Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur M@ilbox We will work in the best interests of the farmers DEAR EDITOR, At the time of writing this letter, I am heavy hearted. Four very deadly men are on the loose. Another who was shot at the scene of the fire for trying to escape, has now escaped from his hospital bed. Minister Roopnaraine is leaving the Coalition Government, while the President is behaving clueless as to the state of affairs in Guyana. At the same time, Exxon Mobil is asking the Guyanese press members to not cover their events. Is this the progress that the Guyanese electorate voted for? However, my desire is to speak of the situation of the rice industry. Rice, as compared with sugar of old, is now likely to play a significant part in the growth of the Domestic Product of Guyana. Over the years, the farmers have instituted practices that allow for a more robust harvest. But even as the farmers and millers increase their yields, there remains a problem with the sale of their rice and paddy. The Guyana Rice Devel-
Security forces need more resources to fight crime DEAR EDITOR, The Government needs to equip the joint services with equipment to deal with the current crisis at hand. The recent prison break highlighted the limited number of trucks owned by the GDF and the limited 3-seater Bell 206 helicopters showed the lack of ability to insert troops with the larger 17seater Bell 412 helicopters the GDF previously used to operate. This limited equipment by the GDF remains obvious when the bandits continue to control the backdam and attack and rob the miners. There are no larger helicopters or trucks available to provide support. Also, during the recent flood, the need to access the interior of Guyana showed the joint services had no trucks and helicopters to provide relief capabilities. We now have several groups of armed men robbing mining camps in the interior and no means for the government to respond with a large armed force to land in a remote area with helicopters and their own trucks to deal with the rising criminal activity by these gangs. Harold Singh
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opment Board (GRDB) has taken the country back into the Burnham days, when the Government used to control everything. Under President Hoyte, the rice sector was privatized. When the PPP came into power, they reversed that privatization policy and brought back the rice sector under governmental control. We have seen over the years of the PPP how they mashed up the rice industry. It is no secret that the rice business men and women were the ones who sided with the Coalition, especially the AFC, and brought down the mighty, arrogant, PPP. I have been in rice for years and I helped work to remove the PPP from out of power. But I did not see this coming. I really thought that the PNC-Coalition would have taken a different approach than the PPP-Civic. In fact, as I talk with my fellow rice farmers, none of them expected what is now happening. We all thought that when we changed the government, the new administrators would have change the illegal setup of the Rice Board and the Guyana Rice Producers Association. We as farmers and millers have long seen how these two entities were bulling and stealing billions of dollars from the small man. We saw what they did with the PertoCaribe deal. We saw how they restricted the farmers and millers from selling their produce on the open
market. And as a result the farmers and millers teamed up to remove the PPP, so that the new government remedy those wicked and corrupt situations. But now they end up with the same thing! Well, I am pleased to announce that the United Republican Party (URP) is offering the rice farmers another option. As a rice farmer myself, I know your struggles. I am therefore asking you to come aboard with us. Dr. Thurane Doerga has been meeting with me and we are working on a strategy that will see the rice farmers and millers receiving the maximum amount of money for their products. We will also push for you to be able to sell your product directly to your buyers, on the open market, without having to go through the GRDB. The two main parties have made a complete mess of the sugar industry and now they are doing the same things with the rice. The AFC has failed the rice farmers. The URP is pledging that we will remain an independent party and push for standards and practices that will work in the best interest of the farmers and millers. We will not allow the continued enrichment of a corrupt few, while the folks who are doing the work and making the investments are disrespected and slighted. Enough is enough. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu
Kaieteur M@ilbox The private sector must be the engine of growth DEAR EDITOR, I am a firm believer that the private sector in every country must be the engine of growth and development and this must be facilitated by an enabling environment created for the most part by governments. Guyana is no exception. I am currently in Guyana and was given a tour of the Sleep Inn hotel and casino on Church Street on Saturday by Mr. Clifton Bacchus, the owner. I had never met Mr. Bacchus before nor was I aware of the principal(s) in the Sleep Inn investment. However, during the tour Mr. Bacchus lamented the fact that he has been waiting almost a year for the casino licence which he applied for based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) he signed with the Government of Guyana, prior to May 2015. According to Mr. Bacchus, US $18 million has been invested in the Church Street hotel and casino. The tour revealed to me some 150 nicely appointed rooms, some elegant suites with contemporary upscale furnishing and a state of the art casino with facilities for top class restaurants, gift shop and
stage for nightly entertainment. Most important, in my view, is that when operational the casino and its attendant facilities will create employment for some 300 people, 80 of which are currently on the payroll having undergone specialized training for employment in a casino. These workers are being paid although the casino is not open for business because the training is expensive and Mr. Bacchus does not want to have to retrain new people, if he lets go of the current crop of trained workers. But for how much longer can he sustain this not having the slightest clue when, if at all, his company will be granted a licence? He says his first applica-
tion was turned down on the basis of some financial requirements which have since been met and a second application submitted last October. Bacchus’ business partner in the casino, a foreign national, is contemplating removing the state-of-the art casino machines and equipment since he is unsure if and when a licence will be granted. In the meantime however Bacchus is moving ahead with upgrades to the hotel and casino complex, currently installing some 300 solar panels that will eventually supply electricity to the complex. I saw some of the panels. He indicated that he had just paid $279,000 in duty to access the panels from the wharf. I thought investment in Guyana, whether local or foreign, attracted duty free concessions, especially Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Sloppy road repairs being done on Agriculture Road in Mon Repos DEAR EDITOR, I wrote several letters pertaining to the deplorable state of Agriculture Road. I was delighted to see repairs on this road began about a week ago. However the road repairs are not being done properly it is very poor and sloppy work. First I noticed they graded the road up to NAREI. I also noted with interest that they are throwing in some crushed brick or loom into these big pot holes. This is not the way to do this job. First they need to cut these holes deep and dig out all the moisture underneath and all the slush in the holes, allow it to dry before they put in any brick, and cover it with bitumen. They are just throwing some bricks in these holes to cover/fill it and then they will throw bitumen or asphalt. One can clearly see this road has tons of holes on the edges and the edges are broken. They did nothing to the holes at the edges thus the sloppy repairs they are doing will not last a month because very heavy trucks, Hymacs, container trucks traverse this road daily. This road needs to be re-
done in a durable and competent manner and engineers should determine the weight of the vehicles that can traverse on it. I need to know who has the contract for Agriculture Road? What does the contract entail? How far will this road be built? What materials ought to be used for this road repair and reconstruction? And who is the engineer overseeing the meaningless and sloppy work that we will soon read in the press cost millions of dollars. The job I see currently being carried out on this road is very slow and lackadaisical. And now I am told that they will not reach the NAREI site, half way down the road where all the bigger and deeper pot holes are. From the time they begin the rehabilitative works, they ought to have passed NAREI by now and reached the stock-farm at the back. But they are just dragging their feet on this deplorable, incomplete and incompetent job. I am now calling on Minister Patterson to send an engineer into Agriculture Road to stop the work until a proper
contract is drafted for a more long-lasting road. The Minister also needs to determine by weight, the types of vehicles this road can accommodate. It’s obvious this road repair I see being conducted is more suitable for bicycles and not these huge trucks and heavy duty vehicles that use this road daily. In the view of the residents, administrators at NAREI and myself, this sloppy r o a d w o r k i n progress on Agriculture Road must be arrested now by the Ministry of Public infrastructure or we will have a road (the contractor will be paid millions) that will not last a month. I see many roads built here and destroyed in less than a month; that is exactly what I see will occur here in Agriculture Road. If they are going to build this road it must be done properly with proper road materials and it must be tested by a proper engineer before taxpayers’ monies are paid to this incompetent contractor. I am calling on the relevant authorities to stop this road work now until proper repairs can be done before this contractor is paid. Rev. Gideon Cecil
Vincent Alexander cannot remember how... From page 4 prevailing in the country and at the university in 2005 that would have favoured Rose over Kirton and the politicization and political control of the Council and the university itself. In fact, with my involvement, we took the removal of Kirton to court and got writs of NISI and Mandamus from
Justice Winston Patterson. But the Registrar Dr. David Chanderbali was advised by Ralph Ramkarran, legal advisor to UG, in a letter dated 13 September 2005 that, “Rose is legally entitled to continue in the post of Vice-Chancellor to which he was appointed notwithstanding the Order Nisi…” Like Alexander, I write to make sure the facts that make up the history of Guyana are not distorted. When we write about that saga involving Rose and Kirton and the university, we cannot remove the political circumstances prevailing at
the time that would have led to massive control of the university by the government of the day. If anything in 2005 was dominated by the PPP Government it was the university in which eight Council members belonged to PPP district groups and six Council members were PPP parliamentarians. I was there during those days so was Vincent. I am older than Vincent by a year so if I can remember what happened at UG in those days so can he. I hope Vincent’s memory isn’t fading Frederick Kissoon
Kaieteur M@ilbox This government has not got an impressive record DEAR EDITOR, With no clear policy to create jobs and grow the economy, and with an unprecedented number of blunders, scandals, and corrupt practices haunting this administration, lies, deception and voter-fraud are the only options available to the APNU+AFC to cling to power in 2020. Not even campaign promises can get them elected this time around for we all know the APNU+AFC cannot be trusted to keep campaign promises. The Guyana Chronicle of Sunday, 16 July quoted President Granger as saying, “We are actually looking at means to reduce the taxation burdens.” Ironically, this is precisely one of the strategies proposed by the APNU+AFC Re-election Campaign (REEC). The People’s Progressive Party has long been calling on the government to repeal the draconian tax burdens imposed on working class Guyanese since taking office, and the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has already said that he will rescind these immediately upon his party being elected back into office. So
what’s new? As I’ve mentioned in a previous letter, the Administration’s greatest fear is having to compete against a highly motivated PPP/C in 2020 with Bharrat Jagdeo as its Presidential Candidate. They will do everything to prevent this from happening, and are bold enough to risk tampering with the judiciary to achieve this objective. They have been using propaganda to fool the Guyanese electorate into believing that the People’s Progressive Party is corrupt and racist. All lies and deception that must now be challenged! As mentioned above, President Granger has already started to tout the implementation of the strategy to ease heavy taxation. This is a serious admission that both the burdensome tax measures imposed by government in the 2017 National Budget and the 2 AM closure of bars and night-clubs by Minister Khemraj Ramjattan were unpopular among APNU+AFC supporters and could cost them votes in the 2020 election. Our youth were knowingly deceived and used by
the APNU+AFC during the last election, and they hope to “mamaguy” young voters again with the same strategy being suggested here. Not a word about implementing a plan to create jobs and opportunities for the youth as promised in the APNU+AFC 2015 Manifesto. When the APNU+AFC came to office in 2015, it didn’t take long for the Granger Administration to start blowing out the over US$700 million left by the PPP/C in foreign exchange reserves at the Bank of Guyana. Ministers were paid hefty salaries ranging from $1.2 million to $1.7 million monthly; New luxury vehicles were bought for the President and his ministers, costing as much as $22 million each; The number of ministers were increased from 18 under the PPP/C to 27 plus the President under this Administration, with most ministries now run by a Junior Minister and a Senior Minister. This incompetence obviously puts additional burden on the financial resources of the country to pay all these ministers fat salaries, provide housing for them, costing tax Continued on page 7
The private sector must be the... From page 5 when it comes to “greening” the economy. Most countries offer incentives such as duty free concessions and tax holidays for genuine, job creating investment. Against the backdrop of the above mentioned I am perplexed as to why Mr. Bacchus has not been told, having submitted his application over eight months now, whether a licence will be granted, and if so when, or whether there is still other criteria he is required to meet. This is a major investment by a Guyanese. Why is it taking so long to give the man an answer?
The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are encouraging him to invest in those countries. In fact I was at the opening of the new airport in St. Vincent on Valentine’s Day when Prime Minister Gonsalves mentioned Sleep Inn of Guyana as a potential investor. I asked Mr. Bacchus what he thought was causing the delay. He claimed not to know. Are you a drug dealer, I asked. He said no. Are you a criminal I asked next and the answer was again no. Are you among those denied a US visa? Again the answer was no. So why is such a huge investment in the Guyana economy being made to eventually fail? That is the purpose of this letter. I hope the relevant authority would publicly advise
what are the factors delaying a response to this application. If there are legitimate reasons for delaying or even denying the licence then let the man know. And having invested so much into this project, on the basis of an MOU with the Government of Guyana, and given that 300 plus jobs will be generated, I can see no reason for denying a licence, although there may be other requirements that need to be met before a licence is granted. At the end of the tour someone whispered to me that Bacchus is a good friend of former President Donald Ramotar and that could be the reason for the frustration Bacchus is being made to endure. I would hate to believe that this is the reason. The APNU/AFC Coalition government promised good governance and this would certainly be evidence to the contrary, if this were true. I hold no brief for Bacchus. I just met the man on Saturday. But his licence application deserves a response and favorable consideration once he has met all the requirements. Three hundred jobs should not be denied young Guyanese. I hope the relevant authority will respond to my letter. Wesley Kirton
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Too much noise in the National Library
This government has not got an...
DEAR EDITOR, Traditionally, the public library used to be a quiet place where one can concentrate on one’s reading or research without noisy distractions. This policy seemed to have been abandoned at the Georgetown Public Library. Beginning with the external sources of noises, some of the buses plying the Main Street route, like the Albert Street/ Lamaha buses, make no attempt to mute the noisy music they emit as they wait at the long red traffic light at the round-about by the Bank of Guyana. Worse than the noise from some of these buses are the so called “music carts” which blast music as though advertising to clients on the upper floors of the Bank of Guyana building. Having made these complaints, a possible solution is to establish a “silent zone” in the blocks surrounding the library.
From page 6 payers as much as $500,000 per month; The spouses of ministers now travel with them first class at taxpayers’ expense, and some ministers are allowed to spend unlimited amounts as travel expenses without having to account for the spending of taxpayers’ money upon their return. The President travelled to the Bahamas on a chartered plane costing Guyanese taxpayers millions rather than flying there first class via Miami on a commercial flight for a fraction of the cost. Then billions of taxpayers’ dollars were spent settling lawsuits that could have been won if we had a competent Attorney General that was half as brilliant as the one we had before. The Administration shamelessly wasted billions of taxpayers’ money on the bottom house drug storage bond and the D’Urban Park white elephant. But instead of cutting back on these elaborate and wasteful gov-
Released prisoners should be carefully monitored DEAR EDITOR, I would agree that minor offenders granted REMISSION on good behavior by the Minister after that dangerous situation hit our country Guyana recently was not a bad decision. To inject a breath of fresh air into all our Guyanese citizens and visitors to our beautiful land, I would think that those who were granted remissions should be monitored properly by reporting to their district police station once per week to fill out questionnaire forms in triplicate (station, headquarters, ministry) and this would certainly help in a way to alleviate recurrences. I look forward to the authorities in security putting this measure in place now. Remigrant Guyanese
A constable or audio visual surveillance can be set up at the roundabout to record the noisemakers which would lead to the appropriate prosecution of the culprits. Now to the internal sources of noises. With it being summer, it was apparently necessary to hold classes for kids in the library. This is done both on the upper and lower floors. The noise from these children is the same kind one encounters when passing by one of our primary schools during a normal school day. One cannot expect a no-noise situation when holding classes with young children. The library is pretty large and there must be some sector away from the main area where these summer classes can be accommodated. The noise affecting users of the library would be far less intrusive if these students are housed in another section, instead of just off the main section where others are trying to concentrate. Even better, why not use the school by St. Georges Cathedral which is just a cat’s meow away. School is out and the building is currently not being used. A second source of noise derives from some of the li-
brary staff themselves. While there always seems to be staff cleaning shelves and wiping dust off books, they generally discharge these chores in relative silence. However, there are other library staff who seem to have learnt to whisper in a sawmill. There are stalls in Bourda Market that are less noisy. The Staff needs to conduct their conversations without seeming to employ megaphones to do so. The system in place to hand bags is pretty efficient. The administration must be commended for this. There is internet available at the library but for some reason, there is currently no access to it. None of the staff seem to know when this situation will be corrected. Meanwhile, users of the library are expected to do their research etc. without the use of the ultimate source of information, the internet. I hope this situation is resolved soon. These are all relatively minor problems that can be solved and once again make our library the sanctuary it used to be, where one can come and read in relative silence and with minimum distractions. Nathaniel Hinckson
ernment expenditures, the Granger Administration is now forced to find other sources of income that would allow them to continue living “the good life”. Hence over 200 new tax measures have been imposed upon the Guyanese working-class in the two-plus years they have been in office. What a shame! The other big lie propagated by this government to justify the failure to grow the economy and to provide jobs, is that money from the thriving illegal drug trade played a major role in boosting the under-ground economy under the previous PPP/C government. Well, if this was true, and this APNU+AFC government was successful in stopping this massive drug trade, why is it that SOCU’s big claim to fame so far is going after Jagdeo’s house in Pradoville 2 and Anil Nandlall’s Law journals? Why aren’t these notorious drug dealers that ran the under-ground economy un-
der the Jagdeo and Ramotar Administrations been arrested and brought to justice by SOCU and Attorney General Basil Williams? I’ll tell you why, because these are all lies made up by the APNU+AFC to get rid of the PPP/C. Just like the other “proposed measure” mentioned in Basil Williams email that reads: The word “perception” used here is evident that they themselves do not believe this to be true. When compared to the number of Blacks holding prominent positions in the PPP/C, long-time PNC stalwart Anna Ally and a few others may be the only non-AFC Indians that hold a comparable position in the PNC/ APNU. Fueling “the perception that the PPP is racist” may have worked in the past, but more Afro-Guyanese are willing to admit they were much better-off under the PPP/C that they are today under the APNU+AFC. HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament
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IMF encourages Guyana to improve public procurement The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is encouraging the government to bring its procurement systems in line with international best practices so as to enhance the quality of public
investment. The global body made this statement in its 2017 report on Guyana’s economy. According to the IMF, enhancing the efficiency of public investment manage-
ment could help foster economic growth. It noted that public investment has been relatively low for the past two years. The IMF believes that this is due to the 2015 elections, and delays in the pro-
curement and execution of projects in 2016. It said, “This has been a drag on construction, with spillovers to other sectors. It is therefore important to avoid similar delays in 2017. Bringing project selection, public procurement and investment management in line with international best practices would enhance the efficiency, timeliness and quality of public investment, including through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).” In the near term, the IMF said that the government could help to unlock additional external concessional financing, reduce domestic financing needs and bring foreign exchange into the economy. The officials noted that the IMF’s Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) could help streamline the appraisal, selection and execution of projects. So far, the Government has expressed an interest in that assessment. Perceptions of corruption and favouritism have for years, sullied the image of Guyana’s public procurement system. However, the APNU+AFC Government and top officials at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) have made it clear that while there remains room for improvement, they are very satisfied with the progress they have made in arming the system with effective anti-corruption mechanisms. This was supported and reiterated by NPTAB Head, Berkley Wickham. Wickham had informed this newspaper on some of the key initiatives and interventions made since he assumed office as Chairman of the NPTAB. He said that every initiative or intervention undertaken thus far was aimed at
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
NPTAB Head, Berkley Wickham
changing the long held perception of a tainted public procurement process. The difficulty of this task was never underestimated but its success is rooted in the need to achieve transparency, accountability, fairness, integrity and efficiency, he added. The NPTAB head said, “We are not there yet but significant advances have been made. Some of these are increases in the Threshold limits for Regional, Ministerial/ Agency Tender Boards; work in progress in developing debarment procedures; the Bid Protest Committee has been established and is functional; The Public Procurement Commission has been established; and we have been an active participant in the Task Force for the development of the Caricom Public Procurement Regime” Wickham said that NPTAB has also been working with the Ministry of Business to facilitate the participation of small businesses and women owned businesses in the Public Procurement process. Pursuant to Section 17 of the Procurement Act 2003, Wickham said that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board has
been organizing training in public procurement. The existing legislation does not provide for e-procurement, he added. He said that an upcoming legislation review will provide for this. He promised, too, that a debarment procedure will be fashioned for implementation. The NPTAB Head said, “There was further training in February in contract compliance and management. We have been very busy this past year. In my opinion, we are poised to take procurement out of a long period of stagnation.” Wickham said that moves are being made to ensure that the Procurement system is elevated onto a pathway where electronic government procurement is the major tool to build a world class procurement process in Guyana. Additionally, at a national consultation on Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) Public Procurement System requirements, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had outlined that a number of changes are in the pipeline. The Finance Minister said that under the Public Procurement Modernization Project, for which funding has been provided by th e I n t e r American Development Bank under a Technical Cooperation Agreement called Public Procurement Modernization and Financial Management Strengthening in Guyana, Component One will provide support to improve efficiency and value for money in public procurement through strategic planning and introduction of e-government procurement. He said that the successor initiative by the CSME is Development and Implementation of the Infrastructure and Instruments for an Integrated CSME Procurement Regime. Jordan said that the deliverables include the Procurement Bill and Regulations, Procurement Software and Hardware Installation, Development of Training modules and the ability to roll out these modules online.
Sunday June 23, 2017
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Judiciary embarks on capacity building for Oil and Gas sector By Rehanna Ramsay In anticipation of new matters which will arise from the emerging Oil and Gas sector, members of the local judiciary have embarked on a capacity building workshop that focused on the regulatory framework of the industry in the Caribbean. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who spearheaded the initiative,
disclosed that the workshop is intended to build Guyana’s judicial preparedness to deal with matters related to the Oil and Gas sector. Last week, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was among those who acknowledged that local judges will require capacitybuilding exercises so that they can be able to effectively handle the legal issues that may arise from a complex oil and gas industry which
Dem boys seh...
Soulja Bai stubborn like a mule Poor Soulja Bai. Every time he open he mouth some group always ready to jump in. Last week de man seh that he gun stick by de constitution when it come to appointing a chairman fuh GECOM. De Chief Justice tell him that he got to explain why he rejecting Jagdeo list. She also seh that he can’t decide on he own who is fit and proper. Soulja Bai seh that de person must have qualities like a judge. Well dem boys want him to know that dem got some judges who some people seh ain’t fit and proper because dem does tek sides when it come to certain cases. That is why de Chief Justice did seh Soulja Bai alone can’t determine who is fit and proper. Anyhow, that ruling put Soulja Bai in pickle because de Bar Association that learn to talk de other day seh whatever de Chief Justice seh Soulja Bai got to accept. Is one big story that gun start up because few know Soulja Bai but dem who know him know that he more stubborn than a mule and when he get vex he like a brick wall. Roopnaraine think he was a big man. Dem boys seh that because he older than Soulja Bai he think he can do as he please. He call de press and tell dem how he resign. Dem boys hear when Soulja Bai send to call him. De next thing dem know Roopnaraine come out State House wid he hair all over de place. Some people feel Soulja Bai clap two box pun him. What everybody know fuh sure is that Roopnaraine ain’t resign. He also learn that he can only resign when Soulja Bai tell him to. Talk half and don’t tek Soulja Bai fuh granted.
Guyana is currently preparing to be a part of. Harmon had asserted that “our judges are trained in the law, but there are some specific issues which would arise from this area of development and clearly our judges, I am sure, would adjust to it.” Harmon added, “The judicial officers are also benefitting from training locally and abroad…And more of this is taking place.” Responding to comments on the country’s legal capacity to deal with the issue, the Acting Chancellor explained that Oil and Gas was among the main topics at the recently concluded Annual Judges Conference. Justice CummingsEdwards disclosed that under this year’s theme “the Role of Guyanese Judiciary in the Evolving Juridical Landscape,” Judges were enlightened on the fundamental legal concepts in the Oil and Gas industry. The presentations conducted by University of the West Indies (UWI) Oil and Gas Law Lecturer, Alicia Elias-Roberts focused on key legal issues and legal challenges in the sector. According to Justice Cummings-Edwards, the presentation was part of training aimed at preparing the Guyanese Judiciary to meet the demands which the new industry will place on the justice system. The Conference also encompassed presentations on the evolution of petroleum laws in the Region, and issues to be dealt with such as review of concessions agreement, and the increasing equity and revenue of governments; new tax regulations under the Oil and Gas Sector; the sovereignty independence, socialism and
nationalism of the Oil Industry as well as expropriation and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies (OPEC). The Chancellor noted that systems are already in place to handle expeditiously matters of the emerging sector. “It is worthy to note that emergence of the Oil and Gas Sector in Guyana will be taking place after the introduction in February of new Civil Procedures Rules 2017. These rules are designed to help expedite the pace of civil litigation through adequate case management—a process in which cases are assigned to a single judge from the filing of defence and managed by the same judge to final disposition. “Alternatively if a fixed date application is filed, a hearing will be fixed before a judge within at the most, 28 days of filing, depending on the nature and urgency of the matter. Litigation arising within the new sector will therefore benefit from the new regime of procedures and should be disposed of without lengthy delays. Since matters are filed under the Civil Procedure Rules 2017 are now judgedriven, members of the local bar have had to adjust in order to keep abreast with the new practices and procedures. Justice Cummings Edwards asserted that the judiciary will continue to take the steps necessary to prepare and equip its members to deliver effective and efficient service to all entities and individuals who approach the Courts. “It is also known that contracts in the Oil and Gas Industry may often contain
Chancellor of Judiciary (Ag), Justice Yonette Cummings Edwards
arbitration clauses by which the contracting parties agree to refer some disputes to international arbitration, thereby reducing the matters taken to Court.” Recently, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo in response to queries on the Oil and Gas Sector asserted that somehow, Guyana has to build capacity when it comes to the judiciary. He expressed the hope that sooner rather than later, specialized courts would be established to deal with such issues. He said that a commercial court, for example, could be put in place to deal specifically with oil and gas cases in a swift matter. He too shared the opinion that training would be needed for some of Guyana’s judges. Several legal experts have also opined that Guyana’s judicial system is currently not prepared for the complex legal issues that may arise from the looming multibilliondollar oil and gas sector. Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin, who has worked with several international oil and gas companies, holds the
view that Guyana’s judicial system is simply too slow, understaffed, and lacks individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills. Were legal issues to arise from the oil and gas sector, Datadin predicts that most companies will opt for arbitration. He opined that there will be arbitration centres just as there are in Trinidad. The attorney believes that major companies which come into Guyana are going to be distrustful of the judicial system, given the perception of how long cases take to be heard, how easily records get lost, personalities involved, among other discouraging observations. Datadin said that the arbitration process would have to go up parallel to the court system, since this is how it is usually done. “It usually would come through the business sector; the chamber of commerce and similar things would establish arbitration tribunals and panels, and then you would need a list of arbitrators.”
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Sophia resident’s alleged killer remanded West Ruimveldt resident, Neibu Archer, was remanded on Friday for the murder of Trevor Dublin, who succumbed last month to a knife wound after being attacked in Sophia. Archer, 31, of Lot 469 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, appeared before Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. He is to return to court on August 17. On June 24, last, ranks of a mobile patrol found Trevor Dublin, 49, of 385 ‘C’ Field Sophia, lying in a pool of blood on a roadway in ‘E’ Field, Sophia. The victim, a serviceman with B.K International, bore a single stab wound to the left side chest. A knife and a toque were found nearby. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died shortly after. A postmortem
revealed that he had suffered a punctured lung. Police arrested Neibu Archer last week in connection with Dublin’s murder. It was alleged that the suspect’s cap was found near the victim, and a knife, allegedly belonging to him was also found a short distance away. Police allege that a woman with whom Archer has a relationship, stated that the suspect revealed that he had stabbed a man in Sophia and believed the victim had died. The woman had reportedly noticed bloodstains on the suspect’s shirt. Another woman, who is reportedly the suspect’s girlfriend, alleged that he had claimed that his shirt got bloodstained during a fight with his reputed wife.
Sunday July 23, 2017
Scanners to be installed at prisons - Director Following the recent fire and jailbreak at the Georgetown Prisons, there have been a variety of issues and questions raised. One such being how did combustible items get into the hands of prisoners? Many have even sought to blame prison guards for probably smuggling in contraband items into the prison. The situation has been difficult to handle, particularly since there are no electronic scanners to ensure that prohibited items do not enter the confines of the prisons across Guyana. However, this void is expected to be filled as soon as funding is made available to purchase the items. This is according to the Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, on Friday during a press conference that was aimed at providing updates on the prison situation following the July 9 fire at the Georgetown Prison. Samuels was asked how soon can scanners be installed at the various prisons to enhance the system. He said that the money to purchase the scanners has been catered for in the $500M being sought to finance the rehabilitation works at the Georgetown Prison and improving the situation at the Lusignan Prison. Samuels said that as soon as the funds are approved, all
of the necessary support technology will be bought and installed. He added that one such scanner has already been installed at the new holding facility at Lusignan. Last November, Samuels did explain that prison authorities had budgeted for the items. He had indicated that the walk-through scanners that will be installed are similar to the ones used at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He said that the equipment would have the ability to store information and allow prison officers to analyse footage and detect if an individual is carrying a prohibited item. Moreover, Samuels had said that in addition to scanners, prison officials will be seeking to have equipment which can detect items prisoners conceal in their bodies. He said that some prisoners have been suspected of hiding items in their rectums. Those that were suspected are usually sent to the hospital to undergo an examination to confirm or dispel suspicion. Prisoners suspected of carrying items in their rectums would have to sit on the new devices and an X-ray scan will be done to ascertain what items is hidden if any at all. Samuels had indicated that one of the walk-through scanners cost about $12M.
An example of a walk-through body scanner
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Indian govt. seeks tenders for Berbice carpenter’s death … construction of Guyana ferry Shot fired at key witness’s home The Government of India has already commenced the phase of advertising tenders for the construction of the oceangoing ferry vessel for Guyana. This was according to the Finance Minister Winston Jordan, recently. The Minister told media operatives that the construction of the ferry – which will ply the Georgetown/ Port Kaituma route— will begin as soon as a successful bidder is identified. The ferry is being constructed via a Line of Credit (LOC) agreement that was signed between the Government of Guyana and the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India last year November. Jordan signed the agreement on behalf of the government with the resident representative of the Bank in Washington DC, Sailesh Prasad. The first US$8M will be provided by the Government of India as a grant. Depending on the progress the project makes, the additional US$10M will be disbursed under the LOC. The acquisition of the new vessel will ensure that
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan the range of social and economic benefits is maximised. It is expected that the new vessel will also allow for passengers and goods to be moved at affordable prices in a safe, secure and reliable environment. This new ferry vessel is also pegged to increase efficiency and operations by allowing passengers and freight to be conveyed more swiftly with fewer delays and reduction in travel time. Jordan, during a previous engagement with the media, had
noted that that the acquisition of the vessel will allow for greater market access and will spur increased production, distribution and consumption of goods. This in turn will contribute to the growth and development of the country. The Minister last week also spoke about the current areas of bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He spoke about the establishment of a Centre of Excellence which will offer training to professionals in the Public Sector in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in order to develop their competences. Further, the Minister spoke about a previous LOC that was signed between Guyana and the lending institution for the acquisition of mobile and fixed drainage pumps for Georgetown and its environs. Other areas of assistance being provided by the Government of India include the provision of renewable energy equipment in the form of a rice-husk gasifier and the continued training of Guyanese human resources in the relevant specialised fields.
by man who offered him food A relative of Marcus Brian Bisram who allegedly offered food to the 16-year-old witness in Faiyaz Narinedatt’s murder has reportedly fired a gunshot at the home of the teenager at Number 70 Village, Berbice Friday night. The man, who is married to Bisram’s niece, threatened to kill the teen’s mother and “wipe out” her family around 22:30 hrs on Friday before discharging a round at the woman’s home. He went to the witness’s home in a car bearing registration number PRR 3623. The woman had just returned home from visiting her son in the hospital where he was being treated for suspected poisoning. “He went to the house and started cussing up the mother and telling she that he gone kill all of them one by one. He had a shotgun on he and fired a shot at her house,” a relative informed this newspaper yesterday. The woman made a report to the Criminal Investigation Unit (CID) in Georgetown yesterday. The 16-year-old is the
Murder suspect, Marcus Brian Bisram
individual who has been providing investigators with evidence against Marcus Brian Bisram, the alleged mastermind behind the carpenter’s murder, last year. Reports are that the teen became sick three days after eating a meal from one of Bisram’s relatives in Berbice on Saturday. The police were waiting additional information – which includes tests from the
hospital – before they make an arrest. Kaieteur News was informed that medical practitioners at the hospital are treating the young lad for poisoning. His health is said to be deteriorating. At the hospital, the teen told this publication that before the murder of Narinedatt, he would usually go over to Bisram’s relatives’ (continued on page 16)
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Fewer men than women can protect themselves from HIV – UNAIDS Report Fewer than 50 percent of young men know how to protect themselves from HIV infection. Men are much less likely to know their HIV status or start treatment than women. This state of affairs has been highlighted in the latest report launched by UNAIDS. The Report titled ‘Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90-90-90 targets’ was released last week. According to the Report, less than 50 percent of men living with HIV are accessing antiretroviral therapy. “Many men who are diagnosed with HIV are diagnosed late. They start treatment only when they fall ill, making them much more likely to die of AIDS-related illnesses than women. Deaths
from AIDS-related illnesses were 27 percent lower among women than among men,” the Report added. The Report has highlighted that currently there are only 43 percent of children living with HIV who have access to antiretroviral therapy, compared to 54 percent of adults. Ending AIDS also reveals that as many as twothirds of children under two years old are diagnosed late and start treatment with advanced immunodeficiency, resulting in a high mortality rate for children of this age group. It has been emphasized that more action is needed to diagnose and treat children living with HIV. The Report said that young people (15–24 years)
are lagging behind on multiple fronts—knowledge of HIV, HIV testing, treatment and prevention. It has been concluded that “young people continue to be at great risk of HIV infection, especially young women in subSaharan Africa.” But the Caribbean Region has been showing signs of improvement. Based on the data contained in the UNAIDS report, three out of four people on treatment achieved viral suppression in Barbados, Dominica, Guyana , Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. ‘Viral suppression’ means that people living with HIV have been treated to lower the level of HIV in their blood to undetectable levels. This protects their health while preventing transmission of the virus. However, new HIV infections among young women in sub-Saharan Africa are 44 percent higher than among young men of their age in the region.” Around 610,000 new HIV infections occurred among young people aged 15–24 years; 59 percent of those new infections occurred among young women
age 15–24 years. It has been outlined in the Report that globally, new HIV infections are declining, but not at the pace needed to meet global targets. UNAIDS has reported that new HIV infections declined by 16 percent from 2010 to 2016, to 1.8 million (1.6 million–2.1 million) . Declines were estimated in 69 countries, in the majority of which treatment scaleup has been implemented alongside an increase in the availability of combination HIV prevention services and in some countries condom use. However, alarming increases have been seen in new HIV infections in eastern Europe and central Asia. Based on the data contained in UNAIDS report, three out of four people on treatment achieved viral suppression in Barbados, Dominica, Guyana , Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. ‘Viral suppression’ means that people living with HIV have been treated to lower the level of HIV in their blood to undetectable levels. This protects their health while preventing transmission of the virus. It has been revealed in the
Report, too, that major gains in the global response to tuberculosis and HIV led to a 33 percent decline in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV. As of 2015, only 11 percent of the 10.4 million cases of tuberculosis globally were among people living with HIV. However, nearly 60 percent of tuberculosis cases among people living with HIV were not diagnosed or treated. According to UNAIDS, Ending AIDS shows that providing services closer to where people live and work will be a key factor in ending the AIDS epidemic. As such
UNAIDS is championing an initiative recently backed by the African Union to recruit and train two million community health workers in Africa to further bolster the capacity of health systems to deliver health-care services across the region. “When health services reach the doorsteps, the health of families and communities is transformed,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Community health workers,” he added, will become the backbone of strong and resilient health systems across Africa.”
Sunday June 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Freddie Kissoon clarifies his dispute with law firm Former UG lecturer, Freddie Kissoon, was taken to task by Senior Attorney Ralph Ramkarran for misrepresentation of facts in a court case against UG in 2005 involving Cameron and Shepherd, the firm Ramkarran heads. The issues are contained in a column by Kissoon of July 18, last, captioned, “An encounter with Judge Navendra Singh at the supermarket.” Mr. Kissoon offered an apology and retraction as requested by Mr. Ramkarran. The newspaper published the main accusations of the law firm against Kissoon. Speaking to Kaieteur News, yesterday, Kissoon said that although he stands by the apology, he needs to put his side of the story. He explained in Mr. Ramkarran’s letter to the newspaper threatening legal proceedings, nowhere in his letter did Mr. Ramkarran mention that Judge Patterson issued three Nisi Orders applied for by Jason Benjamin of the University of Guyana. Kissoon explained that Ramkarran gave a detailed account of the case that dated
Freddie Kissoon
Ralph Ramkarran
Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde
back 2005 but did not state that the court made orders. Kissoon pointed out that what he did in the July 18 column was to repeat what he had written several times since 2005 – that the legal advice to the university (by Mr. Ramkarran) was that the Nisi orders did not stipulate the removal of James Rose and the reinstatement of Dr. Mark Kirton Kissoon told Kaieteur News that he took that position because Mr. Ramkarran had informed the
University not to adhere to the Nisi orders in two letters to the institution. Kissoon went on to state that his lawyers instructed him that the three Orders in fact reinstated Dr. Kirton. Legal opinion on this issue is divided. One school of thought is that the Order Nisi is not mandatory. Another says that it is enforceable. Attorney Roysdale Forde said that the general movement is toward the latter. Anil Nandlall wrote the
Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Prem Misir on the Orders, a copy of which the newspaper has seen. Kissoon stated that Khemraj Ramjattan confronted Mr. Ramkarran on his advice to the university in an open letter titled, “Let us be nice to the Order Nisi.” Kissoon said that Ramkarran admitted in one of his letters that his advice to the university generated debate in the media. That section of Ramkarran’s letter reads; “Regarding comments in the press by lawyers and
Govt. not rushing to amend Petroleum... (From page 3) this is true, corruption is not the only problem Guyana has to worry about when dealing with oil companies. One of these is the ability of a small country like Guyana to negotiate with a titan like Exxon.” The local charter continued, “Most of the cards the government is keeping to its chest are stacked in Exxon’s favour. Exxon is a descendant of the company that invented the oil industry and a key player and superpower in this global sector. Exxon will have more information – a vital element of negotiation – than the Guyana officials will ever dream exists.” The transparency body added, “An indispensable approach to evening the odds that are stacked against Guyana in the negotiations is to publish the contract drafts and make the negotiations accountable to Parliament. “In this way, Guyanese of the Diaspora whose knowledge is vast in this area will be able to make contributions to the process and thus protect our country’s interest.” Furthermore, the body also pointed out that it finds it hard to swallow, some of the reasons proffered in the media by Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman for the Exxon Contract not being released. In this regard, the body said that the explanation of the non-disclosure being tied to “national security,” is not convincing.
TIGI contended that it is near impossible to undervalue the amount of the oil potential that has already been disclosed to the public, by the international press and in investment circles. It said that Venezuela has already played its hand in furtherance of its claim to Guyanese patrimony; it is claiming the entire seaway far beyond its original claim to Essequibo. TIGI argued that the amount of information about this oil discovery that can excite the avarice of neighbours is already publicly available. “It is however, exceeded
by the amount of information that was made publicly available in the newspapers of the world when Venezuela celebrated her satisfaction with the ruling of the 1899 award that she considered to be in her favour and which, on the prompting of the world powers of the 1960’s, she found it convenient to vitiate,” expressed the Transparency body. TIGI said, too, that a security risk may also stem from physical presence in the oil exploration zone as experienced when Suriname moved against the CGX operations a few years ago. “However, ExxonMobil is
currently operating in the Stabroek Block. The link between release of the contract and security risk is tenuous and this calls into question the true motivation for secrecy.” The body said that the government’s willingness to ignore the mountain of evidence against contract secrecy and the potential ills associated with a developing oil industry is baffling. “This is especially so given its stated commitment to transparency and accountability. We call for a full release of the contract with ExxonMobil and its partners.”
others as to the nature of an ORDER NISI and the quality of our advice, we suggest that you ignore them as we have done.” Kissoon said that this admission by Ramkarran showed that his advice to the university was not without controversy. Kissoon produced a letter dated September 13, 2005 written by Ramkarran in which the Senior Counsel contended; “In the meantime, we stand by the advice contained in our letter of 7th September, 2005 as regards Action No 126 – M 2005 Demerara. In relation to the matter we advise that
Dr. Rose is legally entitled to continue in the post of Vice Chancellor to which he was appointed, notwithstanding the ORDER NISI.” Kissoon said it is crystal clear that an ORDER was granted and he feels it is strange that it is not mentioned at all in Mr. Ramkarran’s letter requesting an apology or he will sue. It is also clear Kissoon went on that in two letters Mr. Ramkarran advised the university against reinstating Dr. Kirton. In all these years of writing on the issue, I have Continued on page 14
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Sunday June 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
FINANCIAL LITERACY:
Thriftiness and Saving Money Thriftiness and saving money to build wealth The secret to personal financial success is believing
and practising this axiom: “A part of all you earn is yours to keep.” So wrote George Clason in his so-called
“Babylonian parables” back in the 1920s and published in his classic book, “The Richest Man in Babylon.”
This book was acclaimed, “The greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift and financial planning.” The sole purpose of this financial literacy article is to teach you the most effective method of accumulating wealth as well as to introduce you to the financial secrets of the ancient Babylonians and how they successfully handled their finances. In any event, “To bring your ambitions and desires to fulfilment, you must be successful with money. Use the financial principles made clear in the pages that follow. “Let them guide you away from the stringency of a lean purse to that fuller, happier life a full purse makes possible.” For this purpose, I am introducing you to the richest man there was in Babylon, an ancient mentor of mine called Arkad. Arkad and the city of Babylon As the story goes, back in ancient Babylon there once lived a very rich man named Arkad. He was famed, everywhere for his great wealth. Despite his generosity to his family, friends and charities, his wealth continued to grow. However, Arkad was once a menial labourer with a determination and perseverance to improve his station in life until he became the richest man in Babylon. Because of his experiences, what followed were several lessons that addressed topics such as avoiding debt, seeking out mentors and protecting assets. After many years of prosperity, Babylon finds itself suffering from an economic downturn. A selected few citizens have acquired all the wealth leaving the majority of townspeople in poverty. Good King, Sargon calls for Arkad to be brought before him to discuss the remedies for this situation. So, several of the city’s c o u n c i l m e m b e r s and business men were selected to meet with Arkad where he
puts forth his remedies in the form of financial lessons one being “seven cures for a lean purse.” This lesson challenged the council members to discuss his cures amongst themselves to determine if Arkad speaks falsely. Arkad’s seven cures for a lean purse Sit back, relax, and with your pencil in hand, ponder Arkad’s advice to the council members of Babylon. Back in Arkad’s days, copper and gold coins were used as the medium of exchange. For emphasis, Arkad’s seven cures listed below are written in its original ancient text. It takes a bit of effort to understand, but please try: · The First Cure – Start thy purse to fattening: “For every ten coins thou placest within thy purse take out for use but nine. Thy purse will start to fatten at once and its increasing weight will feel good in thy hand and bring satisfaction to thy soul.” · The Second Cure – Control thy expenditures: “Budget thy expenses that thou mayest have coins to pay for thy enjoyments and to gratify thy worthwhile desires without spending more than nine-tenths of thy earnings.” · The Third Cure – Make thy gold multiply: “Put each coin to laboring that it may reproduce its kind even as the flocks of the field and help bring to thee income, a stream of wealth that shall flow constantly into thy purse.” · The Fourth Cure – Guard thy treasures from loss: “Guard thy treasure from loss only where thy principle is safe, where it may be reclaimed if desirable, and where thou will not fail to collect a fair rental. Consult with wise men. Secure the advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of gold. Let their wisdom protect thy treasure from unsafe investments.” · The Fifth Cure – Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment: “Own thy own home.” · The Sixth Cure – Insure
Freddie Kissoon clarifies... From page 13 always maintained that the judge issued an order nisi, Kissoon said. “I don’t dispute the legal knowledge of Mr. Ramkarran but I did no wrong by stating in my column that he had advised the university not to adhere to the Nisi.” Kissoon intoned that he hopes his clarification brings an end to this matter and that he and Mr. Ramkarran can avoid future disputes. And there was an attempt at dishonesty by representatives of Mr. Ramkarran. The three PPP Leviathans, the representative suggested, were Bharrat Jagdeo, Henry Jeffrey and Ralph Ramkarran. In fact, Kissoon named them in his column. They were Anil Nandlall, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.
Dr. Terence Smith, Deputy Governor, Bank of Guyana a future income: “Provide in advance for the needs of thy growing age and the protection of thy family.” · The Seventh Cure – Increase thy ability to earn: “He must pay his debts with all the promptness within his power, not purchasing that for which he is unable to pay. He must take care of his family that they may think and speak of him well. He must make a will of record that, in case the Gods call him, proper and honourable division of his property be accomplished. He must have compassion upon those who are injured and smitten by misfortune and aid them within reasonable limits. He must do deeds of thoughtfulness to those dear to him. Cultivate thy own powers, to study and become wiser, to become more skilful, to so act as to respect thyself.” T h e s e a r e A r k a d ’s seven cures for a lean purse. After the discussion with the council members he gave the following i n s t r u c t i o n s , “ Go t h o u forth and practise these truths that thou mayest prosper and grow wealthy, as is thy right. Go thou forth and teach these truths that every honourable subject of his majesty may also share liberally in the ample wealth of our beloved city.” In conclusion, remember this, where the determination is, the way can be found. In this regard, “the foundational building block for those desiring to increase their wealth is that a part of everything you earn is yours to keep.” This means that you should pay yourself at least one-tenth of all you earn before paying your debts. For our prosperity as a nation, just like ancient Babylon, depends upon the financial prosperity of each of us as individuals. Next week we will discuss the seven principles of the m i l l i o n a i re n e x t d o o r. Thanks for all your comments and support. As usual, please send your comments or questions to deputygovernor@ bankofguyana.org.gy
Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Legal challenge over appointment of GECOM Chairman ...
Bar Association calls on State to uphold CJ’s declaratory orders The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana has taken note of the remarks by President David Granger in relation the judgment of the Chief Justice Roxanne George in the matter of Marcel
Gaskin’s recently concluded application for declaratory orders. The Association, in a statement, noted that Gaskin, in proceedings that commenced on March 20,
last, asked the Court to make certain declaratory orders on the meaning of Article 161(2) of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission. The
proceedings came to an end on July 17, last when the Chief Justice made declaratory orders. At the swearing-in ceremony of Judges on July 19, last, President Granger said, “The Chief Justice gave an appointment based on her perception of the law and I will continue to act based on my perception of the Constitution…” The Bar noted that on the question of providing reasons for rejecting names on a list submitted to him for possible appointment to the post, the Head of State said, “If you can show me the article of the Constitution which requires me to give reasons, I will comply with the Constitution but I will not do what the Constitution does not require me to do” The Bar Council noted that declaratory orders made by the Chief Justice, based on her application of principles of law, are not interpretations or opinions but, like all other orders of court, are pronouncements of the law made in formal proceedings on a particular legal state of affairs. “The leading legal treatise on this type of order
describes the effect of a declaratory order in the following terms whilst the defendant is assumed to have respect for the law, justice does not rely on this alone. “A declaration by the court is not a mere opinion devoid of legal effect: the controversy between the parties is determined and is as a result of the declaration being granted. Hence, if the defendant acts contrary to the declaration, he will not be able to challenge the unlawfulness of his conduct in subsequent proceedings. “The treatise makes it clear that the refusal to abide by a declaratory order may result in an order to enforce the rights established by the declaration.” The Bar Council therefore expressed confidence that, similarly as in every other society which respects and safeguards the rule of law, the State will abide by the declaratory orders made by the Chief Justice. Speaking with members of the press following a swearing in ceremony for Judges at State House President Granger said that interpretation of Article 161(2)
by Chief Justice adds credence to his belief that the GECOM Chairman must be able to function independently and impartially in the execution of his duties. On Monday, the Chief Justice handed down a ruling in response to concerns raised over President Granger’s interpretation of the constitution as it regards the appointment of a GECOM chairman. Justice GeorgeWiltshire noted that the GECOM chairman does not necessarily have to be a judicial officer, or a person qualified as such. The person, she noted, however, must possess integrity, honesty and impartiality. She stressed that the words ‘fit and proper’ can apply to persons from a number of professions or calling. The judge noted that Article 162 (2) of the Constitution speaks to the need for dialogue and compromise. As such, she noted that Granger in rejecting the list provided by the opposition should give reason for the rejection of the names as it would give an indication of those to be accepted.
Shot fired at key witness’s home ... From page 11 home and hang out. However, after the murder, he was no longer welcome there. He said that to his surprise, two Saturdays ago, one of the suspect’s relatives invited him over and offered him some fried-rice and a glass with drink. “Me was de only one eating and when I done, he (Bisram’s relative) tell me to get out and not to come back,” the young man recalled. He said that as the days went by, he started feeling sick and was getting a severe fever.
On Tuesday, his condition became worse and he was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital before later being moved to a private hospital. This newspaper was informed that whatever poisonous substance was given to the teenager has begun “eating out” his intestines. An extradition hearing is currently ongoing in a United States of America court for Marcus Brian Bisram. A wanted bulletin was issued here for his arrest after it was reported that he had allegedly ordered the murder
of the carpenter after his sexual advances were rejected by Narinedatt. Narinedatt’s death had been staged to look like a hitand-run accident and two cops in Berbice were later fingered in the cover-up. Harripaul Parsram, 49, Orlando Dickie, 39, Radesh Motie, 39, Diadath Datt, 18 and Niran Yacoob, 37, have been charged for the murder so far. Additionally, three individuals, including Bisram’s mother, were charged for allegedly offering a detective $4M to suppress evidence against Bisram.
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Local Content Policy and the opportunities for corruption By Kiana Wilburg Oil has struck quite a lively debate in recent times. Many persons have been critical of the posture the Government has taken which, on the surface, can be easily described as cautious or selfprotective. Media entities have been dishing out articles almost daily about the ills of the sector and apprehensive citizens are asking important questions. All are curious about what the Local Content Policy (LCP) will entail when ExxonMobil’s operations get into full swing. But while it is all well and good for there to be calls for Guyana to have a Local Content Policy that is effective, one must be wary of the opportunities for corruption that exist here. IMPORTANCE According to Transparency International, resourcerich developing countries usually suffer from low levels of economic and social development. The global watchdog says that, increasingly, governments have strived to introduce policies and rules that would allow society as a whole to benefit from oil and gas activities. Local content is one of these policies. The International Petroleum Industry Conservation Association defines LCP as “the added value brought to a host nation through workforce development (employment and training of workforce), and investments in supplier development (developing and procuring supplies and services locally)” The World Bank in 2013 stated that the main objectives of local content policies are to: create jobs; promote enterprise development; and accelerate the transfer of skills and technologies. The World Bank has noted that LCPs vary from country to country.
The objectives of these policies, however, are outlined and further detailed in legislation as well as in contracts, licensing agreements or concession agreements between the government and international oil and gas companies. The World Bank even notes that some countries have taken LCPs so seriously that they have adopted severe penalties in the event of non-compliance. One such country that is an example in this regard is Kazakhstan. On the other hand, there are countries which prefer the diplomatic route, as they sought to simply “encourage” oil and gas companies to give preferential treatment to local suppliers and workers. According to the World Bank, local content rules vary across countries. For instance, in Nigeria, the Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 specifies the minimum amounts of local materials and personnel used by oil and gas operators in the country. In Kazakhstan, a target of 50% local procurement from Kazakh suppliers has been established. In Angola, a series of local content rules apply for the procurement of goods and services. For instance, there is a list of goods and services that can only be supplied by companies based in Angola; for other goods and services, foreign companies can only participate in tenders in association with an Angolaowned company. While LCPs have a most noble objective, Transparency International has found that there are opportunities for corruption. According to the global watchdog, there are a handful of practical challenges that may hamper the effective implementation of these policies, including limited industry capacity to kick-start the process, lack of coordination and often coherence among government agencies, high
levels of bureaucracy and opacity, as well as widespread corruption and weak accountability mechanisms. RISK OF CORRUPTION If not implemented and managed carefully and made subject to public scrutiny, it is believed that local content can offer significant corruption opportunities. According to the Global Witness, this form of corruption is “even more damaging than one-off payments for contracts because it means revenues can be stolen from the state continuously, and in a way that is much more difficult for an audit to detect”. But Transparency International (TI) notes that the literature on corruption risks in local content is, however, very limited. TI said that available reports indicate that many of the corruption challenges faced by developing resource-rich countries also influence and have an impact on local content policies. Within this framework, it said that measures that are usually adopted to curb corruption within the public administration, such as enhancing transparency in decisionmaking, establishing clear and transparent procurement rules, providing access to public documents, and strengthening oversight, are also instrumental to prevent and curb corruption in local content. Be that as it may, Transparency International noted that there are some characteristics specific to the development and implementation of local content policies that may offer opportunities for corruption. FAVOURITISM/ CONFLICT OF INTEREST Transparency International has found that many resource-rich countries are considered to be patrimonial societies, where the distinc-
The Baccoo Speaks money would not be recovered, because There is going to be another media frenzy following news that one of the prison the one that was caught would be a mere underling. escapees was cornered. At the same time ** the police are going to get Another accident reports of another escaped would occur in the prisoner, this one a teenager. interior. Given the rains a The police are going to report group of miners would attempts by people to hamper encounter difficulties their operation. when they work near a ** huge tree. The tree would A robbery is going to occur collapse trapping some of in broad daylight as another the men. The Guyana bank customer would be Geology and Mines attacked after leaving a city would blame poor safety bank. One of the suspects practices. would be apprehended, but the
tion between public and private is very blurred. The body said, “Politicians and decision-makers are usually very close to the economic elite, and in several cases are the main beneficiaries of local content requirements. As such, local content rules end up benefiting and generating revenues for government-affiliated individuals, failing to achieve some of their objectives such as promoting enterprise development and the broader sustainable development of the country.” Transparency International said that there are several examples of conflict of interest and favouritism in the design and implementation of local content policies. In this regard, it pointed to the case of Nigeria, where local content was easily used by the political and economic elite to extract rents, as well as in Uganda, where close ties between senior public officials and the private sector led to the distortion of the policy-making process and the award of licences and other local content benefits. The body also noted that several studies have shown that local policies and resources are often directed to groups based on their affiliation, ethnicity and loyalty to the President. Transparency International highlighted that Angola’s local content policy,
for example, has been considered highly vulnerable to exploitation by public officials and their close allies in the private sector. It said that investigations conducted by Angolan organisations and the US government have raised questions regarding contracts awarded to companies belonging to Angolan decisionmakers. Transparency International said that according to the investigations, in compliance with the local content law that requires international companies to partner with local companies to be able to operate in Angola, an American company entered into a consortium with two Angolan companies to participate in oil blocks. “However, it turned out that the real owners of one of these local companies were the former chairman and CEO of Sonangol, the Angolan state-owned oil company (responsible for the agreement with the American company), and a minister of state,” the international organization stated. Moreover, Transparency International has found that opaque and discretionary decision-making may also allow public officials to extort international companies wishing to operate in the country, in order to favour their own companies or those of close friends and family members. As such, TI said that
public officials responsible for the award of contracts and licences may force operating companies to enter partnerships or sign service contracts with particular companies. The global anti-corruption body said that in many cases, the local companies chosen by the public official do not even deliver the services contracted. In this regard, the Global Witness in 2012 found that international companies merely have to pay the agreed cost which functions as a bribe in order to be awarded the contract and perform the services themselves. Transparency International noted that in Kenya, for example, the rules in place are considered inadequate and prone to corruption. According to NGOs operating in the country, “there is a likelihood of local firms being imposed on foreign companies as condition for securing petroleum contracts; and this could provide room for politicians to perpetuate their interest in the oil industry at the expense of the nation” (Kenya Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas). To be continued….
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
The girl in the bathroom By Michael Jordan Most God-fearing, lawabiding folk in Linden think they know who killed Felicity Holder in 1997. They say they know who raped her and tried to make it look like she had hanged herself. They will even tell you who they believe the killer is. The police think they know him, too. But they can’t lay a finger on him. Eleven-year-old Felicity was the eldest of three children who were from the Corentyne. However, around 1995, Felicity’s mother sent her eldest child to stay with a great-aunt and the woman’s reputed husband at Amelia’s Ward, Linden. She attended Kara Kara Primary and was due to write the Secondary School Entrance Examinations in April. Felicity’s mother said that she never dreamed that anything bad would happen to her daughter in Linden. But trouble came on February 27, 1997, when Felicity and her great-aunt’s reputed husband, 58-year-old Oscar Lamazon, were alone at home. Lamazon’s reputed wife had gone to visit a friend three houses away. Lamazon was reportedly doing some work in a poultry
pen in the yard, while Felicity was in the house. Lamazon, a staunch Seventh Day Adventist, claims that during the evening, he attempted to enter the house, but found both doors locked. When his reputed wife returned some time later, Lamazon reportedly forced a window open and entered the premises. He tried to locate Felicity but failed to find her immediately. His search eventually led him to the bathroom, and this is where he found the little girl. One end of a towel was knotted around her throat. The other end was tied to a metal towel-rack, which was nailed to one of the bathroom walls. It is alleged that Mr. Lamazon attempted to revive the apparently lifeless girl. When this failed, he took Felicity to the Mackenzie Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The first newspaper reports on Felicity’s death suggested that the schoolgirl had killed herself. But two days later, forensic pathologist Dr. Edward Simon, performed an autopsy that revealed the horrible truth about Felicity’s death. The schoolgirl had not hanged
herself after all. Someone had strangled Felicity with their bare hands. So intense was the attack that imprints of the killer’s fingernails were left on the child’s throat. There were also scratches on her back. She had also been sexually assaulted. The pathologist took samples from the victim’s privates and from under her fingernails. He hoped that the
And if someone had, why had they taken the risk of being caught by lingering at the murder scene to stage the suicide? Detectives were convinced that Felicity’s killer was no stranger. They turned their attention to Oscar Lamazon, who had claimed to have found the schoolgirl’s body hanging in his bathroom. Shortly after the autopsy,
At first glance, it appeared like a clear case of suicide. But some detectives began to dig deeper, and unearthed a sordid tale of murder close to home… samples, once tested overseas, would reveal the DNA of Felicity’s killer, even though, back then, DNA evidence was not accepted in Guyana’s courts. There were some troubling questions about the case. Was it possible that a stranger had sneaked into the Lamazon house, raped and strangled Felicity Holder before fleeing unnoticed?
Lamazon was taken into custody. They also grilled his reputed wife and took a statement from her. A few days later, Oscar Lamazon was charged with Felicity Holder’s murder. Two years after she was murdered, a jury found Lamazon guilty of killing the 11-year-old. He was sentenced to death. In an unusual move, the trial judge read a statement, which police had taken from a woman, who said that Felicity had complained that she had been sexually assaulted. But Oscar Lamazon’s fate was far from sealed. From his cell in the Georgetown Prison, Lamazon appealed his sentence. He was granted a retrial, and, on January 20, 2004, Justice Jainarayan Singh had the murder conviction overturned. Lamazon was a free man. In Justice Singh’s opinion, the prosecution had failed to make out a case against the accused.
He felt that the prosecution had not presented an iota of evidence to contradict Lamazon’s statement about events that transpired on the day that Holder was murdered. The judge noted that there was no evidence that the accused had entered the house while his reputed wife was out. He also pointed out that the statement given by Lamazon’s reputed wife did not contradict that of the accused. According to Justice Singh, there was a distinct possibility that the accused had committed the act of murder. But he said that it would have taken “a brave man” to have murdered his reputed wife’s niece while his spouse was three houses away. And he observed that other females had lived with Lamazon and his wife, and none had complained of being sexually assaulted. To crown it all, although sperm samples had been taken during the investigation, the defence had presented no forensic evidence to show that the accused had sex with the victim. So what had become of the DNA samples that forensic pathologist Dr, Edward Simon had taken? A few days after Lamazon’s acquittal, Dr. Simon revealed the shocking fate of his precious samples. Dr. Simon recalled that he had sealed the samples and turned them over to the police. The intention was that the specimens would be sent for DNA testing in Dade
County Forensic Laboratory in Miami, Florida. But, when time passed and he received no feedback from the police about DNA results, Dr, Simon began to ask questions of his own. It was then that he learnt that the samples had never left Guyana after all. “Some senior police official said that ‘Guyana poor and we don’t have the money to waste on that type of thing. “No specimens were sent to any laboratory, so we could not have the DNA evidence to present in court. “Through DNA testing, we would have been able to say who killed her (Felicity Holder). So, who really killed 11year-old Felicity Holder back in 1997? If she was slain by an intruder, how was he able to enter the home and leave unnoticed? And why did he go to such pains to stage the ‘suicide?’ Like I said before, the good people of Linden think they know Felicity’s killer. The police think they know too. But they can’t lay a finger on him. If you have any further information on this or any other case, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office. We can also be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, 22-58473 or 2258491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@hotmail.com
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
The cruel, uncaring, indifferent society that never learns If you check the commentators, columnists and letterwriters for all the newspapers since the burning down of the Camp Street prison, without exception, there have been strong critiques of the sentencing structure in the court system. It took the fiery demolition of the central jail, the burning down of the prison officers’ club opposite the prison, the murder of a warden, the serious injury to another and dangerous escapees roaming, for Guyanese to realize that the sentencing disparities and the injustice that inhere in the court system, are factors that can trigger what happened in the Camp Street jail. The obvious question is where were these voices all these years when young first offenders were imprisoned for minor offences, when people accused of petty crimes were assigned enormous bail that they could not have afforded, when young men were jailed for the mere possession of a smoking utensil? Where were all these voices when a daily dose of bestial justice was dispensed to poor folks who appeared before the country’s magistrates? Prisoners rioted and
burned down the central jail and suddenly people with doctorates, other kinds of qualifications, people with status, people from civil society, those from the churches are informing us that the justice system and the way it treats the poorer sections of our country, can lead to the kind of things that occurred during the Camp Street jail inferno. What do you call such a society? The court decision that I thought would outrage the country was when a Berbice magistrate sentenced an 18-year-old girl to six months for going to Suriname with a speedboat without clearing with Guyanese immigration officials. She was charged for leaving Guyana illegally. That injustice so depressed me at the time that I travelled to Berbice to speak to my friend, attorney and Member of Parliament, Charrandas Persaud, about the case. He said he was not aware of it, but he directed me to certain quarters. That young girl suffered because she refused to give in. I will leave it at that before a libel writ greets me. There was not even a oneparagraph letter in the press
condemning what happened to that 18-year-old. So we are now learning that the justice system can lead to explosive prison revolts. Will the society learn from that mistake? The answer is a resounding no. I see another tragedy waiting to happen. I have cautioned the society about this ignorance several times in these columns. When a baby goes blind, then we will see the outrage. It is about the public cutting of grass. Every month, I see about ten grass-cutters weeding the parapets on the Railway Embankment. Bricks can be seen flying all over the place. I wrote about the danger it poses to drivers, cyclists
and pedestrians. Bryan Mackintosh read the column and informed me how they do it in Brazil. They put down a large cloth banner for that section of the road and they keep moving it as they go along, thus the flying objects are prevented from reaching passersby. That is so simple a method. We will copy the Brazilians when a piece of broken bottle flies into the eyes of a baby. I want to be cynical and say I hope it misses the innocent baby and hits those that deserve to be hit. For a year now, two young men who have each lost a leg, stand in the middle of the Railway Embankment at Conversation Tree at the traffic signal soliciting money from
drivers when the lights are on red. These two chaps are right in the middle of a crazily busy highway. From the President right down to the most junior minister must have seen this traffic horror that I see daily. From the Commissioner of Police right down to the constable must have seen this crazy thing. Because they are physically challenged, these two men cannot easily move out of the way. You just know that one day one of these men is going to sustain a terrible injury. My wife got the scare of her life on Friday afternoon. We were going to my aunt’s funeral and had the green light. One of these two gentle-
Frederick Kissoon men was in the middle of the road, totally oblivious that we were upon him. I blew and he spun around, but because of a lack of maneuverability he was still in our way. This aberration has been going on for an entire year now. I went to Kitty police station twice. Nothing doing! Nothing, absolutely nothing moves the people of this country.
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
STOP LYING TO SUGAR WORKERS! Sometime in 2005 the BBC shot a documentary in Guyana and gave it the title: Guyana -Trouble in Paradise. The producer of the documentary had been following then President Jagdeo and some members of the Cabinet with video cameras for about six months. The narrator, Rageh Omar, remarked in that documentary that the President “was furious because the European Union was going to renege on an agreement that was made 30 years ago”. He said that Jagdeo was angry that the EU was not “guaranteeing into perpetuity” the price that the Union would pay for Guyana’s sugar. Remember, this was in 2005, a whole decade before the PPP was voted out of office. In the same documentary, Omar interviewed the very long sitting president of GAWU, Komal Chand, and asked him what the ramifications of the removal of the European Union’s preferential market and prices for Guyana’s sugar would be. Without any emotion whatsoever, Chand said in a matter-
of-fact tone, “It could result in the closure of some sugar estates.” He was neither hesitant nor uncertain. He was emphatic, decisive and clear, spelling out like a doomsday prophet exactly what went on to happen to the sugar industry over the next 10 years. At the time, GuySuCo’s sales to the EU’s preferential market totaled 70% of the corporation’s revenue. The EU was GuySuCo’s lifeline. Without it, both Chand and Jagdeo knew that sugar would become comatose, if they did not implement the measures that had been suggested by the World Bank since 1998. That was when the EU had issued the first warning about the cessation of preferential treatment. The World Bank’s recommendations then were to close most Demerara estates, and diversify sugarcane lands and machinery into other revenue earners as they gradually reduced the preferential treatment Guyana and most ACP countries benefited from. Jamaica listened, Trinidad
and Tobago listened, Antigua listened and none of them are dependent on sugar or any single industry today. Instead, knowing well what the implications in Guyana would be, the PPP stubbornly kept on plugging millions into the failing industry, ignoring all calls to diversify. This Coalition government is now left with a basket to fetch water in. At this late stage, programmes are beginning implemented to keep workers employed, to find ways to gainfully utilize land and equipment. The interviewer in that aforementioned BBC documentary also spoke with David Dabydeen, later Guyana’s ambassador to China. Dabydeen said to Omar that Guyana “needs an alternative … and it’s not easy to find alternatives nowhere in today’s world”. So, sure it’s not easy to change or challenge tradition, but that is reality everywhere in the world. Change is the one constant in life. Let’s be reasonable. Sugar production is hard, de-
manding work. Field workers prepare the land, fertilize it and cut ripened canes, and in outof-crop season they have to ‘ketch dey hand’ at odd jobs such as clearing land, cleaning trenches, working in someone’s rice field or in a Manager’s garden on the estate. They even catch and sell ‘backdam’ fish to raise a little cash. Too many workers live in poverty, unable to afford some basic material things, repeating a punishing cycle year come and year go. The PPP knew all this when it was in government, and they know it now, but it doesn’t bother them one little bit to watch our people struggle to live, and fight to keep their hard life, the only one they know. It brings the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund to mind. This was the fund that, in decades gone, would be used to provide their needs. It even had a Bursary award scheme that paid for sundry items for children who were successful at Common Entrance (now NGSA). Today the Labour Welfare Fund is useless, and the sugar work-
ers’ National Insurance contributions have not been paid to NIS in years! It’s ironic, but this PPP group that is fighting so hard to keep the support of these thousands of sugar workers, has done nothing to lift these people out of poverty, or even to provide some infrastructure for their communities. Maybe it was not just shortsightedness, stubbornness and pure selfishness that kept the PPP from doing something about the long term welfare of sugar workers. In ideal circumstances, since the turn of the century, the politicos would have done their utmost to aggressively diversify the industry and change the workers’ future. But that’s asking too much from Jagdeo’s bunch. They did nothing but watch a once prosperous industry become a black hole. In the 2017 budget, $9B was allocated to prop up GuySuCo. There’s a debt of G$85B to pay. That’s many million dollars’ worth of road repairs, health facilities, teachers, books and tablets for school children in the hinterland, and police officers
and vehicles to patrol the mining districts. Now there is no alternative. A programme of diversification, divestment and contracted amalgamation is unavoidable. Guyana has to retain sugar operations to supply the local and the established international markets, but the industry has to be reoriented. Its workers have to be refocusing on viable ‘other crops’ and value-added products like vinegar, wines, methane and the many by-products of molasses. Sugar workers should not be duped into believing that they have only one option to provide for their families. These men and women are hardworking people and this Government would like to steer them aside from employment that condemns them to perpetual, cyclical, generational poverty. We wish that the PPP would stop lying to the sugar workers and join us in ensuring that their standard of living improves; that they get the educational opportunities and exposure to technology they should have.
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
My column
Guyana’s crime situation is reversible A foreign media entity has been compiling reports on the Caribbean. It has been documenting the Caribbean nationals who made it big in the entertainment world, in sport and even in the criminal world. With amazing regularity, it has been recording the number of Caribbean nationals deported from the United States. They number in the thousands, many of them for simple reasons like a traffic violation or a case of abusive language. Indeed, some of them have been deported for drug offences and more than a few for violent crimes like murder and attempted murder. In the past, I used to worry about the ability of the Caribbean to deal with these deportees, many of whom honed their skills in the United States. Some of them left the Caribbean shores little more than babies and therefore have no recollection of the countries of their birth. A few would be approached or would approach the criminal underworld and would continue, but more than a few would try to gain honest living. Indeed, when the potential employer heard the accent he would balk, because he would know that the person before him is an involuntary returnee. Yet many would grant the person employment and would report on how good this person is. There was a time when the deportee programme began, the local authorities
would publish the photographs of these persons. However, some of us felt that these persons committed no crime in Guyana and therefore there was no need to embarrass them. The result is that the local media have stopped publishing the names and photographs of these deportees. That is why I was surprised when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo demanded the names of the prisoners who were granted early release from the overcrowded prison system. To my mind, the persons had paid their dues to society, therefore the publication of their names represented another opportunity to stigmatise them. It was not until later that I realized that there was another motive behind seeking the names. There were people who wanted to see the ethnic composition of those released. Minister of Public Security did release the names, and I am still to see the effect of that decision. There was a time when anyone with smidgen of a criminal record became a target for people who roamed the street looking for gun targets. When I heard about the request for the names that thought came to my mind, and I hoped and prayed that I was not going to see a return to the days when bodies were picked up from the streets. I suppose the foreign media that keep tabs on the Caribbean was prepared to monitor such behaviour. Recently, there was the report that Guyana was the sixth most
violent country in the Caribbean. I was not too surprised, because we have our fair share of gun crimes and senseless killings. Young men leave their homes with only criminal intent on their minds. Sometimes, they make headlines, as was the case of the group that shot and killed a minibus driver who attempted to drive away to save some of his passengers from being robbed at gunpoint. I looked at the list and I saw that the Dominican Republic was at the top. Trinidad and Tobago was ahead of Jamaica, and Guyana was sixth. Indeed, every day I read of some violent murder in the twin-island Republic. Jamaica, too, has its share. But for Guyana with its correspondingly small population, I was saddened. I was lifted somewhat when I saw that the United States was considered more dangerous than Guyana. The difference is that the United States catches the criminal at a greater rate than the local law enforcement officials. Many of us in this country go through life without witnessing a violent crime. We are only made aware by way of media reports. Sometimes the extent of the criminal act defies logic. Why kill when the victim is already at your mercy? The age of the criminal may have something to do with this. Last week I learnt that an 18-year-old escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital with a gunshot wound that needs serious at-
tention. This 18-year-old was shot by the police. His parents and a sibling claim that he was shot for no reason. If that is indeed the case, why escape from the hospital? He had a tube in his back which he removed. Someone had provided a red dress, brassiere and the necessary padding to form artificial breasts. It meant that somebody wanted this lad out of the hospital. His mother claims that she has no knowledge of where he is, a strange pronouncement when one considers that she was interested enough to visit Kaieteur News to complain about aspects of the news report. At 18, the lad should have been seeking to gain employment or to further his education, instead of patrolling the streets. This situation tells us that we need many community workers to work with the disadvantaged young people, many of whom tend to follow role models that seem bent on
a collision course with law enforcement. At this time we are hunting four escaped criminals. The police do not know where they are, and it is highly unlikely that they would find these persons in a hurry, because there are sections of the society who protect these people. When all is said and done, the driving force behind many of the criminal acts is money. People still believe in having large sums in their possession. This is unnecessary when one considers that there are now so many ways to settle accounts. The debit card is more and more widely accepted. In the absence of the debit card, there is always the Manager’s cheque which can be used for large transactions. I do know that there are businessmen who prefer cash, since they want to avoid paying taxes, but the truth is that they stand to lose much more
Adam Harris than the requisite taxes. At the other end of the scale, we need to pay closer attention to the school system. Examples taught at school are not easily forgotten. Then there is the home, which is the nursery. There is a lot wrong in many poor homes, but nothing should stop parents from protecting their children. I still hear of the case of the father who remarked to a son that he would keep enough money to bury him. Indeed the son was shot and killed and the father was vilified by some.
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
The Coalition government has fully embraced ICT There is no doubt that countries that fail to embrace Information Communication Technology will not only be left behind, but will be left out of the rapidly evolving phenomena that is sweeping the world. It is clear that in the coming decades, information and Communication Technologies (ICT or IT) will affect and reshape most of our society. It will radically influence the global economy, and, to an unknown degree, our culture and the way we perceive the world, our relationship to it and our actions. It is in this regard that the Coalition government has fully embraced ICT. Our vision is to ensure that Guyana can source and acquire the latest technology, assimilate it (adapting while adopting), disseminate and diffuse it all
across the country. Our vision is a Guyana that is prepared for a world transformed by technology. This transformation will promote a paradigm shift in lifestyle and work habits, where the power to harness and mine data will differentiate between winners and losers, the firm assumption being that your closest competitor may not necessarily be the traditional brick and mortar shop across the street but a company or entity located in Asia. The Government of Guyana, fully aware of the transformational impact of ICT on national development, established the Ministry of Public Telecommunications in 2016. This new ministry has been working to ensure that all Guyanese, regardless of
geography are prepared. Some of our achievements to date include the following: * The passing of the Telecommunications Liberalization Bill that would remove exclusivity from one company * Drafting the regulations to open up this sector to investors (these have been circulated and stakeholder/public inputs received) * Providing schools, community centres, Government ministries and public service departments with fast internet * Designing/facilitating the creation of applications to ultimately eliminate long lines and long hours at the GRA, the Immigration Department, NIS, post offices and even hospitals * Refining the passport application app, while a broad
programme is set in motion to upgrade and convert inland district post offices to ICT Community Hubs with postal services * Designing an application for safer pension payments. To date, there are 55 ICT Community Hubs in operation mainly in the coastal regions including Liverpool, Corentyne; Lima Sands and Good Hope, Essequibo Coast. Community leaders are being trained so they could help others, especially students who need the internet for class assignments. Simultaneously, the computer labs, staff rooms and administrative offices in 102 secondary schools and technical/vocational institutes now have access to free internet as do a few regional administration and education offices, hospitals and some public services in the regions. Major infrastructure investment will continue so as to spur the development of new knowledge-based sec-
tors. This will act as a catalyst in developing innovative interactive digital services to homes, schools, law-enforcement and businesses. The e-governance unit of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications along with globally respected experts have embarked on a plan that will prepare all of Guyana (hinterland and coastland), for the exiting transformation from a mostly commodities-driven economy to a fully-fledged and respected player in the digital economy. In addition to helping Guyana to exploit new economic opportunities and enhancing the vibrancy of the global ICT sector, the establishment of a nationwide broadband network will offer effective open access to retail service providers to bring about a more competitive broadband market which will immediately result in the creation of a wider range of next generation services. Information Communication Technology holds great promise for all sectors of the economy. Greater use of ICT will help businesses reduce their costs, enhance their productivity and increase their overall efficiency, and thus make a greater contribution to economic growth. The passage of legislation and the creation of a sound regulatory framework will promote an enabling environment that recognizes that ICTs are now tradable and that the ICT sector (including
telecommunications) must be organized along competitive lines to ensure growth and development within the sector and the economy as a whole. Our government will continue to promote ICT in the workplace so that government can be an active participant and user of ICT to simplify transactions, digitize records, improve accountability, and make interactions between citizens and the government easier and quicker, advance rights like the access to information. With respect to Public Security, ICT will significantly improve the effectiveness of law-enforcement by utilizing existing fixed and mobile network infrastructure. ICT can significantly improve the response time of emergency and other services with stateof-the art technological solutions. ICT can be used to ensure that every police station across Guyana has access to data to aid in the reporting and response to criminal activity while improving law enforcement collaboration. Guyana will be marginalized if we do not grasp quickly how to exploit the potential of ICT which is transforming every facet of life. Alternatively, we will enjoy unprecedented benefits (economic growth, improved quality of life, increased freedoms, better educational and entertainment opportunities), if we grasp ICT’s potential to usher in change.
Sunday July 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Hernias: What you need to know about them By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I can recall growing up and hearing of guys having hernias (sometimes mistakenly called “goady”) and being ridiculed by others. Even now patients tend to be very sensitive if they have hernia. It is not something to be ashamed of, as it can occur in
hernia appears as a bulge in the groin, while an umbilical hernia appears as a bulge near the navel. Some hernias can cause twinges of pain or a pulling sensation, but most do not cause pain. Hernias are usually easier to see with coughing or straining. They also tend to be more prominent with standing and often disappear with lying
amination. He or she may ask you to strain or cough (especially while standing), which may make the bulge easier to see or feel. Rarely, you may have symptoms that suggest a hernia, but the doctor will be unable to find one at the time of examination. In these circumstances, your doctor may recommend a computer tomography (CT)
doctor may prescribe stoolsoftening medication or suggest that you modify your diet to include more high-fibre foods. Doing exercises to strengthen your abdominal muscles is also a good way to prevent your muscles from getting weak and acquiring a hernia. You should always practice proper techniques when lifting weights and should always avoid lifting heavy weights by yourself. WHATARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS? Although not all hernias need to be operated on, hernias that cause symptoms or that become larger should be repaired by a surgeon. The technique used to repair your hernia depends on its type, size and location. The surgical options include: -Simply stitching the defect closed -Using mesh plugs or patches to repair the defect -Performing laparoscopic surgery to fix the defect.
anyone, and it is a condition that can be reversed once you seek help. WHAT IS A HERNIA? A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes through an opening into another area where it ordinarily should not be located. There are many different types of hernias, but the most common is when a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weak area in the muscular wall of the abdomen. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin of the abdomen, usually near the groin or the navel. Hernias occur in various locations. Some hernias are present at birth, while others develop during adulthood. Hernias may enlarge due to increased pressure inside the abdomen, such as during straining, persistent coughing, obesity, or pregnancy. There are different types of hernia. The most common ones occur around the umbilical (navel), inguinal (groin) or post incision site of the abdomen (after surgery). WHATARE SOME SYMPTOMS OFA HERNIA? Most hernias cause a bulge under the skin. The location of this bulge depends on the specific type of hernia. For example, an inguinal
down. A hernia is considered “incarcerated” if a portion of intestine becomes trapped in the hernia and is unable to slide back into the abdomen. Rarely, the trapped intestine can “strangulate.” This means that the contained intestine dies because its blood supply has been cut off by the constriction of the hernia. This causes severe pain and requires urgent surgery. HOWARE HERNIAS DIAGNOSED? Most people discover their own hernias by noticing a bulge. Sometimes, however, your doctor will find a small hernia as part of a routine examination. Your doctor makes the diagnosis by physical ex-
scan or an ultrasound of the abdomen. HOW LONG CAN THEY LAST? Most hernias stay the same or slowly get larger over time. Umbilical (navel) hernias, however, are a special situation. Most small umbilical hernias that appear before a baby is 6 months old will disappear before the child’s first birthday. Even larger umbilical hernias may disappear before age 3 or 4. HOW CAN THEY BE PREVENTED? Losing weight is helpful if you are overweight. If you frequently need to strain when you move your bowels, speak to your doctor. Your
The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin and performs the surgery using a telescope). If you are considering having a hernia repaired, you and your surgeon will discuss which technique is most appropriate for you. Hernias that become incarcerated or strangulated require immediate medical attention. Your doctor will try to massage the hernia back through the hole in which it is stuck. If this cannot be done, emergency surgery may be needed. Otherwise, most hernia repairs can be done on an outpatient basis as a nonemergency. Umbilical hernias in infants usually are not treated surgically unless the hernia continues past the child’s third or fourth birthday, becomes larger, causes symptoms or strangulates. Umbilical hernias are more likely to need surgery if the opening through which the hernia passes is greater than 2 centimetres in diameter.
Dr. Zulfikar Bux WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL? Call your doctor right away if there is significant pain at the site of a hernia. This can be the first sign that a hernia is incarcerated or strangulated. See your doctor if you notice a new, painless lump or swelling in a location where hernias typically occur. When surgery is used to repair hernias, the outlook is generally very good. If you suspect you have a hernia, do not hesitate to get it checked. The earlier they are treated the better.
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Kaieteur News
SUNDAY SENIOR GRA OFFICIAL SENT HOME FOLLOWING LATE NIGHT SHAKEDOWN OF BUSINESSMAN
ing situation for GRA. ”If you can’t trust the people at the enforcement level, who can you trust? These are the people who are the gatekeepers.”
An Assistant Commissioner of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is in deep trouble and could find himself without a job. The official, from the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID), was sent on leave pending an investigation, GRA sources disclosed last week Saturday. The same officer was sacked in 2010 by former management for inefficiency. He was accused then, of taking bribes. He was rehired by the new Governing Board of Directors in 2015 when the Coalition Government took office, receiving more than $500,000 per month in salary. Kaieteur News was told that the official, who has responsibilities for enforcement in the various regions for GRA, apparently angered a Berbice businessman after a driver of LEID was recently sent late one night, to the home of the businessman to uplift cash. The businessman reportedly made contact with senior GRA officials who launched an investigation. The Assistant Commissioner was sent on leave. A decision on his future is likely soon. According to other complaints, the Assistant Commissioner even requested two 50-inch television sets as a bribe from another businessman. Some GRA employees were aware that the officer was sent off but were tight-lipped on the i s s u e . According to officials, the Assistant Commissioner was sent packing in 2010 by former Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur, for a “history of corruption”. However, a senior LEID official and a member of the Governing Board of Directors insisted that he should come back. According to a high-ranking official, this latest incident is a worry-
GOVT BRIEFS OPPOSITION ON CAMP STREET FIRE, JAILBREAK There will be a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the devastating Camp Street Prison fire and jailbreak, says the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The Minister was at the time briefing Opposition Parliamentarians on the Prison fire and other related matters on July 14, at the Parliament Buildings in the capital. The Department of Public Information (DPI) informed the media, the following day, that Ramjattan, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud; and Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, met with a team of Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) led by Clement Rohee, and pro v i d e d a “ f u l l a n d f r a n k ” briefing on the fire at the Georgetown Prison along with the escape of eight prisoners, three of whom have since been recaptured. The Opposition MPs were also briefed on the actions taken by the government and the security services to secure housing for the transferred prisoners and other related matters. The almost two-hour long briefing commenced at 9:00hrs. ”Minister Ramjattan also advised that there will be a Commission of Inquiry into the matter and that there will be additional opportunities to examine the responses of the disciplined forces. The Opposition team made some suggestions which the government team acknowledged had some merit and will be considered.” The release from the DPI said. The government team undertook to have an updated brief as soon as additional information is available. Other Opposition MPs that attended the brief were Juan Edghill,
Bheri Ramsarran and Harry Gill. MONDAY ANTI-CORRUPTION ADVOCATE BEMOANS GOVT.’S SLOTH TO BRING WHISTLEBLOWER LEGISLATION – STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PROVISION The need for whistleblower protection legislation in Guyana is clear. What is not clear is the reason the APNU+AFC government is taking so long to have such a Bill and as such delaying its passage in the National Assembly. So said former Auditor General and anti-corruption advocate, Anand Goolsarran last Sunday. He told Kaieteur News that Guyana has long been in need of such an important piece of legislation. However, Goolsarran said that the need has been magnified with the coming of an oil industry. A whistleblower is defined as a person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organisation that is either private or public. Goolsarran shared that he had been following closely the deliberations of the recently just concluded symposium on “Public Corruption and the Oil Curse” which considered the need to strengthen Guyana’s Procurement Act and to promulgate whistleblower protection legislation. That symposium was hosted by the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) and the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA). At that forum, Trinidadian expert, Professor Afra Raymond said that more protections for ‘whistleblowers’ are needed in Guyana, along with a drastic overhaul of the nation’s procurement laws. He said that such measures are necessary to not only guard against, but prosecute corrupt ac-
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tivities emanating from the resource curse, associated with the influx of large sums of money into a country from commercial production of oil. In speaking to Kaieteur News about the need for whistleblower protection, Goolsarran was quick to point to the retaliatory action taken against Nurse Sheryl Marks of the Fort Wellington Hospital. Nurse Marks was transferred as punishment for her exposure Region Five Councillor, Carol Joseph’s abuse of Pethidine and the fact that she was able to access prescription for the highly addictive and costly drug for years. Goolsarran thinks that people like Marks need to be protected.
ber called “Goldie” was found last Sunday morning. Commander of B Division Ian Amsterdam confirmed that police found the remains after receiving a report that someone noticed a body hanging from a tree at the Fort Ordnance Foreshore. ”We got a call that a body was seen hanging from a tree, the ranks responded, of course they had to get in there by boat. They went in and brought the body out where his (the deceased’s) son positively identified him by a scar on his foot”. According to Amsterdam, the state of the decomposition of the body indicates that he would have committed suicide a little over a week.
SHEETANCHOR WIFE KILLER FOUND HANGING FROM TREE
THIEVES ESCAPE WITH GRANNY’S GOLD-PLATED TEETHAFTER BRUTALBEATING
After several weeks of searching for the deportee who viciously chopped his wife to death at her Sheet Anchor home, East Canje, the hunt came to an abrupt end when his decomposed body was found dangling from a tree in the Canje River. The body of Goldburn Decem-
Roohnee Mithuram of Lot 357 Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was choked, punched, slapped and had a pillow placed over her face around 03:00 hrs Sunday when two men in their mid-twenties to early thirties gained entry to her home from a kitchen window. To wake her, the men placed a pillow on her face for several minutes and when she got up, she was punched in the face. They tied her feet and continued hitting her in the face while asking where she had the money and jewellery. In the end, the men escaped with the elderly woman’s teeth—even the ones that did not have gold, $6,000, three gold rings and personal documents. A police source said that the men escaped after the pensioner fainted and a possibility exists that they thought she was dead. Sunday, one of the woman’s relatives, Chandra Katwaroo, said that after she heard about the incident, she went over to the woman’s home where she met her. The woman’s face (Continued on page 41)
Sunday July 23, 2017
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(From page 34) was swollen and had black and blue marks. Mithuram was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she was treated and sent home to rest.
cal of Guyana’s Procurement Act of 2003, which he said seemingly contains “engineered loopholes” in addition to antiquated provisions that allow for a situation to be taken advantage of by corrupt persons. According to Professor Raymond, the Procurement Act of 2003 allows Government to enter into government to government arrangements outside of the ambit of the procurement laws for international agreements. He said that this is a major loophole.
TUESDAY COURT RULES… GECOM CHAIRMAN NEED NOT BEA FORMER JUDGE A ruling handed down by Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George Monday essentially ruled against President David Granger’s interpretation of the constitution as it regards the appointment of a chairman to head the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM). The Chief Justice in her ruling noted that the constitution gives no reference for judicial persons but for other categories of persons who are found to be fit and proper for the post. In her ruling Justice George noted that the GECOM chairman does not necessarily have be a judicial officer, or a person qualified as such. The person, she noted, however, must have judge-like qualities and possess integrity honesty and impartiality. She stressed that the words ‘fit and proper’ can apply to persons from a number of professions or calling. The judge noted that Article 162 (2) of the Constitution speaks to the need for dialogue and compromise. As such, she noted that Granger in rejecting the list provided by the opposition should give reason for the rejection of the names as it would give an indication of those to be accepted. While agreeing with the Court‘s determination, Attorney for the Guyana Bar Association, Sanjeev Datadin, raised concerns in relation to certain aspects of the ruling. Datadin said that based on the ruling, it is his personal view that the Judge was not entitled as a matter of law to make pronouncements on matters which are not directly before the court on an issue without
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CAMP STREET PRISON UNREST…ANOTHER ESCAPEE RECAPTURED …FOUR MORE TO GO
inviting parties involved to offer submissions on the subject. A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said that Chief Justice, Madame Roxanne George-Wiltshire, upheld the Government’s conviction that it is the President who must determine whether the list of nominees submitted by the Leader of the Opposition for the position of Chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is acceptable. The Chief Justice also confirmed in her ruling that it is the President, acting in his own deliberate judgement, who must determine whether a person is ‘fit and proper’. The ruling was made on a case brought against the Attorney General, Minister Basil Williams, by Mr. Marcel Gaskin, a private citizen, who had asked the High Court to provide an interpretation of the Constitution as it relates to the selection of a Chairman for GECOM. THE PROCUREMENTACT HAS LOOPHOLES THAT AID CORRUPTION – T&T EXPERT, NANDLALL Guyana’s Procurement Act of 2003 needs to be strengthened. Like any other law, it has loopholes that have become apparent over the years. But the debate now seems to be whether those loopholes were
engineered or not. As for former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, he refused to admit that the Act has “engineered loopholes.” He did admit that the Act can benefit from improvement in the areas of securing the interest of the government specifically as it relates to quality assurance. Nandlall said that penalties should be added to the Act for engineers who collude with contractors to shortchange the country. Nandlall made these comments Monday during an interview with Kaieteur News. His comments came in response to statements by Professor Afra Raymond. Professor Raymond is a Trinidadian expert who was a panelist on the recently concluded oil and gas symposium hosted by the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA). Professor Raymond was criti-
Cornelius Thomas, one of the prisoners who escaped during the fire at the Camp Street prison two Sundays ago has been recaptured. The 32-year-old of Lot 36 Guyhoc Gardens was arrested around 15:00 hrs at ‘C’ Field Sophia, Georgetown. Kaieteur News was informed that the police on receiving information that the escapee was hiding out there, went to the location and arrested him. He was on remand for murder. On Friday, another prison escapee, Desmond James was arrested in an abandoned shack at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD). He was caught with a knife and a few pieces of clothing and told the police that he was heading to Essequibo. Those still on the run are Bartica and Lusignan massacre killer Mark Royden Williams, ex-cop Uree Varswyck, Stafrei Hopkinson, and Cobena Stephens, 26, of Buxton. Based on information, Varswyck, Williams and Hopkinson are together and are hiding out in the
backlands. WEDNESDAY HEAVILYARMED GUNMEN ROB CUYUNI MINING CAMPs Last Tuesday, police ranks were summoned to Kartuni, Cuyuni River, Region Seven where it was alleged that at least six heavily armed gunmen are targeting mining camps and brutalizing the workers. This had been going on for five days. Divisional Commander, Rabindranauth Budhram, confirmed that the report has been received and that ranks were on their way to Kartuni. He said that there was no information as to how many camps were robbed by the bandits, who were reportedly speaking fluent Spanish and Portuguese. There is information that the gunmen were carrying high powered guns and they reportedly took away weapons belonging to at least two onsite security guards. The men (Continued on page 42)
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(From page 41) escaped with raw gold, firearm, phones and at least six tractors. While workers were attacked, there were no reports of fatalities. At each camp the men attacked, they reportedly destroyed the communication system, making it difficult for ranks and even the owner for the camps to get information. Sheriff Mining Company owned by Mohamed Sheriff Henry was attacked on Monday afternoon. The gold miner told reporters the bandits escaped with his guard’s weapons and an undisclosed amount of gold after beating his workers. Henry noted that he heard that bandits were in the area and made contact with the police at the Bartica Police Station on Friday. He said that he was informed that the ranks were already aware of the issue. He added that on Friday, the police made contact with him and informed him that his camp had been attacked. ”I ask the police how they know and they said that one of my workers was heading to the camp when he saw what was happening and immediately went to the other camp where he called the police at the Landing,” Henry noted. He said that he had been told that the bandits took a female cook and another woman who were at his camp hostage but when contacted, Budhram said that he had not received that information and would only divulge what had been reported to him. LINDENER GETS LIFE FOR KILLING ESTRANGED LOVER’S SON Rawle Samuels, 29, has been
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sentenced to life imprisonment for the unlawful killing of a four-yearold boy. Samuels was sentenced Tuesday by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan after a probation report was presented on his behalf at the Georgetown High Court. Samuels, of Buck Hill Wismar, Linden must serve 30 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole. He was originally indicted for the murder of four-year-old Jamal Naranjan Nedd but he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of Manslaughter. The probation report outlined that Samuels had a history of violence and had been charged before for fracturing the jaw of the mother of his children after hitting her to the face with a hatchet. The report also mentioned instances of alcohol and drug use. According to the information, Samuels is said to have also shared an abusive relationship with the mother of the four year –old, with whom he later formed a common law relationship. On one occasion, he used an electric iron to burn the woman after she refused to iron his clothes. Samuels reportedly killed the four year- old in retaliation to his mother indicating that she no longer wanted any relationship with him. The report further outlined that Samuels acknowledged that his action led to the death of the child and he wished to be forgiven. He also expressed anger over the stigma attached to his name. According to the indictment presented by State Prosecutors Siand Dhurjon, Shawnette Austin and Lisa Case the four-year-old nursery school child, was brutally
stabbed repeatedly about the body by his mother’s paramour. The incident occurred on February, 6, 2013 at Buck Hill Wismar Linden. The child, Nedd, had reportedly just returned home from school, when he came under attack from the man, with whom his mother shared a relationship. The police only arrived at the scene after the child was viciously stabbed, and Samuels had made good his escape. He was apprehended later and charged for the crimes. The child’s intestines protruded from the incision in his abdomen. He was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he died shortly after.
38,000 IN 16 SCHEMES TO GET LIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be roll-
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ing out its 2017 Electrification Programme to install the infrastructure so that 38,000 residents across Guyana can receive electricity. This plan was explained Tuesday by Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul, at the entity’s Brickdam office. The communities to benefit are Onderneeming in RegionTwo; Zeelugt in Region Three; for Region Four there are Farm, Covent Garden, Diamond, Eccles, Perseverance, Barnwell and Peter’s Hall on the East Bank of Demerara along with Paradise and Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara. Hope/Experiment in Region Five; Kilcoy/Chesney in Region Six and Bartica for Region Seven ae he beneficiaries. Some of these communities have been without electricity for close to five years now. The cost of the entire project is pegged at $471M. THURSDAY
mother of one of the men who was previously charged and released on bail for Spready’s Money Gram robbery that took place earlier in 2017. Sources close to the investigation revealed that the five persons were picked up based on reports that they were aiding and assisting the escapee in Berbice. Alexander is said to be hiding in the Port Mourant Backlands. Up to press time members of the joint forces were combing the area. The source also disclosed that one of the persons in custody was taken into the backlands to lead ranks to the area where the escapee is believed to be hiding. It was revealed that Alexander knows the area well, and he is using this knowledge to his advantage. Ranks on the police mobile patrol were seen scouting the New Forest area, East Canje, Rose Hall and Port Mourant while a helicopter flew overhead.
FIVE ARRESTED AS RANKS IN ‘B’ DIVISION TIGHTEN GRIP ON PRISON ESCAPEE
PRESIDENT APPOINTS JUSTICE OFAPPEAL, PUISNE JUDGES
As reports of sightings of escaped Camp Street prisoner Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander called “Mad Dog”, ranks in ‘B’ Division have launched a search and in the process, based on information received, arrested four men and a woman in connection with the escaped convict. Reports reaching this publication states that the four men were arrested between Tuesday and Wednesday. All are from Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, and Rose Hall town. The woman is said to be the
Emphasizing the importance of integrity, impartiality, and independence of the Judiciary, President David Granger, on Wednesday swore in four new High Court Judges and a Justice of Appeal. The first to take the oath of office as a Justice of Appeal was Justice Deo Rishi Persaud. President Granger presented Persaud with his credentials to serve as an Appellate Judge. The Court of Appeal now comprises Justice Dawn Gregory, Justice Rishi Persaud, Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and (Continued on page 43)
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(From page 42) Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire. The Head of State also presented Attorneys Simone MorrisRamlall, Damone Younge, Sandil Kissoon and Gino Persaud with their credentials to serve as Puisne Judges. President Granger noted that Article 128 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution states that “the judges, other than the Chancellor and Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the President, who shall act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).” The President said that while the Government is committed to filling vacancies within the judicial system, it expects that all recommendations for appointments will be based on merit. ”We do not dictate who should be appointed. However, we expect these recommendations will emerge from a dispassionate and objective process,” he said. He added that the Executive Branch of Government has no interest in interfering in the adjudicatory role of the judiciary nor will it condone any interference in the work of the judiciary. Granger said that Judges are expected to be exemplars of high moral standards and personal propriety. Stressing the importance of separation of powers, Granger reaffirmed that the independence of the judiciary must be maintained. ”The Judiciary must be unbiased, unblemished and unbribable… Threats to the independence of the judiciary must be repelled.” Reiterating Government’s commitment to ensuring that vacancies
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within the judiciary are filled, the President said that steps must be taken to ensure that individuals are “fit and proper.” GUYANA SIGNS $17.5M LINE OF CREDIT WITH INDIA EXIM BANK – BARTICA, SUDDIE AND WEST DEMERARA HOSPITALS TO BE MODERNISED Government on Wednesday inked an agreement with the Export/ Import Bank of India, for some US$17.5M to be made available to modernise primary healthcare facilities here. Inking the agreement on behalf of Guyana at the Ministry of Finance, High Street, was the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. He did so in the presence of the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; the Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma; India High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam; Guyana High Commissioner to India, David Goldwin Pollard; Resident Representative of the India EXIM Bank, Sailesh Prasad; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and staff of the Ministry of Finance. High Commissioner to Guyana Mahalingam, said that US$17.5M will be provided to modernise three primary health hospitals: the West Demerara Regional Hospital (Best Village); the Bartica Regional Hospital; and the Suddie Regional Hospital. The ambassador said that his team has already made a list of companies which can act as project management consultants. Minister Jordan, during his re-
marks, expounded on the works that will be undertaken. ”Through the signing of this agreement, the Government of India will provide financial assistance to assist our government to upgrade and modernise three regional hospitals. The resources will be used to refurbish the existing facilities and construct new buildings at the Suddie Regional Hospital in Region Tw o (Pomeroon/ Supenaam); West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo I s l a n d s / We s t Demerara); and the Bartica Regional Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni),” he said. Additionally, medical equipment will be procured to furnish the new and renovated facilities, Jordan added. ”When completed, residents of the immediate and surrounding areas can expect to benefit from the
improved healthcare facilities and service. The provision of quality healthcare remains a primary objective of this government. An effective public health system is essential to providing care for the sick and for instituting measures that prevent diseases and promote the general well-being of the Guyanese populace.” It is also expected that the upgrade of the hospitals will ease the burden currently placed on the Ministry of Public Health’s budget since the entity is responsible for evacuating hinterland patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for highly-specialised care during emergencies. As observed over the years, many residents of the outlying regions prefer to seek medical attention at the GPHC believing that the service being offered there is superior to the rest, the minister said.
He expressed confidence that this intervention will help change that perception. FRIDAY THREE GUYANESE SLAUGHTERED, TWO WOUNDED AS GUNMEN STORM MINING CAMP IN VENEZUELA – KILLING REPORTEDLY STEMMED FROM CLAIM, DREDGE DISPUTE Gunmen brandishing high-powered weapons shot three sleeping Guyanese dead and wounded two others after storming a mining camp at Imataka Mining Backdam, Venezuela, at around 03:00 hrs on Wednesday. Police identified the dead as Vernon Eudoxie, 51; Cologne Solomon, 23 – both of Fitzburg, Port Kaituma – and Samuel Moses, 19, of Four Miles Oronoque, Port Kaituma, North West District. Sources who saw the bodies said that Eudoxie, a father of four, was shot in the stomach and right leg. Solomon’s body bore a bullet wound to the right temple, while Moses was shot in the chest. The bodies were transported from Imataka, Venezuela – located about three miles from the Guyana border – to the Port Kaituma Hospital at around 06:25 hrs yesterday. Kaieteur News understands that at least one of the dead was later transported to Georgetown. The two injured were identified as Joel Paton, 22, Supenaam Creek Head Mission, Essequibo River, and Andre Pilgrim, who was shot in the hand. Paton who was shot in the groin, right thigh and right leg, was transported from the Port Kaituma Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is said to be in a serious but stable condition. Pilgrim is being treated at the Port Kaituma Hospital. The camp that came under attack is operated by a Brazilian, who has given police at ‘F’ Division a statement. A survivor who spoke to Kaieteur News said that the gunmen reportedly fled without taking (Continued on page 44)
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(From page 43) anything. He stated that the killing stemmed from a prolonged dispute of the mining claim and ownership of an excavator. A police release stated that that the miners were part of a team employed by a Brazilian Miner, operating a land dredge at Imataka Mining Backdam, Venezuela, when four armed men “with foreign accents,” entered the camp and began shooting indiscriminately. The shooting resulted in the death of Eudoxie, Solomon, and Moses, while the injured Joel Paton and several other co-workers fled into the bushes. Kaieteur News was told that ranks from the Guyana Police Force received a report about t h e i n c i d e n t o n We d n e s d a y evening, but were only able to confirm the report yesterday. GRA RANKS MISTAKEN FOR ESCAPED PRISONERS AT SKELDON HOSPITAL Enforcement officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were yesterday caught in a mix-up after rumours spread across the country that the Camp Street escapees turned up at the
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Skeldon Public Hospital seeking medical treatment for an injury. A police source confirmed with this p u b l i c a t i o n t h a t t h e rumours circulating are completely false. The source explained that the enforcement officers were at the time executing a “stake out” operation and a round was “accidentally” discharged, injuring one of the officers in the process. He sustained a minor injury to the wrist. He was treated and further transferred to the Port Mourant Hospital. He is said to be doing well. According to the reports circulating, three men showed up at the Skeldon Public Hospital with “mud” on their clothing. One of the men was reportedly injured and was seeking medical attention. It was also stated that the men refused to reveal their identity, leaving medical staff suspicious and afraid. The medical staff reportedly assumed they were prison escapees. It was later confirmed that men were GRA officers after they were identified by police officers attached to Springlands Police Station. The incident of the discharged round was reported.
GRANGER TALKS ROOPNARAINE OUT OF RESIGNING After he submitted a letter to President David Granger, wishing to no longer be a Minister within the two-year coalition government, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has changed his mind. His decision to remain would come after he met with the President on Wednesday last. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during the weekly post-Cabinet Press Briefing yesterday in Georgetown, said that Dr. Roopnaraine – the former Education Minister now head of the Public Service Department within the Ministry of the Presidency – met the Head of State where a ‘fruitful discussion’ took place. Harmon who was present during the discussion said, “Dr. Roopnaraine will continue to serve as a Minister in the government as a Member of Parliament (MP) and as a valued member of our Cabinet,” He went on to say that Dr. Roopnaraine’s contribution to this country, his ability and capacity to continue to contribute is one which the President spoke about and was very happy when Dr. Roopnaraine pledged to continue serving in the interest of all of Guyana. ”So he has withdrawn his letter of resignation then?” Harmon was asked, to which he responded, “Well, yes”. Asked what would have prompted Dr. Roopnaraine to submit his resignation in the first place, Harmon made reference to recent articles which spoke about Dr. Roopnaraine’s heath. ”It is something that is already in the public domain: that he felt that
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his health situation was making it challenging for him to be able to contribute at the levels to which he is expected to contribute,” Harmon said. He noted also that the President has given Dr. Roopnaraine assurances that support which he needs to ensure that he continues to function in the Ministry effectively, will be given to him. Last month Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, a co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) was reassigned. Roopnaraine, 74, has been in illhealth for a while now. The administration would have been worried about his workload at the big-budget Ministry of Education. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, has since been performing the duties of Minister of Education. WPA is a component of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), one of the partners of the coalition government with the Alliance For Change (AFC). As part of an agreement, WPA ended up with the Ministry of Education portfolio. SATURDAY GPHC ISSUES EXPLANATION FOR $632M DRUG PURCHASE – SAYS MANAGEMENT ERRED, MINISTER NOT RESPONSIBLE An explanation has been issued by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] regarding its controversial $632 million emergency procurement. In a statement disseminated to the media on Friday, the Board of Directors of the hospital revealed that based on its own probe into the multimillion-dollar emergency procurement at the beginning of the year, it was found that the GPHC was facing a critical shortage of drugs. Reasons cited for the shortage by hospital authorities included underestimation and late quantification of drugs, the annulment of a tender because a GPHC Finance Department employee tampered with a tender document; and the failure of some local suppliers to honour their 2016 contracts. The Board in its statement further pointed out that on February 3,
2017, Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, held a meeting with then Chief Executive Officer [CEO] [Ag], Mr. Allan Johnson, and senior staff of the Finance and Pharmacy Departments of GPHC and compelled them to immediately devise a plan of action to alleviate the drug shortage as quickly as possible. The staff of GPHC reported that the Minister requested that the hospital take into consideration the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)’s emergency mechanism to supply pharmaceuticals, and also check with the Materials Management Unit (MMU) of the Ministry of Public Health to ascertain whether they had any of the required drugs in stock. Thereafter, a determination could be made about which drugs the hospital would need to procure from suppliers. It was noted that at a subsequent meeting that day, the Minister of Public Health reportedly listened to a plan of action developed and presented by the GPHC Finance Director which included determining availability of drugs from PAHO, MMU and local suppliers; obtaining quotations from suppliers; sending an evaluation report to National Procurement a n d Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (NPTAB) for approval, then followed by the award of tender. However, GPHC did not follow its stated plan of action, the Board statement underscored. The Procurement Act provides that any contract beyond the sum of $15 million must go through NPTAB, which then forwards it to Cabinet for review and approval. It was noted that former Acting Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Mr Allan Johnson, wrote NPTAB seeking approval for the contracts, after GPHC had begun to receive pharmaceuticals from the suppliers. “None of the information received by the Board revealed that the Honourable Minister ever gave instructions to GPHC officials to bypass any procurement procedures or laws,” the Board said in its statement. In fact, the statement added, “The Board was shocked and disappointed to learn that GPHC had breached the law”.
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APNU executive meets for first time in years The executive council of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) met yesterday for the first time in two years. In effect this is the first time the coalition has met since it ascended to administrative office. Yesterday’s meeting resulted from another meeting that President David Granger had with members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) a few weeks ago. The APNU sent out a missive last night that served to inform that the meeting was successful. The meeting was chaired by President Granger who is also the chairman of APNU. The APNU Executive Council is made up of five political parties, the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Justice for All Party (JFAP), the National Front Alliance (NFA), the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); all parties were represented at this meeting. Granger, in his opening remarks, emphasised the
importance of keeping the partnership strong. The chairman referred the members to the Statement of Principles that guided the formation and the vision of the APNU. The Executive examined a Report which was commissioned by the chairman of APNU. That Report presented the views emanating from consultations with each of the parties, on the future development of the APNU. Each member-party was invited to comment on its details. Each agreed that the Report faithfully reflected their views. APNU said that its Executive also discussed strategic issues relevant to the future of the Partnership and the Coalition. The meeting also discussed matters of concern raised by the executive of the WPA; Amerindian land titling; the upcoming 2018 Local Government Elections, the frequency of Executive meetings and other critical issues. The current and future
APNU Chairman, President David Granger policy positions and requirements for the APNU to satisfy the developmental needs of Guyana were considered too. The statement reported that the Chairman proposed that for the future functioning of APNU’s Executive, its detailed activities should be dealt with by the formation of five Commissions, which would be responsible for Administration, Communities, Education, Elections and Finance. Members of the Executive (continued on page 62)
Carpentry Student tops Kuru Kuru Training Centre 2017 courses (From page 54) which they displayed over the past 10 months that helped them to realise their dreams of being qualified with muchneeded skills that they will take into their professional lives. Reflecting, PS Tucker noted that when the students first took up the challenge they were unsure of what to expect; the difference was notable in their mannerisms, personalities and creative abilities, the latter of which was on showcase as part of a mini exhibition of their works. “You are graduating here today because you have fulfilled the requirements for your certification,” P.S Tucker told the gathering of beaming faces. The motto for Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training is ‘Creating Opportunities, Realising Potentials’ While Ms. Tucker referred to the non-completion of training by some of the original 258, (who started the course) as unfortunate, she said that too many young people embark very enthusiastically on training in different forms and levels, but somewhere along the journey lose focus, become distracted or fail to exhibit the kind of discipline that is necessary for success. “They give up too easily; they allow the opportunity to develop themselves go by… One of the things you cannot regain or recall is a lost op-
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portunity. Too many youths express regret at not making good use of the opportunities they would have had to develop themselves and today they can make no meaningful contribution to the development of their communities.” The youths while being celebrated for staying the course were advised that the training they received at the institution has made them marketable and has placed them in a position to practice their craft. They were encouraged to “develop your skills and earn a living for yourselves; support the other members of your family; develop the communities from which you have come, and by extension that of the country. You are now given the opportunity to start from a very humble beginning into something big.” Many of the existing big businesses started out small in like fashion as those graduating and it was against this backdrop that they were encouraged to “become your own boss providing employment for other young people.” The graduates were also advised that as a result of the training received they have become sought-after. They were admonished to “go out there and make a name for yourselves. Be ambitious and try to improve on your trade. Be the best cosmetologist; be the best home repairer; be the
best data operator; be the best cook. Build a reputation for yourselves. “When persons want service in your area of competence, you should be the first person they must want to come to because of the quality of work that you produce.” Ms. Tucker underscored that fact that “the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport recognises the importance of empowering the youth of this nation, and has therefore been conducting training such as this across the country.” On Thursday 91 graduated from the Vryman’s Erven Training Center while on Friday 101 graduated from the Sophia Training Centre as did the 223 from the Kuru Kuru Training Center. The YEST courses offer continuing educational advancement to out-of- school, unskilled and unemployed youth aged 16-25 years drawn from across all ten administrative regions. As part of the training, all trainees benefited from Educational tours, field trips, sporting activities; participation in national and religious activities, counselling sessions and workshops on the use of illicit drugs. Some 46 of these trainees are now recipients of Drivers’ licenses, compliments of the Guyana Police Force. (Mondale Smith)
US$9M project launched to boost Guyana’s export quality The Ministry of Business, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), launched its “Enhancing the national quality infrastructure for economic diversification and trade promotion” project, on Friday. The project comprises three areas which include modernization of the institutional Framework for the National Quality Infrastructure; improving Laboratory Facilities and Equipment; and implementing the National export and Investment Strategy. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, described the project as one that can transform Guyana’s export industries once it is applied correctly. He added that the government will ensure that it is effectively implemented. According to the Minister, the project is going to improve the systems that are in place to verify the quality of products produced. Minister Gaskin said this will guarantee the foreign markets that what is being marketed by local businesses is what they want to buy. Producing better quality products, Minister Gaskin pointed out, will increase Guyana’s export earnings and improve its economic performance. To achieve this feat, the Minister noted that it will take
a lot of hard work by both the public and private sector. Guyana has struggled to increase its value-added exports for a very long time and that without targeted interventions it will continue to struggle. “This project represents a targeted intervention that is expected to provide support to our value added industries. The principal feature of the project is a main laboratory which can carry out multiple types of testing. In addition to a physical laboratory there will be an upgrade of the entire national quality infrastructure which includes the entire network of laboratories operating in Guyana, both public and private,” Minster Gaskin explained. The project will also provide support and training and accreditation on a national level. Additionally, it will support a national export strategy which will focus on strengthening specific export sectors of Guyana economy. The Minister is calling on the Private Sector to take full advantage of the opportunity that is being presented for the advancement of the valueadded industries. Minster Gaskin said that the private sector is profit driven, something that the government appreciates. However, the Minister noted that it is vital that the private sector understands that it is driven by more than just the need to make a profit. With that, the Business
Minister said that there is a need for the private sector to be informed of what the government is trying to achieve. “While government clearly articulated a vision, it needs to be repeated and reinforced and backed up by actions that show our commitment to that vision…we expect the private sector to recognise Government’s genuine commitment to an economic model for Guyana that is clean, green and driven by value added exports,” Minister Gaskin emphasised. IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen, in her brief remarks said that the launch of the project is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting economic diversification. Makonnen also echoed the Business Minister’s sentiments, and called for the cooperation of both the public and private sector for the project to be a success. “It is a public sector and private sector project, the public sector in terms of the enabling environment but it is for the private sector to be able to be that economic motor that is needed,” Makonnen stated. The multimillion dollar project is slated to be rolled out over the next five years. The project will be implemented mainly by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the National Bureau of Standards.
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guyana Inc. launches POSH 592 Magazine Guyana Inc., a leading local publishing company, is pleased to announce that it has launched its Posh 592 Magazine which features local fashion muse and icon Mrs. Priya Badal. The magazine’s elegant yet contemporary style creates an inviting world that has something to offer every Guyanese woman. It provides rich and relevant content that reflects the evolving vivacity and curiosity of Guyanese female culture.
The initiative of Teshawna Lall, CEO of Guyana Inc. and Innovative Marketing and Publishing Inc. (IMAP), Posh 592 aims to elevate the female experience in Guyana with exceptionally fresh content. Men will also find content on fashion within the magazine. The much-anticipated annual magazine, with a circulation of 10,000, was developed in cooperation with IMAP– the marketing subsidiary of Guyana Inc.
The 60-page, high-end lifestyle publication is designed to provide readers with the latest must-haves and must - d o s , t o u c h i n g topics from fashion to beauty, sex and body. It is a stylish journey through the best of Guyanese trends and culture. Featuring many brands, topics and local personalities, Posh 592 will become an invaluable resource for everything trendy in 2017.
Regional laboratories preparing to detect new and emerging diseases At a recent conference hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), regional health workers were told that their laboratories need to be prepared to detect new and emerging diseases. This advice came from the Acting Director for
Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA, Dr. Karen PolsonEdwards. In a statement issued by the regional organisation, PolsonEdwards said that public health laboratories play a critical role in the fight against communicable diseases,
particularly vector-borne diseases. She said that these laboratories need to better prepare the Region to detect and respond to new and emerging threats. The doctor made these remarks at the twoday technical and policy (continued on page 59)
Regional laboratories are urged to prepare to detect new and emerging diseases
Sunday June 23, 2017
By Dr. Neromini Fagu The most common and least life-threatening emergency that may occur in the dental office is a condition called syncope. Syncope, commonly known as fainting, refers to a sudden loss of consciousness due to a decrease in blood flow to the brain. It is usually followed by a rapid and complete recovery. If you have symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness, without loss of consciousness, this is called pre-syncope. Syncope is usually associated with a stressful situation in a dental office such as in the administration of a needle for local anesthetic. It affects individuals of all ages, but children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly susceptible. When a patient experiences stress, the body reacts by pumping large amounts of blood to the arms and legs to activate the “fight or flight” response. Because the
Kaieteur News
SYNCOPE patient is usually motionless in chair, their blood pools in the arms and legs and blood flow to the brain is decreased. This results in oxygen deprivation to the brain. There are various forms of syncope which are generally classified into one of three distinct categories: cardiac syncope, non-cardiac syncope and neurocardiac syncope. Non-cardiac syncope is sometimes subdivided into orthostatic hypotension and neurologic syncope. Neurocardiac syncope is the most common form of syncope and the type most likely to occur in a dental setting. Common causes of syncope include: • Low blood pressure or dilated blood vessels • Irregular heart beat • Abrupt changes in posture, such as standing up too quickly, which can cause blood to pool in the feet or legs • Standing for long periods of time • Extreme pain or fear
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Dr. Neromini Fagu • Extreme stress • Pregnancy Episodes of syncope are often preceded by warning signs or symptoms. These may include: • Nausea • Slurred speech • Changes in body temperature that make you feel suddenly flushed or chilled • Disturbances to your vision, like seeing spots, tunnel vision, blurry vision, or dilated pupils • Lightheadedness, wooziness, or feeling as if your head and body are weightless • Dizziness • Rapid heartbeat Syncope should not be confused with sudden
Understanding the Metric System - Using the Units of Mass The Metric System, which is the legal system of measurement in Guyana, conforms to the Standard International (SI) units including the kilogram that is used to measure mass. This system is simple to learn and easy to use because of its decimal nature. Today, almost all of the countries in the world use the metric system, especially in scientific research, manufacturing and trade. Only a few countries still use the imperial system of measurement or a combination of both measuring systems, which include Guyana. Nevertheless, most of our local sectors have fully adopted the use of the metric system, even though there continues to be a wrestle between the two systems in the retail sector. Over the years, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has conducted painstaking work to educate vendors and shopkeepers to use the metric system and monitored same to ensure only verified metric measuring instruments are used in trade. The GNBS has recognized that the adoption of the metric system should start from the top – Policymakers, Ministries of Government and Government Agencies should lead the metric drive. At the other end, our school system has already fully adopted the used of the metric system and the younger generation has a good understanding of its application. Let’s look at the metric units used for measuring mass commonly referred to as weight by retailers and consumers. The metric base unit for measuring mass is the Kilogram. When the Kilogram is divided by 1000 the result is 1 gram and when the Kilogram is multiplied by 1000 the result is 1 metric tonne. (Note the difference in spelling for tonne) The units of Mass (Weight) - For everyday transactions especially in the
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conduct of commerce, there are four commonly used units namely, the milligram, gram, kilogram and tonne. Milligram (mg) - This unit is used for measuring very small amounts of substances for example, ingredients in medicines or drugs and some ingredients in recipes. It is the equivalent of 1 gram divided by 1000. Gram (g) - The gram is used for measuring intermediate amounts. For example, 100 grams of butter, 250 grams of cheese, 500 grams of peas, sugar, flour, etc. Kilogram (kg) - The Kilogram is used for measuring larger amounts. For example, 1 kilogram of potatoes, 10 kilogram of bananas, 25 kilogram of rice, etc. One kilogram is equivalent to two pounds, three ounces. Tonne (t) - This unit is used for measuring very large amounts, for example, truckloads of sand or stone, bulk sugar or rice. Remember! 1000 milligrams (mg) equal 1 gram (g) 1000 grams (g) equal 1 kilogram (kg) 1000 kilograms (kg) equal one tonne (t) Consumers, you are urged to start requesting solid goods such as rice, peas, onions and potatoes in grams and kilograms. These units should also be used to weigh solid hardware items such as nails, putty and glues that are sold by weight. These goods can be easily and accurately weighed on verified metric devices used in the market place. Wholesalers and retailers have a significant role to play by packaging and selling their solid goods in metric quantities. Advertise your goods and prepare and display pricelists in metric quantities. For further information please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219-0062, 219-0065, 2190066, 219-0069 or visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org
cardiac arrest. A person with sudden cardiac arrest also loses consciousness suddenly but will die without immediate medical attention. A person with syncope recovers quickly, almost always without treatment. However, up to 35 percent of people who have syncope injure themselves and elderly people are more likely to be injured during a syncopal attack. Diagnosing Syncope There are three main ways to identify the causes of syncope: the medical history, the physical examination, and cardiac testing. A medical history and physical examination are recommended for anyone who has had syncope. Some people will also require cardiac testing. During the taking of a medical history, information about the events that occurred before, during, and after a syncopal episode can be helpful in determining the
possible cause of the episode. Information about current medications and pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or psychiatric illness are also helpful for diagnosis. The physical examination consists of measuring your heart rate and blood pressure to help determine if a rhythm disturbance or low blood pressure caused the syncope. You may be asked to sit or stand while the blood pressure is measured to test for orthostatic hypotension. Your doctor will listen to your heart for abnormal sounds that can be present in conditions such as aortic stenosis. A number of medical tests may also be used to help determine the cause of the syncope. These include Electrocardiograms and Heart Rhythm Monitoring. Treatments for Syncope Treatment of syncope is based upon the underlying cause. The goal of treatment
is to prevent recurrences or more serious problems. Medications may also be used for people with a heart rhythm problem to control the rhythm. Neurocardiac syncope treatment can usually be treated by learning to take precautions to avoid potential triggers and minimize the potential risk of harm. This includes keeping dental instruments, needles, and any blood out of the patient’s sight. When syncope occurs in the dental office, the patient would be laid down in the Trendelenburg position which is lying on their back with the feet slightly elevated above the heart. This position allows the blood to flow back to the head. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com
Regional laboratories preparing to... From page 58 forum for laboratory directors from 19 English and Dutch speaking public health laboratories across the region. Attending the meeting were delegates from the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Council of Minister of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA) and the Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF). According to CARPHA, the aim of the forum was to share activities, achievements and strategic priorities, inform of technical laboratory advances, and exchange lessons learned from the most affected countries. “The meeting discussed and sought to establish consensus on regional and country-specific needs and action plans for laboratory preparedness and technical capacity development training, with specific focus on the Zika virus and other outbreak prone diseases.” The statement said that Dr Polson-Edwards
highlighted CARPHA’s role in assisting Member States to strengthen capacity in the testing of arboviral diseases, especially in response to the recent Zika outbreak. It was noted that the expert underscored the function of laboratories in the long-term development of the Roadmap for Regional Health Security, not only for diagnosis of new and emerging pathogens, but in the areas of bio safety and bio security. Further, according to CARPHA, the meeting sought to promote and ensure long-term sustainability and country ownership of on-going laboratory and response activities jointly implemented by multiple technical assistance teams and national partners. The growth of a number of networks also came under
review. These were the Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network (CariPHLN) and the Caribbean Vector-Borne Diseases Network (CariVecNet). The strengths, weaknesses and gaps in regional laboratory systems were specifically addressed. Earlier in the year, it was noted that Zika cases in the region were on the decline. However, it was noted by Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr C. James Hospedales, that despite the decline, there is still need for continued vigilance and action on mosquito borne diseases which pose a health security threat, a tourism threat and an economic threat. Zika is the newest mosquito borne disease to have emerged in the Caribbean following Chikungunya which affected a number of states.
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One data entry clerk, must be computer literate & have passes @ CXC Maths & English. Apply PO BOX12118
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Urgently! Able body security guard to work day/night must have NIS/ID/TIN certificate. Call: 226-7337/654-9350 One part-time general domestic from West Coast/ West Bank Demerara, between 30-40yrs. Call: 6262629/676-6312 One qualified and experienced person to teach Spanish and Portuguese (part-time). Call: 676-6312/ 626-2629 Do you owe housing & want to sell your land? We pay it off & give you cash. Call: 6662326 Land to buy in Eccles, Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Farm, Uitluvgt, Herstelling, we pay best price. Call: 604-6724/6869608
TAXI SERVICE
Sunday June 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 642-1783/ 646-3011634/ 718-2301695
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1 Bedroom/2 bedrooms/3 bedrooms apartment for rent in Eccles. Call: 603-9726 Office & Classroom space available for rental between 9am & 4pm. Call: 231-1284/ 227-1028 1 – Semi furnished 3 bedrooms bottom flat, Upper Charlotte Street, residential area. Call: 696-1112 1 Bedroom apartment situated @ Lot 319 East Street. Call: 226-3387/6441070
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EDUCATIONAL
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PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Aubrey Barker -$27M, William Street -$11M, Diamond -$14M, Grove $7.8M, David Street- $30M, Norton -$10M. Call: 231-2199/ 618-7483
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LAND FOR SALE MINING BLOCKS FOR SALE @ OMAI & CUYUNI NEAR BUCKHALL GY$2,500,000 EACH. CALL: 622-7563 Land at Well Street Ogle, E.C.D, back lot, 65feetX105feet - $12M. Call: 625-1514 W.B.D: Schoonord -$3M, Uitvlugt 50X100 -$2.8M, La Parfaite 50X100 & foundation -$3.5M, $1.5M, $1.6M, Coglan Dam, Nimes -$2.5M. Call: 231-2199/618-7483 E.B.D: Diamond, Farm -$4.5M, Providence 50X185, land of Canaan cleared land -$6.5M acre, Republic Park -$15M. Call: 231-7805/ 618-7483 Farm New Scheme (East Bank) 100ftX50ft- $2.5M (deal) all legal fees paid. Call: 667-1960/656-0701 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M, way up front, already clean, all legal fees paid. Call: 6511969/ 611-7223 Land @ No.7 Village W.C.B – 86’X317’, roadside -$34M negotiable. Call:622-6473 (Raj), 648-6873 (Bernard), 661-4604 (Veronica) 5 Acres coconut and other fruit bearing, no chemical, lease or sale – Demerara River across Timehri docks. Call: 261-2988 Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988 House & land in Zeelugt, old & new scheme -$2.5M, land in Tuschen (Phase 1) - $2.5M & La Parfaite Harmonie $1.7M – 642-1252 2 Acres of transported land for sale at Independence Street La Grange, W.B.D, price negotiable. Call: 6211223 or 690-1491 Uitvlugt New Scheme, first street, 100X50ft with 20ft reserve -$2.5M. Call: 6671960/656-0701 La Parfaite Harmonie- $2M, $1.3M, $1.1M, Herstelling$3M, Tuschen house & land - $2.7M, Tuschen -$2M, $1M. Call: 604-6724/686-9608 La Parfaite Harmonie (main road) -$2M, $1.4M, $1.2M, Herstelling -$3M, Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.2M. Call: 6662326 LEARN TO DANCE Studio 87 Dance Classes & Tennis classes: keep fit, loose weight, build selfesteem and have fun. Call: 676-6312 Continued on Page 61
Sunday June 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
Prof. Ivelaw Griffith’s UG renaissance at work By PAT DIAL One of Prof. Ivelaw Griffith’s Renaissance aims for the University of Guyana is for it to make itself immediately relevant to the life of the Guyanese Community. The Turkeyen and Tain Lectures is one such example; the University is now being brought to the public. Both the younger and older generations have come to look forward to these lectures not merely as an intellectual treat but as something that is raising public awareness of important societal problems and giving pointers to their solutions. The recent lecture on “Youth, Crime and Violence” was very topical and in the presentations of the various speakers as well as in the audience discussion, various thought-provoking reasons and solutions were proffered as to why Guyanese youth were being drawn into a whirlpool of crime and violence. All reasons and solutions put forward by presenters as well as the audience had much validity but none was allencompassing. The various solutions were reminiscent of the ancient story of six blind men who were brought to an elephant and were then asked what an elephant was. The first one touched the trunk and he concluded that an elephant was a tube; the next touched the tusks and decided that the elephant was a kind of spear; the next touched the legs and believed that the elephant was a column; the fifth touched the side of the animal and said an elephant was a wall; and the last touched the ear and concluded that an elephant was a kind of large flat fan. The first presenter was the Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security. He avoided putting forward any specific solutions as he could have done but instead referred to the various reports on the subject which covered a great number of solutions. Among the solutions which surfaced during the evening was that youth should be kept away from drugs and alcohol; that poverty was a major cause of youth crime and this has to be addressed by creating more jobs and teaching various skills to youth so that they could become self-employed; having healthier TV, radio and press since the media have oftentimes stimulated youth crime; youth crime and violence often become ingrained in Society because of the emergence of criminal youth gangs. These gangs could be changed or even dissolved if such gangs are
in contact with sincere and understanding men of God and religious bodies. Many youth feel alienated and are drawn into criminal anti-social behaviour because they feel society is run by the old and as such they have no stake in it. Promoting youth into more decision-making roles in society would help in ending alienation and diminish youth crime. Several participants felt that the State, through an active, imaginative and creative Ministry of Youth could do a great deal for young people and greatly diminish youth crime and violence. Many consumer societies such as the Committee of the Guyana Consumers’ Association take a slightly different approach towards the elimination or containment of youth crime and violence: In the first place, we feel that greater importance and stress should be given to religion in society. This implies that though we feel that the metaphysical teachings of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity should be taught and made known, by far the main focus should be on the moral and ethical teachings of Religion. The moral and ethical teachings of all religions are much the same and such would bring about greater solidarity among people of Faith in socializing parents and their children in a moral and ethical life. Two or three generations ago, people in the villages of Guyana and even in the city were far more God-fearing than to-day; youth crime and violence were almost unknown. Suicide is today an important element of youth crime. If young persons have a strong religious background, they would not be suicidal since they would understand that it is a privilege to have a human body and that the body is the source of both material as well as spiritual joy. If one becomes overwhelmed in suffering and unhappiness and one is aware of the basic religious teaching that pleasure and pain are not permanent states of being, one would never feel that one could escape from pain and suffering by destroying one’s body since suffering and unhappiness are temporary states which will pass away. In addition to religion, the secular education system could help to socialize children and youth into lawabiding members of Society. And this should start from the primary schools. Two or three generations ago, there were
textbooks like the Royal Readers which inculcated moral virtues such as obedience to parents and familial solidarity, belief in and respect for religion, serving and even sacrificing for society, empathizing with the sufferings of other human beings and love and respect for animals. Today’s textbooks are mainly concerned with teaching the skills of reading and writing, and not with the content of the written word as was the case of the Royal Readers. Accordingly, today’s textbooks need to be supplemented with reading matter inculcating moral values and behaviour. Two or three generations ago, the textbooks helped to produce law-abiding and constructive youth and if we resuscitate the method, it would work again. A third approach towards youth crime and violence is to strengthen the family by having parents know the value of bringing up their children as law-abiding citizens and also to give them an understanding of how much more profitable it is to be moral rather than unmoral. Other virtues parents, and so eventually children, will
From Page 60
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have to be exposed to is to live within one’s means. Clothes, for example, should be made to go their fullest usage before discarded and food should be wholesome
and not fast foods which are more expensive. Parents should help their children and encourage them in their studies and encourage reading, using the
public library facilities. Closer familial contact would lead to stronger families and such inhibits juvenile delinquency and youth crime and violence.
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HEYS programme provides economic boost for
Dan Richards and Shanna Boyan have ventured into economically viable areas of local production. Dan and Shanna are among the success stories coming out from Government’s thriving youth initiative the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme. Twenty young people from Wakapou village were given the opportunity to participate in the programme to establish their own businesses. Dan, 22, said that it was always his passion to establish his own business and with the introduction of the HEYS programme he was able to realize this dream. On a recent visit to the village the young entrepreneur revealed to the Ministry’s Communications Department that after
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Kaieteur News
receiving the first payment of his stipend he spent the entire amount on several cement molds as well as a sling of cement. He said despite the cost he was determined to make his dream of producing cement blocks a reality. He said at his first attempt at block making, he was able to produce 100 blocks. To date he is producing more than enough to supply to the newly constructed wing of the only secondary school – the Wakapou Secondary School— located in his village. This would be the first time that a local contractor has been able to purchase cement blocks from a skilled member of that village. What is also remarkable is the manner in which he markets his business. From humble beginnings, Dan with
Wakapou Village
the support of his parents and younger siblings was able to transform their humble home into a work of art. While some block makers will have their work displayed in different areas of their work space, Dan chose to display his work on his newly constructed home. Staff of the Ministry were overwhelmed to witness his clever business maneuvers which gave customers the perfect picture of what their end product would look like. Dan constructed their two flat home - the bottom flat made from blocks he produced (plain and designed) and the top half completed from dressed lumber. He has given the Ministry’s staff the full assurance that on a subsequent visit, his home will be completed, painted and
Block making in progess
fully furnished. When asked why that particular marketing strategy was effected, an easy going Dan said his personality and aptitude outweighs his block making skill which allowed him to remain grounded and a successful entrepreneur. He adds that he takes pride and joy in what he does owing to the fact that it provides for his family whom he credits to his success. His mother and father are both religions leaders (pastors) in the village. Dan is hoping that other participants, who were given a second chance at improving their living standards, grasp this opportunity with both hands. Fellow youth and villager, Shanna Boyan, has ventured into Coconut oil and Casareep production. According to the young mother, she has already begun reaping benefits from her hard work. Boyan said when she first started her small business, she would produce litre bottles of fresh coconut oil and cassava casareep. When the team visited, the level of production had increased significantly to more than five gallons of freshly made coconut oil per week. The same can be said for the casareep production.
She has been receiving assistance from her parents and her father in particular who has put his creative indigenous skills on full display. He has built a coconut and cassava grater for his daughter thus making her work easier. Her dad, Matthias Boyan, is now in the process of making another grater and frame since according to him, this will further ease the hassle of having to clean the lone grater before use. He added that the process is very time consuming and having two engines operating, the work will become lighter as two persons will be able to work simultaneously. The family has already acquired a new grater paying $30,000 for a part of the design of the teeth setting alone, while works on the frame will begin shortly. Speaking to her marketing strategy employed, Boyan welcomed the support she is receiving from her villagers. A regular customer is Adels Resort located at the mouth of the Akawini Creek, approximately a half hour boat ride from the village and through the winding Wakapou savannahs. The family through this initiative was able to acquire several acres of land from the
Boyan’s coconut oil and Casareep establishment
APNU executive meets for first ... From page 57 agreed that there should be greater frequency of meetings, since the value of such an approach was illustrated by the success of today’s Executive Committee meeting. The meeting was conducted in a fraternal manner but representatives
from the parties engaged in a frank exchange of ideas and concerns about the strengths and shortcomings of the APNU. The meeting committed the APNU to a speedy and amicable resolution of the concerns raised and the parties recommitted themselves to the continued
success of the Coalition government and its reelection in 2020. Nothing was stated about the next scheduled meeting. Also, the statement did not address whether the WPA ventilated the issue of feeling sidelined. Efforts to contact WPA executives proved futile.
village council as coconut and cassava estates. Currently they are dependent on villagers to meet their coconut and cassava demands. The senior Boyan said while they have already planted a number of young coconuts plants and cassava sticks, more land is required to meet the growing demand. Shannon anticipates that in the next five years, with the help of her family, she will be able to construct a simple yet unique factory that can supply the market demand in Region Two as well as other Regions. Toshao of the village Errol Williams pointed out that support for such initiatives are key and the village council and villages will be giving the youth their fully support towards maintaining these lucrative business ventures. The indigenous village of Wakapou which is located approximately an hour from Charity passes through the cascading Wakapou Creek then through the winding savannah. It is home to more than 300 inhabitants. It boasts a Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools, a Community Health Outpost, a church, several well established shops and a beautiful landscape.
Sunday July 23, 2017
US says Trinidad has highest per capita rate of…
ISIS recruitment in Western Hemisphere WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – While there were no known indigenous or foreign terrorist groups operating in Trinidad and Tobago, the United States says the twin-island republic had the highest per capita rate of ISIS recruitment in the Western Hemisphere in 2016 and that the return of these terrorist fighters is of “great concern” to Washington. In releasing its Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 on Wednesday, the United States Department of State says many countries in the region have porous borders, limited law enforcement capabilities, and established smuggling routes. “These vulnerabilities offered opportunities to local and international terrorist groups and posed challenges to governments in the region,” it said. Canada and the Caribbean – particularly Trinidad and
Tobago – were sources of foreign terrorist fighters in 2016; the return of these trained foreign terrorist fighters is of great concern.” Noting that, in 2016, Trinidad and Tobago focused on national security, the State Department said the Dr Keith Rowley administration remained a willing US counterterrorism partner and quickly accepted offers of assistance to share border security information, develop a strategy to counter violent extremists and prosecute terrorists. The State Department said the Trinidad and Tobago government reported in 2015 that more than 100 Trinidadian nationals, including women and minors, had travelled to Syria and Iraq, with a handful reportedly returned to Trinidad and Tobago. With Muslims making up about six per cent of the population, roughly split between
persons of African and South Asian heritage, the report said foreign terrorist fighters reportedly come from both communities, adding that many, although not all, have had prior affiliations with criminal gangs. The report said an interagency National Counterterrorism Working Group, led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of National Security, is working on a national counterterrorism strategy to address priorities and principles. The group meets on a regular basis to detect, deter and disrupt any possible terrorist actions; to prevent a terrorist act in Trinidad and Tobago; and to identify and prosecute terrorists, the report said. It said the national strategy is in its final stages and will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval when it is completed.
Barbadians urged to participate in nationwide strike BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Trade union leaders as well as the private sector have called on Barbadians to participate in a national strike tomorrow. At a news conference on Friday the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Toni Moore and the President of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Charles Herbert said this protest is in an effort to pressure
the government concerning the National Social Responsibility Levy. The officials urged local businesses to allow workers to participate in the event. They also sought to assure the nation that the joint action will not affect the main ports of entry or the state-run Queen Elizabeth hospital. The unions have been protesting against the 400 per cent hike in the levy and hun-
dreds recently voiced their dissatisfaction by participating in a march organised by the Barbados Workers’ Union, National Union of Public Workers, Barbados Union of Teachers and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union. The unions gave the Government a two-week ultimatum to accede to their request and vowed to take industrial action if nothing was done.
Nurses called out for unprofessionalism Daily Observer - An outcry over the alleged misconduct of nursing professionals at the country’s public hospital and community clinics has brought to light the widely reported neglect of patient care on island. Former Superintendent of Public Health Nursing, Coralita Joseph said she has witnessed the misconduct by colleagues and it is a longstanding issue that high ranking officials must no longer downplay. “Nobody is paying attention. Everybody seems to have this familiar attitude where they think they and the sisters, doctors and senior
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nurses is ‘fren and company’,” Joseph said. “They want to believe they are equals with whoever is in charge [but} you have to set a standard and you have to understand that this is the person who is in charge and you must be respectful to the person and their position.” Joseph, in an exclusive interview with OBSERVER media, was responding to a video complaint, that went viral, on the quality of care given to patients at the Mount St John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC). By late Saturday, the video had garnered 19,000 views,
435 shares and about 200 comments from residents who joined in solidarity with a nurse who spoke out after an unsettling ordeal at the hospital. Josette Gilead, the woman behind the video, urged the viewers to share the Facebook post only out of “the common concern for my profession and as a medium for change”. Gilead was visibly upset over what she described as a lack of respect and compassion by a member of the nursing profession during a recent visit to MSJMC. The incident has led the president of Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association (ABNA) Karen Josiah to pen a release in which she “totally condemns the indiscriminate use of social media by nurses” especially when it is “unprofessional and unethical”.
Senate in Jamaica Approves Bill for Single Anti-Corruption Agency KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Senate in Jamaica has approved the Integrity Commission Bill, paving the way for the establishment of a single anti-corruption unit, which will investigate and prosecute corruption in Jamaica. The Bill was piloted in the Senate Friday by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Kamina Johnson-Smith. The legislation, which will promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for Parliamentarians, public officials and other persons, was passed with 103 amendments. It makes provisions for the establishment of an Integrity Commission, which will be responsible for investigating alleged or suspected acts of corruption; preventing, identifying and prosecuting corruption; and monitoring the award and discharge of Government contracts and prescribed licences.
Kamina Johnson-Smith
The new body will have three Directors heading the information and complaints, investigation and corruption prosecution divisions. Among the amendments is the creation of the post of Executive Director to head the proposed Integrity Commission. This Executive Director
will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Commission; coordinating the functions of the Commission; ensuring the timely implementation of the decisions and directions of the Commission; and developing and implementing operational policies and procedures in relation to the functions of the Commission. Senator Johnson-Smith explained that the Government felt this lone post was a better arrangement than having Directors of the three divisions of the body report directly to the Commissioners, as was previously stipulated in the Bill. The Integrity Commission is to be formed through the merger of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Integrity Commission and the Office of the Contractor General. The Bill will go back to the House of Representatives for approval of the amendments made by the Senate. (Caribbean360)
Govt. seeks to get CLF liquidators again…
Appeal hearing set for Tuesday Trinidad Guardian - The Government’s appeal over t he dismissal of its application for the appointment of two provisional liquidators for CL Financial (CLF) is set to be heard on Tuesday morning. The date was set during a status hearing of the appeal at the Hall of Justice in Portof-Spain Friday afternoon. Before setting the date, Appellate Judge Peter Rajkumar enquired whether a meeting arranged by the company’s shareholders to regain control of the company’s board scheduled for next Tuesday could be postponed pending the determination of the Government’s appeal. Senior Counsel John Jeremie, who is representing one group of the shareholders, suggested a postponement would be nearly impossible, as newspaper advertisements had already been
issued announcing the meeting at 3.30 pm - five hours after the appeal is scheduled to begin. Head of the Government’s legal team, Deborah Peake, SC, agreed, as she said Jeremie and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC were only representing some of the shareholders who requisitioned the meeting and that their clients could not make a decision that would affect all shareholders. The appeal and the meeting falls on the same day the Government’s winding up petition for the company is expected to come up for hearing before High Court Judge Kevin Ramcharan, who dismissed the liquidator application on Wednesday night. The parties are expected to seek an adjournment of the petition in light of the hearing of their pending appeal.
During the brief hearing, Rajkumar instructed the attorneys to file their written submissions on both the urgency of appeal and the substantive issues over Ramcharan’s initial ruling. “If you get past the threshold of urgency, then we will immediately hear the substantive appeal. If you do not, then the appeal will fail,” Rajkumar told the State’s legal team. Appellate Judges Andre Des Vignes and Charmaine Pemberton are also on the panel. The Government made the application and a corresponding winding up petition for the company earlier this month, after the shareholders signalled their intention to change the composition of the board, which was government-controlled since the bailout of its cash-strapped subsidiary, Clico, in 2009.
Tourism Earns US$1.46 Billion for Jamaica in Six Months
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica generated US$1.46 billion in tourism earnings during the first six months of the 2017 calendar year to record an impressive 7.5 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2016. Additionally, the country welcomed 2,165,330 visitors up to the end of June this year, which was 3.9 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2016. These included 1,186,646 stopover
visitors and 978,684 cruise passengers. Those figures were announced Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who also said that a record 104,098 stopover visitors arrived during the first two weeks of July – a 14.9 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year. The Minister said all this indicated that the industry was, at the end of last month, ahead of the Government’s
projected growth targets, aimed at increasing visitor arrivals to five million and generating US$5 billion in five years. Bartlett said based on the support anticipated for upcoming events, such as the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference in Kingston and Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, growth for the overall fourmonth period between April and July will average over 10 per cent.
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Donald Trump says he has ‘complete power to pardon’ …he attacks Russia probes and intelligence leaks
Donald Trump (R) and Jeff Sessions President Donald Trump asserted he has “complete power to pardon” as he attacked the multiplying investigations into potential links between his campaign and Russia during last year’s election Mr Trump’s intervention followed reports that he and his legal team had explored his authority to pardon assistants, family members, and possibly even himself. The president said there was currently no need to use the power, because nothing wrong had been done. But his comment set up the potential future prospect of a constitutional crisis as the idea of a president self-pardon has never been tested. Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “While all agree the US President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.” That was a reference was referring to the latest leak
from US intelligence agencies suggesting Jeff Sessions, his embattled attorney general, discussed “substantive” issues with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign. Mr Kislyak was recorded by US agents in 2016 telling colleagues in Moscow that he discussed with Mr Sessions campaign-related matters, and prospects for US-Russia relations in a potential Trump administration. Their first encounter was in April 2016 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington before Trump’s first major foreign policy speech. The second was in July 2016 at the Republican National Convention. At the time Mr Sessions was a US senator and key foreign policy adviser to the candidate. A US official said:”The question is whether he crossed the line and discussed classified information, or talked about deals like lift-
ing sanctions if the Russians were interested in investing in the US, or had dirt on Secretary Clinton.” Mr Sessions, America’s top prosecutor, has previously denied, and continues to deny, discussing campaign issues with Russian officials. But in March he recused himself from an investigation being carried out by his own Justice Department into links between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mr Trump lashed out at Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is now investigating any links to Russia, calling on him to focus instead on Hillary Clinton’s email practices when she was US Secretary of State, and the conduct of James Comey, who Mr Trump fired as FBI Director. The president wrote on Twitter: “So many people are asking why isn’t the Special Counsel looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. (Yahoo News)
LONDON (Reuters) British transport minister Chris Grayling, one of Prime Minister Theresa May’s closest cabinet colleagues, has predicted she will remain in the job until at least 2020 and could even fight another national election. Following reports of cabinet infighting, Grayling said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, published yesterday, he was confident May would continue as prime minister once Brexit has been achieved in March 2019 because “she commands the overwhelming support of the Conservative Party”.
Grayling was May’s campaign manager when she won the Conservative Party leadership in 2016. May’s authority has been weakened after she lost her parliamentary majority in June’s election. She has vowed to stay on as prime minister, and senior members of her party say there is no appetite for a leadership contest or a fresh election. However, that has not stopped reports of infighting among ministers as potential successors vie for her job. The Daily Telegraph asked Grayling whether he thought May would still be
PM in 2020, rather than being forced out after Brexit in 2019. He said: “I absolutely want her to be and I think she will be.” Grayling did not rule out May fighting another election. “Who knows? We’ll see further down the road what happens, but ultimately I think it will be her choice, as it should for any prime minister about how long they want to serve.” Grayling also said there had been “a lot of exaggeration” about the extent of the row between his various cabinet colleagues.
May to stay as PM until at least 2020, close ally predicts
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U.S. lawmakers reach deal on sanctions bill for Russia, Iran, North Korea WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on legislation that allows new sanctions against Russia, Iran and now also North Korea, leading congressional Democrats said yesterday. The Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act passed the Senate a month ago but was held up in the House of Representatives after Republicans proposed including North Korea sanctions in the bill. Both chambers of Congress will have to pass the revised legislation. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, however, expressed concern that by including North Korea the legislation could face delays in the Senate. “While we support the tougher sanctions on North Korea, which the House has already passed, I am concerned that adding them to this bill instead of standalone
Nancy Pelosi legislation will cause further procedural delays in the Senate,” she said in a statement. “It is essential that the addition of North Korea to this package does not prevent Congress from immediately enacting Russia sanctions legislation and sending it to
the President’s desk before the August recess,” she added. Many lawmakers hope the bill would send a message to President Donald Trump to keep a strong line against Russia. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said a strong sanctions bill “is essential.” “I expect the House and Senate will act on this legislation promptly, on a broad bipartisan basis and send the bill to the President’s desk,” Schumer said in a statement. Senator Ben Cardin, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the agreement was reached after “intense negotiations.” “A nearly united Congress is poised to send President Putin a clear message on behalf of the American people and our allies, and we need President Trump to help us deliver that message,” he said in a statement.
Violence flares in Caracas at antiMaduro march, violinist hurt CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuelan soldiers on motorbikes fired teargas at hundreds of masked and stonethrowing youths in Caracas yesterday during the latest protest against President Nicolas Maduro. The Democratic Unity coalition had called a march on the pro-Maduro Supreme Court in support of alterna-
poured down his face, witnesses said. “Repression is the only way this regime keeps itself in power,” opposition lawmaker Luis Florido said at the march, blaming the Maduro government for the latest violence. The opposition coalition and a self-styled youth-led “Resistance” movement
Venezuela’s long-running political crisis has entered a dangerous new stage as the opposition escalates street tactics to try and block a controversial new super-congress Maduro wants to set up via an election next weekend. The opposition is boycotting that vote which they say is a sham intended to guarantee a majority for the
Demonstrators clash with riot security forces while rallying against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro’s government. REUTERS/Marco Bello TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
tive magistrates appointed by the opposition on Friday. But security forces blocked their way with armoured cars and riot shields. Clashes ensued, injuring several people including student protester Wuilly Arteaga, who has become famous for playing his violin in front of security lines. Paramedics attended Arteaga in the street as blood
launched protests in early April against Maduro whom they accuse of turning Venezuela into a dictatorship and wrecking what should be a prosperous economy. Since April, more than 100 people have died in the unrest, with thousands injured and hundreds arrested. Five people died during an opposition-led national strike on Thursday.
unpopular Maduro. They are demanding instead conventional elections to try and end nearly two decades of Socialist Party rule. Foes of Maduro are threatening to shut down Venezuela with protests to block the July 30 vote for the Constituent Assembly, which could re-write the constitution and disband the existing opposition-led legislature.
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Iran announces new missile production line - state media BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran announced the launch of a new missile production line yesterday, according to state media, against a backdrop of tension between the United States and Tehran. The Sayyad 3 missile can reach an altitude of 27 km (16 miles) and travel up to 120 km (74 miles), Iranian defence minister Hossein Dehghan said at a ceremony. The missile can target fighter planes, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and helicopters, Dehghan said. Last week, the United States slapped new economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile programme, and said Tehran’s “malign activities” in the Middle East undercut any “positive contributions” coming from a 2015 Iran nuclear accord. The measures signalled that the administration of President Donald Trump was seeking to put more pressure on Iran while keeping in place the agreement between Tehran and six world powers
to curb its nuclear programme in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions. The U.S. government said it was targeting 18 entities and people for supporting what it said were “illicit Iranian actors or transnational criminal activity”. Those sanctioned had backed Iran’s military or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps by developing drones and military equipment, producing and maintaining boats, and procuring electronic components, it said. Others had “orchestrated the theft of U.S. and Western software programs” sold to Iran’s government, the Treasury Department said. It was the second time Trump has certified Iranian compliance with the agreement since he took office in January, despite having described it as “the worst deal ever” during his 2016 presidential campaign, criticising then-President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated the accord.
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CPL tickets go on sale in Six West Dem./West Bank teams... B’ce from tomorrow Fans urged to come out and support Warriors CPL Guyana wishes to announce that the sale of tickets for the 2017Hero Caribbean Premier League Guyana games will commence on Tomorrow (Monday24th July 2017) at Mr. Vijai Ramdhan residence at Lot 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, Queenstown New Amsterdam, Berbice. Patrons can purchase their tickets from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Corporate companies/organizations wishing to purchase tickets can contact the ticketing office for further details on how to do so. The costs of tickets for this year’s CPL games are as follows:
· RED AND GREEN STANDS - $5,000 GY · ORANGE STAND $3,000 GY · GRASS MOUND $2,500 GY This year the organisers have put in place many security features to prevent counterfeiting and unlike some other venues, tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat numbers which will eliminate the possibility of overcrowding. Patrons are asked to make early purchases so as to avoid the rush as it get close to match Days. Four (4) exciting and high quality games are to be played in Guyana as follows: · Thursday 17th Au-
gust – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs at 6:00pm · Saturday 19th August – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders at 12 noon · Sunday 20th August – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents at 6:00pm · Tuesday 22nd August – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Lucia Stars at 6:00pm For further information on ticketing please feel free to contact the CPL Guyana office on telephone numbers231-5344, 231-2035 or 2255840 and on e-mail – cplguyana@gmail.com or Mr. Ramdhan on 622-0982 or 3335981.
Sunday July 23, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Matters pertaining to work must be completed before you leave. Don't be too eager to spend money that you really don't have. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Don't try to hide your true feelings from your mate. You may experience setbacks due to additional responsibilities with loved ones. Your emotional state will vacillate GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Be discreet with private information. Pleasure trips will promote romance. Deception is evident around you. If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Give everyone in the house a physical chore that will help burn off some of the excess energy. New relationships will surface through work related events.
stuck with delays. You will take on too much if you aren't careful. Stick to basics. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Large organizations may try to talk you out of your hardearned cash. Your added discipline will help you complete the impossible at work. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your dramatic approach to life has probably gotten to your mate. You need to get out and have some fun to reduce tension. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Get involved in volunteer work that will bring you satisfaction, not an empty wallet. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your stubborn nature will backfire if you give your mate an ultimatum. Your willingness to help others can and will lead to fatigue if you don't learn to say no. You will need to finalize important deals today.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't let your jealousy be the reason for a decaying relationship. Some situations may be blown out of proportion. Be aware of any deception on the part of those you deal with.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Communications with loved ones may be strained. You can expect changes in your living arrangements. Someone envious of your popularity may challenge you to a debate.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be sure not to burn any bridges. Don't expect others to live up to their promises and you won't be disappointed or find yourself
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) tDo not get into uncertain financial deals. Pleasure trips will be most enjoyable and should lead to new and lasting friendships.
(From page 69) on 14-2. Invaders trounced Progressive Youth by 16 runs; the former hammered 25 runs off their 2-overs losing one wicket in the process, Progressive Youth limped to 9-1 chasing. In the first round, Windsor Forest made the highest score of the day off their 5-overs, 83-3 with Deoram Chanderlir blasting 45. Pacesetters in reply were limited to the lowest total of the entire competition to date, 15-5. Prior to this match the
lowest score was 17-4 which was made by Rising Stars ‘A’ against South Side which responded with 23-0 led by Brian Hubbard’s 19. Central Stars posted 62-2 to which Ocean View responded with 66-4. Tornado All Stars got past HSS Safron Lions having reached 43-3 chasing the Lions’ 42-4. West Dem 08 restricted Top Class to 44-3 off their five and knocked up 462 with 3-balls to spare. Rising Star ‘B’ took care of Goed Intent which made 36-1 to which Rising Star responded with 37-1. All Youth
Sports Club, led by Jermaine ‘KP’ Ramroop, who lashed 26 (3x6), overhauled United All Rounders’ 42-5 by reaching 43-0. Invaders posted 64-6 to which Defenders could only reach 59-5. Progressive Youth made 36-3 responding to 34-3 by All Star 7, while Out and Bad were tamed by Specialist who made 20-0 replying to Out and Bad’s 19-1. The competition will continue today at the National Cultural Center Tarmac with the Georgetown Zone teams battling for spots in the Super 16 Round.
Exciting Men’s semis highlight... (From page 68) that he still has a lot to learn when she used her skill to comfortably defeat him 11 - 3, 11 - 2, 11 – 8 despite the at times, over 25-shots rallies between Fernandes and the 13-year-old Wilshire who never seemed to lose his cool. In the Men’s plate there were straight set wins in three of the four matches. Steven Xavier defeated Douglas De Groot 16 - 14, 11 - 5, 11 – 4, while Nicholas Narain beat Jonathan Antczak 11 - 3, 11 5, 12 - 10. Ben Mekdeci cruised past Adam Alves winning 11 - 3, 11 - 8, 11 – 2, while Javed Rahaman had a tough battle before overcoming Alex Cheeks 11 - 5, 8 - 11, 11 - 8, 12 - 10.
Adams urges cricketers... (From page 71) scores on the board; spinners were introduced early. With a batting line-up that includes Singh, Algoo, Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Christian and Orlando Jailall (who didn’t get an opportunity to bat), much was expected, but they found it difficult to adapt to the bouncier pitches there; some pitches were difficult but they could have done betterhowever, poor shot selection caused their downfall. Going forward, it is likely that these players will be selected to represent Guyana at the U19 level in the future, in fact, some of them are in the team for the U19 tournament starting shortly in St. Kitts. But lessons must be learnt from the U17 tournament. Players must be able to bat on different surfaces in order to perform consistently overseas. Players should not depend solely on coaches, at times they must be able to work on their own and do not wait for a tournament to start to find form; rather they must enter a tournament matchready.
In the Women’s plate Abosaide Cadogan won a hard fought match against her junior teammate Kirsten Gomes eventually winning 8 11, 11 - 5, 11 - 4, 12 - 10 while Victoria Arjoon had to play four games before beating Rebecca Low 11 - 2, 5 - 11, 11 3, 11 - 1. Makeda Harding also had a four-game win as she defeated Madison Fernandes 12 - 10, 11 - 7, 7 11, 11 - 7. In the Veterans 35 – 49, Joe Mekdeci all but sealed up the title with his hard fought five
game win over Khalil Alli. Joe won 12 - 10, 11 - 3, 4 - 11, 7 11, 11 - 2. Medhi Ramdhani defeated Robin Low in straight games 11 - 5, 11 - 4, 11 - 2. In the Veterans Over-50, David Fernandes fought hard to secure his victory against Stephen Persaud. David won 11 - 7, 7 - 11, 18 - 16, 11 - 9. The final matches in all of the categories were scheduled for last night with the presentation of prizes to follow immediately after the Men’s final.
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur Sports Week in Review SPORTS WEEK IN REVIEW The current inclement weather played havoc with some outdoor sporting event, but the indoor arena had its fair share of activity. However, it was at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas that Guyana looked in good stead with Albouystown youngster Keevin Allicock moving to medal contention at these games. KEEVIN ALLICOCK MOVES TO MEDAL CONTENTION AT COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES Guyana’s Keevin Allicock made his country proud by advancing to the medal round of the Commonwealth Youth Games Boxing Championship currently being staged in the Bahamas. The young man showed his mettle when he stormed to a commanding 4-1 victory in the Flyweight (52kg) division over British fighter Kian Bittles, prompting an elated response from Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle who was pleased that the youngster was guaranteed at least a Bronze medal. W A R A M A D O N G TROUNCE BARTICA SEC. 6-0 FOR DIGICEL SCHOOLS REGION 7 TITLE Waramadong has retained their status as the best in Region 7 when they trounced Bartica 6-0 in the Regional Final of this year’s Digicel Nationwide Schools Championship at the Ministry of Education ground. A brace of goals each from Reon McNaughton and second half substitute Devon Nathan carried the Regional Champs to their second 6-0 win in as many matches having hammered Paruima on Sunday last at the Waramadong Community Centre ground.
It was yet another no nonsense day for the Waramadong boys who were watched by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, MP, Digicel Head of Marketing Jacquline James and former CEO, Gregory Dean. They were due to play their national playoff match against Region 3 champions, Uitvlugt today at Leonora. GCC VINTAGE, PIZZA HUT GCC LADIES ENSURE GCC WIN THE ‘DOUBLE’ AT NOBLE HOUSE HOCKEY It was action galore as the curtains came down on the Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships at the National Gymnasium with a couple of pulsating finals which climaxed a well run and entertaining tournament with GCC teams giving their club the ‘double’ with victories in both the male and Female categories. Watched by good size and vocal crowd, which included former National Rugby Captain Ryan Gonsalves, the sensational men’s final could have gone either way with less than a minute to go but GCC Vintage showed they were like good wine and eventually scraped home with an upset 10-8 win to hand Bounty GCC their first defeat in the tournament in very hot conditions. Pizza Hut GCC ladies defeated Saints 16-12 to capture the female trophy to give GCC, Guyana oldest and most famous club, both titles and plenty of bragging rights. At the Presentation the Male and Female Champions received Trophies and Medals as did the runners-up, while Donyale Nurse of Saints (best female goalkeeper), Sonia Jardine of Pizza Hut GCC (most goals 14) and Kevin Spencer of Bounty GCC (most goals 12) were also rewarded. (Sean Devers)
Kevin Spencer’s 21 goals captured the male title for most goals and is flanked by Donyale Nurse of Saints (right), the best goalkeeper and Sonia Jardine of Pizza Hut GCC (left) most goals. (Sean Devers photo) DAVE & CELINA ALL STARS CROWNED 2017 GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF THE STREETS’ NATIONAL CHAMPS SHOWSTOPPERS END THIRD Playing almost flawless football and displaying excellent team spirit and understanding, the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden has seen its very own, Dave & Celina All Stars crowned the 2017 Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Champions at Demerara Park, Thirst Park. Witnessed by a colourful crowd, the clash of Linden vs the West Side saw the lads from Linden featuring three National Beach Soccer players, Captain Kennard Simon, Keon Sears and Cordel Johnson; humble their rivals from
the West Side, Hustlers, in dominant fashion, 4-1. They were led by one of the best athletes in this format of the game, the indefatigable elder statesman, Rawle ‘Bony Man’ Gittens who blasted a double, the first and final goal in the 6th and 20th minute; having already netted a hat-trick in the semi final encounter, earlier in the night. Captain Kennard Simon added his name on the score sheet in the 12th minute as his side out-hustled, Hustlers. Keon Sears made his presence felt adding to the teams’ success with a goal on 19 minutes. The new champions earned for themselves the winning purse of $550,000 and trophy with the losers receiving $300,000 and trophy. The third place match featured Showstoppers taking care of Silver Bulllets 1-0 to lift the third prize of $200,000 and trophy, while fourth place attracted a prize of $100,000. The new champs, exuded confidence throughout the championship at the regional and national levels and received the unflinching support of team owner, Lalta Ramdehol who was present at all their matches. Showstoppers’ Hubert Pedro was their star in the third place match as his 4th minute strike made all the difference against Silver Bullets which failed to fire. Soaking in all the action were Guinness Brand Manager Mr. Lee Baptiste, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Managing Director of Colours Boutique, Mr. Milton Branford and Communications Director of Banks DIH, Troy Peters. API A SUCCESS – ALIANN POMPEY
Winning Combo! From right, Owner of Dave & Celina All Stars Lalta Ramdehol, Keon Sears, Gerald Gittens and Kennard Simon.
Meet Director of the 2nd Annual Aliann Pompey
Invitational International Track and field Meet, Aliann Pompey has hailed this year’s event a success from the standpoint that a lot of athletes competed, while a number of records were broken. Sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and recognised as a South American Grand Prix Meet, a total of 17 countries were represented with a total of 14Olympians exhibiting their talent. Pompey, herself a four-time Olympian recognised the efforts of Team Guyana which she noted won gold and silver in a few events. ”I think it was also successful because of the amount of people that came out in the stands to watch the event; I think they were entertained so overall, it’s a plus.” While expressing pleasure at being able to have inked the headline athlete in the caliber of Kim Collins as a result of increased sponsorship, she will be working on attracting more athletes of this standard. ”We have to offer an incentive for these athletes to come here, that’s the big thing. We have the contacts; we have the ability to reach out to these athletes but we have to give them a reason to be here. We have to tell them financially it makes sense; we have to be able to sell that it will be well attended particularly for the field events and the triple jump where they feed off of the energy from the crowd.” Selling the Guyanese hospitality was another salient point Pompey noted is very important for athletes to feel at home. Athletes from St. Kitts and Nevis, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, (Continued on page 67)
Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur Sports Week in Review (From page 66) USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Turks & Caicos Islands, British Vi r g i n I s l a n d s , S u r i n a m e , Dominican Republic, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Jamaica among others participated in this event. They not only came to compete but a number of them were also attempting to make the qualifying s t a n d a r d s f o r Wo r l d Championships which will be held in London later this month, this in itself underscores the high level of recognition the event has already been able to acquire from the world body, IAAF. Pompey, who expressed sincere gratitude to her sponsors for partnering with her to make the Meet a success, also acknowledged the efforts of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and its staff. Sponsors on board this year were NSC/MoE, Fly Jamaica, Banks DIH through its Rainforest Water, Powerade and Malta S u p r e m e b r a n d s , I A A F, ConSudAtle, Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Quality Plus Fast Foods, GOA, Douglas & Associate, P.C. (Attorneys at Law) of NYC, SDS Petroleum, Amethyst Marine Service, Star Party Rentals and Hit & Jam 94.1 FM. WARRIORS CAMP TO START JULY 26 IN GUYANA FOR CPL T20 CRICKET The fifth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set to bowl off in St Lucia on August 4 and will climax with the grand finals on September 9 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, while the Guyana Amazon Warriors opens their campaign on August 5 with a game against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Florida USA. With GTT as their premium sponsor for the first time this year, the Warriors will begin their camp in Guyana from July 26 as they prepare to break the jinx of losing in the finals in three of past four tournaments, including last year when they were beaten by two-times Champions Jamaica. The Camp, which will be attended by all their members including the ones from overseas, will include two practice games and a simulation match. The Warriors will play four home games from August 17 to 22 at the Providence Stadium and tickets for the venue which accommodates 15,000 fans went on sale from last Friday at the CPL Head office at Camp and Quamina streets. The Warriors face Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 18:00hrs under lights, they then battle Trinbago Knight Riders on the 19th from noon in their only
Officials at the launch in Linden; (from left) Mark Scott Technical Director of the Meet, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Edison Jefford, Colin Boyce and Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland. day game before opposing Barbados Tridents on the 20th from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars in another 18:00hrs match-up on August 22. Tickets will be $5,000 for the Green and Reds stands, while the cost of admission to the Orange stand is $3,000 and the Mound $ 2,500. Vehicles parking on the tarmac will pay $1,500 for the pass, while $500 will be charged for parking in the lot between the Stadium and the Ramada Princess Georgetown Hotel. Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill, Chadwick Walton, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Rashid Khan, Jason Mohammed, Steven Taylor, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Gajanand Singh, Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Kemo Paul and Ali Khan. EIGHTH BOYCE/JEFFORD CLASSIC LAUNCHED IN LINDEN Stakeholders launched the eighth installment of the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic at Chicken’s Stag Bar on Republic Avenue, Linden with 21 international athletes gearing to compete against Guyana’s best on August 12-13 at the MSC Ground. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones commended the organisers for hosting the event for the past eight years. Jone s b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e continuity of the Championships in Linden indicates the high level of commitment the organisers have to the community. Jones said that he is certain that all the current crop of athletes in and out of Linden would have passed through the Classic. He said that these are the types of programmes to identify talent for the next level and encouraged more persons to develop such activities.
Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland echoed similar sentiments when he said that he is happy to see the Classic in Linden for yet another year. He believes that the continued effort of the organisers to remain steadfast with a “signature event” in Linden shows enormous commitment to the community of Linden. Holland pleaded with ‘Lindeners’ to come out in numbers and show appreciation for the consistent confidence the organisers have shown in the community. The athletes confirmed to compete in Linden next month are from eight countries, including the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Martinique, and for the first time at the meet, Uganda and Barbados. The Clubs will compete for $2 million in cash with $1 million allotted to the winner; $500,000 to second place; $300,000 to third place and $200,000 fourth place. In addition, the competition has six international events, including the male and female 200m, male 800m, female 1500m and the male and female Long Jump. Each of the international events carries at US$500 purse with US$250 for the winner; US$150 to second and US$100 for third. The male and female champion athletes will also cash in, running away with $50,000 each. Eight gate prizes will also be given away to lucky ticket holders. Children tickets are available at ZSK Beverage Depot only for $500, while all other tickets will be $1000 at the venue on the day. PORT MOURANT TRAINING CENTRE WIN ROLLERS VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION IN NEW AMSTERDAM T h e B e r b i c e Vo l l e y b a l l
Association (BVA) once again successfully completed another volleyball tournament with the playing off of the Rollers Vo l l e y b a l l C l u b o n e d a y Volleyball extravaganza at The GTM Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice. A total of 10 teams p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e d a y ’s competition which saw three different categories played: males, female and juniors. Among the males teams that competed were Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC), Under 18, Police Recruits and hosts Rollers Volleyball Club of New Amsterdam. Among the females were: - Port Mourant Female and Corriverton Jets. The teams that participated in the junior category were: GTCPM1, GTCPM2, Corriverton Jets ‘A’ and Corriverton Jets ‘B’. In the end it was the (PMTC) lads that came out tops in the senior category after defeating the U-18 combination 26-24 in a close encounter that went down to the wire. The female competition saw Port Mourant females getting the better of their counterparts from Corriverton Jets 2-0. The winning scores were – 21-18, 21-17. The junior male category saw PMTC1 defeating Corriverton Jets A 25-20 to take the first place in that division. WINS FOR PARADISE INVADERS, COUGARS IN GFF/BFA NAMILCO U-17
LEAGUE Paradise Invaders and Cougars recorded wins in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) Thunderbolt Flour Power Intra Association Under-17 League. Enjoying home advantage at the Paradise ground, Paradise Invaders edged Hopetown Rangers 2-1, while 9-man Cougars trounced Young Strikers 2-0 playing at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam. For Paradise, both goals were scored in the first half, Daniel Nicholson, playing his first official match for Paradise opened proceedings in the 12th minute with Shaqueel DeHarte’s 22minute strike doubling the lead. A fighting Hopetown Rangers side pulled one back with a very good finish from Telston Miller in the 26th minute after receiving a pass from the right side on the edge of the 18 yards box. In not so favourable conditions as the west side, Cougars, playing with nine men, showed their superiority over newcomers Young Strikers by scoring one goal in each half, both off the boot of Dwaine Alleyne to deny their opponents. Alleyne was on target in the 16th and 39th minutes as the match was played for only 70 minutes due to persistent rain.
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools’ cricket
Keevin Allicock to fight in Dicks’ unbeaten 69 spurs Commonwealth Youth Oakville to 7th place Games final today Ramsammy takes 3-26 but School of the Nation lose
Mark Ramsammy
Dwayne Dick
Lodge School of Barbados and Ch Ch Foundation School will clash today at the Kensington Oval in an all Barbados final of the 31st annual Sir Garfield Sobers International 40-over Schools cricket tournament after winning their semifinals on Friday. Another entertaining unbeaten 69 from Guyana’s 16-year-old Dwayne Dick who featured in an unfinished century fifth wicket stand with the in-
form 17-year-old Jamaican Bryan Browne who made 65 not out to spearheaded Oakville Cricket Academy of Canada to a 38-run win over London Schools Cricket Association of England at the Bank Hall ground. The win gave the Canadian school the seventh position in the rain affected tournament as they reached 199-4 in 36 overs with Matthew Nandu (18) and Neil Johnson (18) contributing at the top of the
order as George Garrett had 3-27 for London Schools who fell for 161 in 29.5 overs. Bhajay Purewal top scored with 25 as Shemar Davis (5-45) bagged, his second five-wicket haul and Dick returned with his offspin to take 2-25 to see his team to victory. At the James Bryan ground, T&T’s Fatima College beat School of the Nations of Guyana by five wickets after the Guyanese school was dismissed for 87 in 27.5 overs despite Vishal Persaud’s 31 not out and Mark Ramsammy’s 14. Devin Downie 4-19, Antonio Lochan 3-16 and Andel Nicholas 2-16, did the damage with the ball for Fatima who reached 88-5 in 27 overs. Jeremiah Cruickshank made 28 not out and Andel Nicholas 19 as Ramsammy, Nation’s most consistent player in the tournament, captured 3-26. School of the Nations finished in the 22nd place, while St Joseph’s High, the other Guyanese school in the tournament, did not qualify for Friday’s play-offs.
G u y a n a ’s K e e v i n Allicock made a further march up the medal round of the Commonwealth Youth G a m e s B o x i n g Championship currently being staged in the Bahamas and will battle in the gold medal match today. The Albouystown lad had stormed to a commanding 4-1 victory in the Flyweight (52kg) division over British fighter Kian Bittles on Friday. Yesterday Allicock was simply dominant as he marched to a 5-0 victory over a Canadian fighter Jordan Mathieu. Known for his aggression and skill, Allicock outfought his opponent to make a clean sweep on the Judges cards to battle in the gold medal contest set for today at 1:00pm. The least he can come away with from these games is a silver medal, but no doubt having scented gold, his opponent, M.A. James, a 16 year old, from England will be in for a torrid time. James also showed his
Keevin Allicock
ability, winning 5-0, beating Taylor Hamilton of Scotland in his bout. Meanwhile, Guyanese middle distance athlete Claudrice McKoy finished 13th of the 13 competitors in the 3000m event. Onassha Rodgers qualified for the final of the 200m race
yesterday. In the swimming competition, Kenita Mahaica finished 6th in heat 2 of the 50m Freestyle event and Daniel Scott finished 8th of 8 competitors in the Boys 50m Freestyle heat 2, both failing to advance to the medal rounds.
Digicel Senior Nat Squash C/Ships
Confident India will Exciting Men’s semis offer hosts England highlight Friday’s action stern test in final (Reuters) - England start as favourites to lift their fourth Women’s World Cup title at Lord’s today, but face an Indian side high on confidence after knocking out defending champions Australia in the semifinals. Indian middle order batsman Harmanpreet Kaur took centre stage with an unbeaten 171 and was backed by a disciplined performance by her bowlers as India pulled off a 36-run upset win over six-time world champions Australia. England, captained by Heather Knight, edged out South Africa by two wickets in the other semi-final, and hold the head-to-head advantage over India in the 50-over format at World Cups, with six wins to the visitors’ four. But the Indian squad’s ability to grind out results under pressure will not have
gone unnoticed, least of all by the English, who were beaten by India by 35 runs in their first match of the tournament. Since that defeat the hosts have won seven matches in a row to reach the final. Knight and opening batsman Tammy Beaumont have been consistent at the top of the order, scoring 750 runs in the tournament so far, while the reliable Natalie Sciver at number four is the only player to have recorded two centuries. India, skippered by Mithali Raj, are chasing their first World Cup title and are known for their strong batting lineup, but it is their spin bowling trio that has wreaked the most havoc during the tournament. O ff - s p i n n e r D e e p t i Sharma has been the key to their success in the middle
overs, picking up 12 wickets on her World Cup debut. Sharma has been backed by leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht, who decimated Pakistan with a five-wicket haul earlier in the tournament. Raj and veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami are the only two members from the last Indian side that reached a World Cup final — when they lost to Australia in 2005. “It seems like it’s going back to 2005, and I am just too happy that the girls have given us an opportunity to be a part of World Cup finals again,” Raj said after the semi-final victory. “They have performed well throughout the tournament in the run-up to the finals. Playing the hosts is going to be a challenge but, having said that, this unit is up for it.”
The 2017 Digicel Senior National Squash Championships continued on Friday night at the Georgetown Club with semi final action in the Men’s and Women’s Open, Men’s classic plate matches, second round Men’s and Women’s plate matches and round robin matches in the Men’s Veterans categories. In the Men’s Open both semi finals provided high class squash play with one semi- final going the full distance of five games, while the other match lasted four games. In the first Men’s semi finals number 2 seed Richard Chin survived a five game scare against Nyron Joseph and eventually booked his place in the final. Chin easily won the first game and then won a close second game 14 - 12. Joseph, however, bounced back to win the third game 11 - 9 and the fourth game 11 - 8. Chin, however, used his
experience to decisively win the fifth game 11 - 3. In the second Men’s semi finals defending champion Alex Arjoon again renewed his rivalry with Kristian Jeffrey. It was a replay of last year’s final when Arjoon emerged victorious and Jeffery was hoping to turn the tables this time around. Jeffery won a long first game 14 - 12, but Arjoon fought back to win the second game 11 - 5. These two games seemed to take its toll on Jeffery as Arjoon then stepped up the pressure and won the third and fourth games fairly comfortably 11 - 5, 11 - 6. In the first Women’s semi finals number 1 seed Nicolette Fernandes showed her class as she defeated Caribbean U-19 champion Taylor Fernandes 11 - 8, 11 6, 11 - 0. In the second Women’s semi finals, defending champion Ashley Khalil showed that she is still a
force to be reckoned with when she withstood the challenge of Mary Fung-AFat to advance to her second consecutive final. Ashley had game ball in the first game at 10 - 8 but Fung-a-Fat held her nerve and eventually won the game 13 11. Khalil increased the pace of the game and won the second game 11 - 5 and then easily won the third game 11 - 1. Fung-a-Fat jumped out to a 6 - 1 lead in the fourth game but could not hold this lead as Khalil clawed her way back to six all and eventually closed out the match with a 11 - 8 game win. In the Men’s classic plate Jason Ray Khalil bounced back from his devastating loss the previous evening to Joseph to overcome Jean Claude Jeffrey in straight games 11 - 8, 11 - 9, 11 – 2, while Nicolette Fernandes showed an extremely talented Shomari Wiltshire (Continued on page 65)
Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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GTT Tapeball Competition
Six West Dem./West Bank teams advance to Super 16 Rd By Franklin Wilson Following an intense day of battles at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground yesterday, six teams from the West Bank / West Demerara zone of the GTT 5-overs, 7a-side Tapeball cricket competition have advanced to the Super 16 round which will be contested on Sunday next at the National Park when the tournament will conclude. On a steamy day which saw a total of 22-teams turning up to take part, only six made it through when the final ball was bowled in the second round of matches. Striking luck on the day were Rising Stars ‘B’ Team which drew the bye to the final day of competition. That apart, Spartans, West Dem 08, South Side, Specialists and Invaders are the other five teams that have
advanced to the Super 16 round of matches. Yesterday’s first round saw the teams battling for 5overs each but the captains and organiser agreed in the interest of time and fading light that the second round of matches would be 2-overs per side. The highlight of this round was the demolition of Windsor Forest by Specialists and particularly, opening batsman Malcolm Hubbard who clobbered the Windsor Forest opening bowler for the winning runs in just 3-balls. Windsor Forest took first strike and posted 17-2 off their 2-overs, Hubbard blasted the first three balls for sixes to end the match in breathtaking fashion in taking his team to the Super 16 round. This was the only team that chased down a total successfully in the
Massy on board! Warriors train gathers speed as it heads for the USA Massy Industries under their Crix Biscuit brand on Friday became the latest co-sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when they jumped on board the sponsorship train, which is gathering speed at it approaches Florida for the Warriors’ first game on August 5 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. The launching was done at Massy’s Ruimveldt location and Bermudez’s Manager Alvin Wilson handed over a symbolic cheque to seal the deal to Warriors’ Operations Manager Omar Khan. “We are proud sponsors of the Amazon Warriors and Crix is firm on giving back to the Guyanese public by offering various prizes and tickets. We encourage the Guyanese public to come out and support the team. This partnership seeks to give back to the fans,” Wilson stated. “This agreement is timely and jells with the management’s idea of reaching out to fans,” said Trinidadian Khan. “We embrace the opportunity and we thank them for coming on board. We are happy to be here to support their effort and hope the Guyanese public does likewise,” the Manager added. Massy’s Marketing Supervisor Elisa Howard explained how the public can get involved and informed that coupons can be uplifted at several of the leading supermarkets. Persons seeking to enter into the draw have three options. They can purchase two packs of Crix or four packs of Mini Crix or one pack of Crix and two packs of Mini Crix. They will then have to uplift and fill out a coupon from the cashier and enter into Crix entry boxes at selected outlets to win Tickets and other prizes. Under the tagline ‘win tickets for Cricket with Crix’, the promotion will conclude with a drawing on August 12. Participating outlets in Georgetown are: Bounty Chain of Supermarkets, S &S Chain, Massy Stores and Ram’s Supermarket. Berbice: Jay’s Supermarket, M. Alli Supermarket and Gas Station, Price is right and Goodlife. Essequibo: Iman Bacchus Supermarket, Safeway Supermarket #1, B. Jones Supermarket and G&P Jaigobin Supermarket. (Sean Devers)
second round of matches. Spartans posted 19-3 and restricted All Youth Sports Club to 10-3 in reply. West Dem. 08 rallied to 25-3 and limited Ocean View to 15-2 in response. In a heart popping match, South Side managed 15-2 off their two overs; Tornado almost made it through, they ended (Continued on page 65)
Malcolm Hubbard
Brian Hubbard
Deoram Chanderlir
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Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Major stables on board Four Horsemen Emancipation horserace Meet All of the major stables in Guyana are on board as systems fall in place for the Four Horsemen one Day Emancipation Horserace Meet. The event which is slated for Tuesday 1st August at the Port Mourant (Big Yard) Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice, has so far attracted over 50 entries. The seven race Meet has a prize package of over $5M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the taking and an action packed day of racing is anticipated. With that in focus the authorities are giving it their all as they push in final preparations for the big
event. Most of the sprucing up work has already been completed. Among the top stables on board with multiple entries are -The Jumbo Jet stable, the Elcock / Poonai stable, The Inshan Bacchus Stable, the Shariff Stable, Singh Racing Stable, the Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Stable, The Jagdeo Stable, the Vibert Stable, the Crawford stable the Night Eyes Stables, The Saul, Habibulla, Bactowar racing stables among others. The feature event is for animals classified E3 nonwinners for 2016 and 2017 which also caters for animals’ classified F and G
that has not earned over $500,000 for 2017. Among the line up so far are Storm Bird, Media Day, Climate Change, It’s MY Turn, Bridgestone Corner, Cat Messiah, Because I Say So, Super Bowl and Midnight Blues all excellent runners with most being in the winning enclosure already. Picking a winner will be any one guess. The distance is 1300M for a winning take of $350,000 and trophy compliments of Banks DIH Limited. The other events will see the 3 years old Guyana Bred animals galloping over 1300 meters for a winning take of $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d t r o p h y.
GASA affiliate seeks Minister’s intervention into lack of accountability No audited statements since 2010 The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) under the Presidency of Ivan Persaud who also holds the portfolio of Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) is under the spotlight as one of its affiliates is not satisfied with its modus operandi. The longest serving member of the association, Dorado Speed Swim Club (DSSC) has sought the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry with regards to investigating GASA for alleged ‘lack of accountability’. In the letter to the Minister, the club has indicated that there has not been any audited statements to the members since 2010 and based on this, is questioning how funds are given to the association which is not complying with regulations of the NSC Act. It quoted the following NSC article in this regard: Article 20. (1) of the National Sports Commission Act states: “No grant from the funds of the Commission shall be made to any sports organisation unless the Commission is satisfied that such organisation does not contravene the provisions of this Act, keeps proper accounts and other records in respect of its operations and is prepared to give the undertaking required under subsection (2)” The club stated that to the best of its knowledge and given the fact that no information is provided to them {DSSC}by the association, shared that the
Minister Nicolette Henry
Ivan Persaud
following funds were provided to the association in 2016 as follows: 1. Olympic Qualifier (Paraguay) - $650,000; 2. President Ivan Persaud – trip to Hungary – sum unknown; 3. Goodwill 2016 (St. Lucia) - $ 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 + . It is questioning how then the GASA Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st December, 2016 that was circulated at the February 2017 AGM shows a total income of 4,375,414 and does not include any funds from the NSC. DSSC is contending that the lack of accountability is compounded by a pattern of exclusion of their club from funds obtained from the Government of Guyana through the National Sports Commission (NSC). They went on to cite two examples to Minister Henry: 1. Goodwill Swimming Championships 2016 – On June 17, 2016 GASA held a meeting with parents of the children on the Goodwill Squad and informed them that the cost per child was US$1,239. Further, there was the possibility that
parents would have to contribute to the cost of the official (meaning a possible cost of $1,500 per child). Dorado members said they could not afford this. We knew nothing further until the team was leaving Guyana and a newspaper article stated that the NSC had contributed over four million dollars to the team. 2. Carifta 2017 – We were informed, by the travel agent being used by GASA, that he had provided an invoice for approximately $650,000 for travel to the Bahamas. He was subsequently paid for two tickets. A Dorado swimmer (Ms. Lian Winter) had also attained Carifta qualifying times but GASA at no time informed us of the availability of funding. We contacted the Director of Sport and received $160,000 which covered most of the cost of Lian’s airfare. DSSC has indicated to the Minister that they are prepared to meet with her to provide any further clarification that may be needed to rectify the issue in the interest of transparency and the future of Guyana’s young swimmers.
The animals classified H3 and lower over 1200M running for a first prize of $300,000 and trophy. The 2 yrs old Guyana bred animals will be racing over 900M for a $250,000 reward and trophy. The race for I3 & lower animals will be a 1200M affair for a wining prize of $200,000 and trophy. The J3 and lower animals and those 4 years and older and K class will be racing over 1100M for a winning prize of $150,000 over 1100M. The L class non earners of $150,000 in 2017 will be racing for a winning take of $120,000 and trophy over 1200M. Meanwhile, the Delmur Trading and Shipping Company have handed over their sponsorship for the event to the organisers at a simple ceremony in Berbice. Doing the honours for the Company was Secretary Loresa Mohabir, while well known jockey Paul Delph collected on behalf of the organising committee. Other sponsors on board are Banks DIH Limited, Just Water, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Cummings Electrical, Attorney at Law
Loresa Mohabir of the Delmur Company hands of the sponsorship cheque to Jockey Paul Delph of the Organising Committee. R.N Poonai Fazal Habibulla of Hablaw Meat Center and Rising Sun Cattle Ranch, Assuria Insurance Incorporated, Sankar Auto Works –Valvoline, Fix It Hard Ware and Bothers Incorporated among others. The top jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies a n d o t h e r i n c entives
compliments of the organisers. Interested persons can contact Bobby Vaughn on 624 6788, 223-5097, 2277061, 333-0290 or 3330301; Fazal Habibulla on 657 010; Ramnauth on 3375311, 697-1979 or Campton Sancho on 690-0569 for more information. Colin Elcock is the Coordinator. Race time is 12:30 hrs.
GCB CONGRATULATES ITS RISING STAR, BHASKAR YADRAM The Executive and members of the Guyana Cricket Board is expressing its immense appreciation and satisfaction with the performance of our young West Indies Under-19 stars against some very tough opponents on their home soil, the board stated in a release. To s a y t h a t t h i s tournament was closely fought would be a misnomer as it literally went down to the last ball of the 5 match series where our Under 19 superstars came out victorious 3-2 in a nailbiting series. We are positive that this series win on foreign soil against very strong competition would provide much needed confidence to our boys as they prepare to defend the ICC Under 19 World Cup shortly, the board stated. Congratulations must be extended to our young rising star, BhaskarYadram, who was fittingly named the Man of the Series since he top scored for the WI with the bat in the series and played a very instrumental role with the ball, so much so, that he was given the last over of the series to defend 11 runs and
BhaskarYadram 3 runs in the last 2 balls. WI eventually won the series decider by 2 runs after he bowled 3 dot balls. We are extremely proud of his indisputable talent and accomplishments and join the entire Guyana in wishing him well in his future
exploits on the cricket field and feel confident that he is ready to play a pivotal role in the defence of our ICC Cup. Congrats are also extended to the entire WI Under 19 team and its management for a great series win, the GCB noted.
Sunday July 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 75
The sky is the limit for Guyana’s Squash Player, Mary Fung-A-Fat By Sean Devers At 23, Guyana’s Squash Player, Mary Fung-a-Fat has achieved things that many don’t in their entire lives. “I started my pro career in January 2017 when I competed in two tournaments in the US. I will be based in Philadelphia and have tournaments scheduled in Canada in September, October and November,” Fung-a-Fat who lives in Philadelphia, informed. Mary says the benefits of turning Professional are for Country and personal pride, adding that she wants to show the youngsters that they can achieve anything through hard work and determination. “I want to take my co l leg e s q u as h ca r ee r forward and show our juniors that academics and Sport can go hand in hand. I’ve represented Guyana from a young age so this is the next step to see how much further I can reach,” said Mary who has lived in USA for the last four years to fulfill her College commitments. But everything in life has a price…even dreams! “If I had one wish right now, it would be to have enough financial assistance behind me so that I can fully chase my dream of becoming a professional squash
player,” revealed the former U-13, 15, 17 and 19 Caribbean Squash Champion. Mary was able to secure a sport scholarship to play Varsity college squash at Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2013 and graduated this June with a Bachelors of Science in Health Science. The 2012 National Runner-up Junior Sports Woman of the Year started playing squash when she was seven and one of the earliest memories she has of competing was when she was 11 and played her first junior Caribbean tournament in Jamaica 2006. She won the U-13 title which was the first of many more to come. “My Dad played squash at the Georgetown club ever since I was a child but it wasn’t until my Mom took my Brother for a lesson with our legendary National Coach, Carl Ince, that my passion sparked. Coach looked at me and asked if I wanted to join them on court. I was very shy and reluctant. Then mom said to give it a shot and if I didn’t like it then I could just come right off...and I never came off,” revealed Mary. “My most memorable moment in squash was my last junior Caribbean Squash tour in Jamaica in 2012. It
was where I had won my first title in 2006 and then my last. It was surreal. On the night of the closing ceremony I made a speech, and I said “My junior squash career has been a dream, a fairytale with squash as my Prince Charming and Coach Carl Ince my fairy Godfather.” And now as I head into this next chapter of my Squash career, I strive to write another fairytale.” From National U-13, 15 and 19 Champion, Mary has steadily climbed the ladder in her Squash career. In 2008 she was a member of Guyana’s Bronze medal team at the 2008 Junior Pan American Squash Championships in Peru. In 2012 she played as the wild Card in the WSA World Open in the Cayman Islands before participating in Liberty Bell Open in the U.S. in 2003. Mary was a member of National Team for 2014 Pan American Qualifiers in Mexico and at the 2015 CAC Championships in Mexico. This year the affable Sportswoman has already taken part in The Masters School Open and Corporation Service Company Delaware Women’s Open in North America. A Level 2 British certified Squash Coach, Mary was Voted Most
A young Mary with Coach Carl Ince. Valuable Player for the Drexel Varsity Women’s team for 2016-2017. “Nicolette has been a big inspiration to me because she grew up playing on the same courts as I did at the Georgetown Club before going on to play Professional squash,” disclosed Mary. According to the livewire young lady who intends to continue her studies to become a Physical Therapist, Nicol David, the 36-year-old female Malaysian player who held the world number 1 ranking from 2006 to July 2015, is another one of her squash idols. “A combination of the selfless support of my parents, the blessing that is our level 4 elite British
Mary Fung-a-Fat turned Pro in January 2017. trained National coach, Carl Ince, and my college Coaches Kelsey Engman and former world number 1 squash player, John White have helped me the most in my career so far,” stated Mary. Her parents never intended for her to become a squash player. “But I loved it, I was good at it and here I am,” Mary said with a huge smile which lit up her face. Off the Court the pretty lass was a member of her High S c h o o l ’s C h e s s , Recorder and Debate Club in addition to passing the Grade 3 Practical in Piano and Grade 2 Theory of Music of The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music. She was also a member
of and performed for the Guyana National School of Dance in 2005 and attended the Burrowes School of Art Summer Programme in 2008 so it was not surprising that for fun and when she has the time, Mary loves to draw. “You never know what you have until it’s gone. Having been away in the US for four years at college, I realised my favourite dish is... all Guyanese homecooked cuisine — particularly salt fish and bakes!” Mary said with a good old Guyanese laugh. The focused and hard working Mary knows exactly where she wants to go and is seeking corporate sponsorship to get there and make Guyana and the Caribbean proud.
Adams urges cricketers to use U17 tourney as a stepping stone By Zaheer Mohamed Former West Indies Captain and CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said he is happy with the raw materials available in the Caribbean. Adams was speaking at the closing ceremony of the regional U17 50-over tournament which was held at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday night. Trinidad and Tobago retained the title after rain put an end to an exciting climax of the competition. Barbados took the runner up spot. Guyana won two out of four games, while their last match was abandoned against Barbados at Gilbert Park. Adams stated he is impressed with the talent at this level and urged the players to use the tournament as a stepping stone for their careers and he
CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams addresses the gathering at the closing ceremony of the regional U17 tournament at the National Cycling Centre, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. hopes to see them playing at higher levels in the future. “The raw material here gives encouragement and we want to ensure that the system polish the players so they can perform consistently on the international stage,” he added. He congratulated the top
performers of the competition and spoke about the importance of age group cricket in the region. Adams, who played 54 test matches and scored 3012 runs at an average of 41.26 with a highest score of 208 not out, thanked the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board for hosting the tournament
and stressed about the importance of sponsorship. CEO of TTCB, Suruj Ragoonath, said the U17 tournament is being used primarily to bridge the gap between the regional U15 and U19 competitions stating that 13 of the 15 players that played in the victorious West Indies U19 World Cup team last year participated in previous U17 tournaments. He congratulated the players and urged them to remain committed. Leonardo Julien of Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o received the award for effecting the most dismissals as a wicket-keeper, 12, two ahead of Guyanese Kevin Christian. Rashawn Worrell of Barbados who scored the only century (101), was the highest run scorer with 137 runs at an average of 45.67 followed by Kirk McKenzie of Jamaica with 123 runs at an average of 24.6 with his best being 81, Guyanese
Sachin Singh was third on the table with 121 runs at an average of 30.25 with his best being 52. Kevon Anderson was the other Guyanese in the top 10, placing seventh, scoring 108 runs at an average of 36 with a best of 52. Sameer Ali of the home team and Matthew Forde of Barbados took the most wickets (13), but Ali, who had a best of 6-9, took home the award with an average of 11.15, while Forde, who had a best of 4-25, averaged 12.46. Guyanese Kevin Umroa and Anderson were among the top wicket takers with both of them taking five-wicket hauls; the other being Ali and Zawandi White of Leeward Islands. Avinash Mahabirsingh of Trinidad and Tobago was voted the most valuable player. Meanwhile, some of the earlier games were also affected by the inclement weather.
Guyana registered victories against Jamaica and Leeward Islands and lost to Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands, while their last game was against Barbados. They finished on 13.3 points behind T and T 19.8, Barbados 15.3, Windward Islands 14.5, Leeward Islands 13.3 and Jamaica 1.3. While Adams said that he is satisfied with the standard of the tournament, many batsmen failed to carry on after getting good starts. Names that readily come to mind are Sachin Singh, Kevlon Anderson and Alex Algoo. Guyana had one of the most powerful batting sides on tour, but had to rely on bowlers to win games. The bowlers, mainly the spinners, did a fine job, however the fast bowlers didn’t get an opportunity to bowl for long spells primarily because the batsmen failed to put decent (Continued on page 65)
t r o Sp Digicel Senior Nat Squash C/Ships
Exciting Men’s semis highlight Friday’s action
Confident India will offer hosts England stern test in final
Nicolette Fernandes (left) had little time to rest on Friday Night but showed her dominance over her Cousin and Caribbean U-19 Champion Taylor Fernandes. (Sean Devers photo)
Heather Knight and Mithali Raj pose with the World Cup at Lord’s, England v India, Women’s World Cup, Final, London, July 23, 2017 © IDI/Getty Images
Massy on board!
Warriors train gathers speed as it heads for the USA
GAW Manager Omar Khan and Bermudez Manager Alvin Wilson presents the sponsorship cheque presence of Steven Jacobs (left) and Assad Fudadin along with Massy’s Marketing Supervisor Elis.
Keevin Allicock to fight in Commonwealth Youth Games final today Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210