between the operator and the host country. The Fund said that the Government is ultimately guaranteed to receive a minimum of 12.5 percent of the total production. When the two percent royalty rate is added, Government gets 14.5 percent of the production. The Fund said that this is more in line with international practice. Statia said, “The IMF also
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stated that you’re not as badly off as some countries are. What we need to focus on is ensuring that the parties live up to the terms of the agreement because if you do not, you will find expenses will be going all over the place. “That is where you need to focus your due diligence because notwithstanding the fact that you would get the 12.5 percent and the 2 percent royalty, if you do not do a proper due diligence and put proper measures and controls in place you would get into problems.” RING FENCING The Commissioner General is also of the opinion that adequate ring-provisions are indeed necessary when it comes to the oil and gas sector. In this regard, Statia opined that Guyana must safeguard itself. The ring fencing provision ensures that USA oil giant, ExxonMobil cannot transfer the expenses incurred at one well to another. In Guyana’s contract with ExxonMobil, the mechanisms to safeguard against this are absent. GRA’s Commissioner General notes however that the effects can be minimized with the right regulation, separation provisions and controls and continual audits and reviews. He said that there must be identification and isolation of activities, assets, costs and revenues for each well. Statia expressed, “Sure, Guyana must be on its guard. The principle (of ring fencing)
exists in certain industries in Guyana already and GRA is taking steps to deal with this as it relates to companies which are in the habit of transferring costs as it relates to sister and related companies…” CLOSING LOOPHOLES The International Monetary Fund has found a number of loopholes for abuse in Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil. But the Government believes that there is no need for alarm or worry as several international bodies, the IMF included, are lending tremendous support to help Guyana remove every possible chance for exploitation by the operator. This was noted recently during a press conference hosted by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. He was at the time responding to a question from this newspaper which was based on the disturbing findings of the IMF. One issue the IMF in a report points out is in relation to ring-fencing. The IMF said that in principle, the ring-fencing arrangement ensures that the government’s revenue from the Stabroek Block is calculated based on each field or well, separately. The Fund stated, “However, this is undone by the Production Sharing Agreement framework, allowing the contractor to allocate cost oil to any field within the contract area.”
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia To the aforementioned, Trotman said that on November 30, he and the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, sat with IMF representatives and those issues were ironed out. Trotman said, “We went through them with the Guyana Revenue Authority and others. The answer is that we are working. IMF, World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the InterAmerican Development Bank are giving us tremendous support. And we are building capacity on a daily basis and hiring capacity and ensuring that we cover all that we are supposed to…” The Minister said that with the help of those international agencies, Guyana will be in a position to tighten all loopholes. He added, “We invited the IMF to tell us what we are lacking in this regard, so Guyana is not alone in this.”
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 67
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
CODEX STANDARDS ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE LOCAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTORS The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) which functions as the Codex Contact Point has been facilitating the development of standards relating to food and agriculture to enhance the products, services and systems of these sectors. A key international partner in this effort is the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The CAC was established in 1962 to implement the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/ World Health Organisation (WHO) Food Standards Programme. Implementation of Codex standards is voluntary, and the translation of these standards into national legislations or regulations is required for their enforcement, Implementation and enforcement of these standards ensure the fair trade of safe foods. Codex standards offer science-based recommendations in all areas related to food safety and quality; and they are referenced in World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade negotiations. Guyana became a member to CAC in 1970 and subsequently the GNBS was identified as the National Codex Contact Point (NCCP). The NCCP acts as the Secretariat for the CAC; meaning that it coordinates ‘ALL’ Codex activities within Guyana and it is the major communication link between the CAC and Guyana. To expedite the work of Codex, a National Codex Committee (NCC) was established. This Committee’s mandate is to facilitate national discussions on food safety issues affecting
local producers and consumers with the aim of contributing to the discussions during the development of Codex standards. The NCC has a formalized structure and its members include representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture, Guyana Consumer Association, Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Guyana Manufacturers Services Association. The NCC meets monthly to discuss and develop recommendations relating to food safety issues and to formalize its position on Codex matters that may directly affect local producers. Recently, the NCC met to discuss ways to encourage producers to use the two available Guyana Standards (Specification for Packaged natural coconut water and the Code of Practice for Packaged natural coconut water) which if implemented can result in the production of quality coconut water, good enough for sale in Regional and International markets. Additionally, the NCC is seeking to collaborate with different food safety agencies as a means of reaching food handlers to sensitize them on the use of Codex standards as a way of improving their food handling practices. Meanwhile, the recent South-South Cooperation Project, which concluded last year, provided an opportunity for Guyana to build its capacity in Codex. Through this project, Guyana benefitted from technical support that gave rise to a five-
year Strategic plan for Codex activities in Guyana. One of the activities outlined in the strategic plan is the conduct of workshops with local stake holders to educate them on the benefits of conforming to Codex Standards. Food handlers, manufacturers, processors and vendors can benefit tremendously from these workshops.
Free copies of Codex standards can be downloaded from the Codex website:http:// www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/ home/en/. For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065 or 219-0069. Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
CONSUMER CONCERNS
RENEWAL OF LE REPENTIR CEMETERY By PAT DIAL Last week, the Georgetown City Council discussed the fencing of Le Repentir Cemetery. The cemetery was first used in the early 19th century and was one of the large blocks of land owned by Pierre Louis de Saffon after whom Saffon Street was named. De Saffon was a native of France and emigrated to the Demerara colony in the late 18th century. The reason why he came to Demerara was that he had killed his brother in a
duel. He had become so distraught with grief and guilt that, as a penance, he exiled himself to the most remote and backward place he had heard of. But though his sorrow and mental suffering were never overcome, he became a wealthy man and came to own large tracts of land. Among his landholdings were Plantations La Penitence (Penitence), Le Ressouvenir (Remembrance) and Le Repentir (Repentance), all names reflective of his sorrow. He was also a
philanthropist and cared for children and the poor. The Dutch town of Stabroek from which Georgetown developed had no public cemetery and when the British took over the Demerara colony in 1815 by the Treaty of Paris, in addition to their military cemetery in Young Street, Kingston they established the Bourda Cemetery. The comparatively newlyestablished Georgetown Town Council took over the Le Repentir plantation for use as a public cemetery and with
patient and steady work, they created the largest and best kept cemetery in the West Indies. They drained the land by deepening the drainage canal which ran around the sides of the plantation and laid out the land into beds, dividing these into grave spots. Two sturdy red-brick roads were built, west to east from Broad Street and going in for much over a mile and north to south from Louisa Row to Sussex Street. Suitable shady trees were planted along these roads including an avenue of Royal Palms. Hundreds of coconut trees of the tall variety were planted along the sides of the canal. There were internal drains between the beds and sturdy small bridges over them. A mortuary was built which the Police and Health authorities helped to maintain. The cemetery was well-administered by the Sexton’s office which kept records of burials and information of the various beds, supervised the rangers who were part of the security arrangements and kept the cemetery weeded. High grass or trees growing among the tombs was never permitted. Later, an incinerator was constructed at the northwestern corner of the cemetery, an area where no burials were permitted since victims of the cholera epidemic at the beginning of the 20th century were interred there. The incinerator’s chimney was among the highest structures in the Town and since almost all houses were eight to ten feet above the ground, the soot from the incinerator rarely troubled them. The cinders were given to the Albuoystown properties to build up yards
and unwittingly provided fertilized land for fruitful kitchen gardens. The two gates of the cemetery at Broad Street and Louisa Row were closed exactly at 6.oo p.m. and everyone had to be out of the cemetery by then. Anyone found in the cemetery after then was fined. At the junction of the west to east and north to south roads, a cenotaph-like monument was constructed and donated by the Freemasons and had Masonic symbols. The ruins of this monument still exist with the year 1931 marked on it. On the parapets of the stretch of road between the monument and the Louisa Row gate, a festival of flowers was planted and always seemed to be in bloom. There were roses, marigolds, forget-me-nots, African daisies and other bright-coloured perennials. On many of the tombs of the richer folk there were ornate metal vases and statuettes and exquisite grillwork fencing around them and sometimes embossed metal plates with information of the person thereat buried. Almost all of this invaluable metal work which was also a national heritage, was plundered by scrap metal dealers. There are examples of various types of funerary architecture which have survived the wanton destruction and neglect. There are still a few Muslim maqbaras existing and in the Old Roman Catholic ground, there are examples of the Mediterranean vault tombs used by Portuguese families. There are also 18th century Dutch-designed tombs of the type found at Fort Island. This neglect, decline and
destruction of the Le Repentir cemetery began towards the end of the 1950’s and continued at a faster rate from the middle of the 1960’s. The neglect coincided with the democratization of the Town Council. In the 19th century and until the beginning of the 1950’s the councilors were often wealthy businessmen, members of the learned professions or persons who had made their mark in National Politics. Such persons were of the ilk of Mr. LFS Burnham, Mr. Eddie Gonsalves, Mr. Claude Merriman, Mr. Rahaman B. Gajraj and Sir Lionel Luckhoo Q.C. These and others brought their particular skills and capabilities to the task of City Government. With the democratization, such persons as a group no longer served. Party politics took over the Town Council and most members of this group were not aligned with the Parties. Further, the office of Town or City Councillor became far less prestigious and respected than it was in the earlier decades of the 20th century. It was recently reported in the press that Mayor Patricia Chase-Green wished to make a new beginning of restoring the cemetery to the status and aesthetic condition it enjoyed in the 1930’s and 1940’s. She wished to have the vulnerable parts of the cemetery fenced as a beginning but some of the Councillors objected. Though it appears to be a daunting and even overpowering task, the cemetery could be made to recapture its former glory. A written plan should be adumbrated along the lines of what was done in the 1920’s Continued on page 69
Sunday January 28, 2018
PAGE 69
Kaieteur News
GBTI names...
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. A 140 Toyota Corona manual black wheel drive, carburetor 3A engine. Good working condition. Price negotiable. #677-9077 or 651-6425 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610, 290 Massey-Call: 338-4354 Sign and copy shop business. Cell: (592)695-2199
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, 1 long base canter, 4 ton GRR washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; series, hydraulic tray lift, price 2.6million and 1 canter driver 683-8734. Omar needed. #609-1040 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 washing machines, dryers, TV, 4matic SUV, like brand new, microwaves & freezer-Call: under 20,000 miles. Call: 6741781. Serious inquires only. 610-5846 or 661-8158 20 acres of farm with bearing citrus, coconut & avocado trees. Location: Linden Highway, contact #655-7933
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
One wooden buliding (only) 46ft x 28ft with solid greenheart materials, sliding door and windows grilled, all accessories. Call; 227-4285 Professionally done export quality rattan furniture. Whatsapp#611-7223 for pictures
FOR RENT
WANTED
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. One property to purchase in Georgetown below 30 million. Call: 615-0317 1 office clerk, must have 5 years’ experience, advanced tying skills/letter formatting. Proficient in English Language. Age 25-35. Tel:6481821/219-0468 Seeking property to rent for restaurant in Georgetown, Call: 615-0317 Experience Waitress. Call: 6266983 Waitress/ Food servers, Food Handlers certificate required. Contact: 629-2044 One female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 Skilled carpenters wanted to work Linden. #602-9469 Urgently needed one land in Eccles and Herstelling, also artist to paint scenes and portraits. Tel: 656-0701
Experienced Security Professionals. Must have 3 yrs. experience, past military/ security. Send resume & picture by email:. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m
Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 6036400. 2-Bedroom for rental. Robb St, Bourda. Tel: 227-5367 Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, East Bank, Tel: 672-1906/216-2299/682-6238 Tower space to rent in Georgetown ideal for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Contact 2235273-4 2 & 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments to rent, long & short term. #666-7820, 6911432 Business place/Store for rent, located at Grove EBD.Contact 684-6331 Bottom flat Apartment for rent with two Bedroom, toilet and bath La Grange W.B.D #6678896 2 Bedroom downstairs at 33B Anira St. Queenstown Georgetown $50,000/month contact Ramesh # 613-4375 , 617-6599 Honest individuals wiil be considered. Apartment to rent- self contained A.A Eccles. Phone#628-2682. Quiet residential area.
DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
EDUCATION The Jo-sel Educational LEARN TO DRIVE Institute needs a full time Ultraviolet Driving School is maths teacher. For more offering a 6 days driving information, call: 226-7794/ lesson for $7,500. Come and 226-7868 enjoy it! Call 602-2583 CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons School formerly Soman & (slow learners, personal tutor) Sons Driving School @ Maraj #690-5008,618-0649 Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages). LAND FOR SALE Farm (East Bank) $2.8M Parafaite Harmonie $1M & 1.4M Herstelling $2.2M Uivlugt $2.8M Eccles $6M. Tel: 651-1969/656-0701 100 acres Agricultural land, right bank, Barima river,NWD, Essequibo. 668-7687/677-9638
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota premio PSS7517 1.8M 2005 model C light recorder Axio 2.5 Bluebird 2.6 Tida 2.2 #655-3400
Wanted in large quantities: moringa, corolla bush, soursop leaves(dried). Contact: 665-1397 1 AE 110/100/91 CorollaSprinter/or cash payment Carina, contact: 693-3979,6411087,604-1010 1 Porter to work on vehicle in the interior 18-25 years old #699-4718 WANTED FULLTIME/PART TIME WAITER/WAITRESS TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT, SHERIFF STREET. CALL;219-0158 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Merchandiser between ages 18-35 yrs. contact: 231-6256. We would like to buy 20 ft & 40ft containers. Contact: 6876072
PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Unregistered Axela 2011 dark Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft interior, fully loaded, Nissan $22M Negotiable Contact pickup extra cab. Call: 617- 648-7109/686-4818 5536 Property located in secure and 2009 Toyota Premio, low residential Ixora Avenue, mileage, owner leaving Block AA Eccles EBD. $36M. country;price negotiable, Tel: 233-2793, 615-8502 contact: 669-2518/645-4085 New building with two Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep AWD apartment downstairs for Excellent condition $1.4M sale.10 minutes from negotiable. Call: 609-7766/225- Georgetown .Call:675-1510/ 8427 613-7964 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, One top and bottom three Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, bedroom house at Block 12 NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, Non-Pariel, ECD. Tel: 692RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 4881, 229-6236
Experienced TUTOR for CAPE Pure math and applied. Math level 1. Contact: 5002145 Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 Waitress for bar. Age 18-27 #612-2522 1 female from Georgetown, age 18-25 to work from 3-9 pm. Apply to Tea shop @ 193 Charlotte & Wellington Streets Auto body repairman, part time. 266-4427 General maintenance Guy, room attendant ages 25-45 years old. Tel: 225-0198 233 South rd, Lacytown. Driver from Age 22 and above, must have police clearance, for more info, call: 223-0090 Females to work at Fish shop/Restaurant, must have valid food handler’s certificate. Call: 660-2849. Vacancy for male to work at Vulcanizing & Tyre repair shop $15,000 per week. Call: 690-4722 between 10am & 2pm House keeper(good cook) wanted. Live-in if possible. Windsor Estates East Bank. Contact: 673-6050 Nanny to teach and take care of a 2 year old girl. Campbellville area. Contact: 673-6050 Backhoe operator, woodmizer moulder and edger operator, experience logging truck driver, call Richard: 609-7675/ 674-1705/233-2614 TOLET One Bedroom, furnished (air conditioning, bed, refrigerator, microwave, television, stove, utensils) North Riumveldt $75,000. #688-0306,694-7817 One business space, located at 177 Charlotte & Alexander St. Kindly call: 644-3555,6893462, . Serious enquiries only. Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-60,000 p/ m. Furnished (for visitors) $600 US p/m. 668-7687/6779638/697-6421 Lodge (Vlissengen/Durban): Professional/Office/Business space (no food retailing) 6687687/677-9638/697-6421
From page 9 Guyana Securities Council, as regulators of the financial sector. The accusation was that Nath allegedly acquired shares in the state-owned bank which was going public. As a result, he and other executives made millions of dollars. Trinidad’s news was filled with the First Citizens Bank’s scandal. The Trinidad Express, on December 4, 2014, reported that Nath, First Citizens’ CEO, resigned from the company with immediate effect. The Trinidad Guardian reported that First Citizens shares went on the market in the lead-up to 2014, with Nath acquiring 215,000 of the bank’s shares for TT$4.7 million. The subsequent investigation had recommended disciplinary action be taken against Nath, deputy chief executive and corporate secretary, Sharon Christopher, and head of the legal department, Lindi Ballah-Tull.
RENEWAL OF...
From page 68 and 1930’s and gradually and consistently effectuated. Such a plan would cover matters such as Administration, Security, Aesthetics and Maintenance. Once maintenance is sustained, costs will begin to fall from the high point at which they are until income and expenditure become equilibrial. Once the City Administration undeviatingly focuses on the Plan, the renewal of the cemetery and its continued maintenance could be achieved in four years.
The Neglect of... From page 14 commence engaging students, parents and the general public in discussions regarding the importance of extra-curricular activities in the proper development of our children. It must be established that these areas of the educational programme are not to be viewed as separate from, and less important than, other more academic pursuits. These elements speak to the core of what a proper education must be about. Research has long established that the neglect of key dimensions of the child’s all-round development limits the attainment of his/ her full potential. Furthermore, it has been highlighted that without balance even the cognitive domain can be hampered. The infusion of these aspects of the educational experience should therefore not be regarded as optional, but essential to the delivery of quality education and given the attention it deserves. Effective education demands a balance that can only serve to improve the quality of life for all of our children and our nation by extension.
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Two injured in Bagotville crash
Police are investigating an accident which left several persons nursing injuries along the Bagotville West Bank Demerara, (WBD) Public Road last evening. Information reaching this newspaper is that a Toyota Spacio motorcar driven by an ex-policeman, collided head
on with another motorcar, HC 7086, which was transporting an elderly couple. This newspaper understands that the Toyota Spacio was driven by an ex-police officer who appeared visibly drunk and fled the scene after hitting a truck, then the motor car .driven by taxi driver, Sewkumar Mohabir,
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
The crashed HC 7086
a father of two. He also sustained minor injuries and his car severely damaged. Evelyn Johnson was an occupant of motorcar HC7086. She sustained several injuries including lacerations to head. The taxi driver was placed on bail after visiting the La Grange Police Station
Nonperforming loans and... (From page 12) percentage points below end-December 2015. 2017 PERFORMANCE Lending by banks continued to be hampered due to a high level of nonperforming loans in the system for 2017. This is according to the Finance Ministry’s half year report. The document says that Commercial banks remained well-capitalized, in the first half of 2017, with a capital adequacy ratio of 26.6 in June 2017, compared to a ratio of 25.8 in June2016. However, non-performing loans increased from 11.9 percent in June 2016, to 13.1 percent in June 2017, with 61 percent of this increase concentrated among business enterprises.
Additionally, Commercial banks small savings and lending rates reduced in the first half of 2017. The small savings rate was recorded at 1.18 percent in June, 2017 compared to 1.26 in June, 2016 while the weighted average lending rate was 10.34 percent, compared to 10.46 percent in June 2016. Additionally, growth in mortgage lending increased, on average, by 4.5 percent, comparing the first half of 2017 to the same period in 2016. Lending also grew, on average, by 7.4 percent in the services sector during the first six months in 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016, but these gains were offset by reductions in lending in the agriculture, manufacturing and mining and quarrying sectors.
Notwithstanding the high liquidity in the banking system, the Finance Ministry said that the high level of nonperforming loans combined with apparent risk aversion continues to hamper bank lending. On a sectoral basis, NPLs in the business enterprises and households sectors expanded by 9.1 percent and 24 percent respectively when compared with the first half of 2016. Two sub-sectors (services and manufacturing), within the business enterprises sector recorded increases in their respective levels of 23.3 percent and 17 percent over the end-June 2016 levels. (Statistics and data provided by Central Bank)
Sunday January 28, 2018
PAGE 71
Kaieteur News
Transfer pricing:
Companies illegally hide profits The tax authority is warning companies about using ingenious ways to hide profits. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is looking at the issue. On Thursday it admitted that it has far-reaching repercussions for taxes and shareholders as well. The issue has been a touchy one with several large manufacturing companies named as using their accounting process to buy from and pay their sister companies or subsidiaries for supplies and services. In business terms, the process specifically engaging GRA’s attention is described as ‘transfer pricing’. While local businesses are arguing that nothing is wrong in sourcing services and goods from their subsidiaries, GRA reportedly has been finding some strange costs being charged. At the end of the day, the
company would reflect lower profits because of those charges. During a press conference, Thursday, with his senior officers at the GRA’s headquarters, CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia, was insistent that transfer pricing may be illegal. He noted that the issue has been addressed at the
United Nations level with even a document published establishment why it should not be accepted. Statia noted that transfer pricing is alive and well with GRA encountering significant cases. He said that there have indeed been an increase in the number related parties transactions, with even shell companies opened, invoices writ-
ten and “all those things”. The official explained that transfer pricing works both ways--the value of the goods being increased or decreased to suit the situation. However, the issue has an impact elsewhere. He explained that when there is an increase in the cost of manufacturing, it affects shareholders value. These all have impact on the country’s gross domestic product as well. He said that in many cases, a lot of information presented by companies is false. GRA has been battling with a number of large companies, including beverage companies, on the issue, sources indicate. With GRA now moving to introduce a new Customs software, ASYCUDA, Statia is hoping that the problem can be addressed. ASYCUDA is the acronym for Automated System for
Customs Data (ASYCUDA)a computerized system designed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD) to administer a country's Customs. According to the Commissioner-General, the issue is not an easy one with arguments back and forth even at GRA on how to tackle it. On the United Nations website, a publication- Transfer Pricing in the context of Financing for Development by Alexander Trepelkov, Director, Financing for Development Office Department of Economic and Social Affairs, explained that transfer pricing refers to the setting of prices for cross-border transactions between related parties belonging to a multi-national group. There are several such groups in Guyana. Some are based overseas. The document explained that transfer prices serve to determine the
income of both parties to these transactions. “Accordingly, transfer prices influence the tax base of the respective countries involved in such transactions. If prices for intra-group transactions do not reflect open market conditions, there is a risk that less income, or more expenses, might be reported in a country, where more income, or fewer expenses, should have been reported.” Officials indicated last week the GRA has been meeting resistance from a number of companies after closer scrutiny came from authority. GRA has over the years been battling tax evasion and non-compliance, despite a large taxpayer’s base. A shortage of manpower, space and corruption has all been slowing the fight. However, GRA has vowed to go after non-compliant companies, engaging a number of them in recent months.
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Govt. introduces amendment to Anti-Terrorism legislation PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – CMC - The Trinidad and Tobago government has introduced an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act which it says seeks to plug gaps in the existing law as well ‘as “gaps and obligations identified by our international partners, reviewers and assessors”. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who immediately asked that the Anti-Terrorism Bill be referred to a Joint Select Committee on Friday, said that a report should be submitted by March 31 for the consideration of legislators. Al-Rawi told legislators that the bill seeks to target terrorist financing and activities, set out legislative mechanisms to meet international obligations and improve platform for Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to fight against global terror. He said the bill contains comprehensive measures for 14 proposed changes, among them to submit names of suspected terrorists to the United Nations Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, address specific risks posed to children including recruiting and taking them to conflict zones and strengthening the law relating to the provision of services for the financing of terrorism. “As such the bill has been
Faris Al-Rawi referred to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for consideration on a tripartite basis, specifically with a view towards facilitating alacrity in the passage of the improvements of the anti-terrorism law,” he said. The move by the government comes a few weeks after Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar had written to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to discuss failed legislation including the AntiGang Bill, which the Opposition voted against late last year.She has complained that she had not received any response from Rowley, but in his statement to Parliament on Friday, Al Rawi said he was doing so on the advice and support of the Cabinet. He told lawmakers that
through this legislation, the government’s own initiatives and in collaboration with its international partners, Trinidad and Tobago “will stand up and be counted among the valiant and determined nations committed to end the scourge of terrorism”. He said having established an Anti-Terrorism Desk within the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, the government in December 2015 obtained its first order of the High Court designating one national in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) and freezing his assets.Since then, AlRawi said they have obtained orders in respect of a total of 353 entities and individuals, including all 347 designated by the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee and six individuals with a local nexus. Further, they have gone to submit requests to three jurisdictions to designate entities/individuals in accordance with the UNSCR and the Financial Action Task Force recommendations. “The Office of the Attorney General has also successful pursued and obtained the first listing of a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and ISIL spokesman and recruiter being added to the United Nations list,” he told legislators.
UNICEF sees growing signs of malnutrition crisis in Venezuela GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. children’s agency UNICEF said on Friday it was seeing clear signs of a growing malnutrition crisis in Venezuela, but it lacked data to give precise information and to tackle the problem effectively. “While precise figures are unavailable because of very limited official health or nutrition data, there are clear signs that the crisis is limiting children’s access to quality health services, medicines and food,” UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac told a regular U.N. briefing in Geneva. Venezuela’s government has not published data on wasting - a low weight to height ratio in children under five - since 2009, when the figure was 3.2 percent. Aid agency Caritas put the figure at 15.5 percent last August, UNICEF said. “When it’s about fighting child malnutrition, it’s not a time for discussing, it’s time for action,” Boulierac said. “Acting to fight malnutrition
Christophe Boulierac requires data, and there’s not enough official data right now and there’s not enough coordination.” He said he had no information to suggest that UNICEF was being prevented from doing its work, and it was not uncommon to have a lack of data. The government of President Nicolas Maduro says Venezuela is fighting a U.S.led right-wing conspiracy determined to end socialism in Latin America, hobble
Venezuela’s economy, and steal its oil wealth. But critics say Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez in 2013 and said this week he was standing for re-election, has ruined a once prosperous oil economy, turned Venezuela into a dictatorship and skewed the election system to perpetuate power for his Socialist Party. UNICEF said the government had taken steps to mitigate the impact of the crisis on children, by providing affordable food packages to the most vulnerable families, cash transfers, and strengthening nutritional assessment and recuperation services. But Boulierac said that without concerted action between the government, aid agencies and the U.N., efforts to tackle malnutrition would be ineffective. “It’s a situation where there is an economic crisis, hyperinflation, sky-rocketing prices, and it’s also a sociopolitical crisis with a lack of agreement, dialogue, to solve the most urgent issues.”
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Dominica conducting own probe into suspected UN busting sanction against North Korea ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – The Dominica government has written to the United states-based Dominica International Maritime Registry as it undertakes its “own internal investigation’ into allegations that a Dominican registered ship was involved in a suspected breach of the United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking on a radio programme here Friday, said that “we have written to the company. “I was told it was dispatched by the permanent secretary in the ministry responsible for ship registry. We are also doing our own internal investigation on this matter,” he told radio listeners, giving the assurance that his administration is prepared to take whatever action is necessary to deal with the matter.Skerrit said that the government will instruct the company to deregister the ship in question while Dominica investigates the incident to make sure there are protocols in place to minimize the chance of this happening
The Ships
again. But he acknowledged it would cost the country millions of dollars in compensation to terminate the accord. “The facts would show that there was an exclusive licence granted to this American based company,” he said, adding “I will say to the public and I think at some point the government should make this document public and post it on the government website so that citizens can have access to this document and read this document and to see how one sided that agreement was in favour of the firm that was engaged to do this.
“We have consulted with many senior counsels across the world, inside and outside of Dominica and there’s no way you can really terminate this agreement without providing millions of dollars in compensation to the company,” he said as he questioned whether the then attorney general “or any lawyer in Dominica had read the document before they signed it”. Last week, Japan told the United Nations about a North Korean tanker spotted in the East China Sea that it suspects was engaged in a transfer of goods with another tanker in defiance of U.N. sanctions.
Judiciary encouraged to educate the public on sentencing guidelines
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Chief Justice Zaila McCalla is calling on members of the legal profession to play a greater role in educating the wider public about sentencing guidelines. She noted that there were legislative provisions that allow for reduced sentences for persons who plead guilty. “Yo u c a n n o t f o r e x ample, if an accused pleads guilty to manslaughter, after a charge of murder, you cannot sentence the accused based on murder because it is a provision of our law,” she said, explaining that “provocation” reduces
murder to manslaughter, adding that “these are all legal principles.” The Plea Negotiations and Agreement Act, gives accused persons the opportunity to offer a guilty plea in exchange for a lighter sentence. McCalla was speaking at a special sitting of the Court of Appeal that was held in her honour at Public Building West, downtown Kingston yesterday. The Chief Justice added that she was depending on members of the Bar and the media to educate the Jamaica citizenry, so they can understand and will not be
“traumatised” by what they read in the papers at times. Meanwhile, Justice McCalla commended members of the profession who are committed and dedicated to their work and the mission of the court. During the special sitting, members of the Judiciary bade farewell to the outgoing Chief Justice. McCalla, has served the Judiciary in Jamaica with distinction for over 40 years. The sitting was used to show appreciation for the stellar work and legacy she leaves behind. She is expected to demit office on January 31.
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U.S ttis - Diplomac y should .S..’s Ma Mattis Diplomacy Wynn resigns as RNC impose rreason eason on Nor th K or ea’ s Kim finance chair after sexual North Kor orea’ ea’s U.S. PACIFIC COMinsula, cannot be implemented misconduct allegations MAND HEADQUARTERS, without us going along.” Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis stressed diplomacy as the way to deal with the North Korean crisis on Friday during talks with his South Korean counterpart in Hawaii, a day after Seoul’s top diplomat said a military solution would be unacceptable. “Diplomacy should (impose) reason on Kim’s reckless rhetoric and dangerous provocations,” Mattis said, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He added that the response to the threat remained “diplomacy led, backed up with military options available to ensure that our diplomats are understood to be speaking from a position of strength.” The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has said all options are on the table when it comes to North Korea’s pursuit of a nucleartipped missile capable of striking the United States. But Mattis has consistently stressed non-military actions, including interna-
Jim Mattis tional sanctions. He renewed that mess a g e a s h e m e t South Korean Minister of Defence Song Young-moo at the U.S. Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii. Song said he expected to discuss North Korea with Mattis, but noted firm coordination between the two militaries. “We both understand each other well and that as an alliance, we always go together,” he said, speaking through a translator. The exchange came a day
Kim Jong Un after South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said the standoff over North Korea’s nuclear programme must be resolved diplomatically, and added that she was certain Washington would consult her government first if a military option were to be considered.She declined to comment if Washington had given Seoul clear assurance but added: “This is our fate that is at stake. Any option that is to be taken on the Korean Pen-
After their first formal talks in more than two years this month, officials from the two Koreas have been visiting each other to facilitate the North’s participation in the Olympics, to be held in the South’s alpine resort town of Pyeongchang. North Korea has waged a publicity campaign around its attendance, calling on Thursday for “all Koreans at home and abroad” to promote interKorean cooperation. Kim’s regime has also set a new anniversary to mark the formation of its military on Feb. 8 - the day b e f o r e the start of the Games. Analysts say the nation may observe the day with a large military parade. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who will represent the United States at the Olympics, said on Tuesday he would seek to counter what he described as an effort by North Korea to “hijack” the Games with a propaganda campaign.
WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee yesterday, a day after the Wall Street Journal reported he routinely subjected women who worked for him to unwanted sexual advances. “Today I accepted Steve Wynn’s resignation as Republican National Committee finance chair,” RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel said in a statement. The billionaire has denied the accusations as “preposterous” and said they were instigated by his ex-wife to seek advantage in their divorce lawsuit. As recently as Friday night, Wynn associates were insisting he would fight the charges and remain at the NC. Instead, he becomes the latest powerful man to pay a price for accusatio n s o f sexual misconduct in the United States.Wynn, 76,
Steve Wynn the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Wynn Resorts Ltd, has been a prominent figure in the casino resort business and onetime rival of President Donald Trump. After previously trying to stay nonpartisan, he threw his support behind Trump in the 2016 campaign and donated money to several Republican causes including the RNC.
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Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” East Bank/West Demerara zone
Defending Champs Showstoppers amongst winners on opening night Two defending champions Showstoppers, Police-B, Mocha, Up-Like-7 and West Side Ballers, were amongst the wins when the 4th Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara zone, commenced on Friday. The torrential downpour which occurred throughout the evening did not hamper the festive atmosphere, as a large crowd descended on the Pouderoyen Tarmac. Showstoppers downed Admiral United 1-0 compliments of a Stephon Jupiter 12th minute strike. Similarly, Police-B upset ESPN 1-0 via a Kevin Duke seventh minute goal. Also, Mocha downed Agricola 2-1. Amos Ramsay scored an 18th minute ‘Guinness Goal’ (goal scored
in the final three minutes is counted as two) to secure the result. For Agricola, Domini Garnett netted in the fifth minute. Meanwhile, Up-Like7 edged Patentia Money Team 1-0. Shane Webster scored in the sixth minute. West Side Ballers downed Jetty Ballers 1-0, with Quessey Alleyne finding the back of the net in the 14th minute.In other results, Dream Team needled Front Line Ballers 1-0, while Rising Stars overcame Zeelugt Warriors by an identical scoreline. Meanwhile, Asylum Youths defeated Ballers Empire 1-0 on penalty kicks, while Nismes Ballers downed Bagotville All-Stars 1-0 via the penalty mark. Also, Veterans edged Zeelugt FC 1-0 via a penalty
shoot-out, while Harmony Ballers-A squeaked past Facebook Ballers by an identical score in a penalty shootout. In the final result, Boom Bang defeated Young Ballers 3-2 on sudden death penalty kicks. The tournament which features 32 teams, will be contested utilizing an initial group stage format. Upon the conclusion of the group round, the top two finishers will advance to the knockout round.The Pouderoyen Tarmac will serve as the venue for the entirety of the championship. The other playing dates are February 2nd, 7th, 9th, 13th and 17th. Winner of the tournament will pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, the runner-up will
Action in the West Demerara leg of the Guinness street football competition at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. receive $200,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third placed finisher will receive $150,000 and a trophy, whilst the fourth placed
Ed Caeser.. Sunday January 28 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You're likely to hit that magic spot with someone today in which you can almost read each other's thoughts, Aries. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A conflict between career obligations and home responsibilities could present itself today, Taurus. You're likely to feel totally powerless in the situation, so it could cause you to feel irritable and be more snappish than usual. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Long-distance phone calls from people living in distant states could bring some rather disconcerting news your way. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Nightmares that come your way today are likely to cause you to wake up feeling extremely angry for no tangible reason. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) partner, either your life partner or a colleague, is likely to be in an irritable mood today, which you could find a bit upsetting. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Too many unfinished tasks or chores today might have you feeling pressured to get them done, creating unnecessary stress and strain. Pace yourself and don't panic if you have to let some of them go for today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Emotional levels run high among members of a group you're affiliated with as disagreements turn into quarrels. Stay out of this, Libra, it won't do you any good. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It might be best if you keep your eyes and mind focused on the tasks at hand and not on the petty squabbles that are going on around you, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Try to find alternative outlets for your energy so as to avoid this trap. There is also the danger that you might take impulsive actions without giving it any thought. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) Therefore, it might be a good idea to start out the day pacing yourself and concentrating on whatever tasks are the most pressing. Don't worry if you have to leave some for later. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you're involved in a class or if you find yourself in any kind of group activity or social situation, be prepared for quarrels to break out among the people there. . PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Frustration and upset with others in your circle could tempt you to go out and get rid of that energy by spending a lot of money.
From page 79 Erwyn Smith, Martin Webster and David Gomes. The AGM received reports from the President, Secretary and Treasurer. Caesar thanked members for reposing confidence in him as the leader and the rest of his executive which will continue to work towards the continued development.A new constitution was adopted by the members and it would now be sent to the international body to be approved.Caesar urged members to be vigilant when it comes to observing and adhering to the rules of fairness, transparency and accountability in relation to promoting and participating in the sport. Athletes were reminded to be aware of what is required of them pertaining to the AntiDoping requirements, noting that the federation has adopted a proactive stance in this regard.The GAPLF’s 2018 season will lift off on Sunday with the Novices and Juniors Powerlifting Championship at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Weigh-in begins at 07:00hrs whilst competition will begin at 09:00hrs with Flight A competitors. Admission is $500.
RHTY&SC.. From page 76 the Director, Mr. Vikash Panday. The Federation expresses its thanks once again to Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bishwa Panday and P&P Insurance, who un-hesitatingly came on board to support the sport shooting fraternity for the third year making this an official event on the shooting Calendar.
unit will walk away with
$100,000 and a trophy.
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From page 75 is the first step towards committing to the continuous development of football in the region.” “A historic occasion for football development in the Rupununi”, was how Wayne Forde described the event. “There is no doubt in my mind in the amount of talent in this region but unless you have the administrative mechanisms to develop those talents, they will remain nothing more but just talents,” Forde posited as he iterated the importance of the office
currently competing on the United States Track and Field circuit, while Hooper is currently on Scholarship at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus in Jamaica. Winston George, who lowered Guyana’s 400m record while winning gold at the South American Senior Championships in Paraguay last
Narayan Ramdhani again a gold medalist in Canada Guyana’s National Badminton Champion and most definitely an Olympic Prospect won the Championship at the Jack VCR Jack Underhill Open Singles Tournament played at the Vancouver Rackets Club in Vancouver BC, Canada. Narayan won the Gold Medal in the Open Men Singles Competition and Bronze in the Open Men’s Doubles. This is a great achievement considering last year he got the Bronze
Narayan Ramdhani Medal in Singles at this tournament and this year he won the Gold shows that his training is progressing at the Shuttlesport Badminton Academy in Vancouver where he is based for over a year and a Half. This is also his second Gold in a stretch as he won the Under-23 Men’s Singles at the 2017 VRC Remembrance Day Open Badminton Tournament in Vancouver, BC, Canada last year (2017). In the final Narayan Ramdhani defeated Mandinu Desilva 21-19, 2116.
Sunday January 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Natrena Hooper (Senior Female athlete of the year) year, won the senior athlete of the year award out of a pool of outstanding sportsmen that included National triple jump record holder, Troy Doris and national javelin record holder, Leslain Baird. Tenisha Cort who holds that national record for the Javelin throw was runner-up to Hooper who won the senior female athlete of 2017 award. Natrena’s sister, Natricia Hooper, who won Gold in the under-20 Triple Jump event at the CARIFTA Games last year, was awarded Junior female athlete-of-the-year. While Compton Caesar, who won the first Gold Medal for Guyana in the boys’ under-20 100m at CARIFTA Games, in addition to Gold at the South America Junior Championships, was awarded Junior male athlete-of-the-year. Predictably, Daniel Williams who became Guyana’s second athlete to win a medal on the world stage after sprinting to a silver medal berth in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World
under-18 championships in Nairobi, Kenya, won the best male youth accolade. Chantoba Bright, who finished 5th in the triple jump in the IAAF youth games in Kenya last year while winning gold in the same event at the South American Junior Championships which was held in Guyana for the first time, was adjudged best female youth for 2017. Other winners included: Natricia Hooper (best junior female athlete), Compton Caesar (best junior male), Daniel Williams (best youth male) and Chantoba Bright (best youth female). Johnny Gravesande who trains Daniel Williams and Chantoba Bright was named Coach-of-theYear. Coach, Moses Pantlitz was the recipient of the President’s Award, while sponsors of various AAG meets during the year 2017 were presented with plaques of appreciation.
Max-I-Do pair becomes 1st Guyanese “Academy of Martial Arts” Hall-of-Honor Awardees Max Massiah (who in September of 2017 became Guyana’s only 3-time HALL-OF-FAMER at the “Legends of Martial Arts Celebrity Fest & International games, held in Fresno, California) was nominated for the Hall-Of-Honor Award by the host of the Event, Sifu Alan Goldberg (known as the “Godfather” of Martial Arts). Mr. Massiah then nominated a fellow Guyanese Martial Artist, the President of the Guyana Amateur Karate Association (GAKA), 5th Dan Black Belt Sensei Anthony Durjan Snr, of which the Board of Directors approved, therein creating history in becoming the first Guyanese to be presented with such a coveted and prestigious award, the Martial Arts Hall- Of-Honor. The Ceremony is set for Saturday 27th January 2018, during the World’s largest mega event, the “Ultimate Destination”, Jan. 26th to 28th, at the TROPICANA Casino,
Max Massiah and Anthony Durjan Atlantic City, New Jersey. “Mr. Max”, as he is popularly called, a Martial Arts practitioner with 45 years experience, is the Founder of Max-I-Do Adult SelfDefence System, which was specifically structured for Business owners, professionals, workers, elderly, and females - all who may be subjected to stick-ups, bullyism, or unlawful assault. According to Massiah, the system is a 4-second application of submission, breakage, or dislocation of the arm/s (shoulder, elbow, wrist, & fingers, and is strictly for adults.
GCB Dave West Indian Imports NY Inter County U-15 tourney launched By Zaheer Mohamed As part of their preparation for the 2018 Cricket West Indies Regional U-15 tourna m e n t , t h e Guyana Cricket Board has partnered with Dave West Indian Imports, New York for the third consecutive year for the staging of the upcoming inter county U15 50-over tournament. This partnership was announced during the launching of the tournament at the Guyana Cricket Board office at Regent Road,
Bourda. Marketing Manager of the GCB, Rajendra Singh, who chaired the proceedings expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their continued support and stated that this venture has greatly assisted the GCB in the staging the tournament since it costs over Three Million Dollars. He further encouraged the youngsters to place a special emphasis on their nutrition and touched on the importance of fitness. Singh added that this tournament serves as the foundation of their careers as they look to achieve greater heights. GCB Vice President Fizul Bacchus thanked the sponsors and noted the importance of the tournament. Bacchus, who was recently re-elected President of the Essequibo Cricket Board, told the gathering which included several players that this is a stepping stone for greater things to come once they remain committed the sport. Amar Ramraj, a representative of the sponsor, said that they are happy for the opportunity to be part of the tournament, while stating that it is at this level where stars are born. He stated that he is looking forward for a successful tournament and wished the teams well
Natrena Hooper and Winston George top athletes for the year 2017 When the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held their annual awards ceremony at the Umana Yana in Kingston, two-time Olympian Winston George and Natrena Hooper received the accolades of Senior Male and Female athletes of the year 2017, respectively. Both the recipients of the senior awards were unable to attend due to overseas commitments. George is
Dave WI- Treasurer of the GCB Anand Kalladeen (right) accepts the cheque from Amar Ramraj of Dave West Indian Imports NY in the presence of the officials of the GCB and players.
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We look back at the past week of local sporting activities. We had several events including boxing, cricket and football among others. We start with boxing.
Guyana’s Dexter Marques catches Dionis Arias with a wicked left to win his Flyweight encounter by a unanimous verdict.
Bad Blood Card lives up to the hype The eagerly anticipated six-fight ‘Bad Blood’ fight card organised by a collaborative effort of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)/ NexGen Global Marketing (NGGM), lived up to the hype. Staged at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as Professional Boxing returned to venue for the first time in two years, a near capa c i t y c r o w d watched as Guyana’s Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques and Venezuelan Dionis Arias produced an entertaining display in the Main Event with Marques getting a unanimous decision over Arias after 10 rounds of Flyweight action. USA based Guyanese Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry was clinical in his Bantamweight encounter over eight rounds against Jesus Barcelo of Venezuela which also ended in a unanimous verdict for the CABOFE and Inter-Continental bantamweight champion. But it was also a disappointing night for local Boxers and fans as Dexter Gonsalves was out-jabbed by his much shorter opponent from Venezuela, Felipe Barcelo and lost my a majority decision. Guyana’s Anson Green was stopped in 1:35 minutes of the second round in his Junior Middleweight battle with Bajan Keithland King. Local boy Shawn Corbin was having things his own way against T&T’s WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Champion Sheldon Lawrence and after eight rounds was in front on all of the Judges’ cards until he was hit with a brutal uppercut and was knocked unconscious in 2:22 seconds of the 11th round of their 12-round title fight. In the other fight of the night, six feet four inches James Moore was all over the heavier 35-year-old Berbician Sherwin Clarke. Both fighters were making their Professional debuts and Clarke was stopped in 2:44 seconds of the third round in the four-round match-up.
CWI Digicel Regional 4-Day C/Ships
Jaguars join B’dos & Jamaica as only teams with 4 successive titles Guyana Jaguars ended the season as the only unbeaten team to join Barbados (1977-1980) and Jamaica (2008-2012) as the only teams to win the Regional FirstClass tournament for four consecutive seasons when they beat T&T’s Red Force by an innings and 81 runs on the final day of this year’s CWI Regional FourDay competition at Providence.Scores: Red Force 135 & 324, Jaguars 540-9 declared.The last time the two teams met in this tournament in Trinidad, the Jaguars roared to an innings and 217-run win. Set 405 to avoid an innings defeat, the Red Force resumed on 2828 with Jason Mohamed on 85 and in glorious sunshine a handful of die-hard supporters, including the families of some of the players, saw Mohammed cover-drive
Guyanese Shawn Corbin was knocked Unconscious in the 11th round as T&T’s Sheldon Lawrence successfully defended his WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title.
left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul to post his seventh hundred at this level with his sixteenth boundary. Brian Charles (15) hit Kemo Paul for three fours, before he was bowled by Permaul for his 50th wicket in what has been a truly dominating season for the Leon Johnson led side.Paul sent Anderson Phillips’ leg stump cart-wheeling leaving Mohammed unbeaten on 103. Guyana’s victory was set up by Man-of-the-match, Bajan Raymon Reifer who joined Roger Harper (twice), Carl Hooper and Narsingh Deonarine as the only Guyanese to score a century and claim a five-wicket haul in the same game. Reifer’s unbeaten 108 also saw Guyana breaking the 47-yearold record of Guyana’s highest total (537) against T&T. The Jaguars, who have played consistent team cricket with everyone contributing when it most m attered, have lost just three matches in their last 4 0 g a m e s ; to Bar b a d o s a n d Leewards twice.
GFF commission’s Rupununi FA’s Office in Lethem The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) made another positive step towards the development of the sport locally with the historic commissioning of the Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA) office located at Middle Street, Lethem. President (Ag) of the RFA, Curtis Buckley, was elated at the momentous occasion during the ribbon cutting ceremony and noted that the current RFA executive body which was formed merely two years ago on October 30, 2015, has grown from strength to strength despite challenges. ”When he held our election in 2015, we had only 5 clubs and today, the association is 17-clubs strong with the “Go Getters” club hailing as far away as Mahdia,” Buckley shared during his address at the simple but significant event. Buckley further explained that despite their humble beginnings,
after only two years, a total of 30 players from RFA have been called up to National squads with three of them representing Guyana; all at the under 15 level. The President (Ag) posited that his association which is the only one that runs off a senior male and female tournament simultaneously deserves to have the office. However, despite the RFA’s quick successes, the association still has challenges. Headlining those challenges is the local sports fraternity’s bugbear of insufficient facilities. In addition to the GFF’s and RFA’s presidents, also present at the ribbon cutting ceremony were Region 9 Chairman Brian Allicock and Mayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles, a former association Secretary. Beckles who is a former FIFA Referee while enjoying the opportunities to interact with some of the best officials in the game, noted that in order to have success, one must be committed: “We being here today at the opening of the RFA office (Continued on page 74)
Four times Champions! The Jaguars squad with CGI’s Anand Sanasie (2nd left) celebrate after the official presentation.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 28, 2018
Wozniacki ends long wait for first grand slam.. P&P Insurance Brokers’ Annual Practical Pistol shoot set for next month Local practical shooters will for the third year be given an opportunity to participate in the Annual Practical Pistol Match which has been exclusively sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited and hosted by the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation. President of the Federation, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon noted that the match will usher in the New Year of practical pistol matches as local pistol aces compete in the first competition for the GSSF’s calendar year. She noted that for January, members have thus far completed two practice sessions at the GDF Range to help sharpen shooting skills and training. A lot of focus was given on training in this regard and the usual monthly safety shooting course duly completed. Competitors in the upcoming Match will be separated into two divisions based on their firearm setup: Production Division (for out of the factory firearms) and Limited Division (where some add-ons and higher end aftermarket parts are allowed.) Chairman of the Practical Shooting Committee and Match Director Mr. David Dharry, noted with sponsorship from P&P Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited, prizes for the Top Three Overall Shooters in each division will be up for grabs. He expressed appreciation to P&P for their continued support of the G.S.S.F. and the continued building of the sport in Guyana. Director Mr. Vikash Panday echoed the same sentiments that his company stands committed to continued support of the Federation and sport shooting in spite of the slow economic conditions that presently exist. Mr. Dharry noted that the Match will be open to all experienced PracticalPistol Shooters in Guyana and advised competitors to pre-register. Interested sanctioned practical shooters wanting to come out to have some safe shooting fun, can contact any Committee Member of the GSSF or visit www.guyanasportshooting.com for further details or simply send an email to info@ guyanasportshooting.com indicating their interest to participate.At the small ceremony at P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd’s office located at Lot 35 North and King Streets,
Georgetown, Treasurer of the Federation, Mr. Ray Beharry in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to (Continued on page 73)
From page 78 She wobbled when serving for the set at 5-3 when a hollering fan broke her focus. But she was commanding in the tiebreak, closing it out swiftly with a blazing shot that all but knocked the racket out of Halep’s hand.The world number one was on the back foot and suddenly dizzy, and she called a medical timeout to have her blood pressure taken after holding serve to 3-2 in the second set. She then began grabbing
at her left thigh after points, but somehow found the energy to break Wozniacki with a swashbuckling forehand down the line.Nothing would come easy for Halep, who saved further break points in a nervous service game before claiming the set with a risky dropshot that Wozniacki failed to deal with. Romanians in the terraces went ballistic at the breakthrough, but were silenced as Wozniacki feasted on her opponent’s weakening second serve, a fiery return push-
ing her 2-0 ahead in the decider. The grind of a long fortnight came to the fore as both players threw away serve, but Halep nudged 43 in front when Wozniacki’s forehand deserted her.It all looked grim for the Dane as a trainer strapped her leg at the change of ends, but she
broke back before holding serve for the first time in three attempts.Sensing her moment as Halep served for survival, Wozniacki fired a searing forehand winner to e dge a 16-shot rally for match point and then held on grimly until the Romanian finally buckled.