Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

JAGDEO’S THIRD TERM HOPES SQUASHED

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n a majority 6-1 ruling, Guyana’s court of last resort, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), has overturned the decisions of the Guyana Court of Appeal and the High Court that a former president can run for more than two consecutive terms. Some in the government felt that the ruling by the High Court and the Guyana Court of Appeal is an example of judicial overreach far outside their remit into the inherently political minefield of what is good or bad for democracy in Guyana. However, the CCJ did not focus on whether imposing a term limit makes Guyana more democratic or less democratic as the High Court did. Instead, the only question the CCJ had to consider is whether the term-limit provision undermines the sovereignty of the people by imposing conditions, set by others, on who could and could not represent them. The law establishing presidential term limits was passed in Parliament and assented to by former president Bharrat Jagdeo. a The case was brought by private citizen, Cedric Richardson, who claims that the 1980 constitution which was amended in 2000 unconstitutionally imposes a two term limit that restricted his rights as a Guyanese citizen to either re-elect whomever he wishes to elect as president of Guyana. As reported, Richardson who lives in a small house in South Georgetown is not a professional or a businessman. His place of employment is unknown. So the question is why Mr. Richardson who according to his neighbours do odd jobs would spend tens of millions of dollars to hire lawyers to plead his case? What would he gain from it? It was obvious that he was a front for someone. Many, including supporters of the PPP did not believe the claim by the opposition leader that his party was not involved with the case. The case was first heard in Guyana by the High Court in which the Chief Justice ruled in favour of Richardson. It was appealed by the government to the Guyana Court of Appeal which upheld the decision of the Chief Justice. Both courts overrode the section of the Constitution that states that in deciding term limits, the people shall exercise this sovereignty through their representatives. They ruled that presidential term limits should not be determined by the people’s representatives but by themselves through a national referendum. With the CCJ decision, it is expected that Mr. Jagdeo, who has firm control over the party, will singlehandedly chose the PPP presidential candidate in 2020 as he did with Donald Ramotar in 2011 and 2015 elections. But given the CCJ ruling, he is likely to face enormous pressure from the party’s old guard at Freedom House about his ability to manage the party. Prior to the CCJ ruling, Mr. Jagdeo was asked if he would seek a third term as president. Instead of answering the question, he identified some of the qualities that a PPP leader should have in order to become the party’s presidential candidate. He or she must be a competent and visionary leader, with the ability to unite the party, bring people together and improve the economy and the lives of the poor. The candidate must be capable to solve the problems within the party, mobilize its traditional East Indian support base and attract other races as well as businessmen. While the CCJ decision has ended Jagdeo’s hopes of seeking a third term, it is expected that he will play an active role in the 2020 elections and in any future PPP/C government.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

An open letter to Minister Norton on the Guyana Prize DEAR MINISTER NORTON: This letter is in direct reference to the article published on June 25, 2018, under the heading, ‘With Guyana prize in limbo … Norton to take issue up with cabinet, wants to meet with Diaspora writers. Sir … with ‘uncertainty hanging over the fate of the Guyana Prize for Literature’ I believe your first responsibility was to discuss the issue with Mr. Al Creighton and the Guyana Prize Committee. You would have been briefed on how it is being run, and why the perception exists on the street, that it is ‘not being run the way it should be.’ There was no initial need for you wanting dialogue with a ‘cross section of persons, including members of the Diaspora, journalists and writers, to discuss ways in which the prestigious award should be handled.’ And what’s this business about you checking on ‘reports that the Guyana Prize is not being run the way it should be.’? What reports are you checking, Sir? Reports from disgruntled local writers—most of whom seriously need to stop complaining and start writing assiduously to up their literary game? Or are you taking your reports from Guyanese xenophobes who feel that because Mr. Creighton is Jamaican he shouldn’t be spearheading the Guyana Prize committee? As Minister of Culture you could

have had a serious meeting with Mr. Creighton and the Guyana Prize Committee, and while at that forum you might have suggested a strategy for them to initiate dialogue with a ‘cross section of persons, including members of the Diaspora, journalists and writers, to discuss ways in which the prestigious award should be handled.’ But you rushed to the media. All that did was cast doubts over the work of the Guyana Prize Committee. Is it any wonder the article said, ‘Reached by Kaieteur News yesterday, Secretary of the Guyana Prize Committee, Al Creighton declined to respond to Norton’s comments.’ And that he (Creighton)”will continue communicating with the relevant officials and that he hopes that the awarding of the Guyana Prize will continue.” Look in the mirror, Mr. Norton. Ask yourself how you would have felt if the President or the Minister of State had engineered an article to denounce the pathetic state of culture in Guyana without first conferring with you. Think of it, Minister Norton. How would you feel if you were to stumble across an article where the President openly queries the obvious and blatant disregard of the Guyanese creative community under your watch and why the perception is, that members in his cabinet seem not to give a damn about

the Guyanese creative community in and out of Guyana? Further: In the article under scrutiny you reportedly said, “A lot of money was invested in the Guyana Prize… and if we spend money behind a prize, we would have to ensure that we get value for our money.” So, let’s talk value. In Guyana, unfortunately, the value of culture—inclusive of the arts—is regarded as having no value to this nation. I have won four Guyana Prizes in the category of Drama and have told, repeatedly, of attending Ministers and the profound indifference on some faces in that front row. This is because it has been inculcated in this nation that c u l t u r e a n d a r t i s ‘stupidnis’—valueless. Why give out good (expletive deleted) money ‘to dem writohs?’ A cassava plant has more value than a manuscript and subsequently a bag of cassava over a printed book. That is our current reality—a reality that President Forbes Burnham sought to change with CARIFESTA; a reality that President Hoyte sought to change with the Guyana Prize for Literature. You hint about ‘value for our money’ and I wonder if this is the first move to sabotage the Guyana Prize. Are you saying that since there has never been a tangible ROI (Return On Investment) on previously dispensed (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Are many of these animalistic attacks on women a result of mental health issues ? DEAR EDITOR, Over the past few weeks we have been reading several reports in our daily newspapers (too many I think) of domestic violence perpetrated against women. In all of these reports the gruesome stories highlighted have caused most of us, and particularly women, to be seriously concerned, to be scared. As a Christian, I am told in the Bible, and I believe, that all men are created in the image of God. It is not that we resemble God physically, as He is spirit. We are made like Him mentally, morally and socially. This is the likeness that sets us apart, and above the animal world. Mentally, human beings are created in righteousness and perfect innocence- a reflection of God’s image. Socially, we are created for fellowship. God made the first woman because he saw it was not good for man to be alone. Morally, we are created to know right from wrong that is having a conscience. So why is it that we read so often of these animalistic attacks on women by men? The most recently reported incident concerns a man from the Corentyne who stabbed his wife to death. In all these acts, we see our men folk displaying uncontrollable anger in relationships with their female partners, resulting in many instances in the death of the female. These reports are too frequent not to cause consternation in the minds of us all. The question

is what is causing the violence? The question needs to be answered in the hope that it could lead to arresting or at least reducing the incidences of this alarming practice. In any situation of violence, the immediate underlying emotion is always anger, but there must be some reason why this anger is triggered. Anger is a natural emotion, even though sometimes unwarranted and irrational. It is expressed verbally and much too often physically. The frequent reports of which we read are of anger resulting in the physical abuse of women, but one can only guess that incidences of verbal abuse (anger expressed verbally) are much more frequent, but are generally overlooked. Why should our women folk have to endure such a risky existence? Society must do more to improve this state of affairs. Anger can be seen as a

disturbed psychological and emotional state of mind. A situation where there is a breakdown in our mental health,-albeit mild and temporary sometimes. In our culture, society readily attaches a stigma to any form of this breakdown, so that even in some families, there is shame and ostracism whenever it occurs. In such situations there is a reluctance to seek professional help. Here is where we need to be more enlightened, so that compassion would replace stigma and ostracism. It is true that most families might find it difficult to deal with a member suffering from this kind of breakdown, but shame and ostracism are not rational responses. Professional help should be sought. The solution as I see it, is to introduce this subject in some form in our schools. So that at an early age children will come to view mental

health as just another aspect of our wellbeing and treat it with as much importance as our physical health. This should give rise to a greater understanding of the subject and should lead to more enlightened responses when these situations are encountered. I also believe that as more professionals become available, programs should be established to make them available both to schools and workplaces so that there is scope for a greater understanding of mental illness and also a greater possibility for early detection and remedy. I see the need for maintaining mental wellness as one of the main responses to domestic abuse. The man who is mentally well adjusted is less likely to treat his female partner in those cruel ways as reported in our daily news. Yours Sincerely, Rebekah Seymour

The flag at Stabroek Market Square does not belong to the Mayor and City Council DEAR EDITOR , Please refer to a letter which appeared in your Kaieteur News issue of June 30, 2018 p 5, by Roseanne Rodgers- “Will the City Council ever get it right?” The Council wishes to make it clear that the flag, at Stabroek Market Square, does not belong to the Mayor and City Council. However, the Council did inform the

agency, whose flag it is, about the importance of the day and the need to fly the flag at half-mast.Also, it must be noted that, the Council has always been very happy to listen to the wisdom and follow the strong leadership of His Excellency, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Mr. David Arthur Granger and his administration, particularly in areas of

empathy and respect for the rights of citizens. The Council has never been more proud than it is today of its national government that continues to demonstrate an abiding interest in the welfare and wellbeing of all of the people of Guyana. Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

A QUESTION FOR THE AMERICANS The recent intimation by Justice Kennedy that he intends to vacate his position in the US Supreme Court has been met with a barrage of questions focusing on the ‘political leanings’ of his likely successor. These questions imply that the resignation of Justice Kennedy provides Mr Donald Trump, the current US President, the opportunity to select a replacement who obviously subscribes to the ‘political’ beliefs and ‘ideological’ leanings of the Republican Party as opposed to the Democratic Party. To virtually ‘institutionalize’ such ‘political’ considerations in the selection processes for such a critical position is worrisome from several standpoints, not least of which is the fact that it goes

against the universally acceptable core principles of effective staff selection such as objective and relative knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience and competencies of the competing candidates. If these are relevant and essential in all other staff selection processes, why are they ignor ed in the case of Judges, especially judges of the highest court of the land? I wonder what will be the reaction from all and sundry if the selection of Judges in Guyana was to follow suit! It would be interesting to have the comments of the American authorities on this apparent departure from universally acceptable staff selection processes. Yours Respectfully Nowrang Persaud

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

WE MUST TRY TO LIVE A LIFE OF HIGH MORAL STANDARDS

A POLITICAL STATEMENT WITH AN OMINOUS RING

DEAR EDITOR, I have decided to pen this letter on moral standard and ethics from personal experience with people in Guyana as well as those out of Guyana. The word ‘ethic’ can be defined as follows: ‘’A set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct. The basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment. ‘’ Let me begin with work ethic with the question: How many people in Guyana go to work on time? How many managers, supervisors and CEOs and clerks can you meet at 8:30 a.m. in their offices? I have visited several offices in Guyana and observed most workers going to work late and the bosses are never in office on time. I also observed that many workers just idle their day away collecting the government’s money by false pretence.

If you call many offices to talk to a person in position they are always in a meeting or not in office or too busy to take your call. They never return a call or replied to your messages. I have seen these activities in most of our offices in Guyana more than thirty five years now. Over two months ago I saw a vacancy at the University of Guyana. I sent an application online. I got a reply after four days that my application was received. After a month I sent them an email of inquiry about my application. They replied in a few days saying that my application is still under consideration. It’s over two months now I sent them another inquiry in a week I get no reply. Here is the highest academic institution of learning taking months to process a job application and don’t have the moral standard to write to me to say if my application was NOT accepted or to go for an interview. My next experience is with the Ministry of Legal Affairs. They wrote me a letter dated 28th November 2017 informing me that my ‘’Application of Appointment as Justice of Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to

Affidavits is now at The Minister of State for Final Deliberation.’’ That letter was only sent to me because I wrote about it several times in the newspapers questioning why my police report took over two years to be sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. After several inquiries to the Minister of State’s office by calls to date it’s about eight months now and I did not receive an email, phone call nor letter pertaining to the status of my appointment and this procedure of my application started since 2003 since the PPP administration. What I have discovered in this country is simple matters that can take a week or month will take years because of incompetence and lack or morality and ethics. In Trinidad you get your Birth Certificate the same day, Here it’s weeks and months. I wrote a book and sent it to my publisher , I got a reply in five minutes. I sent Warwick University an email and I got three replies in ten minutes back and forth. How do we compare ourselves with these institutions abroad? Why can’t we be competent like them? Yours Respectfully, Rev.Gideon Cecil

DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for allowing me the space in your excellent paper to share my views on the state of Politics in Guyana; abysmal and disappointing to say the least. Like so many Guyanese I was sitting on pins and needles awaiting the decision of the CCJ on Term Limits. I am absolutely elated that the question has been legally put to bed. Unfortunately, the former President’s pronouncements a few days ago “ You’re not going to get rid of me that easily” carries an ominous ring to it and a deafening sound to the collective ears of Guyana. All of Guyana is a w a r e o f t h e e g r e g i ous ills of Jadgeo and his cabal;

the endless corruption the sweetheart deals; the undervalued sale of prime lands to himself and his inner circle and on and on and on. I do honestly believe the half of these illegalities have not been exposed. Guyana simply cannot afford another day of this excuse of a President. My issue is with the present administration and the top leadership of the PPP. The Government for not exposing these ills more expeditiously and the PPP for allowing Jadgeo t o r u n rough shod over the party. W h y f o r the love of God the Government is so resistant to educating the Guyanese public about this

criminality is absolutely mind boggling. With less than two years to the next election, doing so now will and can be viewed as sour grapes or election pandering. The President being a military man understands the importance of timing in all operations. The miss-steps, lack of decisiveness and sidelining the other coalition members of the government only serves to hand the government back to Jadgeo. Be not deceived. He’s going nowhere. As with Ramotar, Jadgeo will be the Power behind the throne with his hand picked choice. Yours respectfully, Claudeston Massiah Queens NY.

An open letter to Minister Norton ... From page 4 Guyana Prize money, maybe the Government ought to scrap the Guyana Prize altogether or water it down for the ‘locals’ only? S i r, t h e v a l u e o f t h e Guyana Prize for Literature is in the prestige it brings to Guyana as a sovereign nation. Any country that cannot

boast a strong c u l t u r a l legacy inclusive of a strong literary heritage, WILL NEVER stand high in view of the world. Think England and consider what makes it a respectable giant. Think Geoffrey Chaucer; think Wi l l i a m S h a k e s p e a r e ; Wi l l i a m Wo r d s w orth; think Jane Austen—to name a few. Minister, Norton … a country’s literature stands to be a country’s riches, and it is, also, priceless. But let’s argue your need to see, maybe, a cash return on the Guyana Prize. What if you band your belt and try to be the very first Minister of Culture of Guyana to try the following things: #1: Ensure that after every Guyana Prize, the winning play be produced, premiered at the National Cultural Centre then toured in every part of Guyana. #2: Ensure that the winning book is turned into a TV family drama and sold to Caribbean TV channels. #3:

Ensure that there’s a publishing house geared to market prize-winning books and plays through CARICOM. #4: Make it possible that prize-winning authors be remunerated to run meaningful workshops the l e n g t h a n d b r e a d th of Guyana. Dear Minister Norton, there is a way for you to go down as the most effective Minister of Culture Guyana has ever had; and it will redeem you from being regarded as having been a mere political appointee with the least interest in culture—a square peg in a round hole. That way is simple: DO YOUR JOB. … And we in the Guyanese creative community who for far too long, have had pathetic Governmental representation will sing your praises. Respectfully Harold A. Bascom Four-time winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature; one-time winner of the Caribbean Award for Literature.

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur M@ilbox On men in suits and citizenship DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the slight storm in a tinnin cup surrounding the presidential ambitions of C h a r l e s R a m s o n , J r, granted that the young would-be the lion’s fervor seems to have been effectively quelled after a dismissive intervention by his superior, Bharrat Jagdeo. We can forgive his misuse of the word “state” when boasting about his knowledge of what he surely meant to be the arms of government – his political maturation under Mr. Jagdeo’s reign was no doubt the cause f o r t h e c o nfusion or conflation. We can also forgive Junior’s inclusion of dynastic, undemocratic governments (North Korea, for example) in his list of examples of countries with strong, young leaders around his age – the conf u s i o n o r c o nflation of democratic practice with dynastic entitlement is surely not his fault, considering the political environment in which he came of age as a fortunate son. What we should not

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forgive is our society’s periodic enthrallment with some neat young man in a suit saying lofty things that their record and their character do not support. One of the reasons we will fail to progress as a country is that our political expectations remain shallow. Lloyd Best used to complain about Caribbean societies being held in thrall to what he called ‘doctor politics’, the phenomenon wherein anyone with the title of Dr. before their name could start a political party based simply on that basic qualification. In Guyana, we’ve regressed even beyond that – anyone reasonably young, of mediocre intelligence, dressed in suit and tie and spouting platitudes is suddenly given credence. Whether it’s Sherod Duncan on one side or Charles Ramson, Jr. on the other, the ambitiously oleaginous is virtually guaranteed an audience of sheep because from slavery to now, our capacity for active citizenship has remained retarded.

We are so lazy in its exercise that we are ready to forfeit it to the faintest false glimmer of image, instead of demanding substance. Of course it never lasts - all empty suits eventually collapse, but then we start the cycle of seeking the next pseudo-Messiah, some other shameless shill with little credibility and very often a history of insidious social, professional and political climbing. Guyanese, you need to wake up and teach yourselves about the responsibilities and benefits of proper citizenship. You can blame one political party or the other but it is ultimately you that give succor to worst aspect of politics, you who inflate the empty suits and give them qualities they only pretend to possess. If you fail to wake up, the good life, or progress, or whatever slogan is meant to encapsulate development is going to continue to pass you by. Yours Respectfully Ruel Johnson

Kaieteur M@ilbox SOME SENIOR POLICE RANKS ARE A DISGRACE TO THE FORCE DEAR EDITOR, I joined the Police Force just over 20 years ago and for that time I have served under numerous Commissioners, some g o o d a n d some bad but never have I been this fearful of executing my duties, never have I taken a laid back approach when it comes to serving my country, but that’s the approach I’m taking at this point and I think that’s the safest way to go until my retirement. I’m going to start with the Traffic Department. I can’t help but notice the headlines on social media as it relates to two officers being allegedly transferred because the friend of another senior officer was reportedly charged for a traffic offence. This is a very serious situation and from my un-

derstanding, this is a countrywide exercise which is being conducted. I’m trying to understand why were the ranks transferred, was it due to the fact that the friend of this senior officer got caught up in the drag net? I would really appreciate if the PRO, the Acting Commissioner and the Minister of Public Security can explain to the junior ranks what is the right thing to do. President Granger recently made a statement at the Officers Conference saying that the FISH don’t rotten from the tail. I sat there and listened to him and said little did the President know that this Fish is already rotten, they’re not working in the best interest of the force

neither the country, I can say further that you can find them any hours in the morning calling these ranks to release their friends who are so intoxicated that they can hardly stand even with the assistance of their vehicle, posing a threat to other road users. I believe that the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force is more than capable of curbing the lawlessness on our roadways but it’s the intervention of these senior officers who are always calling and giving instructions to stand down that have things the way they are. They are empowering their friends to do what they want and no one can’t say or do them anything and I’m not afraid to call names. Confused Police.

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Jagdeo’s misconception of tax amnesty led him down a pathetic road By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell “I do not know what is all this nonsense about moral hazard that (Opposition Leader Bharrat) Jagdeo is talking about with the tax amnesty,” declared Minister of Finance Winston Jordan. The Minister said that Jagdeo either does not understand the amnesty or is deliberately seeking to mislead the public. At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo said that he, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is worried about the possibilities of corruption permeating the amnesty process. Jagdeo said that in the amnesty process, “deals” are cut, and such transactions may not be above board. He said, “(The IMF) spoke about the moral hazard of tax amnesties. Obviously they are unhappy about this tax amnesty that the Minister announced in the Budget.” Jagdeo continued, “People know that when you have tax amnesties, anyone can go in there and work out special deals because it is not transparently done. We should ask the head of GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) to publish all the write offs that have been given to people.” Jagdeo said that the nation should demand to know

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

- Finance Minister

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

“how many companies received amnesties. You are not asking how much money they paid because that should be confidential but we can ask how much money they wrote off for whom and that should give you a clue.” According to Minister Jordan, Jagdeo’s utterances are indicative of his ignorance of the process or his inclination to deliberately mislead the public. Jordan explained that the amnesty is not on tax. He said, “There would be no reduction of tax; none at all.” The Minister repeated

what was explained before — that the amnesty is on the penalties that may have been attached to sums of tax payment. He said that there can be no corruption in that process because no one has to decide what percentage is being cut. When Jagdeo spoke about the amnesty, he said that IMF expressed worry about it in its most recent staff report. However, he did not make the report available. He did not even quote directly from the report. Also, IMF usually uploads staff reports to its site as soon as they are released. No such report has been uploaded. Further, the Minister of Finance said that he is yet to receive the IMF report for its last staff analyst.

Lotto Fund probe…

Fugitive suspect located A key suspect wanted for questioning with collecting millions of dollars by way of withdrawals from the Lotto Fund has been located. A police official yesterday confirmed that Jadoo Datt, a Sheriff Street resident, was located in another jurisdiction. The official, however, declined to go into details except that Datt was in talks with investigators of the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to come back home to speak about his role.SOCU is reportedly investigating some questionable payments from the Lotto Fund, which was established under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, and controlled by what was then known as the Office of the President. The fund continues to be under the control of what has now been renamed the Ministry of the Presidency. Under the arrangements, the fund was to be used for specific purposes. However, a forensic audit raised questions about spending under the PPP/C. Monies expended were supposed to fund health and other emergencies. Datt reportedly signed for cheques, to the tune of millions of dollars. Investigators from SOCU reportedly have no idea why Datt collected those cheques and that is why he is wanted for questioning. Datt is believed to have skipped Guyana on May 15, a day before a wanted bulletin was issued for him by police. It is believed he was tipped

Wanted: Jadoo Datt off.However, he may have fled Suriname too, police sources said yesterday. The request for the wanted bulletin had been with police for about a week before it was issued to media houses.It is believed that during the “delay”, Datt may have been tipped off about the bulletin and fled. On May 16, police announced that Datt is wanted for questioning in relation to a number of conspiracies to defraud the Government of Guyana, between the period December 2015 and April 2016.Datt is said to be 40 years old. His last known address was given as 64 Sheriff Street, Campbellville. Datt is said to be one of several persons who signed to collect payments issued by the Lottery Control Commission, which has responsibilities over the Lotto Fund. Those cheques were to the tune of millions of dollars. Under the agreement between the Government of

Guyana and the Canadian Bank Note, which is the parent company of the Guyana Lottery Company, this country gets 24 percent of gross revenues from the lottery. However, over the years, the administration of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has been accused of keeping the monies under its control at the Office of the President, instead of turning it over to the Public Treasury. It is believed that the fund had hundreds of millions of dollars in it from the Lottery Company.In fact, the new administration has spent monies from it, including $300M in 2015 on the D’Urban Park. The Auditor General had reported that between 1996 and 2011, the Government of Guyana received over $4B from the Guyana Lottery Company. The monies were to be used for sports, education and health. With regards to the SOCU investigations, it was reported that in 2015 the Coalition Government ordered forensic audits into several state entities. The Lotto Fund was also audited. It is the findings of the audit that concerned the Ministry of Finance, which handed the report over to the police to be investigated. A number of Ministry personnel, including Vladim Persaud, the Assistant Accountant General, were among those questioned. He was sent on leave.

NCN in financial chaos - Auditors …Unable to determine existence of $1.9B in assets, They said, too, that NCN’s liabilities exceed its assets by $107,844,249. At this rate, the auditors said, “Neither management nor I can guarantee the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” A going concern Find entity’s liabilities exceed assets by $107.8M The financial records of the National Communications Network (NCN) are not up-todate. This was revealed in the state entity’s Annual Report for 2016. According to Chartered Accountants, Nizam Ali and Company, they were unable to determine the ownership of, existence and valuation of noncurrent assets stated at $1,893,221,569. Noncurrent assets are long-term assets that a company expects to hold over one fiscal year that cannot readily be converted to cash within a

year. This can be in the form of investments made in another company, large equipment or intellectual property. In addition, the auditors were unable to make an assessment of title deeds for property worth $487,354,883. This was due to the fact that the necessary documents were not available for the audit. The Chartered Accountants also reported that NCN failed to properly maintain a fixed asset register which is a basic underlying assumption in accounting. The assumption is that a company or other entity will be able to

continue operating for a period of time that is sufficient to carry out its obligations, objectives, and so on. FORENSICAUDIT REPORT When the Granger-led Administration initiated a forensic audit into NCN back in 2015, the aforementioned findings were made along with many others. The report notes for example, that since 2015, NCN did not maintain a fixed asset register. Auditors said that the company attempted to outsource the management of the fixed asset register, however this exercise proved futile. It was

advised by company officials that due to the volume of work in the Accounts Department, it is unable to undertake the management of the fixed asset register.The report of the forensic auditors also made a number of recommendations for NCN to get its act together. These include having systems implemented to ensure that all statutory audits are completed on a timely basis; carrying out a complete verification of all non-current assets which should form the basis for the preparation of an up to date fixed asset register; establishing a definitive credit policy which should be documented and approved by the Board of Directors; and establishing a debt collection committee with specific responsibility to collect all outstanding debts within six months.

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Dem boys seh...

Greenidge tells Wall Street Journal:

Concerns about ExxonMobil “overblown”

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n one of its reports ex amining the impact fu ture oil revenue will have on Guyana’s economy, the Wall Street Journal interviewed several officials here. One of those individuals was Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge. During his interview with the international news agency, Greenidge was asked about the growing concerns here over the preparedness for oil and gas. But Greenidge made it clear that he believes the concerns are simply “overblown.” He said the government is preparing to spend wisely, with lawmakers working on a sovereign-wealth fund to invest oil earnings in a country with average incomes of about $4,000 a year. “I’m tired of people calling this the apocalypse,” Mr. Greenidge told the Wall Street Journal. The Foreign Affairs Minister added, “There are people here who think oil is just a rumor, a fraud by Exxon. They’re mixing black magic with economics.” (See full article here: https:// www.wsj.com/articles/eurekagiant-oil-find-set-to-bringguyana-startling-richesm a y b e 15295780?em T olkena= i47d48b6ad877c5031da7V 5Q 164fgdvj9fcm lN boW qjoloqA 0ptH orE yO I7l3R t9tJbX0vbVQSVdMhvqnGXhqKE O 4jTUuFTY aQD2K7w8Lnku/ HwThtbxq60pX3aMZnoIXqLlyvHk40mh/ rzNZxaBIhrI93&reflink=article_whatsapp_share) GROWING CONCERNS Several local critics have bemoaned the state of preparedness by the APNU+AFC Government. Even international bodies have expressed concern over certain loopholes which exist for abuse by USA oil giant, ExxonMobil. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is one such agency.

…Says critics mixing black magic with economics

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge It was early last year that several Government ministries and agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministries of Finance and Natural Resources and Bank of Guyana, received several recommendations that would go a long way in safeguarding billions of dollars in oil revenue to come. But to date, very few of the crucial recommendations made by the International Monetary Fund have been implemented. In fact, the regulatory body had cause to point out again, that Guyana still needs to modernize revenue administration and strengthen public financial management capacity ahead of oil production. The Fund said nonetheless that it is pleased the government will keep the aforementioned as critical nearterm priorities. The Fund said that it stands ready to provide technical assistance where

needed. One of the IMF recommendations to the local authorities last year, specifically the Natural Resources Ministry, was to ensure the establishment of a cost recovery committee. It emphasized that this is necessary so that the government can be equipped to begin auditing of bills submitted by the oil and gas operator. But this is far from being in place. Be that as it may, Finance Minister Winston Jordan noted that there would be a special accounting unit established at the Finance Ministry to track oil revenues. He said that this is necessary since the current accounting systems are simply inadequate. He also noted that the Ministry has intentions to implement the other recommendations of the IMF as it relates to his sector.

A li’l boy seh Jagdeo too old When tiger lost he stripes is a bad thing. Dem boys remember old policemen who retire. Retiring is a nice thing fuh de first couple days but after bout two weeks, is not easy to wake up and do nutten. That was de case wid dem old policemen suh dem use to get up and go to dem police station and sit down whole day. Is de same thing mek some people does go and look fuh wuk. Some of dem does tun Minister because dem got to wuk. That is why dem boys always asking de government to extend de age of retirement. Of course politicians not interested in that because as a politician you only got to retire when you

can barely walk. When people young de age of retirement does look so far. That is why when Jagdeo was young he didn’t think about changing de age of retirement. Now he got to go into retirement and he kicking up. He announce to de world that he ain’t going nowhere. When a bull got to go to slaughter house, it does kick up and fight. Is de same thing when a man going to jail. It does tek nuff prison wardens to drag him through de prison gate. That is wha happen this week. Ram Son announce that is time Jagdeo retire and he, de young man, tek over. One war start. Jagdeo seh Ram Son can’t talk suh and

he got to learn that is only one big man dem got in de party. This time de Chat-3 and Irfaat and Frank ain’t saying nutten. Dem waiting to see how de feathers gun fly. Well dem boys see Ram Son stand and push up he chest to Jagdeo. “You can’t talk to me like that. You days done.” That is wha Ram Son tell Jagdeo. De boy seh that fuh long he always hear he got to respect he elders. That is wha hurt Jagdeo. De boy calling him an old man. Dem boys waiting to see wha gun happen in Round Two. Talk half and see de Freedom House fight pun de big screen

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Two East Coast health centres help ease GPHC patient wait Two East Coast Demerara health facilities are helping to reduce the overwhelming number of patients visiting the Georgetown Public Hospital. Patients can stop in at the Enterprise Health Centre for ultrasound services on Fridays while those needing echocardiogram services can go to the Dr. CC Nicholson Hospital in Nabacalis. These services are available free to the public. This is in addition to the usual services already being offered at the community level. Together, these two facilities cater for thousands of East Coast residents. The Enterprise Health Centre also offers phlebotomy services on Thursdays in addition to having an outpatient clinic, chronic diseases clinic, maternal and child health, an ante-natal service, dressing for wounds, dental services and a newly introduced teenagers clinic. Staff of the health centre also extend visitation services to the community and health

Minister Volda Lawrence interacts with a patient at the Dr. CC Nicholson Hospital education to schools. Doctor in Charge at this Health Centre, Dr. Nicole Harris-Linton, said she embraces the fact that the health centre is adequately equipped to provide a wide range of services.

As a result of this, she adds that persons have more confidence in health services provided. “We have a good patientdoctor, patient-nurse relationship so patients see the En-

terprise Health Centre as a family.” The centre’s catchment area is between the Enterprise village to Paradise village with approximately 5,000 residents. Meanwhile, Dr. CC Nicholson Hospital has re-introduced echocardiogram services. Acting Medical Superintendent (MS), Dr. Chrissundra Abdool has reported that many persons are taking advantage of it.

Doctor-In-Charge, Enterprise Health Centre, Dr Nicole Harris-Linton “It was a much-needed service so obviously we would have an influx of person not only from the immediate community but from the other health centres along the East Coast corridor sending their patients here.” Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, recently visited the health centre and the hospital to see the operations and, while talking to patients, she assured that there is more

in store as primary health care in all regions is targeted for an upgrade which will ease the burden of patient overload at the GPHC. “Persons no longer have to go to Georgetown Public Hospital to be serviced. Therefore, we are easing the large number of persons going there so those doctors can now focus on the more critical patients that they may have.”

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Five Region 9 entrepreneurs recognised for their hard work - receive $100,000 each to expand their businesses

Prime Minister and Acting President, Moses Nagamootoo handing over the money to Joan Thomas, young entrepreneur of Quarries Village in the presence of Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

Thirty-three-year-old Rockcliffe Rodrigues is involved in livestock rearing despite living with a disability. Rodrigues, who resides in Aranaputa Valley, plans to establish a butchery and provide beef, pork and mutton to hot meal kitchens, restaurants and residents in the North Rupununi. His mission is to one day become a top livestock farmer in the region

Using the skills acquired and $120,000 through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme, along with an additional $50,000 grant, Rodrigues purchased 41 head of sheep, four cows and 12 horses. He is one of five young entrepreneurs of the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region who received $100,000 each from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to expand their business. The Prime Minister, who is performing the duties of President, was attending the Regional Toshaos’ Conference in Lethem, on June 28, last. At the HEYS Business Pitch and prize giving ceremony at the St. Ignatius Village Benab, Lethem, Prime Minister Nagamootoo commended the youths for fully utilising the opportunities offered to them through the HEYS programme. The Prime Minister reminded that the programme is a fulfilment of a promise made by the government when it terminated the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) programme in 2015; replacing it with a programme that allows youth to be trained and certified and become their own bosses. Today, the HEYS programme is a huge success and has created about 800 entrepreneurs across the country. “We didn’t give handouts and give them a red shirt and give them money every month and tell them to go and picket and makeup crowds and to do political work. We wanted young people to have a livelihood and in order to have a livelihood you must be

Rockcliffe Rodrigues, a young entrepreneur of Aranaputa, Region Nine trained and be taught a skill. That is why we employed instructors. “So, the HEYS programme has now flooded the hinterland. We have trained about 4000 young peoples and they are now selfemployed,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said. The youths, who come from Hiawa, Aranaputa Valley, Toka and Quarrie all received training through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme. They utilised the funding provided to them from that project to establish businesses. Unis and Joy Davis, two sisters of Toka Village, are the proud owners of Davis ‘Beekeeping Enterprise.” The sisters pooled their funds and purchased beekeeping equipment to begin their honey venture. With plans to expand their business on both the local and international markets, the Davis sisters are upgrading their packaging. They plan to purchase labelling machine that will allow them to design and print unique custommade labels for their product. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, explained that the support is a form of Continued on page 69

One of the Davis sisters presented a bottle of their honey to Prime Minister and Acting President, Moses Nagamootoo.

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Cubans are flocking to Guyana for economic reasons - but there’s a twist

Cubans head home from the Georgetown airport loaded down with purchases made in Guyana. Doreen Hemlock Special to the Miami Herald By Doreen Hemlock Special to the Miami Herald Frank Alvarez spends his days in this English-speaking nation in South America helping fellow Cubans shop. He uses his Spanish skills at a small store, so steady streams of Cubans can snap up inexpensive T-shirts, shoes and other Asian-made goods they’ll take back to the island. This month the buyers began to change. Since early June, the U.S. government has been conducting interviews at its embassy here for Cubans seeking U.S. immigrant visas, and those visa applicants are now in the shopping mix too. While applying for their visas, some figure they may as well make purchases and re-sell them in Cuba to help pay for their trips. “With the U.S. visa interviews, I think many more Cubans will come, and there will be more flights to Guyana,” said Alvarez, a native of Santiago, Cuba, who came to Georgetown to shop and has stayed on to earn extra cash from storekeepers. Guyana made headlines in late March when U.S. officials

said they’d transfer the processing of U.S. immigrant visas for Cubans from Colombia to this former British colony of some 750,000 residents. Many Cuban Americans in South Florida looked on maps to locate Guyana just east of Venezuela. But Alvarez and thousands of islanders already were familiar with this multicultural nation and one of its chief attractions for Cubans: It doesn’t require a visa to visit. In the past two years, Guyana has emerged as a prime destination for Cuban shoppers, joining the ranks of Panama, known for its free zone, and Miami, known for its Cuban Americans and many shopping options. Officials estimate some 600 to 700 Cubans a week have been coming to shop in recent months. They turned to Guyana after Ecuador and other nations tightened visa requirements on Cubans in 2015 and after Honduras’ EasySky airline pioneered lower-cost HavanaGeorgetown service in late 2016. These days, flights arrive daily from Cuba on airlines that include Copa, Caribbean and Aruba. The typical

shopper stays four to six days and spends $2,000 to $3,000 on a visit, including purchases, lodging, food and other basics. Local leaders estimate that pumps at least US$85 million annually into the Guyanese economy, a significant sum for a nation whose government budget totals US$1.3 billion this year. Indeed, Cubans now rank among the top sources of non-Guyanese visitors to this Idaho-sized nation that has little tourism: “No other group buys like the Cubans in Guyana — none,” said Guyanese pilot Gerry Gouveia, whose Roraima travel group offers varied services for Cuba flights and passengers. Cuban influx coming for U.S. visa processing With the U.S. visa interviews underway, hundreds more Cubans are expected to come weekly to Guyana. The United States had been issuing more than 800 U.S. immigrant visas to Cubans monthly before the Trump administration cut U.S. consular staff in Havana last year, citing alleged “attacks” on U.S. diplomats there and Cuba’s inability to protect American personnel from the

Cuban shoppers are attracted by low-cost goods in Guyana. Some resell their purchases at home to finance trips to Guyana to apply for visas at the U.S. Embassy. Doreen Hemlock Special to the Miami Herald

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The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, began conducting interviews for Cubans seeking U.S. immigrant visas in early June. Doreen Hemlock Special to the Miami Herald mysterious incidents that have caused hearing loss, dizziness, and symptoms similar to those caused by a concussion. U.S. authorities initially switched the visa processing to the U.S. embassy in Bogotá, Colombia after it withdrew most of its Havana personnel. But Cubans faced hurdles there, because they needed a Colombian visa. In choosing Guyana for the processing, the U.S. State Department said it weighed various factors “including the availability of flights, visa requirements, space to accommodate additional applicant files and availability

of staff,” as well as visa-free entry for Cubans. Some U.S. staff members in Guyana already speak Spanish, and “we intend to assign additional staff with appropriate language skills and experience to visa cases in Georgetown,” a spokesman said. Interviews are held at the well-guarded U.S. embassy compound. Almost a block long, it’s located near the Atlantic Ocean, Georgetown’s seawall and a new Marriott hotel. The yellow-and-white complex on Duke Street has British-style architecture, enclosed terraces and palm trees.

Visa visit: Neither quick nor cheap For Cubans seeking the U.S. visas, the trip to Guyana is neither quick nor cheap. A Havana-Georgetown flight takes nearly four hours, but most airlines include a stop, making the journey longer. Flights often cost $800 to $1,200 round-trip, though some Cuban shoppers snag bargains under $700. Visa applicants also require a medical check in Guyana that can run up to around $90 per adult, U.S. officials said. The visa seekers typically need about two Continued on page 67

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Cops transferred after priest charged with traffic offences Two police traffic ranks were recently transferred, after causing charges to be instituted against a priest on Tuesday last. Deputy Superintendent Dennis Stephen and Sergeant Gavin Boyce were transferred from their positions at the Brickdam Police Station after being summoned to the Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine’s office, in relation to an order to stand down by the commissioner. Sergeant Boyce while on traffic duties on Sunday June 26, stopped three vehicles in the vicinity of the Number 43 bus park on Hadfield Street. Sources claimed that the vehicles where all heavily tinted. The vehicles were then escorted to the Brickdam Police station, where the documents for the vehicles were

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Top Cop David Ramnarine

Deputy Superintendent Dennis Stephen

checked. It was found that one of the vehicles (PWW 9016) which was driven by a Priest,

was uninsured amounts other things. This caused Sergeant Boyce to instruct traffic ranks (Continued on page 65)

Two arrested after cops come under fire at E’bo ganja camp

What was found.

More than five fields of Marijuana plants were destroyed by police on the Essequibo Coast yesterday, after an operation led to the discovery of a secluded camp in the Onderneeming back lands. According to information revealed by police, ranks who were on foot patrol observed a group of men under a camp in the Onderneeming Backlands, about 10 miles

from the public road. As ranks approached the camp the men allegedly opened fire, forcing police to take evasive action. The men then fled into the nearby bushes and were pursued by ranks on foot, leading to the arrest of one. It was further observed that there were two camps with a quantity of groceries, kitchen utensils, hammocks, clothing and dried cannabis, which

weighed about 15 kg. The camp was also surrounded by six fields which amounted to some 8 1/4 acres of Marijuana plants,. It is believed that the farm had some 11,700 marijuana plants, ranging between six inches and seven feet in height amounting to about 58,530 kgs. The plants were all destroyed by fire. One suspect remains in custody assisting with investigations.

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Port Mourant is East Berbice top school at NGSA By Malisa Playter Harry Emerging as this year’s top performer in the Ancient County of Region Six is Rajiv Babulall of Port Mourant Primary. The 11-year-old confident lad of Adventure Village, received the news of his success while he was at school. He explained that the news came to him as a surprise but he was ecstatic afterwards. Babulall credits his success to early morning and late night studies. He added that he had to sacrifice the television and his regular games. The young man who originally hailed from Essequibo stated that it is his dream to become a Biologist since he “loves the study of living organisms”. He expressed his gratitude to his teacher Ms. Zeena Mangru and his parents, Parmeshwar and Mohanie Babulall. In 2015 his sister also topped the school and according to Babulall it was his desire to equal or even beat his sister’s accomplishments. He achieved a spot at Queens College. Securing the second spot in the region was Babulall’s classmate, 12-year-old Michael Moorsalin of Brighton Village, Corentyne, Berbice. He noted that he was only made aware of his results Thursday night. \On seeing what he achieved, excitement filled the air in his home circle. Aiming high, Moorsalin said he aspires to one day become a Neurologist, a profession he seemed quite knowledgeable about. When asked about his choice of profession the confident young man said, “I chose that because I am very interested in anthropology and the human body. He also secured a spot at Queen’s College. It has always been a dream of his to do so. Holding the third top spot with 515 marks in the region are two students from different schools. Quacy Isaacs of All Saints Primary in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Anisa Hafiz of Rose Hall Town Primary. Speaking with Isaacs as he was making his way out from school, with his mother at his side on Friday, the overjoyed achiever and aspiring doctor proudly stated that he was awarded a spot at Queen’s College. He added that extra lessons did the trick for him coupled with less television and more study hours, “I would study in the morning from 5:30 -6:30 and in the afternoons after school I would attend lessons from 3:00-5:00 and I would study text books on the weekend”. His advice to students who will be writing the NGSA exams in 2019 is to work hard

East Berbice top student: Rajiv Babulall

2nd: Michael Moorsalin

5th: Frank Waddell, Susannah Khemraj and when it gets tough “keep pushing yourself”. He thanked his parents for their continued support along with his teacher who worked with him during his time at school. Locking in the fifth spot in the region with a tie was Frank Waddell, of All Saints Primary School in New Amsterdam, Berbice and Susannah Khemraj of Cropper Primary School, Albion, Corentyne, Berbice. They both scored 514 marks. With a dream to become a future president of Guyana, Waddell explained that he is joyful and overwhelmed that he made it into the top ten. He said, “Even though I didn’t expect to make it into the top ten I am very glad that I did”. Waddell proclaimed, “I would like to become the president of Guyana”. He said it is his desire to sit in such a seat as head of state because he wanted to make a difference and make the country a better place. Questioned about one thing he would want to change as the president, Waddell smartly said that the education system would be his top priority. His achievements allowed him a place at Queens College. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Roziya Lakhram coming in at seventh in the region and also of the All Saints Primary School who managed to rack up 512 marks with a place at the Bishops High School told this publication that she did it with her twin sister, Rosaliya Lakhram. While her sister did not place in the top ten she secured a spot at St. Stanislaus College. She ex-

claimed that she was happy and proud of her achievement but did it with her partner, her twin sister. She added that she studied on the weekends with her sister and her mother. Her dream is to one day become a Forensic Scientist. The smiling twins said that they were proud of each other’s accomplishments at this year’s NGSA. Roziya said, “it was very nice to have my sister to study with, it was not boring, we could focus together and we have been doing everything together since we are twins”.

3rd: Quacy Isaac, Anisa Hafiz

Allan Bangari

Aaron Subhnauth, Divvya Singh, Ezra Minty The girls stated that they are not sure if they will be attending the school they attained but nevertheless will continue to strive and work hard. Adding to the list of top region six students are Arnold Doman of Cropper Primary School, Albion and Alan Bangari of Port Mourant Primary School. Both achieved 511 marks. Bangari, 12 years old of Haswell, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice said he was happy and surprised at the same time with his results while noting that he was aim-

ing for a spot at Queens College but is thankful for a place a Bishops High School. Doman, of Albion Village, said when he heard that he got a spot at Bishops High School he felt very happy. One of the sacrifices he said that contributed to his success was “not having any fun”. He stated that he also studied from 6:00 in the afternoons to midnight. He aspires to become an Engineer and advised future NGSA students to “study hard”. Sealing off the top ten (Continued on page 65)

7th: Roziya Lakhram

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Coops benefit from Ministry, ILO training

Representatives of Coops Societies during the workshop A three-day technical training and capacity-building workshop for cooperative movements concluded on Thursday. The exercise highlighted the importance of key areas such as effective communication, accounting, data collection, management, and marketing planning, just to name a few. The three-day workshop was conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Department of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Social Protection at the Tower Suites Hotel, from June

25 to June 27. The exercise highlighted the importance of society and information on key areas such as effective communication, accounting, data collection, management, and marketing planning among other topics. It forms part of the government’s efforts to revitalise the cooperative movement in the country by presenting opportunities for economic growth development, cooperation and social cohesion. At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, representative of the Ministry of Social Protec-

tion, Sheldon Daniels noted that the workshop will help the participants to better understand and appreciate the evolution and role of the cooperative movement in the social, economic and political and cultural development of Guyana. Consultant at the ministry, Francis Carryl said, “The fact that this workshop is being held to equip practitioners with much needed technical skills and capacity, is a testimony of the enlightened thinking and approach being embraced, illustrated and demonstrated by the Cooperative Development De-

partment of the Ministry of Social Protection.” ILO specialist, Kelvin Sergeant, in his remarks highlighted, the fact that cooperative is a vital tool to improving the living conditions of citizens globally since it aids in making available essential infrastructure and services. The International Labor Organization (ILO) was established in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I. The agency deals with labour problems, particularly international labour standards and social protection.

Excelling at exams requires more than hard work and sacrifice STEMGuyana has congratulated the top performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). It understands the hard work and sacrifice it took them to get there. But according to cofounder of STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams, achieving at such a high level at the NGSA and CXC also needs access to quality learning resources and the right supportive environment; parents, teachers, books, lessons, money. Abrams said, “This is the piece of support that often eludes children who attend under-resourced schools, students who live in abusive environments or with parents who have no way to access the funds to make these resources a reality for their children and this happens all around the world. In most countries, and like Guyana, there is no equal access to a quality education for all.” She said that more than 40 percent of children in Guyana do not pass the numeracy assessment in the second grade, and by the sixth grade more than 60% fail. The children who thrive have excellent support and historically, it is these children who then went on to reap the best academic and job related opportunities in Guyana, but no longer does it have to be so, Abrams said. Speaking specifically to the parents and children who did not make it into the ‘top schools’, Abrams said “Please know that learning is a life-long journey. Because of access to technology, all children now have an opportunity to learn continuously outside of the education system. Children now have access to high quality and free educational resources which can help to strengthen their academic skills and even provide access to learning unavailable in the Guyanese academic context.” Highlighting that the Ministry Of Public Telecommunications has made free internet access available to more than 100 community hub sites, the STEMGuyana co-founder has implored parents to encour-

STEMGuyana co-founder, Karen Abrams age their children to use them. “We encourage the participation in after-school youth programmes like Literacy and Numeracy programmes sponsored by the Office Of The First Lady, Youth Volunteer Corps, STEMGuyana’s after-school STEM clubs, Department of Youth’s programs, or the many free academic programmes sponsored by various civil society groups in your various communities.” She continued, “The next challenge is to ensure that curricula designed to strengthen fundamental literacy, numeracy and STEM education are available at all academic levels in these after-school programs, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Additionally we must do away with the strong culture of shame for seeking academic support for literacy, numeracy and academic enrichment, which is prevalent in many corners of our society.” “Today more than any other time in history, it is not only the educationally swift who will win in the end, there is also room for those who are determined to learn, who are honest about the help they need, who invest time in lifelong learning, who seek help, who venture outside of the norms and who commit to life-long self improvement.”

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---

The CCJ Ruling: A blow to the PPP’s desire to recapture dominance

T

he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has made its ruling on the constitutionality of the Term Limit stipulation that was enacted by a bipartisan vote of the National Assembly. That the courts were called upon to pronounce on this matter is due in part to the fact that a section of the PPP’s leadership subsequently changed its mind. The post-Jagdeo leadership of the PPP had twice lost the hitherto built-in majority of the electorate and that section of the party felt that Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidential candidacy was the best route back to power. This is what is at the heart of the constitutional challenge to a law which the PPP had no problem with a decade ago. The courts had to determine whether the legislature had the power to dictate who

electors could not choose as the Head of State. While the Lower Court reasoned that the legislature has no such power, the CCJ took the opposite position. Legal scholars would long after this ruling debate its correctness and I rather suspect this is not the last we would hear on this matter. I have long said to close colleagues that I am not a fan of Term Limits, largely because I don’t think it does much to improve the quality of leadership, even as I recognize its usefulness in thwarting personal accumulation of power. And it is the latter consideration that pushed me to support this CCJ ruling—it is a blow against attempts to use democracy, particularly the right of electors to choose leaders of the State, to personalize power in pursuit of partisan

domination. So, I am arguing that the consequences of this ruling go beyond Jagdeo the individual. Jagdeo is the face of an attempt by a section of the PPP leadership to recapture the government and control of the State by overturning a law they once supported. The key here is that the PPP supported that law when they thought that the party would govern forever, regardless of who the presidential candidate was. That reality has now changed. The fact of the matter is this: Jagdeo is the only PPP leader who at this juncture could bring the party close to power in the short run. While he alienates African Guyanese and a small section of the Indian Guyanese electorate, his open and blunt appeal to Indian Guyanese ethnic emotions would have

The Baccoo Speaks When people spoke of rampant corruption they knew what they were talking about. The authorities are going to discover yet another major fraud in a government ministry. This one will involve the payment of monies due to the elderly. The authorities will find that payments to some individuals were diverted because these individuals had passed on. **

T h e police are going to find a car that had been carjacked a few months ago. The vehicle would be found near to the

scene of a robbery on the west side. The occupants would flee in the face of rapid police response to a call from the victims. ** The spate of vehicular accidents is causing alarm. A driver is going to find an obstacle in his way when he tries to avoid an accident of his own making. The rule is that a driver should not overtake unless the coast is clear. Sadly, the vehicle would have innocent passengers.

been an asset for the party at the top of the ticket in 2020. And in the context of a lacklustre performance of the Coalition, they could have won the election. But a PPP victory with Jagdeo as president would once again push Guyana to the edge. African Guyanese would not accept his presidency and he would be forced to resort to non-traditional methods to remain in power. Guyana walked that road during his stint as president and our country has not recovered from that episode yet. The CCJ ruling has far-reaching political consequences. It is now open season within the ranks of the PPP— every leader would now fancy his or her chances of becoming the party’s presidential candidate. The in-fighting has already begun. But Mr. Jagdeo

has made it clear that he intends to play a pivotal role in choosing the candidate. In other words, there would not be a candidate who does not have Jagdeo’s blessing. The anti-Jagdeo factions are too timid to challenge Jagdeo, largely because he is most popular among the base, and he controls the party machinery. And most importantly, he drives political fear in his detractors. This impending uncertainty within the PPP’s ranks could be a godsend for the Coalition, if it has the presence of mind to seize the time. I still contend that if the Coalition governs as a partnership by opening up decision-making within its ranks, it would then be “formidable”. If the partners are afforded the opportunity outside of Cabinet to deliberate and vote on policy and political direc-

Dr David Hinds tion, the image of the government would improve, and its decisions would be enriched. Further, if that then leads to enlightened policies on issues that affect the economy, wages and the overall security of the poor, they would be in a better position to return to government in 2020. More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Boys with a terrible secret By Michael Jordan

- another anniversary of an unsolved killing

I

believe that some where in Grove and Diamond Housing Schemes, East Bank Demerara, there is a group of young men who have a shared secret. It’s about a terrible thing I believe that they did exactly four years ago. Let’s go back to that night. Bharrat Pitamber, a tailor, knew of the risks of using the shortcut they called ‘The Aqueduct’ at night. He’d almost been robbed before while riding through that track, which links Diamond and Grove Housing Schemes. But that didn’t stop him from cutting through ‘The Aqueduct’ on the night of Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Maybe he was anxious to go home to his wife and six-month-old daughter, and to a hot dinner after a hard day’s work. Earlier in the day, at around 7:40 a.m., Pitamber left his home at Lot 1401 Section ‘C’ Grove. He then headed for his tailoring shop, located on the East Bank Demerara public road. While there, Pitamber sold a caged bird to an acquaintance for $45,000. He reportedly collected another bird from the same acquaintance. Then he rode through the shortcut for the very last time. THE LITTLE BOY’S TALE It is said that at around six o’clock that same night, a 15year-old boy left his Grove home on a bicycle to buy

Did the killer leave this bike at the scene? some chicken at the East Bank Demerara Bounty Farm outlet. A friend accompanied him on the same bicycle. Because he had an injured leg, the 15year-old reportedly told the friend to ride to the outlet and buy the chicken, while he waited.The 15-year-old was reportedly joined by two other boys, and they all rode west up a roadway in Grove that runs parallel to the Diamond access road. And they were a short distance from ‘The Aqueduct’ when they saw the friend, who had gone to buy the chicken, riding towards

them. This boy alerted the others that he had seen a man lying on the roadside near ‘The Aqueduct’, and that the man was calling out for help. The 15-year-old alleged that when they reached the scene, the wounded man, later identified as Bharrat Pitamber, was still alive. Two bicycles were reportedly on the ground nearby, as well as a caged bird. They also saw a large ‘Rambo’ knife, with which Pitamber’s assailant had reportedly stabbed him in the chest. The 15-year-old and a 12-

year-old rushed to the nearby Diamond Fire Station and told the staff about the injured man. The men summoned the police, who took Pitamber to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital. By then, the tailor was already dead. At the scene, police observed a blood trail which suggested that Pitamber was attacked soon after riding through the shortcut into Grove. He then tried to run east up the roadway, but collapsed. From cuts on the slain man’s hands, police deduced that he had put up a struggle that caused his attackers to drop the murder weapon and flee empty-handed. Pitamber’s cell phone, the $45,000 he had collected after selling his bird, and a receipt, which showed he had paid the rent for use of the tailoring shop, were all in his pockets. They also retrieved a bicycle and the murder weapon. And here’s where things became devilishly strange. TWELVE-YEAR-OLD WITH TAILOR’S BIKE On Wednesday, July 2, the day after Pitamber’s mur-

Bharrat Pitamber and his wife der, a 12-year-old boy reportedly came to the home of the 15-year-old whose mother had sent him to purchase chicken the previous day. The younger boy had a bicycle, and that bike belonged to the murdered tailor. “What you doing with that bike?” the elder boy reportedly asked his friend. It is alleged that the lads then decided to take the bicycle to Pitamber’s relatives. The mother of the older lad claimed that Pitamber’s relatives took the lads back to the scene and then handed them over to the police. It was then revealed that one of the boys who had found the tailor had picked up Pitamber’s bicycle. Another took the caged bird. The lad who took the bicycle reportedly tried to exchange it for a phone, but the friend refused to make the swap after learning that the bicycle had belonged to a murder victim. But what of the bicycle that police found near Pitamber? It turned out that someone had stolen that bicycle from an elderly man, while the owner was cutting grass for his cattle. Police have sug-

gested that the bike thief and the killer are the same. They suggested that the killer panicked and left it at the scene. Police rounded up all the lads, as well as an 18-year-old. The youths all denied involvement in Pitamber’s death or knowing the identity of his killer. They were all released. Bharrat Pitamber’s relatives still cannot pass that shortcut without thinking about him. They’re still seeking answers.Meanwhile, those who believe in fate would say that Bharrat Pitamber’s time had come. Others are left to wonder at what might have been, had the tailor avoided the shortcut that night and chosen to ride the long way home. If you have any information about this case, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location, or reach us on telephone numbers 22-58458, 22-58465, 22-58473, or 2258491. You can also contact Michael Jordan on his email a d d r e s s e s mjdragon@hotmail.com, and kmarangnight@gmail.com. You need not disclose your identity.

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

Brutal class bias in police’s tint crackdown There are some things that cannot be hidden in a small population. Georgetown is the centre of Guyana in many, many ways. Even if you live outside of Georgetown, you will drive into Georgetown several times within a month or year to do things that are necessary. Of course in a small town, there are no secrets. People in the capital know which minister has which fancy car, they know which traffic cop shakes down motorists etc. All of this is because Georgetown’s population is small. Georgetowners know who is dating whom, who is related to whom, who secretly went abroad for medical treatment, which lawyer is friendly with which judge. Most Georgetowners knew who to go to when they wanted bail in the High Court after being remanded by the magistrate. After a time, the character that did the liaison with the High Court judge became a well known name not only in Georgetown but its surrounding environs. Do you know there is a man in this country that as a matter of routine, never dons a helmet when he is using his

motor cycle? This guy rides around Georgetown and certain parts of Region Four all the time, without helmet, and the traffic cops know him, accept the situation and life goes on in Guyana. Many Georgetowners know who he is. I doubt the police would let Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar or Gayle to do that in their respective countries, even though they are so loved and admired by their country folks. At one time, Georgetowners knew who the untouchable drug lords were. You saw the mansions they put up, you saw the expensive cars they drove, you saw their bodyguards when they went dining and shopping. I remember about ten years ago, this fellow would come into the National Park to jog and he would be enveloped by about five bodyguards. When other joggers passed Mr. Big, his bodyguards stared them down. A small town will always reveal its secrets; it is almost impossible not to. Forgive this long digression, but I was laying the basis for my argument. My point is that the ongoing tint operation by the police force

is a barefaced action against drivers who belong to a certain class only. The police know who to pull in for illegal tints. They know the types of cars the less wealthy drive – Raum, Spacio, Vitz, Premio, Allion etc. Check any police operation against illegal tints and you would see the type of motorists they have hauled in.I see the operations often at Eve Leary, because I am a daily occupier of the Eve Leary seawall. Earlier this year there was a huge exercise near to the bandstand outside the Office of Professional Responsibility. They pulled in policemen whose vehicles were tinted and the tint had to be removed there and then. That exercise was in fact reported in the newspapers. What is comical in this country is that while the tint crackdown is going on, you pass SUVs daily on the roadways with their dark, dark tint. So you say to yourself how come they have these frequent anti-tint confrontations, but you are seeing so many expensive SUVs with opaque tints driving around all the time. Please do not take my word for it. Just pass at Eve Leary when there is a tint

crackdown, then drive off to the streets of Georgetown and you will see expensive SUVs with black, black tints. I have no objection to SUV drivers escaping the tint dragnet. But if the State in Guyana has a law and order operation, then the State cannot be that barefaced to pick on lower income people only. It is nasty class bias. But is it really class discrimination or is it money talking? Expensive SUVs are owned by people who in many cases pay traffic ranks. Have the Guyanese public ever reflected on why for three consecutive years,

the top brass of the police force have publicly stated that random stops by traffic ranks are improper, but these stops go on daily? It is a way of making money. If the ranks make 50 routine stops on any major highway a day, about 20 erring drivers will pay a bribe. The amount depends on which offence you have committed. Expired fitness is $5000. Expired insurance is $5000. No driver’s licence is $10,000. Routine stops will never stop because it nets a lot of money to corrupt policemen. And the senior officers are

Frederick Kissoon involved. I have seen senior officers in charge of operations when random stops are talking place. They are part of the conspiracy. The Guyana Police Force is riddled with corrupt ranks.

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

CCJ’s ruling has unintended consequences for Jagdeo

T

he past week was a disastrous one for former President Bharrat Jagdeo. As he waited, obviously with bated breath, for the third-term ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice in Trinidad, he did not know that the ruling would herald the beginning of the end of a miserable and troublesome political career. For now, Mr. Jagdeo would, as he said at a press conference early last week, hold on to the positions of General Secretary (GS) and leader of the PPP while it pre-

pares to sit out another five years in Opposition to a Coalition that has already made significant strides in bringing Guyana back. Government is now busy setting Guyana up for economic transformation, integrating the traditional economic pillars including agriculture, gold, diamond and bauxite mining, with our new oil and gas industry. This direction has a very important element – development of Guyana’s people. Even Jagdeo’s negativity and

his reported encouragement of supporters to refuse to take part in any community programme will not stop their development. Now that it is very clear that he will never again be Guyana’s President, nor Prime Minister, nor First Vice President. Perhaps his days as the powerhouse in his party are numbered too. He is already an objectionable political liability, so one wonders what other uses the PPP could have for him going forward. Clearly anticipating a pos-

sible backlash from the CCJ ruling, Jagdeo called a press conference earlier in the week to state emphatically that he will remain the PPP’s GS and that he would play an integral role in any PPP government formed after 2020. The trouble is the electorate has no plans to return that party to government; not the party that pillaged the nation’s resources and whittled away the people’s benefits from every development project, big and small. This is the party that allowed the narcotics trade to dominate the economy, and almost rendered the Guyana Police Force toothless and worthless.The CCJ’s ruling had unintended consequences for Jagdeo. His party now has to find another General Secretary to take it forward as its presidential candidate. This one can’t follow the old precedent that saw party founder Dr. Cheddi Jagan, his wife Janet, and more recently Donald Ramotar taking up that mantle. So would their central executive, the central committee and the rank and file now allow a man with no useful political future to continue to

lead them in the coming months and years? In addition, why would anyone with leadership ambitions allow him/herself to continue to be ordered around by Jagdeo? The ruling has diminished his power and influence, though the esteemed Caribbean justices probably did not consider that. Internal rebellion and open dissent are now staring him in the face. Still trying to maintain his grip on power, he said last week that he plans to have a ‘hand’ in choosing their next presidential candidate. That will be interesting to see. It is generally believed that the party’s old guard in particular are not fond of Jagdeo and his style of leadership, as they have intimated at various times. As an example, the CCJ’s live streaming of the sitting had barely ended when former GS Donald Ramotar said publicly that he welcomed the ruling, describi n g i t a s t h e “ b e st for Guyana”. Writing on Facebook last Thursday, Clement Rohee said he had “always maintained an open mind” so the

judges’ ruling came as no surprise to him. He wrote, “A perusal of the records would show that Reepu Daman Persaud, Feroze Mohammed, Bernard DeSantos and myself, among others, served on the Special Select Committee of the National Assembly to draw up a new constitution before the next general elections due in 2001. It was in that body that a recommendation to the effect that ‘a person shall hold the office of President for a maximum of two terms and those two terms shall be consecutive’ was adopted”. With big revenues expected from oil and gas in a couple of years, it is hard to imagine both the old and new guard in the PPP allowing a fading, desperate Jagdeo to manipulate anyone into the presidential candidacy. Lessons learned from the Donald Ramotar debacle probably still sting.Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the CCJ’s ruling has set the proverbial cat among the pigeons in the party. Mr. Jagdeo’s ‘usefulness’ would definitely remain a topic for debate at Freedom House.

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

My column

The glory days are over for someone

T

he talk around the country this past week was about the ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The issue was the court challenge brought by a man, Cedric Richardson, who I am certain had no interest in local politics. I am forced to go back more than a decade when, at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, I asked the then-President Bharrat Jagdeo whether he would be seeking another run at the presidency. In the presence of foreign reporters, my head of state clearly said that he was done at the end of his tenure. For some reason, perhaps people kept seeing something. The then-head of state was asked this question repeatedly. On each occasion the answer was similar to the one President Jagdeo gave in Trinidad. Later, in private conversations, Mr. Jagdeo said that there was so much more to do away from the presidency. He spoke of writing a book; he spoke of his role on the international stage in the area of global warming. On another occasion, this time in a conversation with some local reporters, Mr. Jagdeo said that he was bored with cutting ribbons and shaking hands. When this challenge to the decision came, there was no doubt that Mr. Jagdeo was behind it. I, at a press conference asked Mr. Jagdeo whether he was funding the challenge by Cedric Richardson. He answered in the negative. Former President Donald Ramotar said that the People’s Progressive Party was not funding the challenge. I was interested in who had the deep pockets. To this day I never found out. There was a cost to have the challenge before the Chief Justice. It was some time before that ruling came. Indeed, people inside the People’s Progressive Party all said that the law was clear, that no person can serve more than two consecutive terms. The government appealed the decision and lost in the Guyana Court of Appeal. Chancellor Carl Singh, just days before he demitted office, ruled in favour of the Chief Justice—a person could serve more than two terms. There was a dissenting vote by current Chancellor, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards. At this stage I began to wonder which president was in a position to serve more than two consecutive terms. The only person was Mr. Jagdeo. All eyes therefore

turned to the former president. The conclusion was that he was interested in running for office again. His previous comments about not being interested were nothing but hot air. Yet he needed the benefit of the doubt, because he continued to confirm that he was not prepared to run again. There were his followers who made it known that they wanted him as president. So it was on Tuesday that when the decision came there was a lot of disappointment. Indeed, one PPP representative in the National Assembly injected the race issue. He claimed that the people at the CCJ were kith and kin of the David Granger administration. In his eyes, he saw the administration as Africanoriented, despite the presence of people of other ethnic groups. He had made this comment earlier when he had a gut feeling that the ruling was going to be against a third term. After the decision, he repeated his racist rant, but that letter has not seen the light of day in the press. If Mr. Jagdeo was not behind the challenge, the fact that he called a press conference almost immediately after the ruling told another story. Some of the leaders in the party welcomed the ruling by the CCJ, but there were others who were like sheep, refusing to comment for fear of offending Mr. Jagdeo. We couldn’t get a comment from Anil Nandlall and we couldn’t get one from

Irfaan Ali. They are both contenders for the presidency, at least for the right to be the party’s presidential candidate. Of interest is the fact that Mr. Jagdeo has stamped himself as the person who would determine the presidential candidate. At a press conference, he literally nixed Charles Ramson Jr. This young man had openly stated his intention or at least his desire to be the party’s presidential candidate. If Mr. Jagdeo is the powerhouse he believes and says he is, then we can be certain that people like Clement Rohee, Gail Teixeira, and even Donald Ramotar will n o t b e c a n d i d a t e s . M r. Jagdeo says that they will have to dress down. They are the old folks. Has he rocked the party to its core? I think so. I expect to hear leaders openly challenging him. Perhaps we may see a reaction that sent Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo into the arms of the Alliance For Change. I interviewed the lawyers who represented the government in the wake of the CCJ decision and learnt some interesting things. For one, Chief Justice Ian Chang and Chancellor Carl Singh changed the law for political expediency. They tried to deny that the Parliament is the representative and the voice of the people, and they so ruled. The Parliament had voted unanimously that no person can serve more than two consecutive terms.

Justice CummingsEdwards saw the flaw in Chang and Singh’s contention and she penned an excellent decision, one that I have read at least twice. I hasten to note that to the best of my knowledge, this is the second dissenting vote that she handed down to gain the support of the CCJ. The first was in a libel suit brought by Dr. Walter Ramsahoye against Kaieteur News. I respect her opinions; they are rooted in the law. The lawyers for the government also noted that Mr. Jagdeo should not take any consolation from the dissenting vote at the CCJ. For starters, the entire court – seven judges – sat to hear this case. They must have found it to be most interesting. Six of them voted to allow the appeal. The dissenting vote did not find favour with the principle of democracy that had been in existence since the days of the Greeks when they

met in the marketplace. Asked to comment on the ruling by Justice Chang and Justice Carl Singh, Solicitor General Ms. Kim Kyte-Thomas said that such rulings make law interesting. Lawyers are confronted with different interpretations of the law. And I must look at life for Jagdeo after the CCJ ruling. I know that he detests me. He sees me as a dyed-inthe-wool PNC, just as he is a dyed-in-the-wool PPP. But my political position, in his eyes, is criminal. Quite correctly, he argues that I am in my sunset years, but I am certainly not senile. Suffice it to say that I have children, grandchildren and even great grand-children to keep me company and make me happy. Mr. Jagdeo, with nothing to make him a formidable person in the society, will not have the clout he had as president and as the mover and shaker in his party. He will now have to in-

Adam Harris voke people to walk with him. His circle of friends would get smaller because that is how some of his hangers-on are. No power, no need for him. He will try to remain in the public eye by holding more press conferences, something he rarely did when he was president. Sections of the press would attend for a few more sessions then fade away. He will make outlandish statements, one of which is in the pages of today’s Kaieteur News. Finally, he will be an ordinary citizen, just like Mrs. Janet Jagan, albeit a very rich one.

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Cooperative enterprises are a sustainable and participatory form of business The United Nations has designated Saturday, July 7, 2018 as International Day of Cooperatives. The theme for the 2018 International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) is “Sustainable consumption and production”, creating an opportunity for cooperatives to show how they run successful businesses while respecting our natural environment and the resources it offers. Guyana has had long and rich history of cooperatives. Our fore-parents depended on cooperative systems to support their early existence. Africans who had been freed from enslavement pooled their resources and bought villages which they worked cooperatively. Indians, using the extended family as a base unit, shared their goods, responsibilities and chores. Indigenous communities have always operated on an internal cooperative basis for work and celebrations. Cooperatives have over two centuries of experience building sustainable and resilient societies. Agricultural cooperatives

work to maintain the longevity of the land where they grow crops through sustainable farming practices. Consumer cooperatives support sustainable sourcing for their products and educate consumers about responsible consumption. Housing cooperatives help ensure safe dwellings. Utility cooperatives are engaged in the transition to cleaner electricity and rural access to energy and water. Worker and social cooperatives aim to provide goods and services in an efficient, planet-friendly way while creating long-term, sustainable jobs. For the uninitiated, a Cooperative is an organization, in which the components of ownership, control and use are integrated by being all vested in the members who have voluntarily come together, pooling their financial, human and other resources to pursue common economic, social and cultural aims by means of a business. Members take part as consumers or suppliers or through the contribution of their own labour or any combination thereof and

ensure democratic control and equality through participative management and the equitable distribution of the organization’s surpluses. In February 1970 Guyana was declared a Cooperative Republic. Addressing the use of the cooperative as the instrument for national development, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham said; “what we can realistically and sensibly aim at are the development of our resources for the removal of unemployment, the banishment of poverty, want and hunger and the creation of an environment and atmosphere where human beings can achieve happiness…. The only means of developing the resources of Guyana is by Guyanese. Our success cannot be judged in terms of what aid or assistance we get; in any case, aid and assistance are what they say- ancillary to the main effort or operation. Success has to be measured in terms of what we do. The maximum national involvement is necessary. The instrument we have identified is the cooperative.” The cooperative was

chosen because structurally it was best suited for organising ordinary folk in groups for economic purposes. By definition, also, it is democratic, in that the principle of one man one vote, instead of one share one vote, ensures the value and importance of the individual as distinct from mere currency. It further gives to the individual an opportunity for participation in policy decision which he or she can never enjoy in a limited liability company. His or her ownership and influence in a Co-op are real and the scope for personal development of managerial and technical skills and the meaningful exercise of these skills are unlimited. During the Peoples National Congress administration, the cooperative movement was expanded in terms of members, numbers and economic activities. The Kuru-Kuru Cooperative College was established to provide the means through which the nation could be educated properly in the philosophy and practice of cooperatives. The College also assisted Guyanese in acquiring the skills necessary to manage and operate successful cooperatives. During this period, Guyana’s young people became more involved in the movement. School coopera-

tives societies expanded from 130 in 1964 to 11, 935 in 1974 with a membership of over 40, 000. Workers cooperatives permitted small groups the opportunity to create employment for themselves. Notable among these cooperatives were butchery, bakery, clay brick-making, building and construction, leather works, travel agencies, handicraft manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, stone quarrying and fishing cooperatives. The economic activity of the fishing cooperatives was expanded to include provision of wharf facilities, credit, marketing, repair facilities, production of ice and the sale of gasoline. The pig-rearers’ cooperatives were so successful that it reached a position where it was able to supply 75 percent of all the pork purchased by the Guyana Marketing Cooperation. Over the years cooperatives saw a decline due to a lack of emphasis, mismanagement, corruption and nepotism. However, there has been a renaissance and the cooperative movement is being revitalised. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott has lauded the renaissance of the co-operative movement as one of the highlights of the work carried out under the Ministry in 2017. Cooperatives are not a

new idea but are more relevant than ever if we look at the development challenges and opportunities facing the nation. Over the years, cooperatives have offered a resilient, democratic, sustainable and economically viable model of doing business in all sectors of the economy. Cooperatives, together with other micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, will continue to play a key role in providing decent jobs for all, especially young people and women. Cooperatives offer a lowbarrier entry to the world of entrepreneurship and play a key role in formalizing work in the informal economy. This leads to better working conditions and enhanced livelihoods for its members, workers and their families. As value-based and principle driven organizations, cooperative enterprises are by nature a sustainable and participatory form of business. Hence, cooperatives are well-placed to contribute to sustainable development’s triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental objectives plus the governance ‘green’ agenda, not least because they are enterprises that endeavour to meet the economic progress of members while satisfying their sociocultural interests and protecting the environment.

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Dehydration in Children: Water is life By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine

D

ehydration is the term doctors use when the body loses too much water. Losing too much water is a problem, because the body needs a certain amount of water to work normally. Another word doctors sometimes use is “hypovolemia.” Dehydration can be mild or severe. Mild dehydration doesn’t usually cause problems. But if mild dehydration isn’t treated, it can progress to severe dehydration very fast. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and is often life-threatening. Children are at higher risk for dehydration than adults. There are a few reasons for this: * Their bodies are smaller * They are more likely to get viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. * Babies and young children depend on adults to give them liquids, and might not be able to tell someone if they are thirsty. WHAT CAUSES DEHYDRATION? Dehydration happens when your body loses more water than you take in from drinking and eating. It’s normal for people to lose some water from their bodies every day, for example, in their urine and bowel movements. But some things make people lose a lot of water. In children, this can include: * Vomiting * Diarrhea *A high fever * Problems or medicines that cause a person to urinate more than usual Some things keep people from taking in enough water. For example, children might not drink or eat if they have an upset stomach or sore throat. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION? People with mild dehydration might not notice any symptoms. As dehydration gets worse, it can cause symptoms such as: * Feeling thirsty * Urinating less often, or having dark yellow or brown urine *A dry mouth or cracked lips * No tears when the child cries * Feeling tired or con-

fused * Feeling dizzy or lightheaded * Eyes that look sunken in the face * A “sunken fontanel” in babies – A fontanel is a gap between the bones in a baby’s skull. When babies are dehydrated, the fontanel on the top of their head can look or feel caved in. Severe dehydration can make people stop breathing normally or go into a coma. WHEN SHOULD YOU CALLA DOCTOR? Call or visit a doctor if your child has any symptoms of dehydration. You should also call if your child: * Has diarrhea that lasts more than a few days * Has vomiting that lasts more than 1 day * Can’t keep any fluids down * Vomits blood or has bloody diarrhea *Hasn’t had anything to drink in many hours * Hasn’t needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (in older children), or hasn’t had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours (in babies and younger children) IS THERE A TEST FOR DEHYDRATION? Yes. Doctors can do blood and urine tests to check for dehydration and see how severe it is. Your child’s doctor might also do tests to look for the cause of the dehydration.

HOW IS DEHYDRATION TREATED? Dehydration is treated with fluids. Children with severe dehydration usually need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment might involve getting fluids through an “IV,” which is a thin tube that goes into the vein (in Guyana we call it “getting saline”) or getting small sips of a special fluid designed for children with dehydration. If your child only has mild dehydration, you can also treat it by giving them fluids to drink. You’ll know that the treatment is working when: * Your child urinates more often and the urine looks pale yellow or clear. * Your baby has more wet diapers. Some fluids help treat dehydration better than water, because they give the body the right amount of water and salts. You should use the following fluids to treat your child’s dehydration: % Oral rehydration solutions – These are special drinks meant to help with dehydration, such as Pedialyte. You can buy them in a store or pharmacy. Try to give your child a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes. If your baby won’t drink it from a bottle or cup, you can feed him or her with a spoon or syringe. * Breast milk – Babies who breastfeed should continue to breastfeed.

*Apple juice mixed with an equal amount of water The child can return to a normal diet once no longer dehydrated. Keep giving extra fluids if your child’s vomiting or diarrhea continues. CAN DEHYDRATION BE PREVENTED? Yes. To help prevent dehydration, you can: * Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, especially if he or she is sick and

has a fever. * Give your baby or young child an oral rehydration solution as soon as he or she starts vomiting or having diarrhea. * Give your child extra fluids when it’s hot out, or if he or she is exercising. Remember, dehydration can progress rapidly, especially in children. Once you suspect that your child is at risk of dehy-

Dr. Zulfikar Bux dration, initiate rehydration and contact your doctor before it gets worse.

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

SUNDAY Exxon’s disgraceful treatment of Australian workers causes year-long continuous strike… company gets US177B in tax breaks but penny pinching its workers – Australian MP American multinational, ExxonMobil, makes huge profits on its operations in Australia. Yet, the company is “penny-pinching” with the salaries of its workers. Several Australian Parliamentarians have described this state of affairs to be “disgraceful” and “outrageous” while noting that they stand with ExxonMobil employees who are protesting the issue. Early last year, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration, took a decision to fire the hundreds of local plant operators unless they accept a 15 to 30 percent slash in their salaries. In addition to this, they must also agree to significant changes to their rostering arrangements which would have taken them away from their families for months at a time. The decision by ExxonMobil sparked a strike by workers which lasted for over 300 days. Several Parliamentarians have voiced their concern on the matter, stating that ExxonMobil’s behaviour is shameful and warrants an inquiry by the Senate. Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, said, “I want to point out to every Senator in this place and indeed to every Australian, that this company that employs them, that can’t afford to pay them decent wages and conditions, this company that is penny pinching at every op-

portunity that it possibly can, is also not paying tax in this country.” He continued, “Despite being one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, they haven’t paid a cent in Corporate Income Tax in the last two years and possibly longer. They had revenue of US$5.2B in 2016 and had increasing production and skyrocketing gas prices in Australia… ”ExxonMobil also has subsidiaries in the Bahamas and the Netherlands…Remember the debates we have had in committees about multinational tax avoidance? They have hid this corporate structure from

File photo: Teachers serving breakfast to pupils of Blossom Nursery, Enmore, ECD

the Senate Inquiry into Corporate Tax Avoidance which I happen to be on…” Whish-Wilson added, “We have hearings coming up this year and we are going to do our job to try and hold Exxon to account to actually pay the taxes they owe the Australian people. Workers also raised the issue of having the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax changed.” The Senator pointed out that Exxon Mobil was able to benefit from US$177billion worth of tax breaks. He said that this is “ridiculously generous deductions this government gave the big polluter.” He said, “Imagine what we

could do with US$177B…It is incredible to think about how much money these oil companies don’t pay us yet they want to be undercutting salaries and working conditions.” Whish-Wilson concluded, “It really is outrageous!” (See link for full speech: https:// w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=WIdCrtVGweA) Expansion of breakfast school feeding programme halted – cost overrun tagged at $112M It appears that implementation of Government’s much touted Breakfast School Feeding Programme has run

into trouble. According to a leaked report of the Ministry of Education, dated May 31, 2018, a planned expansion of the programme has been halted until September. This was after it was discovered that the cost overruns had reached more than $112M. The management of the programme would cause more anger at a time when the administration is cash-strapped. According to the report prepared by Adele Clarke, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the ministry, to Kelly-Ann Hercules, Legal Officer, on the “…Supply and Delivery of Dietary Items, Dabi’s Variety “, pertaining to the breakfast programme, the programme started in 2016 as a pilot at nine schools. “Benefitting were 657 students from the communities of Buxton and Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara. The idea was to replicate the programme in all the nursery and primary schools at the level of Grades 1 and 2, once the pilot was proven to be successful. “Granted the success of the programme, it was decided to commence the roll-out to other schools in a phased way commencing with Region Four. Consequently, budgetary provisions were made for this expansion in the years 2017 and 2018,” the report said, The Ministry requested approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to utilise the restricted tender method of procurement for the supply and delivery of the dietary items required for programme.

“This approval was granted on April 20, 2017. At the conclusion of the tender process, an award was granted to Dabi’s Variety dated June 12, 2017 for a period of one year at a contract sum of thirteen million, seven hundred and forty-six thousand, seven hundred and twenty dollars ($13,746,720).” The report indicated that at the time of the tender, there were 38 schools on the programme. When the new school term commenced, an additional 83 schools were added to the programme, increasing the number of beneficiaries from around 3,500, to 15,239. According to the Deputy PS, with the contract being in place for a period of one year, the Coordinator of the programme requested the supplier to provide the required quantities for the implementation of the programme over the period September 2017 to April 2018. “However, keen attention was inadvertently not given to the contract sum resulting in a cost-over run on the contract sum. In March 2018, the Accountant overseeing the payments for the programme brought to my attention as well as the Coordinator that no invoices for payment from Dabi’s Variety were received since last October.” Clarke reported that at this juncture, the Coordinator was asked to have same submitted.”The invoices were subsequently submitted for the period October 2017 — March 2018. When the payments were prepared and submitted to my office for approval in April. It was then (Continued on page 33)

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From page 32 observed that there was a cost-over run on the contract sum as a result of the increased needs for the additional schools.” Clarke said that the situation was immediately brought to the attention of the Permanent Secretary, Vibert Welch, and steps were taken to have the matter resolved. “The Ministry consulted with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board and was advised that the Ministry should write detailing the issue and to request approval. This was done immediately, and in light of the fact that by this time supplies were already delivered for April and May, the Ministry also requested an extension of the contract by one month (to include June) to complete the school term.” By then, the cost overrun was approximately $112,429,592. MONDAY Burnt body behind temple…Ex-con killed vendor to prevent him from giving evidence in friend’s murder trial A twisted tale of friendship and obsession seems to be emerging as the motive for the bludgeoning and burning of 56-year-old Saeed ‘Sayo’ Hamid, whose remains were found behind a temple on June 21. Police reportedly now have evidence that one of the two men in custody murdered Hamid so that he could not give evidence at the High Court trial of the suspect’s ‘close’ friend. While Divisional Commander Lyndon Alves remains tight lipped on a motive, Kaieteur News understands that the plot to silence Hamid may have been

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hatched months ago, while one of the men was still in prison. The suspect is said to have told investigators that he is ‘close’ friends with Asif Hamid, the son of Saeed Hamid, who is presently before the courts for a murder that he allegedly committed on a Number 36 Village businessman. “The suspect met Asif in prison and shared a close friendship…so the suspect having been freed from prison, hatched a plan to get rid of his ‘close friend’s’ father and lured him to his place at D’Edward Village and murdered him in the presence of the other suspect. However, Saeed Hamid’s deposition from the Preliminary Inquiry has already been tendered for the high court trial. Additionally, it was also revealed by a relative that, “this boy (the prime suspect) went to court in December (2017) and stand up for Asif and said how he go pay for a lawyer for Asif. Nobody na know who he was, so somebody ask he how he related to Asif and he seh how he is he friend and dem meet in prison and that he get release in October last year.” The ‘friend’ who is now a prime suspect was freed in October 2017 after he was found not guilty by a mixed jury at the Berbice High Court. The suspects, Satrohan Madray, called ‘Bluey’, and Antonio Balrup, had reportedly confessed on June 20 to bludgeoning Hamid to the head and then setting his corpse on fire behind a temple that is owned by Madray. They were both previously incarcerated for murder. Police got a break in the case after phone records they obtained reportedly showed that the suspects were in com-

The spot where the remains believed to be those of Saeed Hamid were found

Saeed Hamid

Asif Hamid

Satrohan Madray

Antonio Balrup

munication with Hamid at the time he went missing. At the time, sources had indicated to Kaieteur News that Hamid’s disappearance was linked to the High Court case in which he was due to testify. Kaieteur News had reported that during the preliminary inquiry at the Magistrates’ Court in Springlands before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, Hamid, the father of the accused, had given detailed evidence against his son, Asif Hamid. The vendor reportedly left his home at Lot 41 Queenstown, Corriverton and told his youngest son that he will be back before night falls to prepare dinner as he usually would. He was last seen entering a white Toyota Premio at the Palmyra bridge entrance on the 19th April, 2018. During his journey to the bridge point, Hamid reportedly received numerous phone calls inquiring about his location.

rental of the controversial $25M drug bond at Sussex Street, Albouystown, the Ministry of Health continues to utilise the facility and has racked up millions of dollars in rental fees. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, in response to a written question from Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall. The answer, which was circulated at Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly showed that the Ministry of Public Health paid $264.5M for the rental of the building to Linden Holding Inc. between July 2016 and March 2018. The issue of the bond surfaced in 2016 when it was learnt that the bond had been rented under very lucrative terms to businessman, Larry Singh, during the tenure of former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, who had defended the Ministry’s use of the facility. The controversy surrounding the use of the bond intensified when it was discovered late 2016 that the facility was merely storing items such as lubricants and condoms. Another visit to the facility this year revealed that al-

though there were added items by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the manner of storage left much to be desired. There are reports that suggest that a three-year contract has been signed for use of the facility, but Minister Lawrence had disclosed that the Ministry had planned to end the rental of the bond by December 2017. However, she disclosed that Ministry had served a Notice of Quit dated October 2016 by then Permanent Secretary, Trevor Thomas. A reminder dated October 3, 2017 was sent by Permanent Secretary Colette Adams who had taken over from Thomas. Lawrence had explained that the Government was hoping to take the money used for the rental of the bond and reinvest it in the public health sector. The Minister had disclosed plans to build more bonds and expand the ones the Ministry has. The subsequent questions over the bond ultimately led to President David Granger ordering a probe and Dr. Norton being hauled before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Norton had admitted that the Government had entered

into a multi-year rental agreement with a new company, Linden Holdings Company, to store pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The Opposition had believed that Norton misinformed and misled the National Assembly when he stated that the reason that no procurement process was followed with regard to the selection of the company for a three-year contract was that the facility was required on an emergency basis. The Opposition also claimed that Norton misinformed the House when he said that the facility for storing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies was certified in keeping with international standards set out by Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

TUESDAY Govt. pays $265M in rent for $25M Sussex Street drug bond After promising to cease

Special Prosecutors paid $20,000 per hour; plus $2M in retainer fees Each of the five special prosecutors hired for fraud cases involving former Government officials, received a retainer of $2M, according to information disclosed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. According to the salaries and benefits provided by Williams, the retainer fee was applied against the Attorney’s fees and cost incurred by the state or expenses paid by the attorney on behalf of the state. This is in addition to $20,000 per hour that each special prosecutor received for legal services rendered in prosecuting matters in the court. The information presented by Williams was contained in a written response to questions from Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall, who served as the previous Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Williams stated that the agreement signed by the special prosecutors is dated June 7, 2017. By the end of March, (Continued on page 34)

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From page 33 Williams noted that the prosecutors had worked on 12 cases. According to information supplied to Kaieteur News, the five special prosecutors retained by the state are Trenton Lake, Michael Somersall, Hughley Griffith, Lawrence Harris and Patrice Henry. Last year January when Government announced it was pursing fraud charges against officials in the former People’s Progressive Party administration, Compton Richardson, was announced as the sixth special prosecutor. Nandlall had told reporters at the time that the appointment of the special prosecutors was unconstitutional. He had pointed out that lawyers who will be or have been hired as Special Prosecutors, are operating out of Government Ministers’ “former” firms. Police Legal Advisor, Justice Claudette Singh, SC, had been critical of the prosecutors’ work ethics. In the initial stages, she had stated that the prosecutors were not attending meetings, “non-cooperative and that they were not pulling their weight.” She was of the view that the lack of cooperation was hindering the expeditious delivery of prosecution in many of the investigations undertaken by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). She also said that had the Special Prosecutors been more involved in the building of the cases by SOCU, more would have been accomplished. The special prosecutors were hired to ensure effective and efficient prosecution of criminal charges into the Sparendaam Housing Project, known as Pradoville Two, and the operations of the Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc. Nandlall is of the view that this was yet another political witch-hunt that is contaminated with cronyism, nepotism and ‘money for the boys’. WEDNESDAY No third term for Jagdeo …as CCJ rules in favour of Presidential limit A majority 6-1 ruling handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is set to have far-reaching effects on the current and future Presidents of Guyana. The CCJ, a Trinidadbased final appellate court, in a majority decision Tuesday upheld an amendment to Constitution, which bars Presidents of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana from

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serving more than two terms in office. The ruling, in essence, set aside the judgments of two lower Guyanese Courts, (High Court and Court of Appeal), which handed down decisions in favour of Cedric Richardson, a citizen of G u y a n a . Richardson had moved to the Court to challenge the amendment of the constitution, saying that it trampled his right to choose whomsoever he wants to be President. In his court case, he made specific mention to Bharrat Jagdeo, who had been President of Guyana twice before. The two-term restriction created by amendments to Article 90 of the Constitution was enacted in 2001 by Jagdeo, who was President at the time. Tuesday’s decision effectively halted any thoughts by Jagdeo to run for President at the next General Elections slated for 2020. Through his lawyers, the applicant (Richardson) had successfully argued that the amendment was inconsistent with his rights under Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution which declared that Guyana was a “sovereign democratic state”. He said that in order for the National Assembly to amend the Constitution, the amendment had to be supported by a majority vote in a referendum. He said that no referendum was held before the amendment in 2000, and therefore the amendment was unconstitutional. The amendment, which was made to the Constitution of Guyana in 2000, also added the further qualifications that a candidate for President must be a Guyanese by birth or parentage, residing in Guyana on the date of nomination for election, and continuously resident in the country for a period of seven years before Nomination Day. At the High Court, former Chief Justice (ag.) Ian Chang, and at the Court of Appeal Justice former Chancellor Carl Singh and Justice B.S Roy – agreed with Richardson. They said that an essential feature of a sovereign democratic state was the freedom enjoyed by its people to choose whom they wish to represent them. The amendment was therefore in their opinion, unconstitutional, because it “diluted the opportunity of the people to elect a President of their choice.” Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who also sat on the Appellate Court panel, gave a dissenting opinion. In the CCJ, Guyana’s Attorney General Basil Williams

A photo of the drug bond at Sussex Street, Albouystown relied heavily on the Justice Cummings-Edwards’ view. RULING On Tuesday, a majority decision was delivered by separate judgments from Sir Dennis Byron, the Court’s President, Justice Adrian Saunders, Justice Jacob Wit, Justice David Hayton, Justice Denys Barrow and Madame (Mme.) Maureen RajnauthLee. Justice Winston Anderson offered a dissenting judgm e n t . In delivering the judgment, Sir Dennis noted that the appeal was heard by all seven judges of the CCJ. He explained that the Court, after examination of the historical background of the amendment to the Constitution, recognised that it was passed unanimously by Guyana’s National Assembly during Jagdeo’s term in office. The CCJ President said that the Court felt that it was clear that the amendment did not emerge from the desire of any political party to manipulate the requirements to run for the office of President. ”The Constitution was amended after extensive national consultation and therefore represented a sincere attempt to enhance democracy in Guyana. The majority’s view was that Articles 1 and 9 did not confer on citizens an unlimited right to choose the head of state.” According to the CCJ, the National Assembly had the power to amend the Constitution by a vote of at least two-thirds of all members of the Assembly, without holding a referendum. The Court also outlined guiding principles for assessing when new amendments to the Constitution did not require the holding of a referendum.

Ultimately, the test was whether any such new amendments were “reasonably justifiable in a democratic s o c i e t y . ” To determine this, any court called upon to assess such a matter should “look to the history, substance and practical consequences of the amendment, to the reasons advance for it, and to the interests it serves”. Jagdeo cannot be Prime Minister either – prominent attorney explains Former President Bharrat Jagdeo cannot return to Government as Prime Minister. This became pellucid on Tuesday after prominent Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev J. Datadin explained that the Constitution bars anyone who is ineligible of being President from being Prime Minister as well. In an invited comment, Datadin said, “Article 101 subparagraph 1 of the Constitution is clear, very clear, that a person who is not eligible to be President is similarly not eligible to be Prime Minister. I think it would be difficult for an alternative interpretation of that article to be successful. In fact, there can be no alternative interpretation by anyone.” Datadin opined that the provisions of Article 101, 1 make good sense. He said, “I find this especially so, because someone who is Prime Minister would be required to act for the President on many occasions—if the President is ill, if he leaves the country, the Prime Minister will automatically be the person to act as President. More importantly, God forbid something is to happen to the elected President, by operation of law,

the Prime Minister would become the President.” Datadin continued, “Now, if that person who is ineligible of being President is Prime Minister, it creates a circus of permutation as to what should and should not happen, a situation that is likely to create a Constitutional crisis and create uncertainty in the country. So, by my reading of Article 101, 1 of the Guyana Constitution, any person who is ineligible of being President cannot be Prime Minister.” Tuesday saw the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upholding the Constitutional limit on terms for Heads of State in Guyana. After the ruling hit the online press, heated discussions erupted on social media on the domino effect of the ruling. Jagdeo is the only former President who is alive and has served two terms before. Hence, the discussion focused on him. Deportee, wife get 40 years each for 2014 Boxing Day murder Thirty eight-year-old Vishwantie Ragnauth broke down in tears from the prisoners’ dock at the announcement of a 40-year jail sentence imposed on her for killing her uncle on Boxing Day of 2014. Ragnauth, also known as ‘Shelly’ and her reputed husband Nyron Thakurdyal, 39, also known as ‘One Eye’, were on June 15, convicted of the murder Sunil Ramsundar, an uncle of Ragnauth. On December 26, 2014, they stabbed Ramsundar to death at Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara. Facts of the matter revealed that on the day in question, there was a family problem which resulted in an

altercation between Ramsundar and his niece. Things escalated, and Ragnauth’s spouse (Thakurdyal) and Ramsundar became involved in a scuffle, during which Ramsundar was stabbed about the body by his niece and the man. The injured man collapsed and was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. On Tuesday, a little over a week after they were convicted of the crime by a jury, Ragnauth and Thakurdyal were jailed for 40 years each, following the presentation of probation reports. The custodial punishment was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown. Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes was retained by Thakurdyal and his common law spouse. Appearing for the State were Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt. THURSDAY Govt. pays $12M per month to store free CT-scanner Government continues to pour millions of taxpayer dollars into the rental of the controversial Sussex Street, Albouystown drug bond to store a CT-scanner which was donated by RAD-AID International. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, disclosed to Kaieteur News that the storage of the scanner is the only reason that Government continues to utilize the bond. According to Lawrence, the scanner was earmarked for Bartica Hospital which does not have the required place to store the machine. (Continued on page 35)

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From page 34 “Regional officials are in the process of building the required storage place. The contractor had a problem with the lead needed for the CTscan room so as soon as that is finished the people who donated (the scanner) will come to take it to Bartica,” the Minister stated. She explained that the Ministry has been advised that the scanner has to be stored at a certain temperature. The Minister could not provide a timeline as to when the machine would be moved to Bartica. Her Ministry is awaiting the conclusion of work by the Minister of Communities and officials of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), she said. “We don’t have any place else to put this machine. That’s why it is there. We want the CT scan because it is going to help the hospital tremendously,” the Minister disclosed. On Monday, Lawrence said that the Ministry of Public Health paid $264.5M for the rental of the building to Linden Holding Inc. between July 2016 and March 2018. That is $12.1M per month. According to Lawrence, the scanner is valued at about US$90,000 ($1.8M). Ramson signals desire to be PPPC presidential candidate “Guyana needs high-quality leadership. This means leadership that exudes integrity, passion and vision. This would also mean leadership that is technically sound

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The Queen and invitees with the awardees across many key disciplines like oil, economics, business and law; and, leadership which understands the meaning of family and having families of their own,” said Attorney-at-Law, Charles Ramson Jr. On Wednesday, he revealed his intention to contest an election to become the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)’s next presidential candidate. Ramson thinks he fits the bill. This revelation came one day after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) handed down its ruling upholding the Constitutional provisions for presidential term limits. The only living former president who served two terms already is Bharrat Jagdeo.

The ruling now bars Jagdeo from ever running again as President or even Prime Minister of Guyana. Ramson said, “Though it will be an internal election, at the end of the day, my candidacy would mean nothing without the nation’s support.” Ramson said that he has been listening to the views being expressed by Guyanese in recent years. He said, “Guyana is ready to move forward. Everywhere you go, everyone is saying the same thing—we need young and fresh leadership. But it’s not just young and fresh leadership; we need credible leadership—leadership with integrity, passion and vision; leadership that puts the people first.” The Attorney-at-Law said that being a family man, “I understand the importance of leadership and I want to ensure that my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, enjoy a better Guyana that benefitted from decisions that were made in the interest of the masses and their generations.” Ramson said that Guyana needs leadership that “is not scared of our history of racial conflict and will seek to unite rather than divide. That is the sort of leadership I intend to offer.” Langevine receives Queen’s award

Den Amstel resident, Marva Langevine, receiving her award from the Queen

Young people from 38 countries across the Commonwealth on Tuesday celebrated their Queen’s Young Leaders Award with guests including Sir John Major, David Beckham OBE, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Nicola Adams OBE, Neelam Gill, Caspar Lee, Tina Daheley and Ore Oduba. Their Royal Highnesses

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also joined the award winners at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London. According to a statement, Her Majesty The Queen presented Marva Langevine from Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London. The award was in honour of the work Langevine is doing to transform lives in her community. The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards programme, now in its fourth and final year, celebrates the achievements of some of the most exciting young change-makers from across the Commonwealth. FRIDAY ‘No more rented bonds for drugs after this year’ - Public Health Minister The Ministry of Public Health on Thursday committed to ending the rental of drug bonds, in particular one at Sussex Street, Charlestown, by the end of the year. This announcement came days after it was disclosed that Government has paid $264.5M to Linden Holding Inc., for the rental of the building in Charlestown between July 2016 and March 2018. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, had disclosed to Kaieteur News that the storage of a computed tomography (CT) scanner is the only reason that Government continues to utilize the bond. The Ministry has budgeted for the construction of a drug bond in Kingston, Georgetown, while expansion work on the Diamond bond is underway. Additionally, the

Ministry’s adoption of a new procurement system for drugs and medical supplies will require them to have adequate, specified and suitable spaces for the storage of these supplies. Minister Lawrence reminded the media that during the examination of Budget Estimates in 2017, she had indicated that the controversial rental of the Sussex street drug bond would be no more by the end of 2017. However, the bond continues to be utilized for the CT-scanner, which is designated for the Bartica Hospital. “As soon as they (the regional authorities) give us clearance that the room is ready, we are ready to remove that CT scanner to Bartica and give up that bond. As a matter of fact, I am on record as saying that as of the 31st December, 2018, the Ministry of Public Health will not be renting any more bonds,” Minister Lawrence explained. Westfield Prep student creates history with perfect NGSA score Westfield Preparatory student, Nalia Rahaman, has made history in Guyana. She is the first person to attain a perfect score at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Making this revelation on Thursday was Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). Present at the event were the top performers at the 2018 NGSA, representatives of the Education Ministry, NCERD officials, teachers attached to various schools and several overjoyed parents. The students who secured the top 15 positions for 2018 are: Nalia Rahaman, Arthur Roberts, Kaydee Ali,

Esha Lakeram, Cianna Barkoye, Zyia Braithwaite, Krystal Duncan, Darren Ramphal, Natania Kissoon, Cassie Farinha, Saif Azeze, Virendra Dookie, Jaya Jamuna, Amaya Ramsarup, Jaden Vansluytman, and Hadiya Alli. These students secured marks within the range of 529 to 521. While Rahaman came in with a perfect score of 529 out of 529, the second highest score of 525 was achieved by Arthur Roberts of the New Guyana School. Kaydee Ali of Success Elementary attained the third highest score of 524. The fourth highest score of 523 was achieved by four candidates, namely: Esha Lakeram of New Diamond/ Grove Primary, Cianna Barkoye of North Georgetown Primary, Zyia Braithwaite of Success Elementary and Crystal Duncan of the New Guyana School. The fifth highest score of 522 was achieved by four candidates: Darren Ramphal of Leonora Primary, Natania Kissoon of Success Elementary, Cassie Farhna of Peter’s Hall Primary and Saif Azeeze of Academy of Excellence. The top students will be attending Queen’s College in September. Convicted in JFK terror plot…Ex-MP, Abdul Kadir, dies in US prison Almost eight years after being convicted for his role in a major plot to blow up sections of the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, former parliamentarian, Abdul Kadir, is dead. On Thursday, his son, Kareem, confirmed that his family received a call from the US prison where he was serving a life sentence, and was (Continued on page 36)

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Kaydee Ali, 524 From page 35 informed that he had died.Kadir, 66, was a former Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s National Congress Reform from 2001 2006. He also served as the Mayor of Guyana’s secondlargest town, Linden, from 1994 to 1996. Kadir, an outspoken MP, from Watooka, Linden, had made waves at the time of his arrest and subsequent trial.

Born Aubrey Michael Seaforth, in Buxton, he converted to Islam in 1974 and changed his name. He was a chemical engineer by profession and worked at Linmine and Guymine for a number of years.In 2007, Kadir was arrested in Trinidad in connection with an alleged plot to blow up jet-fuel supply tanks and pipeline at JFK. He was arrested on June 2 that year,

Nalia Rahaman, 529 while en route to Caracas, Venezuela, where he planned to pick up a visa to attend an Islamic Conference in Iran. The United States government alleged that Kadir was associated with the Trinidadbased Jamaat al Muslimeen, a militant Muslim group. After being arrested in Trinidad and Tobago, he was extradited to the United States. On August 2, 2010, Kadir along with Russell DeFreitas,

was convicted in a jury trial for the JFK airport bomb plot. According to US court documents, Kadir was the disciple of Mohsen Rabbani, an Iranian diplomat accused of being one of the masterminds behind a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires. At the end of the trial, Kadir was sentenced to life imprisonment. SATURDAY Ashni a no-show; fails to attend court ...reading of new charge postponed One month after lawyers assured the court that Dr. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington, would appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for a fourth charge of Misconduct in Public Office to be read to them, Singh on Friday failed to make an appearance before a City Magistrate. Singh and Brassington who are two of the highest ranking officials of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government were both slapped with a fourth charge of Misconduct in Public Office. The two are jointly charged in connection with wrongdoing in the Sanata Textiles deal with Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. Ye s t e r d a y, w h e n t h e matter was called in Senior Magistrate Leron Daly’s courtroom, Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall, who is representing Singh, told the court that his client is out of the jurisdiction, busy working, and was unable to be in Guyana for the charge to be read to him. He went on to tell the court that SOCU prosecutors are playing a “cat and mouse game” and are making a mockery of the law. However, SOCU Prosecutor, Trenton Lake argued that the court should take a cer-

Arthur Roberts, 525 tain action against Singh since the matter was called a month ago. The prosecutor went on to tell the court that both parties are fully aware that they were to be present in court, since their lawyers were in contact with them. The prosecutor went on further to ask the Magistrate to read the charge to Brassington since he was present in court. Lake’s application did not sit well with Nandlall who told Magistrate Daly that the charge cannot be read to his client alone, since it is a joint charge. Nandlall went on to ask the court for an adjournment in the matter. He also requested that the matter be reassigned to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where the three charges were first read. Magistrate Daly after listening to both sides adjourned that matter to July 26, when Singh and Brassington are expected to appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Both men are currently out on $6M bail each in relation to those three charges. Greenidge tells WSJ concerns about ExxonMobil “overblown” …Says critics mixing black magic with economics In one of its reports examining the impact future oil revenue will have on Guyana’s economy, the Wall Street Journal interviewed several officials here. One of those individuals was Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge. During his interview with the international news agency, Greenidge was asked about the growing concerns here over the preparedness for oil and gas. But Greenidge made it clear that he believes the concerns are simply “overblown.” He said the government is preparing to spend wisely, with lawmakers working on a

sovereign-wealth fund to invest oil earnings in a country with average incomes of about $4,000 a year. “I’m tired of people calling this the apocalypse,” Mr. Greenidge told the Wall Street Journal. The Foreign Affairs Minister added, “There are people here who think oil is just a rumor, a fraud by Exxon. They’re mixing black magic with economics.” CJIA tests boarding bridge, corridor as expansion steams ahead Authorities are hailing it as a significant milestone. The boarding corridor and a boarding bridge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, were successfully tested on Friday by passengers. According to CJIA, at the time, the passengers were departing on a Caribbean Airlines flight. “The bridge test was successfully executed by employees of CJIA’s Engineering and Technical Department (ETD) who were able to put their skills to the test after undergoing training over the past two weeks by the project’s contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC),” a Facebook post of the airport disclosed. With six months to go before the airport expansion is completed and the airport is handed over, the testing of the bridge, a new introduction to the Guyana scene, would be significant. Most airports around the world have them, making it easier for passengers to board or deplane. It protects them from the elements. Passengers over the years would have had to brave the hot sun or rain.The bridges are connected to a new corridor that is linked to elevators and escalators to allow access to arrival and departure areas.

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Agri Minister pledges full support for fishermen In observance of Fisherfolk Day 2018, the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder maintained his ministry’s commitment to the fishing industry. “Let me assure that this government will always recognise your sterling contribution to the economy and to our food and nutrition security. We are committed to working with you to ensure that you will continue to provide an amazing food product caught in our maritime waters,” Minister Holder said at the Mahaicony Community Centre on Friday. He told the fishermen and women present that the sector is very important to Guyana’s economy and pointed out that it contributed greatly to Guyana’s exports, earning over $17.5B while employing over 15,000 persons, directly and indirectly. The sector also makes up around 32% of CARICOM’s production. The theme for this year’s Fisherfolk Day is “Our Ocean Our Future – Monitoring and regulating our fishing activities to ensure sustainable production, our contribution to zero

Minister Holder addressing stakeholders on Friday at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. hunger”. However, the minister modified this a little saying that it all leads up to a choice of promoting and strengthening sustainable ocean-based economies. “We must choose to do the correct things, choose

to use sustainable practices to harvest our fish so that through our actions, future generations will be assured that their livelihoods will be sustained for decades to come.” He further said that to

promote sustainable activities the laws, regulations and policies must be adhered to so that the sector could be successfully monitored, thereby ensuring fishers are fulfilling their obligations and authorities are able to hold

people accountable. In reference to the recent ban imposed by the United States on Guyana’s catfish products, Holder said this called for an adjustment of Guyana’s regulations to meet those of importing

countries, and that compliance with those would be integral to the sector which e x p o r t s o v er 60% of its catch. The event attracted fisher folk from places as far afield as Charity, Essequibo, and No.66 Village Berbice.

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Sixth annual Savannah Drive promises adventure, thrills

A scene from a past Savannah Ride The sixth annual Savannah Drive slated for today promises to be filled with thrills and adventure, while serving as a platform for promoting tourism. Throughout its existence, Savannah Drive has promoted Amerindian villages nestled along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, and will take its participants through the terrain and landscape of these communities. This year’s event will pass through the villages of Yarrowkabra, the home of Savannah Drive, Swan, Laluni, and will come to an end at

Pakuri Mission. This is the second year Savannah Drive has been collaborating with the Guyana Tourism Authority to lure locals and foreigners to come out and enjoy the beauty of Guyana. The expedition will feature bikers, and activities such as bird watching, arrow and bow shootout, as well as tug of war. Last week Sunday, media personnel were given a chance to experience and enjoy the planned trail for the much anticipated event. This year’s event has a (Continued on page 49)

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Inferior pharmaceuticals coming to Guyana to be raised at CARICOM level The Ministry of Public Health is insisting that it is continuing to improve all its systems necessary for the acquisition of quality medical drugs and supplies. Essentially, this process is referred to as “pharmacovigilance”. It in-

volves the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem. It aims to enhance patient care and safety in relation to the use of medicines, while at the same time supporting public health programmes by

providing reliable, balanced information for the effective assessment of the risk-benefit profile of medicines. According to a Government statement, the Health Ministry will be relying on the completion of the Government Analyst Food and Drug labo-

ratory, where scientists and other specialists will adequately examine and test drugs for medical use. This will allow for the acquisition of quality drugs which will be dispensed through the public healthcare system. Further, the ministry is increasing the capacity of its procurement department while at the same t i m e strengthening the legislation governing the food and drug department. Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence noted that an inferior standard of supplies is basically what is made available to countries like Guyana and others in the re-

gion. “A group of people throughout the world are producing drugs that are not potent or do not meet the standards, and many of these drugs are being sent to less developed countries like those in our region and because of our financial constraints, we are getting caught up in it,” she explained. In this regard, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) health ministers have been in discussion with their counterparts at the WHO level to address this issue. It is hoped that further discussion on this matter will continue at the upcoming CARICOM Heads

of Government meeting, which will be held in Jamaica. Minister Lawrence said, “There has been some discussion in Geneva about us doing things differently as a region, and we hope that will come up at CARICOM, where we can purchase the critical drugs together as a lump-sum, all of that we have explored. We also were talking about CARPHA and what other roles they can play in terms of helping us.” WHO established its Programme for International Drug Monitoring in response to the thalidomide disaster detected in 1961.WHO promotes pharmacovigilance at the country level.

Health Minister Volda Lawrence during a tour of the Government’s drug bond in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

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Sixth annual Savannah Drive promises adventure, thrills From page 47 CARICOM theme which will see teams flying the flags of the 15-member states on jeeps, dirt bikes and ATVs. According to officials of Savannah Drive, “Our mission is heavily focused on providing recreational activities through biking, off-road, and other local tourism opportunities. Our activities have been used to promote the terrain and landscape of the indigenous communities, as well as attract foreign interest and support.” The mission of the Savannah Drive team is to bring a new and exciting form of challenge for generations to come; create competition and provide beginner experiences in motor sports, and to build on two of the most popular dirt bike sports found worldwide— Motocross and Enduro — also to improve the concept of dirtbike and ATV trail riding.

THRILLINGEXPERIENCE “Switch up your normal routine and head out and experience something new, something thrilling filled with adrenaline. Meet with hundreds of participants and experience the outdoor trailing event. The Savannah Drive has it all, from jungle terrains to crossing waterways under the supervision of trained guides and lifeguards, to ensure a family friendly and exciting journey for everyone,” the entity stated. Founded by Shane D’Andrade, Savannah Drive has evolved into countrywide event and is vastly growing. It is described by the organisers, as being “one of the most popular reasons for visiting Guyana— it’s an adventure of a lifetime”. “The objective of the Savannah Drive is to showcase the eco-diversity of beautiful Guyana and the many naturally

green friendly resources to offer. We want to allow the world to literally travel through the native villages and experience the hospitality offered by the indigenous communities. Savannah Drive also brings business exposure to the people of Guyana creating a better standard of living for those who have been neglected over the course of time,” an official said. The official added, “The greatest highlights that we have to offer the public is their intimate connection with the bio-diversity of South America. Plus the added features of Motocross, archery, fishing, family-styled events and expedition, as well as a few entertainment events throughout the drive.” In the future, Savannah Drive will be looking to include in depth development

of adventure tourism for thirteen local communities, multiple tracks and train expansions, as well as attracting a larger and more international audience to Guyana. Some of its plans are to

install and official off-road league that will include dirt bikes, ATV, and other off-road vehicles. Organizers have disclosed that this is the fifth of 10 events planned for this

year. Other activities are planned, like the Pace and Power event set for mid-July, the customary heritage drives to indigenous villages, and the Moraikobai Village Drive slated for August.

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Children with pets have less stress A pet dog may protect your child from childhood anxiety, according to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood mental illness and obesity are significant public health concerns in the US. Since they start in childhood, preventive and early intervention approaches are needed. Pet dogs have been linked with health benefits for adults, as promoted by the US Public Health Service (USPHS). In Australia and the UK, dog ownership has been linked with increased physical activity among children aged 5-12 years and healthier body mass index (BMI) in those aged 5-6 years, due to walking and active play. Such data is lacking in the US, so more evidence is needed to support pet ownership as a health strategy. Pets can stimulate conversation, creating an icebreaking effect that alleviates social anxiety. Dogs also tend to follow human communicative cues, which could help in emotional development. Children aged 7-8 years have previously ranked pets higher than humans as providers of comfort and selfesteem, and as confidants.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) with dogs reduces anxiety and arousal, alleviates separation anxiety and enhances attachment in children, thereby improving mental health and reducing developmental disorders. Promoting children’s behavioral and emotional competence can help prevent mental, emotional and behavioral disorders during adulthood. If exposure to pet dogs during childhood can help achieve these goals, positive child---dog interactions could prevent potential problems from developing during adolescence or later life.

However, there is little evidence for primary care providers to use when counseling parents regarding the benefits of pet dogs for young children. Can a dog help improve BMI and anxiety? In the current study, researchers from Bassett Medical Center in New York investigated the hypothesis that pet dogs are positively associated with healthy weight and mental health among children. The study looked at 643 children aged 4-10 years, with an average age of 6.7 years, over an 18month period in a pediatric primary care setting. Of

these, 45% were female, 56% were privately insured and 58% had pet dogs in the home. Before an annual visit, parents completed a health risk screener online, focusing

on child BMI, physical activity, screen time, mental health and pet ownership. Confounders included the fact that pet-owning families may differ from those without pets, for example in socioeconomic environment, a known social determinant of health; family income has been significantly associated with adolescent mental health, so the researchers adjusted for this factor. No difference was found between children with and without a pet dog regarding BMI, screen time or physical activity. But among the 58% of children with a dog in the home, 12% tested positive on a screening test for anxiety, compared with 21% of children who did not have a pet dog. A strength of the study is that it was carried out in a realworld setting and was based on children in preventive care,

a far larger and more inclusive group than in previous studies, which focused on children with mental and developmental disorders. Parental reporting could be a limitation, although statistics have shown high concordance between actual mental health issues and what parents say. Also, the population was 96% white, suggesting a need for further study in more racially and ethnically diverse populations. The researchers suggest: “Interacting with a friendly dog also reduces cortisol levels, most likely through oxytocin release, which lessens physiologic responses to stress. These hormonal effects may underlie the observed emotional and behavioral benefits of animal-assisted therapy and pet dogs.” http:/ / www.medicalnewstoday.com.

‘Female Viagra’ approved by FDA The first drug to treat sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women - dubbed the “female Viagra” - has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. Manufactured by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, flibanserin (brand name Addyi) has been given the green light by the federal drug agency for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) - a condition characterized by low sexual desire. It is estimated that around 1 in 10 women develop HSDD, and up to 40% experience the condition at some point in their lives. Psychological factors, such as low self-esteem, stress or mental health problems may contribute to low sexual desire, as well as hormone changes or physical factors, such as fatigue or lifestyle habits. While the exact mechanisms by which flibanserin works is unclear, Sprout Pharmaceuticals believe it corrects an imbalance in brain chemicals that are responsible for sexual desire. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say a 100-mg dose of the drug should be taken once daily just before bedtime. Patients should discontinue use if they experience no improvement in sexual desire within 8 weeks. “Today’s approval provides women distressed by their low sexual desire with an approved treatment option,” says Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Re-

search (CDER) at the FDA. “The FDA strives to protect and advance the health of women,” she continues, “and we are committed to supporting the development of safe and effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction.” The FDA reached their decision by conducting an analysis of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials involving around 2,400 women of an average age of 36 years who had HSDD. For a 24-week period, the women took either a placebo or a 100-mg dose of flibanserin before bedtime. The women who took flibanserin reported a modest increase in sexual desire and the number of sexual events during the study period, as well as a reduction in distress as a result of low sexual desire. On assessing the safety of the drug, the FDA report the most common adverse reactions identified were nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sleepiness, insomnia and dry mouth. However, the organization notes flibanserin is also associated with hypotension severely low blood pressure - and loss of consciousness, particularly if taken with alcohol. Such side effects have led the FDA to reject the drug twice previously - once in 2010 and again in 2014. As such, their approval of flibanserin comes with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), which requires that all prescribers enroll in and complete a training

program before treating patients with the drug. “Because of a potentially serious interaction with alcohol, treatment with Addyi will only be available through certified health care professionals and certified pharmacies,” says Dr. Woodcock. “Patients and prescribers should fully understand the risks associated with the use of Addyi before considering treatment.” In addition, a Boxed Warning is being applied to flibanserin, informing patients about the risk of hypotension and concussio n i f t a k e n with alcohol, as well as warning patients with liver impairment or those taking moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors to avoid use of the drug. The FDA also require that Sprout Pharmaceuticals carry out three well-designed studies in order to further assess the health risks associated with flibanserin on interaction with alcohol. While many women and health care professionals may welcome the FDA’s decision to approve flibanserin, others are likely to have concerns. Back in June, a Spotlight from Medical News Today investigated whether flibanserin will really help women with low sexual desire. Thea Cacchioni, an assistant professor of women’s studies at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, told us she was not convinced the current evidence of flibanserin’s safety and efficacy would be enough to gain FDA approval. http:// www.medicalnewstoday.com.

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Joe Jackson Dead at 89: La Toya Jackson and More Family Members Mourn Patriarch’s Death Joe Jackson has passed away at the age of 89 after battling cancer. The music mogul and father of Michael Jackson died early Wednesday morning, TMZ reports. Since news of his passing broke on Wednesday, Joe’s loved ones have been mourning his death. Prince Jackson released a statement on Wednesday afternoon along with a photo with Joe. “This man is and always will be an example or sheer willpower and dedication,” his statement began. “He didn’t choose the path that was the easiest but he choose the path that was best for his family. You taught me to take pride in the Jackson name and what it really means, you taught me dedication in the face of adversity and most of all you showed me strength and fearlessness. There is and never will be someone like you. Fly free and until we meet again The Hawk.” La Toya Jackson took to Twitter to share a message to her father, writing, “I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jackson.” Joe’s grandson, Randy Jackson Jr., also took to Twitter to pay tribute to his grandfather. “RIP to the king that made everything possible!!! I love you grandpa,” Randy wrote along with a picture of Joe. Taj Jackson also took to social media after news of Joe’s death was made public, sending a message about the Jackson family’s love for Joe. “Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him,” Taj wrote. “Please don’t just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness.#ripthehawk.” He later told his Twitter followers, “We feel all the love and support from you guys and are extremely thankful.” TJ Jackson shared a photo of Joe on Instagram with the caption, “You did the unthinkable. You gave your all (and the prime years of your life) to make sure your kids and your family were a success.

Some people will never understand the commitment and love it takes to do what you did. My life could have been so much different if it weren’t for you. I could have been in a gang. I could have a father who was in and out of jail. But I don’t. Why? Because you were plugged into your kids lives and saw a dream that they (or even the world) didn’t know could exist. It took all of your strength to keep your entire family safe from the real dangers in life. You are misjudged but I know who the real you is. And as your grandson I am forever grateful for the strength I have from you. I will always remember what I’ve learned from you. I will always cherish you. Always. I love you grandpa.” John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson, also released a statement Wednesday. “We are deeply

saddened by Mr. Jackson’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Katherine Jackson and the family,” the statement began. “Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana to worldwide pop superstardom.” “Mr. Jackson’s contributions to the history of music are enormous,” their statement continued. “They were acknowledged by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 in a proclamation naming him as Best Entertainment Manager of All Time; he was inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2014 and his son Michael acknowledged him with a Joe Jackson Day at Neverland. We had developed a warm relationship with Joe in recent years and will miss him tremendously.”www.eonline.com

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Wakenaam Masjid gets $500K compensation following flood … others to be compensated by Tuesday The Wakenaam Masjid

Port Mourant is... From page 15 Crowning the top ten spots in Region were three students with a tie; Aaron Subhnauth of New Market Primary located at Number 53 Village, Divya Singh of Tain Primary School and Ezra Minty of Sheet Anchor Primary School, East Canje, all achieved 510 marks and a place at the Bishops High School. Speaking to the very vocal Ezra Minty, he said his dream is to one day become the President of Guyana. He added that he is very thankful to god “because without him I could not have done anything”. He said he gave up a lot but it was worth it. Explaining why he chose to one day be the president, he said, “before I become the president of course, I would have to go through many stages but I want to better Guyana and hearing about children in the interior and how they would have to travel many many miles just to have a proper education, I want to be the one that will make a difference”.

Education Minister’s meeting with top students. The Minister of Education Hon. Nicolette Henry who visited the region yesterday at the Berbice High School Auditorium to meet with the region’s top performers, congratulated the students on their performance and implored to them to continue working hard in the future. She said that while many are celebrating their achievements there are many other children who are not able to celebrate. “There are many children who are not passing their scores and that is of course a concern for us. Those that are doing good and those that are not doing so good, because they all have to work as a team and we all have to be our brothers and sisters keepers”. Henry urged the students to remain focused and not be distracted, “I ask you to keep your eyes on the prize”.

Cops transferred... A cheque for some $500,000 was recently handed over to a Masjid in Wakenaam, to compensate for major damages dealt to the interior of the structure, during a major flood last month. During the mid part of last month, a breach in the Island’s river defense led to severe flooding in the San Souci area, which affected at least 50 residents. During the flood, the masjid, which is located less than 100 feet east of the breach, was severely affected. On July 24, the contractor who took responsibility for the breach of the river defense, compensated the masjid with a cheque for $500,000. This information was revealed by the Wakenaam NDC chairman, Mr. Sheikh Ahmad. The chairman who is also a member of the Masjid added, “So far I’ve been in contact with the Contractor and he has compensated the masjid but the damage to the masjid is about $1.7 million because the carpets on the floor were very costly.” According to Sheikh Ahmad, he and the contractor and councilors from the Region Three Democratic Council, visited

a number of affected residents last Wednesday. He said that the team examined the most critical houses that were damaged, and the Contractor offered to compensate them. The Chairman said, “We visited two houses in front of the masjid, where an elderly woman will be given $150,000 for damages she sustained. These include damage to carpets, a stove, wardrobe, vanity and so forth. “A man from next door who lost a television, a cell phone and rug, will be given $100,000. There is a next house where carpets and cupboards were damaged they will receive $50,000.” Sheikh Ahmad further noted, that the cash will be delivered to residents on the island by Tuesday. Additional reports now indicate that the Contractor is making additional effort to properly secure the recently breached river defense, and to prevent a reoccurrence. Based on reports, workers were dispatched, and are presently living on the island, in an effort to promptly respond to any further emergencies. [Romario Blair]

From page 14 to have charges made out against the priest. The Priest was in court on Tuesday June 26, where he was charged for four traffic offences, two of which he pleaded guilty to, and was fined. Sources claimed on the day that the priest was charged, Deputy Superintendent Stephen and Sergeant Boyce were summoned to the commissioner’s office, in the presence of a number of other high ranking police officers. The source further claimed that the commissioner asked Superintendent Stephen if he did not give Sergeant Boyce his instructions, to which the of-

ficer answered in the negative. The commissioner then reportedly ordered the two traffic ranks out of his office. The two ranks received instructions that they were being transferred soon after. This publication visited the Brickdam police station to have Sergent Boyce comment on the whole debacle, and was told that he has since been transferred to the Tactical Services Unit at Eve Leary. This publication made attempts to reach out to Commissioner Ramnarine for some clarifications on the matter that has since been widely circulated on Social Media, but was met the termination of the call.

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Linden experiments with low... (From page 63) value to homes while creating jobs. “The project is a testament to the ingenuity that resides here among Lindeners, and all of Linden should be proud of this,” Nelson read. Linden Bricks, a company in Amelia’s Ward, is manufacturing the blocks out of lat-

erite, which are being used in the construction. LEN’s low cost housing is a welcomed initiative that will help address Region 10’s housing deficit, Nelson noted. The LEN model house is said to be an example of workable solutions to address the country’s growing housing needs.

Sunday July 01, 2018

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

GUYANA RESTAURANT WEEK – Maintaining great services with standards Throughout Guyana, restaurants and other fast food services engaged in demonstrating that they have the level of service that can entice their customers to ‘explore, eat and repeat’ as the industry celebrates Guyana Restaurant Week 2018. Through the implementation of the National Standard, restaurants can go beyond the week of celebrations meeting quality and services requirements that can guarantee that their customers experience the best all year around. Customers, whether locals and visitors to the country, can enjoy the kind of service comparable to that provided by renowned restaurants in other developed countries if providers consult the requirements of the Code of Practice for Quality Management in the Restaurant Service (GCP 17:2003). This national standard ensures that the foods prepared and services provided to consumers are wholesome, safe and reliable. The implementation of this Code of Practice can be a major step towards efficiency and a commitment to satisfy the needs, wants and expectations of customers. Overtime, this would widen the gamut of reputable restaurants and fast food establishments available locally. Specified in the code of practice are managerial requirements necessary to ensure the efficient running of any restaurant establishment which seeks to ensure quality in the sight of its customers. As such, restaurants implementing this

standard will consistently satisfy their customers, have high productivity and their services will become more competitive at the local and international levels. As a requirement in the standard, businesses must establish a quality system which mainly focuses on marketing to understand the wants and expectations of customers, and the design and preparation of the food and service delivery to customers. The Code of Practice also addresses many other requirements which can prevent service inefficiency and unreliability, and foods that are undesirable and unsafe for consumption. These requirements include personnel, material resources, internal and external communication, training, system of checking, contractual arrangements, advertising, design and development of new products, quality control, documentation and data control, purchasing, process control, corrective and preventive actions, handling, storage, packaging and delivery. As we conclude Restaurant Week today, restaurateurs and owners of food establishments are encouraged to acquire a copy of this Code of Practice from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and implement the requirements therein to ensure that they have viable and sustainable businesses. For further information on this subject, please contact the GNBS on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or website: www.gnbsgy.org

Cubans are flocking to Guyana for... From page 13 weeks in Georgetown for their interview and other processing. Lodging costs vary widely, but one private Cuban group in Guyana advertises rooms for families to share at $70 per night. Then, there’s transport, including the roughly 45-minute trip between the airport and downtown, plus visits to the U.S. embassy. Those costs run into hundreds of dollars. Add it all up, and the trip can easily cost a visa applicant $2,000 to $3,000. Plus, many Cubans from the island are joined by family from the United States, who also spend thousands of dollars on their trips. For Guyana, the visa processing portends an even bigger windfall, likely tens of millions of dollars more yearly. But there’s a bottleneck short-term: insufficient flights. With visa applicants reserving early, some Cuban shoppers can’t find seats into Georgetown for weeks to come. Guyana Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge says Washington’s decision to handle the visa processing in his country is “up to the United States,” but he’s clearly warm to Cuba and Cubans. Guyana and Cuba have “very tight relations,” Greenidge said, referring to their shared histories of colonialism and U.S. intervention in their domestic politics to fight communism. Since Guyana gained independence from Britain in 1966, Cuba has been providing medical personnel and has educated Guyanese to become doctors. Cuba also recently helped start a center in Georgetown to train people to work with the disabled throughout the Caribbean Community, said Greenidge. Of course, the Cuban influx has raised questions. Some Guyanese residents worry that Cubans are being underpaid at workplaces and exploited. They’d like the government to issue Cubans work permits. “Even if they are being employed, they have to pay exorbitant rents,” said taxi driver

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Amir Rahim, who appreciates Cubans as Caribbean brethren. “For a one-bedroom, people are asking them $200 a month. It used to be half.” Some Cubans also have been robbed, now that word is out that the shoppers carry cash to pay for their purchases. From his taxi, Rahim recently saw assailants punch a Cuban woman in the face and try to run off with her bags. Police and a citizen intervened, “but the poor woman didn’t want to press charges,” so the men were released, Rahim said. “So much for justice.” Guyana also is close with the United States nowadays, said U.S. ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway. That’s partly because of migration, much of it in the 1970s and 1980s during Guyana’s socialist period. Today, more Guyanese and their descendants live in New York, Florida and other U.S. locales than live in Guyana itself, or roughly 800,000, said Holloway. Guyanese in the United States, Canada and other countries abroad send hundreds of millions of dollars back yearly, accounting for nearly 25 percent of Guyana’s economy. “Right now,” said Holloway, “Guyana is the most pro-U.S. country I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve lived all over the world. I even have lived in Colombia four times, and Colombia is often considered very pro-U.S.” Geopolitics is not top of mind, however, as Cuban shoppers choose among knock-offs of Nike T-shirts for $4 or fancy flip-flops for $2 per pair at shops on Regent Street in downtown Georgetown. They appreciate the help of fellow islanders, who often receive $70 to $100 per week from shopkeepers for their Spanish-language services. Cubans visiting Guyana can stay for months and renew their status. “This traffic is actually creating small entrepreneurs out of Cubans in Guyana,” said Guyanese entrepreneur Gouveia. “They’re putting up small hotels, restaurants and working in stores as translators.”

Miner who placed cutlass to woman’s neck, charged for rape A 49-year-old miner was on Friday remanded to prison after being charged with rape. Cedric Anderson, of Corentyne Berbice appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on June 24, last, at Mazaruni, in the Essequibo Magisterial District, he sexually penetrated a 30-yearold woman, without her consent. The matter was heard incamera. Police Prosecutor, Vivian

Remanded to prison, Cedric Anderson Adolph, strongly objected to bail being granted to the

defendant citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. He added that the virtual complainant and the defendant are known to each other. According to the prosecutor, during the commissioning of the crime, Anderson placed a cutlass to the woman’s neck. Magistrate Latchman after listening to the prosecutor’s submission remanded the defendant to prison. The father of two will make his next court appearance on July 3, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for reassignment.

Final witness to testify in trial of personal trainer accused of grabbing teen’s breast A police witness will be the final witness to be called in the trial against a personal trainer who is charged for allegedly grabbing the breast of a teenage girl. Twenty-seven-year-old Michael Sampson, of Lot ‘B’ Plot ‘A’ Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, has denied the charge which alleged that on February 19, at Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar, he sexually assaulted a 14year-old girl. The trial is being conducted by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Charged, Michael Sampson The defendant who is being represented by

Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva is currently out on $75,000 bail pending the outcome of the trial. According to information, on the day in question the teen along with some relatives were at t h e d e f e n d a n t ’s h o m e , when he allegedly touched her inappropriately. The child then told her mother what had transpired and the matter was reported to the station. The defendant was arrested and charged for the offence. He is expected to make his next court appearance on July 3, for the continuation of the trial.

Duck Man captured in police dragnet jailed again Known character Bhojnarine Ramkissoon, called “Duckman”, 33, of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice was on Friday sentenced to 18 months in jail after he was found guilty of Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. The man who is no stranger to the authorities was nabbed by a police patrol on April 25, last,in the vicinity of the Canje River with two bulky parcels of Marijuana. According to Prosecutor Corporal Winston Poliah, around 11:30 hrs on the day in question the police, acting on information, proceeded to the area and observed Ramkisson and some other men by the river dam acting in a suspicious manner. The police proceeded toward the men. Around the same time Duckman’s (Ramkisson) wife called out to him. Upon seeing the cops

he threw away something and tried to run away. He was pursued and caught. The other men were also caught; the police retrieved the items. The men and the items were taken to the Reliance Police Station where the items were tested, weighed and found to be 1,616 grams of Cannabis Sativa. He was charged and subsequently found guilty. Ramkissoon has been in and out of prison since he was a teen. He has been charged before for break and enter,

robbery, larceny, burglary, possession of narcotics, escaping from lawful custody and other misdemeanor. He was once a part of a gang that created havoc in the Canje area. He was in company with the leader when the man was shot dead. He was wanted by the police who had hunted him down but had escaped the police dragnet. He subsequently surrendered in company with a lawyer back then, after the police closed in on him.

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

YOGA PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING By PAT DIAL

One of the greatest concerns of consumers is their health and well-being

and accordingly, this column has from time to time touched on this subject. This week we will touch on Yoga, the great value of which Western

Medicine and other health promoters have discovered only comparatively recently. On 21st June, International Yoga Day was

promoted worldwide under the auspices of the United Nations. Some four years ago, the international community became conscious of the

value of Yoga and the UN General Assembly resolved to recognize the 21st June, the Summer Solstice of the Northern Hemisphere where

most of the world’s population live, as World Yoga Day. From pre-historic times, the Summer Solstice had always had a spiritual significance; for example, the Stonehenge in England, a prehistoric temple, is associated with the Summer Solstice. Though Yoga has its roots in India, many of the most well-known gurus (teachers) are from the West. In other words, Yoga is becoming like the number system we use: Though it originated in India, it belongs to the world. Western Medicine tends to concentrate on curing ailments of either the body or the mind; Yoga deals with both mind and body simultaneously since its approach is holistic. The human mind often oscillates between the Past and the Future and this results in anticipation and worry, desires, fears, cravings and aversions. These worries and stresses come about because neither Past nor Future exists and are illusory; only the Present exists and Yoga brings the mind to the present moment. In this process of bringing the mind to the Present, Yoga cleanses the mind and body of accumulated stress and negative impressions. With regular Yoga practice, the mind achieves clarity and balance, flexibility and alertness, and the strength of the body improves. The practitioner’s day to day life will reflect yogic gains. A very simple example of the holistic way in which Yoga acts on the mind and body is the practitioner being able to breathe through difficult physical postures and this results in the mind being capable of overcoming the most difficult pressures and problems. Or physical flexibility leads to mental flexibility and equally, mental flexibility leads to physical flexibility. One of the great advantages of Yoga is that it makes meditation easier. One could then begin to meditate and one’s meditation would bring peace and happiness. But Yogic meditation could move deeper into the mind and psyche where one’s Being tastes the Infinite and one experiences Oneness with all Creation. In other words, one becomes all and differences disappear and with the disappearance of differences comes the end of all tensions. People of Religion describe such a state of Being as “realizing God.” In Yoga practice, Sanskrit words are used because they encapsulate concepts which would require several English words or phrases to describe or explain. The Sanskrit expressions are therefore a shortcut and in any case, have been Continued on page 69

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

YOGA PROMOTES HEALTH... FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. For professional bee removal with a warranty. Call the Bee Musketeers on Tel# 639-6911 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Guyana Companies, Trademarks and Business registrations. Check: Guyanaconnection.com (f) guyanaconnection

FOR SALE Spare for washing machine, suspension, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;6045198 1 CAT Skid steer loader 236B $2.5M 1 Canter $3M 1 S2000 Honda Sport car $2.7M House Lots @ Blankenburg. Contact# 650-0402/603-1402 Prime Business spot in Parika 44’x500' $45M. contact# 6500402/603-1402 Organic potting soil $700, Palms from $1000, Lawn grass, Ashoka trees. Tel# 6261044

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 One bedroom apt for rent in Meadow Brook Drive. #6928389/627-5505 1 bedroom apt for working couple/single person $35,000 & $32,000 monthly light & water included. Lodge. Call: 623-0076 1 bedroom apartment @ Lyng street, Charlestown single persons only. $45,000 (month) tiled & secured. #674-6394/601-1585

Blyden’s Farm, Whole chicken for sale $280 per lb pre order #699-7415/610-6196 Large pure bred pitbull pup fully vaccine, ears clip, well kept. #233-0570 1 Ice plant 2x6 tons with holding room, filters system, tanks. #611-0884 1 complete 6'’ Land dredge operations 1 Excavator, Camp, Generator, 1 6x6 Amphibious vehicle 4 mining blocks 1 crawler Tel# 611-0884

Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600

Pluck chicken $300 per lb, retail. Free delivery around town. #225-3593/225-4156

Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202

1 CAT 215 Excavator 1 Mack 8 Cu yds mixer truck 1 CAT 428 Backhoe 1 double steel wheel roller. Call: 275-0367/ 683-7225

WANTED

VACANCY

1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/698-1134.

Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village.

Experience Drivers, Waiters, Cleaner, Handy boys. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with hand written application. 5 Commerce St. Counter persons, Handyboy. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St.

Part Time ACCOUNTANT, 2nd or 3rd Level ACCA, familiar with Quickbooks. Email application to spers@msn.com

One General Domestic, must know to cook. Apply @ Keyfood, next door to Post Office, McDoom.

Tudor’s Business in Linden has vacancy for a part-time clerk, apply with written application. Tel#444-5883

Housekeeper wanted in Trinidad to live with an elderly person, call between 10am-3pm Call: 868-705-8073

Vacancy exist for one office assistant/messenger. Apply to R.Sookraj & Sons on Regent St.

Driver/Salesperson must be able to drive van/truck. contact# 608-3839/231-6256

Tudor’s Business in Linden has vacancy for a cleaner. Apply now Tel# 444-5883

Wanted land to buy on the East Bank, Parfaite Harmonie or West Coast. Tel# 681-8746

Superbet Cashiers. Tel# 6917123

CAR RENTAL

One live-in couple: Wifedomestic, Husband- driving & mechanical skills. Tel# 2271830

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 226-3693DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

One expereince Arc/ Acetylene welder with fabrication skills, one skilled Lathe/Milling machine operator. Tel#227-1830

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Contract cars: Contact City Taxi Service 8 Vlissengen Rd. Tel# 227-6868/696-0002 1 experienced male to look after layer bird in the interior. #699-4718 1 interior experienced cook. Call Charlie, Tel# 623-4242

Lot 15 Public road #2 Vill. WCB 3 House Lots. Coconut & Mango trees 49ftx10,314ft length. Price $18M. Contact# 648-7109/686-4818

PEN PAL Seeking Female companionship. Mr Other, Hesky Mount 92-96 Lord Street, PR81JR, England.

2011 Ford Raptor fully loaded, 6.2 litres 4x4 excellent condition blue #610-5370 2006 Suzuki Escado (White) Excellent condition. Price $3.6M Neg. Contact #6093777/697-4557

EDUCATION Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun-day (4-12yrs) 16thJuly10thAugust @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:2182076/ 619-4355

1- TwinsteerDoubleaxle Leyland DAF 4- LeylandDAF Flatbed tray 30ft 10- Guysuco Lorries 1 DAF engine. owner migrating #228-5655, 649-8449 TO LET Business spaces, top & bottom flat located @ 177 Charlotte and Alexander, Georgetown: #644-3555/6893462/679-1579

Mason ($60,000) per day, Location: Town Call Ramdeo # 630-2460/226-9631

Zeelugt New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo Price $5 Million. Ideal place for business (100x60) #616-5606/ 277-0281 Herstelling (2nd Bridge) 110ftx60ft $3.6M Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Farm $2.8M Schnoord $2.6M Tel# 6561345/656-0701 Lot 1 area “E” Sophia & 15 acres on roadside Kuru Kuru. Contact# 227-1042

VEHICLE FOR SALE Suzuki Escudo, excellent condition, fully loaded bluetooth, backup camera, Mag rims. Price $3M Contact# 675-7147

One receptionist to work at Xenon Hotel in Georgetown. Contact # 223-5273/4

LAND FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

1 Pneumatic 9 wheel roller 2 Bitumin spray kettle 215 Transported land with excavator spares. Call: 275commercial building 33x40 0367/683-7225 Land (108x200+) Located @ Lower Mahaicony, ECD. No German Shepherd pups for resonable offer refused. #670- sale, 6 weeks old, fully 6156 vaccinated & Dewormed. Tel# 619-9203 House & Land for sale @ 516 Golden Grove EBD New One complete Water dragger Scheme opposite Grove Excellent condition, Ready Primary school. Ideal for to use, Equipped with satelite TV. Tel# 671-4019 business. Call: 686-1663 One Excavator, Minor Property for sale at repairs, engine in excellent Agriculture road ECD Call: condition. Tel# 671-4019 639-8076 Toyota Voxy Call: 697-0471 3 storey commercial buliding. PROPERTY FOR SALE Location- Lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling (2 Bridge) EBD. House and land Republic Suitable for school/ Park, East Bank Demerara. apartments. Contact #609- Telephone # 233-6777/6545667 3777/686-0522

Hair stations available for rental. New market street. #638-1106

Lot 19 Wren avenue, South Riumveldt Gardens # 227-1042 Zeelugt $2.5M Uitvlugt $2.8M Tuschen $1.5M Tel#697-6311 High Income land fully fence 5000 Sq ft Continental & Republic Park #233-0570 2 acres of title land situated @ 1st St Garden of Eden EBD $6.5M Neg. Call Terrence #6387836. email: Latchmanrich@gmail.com Lot 22 Dowding street, Kitty Georgetown 125’x57'. Call: 2271905 or 619-4152

SALON Summer special 16 July-Aug Cosmetology Advance Makeup Nails $15,000 per package. Free products included. Abby# 614-6749

From page 68 absorbed into English. The practice consists of many asanas or postures leading up to deeper spiritual dimensions. One of the first asanas which could be done without the help of a teacher is merely sitting comfortably on a mat with legs crossed, spine erect, gaze on wall or some object in front and bringing one’s palms together in the middle of one’s chest. This placing of the hands together is called the “Anjali Mudra” or Salutation Seal. The Anjali Mudra is symbolic of the balance and harmony of the left and right united in the centre and also the balance and unity of the physical, mental and emotional. With that asana or posture and mudra, it is easy to begin contemplation and meditation. Minister of Public Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Catherine Hughes, speaking at the World Yoga Day celebrations which was held at the Everest Sports Club last Sunday observed that more Guyanese were embracing Yoga which not only helped to cleanse the mind but that diligent practitioners could be a light in a world of darkness. She felt it a very positive thing for one’s development if one took an hour out of one’s schedule to do Yoga. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, a few months after the UN General Assembly had declared 21st June as International Day of Yoga, gave a good description of it: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between Man and Nature; a holistic approach to health and well being. It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and Nature”.

Five Region 9 entrepreneurs... From page 12 encouragement to the youths. He commended them for their hard work and dedication and encouraged them to put their funds to good use. “We are investing in you, we are helping you to be rounded for the eventual take off of what is coming. More opportunities are coming and we need you to be fully prepared. For those of you who didn’t take it to the top five, continue to work hard and you will be recognised.” Launched in October 2015, the HEYS programme aims to prepare hinterland youth for leadership roles in their communities.

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“I fear no man”- Ramson responds to Jagdeo - Says he would not engage in personal attacks as “tit for tat politics destroys Guyana” Former Member of Parliament (MP), Charles Ramson, saw it necessary to go on record to say, “I am scared of no man.” This was his response to the comments made by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. Recently, Jagdeo said that Ramson broke party traditions when he announced publicly, his ambition to become People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Further, Jagdeo inferred

that Ramson has too big an ego for the PPP/C to allow him to run as President. The Opposition Leader said that PPP/ C requires “modesty” from its candidate. He said too, that the only “other” person the PPP/C had with a huge ego was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Yesterday, Ramson said, “I am not going to get into the tit for tat with Jagdeo because this tit for tat politics is destroying Guyana and it must change…I will also not get into this tit for tat with Jagdeo because I respect my

political party and all of our members so I will never disrespect any member in public like that since good leadership demands that you protect the people you lead.” He continued, “But I am responding because I want people to know that I am scared of no man. I only fear God.” He affirmed that he and Jagdeo are on the same team seeking to obtain the same objective which ultimately is to change the lives of Guyanese for the better. “And, since I believe that the programme of the PPP is bet-

ter than that of any other political party my objective is to get the PPP back into power.” Directly addressing the issues of breaking party customs, Ramson said, “I was never aware of any such custom and over my 10 years with the party I saw different. I saw persons make public announcements before going through a nomination process for the 2015 election and only recently one potential contestant made comments in the newspapers. “But I would like to point out that far worse has hap-

pened like persons being involved in corruption and no press conference has ever been held about it or disrespectful and childish comparisons being made.” Further, Ramson recalled that Jagdeo only recently said that the youth must lead the way. He then said that if long standing and older politicians are going to invite the youth of Guyana into the political system and “court our support, then you are going to have to be prepared to accept that we are going to be bringing fresh ideas, beliefs and way of doing things too. We respect customs but we also stand firmly for freedom, justice, openness, and fairness.” Last Thursday, Ramson was quoted that Guyana needs high-quality leadership. “This means leadership that exudes integrity, passion and vision. This would also mean leadership that is technically sound across many key disciplines like oil, economics, business and law… and, leadership which under-

stands the meaning of family and having families of their own.” The oil and gas consultant said that he thinks he fits the bill of what Guyana needs. Ramson noted that he has familiarized himself with all arms of the State. Being a lawyer for the last 10 years, he understands the judicial system. As a former Member of Parliament, he understands the legislative arm. He boasted of working at Office of the President during the reign of former President, Donald Ramotar, so he has a fair understanding of the executive. (See full article here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2018/06/28/ramson-signalsdesire-to-be-pppc-presidential-candidate/) The Presidential Candidate of the PPP is elected by the Central Committee consisting of 35 members. Nominations are made, and then each member of the committee votes based on his or her personal preference.

Cutlass-wielding trio remanded on robbery charge Three cutlass-wielding young men who allegedly robbed a man of a quantity of cigarettes, two phones and cash, were on Friday remanded to prison by a City Magistrate. Gilbert Bennett, 20, Courtney Liverpool, 17, and Collin Liverpool, 18 all of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They all denied the charge which read that on June 26 at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, while being armed with cutlasses, they robbed Roy Fenty of two phones valued $320,000, a quantity of cigarettes valued $15,000 and $80,000 cash. Bennett told the court that he and his two friends were fishing when they observed a party of police officers approaching them. He added that the officers started shooting in their direction and they decided to “run for their life.” Bennett further told the court that he decided to hide in an abandoned structure and it was there that police caught up with him. “ The

police give me some cigarettes and a rusty cutlass and tell me I have to go down for the crime because they ain’t able do no investigation.” He added that when he got at the station the officers carried him in a dark room and placed a bag over his head before placing wires on his chest and shocked him to confess to the robbery. However, Police Prosecutor, Vivian Adolph objected to bail being granted to the defendants citing the serious nature and prevalence of the offence. Facts presented by the prosecutor stated that Bennett, when captured, was found with some of the stolen articles and he admitted to the offence. The prosecutor added that he later led the police to where the two other defendants were. The prosecutor’s submission was upheld and Magistrate Latchman remanded the trio to prison. They were instructed to make their next court appearance in July, before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Three critical, several injured after smash-up Scenes from yesterdays accident at Friendship, that has left three critical.

A three-vehicle smash-up on the Friendship, East Bank Demerara public road has left two drivers and a passenger in critical condition. The accident which occurred around 18:00 hrs yesterday, involved, Toyota

4Runner PLL 7337, Toyota Carina wagon PLL 2247 and Toyota Allion PWW 6374. Witnesses claim PLL 7337 driven by a male, was heading in the direction of Timehri, on the Friends h i p p u b l i c road, while

PKK 2247, which had a few passengers, one of whom was a gentleman with an artificial leg, was heading in the direction of Georgetown at a fast rate of speed. The car came into contact with the rear wheel of

the Toyota 4Runner, causing the 4Runner to lose control and spin to face the other direction The Toyota wagon car then ran head on into PWW 6374, which was also heading in the direction of Timehri.

As a result of the accident there was a major traffic hold-up, since the badly damaged vehicles were scattered across the public road. The injured were lying all over the road, as public

spirited citizens made attempts to have them taken to the hospital to receive much needed medical attention. Two of the injured at the time of being removed from the scene were unconscious.

Burnt remains of Crabwood Creek vendor...

Son charged with father’s murder The son of the missing Crabwood Creek vendor whose sharred remains were found behind a temple in D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Friday.. Asif Hamid, 23, who is currently incarcerated for the murder of a Number 36 Village businessman was charged on Friday with accessory before the fact. It is alleged that days prior to April 19, 2018 at the New Amsterdam Prison, Hamid conspired with Satrohan Madray and Antonio Balrup to murder his father, Saeed ‘Sayo’ Hamid. Hamid who was unrepresented was not required to plead to the charge and will return to court on August 18, 2018. On Thursday, his accomplices Satrohan ‘Bluey’ Madray and Antonio Singh Balrup were jointly charged with the capital offence of murder committed on Saeed Hamid, a wholesale vendor of Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice. They were both remanded to prison and are being represented by Attorney-atlaw Murseline Bacchus. The

Charged son: Asif Hamid

Murdered: Saeed Hamid

three men were scheduled to be charged jointly on Wednesday at the Blairmont Magistrate Court before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver. Magistrate Weaver explained to the court that the three men could not be charged jointly since Asif’s charge read that he committed the offence of conspiracy in the New Amsterdam Magisterial District, a jurisdiction she does not preside over. She had told the ranks to make the necessary changes and

corrections, hence Madray and Balrup returning to court on Thursday to be charged before her at the Fort Wellington Magistrate Court. The vendor left his home on the 19th April, 2018 and two months later police had a break and arrested Madray and Balrup. While in custody they reportedly confessed to bludgeoning ‘Sayo’ to the head and then burning his corpse behind the home and temple of Madray at D’Edward village.

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Bleak outlook as Rupununi floods, bad roads, fuel costs take toll - sections of Region 9 gear for shortages

The conditions on the Linden/Lethem road.

Tourism stakeholder, Melanie McTurk

T

he Lethem-Linden road represents the main artery for the movement of people and supplies between Region Nine and the coastal belt. Everything from fuel to toilet paper, mattresses to party dresses are conveyed on this road and for the tourism industry it represents both the means of sourcing critical supplies from Georgetown as well as a significant element in the experience that visitors take away with them of their time in the region and Guyana. According to Melanie McTurk, President of Visit Rupununi Guyana, in 2015 tourism reliance on the road between Kurkupukari and Lethem was made even more critical when regular air service to popular destinations like Iwokrama, Surama, Rock View and Karanambu Lodge ceased, adding in some cases as much as US$1000 in additional costs to an international tourists visit to the Rupununi. “In the three years since the cessation of flights, tourism stakeholders have

joined the chorus of voices including truckers and minibus drivers decrying the lack of maintenance and resulting deterioration to this vital artery,” she explained in her statement. This year, she says, many tourism operators reported significant damage to vehicles well in advance of the first rains as road conditions within the region were already bad. “From Christmas to Easter those in the know have called for road maintenance fearing what the rains would do to this already damaged roadway and all to no avail.” By the time the May/June rains hit, the 20,000-plus residents of the Rupununi were also having to contend with (like much of the country) the dramatic increase in the price of fuel. “Now with bridges out, whole areas transformed into a mire of mud and stuck vehicles Rupununians in the know have started to gird for shortages of fuel and other basic commodities. Municipal efforts have been dispatched to investigate the worst of the degradation but little has to date been done to solve the problems. “Already the stories of people and goods stranded in the road for days at a time abound and the costs of repairs, lost assets, time and even life continue to mount.”

According to the tourism stakeholder, this has also adversely affected the thriving shopping tourism sector in Lethem which reportedly sees arrivals as high as 200,000 per month of visitors from Brazil via the Takutu Bridge which has been responsible for the commercial growth seen in recent years. “With two months of rainy season still to go even with a moderate to good flooding this vital pathway to Guyana’s interior is likely to be cut off for at least some portion of the remaining rainy season to the detriment of the region’s population. Emergency repairs are needed to safeguard the continued movement of people and supplies and avoid the accompanying loss of income.” Just as significantly the remnant of road that is likely to emerge when the waters finally recede will be significantly damaged, crippling commerce, inhibiting the movement of people and resulting in significantly higher transport and operation costs into 2019. “This paints a bleak future at least in the short term for Guyana’s most popular ecotourism locations many of which are found in the Rupununi and whose international visitors book 612 month in advance.

“Those locations like Iwokrama, Surama and Lethem who usually look forward to the trickle of domestic and diaspora travellers during the JulyAugust months to keep their doors open are already reporting that the current road situation has had a devastating impact on bookings.” For other sites further away from the main road, the long hiatus during the rains means that such locations look forward to the influx of tourists in September to early December to sustain them and their employees and in turn grease the wheels of commerce in c ommunities across the region to make for a festive

Christmas. “To salvage the coming tourist season, road and bridge repairs needs to start with immediate effect, keeping commodities moving and reducing down time come September. Collaborative solutions must be sought to facilitate affordable air travel direct to popular locations across the Rupununi.” She stressed that policy review needs to be fast tracked to facilitate the installation of a regionally based air carrier, removal of the vat on internal flights and incentives for airlines to service key tourism locations especially those in the North Rupununi need to be affected in time to meet the September

demands. “The alternative will be exposing our visitors, to the worst road conditions that the region has seen in almost a decade, eroding the progress made over the last 20+ years in bringing Guyana’s tourism industry to the international market and forcing existing o p e r a t o r s i n t o potential financial jeopardy with higher oper a t i o n a l a n d transport costs to honour tourism commitments which were confirmed in many cases 6-12 months in advance.” Government has reported awarded a number o f c o n t r a c t o r s f o r road repairs but the rains have been holding up things.

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Exciting Wozniacki edges past Former BCB Secretary... page 79 debted to leaders like George, Sabalenka in Eastbourne final exchanges... From every aspect of the game. The Leslie Amsterdam, Lennox Cricket Academy, he stated EASTBOURNE, England (Reuters) - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki got the perfect boost for Wimbledon as she beat Belarussian upstart Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5) to claim the Eastbourne grasscourt title yesterday. The Dane found herself behind in both sets and had to save a set point in the opener at a sunny Devonshire Park but used all her experience to claim a 29th career title.Wozniacki, who will be second seed at Wimbledon, knew she was in for a tough challenge as she took five minutes to hold her opening service game against the fired-up 20-year-old. Sabalenka did break to love in the third game only for Wozniacki to hit back immediately.

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs) Wozniacki was struggling to contain her attack-minded opponent though and found

herself 5-3 behind before finding another gear and reeling off the next four games.

Sunday July 01, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may sense a nervous restlessness today that urges you to take action, Aries. A journey to one place may have you bouncing off to another place TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A good tip for you to remember is to be careful about what you say about others. If you're talking about someone who isn't present, act as if he or she is. GEMINI(May 21–June 20) You might need some time alone today to bring yourself back to center, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't automatically think that beauty always has to be defined by old-fashioned standards. It's time to create your own definition. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Issues may get a little heavier than you'd perhaps like today, Leo. Your job is to infuse some amusement into the situation. Your powers of adaptability will be put to the test, as other people seem to be completely fixated on their opinions. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If the doorknob doesn't want to turn today, Virgo, don't force it. You'll only succeed in breaking the key. Perhaps you just need to try another door. If things don't flow smoothly into place, then they probably weren't meant to be.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your newfangled approach to things might get some serious flack from others today, but don't let that stop you. Realize that your independent and somewhat rebellious. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might be called upon to choose between two ways of handling a situation, Scorpio. The old ways of doing things are in conflict with the new. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Unexpected events may be shuffling the cards when you least expect it. If you have kept a close eye on the deck, counting the jacks as they turn up CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your sense of self may be a bit challenged today. You might just have trouble getting out of bed at all. Remember that the way others see you doesn't necessarily mean that's the way you really are. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) As you follow the path toward acquiring the latest, greatest, fastest, and best, you might find that you're leaving behind some fundamental principles. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Key into your sensual, beautiful nature, Pisces. Take time each day to attend to your soul and make sure it's getting the nourishment it needs to radiate into the world.

From page 77 Goal scorer Tucville Shadrock Bishop 2 Rayheam Marques 3,11,23,24 Garfield Caesar 14, 37 Dwayne Kellman 5, 31 Game #41 South Ruimveldt 1 vs St John’s 3 Goal scorer South De Andre Allen 18 Goal scorer St. John’s David Xavier 3 Akeel Bennett 13 Own Goal 19 Game #42 Ann’s Grove 0 vs Buxton 7 Goal scorer Buxton Samuel Garnett 8, 10 Tyrice Dennis 9 Makhaya Jervis 29, 32, 37 Ronald Howard 35 Game #43 North Ruimveldt Multi 3vs Queenstown 0 Goal scorer Multi Shaquan Favorite 27 Orlando Dickie 32 Yannick Norton 38 Game #44 Dolphin vs Annandale Goal scorer Dolphin Goal scorer Annandale

Fitness Express... From page 81 the marquee event of the body building calendar, Fitness Express has already flexed its way to another victory and is unparalleled in terms of its support for the sport, Mc Donald noted. ”We have been a committed partner of the body building federation for the past seven to eight years and we do not see that support waning anytime soon. This is our way of saying thanks to our customers many of which are athletes. They train hard and have to be disciplined in their approach towards being able to excite the fans and judges on competition night. So we want to encourage them to always aim high and be the best, thus our support for the governing body. We wish all the athletes the best.” The show is set for July 15 at the Parc Rayne Event Centre, Rahamans Turn, Houston, East Bank Demerara. GABBFF President Coel Marks commented on Fitness Express’ commitment: “Fitness Express has signed on once again as a platinum sponsor, shouldering a huge financial contribution towards the show. By far the leading entity in cooperate support for the strength sports and we do appreciate their dedication.” Showtime on competition night is 19:00hrs with admission being $2,500.

would be sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh and a total of 70 players would attend. Coaches Winston Smith, Andre Percival, Balram Samaroo along with several Pre-Level One Coaches would conduct the Academy. Foster hailed George as an outstanding friend of Berbice Cricket, who has used his own funds to finance the publication of the books and booklets on Berbice Cricket. The Berbice Cricket Board he stated would forever be in-

Phillips, Carl Moore, Malcolm Peters, Monohar Pooran, Ancel Hazel and Keith Foster for laying a second foundation for the current generation to build on. The Berbice Cricket Board would celebrate its 80th Anniversary in 2019 and George has plans to publish another book to mark the historic celebration. Special emphasis would be placed on the achievements of the Berbice Cricket Board, outstanding administrators and Berbicians who have represented Guyana and West Indies.

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Brilliant Cavani brace fires Uruguay into last eight SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani scored a stunning brace to lead the South Americans to a 2-1 win over European champions Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 yesterday and set up a quarter-final against France. Cavani switched play with a long cross to Luis Suarez and continued his run to head home a pinpoint deep cross from the Barcelona forward and give Uruguay a seventhminute lead. Portugal defender Pepe made Uruguay pay for sitting back when he leapt unmarked to head in a cross from Raphael Guerreiro following a short corner to level the match at 1-1 in the 55th minute. That was the first goal the twice World Cup champions had conceded in the tournament in Russia, but another moment of brilliance from Cavani put them back ahead seven minutes later at the packed Fisht Stadium overlooking the Black Sea. The Paris St Germain forward curled in a first-time

Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani scores their first goal past Portugal’s Rui Patricio. (REUTERS/Sergio Perez) right-foot shot from Rodrigo Bentancur’s pass to beat Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio before limping off injured in the 74th minute as the Uruguay defence dug in to hold on to their lead.

“Happy for what happened today, I hope we can go further,” Cavani said. “It’s exciting... there are no words to describe this. Really, really, really happy - look at our fans! I want to continue dreaming.”

Uruguay will play France in the last eight in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday and will wait with bated breath on the injury to man of the match Cavani, who has scored three goals in the tournament.

“Cavani sustained an injury tonight and we will have to see how that evolves as it’s not clear at this stage how serious it is,” Uruguay’s longserving coach Oscar Tabarez told reporters. “But as always we will bank on the strength of our team as a collective. That is our best chance against any adversary, and we know that France will be very tough indeed. “We’re here to play all seven matches, right up until the final, and we will see what happens.” NOT ENOUGH BITE Portugal, who won Euro 2016 in France, dominated possession but their attack did not have enough bite to break through the steely Uruguay defence twice. They had 61 percent possession, played more than double the number of passes as Uruguay and had 20 attempts compared to six from their opponents. “I think there is often a mistaken assumption that possession leads to scoring opportunities,” Tabarez said.

“We have to be strong in defence and we have great qualities and skills, especially in our defensive line. Even if you don’t have a lot of possession you can inflict pain on your opponent.” Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure during the entire match and could not add to his four goals in the first two matches, failing to improve his record of failing to score in all six World Cup knockout matches he has played. The Real Madrid forward had an opportunity in the first half to score from a free kick about 30 metres out but could only hit the wall. “In football, there are no moral victories and I would have preferred to play worse and win the match,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. “But I do feel that the second half was very good from us in terms of desire and our determination to score. We tried our best and we played a good game.”

Third annual Aliann Pompey Invitational C/ships

Grenadian Kirani James lives up to hype, wins Men’s 400m in 44.99 at Leonora Grenadian’s only Olympic medalist Kirani James lived up to the hype when cruised to victory in Men’s 400m in at time of 44.99 at the Leonora Stadium in West Demerara last evening in the third annual Aliann Pompey Invitational Championships. James won Gold medals in the 400m at the World Championships in 2011 and the 2012 London Olympics and watched by a good size crowd with included Sports Minister Dr George North who declared the meet open and Director of Sport Christopher Jones, finished ahead of Chidi Okezie of Nigeria in a time of 45.97 and Guyanese Winston George who finished third in a time of 46.13. Guyana’s Troy Doris, who won Commonwealth Gold, had an off day in his first appearance on soil as he only 16.09m to finish fourth in the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Men’s triple jump which was won by USA’s Donald Scott in a distance 16.46 (+0.0). See full story in tomorrow’s paper.

A good size crowd turned to the API last night at Leonora. (Sean Devers photo)

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Mbappe double leads France past Argentina in 4-3 thriller KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - Teenager Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four minutes to send a youthful France charging into the World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina yesterday that sent Lionel Messi’s team home. The 19-year-old forward’s electric pace caused Argentina problems all afternoon and his twin strikes helped France overturn a 2-1 deficit at the Kazan Arena as they set up a meeting with Uruguay, who beat Portugal later yesterday. Messi provided assists for two goals but the 31-yearold was otherwise subdued in the “false nine” role and his fourth, and possibly final, crack at winning the World Cup was destined to end in disappointment. While Mbappe was the most influential player on the pitch, Argentina winger Angel Di Maria and France full back Benjamin Pavard fought out a private contest for the best goal of the match with two magnificent long-range strikes. Di Maria’s goal canceled out Antoine Griezmann’s early penalty for France just before the break while Pavard’s in the 57th minute leveled the scores at 2-2 after Argentina had edged ahead through Gabriel Mercado. Mbappe, the first teenager since Brazilian great Pele in the 1958 final to score two goals in one World Cup match, then took over to send Argentina slumping out of the finals before the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. “If I am a coach it is because I want to live this - a

France’s Antoine Griezmann shoots from a free kick agaisnt Argentina. (Reuters Michael Dalder) full stadium, highly-experienced teams,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Our team is much younger, but it’s there. We answered the call, we have a lot of character and it was not easy ... but we kept fighting.” Twice champions Argentina got a consolation through substitute striker Sergio Aguero in added time but they were simply unable to cope with Mbappe’s pace from his first surge towards the box after nine minutes. Javier Mascherano brought him down and Griezmann crashed the sub-

sequent free kick off the bar but France only had to wait a couple of minutes to open the scoring. Mbappe set off on another driving run from well inside his own half and Marcos Rojo, well beaten for pace, bundled him to the deck inside the area. Griezmann’s strike from the spot was not as clean as his free kick but goalkeeper Franco Armani went the wrong way and the Frenchman converted his second penalty of tournament. EARLY ONSLAUGHT Argentina looked shellshocked at Mbappe’s early onslaught but Jorge

Sampaoli’s side was full of big match experience and four minutes before the break they were level. Di Maria received a pass from the left, took one touch to tee up the ball and hit the sweetest shot into the top-left corner of Hugo Lloris’s goal from 40 meters. Three minutes into the second half and Argentina were ahead, Messi curling a shot hopefully towards Lloris and right back Mercado reacting instinctively to deflect the ball into the net. The Argentina fans were in full voice but France soon restored parity when Pavard pounced on an over-cooked

cross some 20 meters out and lashed it into the net on the half-volley. Mbappe’s first goal came seven minutes later when he snared a loose ball, taking one touch to race past his marker and firing it home with his left foot through Armani’s dive. His second came after 68 minutes at the end of a flowing French move with Olivier Giroud providing the subtlest of touches to lay the ball into Mbappe’s path and the teenager finishing right-footed with some elan. “It’s flattering to be the second one after Pele, but let’s keep things in context,” Mbappe said. “Pele is another

category, but it’s good to be among these people.” Argentina continued to fight over the last 20 minutes but Aguero’s header from Messi’s cross in stoppage time was too little, too late. “This is very painful, especially because the players have made a huge effort,” said Sampaoli, already under pressure after Argentina’s stuttering start to the tournament. “It was a very difficult game but we have not achieved our goal here in Russia. I’m sad, I’m frustrated – I think that’s quite normal. I won’t decide my future today.”

ExxonMobil Girls and Boys U14 Football Tournament GFA Dissolved; Despite many interventions by GFF to provide Exciting exchanges as tourney continues management guidance The Guyana Football Federation has taken the painfully imposed, but constitutionally obligatory, step of appointing an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to manage the affairs of the Georgetown Football Association effective June 29, 2018 until new elections are conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the GFA. In a release from the federation yesterday, it noted that this action became necessary following that association’s inability to reconcile the many challenges it faced over the last two and a half years that witnessed the stultification in football

programmes and initiatives. These management challenges have been laid bare with the GFA’s incapability, in violation of Article 29 [1] of its Constitution, in convening its Annual General Meeting in April of 2017, despite the many interventions by the GFF to provide management guidance. The GFF has therefore indicated to the GFA that it is “revoking the mandate entrusted to the members of the Executive Committee of the Georgetown Football Association,” and the appointment of the IMC has been taken in conformity with the guidelines and provisions of Ar-

ticle 2 Para. [d] & [e], Article 13. Para. [a], and Article 82 of the GFF Constitution, as well as Article 8 Para. 2 of the FIFA Statutes. In communicating the decision, the GFF informed the GFA that it could “no longer exercise reasonable confidence in the ability of the GFA Executive Committee members to continue holding the various offices to which they were duly elected.” They were also instructed to “reconcile and return all financial and material assets that are the legal property of the GFF.” The membership of the IMC will be announced in due course.

Play in the Exxon Mobil Boys and Girls Under-14 Football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue yesterday with several exciting games among the boys and girls. Action started off with the girls games and Tutorial was replaced by Dolphin’s Secondary in the order of play. Dolphin lost to Campbellville by the lone goal of the contest. South Ruimveldt put 5 past Tucville to their 1 to record the largest margin of victory among the girls. Amanda McKenzie netted a hat-trick for the winners. Over in the boys department Tucville ran riot over Carmel with a 9-0 drubbing. Rayheam Marques was the destroyer with four goals.

Full results: GIRLS Game #5 Dolphin 0 vs New Campbellville 1 Goal scorer Campbellville Grace Jones 9 Game #6 South Ruimveldt 5 vs Tucville 1 Goal scorer South Latisha Sutherland 6 Amanda McKenzie 12,18,22 Angel Denny 16 Goal scorer Tucville Kixian London 7 Game #7 East Ruimveldt 0 vs Charlestown 1 Goal scorer Charlestown Donna Lowe 1 Game #8 Vergenoegen 2 vs Uitvlugt 0 Goal scorer Vergenoegen Janel Edmondson 9 Tia Lamaison 20 BOYS

Game #37 Marian Academy 2 vs St George’s 2 St George’s won following penalties shoot out (sudden death) 3-2 Goal Scorers Marian Daniel Lowe 20 Malik Barker Goal Scorer St George’s Dexter Hector 16, 31 Game #38 Vergenoegen 2 vs East Ruimveldt 0 Goal scorer Vergenoegen Kwesi Gill 3 Nashaun Livan 37 Game #39 Chase Academy 7 vs Uitvlugt 0 Goal scorer Chase Kevin Mullin 3,29,30,40 Jaleel Alcindor 25 Sean Cato 26 Joshua Daniel 36 Game #40 Carmel 0 vs Tucville 9 (Continued on page 75)

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Kaieteur News

Regal batsmen light up NY Independence Cup

Eon Baker played some beautiful shots during his entertaining innings. Guyana sides, Regal Masters and Regal AllStars have announced their presence in the 12th annual New York Softball Cricket League Independence Cup with exceptional cricket that has brightened the opening day of action in Queens, New York. Regal Masters easily brushed aside debutants Tropical Springs Masters and Tri-State Masters in convincing fashion and are the team to beat in the Masters’ Over-45 category heading into today’s final preliminary round and semifinals. In their final group match, the unbeaten Regal Masters will come up against defending champions and fellow Guyana side, Floodlights Masters who are also unbeaten at 09:00hrs before their semifinal at 13:00hrs. In the opening game at the Canarsie Park, Regal Masters beat Tropical Springs Masters by the wide margin of 169 runs. Regal won the toss and from there the assault began. Opener Eon “Rapper” Abel smashed nine sixes and four fours in the top score of 90 and shared a vital second wicket partnership of 115 runs with Mahesh Chunilall who made 38. Skip-

Mahesh Chunilall was in good form in both preliminary games on the opening day in New York.

Pooran Singh during his opening spell against Tropical Springs Masters at Canarsie ground. per Mahendra Hardyal, who got off the mark with a huge six, perished early on for nine, but his dismissal paved the way for the batting display that followed. After Chunilall and Abel were dismissed in the 13th and

15th overs respectively, Eric Thomas and Rudolph Baker took over. The left-handed Thomas clobbered a quick fire 57 not out (8x6; 4x4) while the right-hander Baker flayed the bowling for 55 not out (8x6) as the pair put on 107 runs in just over four overs that pushed the total to 268/3. In all, six bowlers were employed by Tropical Springs with Anand Persaud bagging two wickets for 48 runs from his quota of four overs in brilliant sunshine. Tropical Springs who showed glimpses of hope were eventually restricted to 99 for 8 when their overs expired. Ameir Ahmad, who retired hurt on 24, was the only

batsman that showed some pedigree to the tight Regal Masters bowling. Left-arm bowler, Laurie Singh was very economical in picking up 2 for 11 from his four overs, while Pooran Singh (2/20), Troy Kippins (1/16) and David Harper (1/18) were also in the wickets column. In their second game, the Regal Masters’ batting was once again on the pulse as the Campbellville based side registered a nine-wicket victory over Tri-State Masters. Batting first, the home team looked organized in scoring 164 for 8 but their bowling failed to follow through. Gavin Longhorn top scored with 59, while Kippins

was on the ball again with 334 and was supported by Parsram “Pacer” Persaud (2/ 33) and Laurie Singh (2/48). In the rapid reply, openers Abel and Chunilall were once again in pugnacious mood when they put on 150 runs for the opening wicket in 10 overs. Abel brought up the winning runs to finish on 75 not out (3x6; 9x4) when the target of 165 was achieved at the end of the 12th over for the loss of Chunilall’s wicket. Chunilall, who was brilliantly caught on the midwicket boundary, made 78 (8x6; 1x4), while Mohendra Arjune was not out on four with the score on 165 for 1. Regal Masters will now

meet nemesis Floodlights who are also unbeaten after their two victories over Tri-State Masters and Tropical Springs respectively. Both teams are assured of semifinal places and chances are a repeat of the 2016 and 2017 final is on the cards. In the Open category, Regal All-Stars won both of their preliminary matches and were to meet SVC All-Stars in a heated clash in their final preliminary round game yesterday before their semifinals at the Baisley Pond Park in Queens. The finals are set for today at the Roy Wilkins Park.

Kaieteur News

Sunday July 01, 2018

Rainforest Waters Nat Squash C/ships

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Defending Champ Alex Arjoon advance to Semis - Wiltshire, Khalil light up the Court in Men’s Open clash

Alex Ajoon (left) plays a back hand drive against Damion Da Silva on Friday night.

T

he match of the night on Friday in t h e 2 0 1 8 Rainforest Waters Senior National Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club was defiantly the game between Jason-Ray Khalil and top junior player 15-year-old Shomari Wiltshire who displayed a high standard and entertaining Squash. In an action packed and riveting encounter Khalil won the first game 11 - 6. The second game went back and forth with Wilshire having two game balls at 10 9 and again at 12 – 11, but Khalil eventually prevailed 14 - 12. The high intensity displayed in the second game appeared to take effect on both lads but the South Paw Wilshire looked the more tired of the two and Khalil galloped to easy 11-2 third game win to take the entertaining. A good turn-out which included veteran Radio Broadcaster Ron Robinson watched as Defending champion Alex Arjoon beat

former Junior Caribbean champion Damian Da Silva in three straight games. Arjune won the first game 11-4 before Da Silva fought back gamely but could not prevent Arjune from prevailing 11-8 in the second game before finishing the match in destructive fashion; winning the third game 11-1. Friday Night’s action also saw matches in the four quarter -finals in the Men’s Open, the lone remaining Women’s quarter final match and matches in the Men’s Veterans, Men’s Plate and Women’s Plate. The top four seeds in the m e n ’s O p e n d r a w a l l progressed in straight games to the Semi-finals which were scheduled for last night. In the night’s opening game, Number 2 seed Richard Chin defeated Robert Fernandes 11 - 6, 11 6, 11 – 5, while former National champions Nyron Joseph got the better Regan Pollard by a comfortable margin of 11 - 6, 11 - 5, 11 - 6. The final Women’s

quarter final saw junior players Abosaide Cadogan and Sarah Lewis battling each other with Cadogan eventually winning 11 - 3, 11 - 6, 11 - 3. The match up in the men’s semi-finals will see defending champion Arjoon taking on Khalil, while No 2 seed Chin comes up against Joseph. In the Women’s semis, Mary Fung-A-Fat will battle Abosaide Cadogan and Ashley Khalil will face-off with Taylor Fernandes in what is anticipated to be riveting encounters. Results for Friday Evening’s matches: Men’s Open Alex Arjoon beat Damian Da Silva 11 - 4, 11 8, 11 - 1 Richard Chin beat Robert Fernandes 11 - 6, 11 6, 11 - 5 Jason-Ray Khalil beat Shomari Wiltshire 11 - 6, 14 12, 11 - 2 Nyron Joseph beat Regan Pollard 11 - 6, 11 - 5, 11 - 6 Women’s Open Abosaide Cadogan

Shomari Wilshire (foreground) battles Jason Khalil on Friday night.

Kirstin Gomes (right) and Madison Fernandes in Friday Night’s action at the GT club. defeated Sarah Lewis 11 - 3, 11 - 6, 11 - 3 Men’s Plate Samuel Ince-Carvalhal beat Joshua Abdool 11 - 9, 11 - 3, 11 - 5 Johnathan Antczak beat Gianni Carpenter 11 - 6, 11 4, 11 - 8

Women’s Plate Kirsten Gomes beat Madison Fernandes 12 - 10, 7 - 11, 6 - 11, 11 - 7, 11 - 8 Men’s Veterans Over35 G a r f i e l d Wi l t s h i r e defeated Tony Farnum 11 - 4, 11 - 5, 11 - 2

Brian Yong beat Lloyd Fung-A-Fat 11 - 6, 11 - 3, 11 4 All Semi-Finals were scheduled for yesterday evening with the Finals set for today from 11:00hrs at the Georgetown Club. (Sean Devers)

Former BCB Secretary Mortimer George publishes Special Booklet for 2018 Academy The Berbice Cricket Board on Wednesday last received one hundred copies of a specially prepared thirty eight pages booklet on Berbice Cricket from its former Secretary Mortimer George. The thirty eight pages booklet was published by George as part of the Berbice Cricket Board Developmental Programme and would be distributed to

young cricketers who would attend the Berbice Cricket Academy, which would be held from the 23rd to 28th July, 2018, at the Albion Sports Complex. George, who served as Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board from 1976 to 1983, stated that he was delighted to be of assistance to Berbice Cricket as he was happy with the direction it

was heading. A close personal friend of current Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster, George decided to do the historic booklet after Foster informed him that the Board would be hosting a Cricket Academy after an absence of five years. The former Secretary has over the years authored sever books on Berbice Cricket including a

special Edition for its 75th Anniversary. He stated that it was important for young cricketers to be educated about the history of the game, its rules and traditions, legends of Berbice Cricket along with historic facts. Among the articles in the booklet are Five Pillars of Development, Historic Facts of Cricket, B e r b i c e / G u y a n a Te s t

Players, Female Berbice International Players and list of Berbice Senior Captains among others. President of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster could not contain his excitement as he congratulated George on his visionary project. The main objective of the Berbice Cricket Board, he stated is to make sure that every young

cricketer in Berbice, is not only fully prepared to be a good performer on the field but also to be an ambassador of the county, Guyana and the West Indies. The booklet, Foster stated would be an addition to the five educational posters the Berbice Cricket Board printed and would be used to educate youths on (Continued on page 75)

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Sunday July 01, 2018

Cycling host Olympic Day BMX Event Jaheme Henry won two of the four cycling events that were held yesterday as part of Olympic Day 2018 celebrations, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) sponsoring the event which took place on the inner circuit of the National Park. Henry first won the BMX 9-12 contest from Mark Lewis and John Niles in that order and then wrapped up a good day with victory in the 1214 contest; crossing the line ahead of Marvin Knights and Shaquel Dow. Jared Barrington ruled the roost in the 6-9 race and was followed to the line by Javin Henry, Jessica Mohabir and Lennox Jackman, the races were all two lap contests. The lone juvenile rider was Brandon De Nobrega. Meanwhile, attention will be on the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) National Championships Senior Road Race which pedals off from Carifesta to Moblissa on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, 110 miles of what is anticipated to be fierce action. Race time is 07:30hrs.

Organiser Hassan Mohamed pictured with the participants of yesterday’s event following the presentation.

Jaheme Henry wins the 9-12 race.

Over $3million in prizes up for grabs in Kennard Emancipation Horserace meet

T

he Kennard Memorial Turf Club at Bush Lot, Corentyne will be hosting an Emancipation horserace meet on Sunday, July 29th under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority with over $3million in cash prizes up for grabs. The meet will feature seven races with finishers from first to fourth being awarded cash prizes. The E1 and lower category will be the feature race over a distance of seven furlongs with a top purse of $600,000. Second place in the race will receive $300,000, third $150,000 and fourth $75,000. Entry into the race is set at $73,000. The H1 and lower class race will carry a

first prize of $300,000, while the winner of the Guyana Bred three years and older will enjoy $250,000 and the two-year Guyana Bred class will pocket $200,000. The J3, L Open and L-non winner, which will all be run over five furlongs, will attract first prizes of $160,000, $140,000 and $120,000 respectively. Entries for the Emancipation meet will close one week prior to the showdown on July 22nd. No late entries will be permitted and interested persons can contact Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Cecil Kennard (623-7609 and 225-4818), Fazal Habibulla (657-7010), Dennis DeRoop (640-6396) or Campton Sancho on 602-1567.

Kaieteur News

Sunday July 01, 2018

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Bronze Medals for Joshua Buchanan, Shannard Mentos at CARIFTA Judo tourney

B

oth Joshua L e n n o x Buchanan and Shannard Mentos of the Guyana Judo Association climbed onto the third step of the podium in the U73 kg and U90 kg division respectively at the recently concluded Junior CARIFTA Judo 2018 tournament, which was held in the city of Nassau in the Bahamas. CARIFTA Judo 2018 was the second installment after being instituted into the CARIFTA Games in 2017. The countries which participated in the event were Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Bahamas. The historic event saw athletes from Guyana for the first time medaling at the prestigious regional games. The athletes exclaimed that their successes were realized mainly due to them remaining focus on their game plan of winning throughout the two days of competition. They have also posited that they successfully defeated several competitors in several bouts which made them ascended to gain bronze medals, a release from the association

informed. The matches were fiercely fought by our athletes according to Coach and President of the Guyana Judo Association, Mr. Raoul Archer, which brought them the desired results which they attained. He draws attention to the fact that our athletes were privileged to be coached and mentored by a twenty (20) time world champion judoka from Cuba who is an internationally recognized Coach, and is currently training the Bahamian National Team to participate in the upcoming World Junior Championships to be held in the Bahamas in October of this year. Joshua Buchanan got a Bronze medal in his individual competition, while Shannard Mentos copped two bronze medals, both in his individual bout as well as a team medal. Mr. Archer, who is also the General Secretary of CARIFTA JUDO group, noted that he was one of the main architects, along the Bahamian and Barbadian Presidents in having Judo being instituted into the CARIFTA games. The release noted that,

Fitness Express continues to fuel GABBFF, partners for Senior’s this month

GABBFF VP Seeon Satrohan (left) collects the cheque from Fitness Express Representative, Darren Mc Donald. The committed and unflinching support of Fitness Express towards the sport of body building has continued with the business entity presenting sponsorship to the Guyana Amateur Body Building & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) for this month’s senior championships. Fitness Express, according to federation President Coel Marks, is a

Platinum sponsor and the business entity’s Representative, Darren Mc Donald handed over their contribution to GABBFF Vice President, Seeon Satrohan at their John and Sheriff Streets, headquarters. With the show just two weeks away and athletes working hard towards getting their bodies in the best shape possible for (Continued on page 75)

Mr. Archer has expressed his appreciation to the Bahamas Judo Federation and their President Mr. D’Arcy Rahming for assisting our association and athletes for successfully participating in the games. He would also like to thank the Guyana Olympics Association for their kind assistance, Bettencourt’s Foods Inc of D’Urban Street, Sankar’s Auto, and others who would

like to remain anonymous. Mr. Buchanan has been offered a scholarship to attend the Bahamian University through his international experience, and one of the International Judo Federation’s international referees, Mr. K e i t h We a t h e r s , h a s committed himself to assist wherever possible to develop the sport of judo here in Guyana.

Guyana Judo Association President Raoul Archer (centre) and the two successful Judokas.

rt o p S

Mbappe double leads France past Argentina in 4-3 thriller P. 77

France’s Kylian Mbappe scores their third goal against Argentina at the Kazan Arena. (REUTERS/Michael Dalder TPX images of the day)

Third annual Aliann Pompey Invitational C/ships

Kirani James cruised to victory the Men’s 400m in a time of 44.99 at the Leonora Staduim yesterday Evening. (Sean Devers photo)

Grenadian Kirani James lives up to hype, wins Men’s 400m in 44.99 at Leonora P. 77

Brilliant Cavani P. 76 GFA Dissolved; Despite many interventions by GFF to provide brace fires Uruguay into last eight management guidance P. 76 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.