Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday July 15, 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 IMPORTANCE OF PRESS CONFERENCES

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t is a fact that since becoming the leader of the opposition, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has held a press conferences on a weekly basis. Regrettably, this has not the case with the President. Since taking office three years ago, it has been reported that the President has held only two press conferences in three years. This is a low rate for holding press conferences, which are the grandest display of engagement between a head of State and the fourth estate. Press conferences are held by heads of state with the objective to disseminate information to the public about government policies, programmes etc. In Guyana as in other countries, press conferences are very important. They are among the most commonly used and potent tool by governments to gain coverage of their programs or policy in newspapers and on TV news broadcasts. Rather than setting up interviews with individual reporters or sending out press releases, press conferences allow a head of state to interact with a roomful of journalists all at once and thus is an effective way to quickly disseminate public relation messages. On balance, presidential press conferences are an institution worth saving. Even if they are not the only, or even necessarily the best way for the president to disseminate information to the public, they at least guarantee that he will face tough questions from the private media and independent reporters. Intuitively press conferences are important in a democracy to hold leaders accountable for their actions and conduct in office. It provides a forum for politicians to explain issues that may be a source of query or unease for reporters and the wider society. The lack of engagement with the press by the President on a regular basis could create the impression that the head of state is unwilling to address issues. This would raise eyebrows given that the coalition government promised to be accountable and transparent. Many have lamented that even after official trips overseas and numerous official engagements by the Head of State, he has not held a press conference to inform the nation of what was achieved or transpired. Instead, the President has opted to use the Department of Public Information (DPI) to communicate with the public. Indeed, President David Granger does make himself available to the press at every public appearance he makes. He fields questions on every issue. However, the media feels that this informal arrangement is not good enough. Presidential press conferences should be defended and preserved. Whatever their actual importance, press conferences have come to stand for democratic values of openness in government. Previous presidents mandated that their Ministers face the press while the president reserved his appearance to comment on national issues. To his credit, President Granger explained that he has been travelling a lot and so often is hard pressed to plan press conferences. He did have a forum at which members of the media could meet with him and question him on any issue but that is no longer the case. We now see that he would meet with individual media houses. Perhaps he finds press conferences too general. Indeed they could be limiting since a media house may have many issues. The press conference limits the number of questions one reporter could ask. Whatever the case reporters want greater face to face interaction with the president. They want press conferences. It should be pointed out that the media is a priceless part of society that represents the public’s interests. Therefore not engaging it regularly is unacceptable.

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

The initial oppressive Berbice Bridge tolls were placed on the backs of Berbicians by the PPP D EAR E DITOR , Permit me to disprove the fallacious and mischievous letter which appeared in the letter column of the July 13, 2018 edition of the Kaieteur News, titled “Why Not Nationalise the Berbice Bridge?”, authored by Nowrang Persaud. The writer deliberately ignored the facts on the proposed increases by the Berbice Bridge Company, Incorporated and instead, attributed the burdensome bridge tolls at the feet of the Coalition Government when he stated, “Our national government seems comfortable with building, maintaining and subsiding the operation of a new Demerara River Bridge (reportedly, in addition to the existing Demerara River Bridge); commuters pay the paltry sum of $200 for a car

to use the bridge while the same commuter, who pays the same taxes to the Government, has to pay virtually twenty times more to cross the Berbice River Bridge.” Mr. Editor, it behooves that Mr. Persaud would intentionally omit or discard, the immediate response issued by Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure on this matter. The following is the full statement. It reads: “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure notes comments by the Berbice Bridge Company officials at a press conference today, Tuesday, July 10, and wishes to assure all Berbicians and users of the Berbice Bridge that government is not contemplating any increases to the Berbice Bridge toll. “Government stands by

its decision to reduce tolls in fulfilling a campaign commitment and will continue to work with the Berbice Bridge Company in ensuring that the Bridge is sufficiently maintained and safe for vehicular and marine use.Further, government notes that the Bridge Agreement places obligations on all parties, which include scheduled maintenance and associated upgrades. Any request for toll increases must take into consideration a wide array of factors and cannot solely be on the basis of recouping operational costs and profits on dividend. The Berbice Bridge provides a critical service to the public and tolls must remain reasonable and cannot be arbitrarily hiked to oppressive and onerous levels. Government will

continue to take practical decisions in the interest of the people of Guyana and the provision of quality services.”In light of this, it’s noteworthy that Mr. Persaud is reminded that the initial oppressive Berbice Bridge tolls were placed on the backs of Berbicians by the then PPP administration. The Coalition Government after assuming office in 2015 reduced these toll rates, which brought needed relief to commuters, in keeping with its campaign promise. I’d also like to take this opportunity to inform Mr. Persaud that, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no decision taken with regard to toll rates for the proposed new Demerara River Bridge. Regards, Earl Hamilton

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There is a feeding frenzy of open corruption taking place at GGMC

Who can help verify the signature or handwriting of the late Sir Lionel Luckhoo?

DEAR EDITOR, Allow me a small space to comment on an article published in Kaieteur News, Tue., July 3, 2018, p. 13, “Sweeping changes expected at GGMC.” How ironic it is to continue reading comical nonsense of Minister Raphael Trotman, who is absolutely unfit to manage, yet alone be Minister of Natural Resources. Trotman should be forced to resign but the people of this country are like sheep following each other, too afraid of speaking up, in fear of both governmental and private retaliation, rather than challenging the arrogance and corruption. As a miner I am speaking from first-hand experience. I know the workings of GGMC and how the insiders operate. As Trotman indicated there will be major changes, “Not about personnel, but policies,” is an oxymoron at best. GGMC is a dysfunctional and cumbersome cesspool already overregulated where policy changes are not warranted, rather, changes in personnel at all levels, for the entity to partially function. Mr. Editor, we don’t need change in policies, we need existing policy enforcement, and changes in personnel. Leadership is lacking, inefficiency and ineffectiveness, betrayal of the public, and paralysis of policies are the norms at GGMC.There is a feeding frenzy of open corruption taking place at GGMC, and it is doubtful any lawmakers ever took time to seek a review of the assets of some senior person-

nel. The discovery would be startling: houses, businesses, vehicles, jewellery, and other assets. These individuals are leeches shaking down miners, confiscate gold and diamonds, collect fuel and groceries, and so forth. Then if miners refused the officers are quick to issue cease work orders through fabricated violations, or even call their superiors to assist the corruption. It happened to me! Many times I have been told by different mines officers how one official is their friend and I better be careful, which indeed proved adverse to me, when I refused to pay off a few of GGMC personnel. So clearly personnel and policies are in conflict at GGMC.Further, there is a group of personnel at GGMC who would illegally close-off land areas, then negotiate with middle men to set-up land purchases, as I have been approached several times by these thieves. Ministers Trotman and Brooms, Commissioner Dennison and other senior personnel are clueless as to their own surroundings, let alone managing the nation’s natural resources.Leadership and experience go handin-hand, and Trotman is lacking both, whereby GGMC is a breeding ground for cronyism through massive internal and external corruption from the lowest officer to the highest office and too many policies. Change personnel, nor policies. L. Prashad

DEAR EDITOR, Could one man’s trash be another man’s treasure? It is evident by now that if I am walking and notice a box with books on the roadside to be thrown away, I will make the time and see how best I can save any that are of interest. A while back I stumbled on a novel among other items to be thrown away and it was the name ‘THE SILENT WITNESS’ which caught my attention. The novel is actually authored by the late ‘SIR LIONEL LUCKHOO’ and ‘AMERICAN DR.JOHN R.THOMPSON PH.D.’ Just a reminder that the late Sir. L. Luckhoo was twice knighted (2 degrees of Knighthood) by Queen Elizabeth. He is the only person to be Ambassador for two nations simultaneously (Guyana and Barbados) and

for 14 years or more, he was named as the world’s most successful advocate via the Guinness Book of Records. November 7, 1978 was the date he accepted Jesus and his life revolutionised. It was by a dinner invitation at a hotel where two of God’s chosen vessels Americans Glen Norwood and Newman Peyton-Full G o s p e l B u s i n e s s Men’s Fellowship International) spoke and they were actually told to visit Guyana by the late Catholic Bishop Pantin. Turning the cover, I almost fell through the floor to notice in red ink, the reading “Personal Copy of Lionel Luckhoo’ and the bottom also reads,’ This, my personal copy, replaces the copy posted but not read.’ Who could have been the recipient of such a special copy autographed by the late Sir L. Luckhoo?

Was the recipient only going to read the novel unless it was autographed or with the handwriting of the late Sir. L. Luckhoo? I am almost certain the recipient was never a President (dead or living) of Guyana. I am wondering if perhaps there is a historian or family member who can verify the signature/handwriting as provided for evidence. Yours Faithfully T.Pemberton

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

FARMERS’ HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES DESTROYING BELLE WEST ROADS

The issue of rape: For Guyana’s children, is there an escape?

DEAR EDITOR, I would like the media to come at Belle West Phase Two concerning the road situation here. The farmers are driving their tractors and

other heavy vehicles and damaging the roads. Sometimes they even park there vehicles in front of our gaps. We don’t even have no where else to walk. Concerned Resident

DEAR EDITOR Children are a country’s valuable resource. When will Guyana tackle the scourge of Rape? The issue of rape has reared its ugly head again ( Kaieteur News, July 13, 2018), especially as it pertains to females who have not even attained tween hood. It is blatantly apparent even to the severely myopic that sexual perversion, enmeshed with unchecked lunacy is running rampant in Guyana. There are some issues that just cannot be swept under the rug, and others once swept under is soon rejected. Sexual Assault Awareness Month was celebrated in April, and Guyana joined with several other countries to celebrate SAAM under the theme “Embrace your Voice.” The teal ribbon was adopted as a symbol of sexual assault awareness and prevention. What is being done about the children? What plans are being put in place to further strengthen existing ones to stem this scourge? The facts are known! Can the government not see that rape is destroying the country? The director of Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA) Ann Greene, in an interview conducted in October 2017 stated that within the

first six months of 2017, 424 cases of sexual abuse were reported and addressed by her Agency . The director also announced plans for a registry of sex offenders, especially since such a call was made in 2015 by The Caribbean Voice. Sexual assault of these young victims impacts not only the victims, but also family as well as society as a whole. The potential consequences can span generations with adverse effects on health, education, employment and the economic well-being of families, communities and societies. While prosecution and incarceration of sexual offenders may provide a sense of relief and perhaps some deterrence, such is not enough. Viewed from a public health perspective, the government must institute measures aimed at stopping sexual assault and sexual abuse from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after the young resources and future leaders have been violated and harmed. The scourge of rape is hindering the country’s potential. After serving their prison sentences, the perpetrators will be free to walk the streets. Would that be the end? What programme (if any) has been

put in place to ensure that they will never reoffend? Is therapy a program of choice? Is there data to show how we have dealt with the perpetrators of rape, and the level of recidivism? What about the hapless young victims with their tainted futures? The reports of continuance prevail with the perpetrators becoming older and bolder, seemingly undeterred by the punishments meted out. From the stance of a concerned Guyanese and health professional, I am calling on the Government, the legal system, Child Protective agencies, community leaders, educators, parents, church and clergy to come together and work towards planning/ introducing/ implementing approaches targeted specifically towards stemming this rising tide of abuse of our children. First in line for consideration is the development of a Sex Offender’s Registry, followed by an in-depth study as to the factors underlying the rising male sexual fascination with babes, tots and toddlers. Make no mistake the future of Guyana is at stake. There is no escape the government must deal with the issue of rape. Yours Faithfully Yvonne Sam

Sunday July 15, 2018

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Government can buy the Berbice River Bridge Guyanese Entrepreneur DEAR EDITOR, As a kid growing up in Skeldon/Corriverton, I was among the many people of that area who dreamt of the day when there would be a bridge across the Berbice River because crossing by ferry was a big hassle and took many hours. Today, I am pleased that this dream has become a reality. Building this bridge was a great feat. There is no question that it has brought huge relief for Berbicians and other travelers. Time is money. By cutting commuting time to and from Region 6 significantly, the bridge is worth its weight in gold. Let us give Jack his jacket. The Bharrat Jagdeo Government and the private sector deserve credit for taking up the challenge to build the bridge. It was a novel initiative based on a unique private and public sector partnership at a time when Guyana did not have the money to pay for such a project. I understand that the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) is now saying that it is almost bankrupt and wants to increase the tolls in order to do maintenance work on the bridge, cover operation costs and pay dividends to shareholders. But, from what I recall from the early talks about the bridge between private sector investors and the Jagdeo Government, the Berbice Bridge tolls were never intended to be similar to the tolls for the Demerara Harbour Bridge; they were to be comparable to the ferry

rates for various vehicle types. I understand that the BBCI needs funds to recover its investments, pay dividends and to fulfill its responsibilities. I empathise with this; but the toll increases will be hard for the average Guyanese to pay and could very well damage the psyche of the people and cause great hardship for everyone. There is a stalemate because this Government has taken a firm position not to approve any increases to the bridge tariffs and has also declared the intention to fulfill a campaign promise to reduce the tolls. This is a tough situation, but there is a solution.I have a suggestion: Government should buy the Berbice River Bridge! A lot of wealth is expected in Guyana from the oil industry and from other natural resources. This puts Government in an ideal position to get one or more loans and use other financial tactics to buy the bridge. I am sure that the European Union or a government from a great nation like India or China would be interested in giving a loan or grant so that our Government can buy the bridge from the private sector, in the interest of assisting Guyana’s national development. If Government buys the bridge, its operations and maintenance can then be subsidised with taxpayers’ money, just like what is being done with the Demerara Harbour Bridge, whereby Government’s input allows

travellers to pay an affordable fee to cross the river. The tolls for the Berbice River Bridge can be higher than those for the Demerara Harbour Bridge and it can be subsidised by taxpayers’ money. Think about it. If Government buys it and it belongs to the Guyanese people, why can’t the people’s money be used to subsidise it to protect their interests? The Berbice River Bridge is vitally important to our country and people. I remember back in the day crossing by ferry involved all kinds of skullduggery and corruption. People who had influential friends to manipulate the system got priority in crossing. Others were inconvenienced and embarrassed. Today, travelling over the Berbice River has been reduced from three to four hours to just one to two minutes. Consider that for a moment. As one of those who suffered in those times, I view the Berbice River Bridge as a great blessing. I, along with many others who use the bridge regularly, know how much it has benefitted the county of Berbice and would

like to see it kept in place and functioning well. Buying the bridge is a big step but Government can do it! Everyone will win. Travel will continue to be hassle free; Government will be praised for doing something to generate commerce and dynamise the economy; and the investors will recover their investment and earn a reasonable return. Even though I compliment the private investors and the Jagdeo administration for making the bridge a reality, I respect the fact that this is a different Government with a new vision. But I believe this Government has the interest of our people at heart, so I urge them to consider my suggestion carefully. All power, success, achievements, progress, come from the heart and from the thoughts. I am calling on the Government to use positive thoughts, think wisely and think big to help the people of our country reach our rightful destiny of peace and prosperity. Sincerely, Roshan Khan Snr.

DEAR EDITOR, Having reviewed Tuesday’s presentation, Rystad’s analyst showed that with an oil price of $70 per barrel, annual revenues f r o m o f f s h o r e ac t i v i t y could reach $20 billion shortly after 2030. Based on my interpretations of the breakdown of revenues, it looks like a vast majority of those numbers comes from free cash flow and government profit oil. These are very impressive figures especially in the context of the current size of our economy and this new fortune can be the catalyst for exponential growth and transformation at unprecedented levels. But the big question remains. How does Guyana utilize these earnings? How would these profits be best allocated to ensure maximized benefit on a sustained basis? Do we build new schools, hospitals, airports, roads and bridges? Do we seek to enhance existing service and produc-

tion sectors? Do we focus on developing new/non-traditional sectors? While opinions on this may vary, a common point of reference has always been the Dubai Model . Why? Dubai has successfully utilized the profits from its oil to fund a service based economy to a level that has earned global respect. Ad m i t t e d l y c o n d i tions between Guyana and this Arab country may not be identical, but irrespective of geographic, hemispheric, economic or population related differences, diversification remains the best tool to remain relevant in a constantly changing global economy. While emphasis needs to be placed on improving infrastructure and social services, the focus should be on identification of new sectors which can be fueled (no pun intended) by revenues earned from Oil and Gas. Regards, Andrew McBean

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Non- appointment of JSC Region 3 REO decides which creates constitutional vacuum bids reach Tender Board An office set up by Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Denis Jaikarran, is said to be selecting which bids are evaluated at the regional tender board. According to contractors, bids for work to be done in the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCS) are being asked to be submitted through a Local Government Office set up by Jaikarran. Unlike the bids for capital works which are placed in a tender box, the bids for work in the NDCs are received by hand through the office which has been set up by Jaikarran. In the case of the capital works, the bids placed in the tender box are opened in the presence of the bidders and tender board members. In the case of the NDCs, the bids are taken to the tender board for evaluation and decision. The regional tender board is chaired by Jaikarran.

Region 3 REO, Denis Jaikarran Reports indicate that in one such instance in June, the board evaluated bids for the supply and delivery of 75 tons of first grade crusher run in Wakenaam. According to information, the board evaluated three bids, namely MVR Construction for $1.837M; A.J Prasaud Construction $1.875M; and R.P Construction $1.837M. The board awarded the bid to

MVR Construction.Kaieteur News was told that there were three additional bids submitted to Jaikarran’s Office which were not evaluated by the tender board. All of these bids were lower than the one awarded. These were from Farouk Azad, $1.7M; K. Kusial General Contractor, $1.4M and Forever Construction, $1.4M. When contacted about the information, Jaikarran said he was not aware that such practices occurred. When told that a contractor had visited the office to complain, the REO stated that any complaint must be made in writing.

The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana mandates (at Article 134 (1)) that there shall be a Judicial Service Commission, (JSC).The Constitution also vests the Judicial Service Commission with the authority to make appointments and to remove and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices. The Judicial Service Commission is an indispensible element of Guyana’s legal framework. The ‘Commission’ is the guardian of judicial autonomy. It is the defender of its independence. It is the protector of its integrity and impartiality.Those were the words of President David Granger as he addressed a gathering of media operatives on the occasion of the appointment of the members of the JSC, last year. However, it has been almost one year since the life of that commission expired. And political figures and commentators are pointing to the implications of not having a JSC in place. Most recently, opposition parliamentarian and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, expressed concerns at how the matter is being treated by the present administration. The PPP, Member of Parliament, (MP) noted that he is unaware of any discernible steps being taken by this Administration to reconstitute

- Former Attorney General

President David Granger the JSC.“The life of the membership of the last JSC expired since the 30th September 2017 – ten months ago! As a result, there has been a huge constitutional vacuum. No coroner, nor magistrate nor judge could have been, or can now, be appointed.” There are two Judges who are currently sitting in the Guyana Court of Appeal who were appointed to act as Justices of Appeal for specified periods. Those appointments will expire within a month. There is no JSC, which can recommend an extension or their replacements.” It is against this backdrop that Nandlall is criticizing the government over the failure to appoint a new JSC Board. Outlining the authority of

Anil Nandlall the government under the current structure, Nandlall noted that the executive branch of Government enjoys a significant advantage over the two legislative and judicial arms of governance because it controls the financial machinery of the State, and therefore the other two organs depend upon it for their funding.“In recognition of being in this peculiarly advantageous position, it is incumbent upon the Executive branch of Government, in Guyana’s constitutional structure, to ensure that it does not abuse this advantage, and that at all times, it magnanimously ensures that these constitutional institutions are adequately resourced and appointments to offices within them are timely made, “ Nandlall said On the contrary, the former Attorney General believes that the current Administration has been exploiting that advantage. He noted that several articles have been written detailing the Attorney General’s public refusal to recognise the JSC’s constitutional power to appoint certain officers within the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority and his refusal to allow those officers to discharge their functional responsibilities. “I also wrote several articles highlighting the President’s failure to act, for nearly a year, upon recommendations made by the then JSC to elevate certain puisne Judges to the Court of Appeal and to elevate and to appoint persons as High Court Judges and Commissioners of Title. “The shocking response of the Government to my criticisms was that the Constitution does not stipulate any time period for the President to act upon these recommendations. “However, Nandlall says those who truly understand the language and spirit of the Constitution and the law, would tell you that the President is expected to act in those circumstances with every convenient speed.

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Youth on attempted murder Pedestrian killed on Ruby Public Road charge compensates victim A man who received a fractured skull at the hands of a young man with whom he had a disagreement was on Friday compensated for his injuries. Twenty-one-year-old Akeem Lammy of 685 Section ‘B’ Block X Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, offered to pay off the victim. His decision resulted in the charge being withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).This was disclosed on Friday when the matter was called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. As a result, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan whom the trial was being heard before, since last month, had no other alternative but to quash the trial. Lammy was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on June 10, last, at Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully wounded Johnny Ramdeen.On June 10, last, the defendant and the victim who are known to each other had an argument.The prosecutor added that the defendant became annoyed and armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt the victim several lashes about his head. Ramdeen was then picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).On Lammy’s first court appearance before the Chief Magistrate, he viciously assaulted a police officer who was in the process of removing his handcuffs. When the court orderly unlocked one of the handcuffs, Lammy erupted, kicking the police ranks about their bodies. The Chief Magistrate had to put the court

- DPP withdraws charge Akeem Lammy

in recess and retired to her chambers. The entire ordeal lasted for about ten minutes; reporters and police officers were locked inside of the courtroom. The defendant was still there shouting, “I want to die; y’all left me let me die. Me ain’t able go in jail.” It took five police ranks to stabilize and handcuff the defendant who was behaving in a disorderly manner and crying uncontrollably.The defendant’s sister, who was also in the courtroom, ran into the prisoner’s dock in an attempt to calm down her brother. But to her surprise, she received a cuff to her face.

Dem boys seh... Raw renk and bareface thiefing all over again Christmas does come once a year but in Guyana, every day is Christmas and if you friend is de government you could get Christmas every hour. When Jagdeo was president he best friend Babbie get nuff Christmas. Every drug contract that he get was a Christmas gift and he get nuff Christmas gift. De man above don’t sleep. He arrange fuh Jagdeo and he kavakamites get kick out. When that happen people believe that dem gun get to enjoy de money in de Treasury. Dem didn’t know that de more things change de more dem remain de same. Soulja Bai come and is another set of thiefing going on. He give a man name Hard-datt in dis hard, hard guava season, $367 million in 24 hours. This same man never even bring a Whizz or a Panadol or any pain killer fuh he family in Guyana. Dem boys believe he don’t even know de difference between a Panadol and Vicks. Is eye pass fuh Guyana all over again. This man set up a company in Guyana since 2012 without an office. A matter fact, is

a empty lot pun de East Coast he list as de company address. He never do no business; never pay a cent tax from 2012 till today yet a Permanent Secretary, de one wukking at de Ministry of Health, tell de nation how this man do business all over Guyana. Dem boys want to know wha kind of business he do. It had to be de sex business because that is de only business you don’t pay tax on in Guyana.She cancel three bids from companies who normally supply drugs to de country and fuh far less. De only reason she would knock out dem companies and give Hard-datt fuh double de cost is because Soulja Bai must be asking fuh he share. Dem boys always believe he clean but when so much raw-renk corruption going on under he nose dem boys believe he setting stage fuh he generation to come.De worst part is dem boys hear no drugs deliver as yet and more than a year pass. This was suppose to be emergency drugs.Talk half and hope SARA recover de people money.

A

n unidentified indi vidual of Amerindian descent died yesterday after being struck by two cars, around 01:30h, on the Ruby Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Witnesses claim that the unidentified man was walking in the middle of the roadway. The eyewitnesses got the impression that the individual was drunk, since he was staggering. Moments later, two speeding cars came along and both hit the man, and flung him almost a hundred feet away. A number of persons went to render assistance, but the man who looked like he was in his thirties, lay on the road motionless. In a video recorded just after the accident occurred, one individual who was a passenger in one of the cars could be heard wailing loudly. “Me tell you fuh slow down; you nah hear”. The police in a statement said they were “investigating a fatal accident which occurred about 01:30h (yesterday) morning on Ruby Public Road, EBE involving motor cars PRR 459 and PWW 6353 and a male pedestrian who is yet to be identified. Initial investigations revealed that PRR 459 was pro-

The unidentified male who died after being hit down on the Ruby Public Road.

ceeding west along the southern carriageway when it struck down the pedestrian who was allegedly walking in the centre of the road. Immediately after PWW 6353 which was also proceeding in the same direction, in the rear, collided too with the pedestrian. The pedestrian was

rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The drivers, both of whom were found above the legal alcohol limit are in custody assisting with the investigation. The body is at Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post mortem examination.”

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HDM Labs never did business in Guyana before landing $367M contract from Govt - Transaction tied up within 24 hours

Attorney-at-Law, Charles Ramson By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Usually, ‘one creeps before one walks.’ But, HDM Labs Inc. has been able to defy the odds. This company’s first business transaction was a $367M deal to supply drugs to the Government of Guyana. Yesterday, Attorney-atLaw, Charles Ramson, revealed that according to its financial statements, HDM Labs never did any business ever since it was set up in 2012. Ramson said, “This deal stinks of corruption.” HDM Labs is owned solely by US-based Guyanese Hardatt Singh. In June 2017, the Ministry of Public Health sole sourced $366.9M worth of ‘emergency’ drugs from HDM Labs. This was after other known suppliers, including Ansa McAL Trading Limited were disqualified by Ministry of Health officials for various reasons. These companies bid hundreds of millions of dollars less than the sum Singh was handed. The highest bid was made by Ansa McAL —-$190.6M. (See Chart)

Owner of HDM Labs, Hardatt Singh

Permanent Secretary Collette Adams

HDM Labs was not one of the companies that bid for the contract. But, on June 19, 2017, the Ministry wrote HDM Labs requesting that the company, which has no experience, submit quotations and availability for the supply and delivery of pharmaceuticals. On that same day, Public Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams, wrote the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) Berkley Wickham, seeking permission for the company to be allowed to sole source the required pharmaceuticals. She told NPTAB that this became a requirement after the companies that bid for the supply failed to withstand a “restrictive tendering process” that is employed by the Ministry of Public Health. The companies failed various requirements. Interestingly, one of the needed requirements was technical capacity. Companies needed to have carried out similar transactions before. It is not

clear how HDM passed this requirement. But from all indications, the evaluation that disqualified other companies was not applied to this company. In her letter to NPTAB on June 19, Adams, the Permanent Secretary, vowed, “HDM LABS INC. HAS GREAT CAPACITY in delivering Supplies to the Ministry of Public Health’ within two weeks’ time frame. “HDM LABS INC. IS A RECOGNIZED AND EFFICIENT SUPPLIER COUNTRYWIDE. HDM Labs has their pharmaceutical supplies registered with the Food & Drugs Department in the county (sic) of Guyana and also they are registered with Food & Drugs Authority located in the United States of America.” Adams then wrote to Singh one day later, on June 20, 2017 informing him that he was awarded the contract. Ramson said that he is at a loss trying to figure how Adams was able to make such declarations to NPTAB when according to HDM, in its financial statements, it never did any business. The audit firm, HLD R. Seebarran & Co, does financial statements on behalf of HDM Labs. On August 2, 2016, the audit company wrote the

No trading since 2012 Deeds Registry, “We have been retained by the Directors of HDM Labs (GY) Inc. to prepare and audit financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012; 2013; 2014 and 2015. “The company was incorporated on April 10, 2012 and had no trading activity to date. This information was provided and confirmed by the Directors of the company.” Yesterday Ramson said, “The records I was able to secure also clearly show that the company is in breach of the Company Act for failing to file annual returns for 2016 and 2017 as lawfully required.

It should have been struck off the company register already. (S.487 of the Companies Act)”Ramson questioned, “How could a company, which is not even in compliance with the laws of Guyana (failing to file annual returns) and never did business before qualify to obtain a $367M sole sourced contract?” He continued, “How could a company get a contract for $367M when the other seasoned players, which were disqualified, bid $190M and below?” Ramson said, “This is exactly the kind of practice that makes Guyana poor and

keeps poor Guyanese from getting the assistance that they need. This kind of pariah activity by companies like this and people like Hardatt Singh needs to stop.”Ramson said a criminal investigation needs to be conducted immediately and all persons involved need to be charged. “If this is not done private criminal charges and civil proceedings need to be instituted to recover all that money. This is the money of the Guyanese people and no longer can we continue to be raped like this and expect our country to get better.”

Sunday July 15, 2018

Destruction looms for Charity Wharf

“the rotten piles that no longer support the structure.”

A

fter more than a year of deteriora tion, the fate of the Charity Wharf is certain especially since the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has not yet addressed the issue. On Tuesday the Region Two Administration said that it will make another appeal to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, to intervene in the matter. And it made this appeal last Tuesday through the Regional Chairman, Daveanand Ramdatt and Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson. Hopkinson who is the accounting officer of the Region, disclosed during his reports at RDC that the region does not have sufficient resources to fund the

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project. Based on an engineer’s report presented some time late last year, the structure was described as being very unsafe. The report revealed that most of the piles beneath the structure are rotten and no longer support the wharf. The report concluded that the solid concrete structure is dangerously sitting on a few remaining piles, which are very feeble and likely to give out. Further observation also indicates that the wharf has since dropped more than four inches from its original position. The wharf is believed to be a 38-year-old landmark which supports the Charity Marketing center. The marketing center on the other hand,

Crippled pensioner burnt alive in home after son allegedly sets house on fire The son of a man who was burnt alive in his home at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice is currently in police custody after allegations that he set the house on fire with his father inside. Dead is James Latchmansigh, 73, whose burnt remains were recovered yesterday afternoon. According to information gathered, the son allegedly set the verandah alight sometime around 11:30 hrs. Shortly after, he was seen standing along the roadside watching as the edifice burnt with his father who could not walk, trapped inside. Neighbours subsequently made contact with fire service ranks who arrived shortly after. They managed to contain the blaze but were unable to save the elderly man. Reports are that the son is a habitual drug user and would normally abuse his father when he refuses to give him money to buy cannabis. It is alleged that he had become annoyed after his father denied his request for money.

houses a number of businesses in charity. Stakeholders fear that if the wharf collapses at any time, there may be multiple casualties. The regional administration wrote to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure last year, seeking their intervention. The Ministry responded earlier this year, however, stating that the Wharf is the responsibility of the RDC. The REO who asked that the matter be viewed as a national issue, made it clear last Tuesday that the region is in no position to fund such a project. Hopkinson added, “We don’t have anything to work on the Charity marketing center, so we are again issuing a call for collaboration to get this structure complete.”

American Chamber of Commerce sets up office here The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is a non-profit organization and independent association formed in 1986 by business people in the United States (U.S).The main objective of the Chamber is to promote investment and trade between the United States, and around the world via networks unique to AMCHAM. The Chamber has been and will continue to be the most influential voice of U.S. businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean. At present AMCHAM has set up office here to promote trade and business between the United States and Guyana. US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, announced last week that the first ever official American Chamber of Commerce will begin operations in Guyana soon.Commenting on the matter, Ambassador Holloway noted that the initiative will help “our two countries in the area of trade especially since Guyana is readying for oil production in 2020.”According to information contained in a brochure, AMCHAM Guyana’s purpose is “to promote AmericaGuyana trade and business, create new business opportunities and improve market access for America-Guyana goods and services, provide economic, social and policy platforms. It will also encourage networking and build valuable business connections, further American business interests in Guyana as well as promote mutually beneficial business relations and partnerships as well as promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in Guyana.If business persons have questions about joining, AMCHAM Guyana says that it affords its members numerous benefits. “Many join to enhance community goodwill; others join for the innumerable services and privileges they may expect from the chamber. Most companies join AMCHAMs to meet people, make business connects, access new opportunities and exchange information useful to their business.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway Providing an array of services to members, business persons can expect events that provide opportunities to network and contacts, transfer knowledge while promoting business. At present, the board comprises a representative from each of the 16 companies including ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, Marriott Guyana, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., Corum Group Guyana, GTT, Sol Guyana, Nabi and Sons Ltd, Red Entertainment, London House Chambers, Baker Hughes, Republic Bank, the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO), RAMPS Logistics, Massy Guyana Inc., and Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP). Queens Atlantic Investment is the Corporate Secretary of AMCHAM Guyana. The chamber is open for membership from both foreign and local companies and entrepreneurs with business activities in Guyana.

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Kaieteur News

The ERC is not a firefighting machine The Ethnic Relations Commission [ERC] is not a firefighting machine. This was the assertion of Chairman of the ERC, Dr. John Oswald Smith, when he spoke at a forum yesterday.

He underscored, “Fire fighters have to respond to every alarm, false or otherwise. The trouble is when they are attending to a false alarm, the real thing might be going in another

– ERC Chairman direction.” Dr. Smith theorised, “It is said about fire fighters who like fire fighting, if they don’t

get fires to put out, they sometimes create their own fires so that they can become active.” Creating fires to fight will not be the role of the ERC. Instead, Dr. Smith said that the body will be looking for support as it prepares to become fully operational. “Our task is to build a better Guyana,” said Dr. Smith at a forum yesterday which saw the ERC engaging the local media fraternity. The forum held at the Camp Street Georgetown Club, represented the body’s first official engagement for 2018. According to Dr. Smith, as part of its effort to help promote harmony, the ERC has, among its mandate, to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity; discourage and prohibit persons, institutions, political parties and associates from indulging in, advocating or promoting discriminatory practices on the ground of ethnicity and; to encourage and create respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in a plural society. As he amplified the importance of collaborating with the media, Dr. Smith said, “We will work together to promote harmony.”

The ERC’s operation is divided into four parts: administration and operations, finance, public education and awareness, legal, and investigative. “Our staff is getting back into position. We found 14 of 32 staff in the Secretariat so we are now advertising, interviewing and attending to that...We don’t have any investigative unit.” Although all aspects of its operation are not yet fully active, Dr. Smith said that it is hoping to gain support to promote social cohesion. Dr. Smith added, “We notice that yellow journalism of the print media has given way to fake news of the electronic media so we are asking, let us work together to promote harmony.” Special invited guest at the forum, President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Ragubir, made it clear in her brief remarks, “Active constitutional commissions are healthy for a growing democracy and with Guyana, a fairly young independent nation still finding herself, there is a role for everyone.” She noted that the GPA recognises that among the functions of the ERC, according to the Constitution, is to foster a sense of security among all ethnic groups, encouraging and promoting the understanding, acceptance

ERC Chairman, Dr. John Oswald Smith

GPA President, Nazima Ragubir and tolerance of diversity in all aspects of national life. The body is also one that is expected to promote full participation by all ethnic groups in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people, Ragubir added. “The GPA no doubt feels Continued on page 13

A section of the gathering at the forum.

Sunday July 15, 2018

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Kaieteur News

CANU nets massive cocaine, ganja haul at Good Hope Ranks from the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) have detained a Good Hope, East Coast Demerara couple after intercepting a massive cocaine and marijuana shipment at Mon Repos Channel, East Coast Demerara.

The bust happened at around 04:00 hrs yesterday. A CANU release said that the operatives seized 82 parcels of cocaine weighing 91.132 kilogrammes and 98 parcels of cannabis weighing 56.008 kilogrammes after intercepting a vessel.

Iazim Baksh called “Bato” of 123 Phase 1 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and his wife, are currently in custody. The boat captain, identified by the alias “Dive and shoot” of Mon Repos Foreshore, escaped while the ranks were closing in.

The narcotics haul on display. (CANU photo)

The ERC is not a firefighting... From page 12 that the Commission has a major role in a multi ethnic, multi cultural and multi religious society...The fact that many editors, publishers, media workers and members of the GPA are here this morning [yesterday] is an indication that most, if not all, media houses have an open door policy when it comes to discussing issues of national interest,” said the GPA President. As such she added, “We are encouraging the ERC to continue along the path of engagement not only now but as we proceed towards certain dates and events that test us as a nation.” She noted that the media over the years has rightfully been held to different standards. She said,

too, that in some instances “we have been asked to sign media codes for elections...our coverage of issues has been examined closely and criticised over the years and rightly so.” But, according to Ragubir, “I would like to recommend that politicians in particular be held to higher standards. The media may not report a statement on a political platform that can be deemed harmful but in the age of the internet and social media there is a need for politicians to be held accountable for their statements.” The GPA president also revealed that the organisation she heads is open to exploring how it can be a part of any national discourse.

- couple held, boat captain, Venezuelans at large Several other persons of interest, including Venezuelans, are also at large. The release stated that

during the early morning hours yesterday, CANU ranks conducted an operation on the East Coast of Demerara

where several locations used for docking of fishing vessels along the East Coast Seawall were reconnoitred.

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Kaieteur News

DPP withdraws assault charge against Maryann Daby Months after businesswoman, Maryann Daby, was charged with attempted murder after she tried to kill a police officer, she had an assault matter against her withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). It is alleged that on May 13, last, at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, she assaulted Police Constable Christopher Kissoon. On Friday, when the matter was called in the courtroom of Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, the prosecutor told the court that based on advice from the DPP, they will be unable to proceed with the assault charge. However the attempted murder charge and the illegal possession of firearm and ammunition charges still stand. A Preliminary Inquiry and trial into these matters respectively, are expected to commence soon. Daby, 25, of 127 D’Aguiar Park, Houston, Georgetown, was on remand after she was accused of pointing a loaded gun to the police officer’s head and pulling the trigger, in an attempt to kill him. She has not been required to plead to the charge which alleged that on May 13, at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, with intent to commit murder, she attempted to discharge a loaded firearm

Maryann Daby at Police Constable Christopher Kissoon, with intent to kill him. It was also alleged that on May 13, at the same location, she had a .32 pistol in her possession when she was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time. It was further alleged that on the same day, she had six live rounds of .32 ammunition in her possession, when she was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time. She denied the latter two charges after they were read to her. The attempt murder charge and the unlawful possession of arms and ammunition charges will be conducted by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, since the (Continued on page 64)

Sunday July 15, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Assistance underway for Kwakwani flood victims % no reports of illness

Some of the affected homes

Assistance for Kwakwani residents affects by flood waters is coming very soon. The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) conducted an assessment of the flood waters yesterday. Led by Director General of the CDC, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, the team included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Hydrometeorological Service, and CDC vol-

unteers. According to Craig, the multiagency approach is one that is designed to ascertain the overall needs of the affected residents. “We’re doing an assessment to see the impact of flooding in Kwakwani, particularly Lamp Island and the Waterfront area. What we would have observed is that the water level is about six to

seven feet, and affected several homes and also farms.” The Director General explained that flooding is a regular occurrence which has resulted in residents adapting to their environment. The residents have built secondary houses on high stilts which are just above the water height; primary houses are submerged. (Continued on page 62)

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Murder of pandit and son‌

Cops detain businessman suspected of hiring killers

Deonarine Liliah and his son Gopaul Liliah. Police have detained a businessman who is believed to have hired individuals to kill Deonarine Liliah and his son, Gopaul Lilah, to avoid repaying a US $40,000 debt. The suspect was detained earlier this week, following the arrest of two other men whom he is suspected to have hired to carry out the killing. The businessman was said to have been involved in a dispute with the 61-year-old Deonarine Liliah, whom he allegedly owed US$40,000. It is believed that he hired two others to (Continued on page 63)

Sunday July 15, 2018

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---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---

Factionalism and the PNC race for Chairman:

Addressing burning national issues and assessing continued power

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ot surprisingly, the contest for the chairmanship of the PNC has been dominating the news cycle and the larger political conversation. After all, the PNC is one of the country’s major political parties and electoral machines. The PNC is the overpowering partner in the country’s coalition government. So what happens in that party has consequences for the country and its politics. The race for the chairmanship is being correctly or incorrectly seen as a contest between those who wish to succeed the present leader of the party in that position and, by extension, leader of APNU and the coalition’s presidential candidate. As is the case with these intra-party races, they expose real and imagined factions and tendencies within the party. Like most national institutions, a political party is really an alliance of factions and interests. The party appears cohesive when power beckons or is actualized, but that cohesiveness fractures in the face of competition for top office or sometimes over ideological and policy direction. The PNC was created as a coalition of forces 61 years ago, comprising the then mostly urban Burnhamites, the supporters of the AfroSaxon John Carter and the mostly rural followers of Sydney King. By the turn of the 1970s, John Carter was maneuvered into diplomatic exile and his followers neutralized while Sydney King, by then Eusi Kwayana, finally broke with the PNC over political direction and policy as well as political morality. This gave Mr. Burnham a free rein to construct a cohesive party around his charisma and personality. Burnhamism masked whatever fractures remained in the party.

But once Burnham died prematurely in 1985, the fractures reopened. The Burnhamist wing was quickly in open confrontation with the “reformist” wing represented by Desmond Hoyte who had become party leader and president. It was a contest to determine what a postBurnham PNC should look like. This led to an open split of the party, with party founder-member, Hamilton Greene, leaving to form his own party, GGG. This faction, which included current chairman, Basil Williams, would return to the party towards the end of Hoyte’s tenure. But by the time they returned, Hoyte had moved the party so far away from Burnhamism that there was no major space for them in the leadership. Next came the contest to determine what a post-Hoyte PNC should look like. This time two longstanding Burnham apostles squared off. It turned out to be a contest between the party machine represented by Robert Corbin and the party’s intellectual wing represented by Vincent Alexander. The PNC came out of that contest in which Corbin prevailed, a very fractured party. Alexander had dropped out of the race citing irregularities. In fact, the intellectual wing which supported him never really rejoined the leadership—a development that has since seriously affected the party’s ability to articulate an ideological outlook and a vision for 21st century Guyana. The subsequent leadership contest between David Granger and Carl Greenidge further exposed the deep factionalism which had developed within the party. It was a race for the soul of the postCorbin PNC. The scars of the heated and controversial contest are still raw. Greenidge

and his followers have since played little or no role in the party’s formal leadership. That race was really a contest between two “outsiders” - neither Mr. Granger nor Mr. Greenidge had been party activists. Greenidge had served as Minister under Hoyte, but was more a government player than a party man. He left soon after the party lost power in 1992. As a soldier, Granger could not be a party man. But even when he left the army, he did not become a party activist. It is no secret that Mr. Granger narrowly won that contest because Corbin had put the party’s machinery at his disposal. The rest is now history. Granger’s newness was pivotal in cementing APNU and the APNU+AFC coalition. Corbin’s singleminded determination to pursue coalition-politics as the PNC’s route to power, and his decision to step aside and allow a new leader paid off, even if he, Corbin, the architect of the strategy, is not given the credit he deserves. Ideology is no longer an issue within the PNC or in any of Guyana’s political parties. Every major party accepts the neo-liberal model or what they think it means. Political and economic pragmatism are both ideology and strategy. Packaging and sound bites are both marketing tools and substance. Policy and vision are afterthoughts. The party plays little or no role in guiding direction, vision and policies of the government. It is against this background that the current race for the party’s chairmanship should be analyzed. The party is in government—it controls the government. There is dissatisfaction with the government’s performance by its supporters. Key constituencies such as teachers, public servants,

The Baccoo Speaks The police would find another of their ranks in dishonest practices. A group of policemen would be accused of providing cover for a drug dealer. This dealer would attempt to ship a quantity of cocaine to a hinterland location. They would encounter a roadblock and the patrol would attempt to intervene. This time they would fail because a young rank would thwart any attempt to prevent a search. **

Another home invasion would go wrong. The intruders would be attacked

by the residents who would react to shouts from the home under attack. Shots would be fired but there is nothing like a consolidated attack. One of the intruders would be caught. ** A tragedy would be averted when someone would pull a young boy form a canal after he had gone for a swim and encountered difficulties. His problems would be caused by horseplay.

villagers and youth are crying out for policy attention. There is dissatisfaction among the coalition parties over the management of decision-making within the coalition. The coalition is shaky—it’s only the continued lure of office that keeps the equilibrium. The oil and gas wealth is coming shortly. How are poor people going to benefit from this? We know how the rich will benefit, but how will the poor be lifted in the short and long term? These are the pivotal questions that I think the candidates for this high-powered PNC contest must address if they are serious about the country’s future. This is now not just a race for the most delegates at Congress; it is an opportunity to individually and together tell Guyana where the PNC in government intends to take Guyana in the next decade. If the candidates are serious, they could reset the PNC’s trajectory in Guyanese politics and give the party a new

positive outlook that encourages confidence in the wider population. Ms. Lawrence says that the party was elected to bring change. She has come out against corruption in her Ministry. Mr. Williams has touted the party’s winning team, but he says little about the winning strategy. Mr. Harmon projects himself as the fresh alternative to party tribalism—the candidate of inclusiveness. But none of them has addressed the real serious issues of the day—the issues that unite and divide and animate Guyanese. Leadership is largely about inspiring confidence and articulating vision. There is too little of that in this campaign. But, it’s not too late for the contestants to step up to the challenge. Does the PNC still believe that coalition politics is the future? If so, will it continue with the strategy of dominating the coalition or will it strive for a more even-handed approach.

Dr David Hinds Do the candidates support improved wage packages for teachers and other public servants today? Will they fight for it in public, within the PNC and APNU and in cabinet? What is your plan to use oil and gas wealth to decrease poverty in Guyana and empower poor people starting today? Will you fight to move the state media away from a partisan media to an independent disseminator of news, views and information? What will you do today to make Indian Guyanese, Amerindians and independent African Guyanese less scared of the PNC? 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 15, 2018

Kaieteur News

The strange disappearance of Levoy Taljit By Michael Jordan

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here just might be one thing worse than having someone murder a loved one of yours. It’s having that loved one seemingly vanish from the face of the earth, leaving behind just little, sinister clues about their fate, leaving you with both hope and dread every time the phone rings. There’s one family that has been living this nightmare for five and a half years now. They are the relatives of young LeVoy Taljit. Taljit worked at the Guyana Revenue Authority before becoming employed with the Guyana Energy Authority. On Sunday, December 23, 2012, the 25-year-old dressed in a burgundy tee shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. He then drove off from his home in a Toyota Raum, PNN 8315. Taljit’s close relatives became concerned when he failed to return home. He did not show up the following day, neither did he contact anyone to inform them of his whereabouts. It was not like the young man to disappear and not contact his family. Concerned for his safety, relatives contacted the police, and released a photograph of the missing man to the media. A sister revealed that Taljit had recently started working with the GEA. She said that she was unaware of

Taljit’s vehicle was found on a trail about a mile off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway any problem that he might have had with anyone. She also said that her brother was not known to be involved in any “wrongdoing”. Meanwhile, relatives and close friends organized a search party but failed to find Taljit. On Friday, December 28, 2012, some residents of Yarrowkabra were walking along a trail about a mile off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway when they spotted an abandoned Toyota Raum. They contacted the police, who checked the licence plates and confirmed that the vehicle was Taljit’s.

Detectives observed that the vehicle’s battery, keys and some of the electronic equipment were missing. But Crime Scene ranks found no evidence suggesting that Taljit had come to harm. The absence of fresh footprints at the scene seemed to suggest that the vehicle was taken to the location about three days prior to its discovery. Police scoured the Yarrowkabra backlands for several hours without finding a trace of the missing man. As with previous disappearances, the absence of tracker dogs severely hampered their

Levoy Taljit efforts. Police finally received a crucial break. Someone was using the missing man’s cell phone. Phone records revealed that a call had been made in the vicinity of Marudi, on the Soesdyke/Linden highway, the day before Taljit’s vehicle was found. Shortly after, police traced

the calls to a Soesdyke residence. They then detained a 32year-old man, who they found in possession of Taljit’s phone. The man had reportedly inserted a new SIM card in the device, apparently not realizing that the phone could still be traced when activated. According to the police, the man also handed over a bank card to the investigators, after taking them to a house where he had stashed it. The bank card belonged to Taljit. Detectives found out that the man had withdrawn some $50,000 from Taljit’s bank account. On being questioned, he reportedly admitted to stashing Taljit’s vehicle on the Soesdyke/Linden highway, but claimed that this was done at the missing man’s behest. He also claimed that the missing GEA staffer owed him money and had given him the bank card. Police say that the individual alleged that he and Taljit were friends. It was said that the two men communicated extensively via an internet site. According to police sources, he also alleged that Taljit visited his home shortly before his disappearance. It was alleged that the GEA employee had a bag of money and asked the man to hide the Toyota Raum. The person of interest is said to have initially told de-

tectives that the missing GEA staffer was alive and well and had spoken to him from Paramaribo, Suriname. However, he reportedly eventually admitted that this was a fabrication. The story left detectives even more concerned about the missing man’s fate. Again, they scoured the Soesdyke/ Linden backlands for any trace of Levoy Taljit. They found nothing. The investigators also checked computer records in the hope of unearthing any evidence about Taljit’s whereabouts. This effort was also fruitless. Although the man had reportedly admitted to using Taljit’s phone, had claimed to have stashed the GEA employee’s vehicle and was in possession of his bank card, and had even withdrawn money, police apparently still could not definitively tie him to Taljit’s disappearance. After all, they had no idea whether Taljit was alive or dead. They eventually released the man and the matter came to a standstill. If you have any information about this or any other case, please contact us by phone or mail at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office. Our telephone numbers are 2258465, 22-58491 and 2258473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan via email at mjdragon@hotmail.com

Sunday July 15, 2018

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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

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here is a crescendo of disappointments with Minister Simona Broomes. The video puts her in the wrong. The reaction of many is that this type of ministerial behaviour is what Guyanese saw from PPP leaders. With incidents like this, I get a flood of emails and text messages. The point is the same – our new leaders are like the PPP’s. My confusion revolves around the singling out of Broomes. For me, the Broomes incident is just more one example of the failure of May 2015 to offer Guyana an alternative political culture. Why the fuss with Broomes? There are many Broomes in the coalition government. Minister Volda Lawrence commenting on Broomes’s action said the APNU+AFC coalition came into government to make changes. If Minister Lawrence is sincere with that comment, then Broomes’s action constitutes a peccadillo and pales in substance and significance with the rejection of the culture of change that the APNU+AFC regime is guilty of. If Minister Lawrence is asserting that her party came into power to engender changes then, the Broomes incident will not even figure in the critique of power that the coalition government is intoxicated with. Let’s examine this rejection of change and juxtapose

it with the silly, little private incident between a minister and two security guards. Evidence of lack of changes, changes that the population yearned for, puts Minister Lawrence in a maze. I would like to see her find the exit. Where do we start? The APNU manifesto promised changes in the marijuana law. When two lawyers birthed a Bill to amend the law to allow for the removal of mandatory prison sentences, the reaction of the President was that Guyana must be careful in adopting what other countries do. The Attorney-General went in the direction of the absurd and hinted at a referendum to amend the law. Both the AFC and APNU promised reduction in VAT. Where is the change? VAT was reduced by a mere two percent and then a hypocritical mask was donned by Minister Lawrence’s Government – some items that didn’t carry VAT had it imposed. And look what Minister Lawrence ‘s government put VAT on – tuition fees for private secondary schools. A powerful fool in the APNU+AFC government had a dream, woke up on a Tuesday morning, ran into a Cabinet session and shouted, “eureka, eureka, only the rich in Guyana send their children to private schools, let us tax their school fees.” The Cabinet said; “right

on maan” and VAT was stamped on private tuition fees. Did the Guyanese people when they voted for change in May 2015 expected that animal carts would have a tax imposed on them? Did taxi drivers and working class public sector workers expect a policy that stipulated that vehicles must have brand new tyres and an imported vehicle cannot be more than 8 years old? Did the Guyanese people when they dreamed of changes in May 2015 anticipate that as soon as the APNU+AFC came into office they would give themselves a colossal salary increase? In denouncing what Minister Broomes did, Minister Lawrence must take her point to its logical climax and detail the changes the population expected? Did we expect UG to become what it is after 2015, where money is spent on entertainment and travel rather on salary increases? Where are the changes teachers expected? In June 2018, three years after Minister Lawrence’s government came into office, teachers are threatening strike action? Let’s do the comparative

method in the context of change. When the PPP was in power, GPL didn’t come when called upon after contacted by callers reporting sparking wires. This columnist spent five hours last month trying to get GPL to go to a house in Cummings Lodge after the previous day, residents failed to get GPL to act. A fire of disastrous nature was threatening. Now we have seen a heart-breaking tragedy in Clifton, Berbice. A poor woman’s house went up in flames because GPL did not respond to re-

peated requests about a sparking wire on a post. The fire engine came 30 minutes after the flames enveloped the house and it had no water. What does this catastrophe remind you of? An unchanging Guyana of course. Such miseries occurred when the PPP was in power. They are taking place long after the 2015 election results. During the reign of the PPP, patients died because of medical incompetence. No doctor was ever sanctioned with decertification. Now comes the unbelievable news

Frederick Kissoon that from June 2017 to June 2018, there have been 119 neonatal deaths at the Georgetown Hospital. The French people say; “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Kaieteur News

Proposal to hike Berbice Bridge toll is ridiculous

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his month the Demerara Harbour Bridge is observing its 40th year in service to this nation. When it was commissioned in 1978 by a very excited Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and his opposite number Dr. Cheddi Jagan, they were all fully aware of the significance of this bridge over the Demerara River. They knew even then what it would mean for national development; to the

citizens living on the ‘West Side’; to farmers, businessmen and women; the workers who labour in the city; loggers and gold miners working in the interior; residents of Bartica, Essequibo and the hinterland regions; the people who work every day to protect our forests and their biodiversity; students attending school in the city; and to emergency services like fire, ambulance and police. This piece of

infrastructure was built to last 10 years, but today, nearly 50 years later, it is even more indispensable than it started out to be. Its value to national life cannot be overstated, therefore, it makes all the sense in the world to keep it operational, even after the new one is commissioned. The amount of traffic from every single community, district, gold field or logging concession west of the Demerara River has increased so dramatically

over the years that it just makes sense. The Demerara Harbour Bridge toll has been subsidized by government from the time it was commissioned, but the bridge administration never ran broke, and the people who cross sometimes six times a day are still able to pay it. Several times since July 1978, portions of the bridge, especially the flotation pontoons and the retractor span, have malfunctioned, broken or collapsed mostly due to accidents caused by barges, ocean-going vessels, and serious vehicular accidents. Every time, engineers have had the repairs done and they reopened the bridge after short periods to return the passengers’ lives to normal. Fast forward now to the Berbice River Bridge that Jagdeo built. Like the one across the Demerara River, that bridge plays a similar role to its City cousin, creating easy access to Upper and Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam and its environs, East Bank and West Berbice, and it allows people to reach neighbouring Suriname and French Guiana without the hassle of waiting hours for an unreliable ferry service to and from Rosignol. The big problem over the Bridge is that Jagdeo and the group of disparate friends and entities that he had cobbled together to help fund its construction and to manage it through the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), have now reached a new low. They are now irresponsible enough to demand increases to the toll that the same Government had negotiated to cut just three

years ago. This was in response to the constant complaints and cries of the people in Berbice to remove the draconian tolls that the PPP had imposed on them in 2008. Do you recall how they managed? Many Berbicians had to leave their vehicles at the homes of friends and family at D’Edward Village, Number 7 and Number 2 Villages, Canje or Adelphi at the other end of the bridge, then catch minibuses to cross. All this was to avoid paying thousands of dollars to travel a mere 1.2 miles over the bridge. Now the bridge company wants the government to restore the old rates. Forget the part about making profits. This is extortion of Guyanese people and of the visitors who enter Guyana by way of the Canawaima ferry at Moleson Creek. This Berbice Bridge Company and the PPP even had the temerity to demand that Government pay the difference of the costs that were reduced from the original toll in 2015. Jagdeo took it further and ‘suggested’ that government should buy a bigger portion of the bridge shares, or subsidize operating costs. But this is vintage Jagdeo, the man who had bullied the NIS, the New Building Society and other public agencies to join his friends to invest in the bridge in exchange for large blocks of shares. Some of those who capitulated, found out later that the shares were coated with so much offal that they were guaranteed no returns whatsoever. Those who refused had their lives and reputations destroyed, literally.

Thankfully, Guyanese people have matured in the recent past, and we are able to see right through Jagdeo’s posturing. Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, has made it clear that the Berbice Bridge ‘arrangements’ that the PPP had put in place are not sustainable or wholesome. All are in agreement that the only beneficiaries would be the private investors. The Ministry of Finance had described the whole mess as ‘One of those mumbo-jumbo contracts”. Minister Patterson stated, “I don’t see how, with a US$40M investment, you would only guarantee a certain group of people a 23% rate of return,” then predict that an unrealistic number of vehicles would be crossing the bridge, and if not, then the Government would be obligated to pay the 300% increase to the Bridge company. Minister Patterson is a nice man. He said, “It’s definitely not sustainable”. To others, it is junk economics with messy forecasts. This Government has no intention of hiking rates simply to please any money-grabbers, and it is most unfair to users of the bridge Last year, one of Guyana’s expert Engineers, Bert Carter, had said that the BBCI has already paid out over $800M in dividends. So, who did that sum go to? The BBCI has done no maintenance on the bridge for the almost 10 years it has been in existence. No one should be required to pay so much money for a one-mile bridge c r o s s i n g . I t ’s ridiculous! End of story.

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Kaieteur News

My column

The negatives of ICT are now affecting all of us

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hen I was a boy growing up I heard talk about robots taking over jobs that people were doing. It sounded like science fiction, but it was not long before it became reality. People were afraid of the technology because they saw themselves being put on the sidelines. It turned out that as technology developed new jobs appeared. The centres that produced cars introduced robots. Soon robots controlled the assembly line and of course, cars were produced faster and with near impeccable finishes. Mechanics no longer had to troubleshoot. They had computers that identified the faults in the time it took to say “What’s the problem.” Of course there are fewer workmen, but these workmen moved on to improve themselves and became mechanics themselves because there were even more vehicles on the roads. Technology made the post offices become redundant as far as letters were concerned. People no longer had to wait weeks for a reply to a letter. Email made everything instantaneous. Even stores found that they now need to change their business approach. They no longer hold the monopoly on sales. People are shopping online from the confines of their homes. Like the post offices,

stores have to find new approaches to attract customers. Technology shift people from one location to another in less time. A trip from Guyana to New York is five hours. There was a time when it took three weeks. Managers and chairmen can call meetings even as they are in their homes. Such is the power of Information and Communication Technology. There is Skype and all manner of conference chats. Technology has actually slowed the pace of work. Again, when I was a boy, if I wanted to do research I had to head to the library. My relatively wealthy friends had Encyclopaedia Britannica, a large volume of information. Today there is Google which is at the fingertips of anyone who has a smart phone. But there are the negatives and these are many. At first people thought that they were merely keeping their children active and up to date with technology. Many saw their children becoming tech savvy and perhaps becoming people in demand the world over. What they never foresaw was the fallout. And the fallout has been horrendous. Families are falling apart. Of course, we never saw it coming. I remember buying a smart phone for my grandson but even before that he was always with a remote playing video games. My daughter bought a

monitor for him to better enjoy his video game. She did not want him to want to play when I wanted to watch TV and I thought that it was a good thing until I bought the phone. Three years later the TV monitor he got is gathering dust because video games are things of the past. It is the phone. At the breakfast table it is the phone; at rest it is the phone; at work during every break it is the phone. And he is not unique. Glenn Lall, the Publisher of Kaieteur News arranged for every technical worker to leave his phone with the guards until they were heading home. This lasted for no more than a week. There is no parent who can say that he or she is spending time having conversations with children. There is simply no talk time. The result is that children are unaware of situations in the home and they are not alone. There are parents who are similarly enmeshed in their phones. They have no time to talk with their children. Toward the end of the week I had a conversation with Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Bernadette Lewis. It was enlightening and frightening at the same time. She told me about a Trinidadian boy whose parents gave him a smart phone. He was an excellent student but then his grades started to

fall.Being a concerned parent, she decided to take away the phone. That was a mistake. This quiet boy attacked her with unbelievable viciousness. He chopped her repeatedly and even severed her hand. His mother was simply keeping him away from an addiction. And children are addicted to their phones. We now see young people sitting around and instead of talking to each other, they are on their phones. No one feels insulted because each is caught up in his own world. In school, writing skills have fallen drastically. Interpersonal communication skills are disappearing as are the things that go into communicating. In human communication only about ten per cent is the spoken word. When two people are talking there is so much more in the conversation. Body language is about 90 per cent of face to face communication. That is why telephone conversations while they can be flattering, can also be deceiving. It is not the spoken word but the body language. Police conducting interrogations go beyond what is said. There is another down-

side to this addiction to the phone. I have been finding with increasing regularity, the use of ICT chat words. Imagine reporters are writing news items that could have a sentence that goes, “U could c the rain.” But it is the make believe world into which these children descend that is worrying. Imagine a group of grown people walking around with their smart phones looking for Pokemon. And this is not confined to any single country. Teachers in schools are no having problems. Children are lost in their phones rather than in their class work. There were attempts to ban these phones from the classrooms, but parents intervened insisting that they need to be in contact with their children.And to make the situation worse, the big companies have what are called Attention Engineers whose job is to make the screen even more obsessive. And the children are becoming more hooked to the extent that the medical world is now seeing this trend as a mental health disorder. So far, there are no psychiatrists to treat these cases because parents do not see

Adam Harris their children as being mentally ill. And this is the frightening thing. I have no answer. I have known parents who insist that meal times should see the phones put away, but what happens at the end of the meal. Some children will either nibble or wolf down the meal to get to the phone. I have confronted people with their phones who refuse to use it to do research. Two days ago I found that ninetyfive per cent of the staff did not know what a jalopy was and none hastened to look up the word. The phone is for Facebook and WhatsApp. Parents are required to halt this frightening trend but then again, many will feel that the children are out of their way, and that is a good thing in their book.

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“The winner-take-all political culture has become d a n g e r o u s l y dysfunctional…the tide of ideas in Guyanese politics has turned. Today, the 15th of July, marks the birthday of the new politics, a birth begotten by A Partnership for National Unity. We are more than a party, we are a movement,” - David Granger at the Launch of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Seven years ago, His Excellency David Granger accu-

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Kaieteur News

rately described the ‘old’ politics in Guyana when he said, “confrontation characterized the ‘old politics.’ Calculations of ethnic support determined election tactics. The ‘winner-take-all’ jackpot became the prize of every election. The political landscape became a battlefield, not always of ideas, but of racial rivalry. Communal conflict hampered human development. That system has now become dangerously dysfunctional. Our society, under the PPP’s 19-year, one-

party regime, has become more deeply divided than it has ever been at any time for 100 years.”Seven years ago, on the 15th July 2011, APNU was launched with great fanfare at the Ocean View International Hotel. Four months later, the Partnership contested the November 28, 2011 General and Regional elections and garnered 139,645 votes and 26 seats in the National Assembly. APNU along with the Alliance for Change (AFC) 7 seats, would command a one-seat majority in

the 10th Parliament of Guyana. On May 11, 2015 APNU in coalition with the AFC defeated the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) at General and Regional elections. There have always been political partnerships in Guyanese politics, but most have been purely symbolic and, in some instances, strategic. What happened in 2011 was something much more transformative, because this was not your garden variety, cosmetic coalition like the PPP teaming up with Civic. In this partnership for national unity, a major massbased party the Peoples National Congress Reform PNCR - partnered with several other political parties and civic groups. The PNCR also sacrificed its trademark electoral symbol the Palm Tree (56 years of branding), something never done by any major political party. The partnership established a new name, a new symbol, and campaigned as a team with a single manifesto. Any political party that loses an election goes through a period of reflection and self- examination. The PNCR, having lost four consecutive contests, emerged as a truly liberal democratic force. This evolution started when the party merged with the Reform wing and accelerated after the death of party

leader Desmond Hoyte. There were constant insurgencies that openly contested the leadership of the party. Young leaders brought new ideas, new thinking and flaunted their spurs and political resumes, challenging the establishment and the party’s old ways of doing business. Political pundits were quick to criticize and many predicted that the insurgency was fatal to party unity. Others saw it as a power grab by factions with political ambitions, but this was a metamorphosis and the sometimesmessy dynamics of a truly democratic organism that culminated with the historic 2011 primary process, where five candidates contested to become the party’s Presidential candidate. This also marked the first time in Guyana, where a sitting Party Leader was not the Presidential Candidate. It was clear to the Joint Opposition Political Parties that would eventually comprise APNU that the paramountcy of the PPP had to be challenged by a united force that looked like Guyana and was representative of all the stakeholders, labour, the clergy, youth and students, women’s organisations, business and politics. It was apparent to all the partners that the people of Guyana were tired of one-party rule and

wanted more from their leaders. It was clear that the race-based politics and policies of the past had no place in the future, and Guyana with all of its resources would not reach its true potential and embrace modernity if the old ways of doing business were allowed to continue. This partnership (APNU) gave the nation a chance to hit the reset button, and the leaders a new pallet on which to promote policies and programmes designed to advance the interests of all the people of Guyana. In a multiracial society, a party must appeal to other groups, and by the nature and construct of this partnership for national unity, their intent was clear.Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine the leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) was prophetic on that July day, seven years ago when he pronounced, “We are today a wider, more diverse partnership than we were last week. We are not yet nearly as diverse and as wide as we need to be. We know this, APNU is a dynamic, expanding partnership; together we must and will create a genuinely inclusive partnership where all constituencies can enter and represent themselves”. We held those truths then and we still believe today- We are better together.

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Kaieteur News

Heat exhaustion: It can get dangerous in the hot weather By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine e are heading into the dry season and things are getting hot. As temperatures continue to climb, it is becoming risky for those that have to be in the sun for long periods. Heat exhaustion is one of those risks and I fear that this will become more common as temperatures continue to rise. WHAT IS HEAT EXHAUSTION? Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets too hot. If you don’t treat heat exhaustion, it can lead to heatstroke. This occurs when your internal temperature reaches at least 104°F. Heatstroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. It can cause shock, organ failure, or brain damage. In extreme cases, heatstroke can kill you. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE? Symptoms of heat exhaustion are: · muscle cramps · heavy sweating · pale or cold skin · weakness and/or confusion · dizziness · headache · nausea or vomiting · fast heartbeat · dark-colored urine, which indicates dehydration.

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In addition to these symptoms, warning signs of heatstroke also include: · fever of 104°F or higher · flushed or red skin · lack of sweating · trouble breathing · fainting · seizures. WHAT CAUSES HEAT EXHAUSTIONAND HEATSTROKE? Heat-related illnesses occur when your body can’t keep itself cool. As the temperature rises, your body dissolves sweat to stay cool. On hot, humid days, the increased moisture in the air slows down this process. When your body can’t cool, your temperature rises and you can become ill. Hot weather and exercise are the main causes of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. In hot settings, you need to be mindful of the temperature outside. HOWARE HEAT EXHAUSTIONAND HEATSTROKE DIAGNOSED? If a person is displaying known heat illness symptoms, take their temperature. A reading of 104°F or more means they probably have heatstroke. You should take them to an emergency room right away. CAN HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE BE PREVENTED OR AVOIDED? There are many things

you can do to prevent heatrelated illnesses. Babies, children, and elderly people are more sensitive to heat and require extra attention. You also are at greater risk if you are ill or obese, or have heart disease. People who work outside or in a hot setting also are at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Don’t go outside unnecessarily when temperatures are high. If possible, stay indoors in cooler areas. If you must go outside, take the following precautions. · Wear lightweight, lightcolored, loose-fitting clothing. · Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat or using an umbrella. · Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. · Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration and lack of salt contribute to heat-related illnesses. Some sports drinks can help replenish the salt in your body lost through sweating. Drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If your urine is clear, you are probably drinking enough fluids. Dark-colored urine is a sign that you’re dehydrated. · Avoid or limit drinks that contain caffeine (such as tea, coffee, and soda) or alcohol. · Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day — before 10 a.m. and

after 6 p.m. · Take frequent breaks from the heat and outdoor activities. · Do not stay or leave a child in your car when it is hot out. Even if you open the windows, the intense heat can be extremely dangerous. Certain medicines can put you in danger of heatstroke. They affect the way your body reacts to heat. Talk to your doctor if you take any of these or have an ongoing health problem. They can help you manage the heat with your condition. HOW CAN HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE TREATED? If you or someone else has heat exhaustion, treat symptoms in the following ways. · Get out of the heat quickly and into a cool place,

or at least shade. · Lie down and elevate your legs to get blood flowing to your heart. · Take off any tight or extra clothing. · Apply cool towels to your skin or take a cool bath. This will help regulate and lower your internal body temperature. · Drink fluids, such as water or a sports drink. Do not guzzle them, but take sips. Do not drink fluids with caffeine or alcohol. Rush to the emergency room if: · Symptoms don’t improve or they still have a fever of 102°F after 30 minutes of initial treatment. · The person goes into shock, faints, or has seizures. · The person is not breathing. You also should begin CPR right away to try and re-

Dr. Zulfikar Bux vive them. If you’ve had heat exhaustion or heatstroke, you will be sensitive to heat. This can last for about a week. It’s important to rest and let your body recover. Avoid hot weather and exercise. Ask your doctor when it’s safe to return to your normal activities. So be careful and avoid the heat, if you can’t, then be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and take precautions to prevent them from escalating into a heat stroke.

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Kaieteur News

SUNDAY NY-based company sole sourced in $366M drug contract -major local suppliers disqualified There are questions over a $350M-plus drug contract last year to a New York-based company. The contract, valued at US$1,789,886.15 ($366,926,660.80) was awarded on sole sourcing to a company called HDM Labs Inc. While there is nothing much wrong with the award of contracts, there seems to be many question marks over this particular one. HDM Labs, according to sources at the Ministry of Health, apparently had little or no experience in supplying pharmaceuticals to the Ministry of Health. In fact, HDM Labs beat out a number of experienced suppliers- Ansa McAl Limited, International Pharmaceutical Agency, Global Healthcare Supplies Inc., Caribbean Medical Supplies and Meditron Inc. From indications, the contract was hurried through in a matter of days. According to documents of the Ministry of Health seen by Kaieteur News, on June 19, 2017, Permanent Secretary Collette Adams, wrote Berkley Wickham, Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance compound, asking for sole sourcing approval. Under the rules, sole sourcing must meet criteria that the items are emergency in nature and that only that one company has the possibilities of supplying. The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the approval for sole sourcing was necessary to allow for the procurement of pharmaceutical supplies that were omitted from

the major tender of 2017. The letter, while not explaining the omission, sought approval for HDM to be awarded. The Permanent Secretary, in her justifications of the choice of HDM, said that the US-based company has “great capacity” in delivering supplies within two weeks to the Ministry and that it was recognized as an efficient supplier countrywide. She said that the company has pharmaceutical supplies registered with the Food and Drugs Departments in both Guyana and the US; it has its own broker to expedite consignments. Guyana shouldn’t waste time behind National Oil Company now -Dr. Mangal …warns it would be a perfect avenue for corruption If Guyana creates a National Oil Company (NOC) now, or even two to three years after oil production, it would simply be another avenue for corruption. This was essentially the position of former Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal, during a recent interview with this publication. The consultant said that Guyana is already facing serious capacity and governance issues. As such, a move to develop a National Oil Company (NOC) now would not be in the country’s interest.Dr. Mangal said, “What Guyana needs to focus on is the regulatory framework. There are several new pieces of legislation which need to be passed as well as existing Acts which require amendments. ”There is also the issue of scanty or minimal human capacity. So to go and say ‘let’s develop a national oil company’ then that is a recipe for disaster. You have low capac-

PS Collette Adams ity to do other things, now you are going to dilute it with using the limited capacity for a NOC? That is not good.” The Oil and Gas Consultant added, “If you look around the world, there are several instances where NOCs are prone to corruption because of the lack of human capacity. Trinidad is one example. So Guyana needs to step back from that idea, get the basics first, get qualified people on board, and see that things are working in the regulation of the industry.” Fuel truck driver dies after Lethem trail “explosion” – Family suspects foul play A father of two who sustained third degrees burns about his body after a fuel truck exploded in Lethem succumbed on July 6, at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Shawlin Shaw Ally, 37, also known as ‘Impty,’ sustained third degree burns to sixty percent of his body. According to doctors, he only stood a 15 percent chance of surviving. Kaieteur News understands that Ally, who has been a driver for close to a decade, and resides in Lethem, reportedly sustained severe injuries during his attempt to transfer fuel from one truck to another via a hose on June 26. The injured man was brought to the City hospital the following Sunday and remained in the Intensive Care Unit on life support up until his demise. MONDAY GRA was designed to be corrupt – Lucas …says network of skullduggery “very wide and thick”

DEAD: Shawlin Shaw Ally

In the past two years, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been dismantling several networks of corruption within its fold. But these discoveries come as no surprise to Chairman of the GRA Board of Directors, Rawle

Lucas. Under the guidance of its previous management, the economist is convinced that the revenue authority was modelled to be corrupt. In his interview with Kaieteur News Sunday afternoon, Lucas said, “I am not surprised at the levels of corruption we continue to unearth. We are dealing with a system that has been in place for a number of years and which was designed or modelled, in my view, to be corrupt.” ”Corruption was rampant primarily because those who were there before were not interested in revenue collection for the government; for the people of Guyana. They might have been interested in revenue collection for themselves, because that is the kind of things that we continue to find, that is what it appears to be.” The GRA Chairman said that the network of corruption is “very wide and thick.” But undaunted by this, the authority he said, continues to dedicate its efforts towards ensuring that it leaves no stone unturned in the fight against corruption. ”We intend to look in every nook and cranny and find the various nodes of the corrupt networks…We will expose the inappropriate behaviour that is taking place.”There have been concerns, however, as to whether the revenue authority may be overwhelmed. On one hand, the authority is on a mission to remove corrupt elements within its agency. On the other, it is tasked with transforming the agency into a more efficient and technologically advanced one. Be that as it may, Lucas does not believe the agency is under pressure. Ramson most likely interrupted a “carefully orchestrated selection process” for PPP presidential candidate – Ramkarran Veteran politician, Ralph

HDM’s Cheif, Dr. Hardatt Singh Ramkarran thinks that Charles Ramson Jr. may have interrupted and obstructed a plan that was already schemed within the People’s Progressive Party, for one or a few individuals to unilaterally decide on the party’s presidential candidate. Ramkarran, a former longstanding member of the PPP, made his view known in his most recent column. There, he acknowledged that Ramson recently announced publicly that he would seek the PPP’s nomination to be its presidential candidate for the 2020 general elections. But, Jagdeo chided Ramson and said that he deviated from party principles. Ramson’s announcement was made immediately after the CCJ ruled that the twoterm presidential limit did not violate Guyana’s constitution, thereby ruling out former president Bharrat Jagdeo for a third term. Ramkarran said that Ramson made the move because he “clearly wanted his name to be placed among those under consideration before an anointment is made. He joins Irfaan Ali, Frank Anthony and Anil Nandlall, who have been identified by observers as being the persons from whom a ‘choice’ will be made. While no one has yet emerged as a ‘front runner,’ it could well be that one among the three has already been identified. If this is so, then Ramson may possibly have been seen as an intruder, prematurely disrupting what might have been a carefully orchestrated selection process.” ”Memories are short,” said Ramkarran as he reminded that public announcements were made in the past but saw no such reaction from Jagdeo and other PPP bigwigs. Ramkarran said, however, that the reason the previous announcements were condoned and even encouraged was because it was all a façade.

Senior police rank questioned as…Cops launch probe into alleged evidence tampering in woman’s death Top police officials have launched an investigation into allegations that a senior rank and others tampered with evidence in the recent bizarre death of a young woman. The investigators are focusing on allegations that the injuries that resulted in the young woman’s demise occurred in a city house, and not in the area where some ranks and the accused claimed that they had. The probe is also focusing on allegations that forensic evidence at what may be the real crime scene might have been ‘painted over’. The allegations have reportedly led to several detectives visiting the house where the young woman lived. Kaieteur News understands that Crime Chief Paul Williams and other ranks have been notified of the developments. The investigation is reportedly being spearheaded by a rank from the Brickdam Police Station. Kaieteur News confirmed that the allegations were made by the young woman’s mother. She told Kaieteur News Sunday that she had visited her daughter’s residence and seen police remove a window curtain with what appeared to be bloodstains. The woman said that subsequently, she and some family members accidentally brushed against a bedroom wall and realised that it was freshly painted. The woman said that she subsequently notified Crime Chief Williams of her suspicions. An investigation was immediately launched, with ranks visiting the home and taking several photographs. Last Sunday, the victim’s mother provided Kaieteur News of photographs which she said raised suspicion of a cover-up. One of the photographs (Continued on page 41)

Sunday July 15, 2018

From page 32 showed the woman’s hand covered with fresh paint, which she said came from the area in the bedroom where she believed her daughter was injured. Describing herself as “a Christian,” the victim’s mother said that she was not out for revenge against the man who has been implicated in her daughter’s death. ”All I want is justice.” TUESDAY Minister claims security guard points gun at her, CCTV footage tells a different story Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, Monday claimed that two security guards attached to a firm providing security at a business establishment in Providence, East Bank Demerara, were abusive to her. One even pointed a gun to her, she said. But CCTV video footage from the scene tells a different story. Police in a statement said, “A thorough investigation has been launched following allegations of abuse and threats against a Minister of the Government and her driver at the parking lot of a popular established business premises located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, about 20:30hrs Sunday. The police said that two security guards were arrested, detained overnight and released on their own recognizance Monday afternoon. Investigations will continue.

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President Granger’s two press conferences in three years… Lack of media engagement does no good for accountability and transparency – GPA President The Coalition rode to power promising more transparency, but since becoming president in 2015, President David Granger has hosted a mere two official press conferences. Even after official trips overseas, and numerous official engagements, the President has not faced the nation, opting to use the Department of Public Information (DPI) for the release of information. DPI releases leave no room for questions from the press. President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir, told Kaieteur News that too many issues of national importance are going unaddressed. ”The lack of engagement does no good to any Government’s role to be accountable and transparent. The Guyana press cannot continue to meet the President on the sidelines of events. ”We have already had to deal with limited access during the Public Interest programme,” Raghubir stated. She added that the GPA has raised the need for more frequent engagements with the Head of State since 2015. According to Raghubir, the GPA raised the matter again at the President’s media brunch in January and as recent as May during World Press Freedom Day.

Minister Brooms seen in CCTV footage in a violent display

Following General Elections in May 2015, President Granger hosted his first press conference in October 2015. Initially, there was the Public Interest programme where select media houses were invited to sit and question the President, then that ended. ExxonMobil US$10M donation to CI highlights the disrespect in US$18M signing bonus - Columnists Conservation International (CI), an American environmental company, has been able to broker a US$10M deal with USA oil king, ExxonMobil. But Guyana, during its negotiations with ExxonMobil in 2016, was only able to secure US$18M. Local columnists have found this situation to be another instance which highlights disrespect for the country. Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds, believes that the problem goes much deeper than disrespect. In a telephone interview, the columnist said, “What ExxonMobil is showing you is that it is prepared to exploit the weaknesses of countries. You have to understand what is happening here. The fact that they gave CI US$10M says a lot about how a mere company was able to negotiate with Exxon. If we had bargained from a position of strength, we could have gotten more.” The political analyst added, “If we did our homework on ExxonMobil and saw how other countries have made bad deals, how they

erred, then we could have gotten more. ”Kaieteur News has done more research on ExxonMobil than the negotiators who accepted the US$18M… So it is a combination of things…ExxonMobil was ruthless, it took advantage of a weak country.” Another Kaieteur News columnist writing under the pseudonym, “Peeping Tom,” was also critical of the US$10M deal. The columnist said, “The problem of CI’s deal with Exxon goes beyond conflict of interest. Guyana received a signing bonus of US$18M from Exxon as part of the rights for the oil giant to explore oil reserves estimated at in excess of US$200B. This is tantamount to a billionaire giving $2 to a beggar. It is shameful that CI could have extracted US$10M from Exxon Trust Fund but Guyana’s top oil negotiators could only manage US$18M. It just shows how Exxon took advantage of Guyana”. The deal between Exxon Mobil and Conservation International has come in for much condemnation from the political Opposition, which believes that the company and its integrity might be compromised by the handsome donation. WEDNESDAY Govt. rejects 150% toll increase for Berbice Bridge The Government has rejected the proposal of a 150% increase in tolls for the Berbice River Crossing. The Government in a statement Tuesday said that it stands by its decision to reduce tolls, in fulfilling a campaign commitment, and will continue to work with the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) in ensuring that the Bridge is sufficiently maintained and safe for vehicular and marine use. The statement disseminated by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, was a response to comments made by the Berbice Bridge Company officials, who are seeking a 150% increase in tolls. The missive came moments after Chairman of B B C I , D r. S u r e n d r a Persaud, told a media conference of the struggles the company has endured in keeping the Berbice Bridge afloat. The bridge was constructed under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) scheme, a publicprivate partnership venture. The construction of the bridge under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, while widely welcomed, was

The woman’s hand with fresh paint from her daughter’s room. heavily criticized because a few private investors were allowed almost total control, though putting up only a fraction of the almost US$45M used to build it. The Government of Guyana is the largest investor, but can take control only after 20 years. However, with the private investors alone receiving dividends, the privately-owned bridge has been facing a major problem with maintenance, or the lack thereof, particularly as it regards to the pontoons. As such, the BBCI has been reaching out to the Government to increase the tolls. The Government on Tuesday reassured all Berbicians and users of the Berbice Bridge that it is not contemplating any increases to the Berbice Bridge toll. Further, the government stated that any request for toll increases must take into consideration a wide array of factors, and cannot solely be on the basis of recouping operational costs and profits on the dividends. ”The Bridge Agreement places obligations on all parties, which include scheduled maintenance and associated upgrades,” the government said in its statement Tuesday. Dr. Persaud in his capacity as Chairman of the BCCI had earlier told the media that the contractual agreement does not give the players much of a choice. I don’t need other party members at my press conferences – Jagdeo Does Guyana have a oneman political opposition? That’s the impression being

given each time the parliamentary opposition holds a press conference at which Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo is the only representative. However, last week, Jagdeo made it clear that it is his prerogative and he will decide when he wants to share the spotlight. Jagdeo holds weekly press conferences where he speaks on a wide range of issues. In fact, he touches on all sectors and topical issues. To put things into perspective, the National Assembly is the main parliamentary forum. In the National Assembly, there is a government side and an opposition side. The government side consists of ministers and representatives of the various regions. The opposition side has its leader, shadow ministers and representatives of the various regions. When there is a Budget debate, each member makes contributions based on their portfolio, then for the opposition, its leader wraps up the debate. In that system all views are heard, each member is given an opportunity to speak. When there is a motion to be debated, suitable members on each side of the House make contributions. But, it seems as if occasions such as the aforementioned are the rare opportunities where the views of other opposition members can be made known. Jagdeo, as Opposition (Continued on page 42)

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From page 41 leader, holds weekly press conferences, but never has he allowed any other member of the opposition to sit with him at the head table. Pandit, son found dead with stab wounds in C/ville home – One suspect in custody Deonarine Liliah, a 61year-old Pandit and businessman, and his 28-year old-son Gopaul Liliah were found dead Tuesday in their lot 25 Craig Street, Campbellville home with stab wounds about their bodies, after not being seen since last week Saturday. The father and son were discovered after Leewattie Ganpat, a tenant who lives downstairs, made a report at the Kitty Police Station after not seeing the duo since Saturday last. Ganpat claims having seen her landlord and his son on Saturday around 06:00hrs in the yard, where they spoke briefly. THURSDAY

The Fund said, “There should be a thorough assessment of how fast investment could be scaled up without hitting supply bottlenecks and generating inefficiencies. If the public investment management process is weak, the investment will not be translated into better infrastructure, and will not support the diversification of the economy and sustainable economic growth.” The IMF said that a robust capital budget process takes considerable time. It noted that project concept documents would generally be prepared two to three years before a project can be implemented, and the detailed development process of a capital project will usually take at least one year to complete. The Fund said, therefore, that it should be a high priority for Guyana to start strengthening public investment management processes immediately to be able to complete the project proposals for major investment projects ahead of actual inflow of resource revenues.

IMF cautions Govt against speedy investment with oil money…Says Guyana’s systems need rigourous assessment

Felix dodges another Parliamentary meeting to explain unaccounted Haitians, Cubans

When the oil money comes on stream, there will be an inevitable pressure on the government to spend as quickly as possible on developing the country’s infrastructure. But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cautioning against this. The international financial body contends that strong public investment management becomes even more important once the petroleum revenues start coming in. And given Guyana’s poor history with its Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), there will be a need for government to conduct a rigorous assessment of its management processes.

Two attempts to have Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix face questions at the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Affairs have been unsuccessful. The bi-partisan Committee is eager to question Felix following a rash of concerns pertaining to the large numbers of Haitians and Cubans who have been documented as entering Guyana, but for whom there are no records of departure. Felix was invited to attend Wednesday’s meeting of the Committee at the Parliament Building, but informed that he is unavailable to attend the session. The Committee’s Chair,

The Berbice Bridge

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira told Kaieteur News that the Committee has subsequently received a list of available dates from the Minister and selected one. The Ministry of Citizenship has revealed to the Committee that some 22,520 persons were documented as entering between January and April this year, but apparently 6,170 of those have not departed. Based on documentation, 17,615 persons entered Guyana between 2013 and April 2018, but there is no record of their departure. Worrying is that there are no departure records for 7,255 of the 44,747 Cubans who arrived in Guyana during 2017. For the Haitians, the records show, 3515 were recorded as entering Guyana in 2017, but 291 have been documented as departing the country. The Opposition has questioned the whereabouts of the visitors. It is contending that

the Government officials were involved in a widespread backtrack racket for which Guyana identification cards are being issued. There were suggestions that this was being done to secure votes, a claim that Felix rubbished. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, noted that Haitians who come here are usually en route to French Guiana. He queried how the Foreign Relations Committee could conclude that hundreds of Haitians are hiding here. “Where are they? They are such a big population that if 20 people appear in Georgetown, everybody knows what their name is, whose house they are staying at and what they ate,” the Minister reasoned. Child rapist gets third life sentence in five months A weeping Sheldon Lynch was locked away Wednesday in the dark prisoner’s holding area where he maintained that he did not sexually penetrate

an 11-year-old girl. He also claims that the little girl lied on him. This was moments after a 12-member mixed jury convicted him for the crime at the High Court in Georgetown. He was given a life sentence by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. This is the man’s third life sentence in five months for the offence. On August 22, 2015, Lynch, 46, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration of an 11year-old girl. Lynch, who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Clyde Forde, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. Kaieteur News understands that the two are known to each other. On the day in question, the girl, who is now 14, went over to Lynch’s house where he forced her onto a bed and inserted his penis into her vagina without a condom. After the act, the little girl complained to her mother, who in turn, reported the matter to the police. Investigations were carried out and Lynch was arrested and charged for the crime.Back in March 2018, Lynch was given two life sentences, which are to run consecutively. A jury, then, had convicted him for raping a 10year-old girl on two occasions. The events occurred between December 7, 2010 and January 25, 2013 in Essequibo. FRIDAY Businessman who owed pandit $8M hired killers – cops seek mastermind; intruders spotted on hidden cameras

The Proposed toll increase for the privately controlled Berbice Bridge operations

A businessman who owed

Deonarine Liliah some US$40,000 is believed to have hired two others to kill the 61year-old Pandit and his 28year-old son, Gopaul Liliah, according to sources close to the case. The men the individual hired managed to sneak into the Craig Street, Campbellville property and butcher their victims. They then fled the scene after an unsuccessful search for a document that the mastermind had signed. But the killers were reportedly unaware that their actions were being recorded on concealed CCTV cameras in the house. Police believe that they have the suspects, and are at present trying to track down the alleged mastermind. A senior police official told Kaieteur News that one of the suspects in custody was detained near the victims’ home after he was seen acting in a suspicious manner. The individual reportedly was found in possession of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. He then identified an individual who he claimed had sold him the phone. That individual is also in custody.The decomposing bodies of Deonarine and Gopaul Liliah were found on Tuesday in their Lot 25 Craig Street, South Half, Section ‘G’ Campbellville residence. Gopaul’s body was facedown on the floor in a pool of blood while his father’s body was in the living room. An autopsy revealed that the victims had been stabbed 66 times. Dr. Hinds is wrong! Racism has not invaded cricket- Sanasie The Guyana Cricket Board (Continued on page 43)

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The scene outside the building where the bodies were found

Dead: Pandit Deonarine Liliah and his son Gopaul From page 32 (GCB) has taken umbrage to the views reflected by Dr. David Hinds in his most recent column published in the Kaieteur News. More specifically, the GCB thinks it was irresponsible of Dr. Hinds to present information he gathered about the selection of cricketers as “facts.” Thursday, Board Member, Anand Sanasie, said that most of what Dr. Hinds said can be proven as “false” Last Sunday, Dr. Hinds said that the cricket administration in Guyana has been “completely racialized in favour of one ethnic group – Indian Guyanese. What does this mean? It essentially means that the monies that go to the respective governing groups are controlled by members of one

ethnic group. It also means that this group controls all decision making in relation to national cricket, including how and where the money is spent and who gets selected to represent Guyana.” Speaking on behalf of the GCB, Sanasie said that racialism has not invaded the selection process of national cricketers neither has it invaded the selection process for officials of the GCB. In fact, he said that the Senior National Selection Panel is dominated by AfroGuyanese while the Junior Selection Panel benefits from an equal composition of Indo and Afro Guyanese. The members of the Senior Selection Panel are Rayon Griffith (Chairman), Esaun Crandon, Michael Hyles Franco, Clive Brimon and Sanasie. The Members of the

Junior Selection Panel are Nazimul Drepaul, Aotto Christani, Julian Moore and Anil Persaud. Sanasie also stated that 95 percent of the coaches of the national teams are Afro Guyanese. In this regard, he mentioned that the coaches of Guyana’s under 19, 17 and 15 national teams are Julian Moore, Orin Bailey and Winston Smith respectively. Further, Sanasie noted that the election/selection structure is so designed that clubs, associations and counties are involved in election and selection processes. Jagdeo regime must answer questions over Berbice Bridge contract – Min Patterson The contractual arrangement signed by the previous

government as it relates to the operations of the Berbice River Crossing is not a sustainable deal. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told reporters Thursday, that the contract model under which the bridge was constructed was not sustainable to the people of Berbice or the Government of Guyana. Patterson ‘s comments on the issue came a few hours after the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) issued a statement calling for Government to honour the contractual agreements entered into some 12 years ago. The only people, who could have benefitted from that deal, were the private shareholders under whose control the bridge currently operates. Patterson noted the

Jagdeo-led administration is the only group capable of answering the questions surrounding the deal the government entered into. ”It’s like the Ministry of Finance said, one of those mumbo-jumbo contracts. I don’t see how with about US$40M investment, you will only guarantee a certain group of people 23% rate of return and you‘re saying to them so many more cars are going to be on the road. ”And if so many cars are not the road, the Government will be obligated to pay you the $300% increases. It’s definitely not sustainable.” He said therefore that the PPP/C regime which is now in opposition, should be responding to the questions from the media about the bridge. “These are questions I

believe should be put to the opposition on how they thought that deal would have been sustainable … ”Under that deal the entire weight would be on the Berbice people so they should be the ones explaining why we’re here…” ”The deal proposed by the company locked the government in and the PPP had been saying that it is a great government idea for public / private partnership. Obviously, they knew of the dangers, because the increased tolls were supposed to kick in since 2014. But they delayed it until after the elections and that compounded the problem.”Asked whether further subsidizing the bridge is a step the Government is willing to take to help alleviate the problems of the Berbice Bridge, Patterson explained that he cannot see the rationale behind increasing the financial support. ”I can‘t see the rationale in increasing the subsidy to a (private) company when last year Mr. Bert Carter said that the company has already paid out over $800M in dividends. SATURDAY Exxon refuses to provide info to MPs on debt to be repaid by Guyana The debt ExxonMobil incurs to access the oil found offshore Guyana will have to be repaid by Guyana at some point. Because of this, Chairman of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, Odinga Lumumba, thinks that Guyana has a right to know how every cent is spent by the company. More specifically, (Continued on page 44)

PAGE 44

From page 43 Lumumba wants to ensure that ExxonMobil is being economical in its current development of Liza Phase 1. To satisfy him and other committee members, Lumumba asked ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, to provide the committee with a list of all the international companies currently employed for the Liza project. Lumumba said, “We would like to see a list of nationality of the contractors, type of business whether it is servicing, drilling or maintenance. Is it possible? Is that confidential or can the committee have access to that information? I think it should be public information.” Henson’s body language in response to the question told a thousand words. He stretched both arms open, leaned forward and asked, “I do not understand. Do all private companies submit lists (like the one requested)?” Lumumba responded, “This is of a different nature. It (the list) will give us an opportunity to go beyond the conversation to get clarity as to who is getting what.” Lumumba continued, “We have to repay this debt and we would like to ensure that the prices for the companies that are working for you are competitive. Therefore, we need to know what contractors you are using; where they are from and the services they are providing. “It does not make sense your bringing a company from the moon to provide X when it can be done in Guyana or the Caribbean for cheaper; hence we are asking these questions. Do you have a problem giving us this information?” Henson refused to commit to providing this information. He said, “I assume you are speaking about issues that would be covered in the local content policy framework. Right now, there is no policy. I think these are important questions. But what we are doing is aligned with that. We need to balance local development with a stable business environment.” Granger open to requests for media interviews Following criticisms this week of President’s David Granger’s hosting merely two press conferences in the past

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three years, the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) has indicated that the President is open to requests for media interviews. In a statement, the Ministry reiterated the President’s commitment to engaging the members of the media, whom he holds in high esteem, to provide accurate information to the Guyanese public. “The Head of State also remains open to requests for interviews in this regard,” the Ministry stated. President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir, had told Kaieteur News that too many issues of national importance are going unaddressed and that the lack of engagement does no good to any Government’s role to be accountable and transparent. “The Guyana Press cannot continue to meet the President on the sidelines of events,” Raghubir asserted. The lack of Presidential press conferences had also been picked up in a Stabroek News editorial. In response to the criticisms, MOTP stated that the President makes an effort as regular as possible to engage members of the media, particularly during public exercises. “The assertion carried that the number of Presidential Press conferences is a lack of demonstration of accountability to the people is simply absurd,” MOTP noted. The Ministry reminded of the weekly Post Cabinet briefings, which are held to update the media and by extension, members of the public on deliberations and decisions of Cabinet by the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is the chief spokesperson for the Government. Additionally, MOTP cited ‘extensive speeches and publications’ produced by the President and the Ministry of the Presidency. “The David Granger led administration since its assumption to office has been nothing but transparent and accountable to the citizens and in so doing, has empowered the Ministers of Government to speak on their respective portfolios unabated,” the MOTP noted. The GPA has raised the need for more frequent engagements with the Head of State since 2015. According to Raghubir, the GPA raised the matter again at the President’s me-

dia brunch in January and as recent as May during World Press Freedom Day. Following General Elections in May 2015, President Granger hosted his first press conference in October 2015. Initially, there was the Public Interest programme where select media houses were invited to sit and question the President, then that ended. There were no press conferences in 2016 and it was only after public criticisms that the President hosted another press conference more than a year later, on December 14, last. It is now six months since the last press conference and again the President is facing sharp criticisms. President Granger said to

reporters on the sidelines of the ICT Road Show on Monday that he has been busy, having just returned from Montego Bay, Jamaica, where he attended the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meeting. One week earlier, he had visited Vietnam. “I am asking the media to be tolerant. My heart is in the right place, but right now, I have had a really difficult period of public engagements and overseas travel,” the President stated. Stabroek Market jewellery heist…Alleged safe-cracker among three remanded One week after burglars broke into the jewellery store of L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons and carted off $22M in gold and diamond jewellery, three persons were yesterday charged and remanded. One of the men is said to be a safe-breaking expert, while another accused is said to hang around the Stabroek

Market. Those charged are Clifford Rodney, 66, of 265 One Mile Wismar, Linden; Albert De Freitas, 55, of 100 Leopold Street, Werk-en-rust and Trayon Parks, 31 of 107 Eccles, East Bank Demerara. It is alleged that between July 2 and July 3 last at Stabroek Market, they broke and entered the jewellery store of L. Seepersaud Maraj and stole a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery valued $22M.The suspects allegedly gained entry to the market via a hole in the grillwork near to the store. The men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Rodney, De Freitas and Parks were represented by Attorneys-at-law Pamela DaSantos, Kenzia Williams and Adrian Thompson respectively. The lawyers representing the defendants in applications to secure bail told the court that their clients were beaten repeatedly to confess to the burglary.

The lawyers said they were instructed by their clients that officers placed black plastic bags over the heads of their clients and subjected them to electric shocks. The court further heard that the defendants were repeatedly struck on the testicles.However, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers asked that the defendants be remanded, citing the serious nature of the offence and the value of the stolen articles. He added that all three men have matters of similar nature in the courts and if bail is granted that they would not return.The Prosecutor also stated that the defendants admitted in a recorded interview to cutting open the safe and removing the articles. Prosecutor Jeffers went on to tell the court that CCTV footage showed the three men entering the Sleep Inn Hotel. He stated that it was there that they divided the jewellery. The Chief Magistrate in response agreed that the accused would not return to court if she granted them bail.

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What are the symptoms of stage 4 breast cancer?

I

f a person has stage 4 breast cancer, this means that the cancer cells have spread to other organs in their body, such as the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, skin, liver, or brain. Cancer stages range from 1 to 4 and indicate the extent of the disease. A doctor may also refer to stage 4 as advanced or metastatic breast cancer.Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. In this article, learn about the symptoms of stage 4 breast cancer, as well as the treatment options. A person with stage 4 breast cancer may experience some symptoms specific to the breast, as well as others that affect the whole body. Breast-related symptoms include: · a lump · pitted skin (peau d’orange, or skin that looks like orange peel) · nipple changes, such as flattening, inversion, and dimpling · redness, swelling, and warmth Other symptoms that may ap-

pear throughout the body include: · weakness or numbness · a consistent dry cough · chest pain · loss of appetite · bloating · constant nausea · severe headaches · jaundice · vision problems · seizures and confusion · loss of balance When breast cancer cells move to other areas of the body, they remain as breast cancer cells. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the lungs is still breast cancer, not lung cancer. In stage 4 breast cancer, cancer spreads to different parts of the body in a process called metastasis. It may cause different symptoms depending on the affected parts of the body: Bone metastasis When breast cancer cells move into bone, this is called bone metastasis. It is more common for

breast cancer to spread to the bones than to any other body part. The primary symptom of bone metastasis is intermittent bone pain. At times, the pain may become persistent. Other symptoms may include: · Sudden or sharp pain, which may indicate a fracture. · Pain in the back and neck, trouble urinating, and weakness. These symptoms can indicate a compressed spinal cord.

What causes clammy skin?

C

lammy skin usually refers to skin that is wet from sweating and does not usually indicate an underlying medical problem. However, sweating excessively or for no apparent reason, may be a sign of another health condition. When the body is too hot, it sweats and uses the moisture it creates to cool the body down. Some people will also sweat when they are nervous. Both of these are entirely natural occurrences. However, if a person frequently has clammy skin, they may wish to speak to a doctor for a proper diagnosis.The most likely reason why a person has clammy skin is that they are too hot. Sweating is part of the body’s complex heat regulation system.The skin stores most of the body’s water and when heat activates the sweat glands, some of that moisture comes to the surface. This moisture cools the body down but can make the skin feel wet. Sometimes, this mechanism does not work correctly, and a person can be sweaty or have clammy skin when they are not hot. Medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating and clammy skin include: Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating that occurs even when the body does not need to be cooled down. Many people with hyperhidrosis sweat from just one or two parts of the body, such as the palms, feet, under the arms, or on top of the head. These areas may

drip with sweat, while the rest of the body stays dry. Hyperhidrosis can affect everyday activities and reduce a person’s quality of life. The skin in the affected areas can turn soft and white and can even peel off. It can also lead to infections, such as athlete’s foot and jock itch. Doctors can often diagnose hyperhidrosis in a person’s childhood or adolescence. Hot flashes Some people may experience periods of sweating during perimenopause and menopause. This sweating usually occurs during a hot flash or at night. Fluctuations in estrogen and other hormone levels typically cause hot flashes and night sweats. Fever An illness or infection can lead to a fever if a person’s body temperature rises to 100.4°F (38 °C). Fevers often cause sweating. A fever is part of the body’s natural immune response and is not necessarily cause for alarm. As the body fights off the

infection, the fever will usually reduce. If a fever lasts more than 48 hours, a person should see a doctor. Overactive thyroid An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can cause excessive sweating. This is because the condition increases a person’s metabolism, making them feel warm. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: · excitability and hyperactivity · problems sleeping · heat sensitivity · itchiness · excessive thirst · diarrhea Heart attack In rare cases, a cold sweat or clammy skin is a symptom of a heart attack. Heart attacks require immediate medical attention. Other major warning signs to look out for are: · chest pain or discomfort · pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach · shortness of breath · nausea .lightheadedness( www.med icalnews.com)

· Fatigue, nausea, dehydration, and loss of appetite, which may indicate high levels of calcium in the blood due to bone breaking down. Treatment for stage 4 breast cancer can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If doctors believe that stage 4 breast cancer will be terminal, they will focus on trying to alleviate painful or uncomfortable symptoms to help a person have a better quality

of life. If a breast cancer tumor is hormone receptor-positive, the doctor may suggest using hormonal therapy. Hormonal therapy includes the use of tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and other therapies to reduce estrogen production. This is because estrogen contributes to breast cancer growth. In some cases, a doctor may also remove a person’s ovaries to reduce the amount of estrogen in their body. Other targeted therapy treatments identify and attack specific cancer cells. These include: · monoclonal antibodies · tyrosine kinase inhibitors · cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors · PARP inhibitors · Treatment for bone metastasis may include bisphosphonates or denosumab to alleviate pain and reduce the risk of bone disease. ( h t t p s : / / www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322462.php)

Can high blood pressure lead to headaches?

High blood pressure can be difficult to recognize without using a blood pressure monitor. Many people do not experience symptoms unless their blood pressure is dangerously high. When symptoms do occur with high blood pressure, they may include a severe headache. People who suspect that they have symptoms of high blood pressure should not ignore them. This article explains when high blood pressure might cause a headache and what the additional symptoms might be. It also covers when to seek immediate medical treatment. According to a paper in the Iranian Journal of Neurology, headaches due to high blood pressure typically occur on both sides of the head. The headache pain tends to pulsate and often gets worse with physical activity. According to the authors, high blood pressure can cause headaches because it affects the blood-brain barrier. Hypertension can result in excess pressure on the brain, which can cause blood to leak from the blood vessels in this organ.

This causes edema, or swelling, which is problematic because the brain sits within the skull and has no space to expand. The swelling places further pressure on the brain and causes symptoms that include a headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, seizures, and blurred vision. If a person receives treatment to lower their blood pressure, their symptoms will usually improve within an hour. The American Heart Association maintains that people do not usually experience headaches when their blood pressure is high unless it goes above a reading of 180/ 120. Researchers have also looked at whether having regular headaches might affect a person’s overall heart health. A study in the American Journal of Hypertension followed 1,914 people with hypertension for 30 years and monitored their headaches. The results showed no link between the regular occurrence of headaches and the likelihood of cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, there is no indication that people who have regular headaches not relat-

ing to high blood pressure will have heart problems. The researchers propose that headaches might signal a need for treatment and make people more likely to take antihypertensive medications where necessary. Not all people with high blood pressure will experience symptoms. As a result, high blood pressure is known as a silent killer. When blood pressure increases rapidly and severely, typically up to readings of 180/120 or higher, this is known as a hypertensive crisis. If a person has dangerously high blood pressure but no other symptoms, the condition is called hypertensive urgency. If they are experiencing additional symptoms, it is a hypertensive emergency. Other symptoms can include: · back pain · difficulty speaking · facial flushing · nosebleeds · numbness or weakness · severe anxiety · shortness of breath · vision changes (https:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/322451.php)

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Kaieteur News

The Making of a Billionaire: How Kylie Jenner Parlayed Her Makeup Talents Into a Unstoppable Empire Once upon a time, Kylie Jenner was just a teenager with an aptitude for makeup and a big dream. Having “struggled for a minute with finding something to do on my own,” you know, back when she was still in high school, she keyed in on her love of beauty, feeling she could spin her $29 lip kits, simply a liner and matching lipstick, into a worldwide beauty empire that could rival the likes of Revlon and L’Oréal. “I want to be as big as the other [cosmetic] brands,” she mused to Complex in 2016, not even a year after her first wave of products nearly broke the internet, to borrow a phrase from big sister Kim Kardashian. “It’s my dream to be on Forbes.” Time to start reaching higher. Not only did the 20year-old Kylie Cosmetics founder grace the cover of the revered business magazine this week, her likeness appeared next to a headline touting her as a “cosmetics queen” and predicting she’d become the youngest selfmade billionaire. Ever. For reference, that’s a title once held by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and, currently, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Detractors were quick to quibble over the use of the term “self-made”. After all, thanks to the luck of genetics, she’s been part of the family business since the age of nine, building up her indomitable fanbase (at 111 million Instagram followers, she consistently ranks in the top 10 on the social media platform) thanks to her scene-stealing antics on a little-known reality show called Keeping Up

With the Kardashians. Even Dictionary.com couldn’t resist poking fun at her undeniable head start by tweeting, “Self-made means having succeeded in life unaided.” But it’s hard to deny what she’s done is impressive. In the two-plus years since she officially launched her brand, Kylie Cosmetics, she’s moved more than $630 million worth of product. Using the most conservative of estimates, Forbes put the company’s value at $800 million, and with Kylie owning it entirely, her net worth (including endorsements for brands like Puma and her TV gigs) hovers right around $900 billion. “She’s just scratching the surface,” mom Kris Jenner told WWD in an interview last year after the brand netted $420 million in its first 18 months. “She’s creating a business for herself that hopefully will last the rest of her life.” To those that didn’t see this coming, couldn’t possibly predict the little girl who famously swirled around a stripper pole on the Keeping Up premiere becoming a business titan, we invite you to take a gander at her old interviews. Because she’s been forecasting this day for years now. “If I could do whatever I wanted, I would have a successful makeup line,” she mused to Interview in 2015, weeks before people even really understood what a lip kit was, “and I would want to hopefully start more businesses, and just be, like, a businesswoman.” Months later, as she settled into her new entrepreneurial role, she echoed a simi-

lar sentiment to AdWeek, insisting, “My main focus is my cosmetics line. There’s so much I want to do that I can’t really think about anything else. I want to take my time and work on each individual product until it’s perfect.” This was her niche. Something she alighted on fairly early in life, in comparison to, you know, the general population, but years after her elder siblings figured out their own means of turning reality star fame into an impressive fortune. Kim had her mobile game, a selfie-based photo book; Khloe Kardashian, a burgeoning fitness empire. Even her more reclusive brotherRob Kardashian had a sock line. As the youngest of the bunch, Kylie and now 22-

year-old Kendall Jenner were marketed together, notching deals with PacSun and Top Shop and launching their own apparel line, now sold in 975 shops worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. But as Kendall took off as a legitimate supermodel, Kylie realized it was time for her to fly

solo as well. “Kendall and I were really branded together, and we wanted to do everything together, and we were like a team. And then Kendall started doing modeling, and that was her thing, and then I started doing my own thing,” she explained to Interview. “I just really want to be a businesswoman.” So she leaned into one of her best skills. Having spent years in the shadow of her older sisters, women synonymous with Instagram-ready extensions and expert contouring, she grew up insecure about her looks—particularly her lips, after one, presumably regretful, middle schoolaged boy commented they were “really small.” Spending hours scrutinizing YouTube tutorials and the professionals hired to adorn her face for photo shoots and red carpet situations, and scouring beauty aisles for shades to perfectly match her pout, she mastered the art of drawing liner beyond her mouth’s perimeter to make her lips appear bigger. It wasn’t long before she realized she should put her money where her mouth was. In August 2015, as her increasingly outsized pucker was gaining notoriety, she

presciently trademarked the phrase, “Kylie Lip Kits...for the perfect pout.” As fans continued to scrutinize her lips, she struggled with her decision to lie about their less-than-natural state. “I didn’t want to be a bad influence,” she explained to Complex. “I didn’t want people to think you had to get your lips done to feel good about yourself. But they thought it was crazier that I was lying about it because it was so obvious.” But as tough as the controversy was, it highlighted an unmet demand in the cosmetics industry. If social media-obsessed teenagers were willing to take part in the #KylieJennerChallenge (a somewhat reckless fad that involved placing a shot glass over their mouth and sucking in), it was clear that they would do just about anything to imitate the reality star’s plump pout. Even after she admitted to having temporary lip fillers in May 2015, copping to taking things a little too far, her dedicated followers—at that point climbing past 50 million thanks to her savant-like social media skills—were interested in whatever natural remedies she could offer.www.eonline.com.

Nobody Is More Excited for Sandra Oh’s Emmy Nomination Than Ellen Pompeo To say Ellen Pompeo is happy for Sandra Oh may be an understatement. The Grey’s Anatomy star took to Twitter to celebrate Oh’s historic Emmy nomination (a day late, but it was sure worth the wait). Oh, who was nominated for five Emmys for her work on Grey’s Anatomy, picked up an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nomination for her performance in BBC America’s Killing Eve. Oh is the first Asian American to ever be nominated in that category. “I was not on my phone yesterday and clearly missed ALOT!!! Congratulations @IamSandraOh this is beyond well deserved and your history making is incredibly moving. Can’t wait to hear your speech!! Which will have us in tears and laughing at the same time no I’m sure,” Pomepo tweeted, punctuating the message with an emoji making a kissing face. Pompeo also retweeted her Grey’s person’s tweet reacting to the news, and said nobody deserves the recog-

nition more than Oh. “No one can touch this girl’s dedication to story telling or her talent,” Pompeo tweeted. “I feel tremendous gratitude and joy with this nomination. I am thrilled for Phoebe Waller Bridge’s nomination and for the entire cast/crew of Killing Eve. I share this moment with my

community,” Oh said in a statement. “PS. I think my mother at this moment may actually be satisfied.” Oh will return for Killing Eve season two. The Emmys will air live Monday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. on NBC. (E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) www.eonline,com

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Rose Hall man dies after night of drinking with friends After leaving his home on Thursday to spend time with his friends in Rose Hall Town, a 43-year-old painter of Lot 316 Swamp Section, Rose Hall Town, was found unconscious with apparent marks of violence about his body, relatives claim. He succumbed at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. They believe that he was beaten and left to die since that was the information they received. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the man’s death. Dead is Wayne Sundarsingh called ‘Wayno’. His devastated mother, Murti Sundarsingh, said that her son who lives with her, left on Thursday to spend some time with his friends a street away. According to her, a young man from the village came to her house yesterday morning around 2:00 am and informed her that her son was unresponsive on the street. “The bai come and seh how he (Wayne) deh with

he head twist pon the road and how dem na know wha do he. He sehe dem put he fa sit down. He come with meh son bicycle and tell we fa leh we go and collect he because he na want dem people seh meh son dead in front he place”, the woman explained. She added that her son-in-law retreated to the location where her son was found. The injured man was brought back to her house but he was reportedly in a “terrible state”. She stated that she noticed that his mouth was swollen and bleeding while the left side of his head was swollen as well. They immediately made contact with the Rose Hall police outpost. The police arrived and transported the unconscious man to the Port

Mourant Hospital, which later transferred him to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Murti stated that at both institutions the doctors told her that he was “too far gone and dem can’t do nothing”. Not giving up, the woman said that they took him to the Fort Wellington Hospital and the doctors immediately began to work on the injured man but they too stated that he may not make it. He was subsequently sent back to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he succumbed. The dead man’s mother said that she noticed that her son had black and blue marks to his left and right sides leaving her to conclude that he was allegedly beaten. “He was bleeding from his mouth and he face

swell up. Somebody beat he; that is not no fall down. If he bin fall down he na wudda get all dem injuries. He got two things at he two side like somebody beat he”, the woman stressed. According to a senior police rank the man “fell and hit his head. He was a heavy drinker and he was drinking with his friends”. He confirmed that three persons are in police custody and will remain detained until a post mortem examination is conducted to determine the cause of death. (By Malisa Playter Harry)

Wayne Sundarsingh

Murti Sundarsingh

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Saraswati Vidya Niketan: Transforming the delivery of... (From page 53) Science, Environmental Science, Information Technology, and Unit 1 of Communication Studies and Caribbean Studies. He was recently awarded the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship to pursue studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. In 2013, Rafena Mustapha, a former student of SVN was among the region’s top students, who were awarded by CXC for her outstanding performance in humanities at CSEC. That same year Mustapha emerged as the school’s best CSEC performer earning 15 distinctions. She then went on to achieve 10 subjects at the CAPE level. She, too, earned a scholarship this time to pursue studies in the USA. SVN is committed to giving back to its top students through scholarships to pursue studies in the USA. So far, six students have benefited from this programme. One of the features of SVN is its unique emphasis on discipline administered with care and compassion. In brief, Saraswati Vidya Niketan is a ‘different’ and ‘unique’ school. The values of the school are universal and can be followed anywhere by anyone.

Sunday July 15, 2018

Kaieteur News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

NQI PROJECT ONGOING -

Supports training on int’l laboratory standard More than twenty Laboratory Professionals from within the private and public sectors, including Inspectors and Technicians from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) verification and calibration laboratories recently benefited from a five-day training on the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard:General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This training, which is one of the deliverables under the on-going National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Project executed by the Government of Guyana with a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), targeted personnel from analytical, environmental, food and calibration laboratories. The NQI Project: “Enhancing the National Quality Infrastructure for Economic Diversification and Trade Promotion� is an approximately US Nine million dollar initiative of the Ministry of Business to support SMEs productivity and facilitate value added and export ready products for growth and diversification in new sectors. These sectors include non-traditional agriculture, aquaculture, business process outsourcing/information technology, and tourism. The project is geared to modernize the current National Quality Infrastructure in order to facilitate the growth of businesses in the local and external markets, protect the people and the environment, and provide recognition for the Guyanese brand in the international market. Execution of the NQI project is necessary because some of the principal sectors face a number of non-compliance risks in both the local and export markets with significant impact on competitiveness, product development, consumer protection and innovation. As a result, there is rejection of products, increased costs due to delays while inspections/tests are being done in overseas laboratories, disruptions in trade, loss or inability to expand into new markets, loss of revenue where inaccurate measurements and

test results are used and the inability to command premium price where the quality and safety products are not defined. The laboratories represented at the recently held training have been offering services in metrology, chemical, microbiological and physical testing of products and materials. However, these laboratories have limitations and gaps in relation to technical competence and compliance to the ISO 17025 standard which is recognized as the principal management system for assessing the competency of the service of a laboratory. Training and capacity building for laboratories in the network and for the GNBS are activities that are required to support the accreditation process of the existing laboratories. Hence, the recent training focused on Measurement Uncertainty and Method Validation and Verification, to address one of the identified deficiency in relation to laboratories operating within the National Quality Infrastructure(NQI) meeting accreditation requirements to the ISO 17025 standard. At the end of the training, participants should be able to perform more competently in measurement aspects including describing the main concepts, identifying the main measurement uncertainty sources, and the contributions and components of significance in conducting analysis. In addition, they should now be able to create a roadmap for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty within their laboratories and describe the main concepts, techniques and procedures used in the validation of methods. Finally, as it relates to the NQI project, efforts are being made by the IDB and the Project Execution Unit (PEU)to increase the efficiency in the execution of the project deliverables. It is in this regard that a two-day workshop on Project Management for Agile Team-Buiding Exercise was held during July 12 - 13, 2018 for the key stakeholders. For further information on the NQI, please contact the PEU or the GNBS on 219-0066.

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

Consumers must protect themselves by PAT DIAL From time to time we have reiterated some of the important consumer rights and have enjoined consumers how to protect themselves. Despite such educative efforts, consumers still allow themselves to be made victims or to be exploited. In today’s offering, we will remind consumers of their basic rights and how they may seek redress in the event they may be victimized. When one purchases a good or service, one must

always demand a receipt. That receipt must always have (a) The name and address of the shop or enterprise from which the purchase was made. (b) The description of the good of service should be stated on the receipt (c) The price should be stated (d) The date of the purchase should be clearly written. Why does one need to have a bill or receipt? (i) The receipt evidences that the purchaser is the

owner of the good purchased. For example, if the Police are doing a search for stolen property of the type of good one has purchased and the Police visits and one has no receipt for the good, it could result in some questionings (ii) Without a receipt the purchaser may not be able to exchange the good or seek a refund. Consumers must be particularly alert when purchasing goods from East Asian shops, since they do not usually give receipts except one asks for them.

In some shops one may see notices of the following type displayed:- GOODS ARE NOT RETURNABLE or NO REFUNDS GIVEN ON ITEMS SOLD Such notices are illegal under the Consumer Affairs Act and the shops would be committing an offence if they display such notices. Despite such notices, the purchaser has the right of returning a good purchased provided the good is defective or the purpose for which the good was bought was changed soon after purchase. The purchaser should return the good within 7 (seven) working days of the purchase. Above, we mentioned a purchaser could return a defective good to the purchaser. A defective good is defined as follows:(1) A good which is unfit for its intended use. For example, a cell phone which works erratically or a washing machine where the timing is incorrect. (2) Where the good is dangerous or harmful for normal use. For example, buying furniture with nails or sharp ends exposed or equipment which works with electricity where one may be subject to electrical shocks or an electrical hand-saw where the blade cannot be accommodated with full precision.

(3) The written instructions for the use of every piece of equipment bought must be supplied. This is necessary for the user’s safety and also when invoking a warranty When a defective good is returned to the seller, the seller must do one of the following four things: (i) At no cost to the purchaser or consumer, the supplier must replace the goods purchased within fourteen (14) days of the goods being purchased (ii) The supplier must repair the goods at no cost to the purchaser (iii) The supplier must return the receipted payment for the goods (iv)The supplier must provide the purchaser with a temporary substitute of comparable value until the good is either replaced, repaired or restored. The next item we will deal with is warranties. When a consumer purchases a consumer durable such as a washing machine, cooker, fan or electric toaster or various tools, there is always a warranty. Many consumers are not aware of warranties and some suppliers do not bring the warranty to their attention. When consumers purchase goods without receiving their warranties, they are left unprotected if the goods or equipment cease to

work or work badly or need immediate exchange. What is a warranty? A warranty is a written guarantee given by the manufacturer or supplier to the purchaser undertaking to repair or replace the good or goods if not working properly. Defective parts are replaced free of charge as well as workmanship. A local supplier must honour his foreign supplier’s warranty. Warranties are of two types - a written warranty which the purchaser collects on his purchase and an implicit warranty. An implicit warranty is not written but by Law, the supplier must provide an automatic warranty for six months with supply of parts and labour without charge. The smaller shops try to avoid the six-month warranty by giving a written warranty for one month. Though their prices may be slightly lower than Courts or Singers, it turns out to be more economical to buy from the big reputable shops. This is so because they provide transport of the consumer durable to the home of the purchaser, their warranties are much longer, they have the repair facilities and they honour their warranties while the less reputable shops do not even honour their month’s warranty.

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LAND FOR SALE 2 acres of title land situated @ 1st St Garden of Eden EBD $6.5M Neg. Call Terrence #638-7836.email: Latchmanrich@gmail.com 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. Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202

FOR SALE Organic potting soil $700, Palms from $1000, Lawn grass, Ashoka trees. Tel# 6261044 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 1 Pneumatic 9 wheel roller 2 Bitumin spray kettle 215 excavator spares. Call: 2750367/683-7225 One complete Water dragger Excellent condition, Ready to use, Equipped with satelite TV. Tel# 671-4019 One Excavator, Minor repairs, engine in excellent condition. Tel# 671-4019 1 flat concrete house, 3 bedroom & 1 master room, PVC ceiling, tile, grill, Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneerming #662-6818

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.- CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 2 bedroom apartments, fully furnished with AC in Providence. Contact # 6826238 whatsapp 1-246-8339739 & 660-7716 Furnished two bedroom apartment with AC for rent located at Lot Q Hadfield Street, Wortmanville. Tel# 651-4745/638-1112 Self-contain rooms for working couple/single person $35,000/$32,000 monthly, Light & Water, Lodge. Call: 623-0076 Room $3000 daily furnished apts $5000 $6000 daily, we also do laundry $700 a load. #223-0994/678-5827 (1) Two bedroom apartment with toilet and bathroom at Pigeon Island Chateau Margot ECD. Contact Bibi: 220-6657, 603-9547.

WANTED

VACANCY

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

One experienced cook to work @ Beer Garden preferably from WBD #679-2612

Flat wanted in North/South Riumveldt at least 2-3 bedrooms. 2-3 months rent available in advance. Call: 651-5990

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

1 General part time domestic needed in the Diamond Housing Scheme, cooking is included. Call: 656-7329 after 10am Wanted experienced hire car drivers and dispatchers at Ramada Hotel. Contact #2657075/616-5419 Welder or Fabricator for Grill work at 92 C field, South Turkeyen . Tel#621-5310 One experienced excavator operator. Call: 223-7165

Barbers wanted. Tel # 6714090/660-1269

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203

1 (3) Bedroom apt in Enmore. 662-5524, 681-4563, 627-8000

Yamaha boat engine 250. 6625524, 681-4563, 627-8000

3 bedrooms, upper flat located at 10 Durban Street, Wortmanville. Call: 600-2828

Help Wanted-Hot dog sales persons, men or women. Ages 25-35. Tel: 614-2412

HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN OR YOU JUST NEED AN ESTIMATE. CALL: 216-0671/6928464/622-0267 Guyana Companies, Trademarks and Business registrations. Check: Guyanaconnection.com (f) guyanaconnection PROPERTY FOR SALE

Excavator for sale CAT 320 DL 7000 hrs Good condition, Location Kuribrong $15M Negotiable as is/where is #613-5062 2 complete 6" Land dredge 2 Perkins, 1 MWM, Kubota, Miller 15 & 25 Yamaha 12 & 16ft Aluminium boat $10M Negotiable #613-5062

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

Clean Garden earth, delivery to spot. Tel# 616-0617 or 6188199

House and land Republic Park, East Bank Demerara. Telephone # 233-6777/6545667

P. Outar and C. Persaud Driving School at Maraj Building. Call: 622-2872, 6150964, 681-2808

Comfortable 3 bedroom home, big yard space, Melanie ECD, just off public road. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

TOLET

Stunning New 2 storey home, Enterprise East Coast Demerara. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 Property with exceptional yard space, Paradise East Coast Demerara. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

LEARN TO DRIVE

Newly constructed 2 bedroom apt in a safe and healthy environment- Call # 698-6496/622-6512.

1 ablebodied male clerk. Call: 231-2029/616-5954

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665

SALON

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

Maid for East Bank area to cook & clean, Accounts Clerk English-1 Mathematics-2, Payroll, NIS, PAYE, VAT & QuickBooks. #614-4358

1 experienced male chef to work in interior 35 to 45 years old. #683-3360

Experienced pastry maker to work in Georgetown. Contact # 225-9409/618-1212

Upper flat, Kitty, Georgetown. Ideal for restaurant (furnished) Contact Ray’s Realty #6279685

Jos-el Educational Institute needs experienced Primary & Nursery Teachers, Bring CV.120 Peterose & Laluni Sts, Queenstown. Telephone #226-7868

Looking for a Job? Contact us now, Local and Online employment. #233-6997, Jobfairworldwide.com Free training

Goats, Raring purpose (40) Call: 661-5591

Suzuki carry small bus in working condition, buy & drive. Tel#668-0309

Driver/Expediter. Contact # 223-5273/74

1 Portable Sawmill Operator 1 Wakin 6 head planer operator, Labourers #619-9143/6148857 to work in Mahaicony

REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OFAC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822

1 Bedroom apartment for rent in Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D. Tel: 603-3912.

Experience Cook/ Housekeeper, Parika/Bushy Park #693-0636 for details.

Make-up courses with Mac, Bare Minerals etcCosmetology courses $90,000- Nail Technician course $35,000. Call: 6471773/688-0009. Summer special 16 July-Aug Cosmetology Advance Makeup Nails $15,000 per package. Free products included. Abby# 614-6749

Driver, Female Cleaner Office & Home Tel#233-2745 Vacancy exist for 1 female 25 yrs or older to work @ Del Ice Co, must have Maths & English. Call: 642-9191/2311408 Driver with minibus license living in G/town to work with company. 646-8748

Secret Villa & Harmony Inn, Fully furnished, Airconditioned apartments. $6000-$9000. #225-6337/2181400/266-5243/602-8769

VEHICLE FOR SALE 2011 Ford Raptor fully loaded, 6.2 litres 4x4 excellent condition blue #610-5370

5 acre to lease, Coconut & other fruit trees on Demerara river. Email: gzplayter@aol.com Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 407-491-2026 or email: gzplayter@aol.com Herstelling Prime Houselot (between 1st & 2nd bridge upfront 110ft x 60ft) $5M. Tel# 656-0701/656-1345. EDUCATION Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun-day (4-12yrs) 16thJuly10thAugust @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:2182076/ 619-4355 Private Customs Brokerage Certificate Training Course starts mid July 2018, register now & save. Call: 694-8322/ 690-4225 Computer Summer Class 23rd July-17th August, Monday & Wednesday 10am-12pm @ Durban St Georgetown. Tel# 615-3192

Washbay staff living in G/ town. 6468748 One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email: husainsaphier@yahoo.com

First AID/CPR & home nursing courses available week-days and saturdays. Tel:225-9082

Male counter clerks. Apply with written application. Royal Jewel House, 137 Regent St, next to GBTI Experienced sales girls with 2 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Bartendercomputer knowledge, Blue Martini 169 Lamaha & De Abreau St. Call: 656-5544 5pm- 6pm Room attendant, Female supervisor, Male deskstaff 25-50 yrs. Tel# 225-0198 233 South road, Lacytown

Summer School & LessonsPhonics, Reading, Compositions, Full & Half day sessions 3-14 yrs Nursery & Primary Full day school. Call: 677-0296 VACANCY 1 Office/Sales clerk (female) to work in Vreed-en-hoop WBD, send application to e m a i l : salesclerkrs@gmail.com 1 male/ female Internet Cafe attendant R&A Mobile Tech Cafe, President College Road, ECD Call: 627-2020/696-6849

1 sales girl #265-3586

Purchasing clerk valid license MC/MV/ML 30-55 Call:2261100/629-9450 Office clerk, East Bank Area preferable. 30-55 Call: 2261100/629-9450

Annabel Bistro located @ 36 La Grange WBD is seeking experienced cooks with baking skills. Call: 500-1500 for details.

Vacancy for: Marketing clerk, Logistic clerk, Garage supervisor, Purchase clerk. Contact #218-5120/603-4541 e m a i l : chungsvacancy@gmail.com

HEALTH Herbal remedies: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney & Gall stones, Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924.

Tuschen house corner lot $6M $1.5. Crane Scheme house $5M. Parfaite Harmonie $3.5M. Diamond front $4M. Call 666-2326

Classes: CSEC, CAPE: 6156604, 685-4192, 222-5913. Bernard, MEd, M.A, B.A, B.Sc, Formerly of QC

Qualified tutor to teach 3 year old boy 7:30-12:00 Payment $70,000 monthly. Apply @ Alabama Trading.

ACCOMMODATION

Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M. Farm $4M. Herstelling 2nd bridge corner lot $4M. Uitvlugt $2.5M. Providence $5M. Call 604-6724

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Joint Services rank busted transporting ganja Just one day after a Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank was busted while transporting marijuana, a member of the Joint Services has been caught committing the same offence. A release stated that police, acting on information, stopped and searched a car at

the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge at around 02.30 hrs yesterday. They found 927 grams of marijuana packed into several Ziploc bags. The driver, who is a member of the Joint Services, and two occupants were taken into custody. Police had reported on

Friday that intensified intelligence work by ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch and ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), had resulted in the arrest of a police constable s t ationed at Force Headquarters. The man was allegedly trafficking in

narcotics. A release stated that the rank, who was driving a vehicle that was Georgetown-bound, was intercepted on Cove and John

Public Road, East Coast Demerara, about 09:00hrs. He is based at the TSU and was coming from Berbice, where he resides.

A search of the vehicle revealed several taped parcels of compressed cannabis, weighing in excess of 21 kilograms.

Assistance underway for Kwakwani... From page 15 However, he said, this does not take away from the fact that the affected residents will have needs that must be catered for such as health and food. Lt. Col. Craig said he is awaiting information from the community. “What is critical, now, is getting the data in from the community and to determine what are the immediate needs but in my opinion, I think we need to continually monitor the water level, persons need to continue to ensure the water they drink is safe and the assessment will come from the region to decide where resources will be focused on and how much will be required.” The CDC has a data-driven response system in place to prevent the misuse of resources. Currently, there have been no reports from the local health authorities of any illness, however, since this is a regular occurrence, it has been previously reported that health concerns are raised after the water recedes. The CDC’s initiative was welcomed by the regional representatives. So far, approximately 300 households have been affected. These are located at Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroraima and Ginger Island. The CDC will deploy resources as soon as the official community report is completed.

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Cops detain businessman suspected of ... From page 16 kill the 61-year-old Pandit and his 28-year-old son. Police detained the two suspected accomplices after one of the suspects was found with a phone belonging to one of their victims. One man is said to have claimed that the other sold him the phone .Investigators say that after butchering the father and son, the killers conducted an unsuccessful search for a document that the mastermind had signed regarding

the money that he owed. Their actions were reportedly recorded by hidden CCTV cameras in the house. The decomposing bodies of Deonarine and Gopaul Liliah were found on Tuesday in their Lot 25 Craig Street, South Half, Section ‘G’ Campbellville residence. Gopaul’s body was facedown on the floor in a pool of blood while his father’s body was in the living room. An autopsy revealed that the victims had been stabbed 66 times. The gruesome find

was made by Leewattie Ganpat, a tenant who lives in the bottom flat. Ganpat said that she last saw her landlord and his son in the yard on Saturday around 06:00hrs. They spoke briefly. Ganpat said later that night around 21:00hrs while using the WiFi that she shares with the Liliahs, she heard some walking upstairs after which the Wi-Fi went off. She said that she again heard someone walking.On Sunday when Ganpat looked out for the elderly Liliah, to

tell him about the Wi-Fi problem she did not see him. After being unable to locate him for two days, Ganpat made a report to the station at around 09.30 on Tuesday.Police who arrived at the house found the back door ajar. They entered the house and discovered the bodies.Police reportedly recovered CCTV footage which showed an unidentified male jumping the Western fence and entering the home, through the northern front door.

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DPP withdraws assault charge against ... From page 14 charges arise from the same circumstances. According to reports, on the day in question Daby and her friends were at the Georgetown Motor Racing and Sports Club. Constable Kissoon, who was off-duty and was at the Club at the time, reportedly heard what appeared to be gunshots.

While checking for the source of the gunfire, he reportedly saw Daby firing rounds into the air. He confronted her.Daby allegedly became annoyed and allegedly pointed her firearm to the officer’s head and pulled the trigger. Fortunately, there were no more rounds in the gun. Daby was remanded to

prison by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after the Magistrate cited public safety. However, her lawyer, Mark Waldron, went to the High Court and made an application before Justice Sandil Kissoon, who granted the woman $250,000 bail on each of three charges. She is currently out on a total of $750,000 bail.

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ExxonMobil schools football tournament

Charlestown Secondary and North Ruimveldt book place in finals

Skipper Shaquan Favourite whose lone strike was enough to put his team, North Ruimveldt, into the boys’ final.

One finalist each for the girls’ and boys’ respective finals of the ExxonMobil schools football tournament has been decided after play concluded yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on CARIFESTA Avenue. Through are Charlestown Secondary in the girls’ division and North Ruimveldt Multilateral in the boys’ division. Charlestown clashed with New Cambellville Secondary for a grueling hour (30 minutes per half) before the match was decided from the penalty spot which Charlestown clinched 4-3. In the lone boys’ semifinal match, a successful free kick from Skipper Shaquan Favourite in the

Sunday July 15, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) During the last few months, Aries, it could be that you've met some strange people who have greatly influenced your attitude about marriage or partnership. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The last months have been very challenging - and there's a very good chance that you no longer feel up to meeting the challenges. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A change has occurred in our solar system, Gemini, a shift that will probably be imperceptible but nonetheless profound. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You mustn't expect any enormous changes today. However, the process you began three or four years ago will accelerate slightly. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The day should be fairly positive, Leo, and you'll begin to feel the faintest hints of a major change beginning. This new phase will last seven months. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The solar system is shifting gears today, Virgo, and it's liable to trigger a great transformation that will last seven months. The change will center on the means you use to fulfill yourself in terms of both your career and love life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's an excellent forecast for you, Libra! Although no specific events will occur, there is the huge promise of freedom over the next seven months. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) To understand the major shift that's taking place, Scorpio, you must look at events from a lofty perspective. A slowacting liberation is gathering momentum. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The gentle winds of change are blowing through your life at the moment, Sagittarius. You have a feeling of newness and an open attitude toward the world. Some outside events will be coming up in your life CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The idea of a turning point in one's destiny often brings a smile to the faces of cynical people, but in your case, Capricorn, it definitely has some meaning. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It may be that you've returned deeply changed from a long voyage, Aquarius. Of course, we're all changed to some extent by travel PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you feel suffocated by your romantic relationships, if you feel they lack some spice or are too traditional, then why not liberate yourself?

23 rd minute was enough to see his team, North Ruimveldt, needle St. John’s College 1-0 in the final game of the afternoon. Earlier, Vergenoegen trounced Dolphin Secondary 4-1 in their girls’ 5 th-8 th plate match, while Uitvlugt gained a walkover from Tucville in their respective girls’ plate match up. Vergenoegen Secondary were twice lucky yest e r d a y a s t h e s c h o o l ’s boys’ team prevailed 4-3 over Dolphin from the penalty spot following a 1-1 drawn match in their 5 th-8 th plate encounter. This Tuesday at the same venue, the remaining semifinal matches will be played from 15:00hrs. Those games will see East Ruimveldt Secondary versus South Ruimveldt in the girls’ semi, which will be contested first, followed by the feature match between Chase Academic Foundation and Buxton Youth Developers at 16:00hrs. The finals are set for this Saturday.

GDF back...

From page 71 place Fruta Conquerors, followed by Milerock versus Guyana Defence Force at 18:00hrs with the feature match involving the in-form Den Amstel FC and Buxton United. Admission to the venue is $500; women and children under 12 years are free.

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Holder’s six-for seals 2-0 sweep ESPNcricinfo - Jason Holder completed Bangladesh’s devastation with career-best match figures of 11 for 103, as West Indies cantered to a 2-0 series win, their first at home since 2014. Holder, who took 5 for 44 in the first innings, followed up with 6 for 59 as Bangladesh folded for 168 in the second innings. That was also their highest score in four innings this series. Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, was the lone shining light from his side, top-scoring with 54. That came on the back of a sixwicket haul earlier in the day that triggered a West Indies collapse as they were bundled out for 129 - the lowest score against any visiting Bangladeshi side - giving Bangladesh a slight opening in the Test. Shakib’s 6 for 33 are the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi in an away Test. Chasing 335, Bangladesh needed to come up with their best batting performance of the series. They began that pursuit by losing Tamim Iqbal early. Undeterred, Liton Das counterattacked, punching Holder for four fours in one over. Liton stayed put with his aggressive approach, which

fetched him 33 runs in quick time, before Keemo Paul put an end to it when he held onto a catch at gully. Mominul Haque managed his best contribution of the series - 15 which ended just before the tea interval, when Roston Chase had him lbw. Mominul ended his series with a solitary run from his three other innings. Mahmudullah, who also endured a wretched Test series, perished meekly when he tried to loft Chase over midwicket, but Shai Hope intercepted the shot with a welltimed jump. Shakib and Mushfiqur then added 54 runs for the fifth wicket, with both batsmen hitting boundaries quite freely. Shakib took a liking to Paul, collecting his first four boundaries off him, flicking and driving through the covers, before cutting him twice past point in the 20th over. Shannon Gabriel, too, felt the brunt, going for three fours in the 29th over: two straight drives and a square-cut. Mushfiqur’s first four came via a reverse sweep against Chase, before he unleashed cuts, glides and straight drives against Miguel Cummins. Holder, however, went through the

gate, created by a large batpad gap, to bowl him in similar fashion to Gabriel in the second innings in Antigua. With his next ball, Holder gave Nurul Hasan a pair, the batsman falling lbw in almost identical fashion to the first innings, although this one was more adjacent. Mehidy Hasan survived the hat-trick ball, but soon became Gabriel’s first victim, Devon Smith taking the catch diving to his left at second slip. Shakib struck three more fours to reach his fifty, before Holder struck again. Rabbi and Abu Jayed followed suit. It was the completion of West Indies’ recovery after enduring a torrid time during first half of the day. Like with the bat, Shakib played an important role with the ball, but he also found help from the younger bowlers, with Mehidy Hasan, Abu Jayed and Taijul Islam sharing the other four wickets. But it was he who paved the way for the fightback, snaring the first three wickets in the morning, taking out Devon Smith, Keemo Paul and Kieran Powell. Smith and Paul were stumped, while Powell was adjudged leg-before going back to a length ball. Taijul and Jayed struck

next, dismissing Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmeyer, and soon after the lunch break, Mehidy bowled Chase, who top scored with 32. The innings also saw wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan complete a Bangladesh record of three stumpings when Holder ran past a Mehidy delivery in the next over. Shakib then bowled Cummins and

Gabriel in the same over to end the West Indies innings nine overs after lunch. Scores: WEST INDIES 354 (Kraigg Brathwaite110, Shimron Hetmyer 86, Jason Holder 33 not out, Shai Hope 29, Kieran Powell 29; Mehidy Hasan 5-93, Abu Jayed 3-38, Taijul Islam 2-82) and 129 (Roston Chase 32; Shakib-al-Hasan 6-33,

Mehidy Hasan 2-45). BANGLADESH 149 (Tamim Iqbal 47 not out, Shakib-al-Hasan 32, Mushfiqur Rahim 24; Jason Holder 5-44, Shannon Gabriel 2-19, Keemo Paul 225) and 168 (Shakib-alHasan 54, Liton Das 33, Mushfiqur Rahim 31; Jason Holder 6-59, Roston Chase 2-20).

EBFA / Juicy Juice U-13 League

Diamond United, Timehri Panthers & Hararuni Eagles put away opponents

Diamond United (yellow) scores their second goal against Swan FC yesterday at the Timehri Red Ground. Diamond United have continued their fine showing as hard work is showing encouraging dividends when they thumped Swan Football Club 3-0 in the main match yesterday when play in the Juicy Juice sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-13 League continued with day three play at the Timehri Red Ground Also taking full points on the day were Timehri Panthers Sports Club who have maintained their hold at the top of the points table following another solid display; they trounced Samatta Point/ Kaneville FC 6-1, while new comers, Hararuni Eagles soared to their maiden win in East Bank football, needling Soesdyke Falcons. Diamond United’s win saw them jumping into the second place on the table. Shaquan Braithwaite opened proceedings in the 11th minute with Team Timehri Panthers SC Diamond United Diamond Upsetters Swan FC SPKV FC Hararuni Eagless Herstelling Raiders KK Warriors Soesdyke Falcons Grove Hi Tech Agricola

P 3 2 2 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 2

teammate Shakem Welcome doubling the advantage on 17 minutes. Diamond United were gifted their third goal when Anderson Webber of Swan scored in his own goal on the stroke of half time, the 30th minute. This Diamond United team have shown great improvement and determination and have sounded a warning to all, that they are no longer the whipping boys of the EBFA. Timehri Panthers Sports Club have continued where they left off in the Under-15 League which they won earlier this year; the home team notched their third win in as many matches. Keron Williams was the main architect of the 6-1 triumph as he banged in the first helmettrick of the league. Williams hit the back of the nets in the 15th, 17th, 30th and 34th minute as Samatta W 3 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Point/Kaneville were not able to keep the Panthers at bay. Shaquile Caleb added his name to the score sheet in the 46th minute with the final goal coming off the boot of Antwon Denny in the 59th minute. Jeremiah Henry netted Samatta Point/KAneville’s consolation goal in the 24th minute. New kids on the block Hararuni Eagles through a Cebasio Peters 50th minute goal recorded their first win in just their third match competing in the EBFA. This encounter with Soesdyke Falcons, playing in their first match of the league, was close, with the losers creating quite a few chances but were not able to finish as they would have loved to. This developmental competition will continue on the weekend. Following is the latest Points Table: GF 13 10 5 5 5 2 1 0 0 0 0

GA 1 1 1 3 6 4 7 9 2 4 2

GD +12 +9 +4 +2 -1 -2 -6 -9 0 0 0

PTS 9 6 6 6 6 3 0 0 0 0 0

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We take a look back at the key events that took place and made the news in the local sporting arena over the past week GFFELITELEAGUE SEASON III...WESTERN TIGERS RAMPAGE MILEROCK 4-1 TO KEEP TITLE DREAMS ON TRACK In their debut season, Western Tigers are on track to win the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) third edition of the Elite League after finishing top of the points standing after the first half of the tournament. In their opening match of the second phase of the FIFA sponsored league, Daniel Wilson bagged a brace to lead his team to a commanding 4-1 victory over the Linden based Milerock FC. Wilson’s goals came during both halves of the match with his first strike in the third minute and the second in the 56th minute during the last match of a triple header that was played at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.Western Tigers, who had six incoming players to their squad including Kelsey Benjamin and Curtez Kellman from Georgetown Football Club (GFC), controlled the match throughout and Quason McAulay (32nd) and Kareem Knight (45th) added to the score sheet, Rawle Gittens scored a late consolation for the losers. With the win, Tigers are top of the points table with 24 points, slightly ahead Fruta Conquerors who have 23. NEW ERA/MOHAMED’S ENTERPRISE 5TH ANNUAL FUTSAL TOURNEY LAUNCHED EXXON MOBIL ON BOARD THIS YEAR The fifth annual New Era/ Mohamed’s Enterprise futsal tournament was launched at Mohamed’s Enterprise office on Lombard Street. This year, ExxonMobil has signed on as one of the major sponsors of the tournament which is competed in the ‘mining town’ of Linden. There will be over $2Million in cash and prizes up for grabs in the competition that will be played at Mackenzie Hard Court over seven nights beginning July 27th with the grand finale set for August 18. The winners of the tournament, which has already seen some 20 teams from Linden, Georgetown and the West Side registering, will pocket the grand cash prize of $600,000, while second place finishers will receive $250,000, third $100,000 and fourth $75,000. Nazar Mohamed, CEO of the main sponsor;

Mohamed’s Enterprise, during his remarks at the press brief explained that, “It’s really an honour for Mohamed’s Enterprise to be a part of this New Era Futsal family. We would appreciate having football played in the right spirit. We are always part of sport with support of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament for over 25 years and we will continue to be part of sport for years to come.” Rawle Adams, secretary of the Guyana Futsal Association expressed his and the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) blessings in having the tournament competed. Adams complimented the organisers and the sponsors for their role in making the event a success, five years running. KASSIM KHAN WINS ODYSSEY TRANSPORT SERVICES GOLF TOURNEY Kassim Khan emerged like the warrior Odysseus as he conquered the opposition in his epic journey at the Lusignan Golf Course. Odyssey Transport Services typifies adventure, excitement and positive memories as one is transported by jet boat to and from interior locations of Guyana. CEO Feroze Barakat, a veteran golfer, by participating and winning a place in his Tournament, certified that adventure and positive memories are part of the Odyssey. Despite slightly wet conditions after a heavy downpour early in the day, golfers were enthused to take the journey for the prizes at the end of the tournament. The day’s events produced warning signs that the Guyana Open, set for November 2018, will have excitingly keen competition, as reigning champion Avinash Persaud was unable to place in the top four of the day’s Medal Play Tournament. 1st to 4th place winners were: Kassim Khan, 1st - 65/ 9; Mohanlall Dinanauth, 2nd – 66/6; Aleem Hussain, 3rd – 69/11; and Feroze Barakat, 4th – 70/18. Mohanlall Dinanauth (a former Guyana Open Male Champion), obtained the Best Gross trophy with a score of 72. But there was pleasant encouragement for the next 10 placers, as CEO Barakat distributed 10 gift bags in appreciation of the competitive spirit so many golfers exhibited. Those placing in that order included Paton George 72/19;Patrick Prashad 74/9; Avinash Persaud 75/2; Ian Gouveia 75/

In photo from left, New Era Directors Aubrey Major Jr. alongside Shareef Major who receives the sponsorship cheque from Nazar Mohamed (CEO of Mohamed’s Enterprise), Kenrick Noel of New Era and Ansa Mcal representative; Seweon McGregor. 15; Nazeem Haniff 76/8; Maurice Solomon 76/22; Miguel Oviedo 76/28; David Harry 77/12;Joaan Deo 78/17; and Danny Mangra 79/26. Odyssey CEO Feroze Barakat, along with Manager Troy Khan and some three other Odyssey staff were on hand to congratulate the winners and distribute the awards. CLARKS FOOTWEAR GIANT CHETSONS ON BOARD GUINNESS CAGE DONATES WORLD CUP REPLICA FOOTBALLS, CASH Clothing and Clarks footwear giant, Chetsons ‘Home of Originals’ became the latest entity to throw its support behind the 2nd annual Guinness Cage Street-ball Championship. Managing Director Inshaan Ramkellawan made a donation of four replica size four ADIDAS ‘Telsar’ FIFA World Cup balls and an undisclosed sum of money to Co-Principal of Three Peat Promotions Rawle Welch, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location on Wellington Street. The business which also sells exclusive brands such as Under Armour and ADIDAS footwear has been an official authorized agent of the popular and established English footwear Clarks for a number of years. Ramkellawan, speaking at the presentation said he was happy to be associated with the tournament, adding that since it is intended to benefit communities, adding to social cohesion and fostering camaraderie among its citizens, he had no hesitation in offering assistance. Welch in his response

thanked the Managing Director for his Company’s support, adding that all efforts will be taken to ensure that the vision of integrating communities and its citizens is achieved, while a similar exertion will be made to guarantee fans safety. The tournament, which had its inaugural introduction last year at the National Gymnasium, will visit the Haslington Market tarmac this year and twenty-four teams have been invited, including twelve from the East Coast villages, while the remainder will comprise teams from Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara. This year’s tournament has been dubbed ‘East Coast Best versus the Rest’ and the action is anticipated to provide riveting rivalry as hosts East Coast look to repel the challenge of the visiting teams. Over $800,000 in prize monies will be up for grabs, while lucky fans will be able to win prizes over the five nights of competition. GOAANNOUNCES 98MEMBER CONTINGENT FOR CAC GAMES At their Lilliendaal Headquarters, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) announced the 98 member contingent that will be competing at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) games which will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia. Out of the 98 members of the team, 79 of those are athletes and 19 are officials. At the games which will be competed from July 19 to August 3, the Golden Arrowhead will be represented by 10 sports disciplines namely, Badminton, Boxing, Athletics, Swim-

ming, Cycling, Table Tennis, Rugby, Hockey, Taekwondo and Squash. Apart from Swimming, all of the other disciplines had to qualify for the games and Chef-de-Mission, Deion Nurse, noted: “We expect our athletes to do their best and whatever else comes will be icing on the cake.”The GOA will be funding all expenses for the trip and the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Sevens’ team that is the only team to win Gold for Guyana at the CAC games (2010), are expected to do well this year.Among those expected to do well are boxers Keevin Allicock (56 kg) and Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis (64 KG) and national Javelin record holder Leslain Baird who won silver at the South America Games last month. University of the West Indies based (Mona Campus) Emmanuel Archibald will be looking to improve his personal best of 10.22 seconds in the 100m and more eyes will be on the rising star when he takes to the track rather than the high jump. For squash, Guyana will be in the hands of former Caribbean Junior Champions Nyron Joseph along with Taylor Fernandes who will be spearheading their delegation. Although, men’s Hockey Coach Robert Fernandes stressed on the inexperience of his side, he did note that the unit is ever improving. In the qualification tournament, the men were robbed the opportunity to play for gold after a power issue forced the championship game to be abandoned at the University of West Indies’ (Mona Campus) Hockey Turf, while the Wo m e n ’s H o c k e y t e a m

won gold in the qualifiers last year. The Rugby team will depart one week prior to the start of the tournament to better facilitate the acclimatisation of the high altitude conditions in Colombia. BLAIRMONT U15S RECEIVE UNIFORMS FROM TROPHY STALL & MIKE’S FLOOR COVERING INC. OF NY Two entities have fulfilled a promise to present uniforms to Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC) after they were crowned champions of the inaugural Guyana Floodlight Softball Association and Wellmen Under-13 tournament last year. Mike’s Floor Covering Inc. has given the club 15 pairs of white uniforms, while The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market presented a similar amount of colored uniforms. BCCC is ranked among the best clubs in Guyana and has produced several players for Berbice and Guyana. At the BCB 2018 Awards ceremony, BCCC was awarded the Most Improved Club trophy. BCCC has 10 active teams, U-13, 15 ‘A’ & ‘B’, 17, 19, 21, two Second Division teams, a First Division as well as an Over-40 side. The executive and members are very thankful to Mr. Ramesh Sunich of The Trophy Stall and Mr. Michael Balkaran of Mike’s Floor Covering Inc. Captain of the U-15 ‘A’ Team, Shreedatt Rupnarine expressed gratitude on behalf of his teammates whilst assuring the donors that their contributions would be utalised fully by the teams.

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Belgium beat England to secure third place finish ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Belgium beat England 2-0 in the World Cup third-place play-off yesterday to secure their best ever finish at a World Cup and send Gareth Southgate’s side home with a second straight loss. France will face Croatia in today’s final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. A fourth-minute goal from Thomas Meunier and an 82nd minute Eden Hazard strike earned Belgium the victory and the third-place, which improves on their previous best performance of a fourthplace finish in 1986. “It’s all about that achievement. I think these players deserve that,” said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez. “What we have seen in this World Cup is that the players did not want to rely on talent anymore, they wanted to rely on working as a team, becoming a group of players that would do anything to achieve results”. England were on top for most of the second half but with captain Harry Kane looking tired, Belgium’s greater sharpness in the final third proved decisive. “This game showed there

is still room for improvement,” said Kane. “We’re not the finished article, we’re still improving and will only get better. We don’t want to wait another 20 years to get into the semi-finals and the big matches. We need to improve, we need to get better but that will come,” he said. Belgium’s early strike came when Romelu Lukaku swung the ball out left to Nacer Chadli who burst down the wing and slipped the ball across the face of the goal and Meunier confidently slotted past Jordan Pickford. The goal means Belgium have had 10 different goalscorers at this World Cup — equaling the record set by France in 1982 and Italy in 2006. While England manager Gareth Southgate made five changes to the side which lost to Croatia, Martinez made just two switches. Meunier returned from s u s p e n s i o n a n d Yo u r i Tielemans given a start ahead of Marouane Fellaini in midfield with the Belgians fielding their strong front three of Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard. De Bruyne should have

Belgium’s Thomas Meunier scores their first goal during their Third Place Play Off against England at Saint Petersburg Stadium. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez) made it 2-0 in the 12th minute when the ball found him at the back post after a slip-up from John Stones, but his poorly struck shot was easily dealt with by Pickford. Kane, the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, had an opportunity when set up by Raheem Sterling in the

24th minute but was off-balance as he screwed his shot wide. Southgate brought on Marcus Rashford for Sterling and Jesse Lingard for Danny Rose at the break and the change worked well, with England well on top in the second half. Toby Alderweireld was

forced to clear an Eric Dier effort off his line at full stretch after a neat exchange between the Tottenham midfielder and Rashford ended with a chip over Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois. Dier and then Harry Maguire both headed wide from promising positions,

while at thee other end Meunier went close to a second with a powerful volley that Pickford did well to save. But the game was wrapped up when De Bruyne burst from midfield and slipped the ball through to Hazard, who glided past Phil Jones and fired into the bottom corner.

Bartica Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition

Champs River View start defence with 5-1 win over Mighty Rulers Defending champions River View immediately established that they are in no mood to accommodate pretenders to their throne after registering an emphatic 5-1 triumph over Might Rulers in the penultimate game on opening night of the Bartica Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition. They were led to victory through a Guinness goal from Godfrey Norton which came in the 20th minute, while single strikes from Shaquille Hopkinson-13th, Andel Norton15th and Romario Lake in the 17th completed their tally. Devon Elias’ 11th minute effort was the lone response for Mighty Rulers. Also displaying impressive form was Goal Raiders who defeated Goal Impact 3-0 with Brian Browne netting a Guinness goal in the 19th minute, while Sherwin DaSilva opened their account in the 5th. In the first game, Street Kings evaded Hard Tackles to secure a narrow 1-0 win, Seon Ferrier the lone marksman following his 6th minute effort. Almanac Kings then dispatched SML 2-0 with Ricardo Pereira firing in a brace in the 2nd and 14th minutes respectively. In what was clearly the most exciting game of the night, Potaro Strikers outlasted Algatash 3-2 to advance. On target for the winners was

Ron Smith, who netted in the 10th and 13th minutes, while Kurt Spencer added the other in the 7th. Andrew Simons scored a pair for Algatash in the 3rd and 6th minutes. Play in the tournament was expected to resume last evening. The national playoffs are set to be staged on July 27 and August 1, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac and Haslington Market Square respectively, while the final will be played on August 4, at the National Stadium, Providence. The night’s complete results are seen below: Guinness Goal-(GG)-2 Goals Game-1 Streets Kings-1 vs Hard-Tackles0 Seon Ferrier-6th Game-2 SML-0 vs Almanac Kings-2 Ricardo Pereira-2nd and 14th Game-3 Potaro Strikers-3 vs Agatash-2 Potaro Scorers Ron Smith-10th and 13th Kurt Spencer-7th Agatash Scorer Andrew Simons-3rd and 6th Game-4 Impact-0 vs Goal-Raiders-3 Brian Browne-(GG)-19th Sherwin DaSilva-5th Game-5 River View-5 vs Mighty Rulers1 River View Scorers Godfrey Norton-(GG)-20th

A section of the large crowd that attended the opening night of the Bartica Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition. Shaquille Hopkinson-13th Andel Norton-15th Romario Lake-17th

Mighty Ruler Scorer Devon Elias-11th Game-6

BLB Squad-2 vs Arcade Lotto-0 Sheldon Kyte-7th Tevy Stoll-15th

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Berbice Volleyball Association action resumes with male and female competitions The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) resumed its volleyball action, when the Corriverton Jets Volleyball Club of Corriverton hosted a male and female competition recently at the Skeldon Community Center. Five teams participated in the male category namely Port Mourant Training Center1 (PMTC), Corriverton Jets, GTCPM, Rollers and Port Mourant Jaguars. There were two participants in the female segment namely Corriverton Jet females and Port Mourant females. There was a delay in the day’s action due to the inclement weather, however when things got on the way there was plenty of action. The male segment was keenly contested with the roving PMTC1 taking on Rollers of New Amsterdam in the final. In the end it was PMTC1 that came out victors, defeating the Rollers 30 to 21. Their victory saw them copping the first prize of $20,000 with Rollers taking home $10,000 for their second place finish. The third place play off saw Corriverton Jets defeating Port Mourant Jaguars 30 to 26 to cop the third prize of $5,000. The female segment saw Corriverton Jets defeating the Port Mourant females 2 games to 1. The scores were 25-21, 19-25 and 25 -23. They copped $5,000 for the win. The coordinator was Levi Nedd.

Action in the volleyball competition organised by the BVA.

2018 CASA Junior Squash C/Ships

Barbados produces high-level Squash to retain team title - Guyana settles for Silver

I

t was a repeat of last year’s CASA tournament held in Guyana when Barbados ended Guyana’s 12-year dominance of Caribbean Junior Squash. The Guyanese had to settle for the runnerup spot as Barbados romped to back-to-back titles yesterday at the Ligaunea Club in Kingston, Jamaica. Guyana Girls lost 4-1 and the Boys were beaten 3-2; both to Barbados and for the second year in a row the South American team had to settle for the Silver Medal. Rebekah Nichols was the only member of the Barbados team to be defeated when she lost the penultimate game to Georgiana Fernandes 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 2-11, but by then Guyana had already lost their first three games and it was just a consolation win. Watched by a fair sized gathering, the day began with 16-year-old Meagan Best, the first squash player from the Caribbean to win a US Junior Open squash championship title,

destroying Guyana’s Madison Fernandes 112, 11-1, 11-0. Jada Smith-Padmore then got past Kirsten Gomes 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-2, Amanda Haywood had things her way against Guyana Captain Rebecca Low as she won 11-3, 11-2, 11-4, while Sumiraa Suleman beat Abosaide Cadogan, who captured Silver in the individual category, 911, 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8 in a riveting battle. The Boys began in auspicious fashion when Bajan Chemar Burnham was beaten by Daniel Islam in straight games, 7-11, 5-11, 511 but only Shomari Wilshire, who followed up his Gold Medal showing in the individual U-15s by beating Darien Benn in the final game to enhance his growing reputation on the Caribbean Squash circuit won for Guyana. Rithew Saywack, Alex Cheeks and Michael Alphonso, who failed to replicate his Gold Medal performance in the individuals, all lost their games.

GFF Elite League Season III

GDF back to winning ways; Kings overcome 3-1 deficit to defeat Milerock 5-3

- Triple header on tonight

Defending Champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite league, Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) bounced back to their winning ways after going down 3-0 to Den Amstel FC last week with a 3-0 victory of their own against bottom of the league table, New Amsterdam United FC. Jeffrey Pereira (12th minute) and Cedric Osborne (31st minute) had the army men comfortably ahead at the end of the first half before Delroy Fraser netted in the 66th minute to secure the 3-0 victory at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC) at Leonora. In the opening match, East Coast Demerara based Victoria Kings overcame a 3-1 deficit against Linden’s Milerock to

eventually win 5-3. At the 45 minute break, Milerock’s Keon Sears had buried two goals with Nickosi Denny’s strike in the 41st minute keeping Victoria Kings in the game. On resumption of play, left winger Aubrey Gibson rifled in a second half hattrick to go along with Azuma Roberts stoppage time strike which helped the Kings to reach a finally tally of five goals. Shortly after the first half, Brentsley Allicock scored to take Milerock’s lead to 3-1 but the team along with the fans from the mining town would’ve been extremely disappointed that they couldn’t hold on after being in such a comfortable position. A triple header is set tonight at the NTFC from 16:00hrs. Ann’s Grove will play second (Continued on page 67)

GABBFF Senior Nationals set for today Judges Certification and Refresher Course to end today

T

he battle lines will be drawn this evening at the Parc Rayne Event C e n t r e , R a h a m a n ’s Tu r n , Houston, East Bank Demerara when the 2018 edition of the Guyana Amateur Body Building & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Mr. Guyana comes off. Months of hard work for both the male and female athletes would be judged tonight and the best looking in the eyes of the judges would earn the winners prizes and bragging rights in the respective categories. Additionally, the respective body building category winners will have the opportunity to contest the Mr. Guyana segment. The ladies would be competing in the Miss Body Fitness and Miss Bikini, while there would also be the battle in the Men’s Physique Class. This is where old rivals, the reigning Mr. Physique champion Yannick Grimes and Emmerson Campbelle will face off among other athletes. This contest is anticipated to be very keen. The body building aspect of the show will see former Mr. Guyana Kerwyn Clarke, who was dethroned last year by the USA based Bruce Whatley, making a concerted effort to reclaim the title. Meanwhile, the federation in a bid to ensure that its judges are in tune with the latest information in the sport organised a Judges Certification and Refresher Course which started yesterday and will conclude today. The course (theory & practical) is being facilitated by Chairman of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Judges Panel, Mr. Errol Williams Chairman of Antigua & Barbuda and is being held at The Giftland Mall Complex, Plantation Pattensen, East Coast, Demerara. GABBFF President Coel Marks has informed that four new judges are expected to be certified whilst those already in the business are being refreshed. He

Yannick Grimes – Mr. Physique 2017 winner commented: “It was really a day of sharing and upgrading. From the course we will be certifying four new judges and all the current judges got the necessary upgrades on the judging criteria. With this initiative we will commit to hosting at least one seminar each year and certifying more people and keeping our judges fresh and current. One of the achievements of the course was we were able to upgrade ourselves and our neighbours to the east, Suriname, and they have expressed gratitude for this opportunity.” Admission to tonight’s event is $2,500 and Showtime is 19:00hrs.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday July 15, 2018

Green Machine in preparation mode for CAC games

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he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) under the watchful eyes of coach Lawrence Adonis has begun preparations in earnest of the National Rugby Sevens team, which is also known as the Green Machine, that will be competing at the 2018 Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games which will be hosted in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19th to August 3. The squad, which consists of 12 players, had their first training session yesterday at Parade ground on Middle and Carmichael streets and Coach Adonis explained that the exercises placed major emphasis on offensive and defensive speed, and the lineout facets of the Green Machine’s game. In addition, the national ruggers had the opportunity to be tested by the reserve squad in a training game. When the coach was quizzed on the cohesiveness of his squad that will be departing Guyana on July 25

for Colombia, he noted that, “It’s good to have everybody together at one time but right now we have three players down in Trinidad but I believe with the players we have together now along with the two days that we will have in Colombia prior to our first match, it will be enough to see us get it together.” Rugby is the only sport to have won Gold for Guyana in the CAC Games after they attained glory in the 21st edition in 2010 held in Puerto Rico and Adonis is very confident of his troops’ chances of scrumming to a medal this time around. Currently, the only disadvantage facing the Green Machine is the lack of a proper ground to train. The coach shed light on the issue, “This has been the hardest part and we have been working from place to place. We had a period with the National Park but it got sloppy, we have been over to the YMCA and now we are at Parade ground.” The altitude in Colombia was perceived to be a bit of a

- Coach Adonis confident of his team medaling

Guyana’s Avery Corbin (with ball) during a training game at Parade ground yesterday.

worry for the Guyanese but Coach Adonis was adamant that it won’t be a problem for his team as he believes it is

similar to the breathing conditions in Guyana. The full team reads Dwayne Schroeder (Captain),

Claudius Butts, Avery Corbin, Richard Staglon, Peabo Hamilton, Patrick King, Ronald Mayers, Jamal

Angus, Godfrey Broomes, Rondel McArthur and Ryan Gonsalves. (Calvin Chapman)

Kaieteur News

Sunday July 15, 2018

PAGE 73

CWI Regional U17 50-over Tourney

Charles, Dick, Deodat guide Guyana to three-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago By Zaheer Mohamed in Trinidad and Tobago in association with V Net Communications, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Mike’s Pharmacy and Bel Air Rubis Consistent bowling by Sheldon Charles, Dwain Dick and Nigel Deodat propelled Guyana to fighting three-wicket victory over defending champions Trinidad and Tobago when the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U17 50over tournament continued yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago decided to bat at Gilbert Park after the start of play was delayed by one and a half hour due to overnight rain which left the outfield in a soggy state. Pacer Sheldon Charles provided Guyana with the breakthrough when he had opener Leon Basanoo caught by wicket-keeper Yeudistir Persaud for one in the second over with the score on three. Leonardo Julien and Tariq Mohammed added 21 for the second wicket before Julien who struck Charles for a straight six was run out attempting a single to fine leg for 13 as the home team were reduced to 24-2 in hazy conditions. The Guyanese new ball pair, Essequibian Silvan Williams and Charles, maintained a decent line and Charles struck again in his fourth over by having skipper Antonio Gomez (02) well caught at mid-off by Leon Swamy four runs later. Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o plunged into further trouble as Darren Samlal opted to play back to a good length ball from Charles and had his stumps disturbed without scoring as the first 12 overs leaked 35. Off-spinner Dwain Dick removed Mohammed for 14 before Rivaldo Ramlogan who deposited Dick over the midwicket boundary was smartly caught by a diving Seon Glasgow at cover off Nigel Deodat for 14 leaving the score at 51-6. The home team batsmen poor shot selection continued as Deodat had Anderson

Mahase caught at cover by Sachin Singh for two before Nicholas Ali (02) attempted a wild swipe off Niran Bissu and gave Charles a simple catch; both wickets fell with the score on 56. Dick was brought back and polished off the innings; he had Isaiah Gomez taken by Swamy at mid-wicket for five before he uprooted the stumps of Sameer Ali without scoring as Trinidad and Tobago, whose batsmen looked out of sorts, were bowled out for 65 in 26.3 overs. Dick captured 3-16 from 3.3 overs, Charles claimed 321 from six, Deodat 2-7 from four and Bissu 1-7 off seven. Guyana skipper Sahin Singh drove left arm spinner Nicholas Ali down the ground for four before using his feet and smashed him over long-on for six and followed that up with another boundary through mid-wicket as Guyana’s reply got off to a fine start reaching 23 without loss in four overs. However, fellow opener Navindra Persaud was run out attempting an ill-advised single for four, one run later. Singh smashed Ali for another six over mid-wicket before he attempted to clear the ground once again off the said bowler and was caught at long-on for 21 with the score on 33. Yeudistir Persaud then drove Ali to mid-on to depart for two while Andre Seepersaud was lbw to the said bowler without scoring as Guyana slipped to 42-4. Dick drove Ali to longoff for four before rain stopped play at 13:53hrs with the score on 47, leaving Guyana 19 to win off 34.5 overs with six wickets in hand. Following the resumption, Dick appeared as if he wanted to finish the game off in a hurry and lofted Sameer Ali to mid-on to depart for four, while Glasgow tried to turn a longhop that took a long time to reach him through the onside and was caught off the said bowler for eight leaving the score at 47-7. Swamy then seemed unlucky to be given out caught at slip off

Sameer Ali for two, but it was the level-headed batting of Charles and Deodat that saw Guyana to victory with an unbroken stand of 16; Guyana finished on 66-7 in 20.4 overs. Deodat made nine and Charles eight; Sameer Ali claimed 3-15 from 4.1 overs, while Nicholas Ali had 3-30 from seven.

Sheldon Charles bowled well with the new ball for Guyana. (Zaheer Mohamed photo).

rt o p S GABBFF Senior Nationals set for today - Judges Certification and Refresher Course to end today

Holder’s six-for seals 2-0 sweep

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Jason Holder imposed himself early, West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Jamaica, 2nd day, July 13, 2018 ŠCWI Media/Randy Brooks

2018 CASA Junior Squash C/Ships

Bruce Whatley - Mr. Guyana 2017

Barbados produces high-level Squash to retain team title P. 71

- Guyana settles for Silver

The Guyana boys and girls teams following their second place performance in the Caribbean Junior Squash Championships in Jamaica.

Belgium beat England to secure third place finish

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