Wednesday July 20, 2016
Is there a dictator at the Guyana School of Agriculture? DEAR EDITOR; In my earlier letter regarding the above subject I would have indicated that the information is overwhelming and could not be completed in one letter. I hereby hope to have some more information revealed. I must first of all say that the first letter made interesting reading. The authorities of the institution will be more concerned with whom the author of the letter is than trying to address the issues outlined which will serve absolutely no purpose. The fact of the matter is that persons are being mistreated repeatedly and it must stop. Under the previous Government, you had no one to complain to and it seems so with this new Government also because the guys at GSA were appointed politically under the last administration and they have some serious watchdogs. Mr. Editor, it must be elucidated that the staff at the institution are at this point not sure of their appointments/ job. Regarding the contract that was mentioned in my first letter, I’m reliably informed that their contracts were not yet renewed for the year, yes, after seven months and if I may, they should have been getting gratuity in this month’s salary since they would have had to sign contract in January. No contracts were given
and absolutely no information was disseminated to the staff regarding any such situation. I guess it is clear that no contract means no gratuity for the workers. Mr. Editor, I’m informed that the decision was made at a level higher than the institution but the facilitator being misguided by his Director of Administration chose not to inform the staff. Regarding this, there are several decisions taken concerning the staff that the facilitator chose not to inform the staff. The only information that goes to the staff is those regarding dress code and lateness. Let’s make this simple, if when you go to work or visit some family they treat you like a four footed beast (dog to be specific), would you want to go? I’m informed that an authoritarian high official (hereafter referred to as AHO) don’t speak to many staff members because he is always in confrontation with subordinates. He is always acting as if staff members and students are little children. He is full of treats and shouting to staff and students. He can be heard from a distance shouting at several staff members over and over. He is also seen pointing his hands at staff members and issuing treats. Imagine him being upset with a staff and telling the staff in front of students words that cannot be reproduced here. It was for a
WHERE ARE THE 16 COMPUTERS? DEAR EDITOR; It is known by the Guyanese people that the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) was formed by the David Granger controversial PNC-LED APNU Coalition government as soon as it assumed political office. What is the purpose of SARU which is headed by Dr. Clive Thomas who is waging a political vendetta and witchhunt against the opposition PPP/C and its supporters? Dr. Walter Rodney maybe, is continuously turning in his place of rest in anger and disgust. The purpose of SARU is simply to witch-hunt the opposition PPP/C and since Dr. Thomas is hostile to the opposition PPP/C and if he has any decency he should resign from this witch hunting unit. By the way, Dr. Thomas claims to be responsible for the recovery of state assets. Why is he not
seeking to recover the missing 16 computers (state assets) from the opposition leader’s office when President Granger occupied that office and have those 16 computers returned to the opposition leader’s office now held by Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo? So please Dr. Thomas, prove to the Guyanese people that you are not a witch-hunter by having those computers (state assets) quickly returned to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s office. And if Dr. Clive Thomas cannot do this by 15th August 2016, he needs to submit his resignation from this thing called SARU in shame. Can Dr. David Hinds provide comments on the contents of this letter, particularly where his WPA brother Dr. Clive Thomas is a political witch-hunter and is obstructing national unity in Guyana? James Cornelius
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matter he was clearly wrong about but to flex his muscles (show his power), in front of the students. He was like that to a staff that has to train the same students. The man likes an audience. The staff member I am informed couldn’t take the constant verbal abuse and threats and subsequently resigned from the job. Oh, several others that worked under this AHO have resigned. I’m reliably informed that no other supervisor at the institution changed staff as this AHO, yet to the disappointment of many, this man is still incharge. Could you imagine a worker trying to get to work early and because of transportation issues they are a few minutes late but this same official flew past you with one of the Government vehicle? Then has the testicular fortitude to circulate a letter regarding lateness? Mr. Editor, this AHO in question is currently using two government vehicles. He has taken charge of them and the facilitator can say nothing to him concerning them. Oh yes, sorry, he is in charge of two but he recently crashed one that he has crashed for about two or three times already and the repairs are treated as expense to the
institution. Mr. Editor, It would be a remiss not to mention that this AHO has already used and destroyed two other vehicles that are nicely parked away from the eyes of the public and more so the board members. They can’t see them where they are parked simply because when they are there for meetings they are kept for long hours in the board room and don’t have the time to walk around the compound. Recently enormous efforts have been made to remove the board meetings from the institution and have them somewhere else in an effort to avoid interaction between board members and staff since there are some board members that listen to the concerns of the staff and raise them at that level since the staff have no voice. Mr. Editor, we are still at the tip of the iceberg and I’m very cautious to serve this food in bite size pieces so that no one will choke or end up being constipated because of information overflow. Yes some may have free bowel movement after reading but it is quite important to note this saying, “he who does nothing fears nothing”.Again I call on the relevant authorities to look into this matter. Paul John
Response to Cevon’s Waste Management DEAR EDITOR; The Ministry of Communities in an effort to bring relief to residents of Eccles and neighbouring communities has been, over the past several months, working to ensure that the Haags Bosch Landfill facility be transformed into a site which complies with international and environmental standards. Due to this effort, a contract was signed on July 14, 2016 between the Ministry of Communities and Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. with the aim of enhancing the aesthetics and implementing regulations that are in accordance with the relevant health standards. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that new measures are implemented to guarantee the
effective management of waste. As such a contention made by Cevons Waste Management that a recent decision to award the contract for the management of the Haags Bosch Landfill site to Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. was unfair and biased is without merit. The allegations were contained in a Stabroek News article on Sunday July 17, 2016 and claimed among other assertions that the process of selection was by unfair means. However, the Ministry of Communities wishes to assure the public that claims by Cevons that the company was sidelined are inaccurate and reiterates that the tender process was based on the stipulated criteria as outlined in the Procurement Act. Danielle Campbell-Lowe Ministry of Communities
The “Castle” and the “Palace” are criminal habitats DEAR EDITOR; As you are aware, for the past several years the residents of Phase One, Republic Park have demonstrated profound pride in our community We have collectively taken on the maintenance of street lights to ensure well lighted streets; we cleaned drains, repaired roads, weeded parapets and planted trees to enhance the entrance to our community, all without additional cost to the Council. Residents have also committed to a major project to develop the playing field. While much of the work has been done, much remains to be done. This is a work in progress and the project will go on to completion. Please note, we have only provided a snapshot of the work that we have done so far to improve our community. However, as we continue to pool our resources to continue the development and improvement of our community, we are deeply troubled, primarily by the inaction of Council to address safety concerns with respect to derelict buildings in the area. Most egregious are the uninhabited properties of the late Mr. Cole — the Castle and
the Palace. These buildings are not only eyesores but are havens for vagrants and thieves. It is not unusual for passersby not only to be intimidated and threatened but also being robbed even in daylight. As law abiding, taxpaying residents, we can no longer tolerate the anxiety, threats to our safety and indeed the safety of anyone visiting our community. These monstrosities have been vacant and in a deplorable condition for many years. Consequently, we are asking council to act immediately to remedy this intolerable situation. We strongly believe these structures should now be dismantled as the owners have had more than enough time to rebuild, repair or dismantle. Note as well, we believe the condition of these buildings could have an adverse economic impact on the value of our homes. We hope you will address this complaint with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. We intend to pursue this matter diligently in the hope that a satisfactory outcome will be reached. Residents Phase One, Republic Park
Molested inmates at NOC, Region 2 DEAR EDITOR, I would like for you to publish my concern of Sunday’s edition dated, 17th July, 2016. First, I must commend President David Granger and his Government for re-opening investigations on all the corruption that happened by the-top-government officials under the P.P.P/C Administration. Sir, we the residents of Region No. 2 are very much concerned of an incident that happened some years back at the New Opportunity Corp (N.O.C) Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast. The incident involves a certain top official from the Ministry of Youth & Sports who worked there at the time and raped and molested the inmates (young girls). Sir, we would like to know where are those girls, if they get paid off for the story to keep down as a secret or what happened. Mr. President, we the residents in Region No.2 are very concerned because the very said individual holds a top bureaucratic post in Region 2. Sir, this person drives tinted vehicles and his father- inlaw recently went to jail for drug trafficking. We would like President Granger to use his good office and re-open the investigation on this matter as early as possible. D. Arthur
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
12 TRUCKLOADS OF MATERIALS Serving the army is a job of pride relation to the missing school materials. DEAR EDITOR, I told them that they will be the future The deafening silence from some quarters MISSING? In keeping with the President’s call for the leaders of our country. I told them the training is cause for concern, especially when evidence DEAREDITOR, Construction of the much talked about Aurora Primary and Nursery Schools is rapidly progressing, and from the vantage point of passersby it looks very good. But there are some questions still to be answered, and at the very top of that list is what has become of the more than eighty percent or almost twelve truckloads of the dismantled materials both wood and zinc sheets? The people in authority must tell the beneficiary, the stakeholders, the members of the Parent Teachers Association, and the residents of this community, who from time to time were asked through different ways, to contribute and had contributed towards the maintenance and delivery of education through or from that demolished building. The public has a right to know and that right must at all times be respected. The Regional Officials who are expected to have a copy of the Bill of Quantity and the Contract Document must be more vocal in
is in the public domain, that a group of persons from one particular group had requested small portion of materials and they were advised that a procedure has to be followed. Then subsequently this said material ended up in possession of persons from another group without that same process being observed. It may have been particularly galling for those who would have attended the school, their children and currently their grandchildren, to be denied what was to them a reasonable request. Recently I visited the office of the Good hope / Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council, where residents from time to time are led to believe that the Bill of Quantity for any project undertaken by the Government would be at the N.D.C. Office for them to see and if necessary extract a copy. I was told by the Overseer that none is or was ever there. Archie W. Cordis Concerned Resident
DEAREDITOR; For some time now I have been visiting lots of book stores also in the markets buying books and published material for my children and myself. I note with a great deal of interest that most books today selling in our markets and book stores are photo copy books; that’s a violation of copyright laws both nationally and internationally. I observed that books such as: Junior English, FirstAid in English, CXC text books in every subject area, books by Caribbean writers like V. S. Naipaul, Derek Walcott, Ian McDonald, Martin Carter, Wilson Harris and the long list goes on and on when it comes to ‘book piracy’ and our past and present government does nothing about it.I am scared to bring my books that’s published abroad and launched it here because my first book published here was pirated by many schools and store owners and it’s hard to track down everyone and if you take them to court you can lose your case because the copyright laws are not enforced here. Our writers here suffered a lot like myself because we only have four newspapers here that make it hard to employ our writers to get jobs. Even many agencies hardly have job positions for writers and editors. I say this from my personal experience and most papers pay columnists very cheap or don’t want to pay them because many politicians write columns here for free that makes it very difficult for our Guyanese writers like myself. We have copyright laws in Guyana but they are not enforced. If they were enforced, then the owners of these stores selling photocopy books would have been picked up by the police, they would have been sent to prison or pay some heavy court fines like in Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and many big nations. I also see now the piracy of CDs and DVDs has now become a normal business in this country from the very big store owners to sellers in the streets. Many young children are dropping out of schools just to earn a living by selling pirated DVDs and CDs. It’s very sad to know that writers’ text book or any other book of poetry, fiction etc to r book selling as a pirated photocopy book in the streets and in the stores and he cannot do anything about it. It’s sad to know because the writer will take years to write a book and will invest a huge sum of money to get his/her book publish, then some high class white collar thief will buy just one copy of the author’s original book and photocopy thousands of the author’s books selling it at half its value. It’s very sad to know that many of our Guyanese singers will take years to compose their songs on a CD travel out of Guyana to get their songs recorded then suddenly their CD is being sold in the streets and CD shops for $200 and seven for $1000. What is really
happening to the laws of our country? On every corner we can see laws are broken every day by corrupt people in our society. What is copyright? Does it apply to our country? Copyright is a type of protection provided by law to authors of original works of authorship, inclusive of literary, drama, musical, artistic and some other intellectual works.’’ Guyana is a signatory to the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention. In addition, other copyright legal provisions are enacted in the Copyright Act 1956 of the United Kingdom to which Guyana acceded in 1966. The problem, however, is that these copyright provisions are not enforced in Guyana. Guyana is among 121 countries that were party to the Berne Convention on March 2, 1997. Since Guyana is a signatory of the Berne Convention, why is it not being enforced? Why is Guyana a signatory of a convention she has no intention to implement? It’s about time our lawmakers try to have an understanding of copyright laws to protect our authors, singer, etc. This law must be passed in parliament and all pirated photocopy books, exam papers, DVDs, CDs must be removed from the shelves in every store and market stall in Guyana. At CARIFESTA lots of books were launched, but it’s sad to see these books being photocopied and sold at book stores and markets for half price. Guyana is not a good place for writers to launch their books. It looks bad when a Caribbean writer visit our country to see his/her book being sold as a photocopy book. Since we are a member of CARICOM then we must follow and adhere to the principles of other CARICOM States. What we need in Guyana is a publishing house or a good printing press at the Ministry of Education to re-publish books written by Caribbean author’s that will be easily available to students at a reduced price. In an interview some time ago with Hansib Publisher, Arif Ali and Petamber Persaud about copyright, Mr Ali, Publisher of Hansib said that he can publish text books cheaper for Guyana if our Government can work with him. Even singer Dave Martins said that copyright laws must be enforced in Guyana, because it will put more revenue into the Government’s treasury. What we need in Guyana is a writers/authors union where writers are represented, meaning they can take a store owner to court for selling their books and that store owner will have to compensate the writer financially if found guilty. The same should apply for artistes. This looks like a long hard road for us to travel, but it can be done if we work together to enforce the copyright laws in our country. Rev. Gideon Cecil
COPYRIGHT LAWS MUST BE ENFORCED ASAP
citizenry to become more patriotic, I hereby request your assistance to reach out to the government on this matter. A few days ago I had the opportunity to talk with a group of students at a secondary school. I shared with them that I was a school dropout, and I was a soldier in the American army. I told them that joining the army saved my life and that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made at eighteen years old. I encouraged them to take their education seriously and to join the Guyana Defence Force, if at this point in their lives they’re still ambivalent as to what they want to do with their lives when they get out of school. After my talk, I was asked many questions about being a soldier, and my experiences in war in Iraq and Afghanistan. As I was returning to Georgetown from my trip, I met a group of soldiers from the GDF. I told some of them no older than 25 years old that I was proud of them for joining the army. I told them that they are a good example and role model to other young people.
that they have received from the army will prepare them for many challenges in life. One of the soldiers told me that he was a school dropout just as I was. After talking with them and the children at the secondary school, I felt strongly inspired and motivated that I wanted to do more. These soldiers’ commitment to the call of military service goes directly to the president’s call for patriotism in addition to their own personal development of themselves, which builds character, courage and pride for one’s country. Editor, because of my experience with the school and the soldiers, I would like to go into as many of the nation’s high schools across the length and breadth of Guyana and talk about the importance of a good education and joining the GDF. To make this possible I am offering my service without compensation. Editor, I hereby request your assistance in making contact with the right people so that I can do more to help. My contact information: Email quallis1_s@yahoo.com Anthony Pantlitz
SUGGESTIONS ON THE CRIME SITUATION DEAR EDITOR; The recent fatal shootings of two African Americans in Louisiana and Minnesota by White police officers generated widespread concern among Guyanese. Like America, Guyana faces similar social problems. Both, countries experience crime and poor race relations. America has excellent control over its problems but Guyana unfortunately remains impotent. Guyana is in a very sad state. In Guyana, criminals create havoc and rip lives apart. Just within this year, a string of Guyanese including Omadat Persaud, Basheer Herinauth, Mahendra Persaud, Gowchand Budhu to name a few were heartbreakingly killed by bandits. Countless others robbed and brutalized. How heart breaking! This is exactly why American police kill criminals. Needless to say how shocked I was to witness my fellow Guyanese railed against the recent killings of the two Black men in Louisiana and Minnesota while they remain silent on the daily slaughtering of voiceless citizens by criminals here in Guyana. Aren’t criminals wrong to take innocent lives? Absolutely! Aren’t criminals racially targeting victims? Absolutely! Indeed criminals target and kill predominantly Guyanese in rural areas. However, Guyana is broadly divided and so there is no solidarity on the heart wrenching crime situation. Such actions further undermine inter-cultural relations, embolden criminals and drive up the crime rate. All this ultimately anchor us deeper into poverty. Obviously, our narrow mindedness obscures our vision to capture this picture. The Guardian newspaper which tracks killings by American law enforcement officers reports that in the year 2015 — 1,140 people were killed. Most of them whites. However, when this number was analyzed as a ratio to the population, African Americans were disproportionately killed. Why is this? Surely, multiple factors may be responsible: racial stereotypes, racial prejudice, lack of respect, criminal background, circumstance, personality, mental health issues, dysfunction, threats with lethal force, possession of guns, drugs, etc. It is hard to single out any one factor as responsible, yet racial prejudice is singled out. This is wrong. The Black Lives Matter Movement was born out of this myth. The reality is that even though racism could be playing a role; we must understand that Blacks disproportionately commit more crimes than any other ethnicity in America. For
example, the FBI reports that in 2013, Blacks commit 54% of all murders in America in spite that Blacks make up only 13 % of the population. Clearly this number is out of proportion and may account for the disproportionate number of Blacks killed by the police. This also feeds into negative stereotypes about Blacks. Moreover, let us not forget such crime statistics drive fear into the police, causing them to pull the trigger on Blacks. This picture jibes with our experience about criminals here in Guyana, and cannot be ignored, particularly since it costs lives and tarnishes the image of sections of society. There is much work needed to be done in the Black community — to bring down the number of Blacks killed by police, as well as — to bring down the number of victims killed by Black criminals. Black Lives Movement should have addressed the so called Black on Black killings and Black crimes in order to improve Black lives. Mr Editor, chew on this: eighty Blacks were shot by fellow Blacks over the Memorial Day weekend this year in Chicago and culminated in 14 murders? The Black Lives Movement was completely silent on this human tragedy. Do we still believe that the Black Lives Matter Movement cares for Blacks? Yet it attracts supporters. Why? The only explanation is that its supporters are sucked in through conformity. There is no logic and benefit being a part of such a divisive movement. In spite of all this, I know there are excellent Black people. The Barbadians are testaments to this. They are wonderful. Tourism flourishes there because Barbadians embrace the philosophy — all lives matter. Tourists aren’t scared to go there. The same can’t be said for Guyana. It is morally wrong for the APNU (PNC) + AFC Government to stick with its failed crime fighting policy which leaves lives in danger. Intense fear saturates us: Blacks fear White police officers and White police officers fear Black men. This shouldn’t be. Education, together with frank discussions, and a functional Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection are needed to address the root causes to crime. The comrades within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) need to straighten up and our lax justice system needs a complete overhaul. Also, Government needs an effective crime fighting strategy if it is serious about bringing down the crime rate. This is doable. Last but not least, all Guyanese needs to be righteous enough to stand with a united front against crime for the sake of our country. Winston Conrad
Wednesday July 20, 2016
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We must open our public procurement …”It is a powerful tool to fighting corrupt practices, to int’l competition increasing transparency” - Minister Sharma By Kiana Wilburg Along with its other plans in the pipeline, it appears that the Ministry of Finance is gearing to open Guyana’s public procurement market to the international community. This was announced yesterday by Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma, during a procurement workshop that was held at Herdmanston Lodge. During his opening remarks, Sharma alluded to the fact that opening up the local market to international competitors would ultimately force local companies to up their game when executing contracts or projects they have been awarded. Sharma made it clear that he is very concerned about improving the procurement process in Guyana, as it is an area that remains a stimulus to the economy. He emphasized, too, that it is also an area that has a substantial effect on world trade. The Junior Finance Minister said that in Guyana, public procurement has been estimated to account for 27 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on the 2015 budget. Sharma added, “Opening our public procurement markets to international competition can be beneficial for several reasons. It is very important and we want to do it because it would enhance government’s ability to obtain better value for money and increase efficient use of
public resources. It will also be a powerful tool to fighting corrupt practices and increase transparency and legal certainty.” With this in mind, the Junior Finance Minister said that businesses in Guyana must be prepared to be competitive. Sharma also updated his attentive audience on some of the measures government has taken to help improve the procurement process. He said that while the administration is aggressively focusing on the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, steps have been taken to increase the “limits” of various boards, starting with the ministerial boards and regional tender boards. In this regard, Sharma explained that Government took this approach in order to give the various board levels the power to process contracts which are of a large sum. “So they don’t have to send it to the national board for consideration. At their level, they could facilitate that process,” he added. The Junior Finance Minister also revealed that Cabinet has considered a proposal to increase the number of evaluators that are available to government. By doing this, he believes that it is going to improve the level of transparency and accountability of the procurement process. He noted, too, that Government also
Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma implemented the Bid Protest Committee which allows aggrieved contractors to lodge their complaints within a stipulated time frame. That system has already attracted one case.
In addition to this, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had recently announced, too, that the area of public procurement is expected to face greater scrutiny. According to Jordan, he intends to provide a greater degree of assurance about the transparency and fairness needed in the award of contracts. The economist wants to ensure greater confidence from all stakeholders in the system. He insists that this becomes paramount since there is no Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in place. Jordan said that this is also part and parcel of his efforts to bring transparency to the national budgets, as more than 70 percent of it deals with public procurement. The Finance Minister noted that there will also be
compliance with principles laid out in the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Guyana is a signatory. Furthermore, Jordan promised that the Government will review and revise, where necessary, the Procurement Act and its Regulations, and present these to the National Assembly by December 2017. He said, too, that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) will establish complaints mechanisms and debarment procedures that take account of international best practices. The deadline for this is also December 2017. The award of contracts in Guyana by the NPTAB has always been a matter of contention in several
quarters. There have been accusations of favouritism, along with other complaints of anti-competitive practices. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, who had spoken extensively on the matter, said that the weak systems of the NPTAB need to be addressed by the new administration, as they cost the country approximately $28B annually. He then pointed to credible allegations of corrupt behaviour in public procurement. These included sole sourcing of drug contracts, contract splitting, inflated engineer’s estimates, evaluation bias on behalf of favoured contractors, the use of inexperienced contractors, the absence of competitive bidding in some cases and overpayment to contractors. Goolsarran had said that at least US$140M is lost (continued on page 25)
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Region Six REO’s alleged abandonment of duties...
Dr. Ramayya officially on leave, did not walk off – Coalition Rep. After months of pressure from his colleagues for his removal, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), Dr. Veersammy Ramayya, has allegedly ‘walked off the job’ leaving the entire Council in a state of confusion. This was the assertion of Vice Chairman (VC) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Dennis DeRoop yesterday. The VC is convinced that the REO has abandoned his post, since no correspondence was received from Dr. Ramayya nor was any temporary replacement made to carry out the functions of the Council. DeRoop stated yesterday that despite receiving a letter from the Ministry of Communities that Ramayya had requested two weeks leave, he believes that there is a cover-up at hand. He is also convinced that Ramayya has left the job because of his alleged utterance to the Chairman, David Armogan, that he cannot handle the job. However, DeRoop’s notion that Dr. Ramayya has abandoned his post was condemned by a representative of the Coalition Government in Berbice. Gobin Harbhajan, via a press release yesterday, stated that the remarks that were made publicly by DeRoop at a
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Kaieteur News
press conference on Monday last, are a “deliberate lie; a total fabrication.” Harbhajan stated that he and other councillors are demanding an immediate apology from DeRoop, who is a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor. He added that DeRoop’s apology must be given as much prominence as the initial report containing his “lies.” Harbhajan said that in a brief comment yesterday, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Communities Mr. Emil McGarrell had confirmed that Dr. Ramayya had applied for, and had been granted official leave by the Ministry. Commenting on this yesterday, Harbhajan said that the “spurious” allegations by DeRoop had sparked outrage among supporters of the AFC (Alliance for Change) within the Region. “Instead of making enquiries from the Ministry of Communities to find out what the situation was, he, in his haste to attack the REO, called a special press conference to spout that nonsense. We hope that common sense prevails and he withdraws that statement about the REO abandoning his post.” Harbhajan also stated that observers in the Region have noted that Ramayya and
DeRoop have had strained relations over the past months where in April last Dr. Ramayya had publicly accused him of abusing state resources in total disregard for rules governing the use of such resources. Harbhajan quoted Dr. Ramayya saying, “Mr Denis DeRoop is operating as if the PPP/C is still in Government. He is abusing the vehicle assigned to him; he is deploying machines on his own authority and he is deciding where he wants to work instead of operating as required from the Head office of the Council.” Dr. Ramayya – according to Harbhajan – had also accused DeRoop of administrative sabotage and had limited the amount of diesel being approved for use by DeRoop’s vehicle. He continued that subsequent to that, the PPP/ C-dominated Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had passed a no confidence motion against Dr. Ramayya. Harbhajan stated yesterday that REO is currently overseas and added that statements that the work of the Region was being held up due to his absence were “arrant nonsense.” “The Region has two Deputy Regional Executive Officers. There is an Accounts Department which is fully staffed and functioning, so how come the work is being held up because
Ramayya is not there?” He said that spreading “shameless lies” about the administrative arm of the Region “seems to be the modus operandi of certain elements in the PPP/ C dominated council.” “This is regrettable. We want to move away from this persistent game of oneupmanship and work together to ensure the delivery of high quality services to all the residents of Region 6.” Harbhajan said. Meanwhile, according to DeRoop, the work of the Council is stagnated because of the number of approvals and contract renewals that are piling up on the REO’s desk, DeRoop said, before continuing, that because of Dr. Ramayya’s “ineffectiveness and onehour-a-day work ethic”, many staff members including, cleaners and nurses, are yet to be paid for the month of June. He added that some are contemplating their next move, since their contracts have not been renewed as yet. The VC said that it is a sad situation that workers have to wait for their payments, however meetings were held with the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) in an effort to sort out as much as they could for the week ahead, even without a formal handing over. DeRoop has assured that “the Council will do all that it can to ensure that the wheels keep on moving”.
Auditor recommends NICIL recover $138M from BBCI, GPL
Auditor, Anand Goolsarran
NICIL’s Chairman, Maurice Odle
Forensic Auditor, Anand Goolsarran has recommended that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) make moves to recover millions from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI). Goolsarran conducted a forensic audit into the affairs of NICIL. His findings were vast and alarming. He recommended prosecution for key players in the schemes he highlighted. The auditor recommended that the entire former board of NICIL and the entire former Cabinet be charged and put before the courts. Among the issues highlighted by Goolsarran was the fact that NICIL spent money on the Berbice River Bride and on GPL, and that these charges are on NICIL’s accounts. He said, “The amounts of $84.732 million and $53.131 million expended on behalf of the Berbice River Bridge and the Guyana Power and Light respectively are also not a proper charge to the accounts of NICIL and should have been recovered from these two agencies.” When the charges were incurred, Winston Brassington was Director of NICIL; he was also the Chairman of GPL and company secretary of BBCI. In his audit report, Goolsarran noted, “By letter dated 4 July 2006, the HPS approved of NICIL meeting all
additional cost in excess of the $20 million provided by the Ministry of Finance towards compensation of the identified occupants of D’Edward Village. Prior to 2006, NICIL incurred expenditure totaling $52.089 million, and for the period 2006-2014, a further $32.643 million was expended. This gives a total expenditure as at 31 December 2014 of $84.732 million which was improperly charged to the administrative expenses of NICIL.” Goolsarran said that NICIL commented that the expenditure was incurred in relation to public-private partnerships and that it was treated as expenses of NICIL based on advice given. Goolsarran also found it apt to note, “It is not clear what role NICIL played in relation to the construction of the Berbice River Bridge and in deciding on the mix of financing for the project. The Executive Director of NICIL was also the Company Secretary of BBCI from its inception, but it is not clear at what point he relinquished the position.” Kaieteur News has been tirelessly trying to get on to NICIL’s new Chairman, Maurice Odle for information on a range of issues, this one included. The newspaper wanted to find out what moves, if any, were being made to recover the sums. However, for the past two weeks, Odle has remained unreachable.
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Reorganization and workers’ rights If the reorganization of the Guyana Revenue Authority is intended to achieve greater efficiency, then why was it claimed that the recent dismissals within that institution were due to problems with revenue collection as well as the poor facilities and conditions under which the staff have had to work? If the reorganization of the Guyana Revenue Authority is intended to achieve greater efficiency, then why replace the most experienced customs person with someone who has had little or no experience in customs. If the reorganization of the Guyana Revenue Authority is about efficiency, why send home someone weeks before he is due to retire? What about due process? Why was this not followed? If those sent home were not
performing, what happened to their right to a fair disciplinary hearing? If greater efficiency is the objective, then why send home the Human Resources Manager? Is that person not entitled to an explanation as to why she is being dismissed? If greater efficiency is the objective, then how come a person who was recently under investigation has been placed to be in charge of the very persons who would have undertaken that investigation? What sort of efficiency is going to be achieved under such circumstances? If reorganization of the Guyana Revenue Authority is about efficiency, then can efficiency be achieved by simply removing the heads of customs and the HR? Workers’ rights have to
be respected in Guyana. The power to dismiss cannot be exercised in an arbitrary manner. There has to be just cause for any dismissals. People must be treated fairly. Workers must be entitled to due process. Due process protects workers from arbitrary dismissals. The International Labour Organization in 1982 promulgated a convention on the termination of employees. The Termination of Employment Convention of 1982 helps to protect the rights of workers in the event of termination. The Convention provides that the employment of a worker shall not be terminated for reasons related to the workers’ conduct or performance; employment of a worker shall not be terminated for reasons related to the worker ’s conduct
Dem boys seh...
TWO PEOPLE SPITING DE DEPUTY MAYOR One of de reason dem boys don’t go to a place of worship is because of some people who does head dem place of worship. Nuff of dem more sinful that de devil, and dem boys ain’t talking bout Jagdeo alone. He never go nor try to tun a religious leader. He made a lot of scamps out of ee followers, including some of dem councilors at City Hall. Tek de Park King who is de Town Clerk. He is a pastor but he doing some things that de devil never even try. He forget wha he learn and wha he does preach in church. De good book seh love thy neighbour as thyself. He
who loves himself loves his neighbour. De Deputy Mayor is ee neighbour and de Mayor is ee neighbour. He love de Mayor because she is a woman but he don’t love de Deputy Mayor who is a man. Dem boys seh both de Mayor and de Town Clerk old enough to know right from wrang; and that no one should be spiteful, especially when he talking de truth. Dem boys know de Deputy Mayor talk ee mind which is de truth about de parking meter deal. From de time he do that he riding bicycle, not a ten-speed or a BMX. He had to ride a Big Ben.
Everybody else driving a council car, including Pastor Town Clerk, de City Engineer, de Mayor, de Chief Constable, and dem other big ones in de council. De Mayor and de Town Clerk old enough to know that if dem sign off something then de person must get it. Every month dem sign off de $20,000 telephone money and de $20,000 office money fuh de Deputy Mayor, but since All Fools Day de poor boy never get it. When is this old enough to know better, do better suppose to kick in? Talk half and beg Soulja Bai to pray fuh dem shameless SOBs.
before that worker is afforded the opportunity to defend himself or herself against the allegations made. The fact that Guyana is not a signatory to this Convention does not mean that the principles which form part of this convention should be disregarded. Persons are being sent home in other government agencies upon the expiration of their contracts. Unlike what may have happened in the past, there is no longer a reasonable expectation that once you work hard and honestly that your contract will be renewed. There has been a lot of babble about creating a professional public service. The most fundamental principle in establishing a professional public service is security of tenure. For those on contract there is no security of tenure but there is an expectation that once they perform satisfactorily they will be retained. Well, that expectation is now shattered by what is happening within the public service. The result of all of this will be a loss of morale. The most qualified of managers or deft reorganization cannot fix the
problem of low morale of staff. If the West Indies Cricket team teaches us anything, it is that chopping and changing is not the way to build the morale of a team. It is counterproductive. The new administration has been singing one tune and doing another thing. When it first came into office it announced that it wanted a professional public service. It said that persons who were candidates for their parties cannot be in the public service. Well, a few of those who were on the APNU+AFC candidate list are occupying senior positions within government ministries. Workers in this country are going to get fed up and simply go through the motions until their immigrant papers are processed or until they can move to better jobs. Workers will mark time. Loss of production and productivity will result. People are going to use the
public service as a bus stop to better opportunities elsewhere. Unless their rights are respected, they are going to use their public service positions to gain experience and then move on. The public service is going to lose experienced personnel. There will be attempts to fill these gaps with retirees, and this will in turn create further frustration for young people seeking to climb the organizational ladder. Reorganization for greater efficiency cannot be willed by chopping and changing. It cannot be achieved by replacing the experienced with the inexperienced. It has to be based on respecting workers, respecting their rights and affording them the standards that are consistent with such respect.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 20, 2016
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
The 2012 census; the future of the PNC, PPP and AFC The ethnic compartmentalization of Guyana’s population has been published. The outlay is not only interesting but deeply intriguing. The very first thing readers must and should know – the numbers are not equivalent to the voting age. For example, East Indians are just under 80,000 more than African Guyanese. But that doesn’t mean there are 80,000 more Indian voters than African voters. It is definite that when you break down the age groups, there aren’t 80,000 more Indian voters than African voters. The rising group in Guyana’s demography which the 2012 census revealed is the mixed race category. When the PPP’s Stalinist hierarchy analyzes the statistics, one wonders if there isn’t going to be cardiac arrest. The mixed race compartment in the electoral arena normally does not vote in large numbers for the PPP. The growing section along with the mixed race category is the Amerindians.
A simple assessment should go like this; for the PPP to win a majority it has to collect the totality of Indian ballots with the Amerindians or the mixed race, or both, sending it over the 50 percent mark. The problem with the PPP is that Amerindians normally vote for their patrons. There is nothing condescending about this statement. It has been the behavioral pattern in the Amerindian world. If Minister Jones provides the village with resources to enable development, the village will vote for Minister Jones when he becomes a candidate. The mixed race and Africans will not choose the PPP. And there is at least an eight percent figure of the Indian population that would frown on voting for the likes of Clement Rohee, Roger Luncheon, Gail Teixeira, Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo. Make no mistake; those are the personalities that will lead the PPP into the 2020 general elections.
If the PPP is going to win it has to go into one direction only. That pathway could bring it that eight percent figure of Indian votes and a share of mixed race ballots. The PPP has to transform itself into a modern, democratic, multi-racial party with clean leaders who did not participate in the thirteen-year rampage of Jagdeo and Ramotar. These leaders have to move away from the sordid legacies of Jagdeo and R a m o t a r, a p o l o g i z e f o r mistakes made, and openly elect its hierarchy through a process of membership vote. I don’t think that will happen, and my prediction is that unless those changes come, then the PPP will lose in 2020. Civilizing the Stalinist mind that is congenitally autocratic is beyond the capacity of the greatest philosopher. Civilizing Frederick the Philistine mind is beyond the ability of the greatest psychologist. We come now to the PNC. I say PNC because in 2020, the PNC will enter the race as APNU, but there will no longer be the WPA and those paper organizations that make up APNU. For symbolic reasons, the PNC will retain the acronym, APNU. The 2012 census shows that the African part of Region Four’s population is 40 percent. If every African in Region Four votes for the PNC, it will not win. Since there is no significant Amerindian
population in Region Four, the PNC will need either the Indian voter or mixed race support to win Region Four. Transferring the Region Four scenario to the general country, for the PNC to win in 2020, it will need all the African ballots and mixed race and Amerindian votes. Is this possible? I doubt it. First, let’s get out of the way the Indian thing. Indians will not vote for the PNC in 2020, despite what is going to be a nice, democratic phase of Granger’s performance. The mixed race group is not electorally loyal and regimented as Indians and Africans. If the Granger Government does insensitive, heartless and egregious things, I do not think the mixed race voters will be as eager to return the PNC to office. And if all Amerindian votes go to the PNC together with all Kissoon the African votes, it will not be strong enough to take the PNC over the 50 percent mark. Also the census reveals that Africans are not the majority any longer in Region 10. What the 2012 census indicates is that the PNC has to be performing superbly with strong democratic instincts if it is going to win the 2020 poll. Finally, the AFC. If the AFC is going to bring anything to a Coalition victory in 2020, it needs to take a look at the 2012 census statistics for Regions Three, Five and Six. Can the AFC still secure the Indian embrace in those regions?
Wednesday July 20, 2016
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Kaieteur News
More schools, teachers’ quarters on the cards for Region Nine During yesterday’s session at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), there were a series of contracts under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region No. 9. The first one was a contract for the construction of a nursery school at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi. The engineer’s estimate was $15.6M.
Continued on page 15
There was also a contract for the construction of the Tiger Pond Annex (Pai-Pang), South Pakaraimas, Region Number nine. The engineer’s estimate was $16.8M.
Also under the Regional office, there was a contract for the construction of a five apartment Teachers’ Quarters at Sand Creek Secondary, South Central Rupununi, Region number nine. The engineer’s estimate was $23.8M.
Finally, there was a contract for the construction of a school at Achawib Primary Annex (Bashaidrun)- Aishalton Sub- district, Deep south Rupununi, Region number nine. The engineer’s estimate was $16.8M.
Meanwhile, bidders sought a contract to provide consultancy services for engineering design and supervision of works. The agency seeking to procure these services was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and these services were for the construction of a new, three storey office building in the EPA compound.
The Ministry of Communities’ Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) also sought a consultant to review and update the Environmental Protection (Water Quality) regulations of the agency.
Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Public Security, there was a contract for the procurement of construction materials (Guyana Police Service).
There was also a contract for the procurement of computers and accessories. The bidding was done in lots one to three.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Mother of sexually abused girls Guyana now rated charged with three counts of neglect as upper middle - remanded after failing to post bail; stepfather for court today A Berbice mother was yesterday charged with three counts of neglect of child when she appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sister’s Magistrates Court. The 45-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to the
charge. The charge states that she willfully contributed to the neglect of her children, aged five, seven and ten, being in need of protective intervention, omitting to do so, whereby causing harm to
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
the said children. The woman, who is a domestic worker, was placed on $50,000 bail on each count. She was remanded after failing to post bail. She is scheduled to return to court on August 18. The stepfather of the victims, who is said to be the perpetrator, is scheduled to appear in court today. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Phillip Sheriff had opposed bail due to the
grievous nature of the offence. However, Magistrate Moore argued that there were not enough grounds to remand the father of fourteen. The alleged abuse came to light late last week after villagers found the three children on the Edinburgh seawall and alerted a Welfare Officer, who contacted the police. They allegedly stated that they were abused by a relative.
class economy …ACCORDING TO WORLD BANK 2016 CLASSIFICATION
The World Bank 2016 classification has Guyana reaching upper middle income status for the first time. BY JARRYL BRYAN In the wake of the discovery of further oil reserves in the Liz- 2 well, Guyana has moved from a lower middle income into the upper middle income classification. This is according to the World Bank, as of July 2016, after doing its annual revision of the world’s economies. Each year, the World Bank conducts an analysis of countries around the world, by using their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. Low income economies are those with a GNI per capita of US$1,025 or less in 2015. Lower middle income economies are those with a GNI per capita of between US$1,026 and US$4,035. Upper middle income economies are the ones with between US$4,036 and US$12,475, while high income economies are the ones with a GNI per capita of US$12,476 or more. Guyana’s basic minimum wage is $50,000 (US$250) or $600,000 (US$3000) per annum. Currently, its income tax threshold is $660,000 (US$3,248) per annum. While this change places Guyana in an enhanced standing on the world stage and is an indicator of growth, it will also mean a change in Guyana’s eligibility to access loans from the World Bank. Guyana is now on par with its oil-producing neighbour Venezuela, which has fallen in the latest World Bank statistics from a high income to an upper middle income classification. Venezuela has recently been in the throes of an economic crisis which has seen riots and street violence over food shortages. Equatorial Guinea has also fallen from its perch as a high income economy to an upper middle income one. Georgia, once part of the Russian Empire, has also jumped from a lower middle income to an upper middle income economy. Last year ExxonMobil (which drilled the Liz- 2 well), made a deepwater discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block, located around 120 miles offshore Guyana. In the wake of the impending multibillion oil sector, there has been a rush to put measures in place. For instance, the administration is looking at countries with Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) mechanisms in place. This is with a view of managing the revenue Guyana will get from the oil. In addition, the Ministry of Education announced that a Petroleum Engineering course would be added to the University of Guyana curriculum. In addition, gold production has been on the rise. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan had recently credited this to the productive output from small and medium scale miners, in addition to large companies like Guyana Goldfields and Troy Resources. The Finance Minister had revealed that gold production for April amounted to 60,558 ounces, compared with 36,629 ounces achieved in April of last year. According to Jordan, gold production thus amounted to 222,500 ounces from January to April 2016, representing an increase of 104.8 percent for the corresponding period in 2015. Meanwhile sugar production for January to April 2016 totaled 55,687 tonnes, compared to 67,555 tonnes achieved for the corresponding period in 2015, a 17.6 percent decline. Guyana’s sugar export market is under threat from a major quarter, however, as the European Union (EU) took a decision back in 2013 to phase out the sugar quota system with the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group of states by next year. The country’s rice production from January to April, 2016 registered 205,208 tonnes, compared to 303,314 tonnes produced during the same period last year.
Wednesday July 20, 2016
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Kaieteur News
‘Math Camp’ underway at QC Instead of spending their entire vacation on easygoing activities, a group of enterprising youths have opted to boost their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills by attending free courses offered by the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. The courses commenced at the Queens College compound on Monday. According to coordinator of the “Math Camp,” Saran Nurse, approximately thirty teenagers have been attending the courses since the commencement. The participants, whose ages range between 12 and 14 years old, are from Queen’s College, Bishops’ High and Tutorial High. Nurse explained the course has various components. She said the foundation course deals specifically with Mathematics and problemsolving, but the programme also includes fun and interesting topics such as Mindstorm Robotics programming. The course is slated to conclude on July 29. Some of the participants recounted their experiences to date. Mahesh Katwar, a third form student of Tutorial High related that his first day of the Math Camp was quite interesting. The teenager has his sights set on a career in the field of Information Technology, hence his interest in the course. Katwar said that his older brother inspired his love for technology. He noted that he loves to watch his brother work - repairing and upgrading computers. “I was just glad for the opportunity to learn new stuff and
so I signed up,” he added. Thirteen-year-old, Miranda Thomas of Queen’s College said that the programme has given her a new perspective on Mathematics, “an intensified look at something which I often take for granted; Mathematics”. “We definitely cannot look at Math the same way again,” Thomas reflected. Beyonce Skeekle says that the programme is definitely an opportunity for her and her peers to learn something new. “We are learning about new things,” Skeekle added. The students are looking forward to the other components of the programme, particularly the coding and robotics class slated to take place next week. The Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. (“QCAANY) is hosting the inaugural ‘Math Camp’ in observance of its 25th anniversary. The goal of the Math Institute is to inspire rising third formers to engage meaningfully in mathematics and to give serious consideration to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). While offering sophisticated math instruction, the Math Institute extends knowledge and skills beyond the traditional curriculum. It uses a developmentally appropriate approach that combines significant mathematical content within a setting that encourages a sense of discovery and excitement about math through problem-solving and interactive exploration. Complementary activities will be integral to the experience.
The coding and robotics component to the programme is courtesy of a relationship between QCAANY and k12youthcode.com, a Georgia-based organization. There are also a number of planned field trips, among which will be a trip to GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt Sugar Estate as well as the University of Guyana’s, Turkeyen Campus. The programme further reinforces in-classroom lessons while enhancing students’ understanding of the importance of STEM in Guyana’s economic development. A number of encounters are planned featuring local professionals who will speak with students about STEM career options. The two-week programme is free of cost to the participating students and includes lunch and snacks, with beverages donated by Banks DIH. The Math Camp is the brainchild of Dr. Terrence Blackman, QC alumnus, Chair of the Medgar Evers Math Department, and a University of Guyana Education Resource Ambassador. He is leading the programme with support from Delon Ogle, a math teacher from QC; John Campbell and Saran Nurse, QCAANY’s President and Treasurer, respectively; Cleveland Waddell, QC alumnus and Graduate Student in Applied Math at North Carolina State University; local alumni and friends of QC; and personnel from the Ministry of Education of Guyana. Air travel sponsorship is being provided by Fly Jamaica Airways. The initiative is QCAANY’s latest demonstration of its firm commitment to STEM education and fulfills an earlier promise made to
The Math Camp in session yesterday at Queen’s College. Minister of Education and QC alum Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Since 2000, QCAANY has awarded annual scholarships to first and second year students enrolled at UG who have distinguished themselves in the area of chemistry while at QC. The scholarships cover tuition through The Vernley Ward Bursary, named in honour of a founding member of the association. The group helped create the school’s first computer lab in the late
1990s and continues to collaborate with other alumni chapters to refurbish and upgrade equipment in the computer, physics and biology labs. Broadly stated, the organization’s mission is to contribute significantly to the advancement and improvement of education in Guyana. For more information about the Math Camp, interested persons can contact QCAANY at nychapter@qcguyanaalumnny.org.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
CARVIL DUNCAN TRIAL…
Proceedings stalled because of “unprepared” prosecutor The trial of former Director of Guyana Power and Light, Carvil Duncan - who is accused of stealing over $27M from the power company - was forced into another adjournment, after the prosecutor indicated that she was unprepared. Police Prosecutor Shellon Jupiter told the court that she was unable to brief herself on
- Counsel criticizes state for calling witness prematurely the matter because she received the case file on Monday, from initial Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru. Attorney for Duncan, Charles Ramson Jr. expressed much dissatisfaction at this. Ramson said that the Prosecutor should have
stated that she needed more time to go through the file before calling Lorraine Bancroft, the Corporate Secretary to GPL’s Board of Directors, to the stand. Nevertheless, the new Prosecutor requested one week to prepare her case. This
request was granted by Magistrate Leron Daly and the matter was deferred until July 26. Bancroft is an attorney by profession. During November 2015, she was employed as Corporate Secretary to GPL’s Board of Directors and tasked
with ensuring that decisions made by the board are related to management among other things. She was led in giving evidence by Magistrate Leron Daly to whom she disclosed the members of the board. According to Bancroft, during 2015, Winston Brassington was Chairman of the board while Carvil Duncan served as Vice Chairman. Other members of the board, she said, included Mahender Sharma; Komal Ramnauth; Desmond Mohamed and Narvin Persaud. When asked by the Magistrate to explain the functions of the board, the witness told the court that the board is responsible for keeping the company’s act, setting policies, and also reporting on the activities of the power company. Bancroft added that prior to 2015, no remuneration was made to members of the board in keeping with the bylaws. She said that the responsibility of establishing director fees is to be done by the shareholders. “Prior to 2015, to my knowledge, no remuneration fees were established and paid. In February 2015, through the chairman of the board, a cabinet decision on fee structures for state entities was shared with me.” The witness testified that the cabinet decision listed a number of state entities, including GPL. She added that the decision gave various fee structures depending on whether the entity was small, large or medium, and the purpose of the entity. Duncan, who is the President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and Former Deputy CEO of GPL, Aeshwar Deonarine, were jointly charged with conspiring with each other to steal the money from GPL on separate occasions However, Deonarine’s name was dropped from the charges against Duncan after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew the charges against him because he has fled the country. This was done so that the court could proceed with Duncan’s trial. Police have since issued a warrant for Deonarine’s arrest. It was previously reported that he was in Canada. Duncan, 73, of Lot 1977 Lanstead Road, Festival City, Georgetown, is accused of conspiring with another to commit a felony that is to say simple larceny. It is alleged that between May 7 and May 8, 2015 at Georgetown, Duncan
CHARGED: Carvil Duncan
Attorney Charles Ramson Jr. conspired with another (Deonarine) to steal the sum of $27,757,500, property of GPL. It was also alleged that on March 31, 2015, Duncan stole $984, 900 belonging to GPL. Duncan is currently out on $1M bail. The two former senior officials are accused of being part of a multi-million-dollar fraud at GPL. The men are alleged to have illegally transferred close to $30M to their personal bank accounts from GPL. The Government had asked the police to investigate the two senior officials last July. It was reported that the men paid themselves almost $29M without authorization. In light of investigations, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave. The discoveries of the suspicious transfers were made by independent auditors who were probing the PetroCaribe Fund, which hold proceeds of oil shipments taken from neighbouring Venezuela. It was while tracking payments to GPL that auditors unearthed the strange transactions. Deonarine, who had been responsible for administration had reportedly wanted to receive the same level of pay as the then DCEO (Technical), Colin Welch, but his approaches to the Board of Directors were rebuffed. He had reportedly offered to repay the money, but GPL was supposed to have waited until it was transferred from his US bank account.
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
GEORGETOWN NEEDS URBAN MODEL OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM – DUTCH ENGINEERS The Dutch Risk Reduction Team (DRR) which was engaged last October to advise on the drainage system in Georgetown and the low-lying coastland has suggested that the Government of Guyana should have an “Urban Drainage Model for Georgetown (UDMG).” According to the report published by the DRR, the advantages of having such a model would allow engineers to have a comprehensive understanding of the flow of water through the primary and secondary channels; interconnecting culverts, tunnels and sluices/pumps. Further, the report said “the UDMG can also be used to find the current “weakest spots” where the discharge capacity of water is reduced.” This can be done in locations such as bridges, tunnels or non-streamlined channel bends, according to the DRR. The engineering experts said the model will allow for the drainage authorities to identify where the bottlenecks in the city are and where overcapacity exists. The team highlighted that currently there is need for a tool to specify the requirements of each part of the drainage system, in such a way that the system as a whole functions most effectively. The report said that a computer (hydraulic) model can be beneficial in this regard as it will allow project proposals to focus on those measures that have maximum contributions to the operation of the entire drainage system. The Dutch experts believe that if such a system is designed for Georgetown it will be
possible to find improvement measures that have the highest cost benefit ratio. As it relates to cost, the experts reported that this will correspond with measurements for the widening of channels and adding additional pump capacity. One of the benefits emphasized would be the reduced damage from inundations. According to the report, the UDMG will allow city and government engineers to predict what effect certain new elements would have on the drainage system. Further, engineers reported that the UDMG can be used to assist persons who wish to construct buildings in proximity to the drainage system. The report said, “It (UDMG) can be used by authorities or developers as an impact assessment tool to obtain a No Objection Certificate for carrying out their anticipated works.” The Dutch experts recommended that in the event that the constructed building increases the potential for flooding then the developer can be identified and made to compensate for the loss their actions caused. Moreover, the experts said that the model can be used to conduct “Stress Tests” which will calculate the risks which may occur during extreme climatic conditions. The report said that different scenarios can be inputted into the system which will provide suggestions such as the widening of channels or whether to leave certain areas free from construction so that future generations will have space to make necessary modifications. The DRR recommended that a division
LABOURER JAILED, FINED FOR GANJA IN HAVERSACK
Vibert Peters (with handcuffs) is flanked by police officers.
A labourer was yesterday jailed for three years and fined $142,000 after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge, after he appeared before the Chief Magistrate ,in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. On July 17, at St. Ignatius, Central Rupununi, Vibert Peters, 28, had 110 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that Peters was caught with the illicit substance by police on mobile patrol in the area. He said that while in the vicinity of Moco Moco Bridge, ranks observed Peters emerging from a clump of bushes with a bicycle. Jeffers added that police noticed that there was a black haversack on the bicycle. According to the Prosecutor, a search was conducted on Peters. Inside the haversack, Jeffers said, Police discovered a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis and told Peters of the offence committed before cautioning him. Jeffers stated that under caution, the man told cops that he was carrying the drug for a friend. Peters was arrested and taken to the station where the drug was weighed in his presence and amounted to 110 grams. The charge was subsequently instituted. When asked by the Magistrate if he had anything to say, Peters told the court that a man had given him the drug as payment for work he had done for him.
More schools, teachers’ quarters on... From page 11 Also for the Ministry of Public Security, there were bids for the procurement of a new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
between operational units and a strategic unit within NDIA, with the latter being responsible for developing and applying the UDMG.
According to the experts, creating such a model will save money and improve the current drainage situation in the Capital City.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 20, 2016
IMF team to assess VAT to CDC establishes Disaster Risk determine feasibility of reduction Management Systems in Region Three A team comprising experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is due in Guyana next month to assess the Value Added Tax (VAT) and recommendations made by the Tax Reform Committee set up by the APNU + AFC government. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan said, “Notwithstanding what the Tax Reform Committee said, and notwithstanding the clamour for the reduction in VAT, I have asked the IMF and they have agreed, and the team is to come in August to do an assessment of the Value Added Tax.” Minister Jordan explained that after they would have completed their assessment, “We will take a look, and we will make a determination what reduction is feasible and when this reduction can take place.” The Government in late 2015 had established the Tax Reform Committee headed by Dr. Maurice Odle. The committee’s mandate was to examine the country’s taxation system and make recommendations for fixing it. The committee had reported its findings to the Minister of Finance in
January 2016, a time described by the minister as too late to have the recommendations included in the 2016 budget. H o w e v e r , “Notwithstanding that, we had anticipated some of the measures in the Tax Committee’s report and they were actually implemented in the 2016 budget,” the Minister said. Among the recommendations of the Tax Reform Committee were an income tax threshold of $750,000 with progressive rates of taxation from 20% to 35%, and reintroduction of estate duties and levies on tobacco and alcohol. In the last budget the income tax threshold was increased to $660,000 from $600,000. Meanwhile steps are underway to formulate a Bill for the control of tobacco. Further, the Minister said the Guya n a R e v e n u e Authority (GRA) has been approached for its input on the recommended tax reforms. “What I have caused GRA to do is to go through the report with a fine tooth comb, split it up into the various sections and come up
with recommendations of the feasibility of some of what have been recommended, so that we could have a discussion in Cabinet and make a determination, whether or not they get into the 2017 budget. The tax reform committee did recommendations that span two years …not just 2017.” Among the recommendations of the Tax Reform Committee were a reduction of VAT from 16 percent to 14 percent, the introduc t i o n of an intermediate rate of seven percent, a reduction of the number of items on the VAT e x e m p t l i s t a n d a widening of the tax net by reducing the minimum taxable amount from $10M to $5M, Minister Jordan said. Meanwhile President David Granger on an edition of the programme “the Public’s Interest” had said it was perhaps hasty on the part of the then opposition (APNU+AFC) to promise a reduction on the VAT rate during their first year in office when they had inadequate information on what they would find when they assumed office.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to implement Regional Disaster Risk Management Systems (RDRMS) across Guyana with Region Three being the latest beneficiary. An RDRMS was established during a two-day event that opened yesterday, at the Regional Democratic Council boardroom, Vreeden-Hoop. In his opening remarks, Regional Vice Chairman, Sheik Inshan Ayube explained that the RDRS is necessary since it is critical for the region to have preparedness and response plans in place to quickly respond to disasters. Ayube highlighted that Guyana is at a risk for many disasters, but these systems are put in place to educate and inform key players to “at least minimise these disasters.” He noted that for the region to respond quickly and effectively to disasters, awareness and preparation are critical. He commended the implementation of the RDRMS and encouraged the participants to be aware and prepared for disasters. “We
are caught up with our daily lives, ensuring that we are safe, but we must also be aware that disasters can happen anytime so it is necessary for us to also strive to keep our country safe.” Director General, CDC, Colonel (Ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup while delivering brief remarks endorsed the words of encouragement from Ayube. He added that index disaster management is important because “we don’t want to lose our lives from disasters”. Ramsarup explained that there are persons who are affected by heavy rainfall though it is the hottest time of the year. “Those persons in Region Five suffered great loss from the recent flood because there was not an effective RDRMS in place in the region,” he explained. The aim of this event is to therefore have systems in place to address those issues so that all the regions in Guyana are prepared, the CDC head explained. “Everyone must know their roles and responsibilities since training was already done, we cannot allow a
repeat of the 2005 flood.” Ramsarup believes that there is nothing greater than being fully prepared when disasters strike. The CDC head pointed out that climate change is heavily responsible for most of the disasters in the country since it affects mining, and agriculture infrastructure among other areas. “We all need to play our part in keeping Guyana safe from disasters,” Ramsarup urged. Manager, Preparedness and Response Unit, CDC, Major Sean Welcome, and representatives from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Ministry of Communities, Health Centres, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) were all in attendance. The participants were educated on preparedness activities and declaring a disaster, preparedness and response functions, roles and responsibilities and (continued on page 25)
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
HEYS and capacity building…
2,000 hinterland youths exposed to skills training Government has effectively created that enabling environment where close to 2000 indigenous youths will be able to realize their true potential from being exposed to best practices in capacity building through the ongoing Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme. Capacity building is amongst several courses offered, where youths will be encouraged to channel their energies to improving their personal development which will assess their knowledge, skills and abilities which includes identifying their strengths, interests, challenges, team work and building trust. The course also seeks to shape their interpersonal communication skill, work habits and conduct, leadership, making financially sound decisions and highlighting health and safety standards in the work
place. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, Valerie GarridoLowe, said that she remains resolute in ensuring the livelihoods of indigenous youths are immensely improved and only last week expressed satisfaction with the level of enthusiasm shown by the youths. She also has responsibility for youth development Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, during the launch of the training for trainers programme in Region Nine, last month, also alluded to the fact that the government, and by extension the ministry, has resolved to bridge the divide between the coastland and the hinterland. According to Minister Allicock the HEYS Programme is so designed to effectively execute this plan, and is
A few of the participants in the HEYS Programme encouraging every youth that is participating to take full advantage of this opportunity since it seeks to create sustainable job opportunities, while providing youths with skills to prepare them for the world of work. The second phase of the HEYS Programme has been introduced in 106 villages throughout the hinterland.
We must open our public procurement... From page 7 annually by looking at those areas. His estimation was gleaned from an overview of the Auditor General’s reports on the country’s accounts over the past few years. He had also highlighted some of the glaring shortcomings of the NPTAB, among them the absence of District Tender Boards for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils; the failure to publish in NPTAB’s website; the award of all contracts between $200,000 and $15 million; the failure of members of the various tender boards to file financial returns with the Integrity Commission; the non-establishment of a formal Bid Protest Committee and the failure to exercise due diligence in ensuring that
evaluators had the requisite expertise. Goolsarran had said, too, that there are certain parts of the Procurement Act which have not been adhered to since the Act came into effect on January 1, 2004. These include ensuring the criteria used for selection
are such that they do not discriminate against particular contractors and suppliers, and the award of contracts based on the lowest evaluated bid as opposed to the lowest bid. Failure to look at these, he said, has also proven to be very costly to the country.
CDC establishes Disaster ... From page 16 emergency operations centre. In the first week in August, the event will be taken to Region Six, and by the end of August, with funding from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), work will commence in Regions Nine and Ten to establish RDRMS’, after which they will head to the other administrative regions. High Frequency Radios will be installed in Orealla, Siparuni, Region Six and Moraikobai, Region Five as part of strengthening the regional mechanism to help with early warning.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
Erdogan targets more than 50,000 Labour Party rebels back single in purge after failed Turkish coup candidate to oust leader Corbyn
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shout slogans and wave Turkish national flags during a pro-government demonstration in Sarachane park in Istanbul, Turkey. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis. Reuters - Turkey vowed to root out allies of the U.S.based cleric it blames for an abortive coup last week, widening a purge of the army, police and judiciary yesterday to universities and schools, the intelligence agency and religious authorities. Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended or detained since the coup attempt, stirring tensions across the country of 80 million which borders Syria’s chaos and is a Western ally against Islamic State. “This parallel terrorist organisation will no longer be an effective pawn for any country,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, referring to what the government has long alleged is a state within a state controlled by followers of Fethullah Gulen. “We will dig them up by their roots,” he told parliament. A spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan said the government was preparing a formal request to the United States for the extradition of Gulen, who Turkey says orchestrated the failed military
takeover on Friday in which at least 232 people were killed. U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the status of Gulen in a telephone call with Erdogan yesterday, the White House said, urging Ankara to show restraint as it pursues those responsible for the coup attempt. In parallel talks, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his Turkish counterpart discussed the importance of Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base in the campaign against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said. The base, which is used by Turkish and U.S. forces in the air campaign against Islamic State, has been without power in the days since the failed coup. Seventy-five-year-old Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania but has a network of supporters within Turkey, has condemned the abortive coup and denied any role in it. A former ally-turned critic of Erdogan, he suggested the president staged it as an excuse for a crackdown after a steady accumulation of control during 14 years in power.
Yesterday, authorities shut down media outlets deemed to be supportive of the cleric and said 15,000 people had been suspended from the education ministry along with 100 intelligence officials. A further 492 people were removed from duty at the Religious Affairs Directorate, 257 at the prime minister’s office and 300 at the energy ministry. The lira weakened to beyond 3 to the dollar after state broadcaster TRT said all university deans had been ordered to resign, recalling the sorts of broad purges seen in the wake of successful military coups of the past. In a sign of international concern, a German official said a serious fissure had opened in Turkey and he feared fighting would break out within Germany’s large Turkish community. “A deep split is emerging in Turkish society,” Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper. “The danger of an escalation in violence between Erdogan supporters and opponents has also risen in Germany.”
Italy says 3,200 boat migrants rescued Tuesday, one body recovered ROME (Reuters) - Some 3,200 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya yesterday and one dead body was recovered, Italy’s coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather. A coast guard spokes-
man said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Three Italian navy ships took part in rescues, picking up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety. British and Spanish ships operating
within t h e E u r o p e a n Union’s anti-people-smuggling mission also conducted rescues. The Doctors Without Borders charity and migrant rescue groups MOAS and Sea Watch also participated. An Irish navy ship and a private tug boat completed the cast of rescuers.
Reuters - The race for control of Britain’s opposition Labour Party narrowed yesterday as lawmaker Angela Eagle withdrew, leaving incumbent Jeremy Corbyn up against a challenger promising a second Brexit referendum. Labour’s left wing and its more moderate factions have been locked in a power struggle ever since Britain voted to leave the European Union on June 23, with critics saying Corbyn had not worked hard enough to prevent the Leave camp’s victory. Eagle, formerly the party’s top business spokesperson, withdrew from the leadership contest after private tallies showed she had received less support than rival Owen Smith at the halfway stage in
Jeremy Corbyn the nominating process. “It is in the best interests of the Labour Party that we now come together so we can have one candidate,” she told reporters. That leaves Corbyn, who has lost the support of most
elected Labour members of parliament but remains popular with activists, up against Smith, his former work and pensions policy chief. Smith has said Britons should get to vote again on leaving the EU once the shape of a Brexit deal is decided. Eagle triggered the contest last week after Corbyn did not stand down despite a string of resignations from his policy team and an overwhelming vote of no confidence in his leadership by Labour lawmakers. Corbyn’s rivals are concerned his left-wing agenda cannot win a national election and his style will not give Labour a strong enough voice in Britain’s upcoming Brexit negotiations.
Some 38 of 84 killed in Nice truck attack were foreigners – ministry Reuters - Some 38 of the 84 people killed on the sea front in Nice by a truck-driving man as they celebrated Bastille Day last week Thursday were foreigners, the French foreign ministry said yesterday. It said the victims came from 19 countries including Algeria, Germany, Armenia,
Belgium, Brazil, Estonia, United States, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Romania, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. The ministry said the list of wounded people had not been finalised yet but when including them, the number of countries in-
volved was 29. Dozens were hurt and 19 people remained on life suppor t f i v e d a y s a f t e r the carnage French state prosecutor F r a n c ois Molins described as a terrorist act. Nice is France’s second most visited city in France after Paris.
Hunger, looting and now suspected cholera hit South Sudan Reuters - Dozens of people have fallen ill with suspected cholera in South Sudan’s capital of Juba, while a U.N. food warehouse was looted and destroyed, incurring $20 million of damage, the United Nations said yesterday. “We expect a huge humanitarian crisis. Even before the curr e n t c r i s i s , t h e health system in South Sudan was facing a crisis due to near economic coll a p s e , ” Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said. Cholera is a type of acute watery diarrhoea which kills fewer than 1 percent of sufferers if there is proper treatment with oral rehydration salts, acc o r d i n g t o t h e Wo r l d Health Organisation. But conditions in Juba, where fighting erupted on July 7 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to his deputy, Riek Machar, are far from
ideal, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says. The fighting uprooted about 36,000 people who sought shelter at U.N. compounds, and 14,900 are still displaced, IOM said. Other parts of the country have subsequently reported clashes, and the U.N. has recommended aid agencies reduce staff in hotspot locations. Over 5,000 people fled to Uganda, almost all women and children who had walked for days, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said. The violence in Juba prompted many traders and markets to shut down, and insecurity along supply routes meant food supplies were likely to dwindle further, the U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) said. South Sudan has 4.8 million people who are severely short of food, and about 1.6 million people who have been displaced since a civil war
Fadela Chaib broke out in December 2013. A further 743,000 have fled the country, a number the U.N. expects to reach 1 million in the coming months. WFP lost 4,500 tonnes of commodities as well as vehicles, fuel, office and IT equipment when its warehouse was looted. The losses included specialised foods aimed at reducing “unprecedented” rates of malnutrition. Two U.N. aircraft were also damaged in the fighting.
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Jamaica, Trinidad PMs Say Immigration and Trade Talks Going in Right Direction
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and his counterpart from Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley address the media at Jamaica House. (Photo: Karl McLarty) KINGSTON, Jamaica – They met. They talked. They’ll talk some more. And they expect to see some positive change. The leaders of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago say now they’ve had discussions about issues of concern, including the treatment of Jamaican nationals who arrive at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain, and the trade imbalances between the two CARICOM neighbours, they expect to see robust initiatives that will lead to increased co-operation, and the promotion of improved trade relations. That was the assertion of Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who is hosting his Trinidadian counterpart, Dr. Keith Rowley, on an official four-day visit to the island. He said their meeting Monday has led to a deeper understanding of critical issues between the two countries. The Trinidadian Prime Minister, in turn, declared the meeting a productive one, noting that a foundation has
been laid for further discussion and work in other areas. Follow-up discussions will be held throughout the rest of his official visit. Ahead of their talks Monday, Holness said the interactions between him and Rowley would facilitate “the sharing of information, experience and best practices for capacity building in our institutions, to better create growth and prosperity in a stable and secure environment.” “Our meeting should lead to a clear way forward as we seek to build on the foundation of long-standing ties which have been shaped by our history, shared values, mutual respect and, importantly, our inter-connectedness,” he said. Citing statistics which show that almost 13,000 Trinidad and Tobago nationals travelled to Jamaica in 2015 and over 15,000 Jamaicans visited the twin-island republic the same year, Holness noted that this is indicative of the long-standing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the na-
tions. “Notwithstanding the challenges, our people are moving between the islands, intermarrying, investing in and working for each other’s enterprises, studying, contributing, and being integral to the growth of their respective host countries, building regional societies for the greater good,” he said. The Prime Minister said that both leaders must find ways to ensure that “this natural exchange and interconnectedness between our countries is hassle-free and facilitated by our respective regulatory bureaucracies.” “In this regard, we are hoping to expand our trade relations to propel growth and development, given the mutual benefits to be derived. At the same time, we acknowledge that Jamaica also has a responsibility to address certain shortcomings including the need to find ways to bypass the hurdles to competitiveness and productivity while we engage on bilateral issues,” the Jamaican leader said. Prime Minister Rowley stressed his country’s commitment “to treating with the challenges, whatever they might be,” noting that as members of CARICOM, Jamaica and Trinidad are family. We are one people with a common purpose, common history and cultural norms that we would defend for ourselves and for each other.” “When I leave Jamaica, I would be satisfied if one acceptance would be made…that whatever the challenge is, we are stronger together, we are stronger as one unit and that there is no challenge in this family that we cannot overcome (by working together),” he said. (Caribbean360)
UN rights chief airs worry about food shortages in Venezuela GENEVA(AP) — The UN human rights office is expressing concern about deteriorating human rights, growing violence and “severe shortages” of food, medicine and basic goods in Venezuela. The office of human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad alHussein points to reports of rising protests demanding access to food, the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators and excessive use of force against protesters in recent
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein weeks. The Geneva-based office yesterday urged Venezuelan
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Kaieteur News
authorities to ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and “to consider accepting humanitarian aid” to ensure food and medicine supplies are distributed. Venezuela’s government opened its long-closed border with Colombia over the weekend, prompting more than 100,000 Venezuelans to cross to buy as many basic goods as possible amid an economic crisis and 700-percent inflation in Venezuela.
Govt. seeks consensus on private sector workers’ minimum wage Government, through the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour will soon begin talks with the private sector and union bodies to review the national minimum wage paid to workers. The current minimum wage paid to public servants stands at $50,000, while that of private sector employees is about $35,000. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott said the intention is to bring the private sector minimum wage in line with that of public servants. Earlier in the year, the Ministry had reported that they (the ministry) along with the trade union bodies and the private sector had been conducting a country survey to
ascertain what the average private sector employee was earning. During an interview with the Government Information Agency, Minister Scott explained that the Ministry’s survey has been completed and is now awaiting the unions and the private sector’s assessment results. “We are still awaiting the trade unions to submit the results of their survey and the private sector to submit their survey. The last tripartite meeting, they said to me that they have arrived at their own survey…however the Government already has their survey ready and what we are waiting is for the three to come together and out of that process we will be able
have a minimum wage across the board,” Minister Scott explained. He further noted that the Government is at the point where it is paying a standard minimum wage of $50,000 and, “We can’t force the private sector to pay the minimum wage… but with this tripartite meeting, we are hoping to pay the workers at whatever we arrive at, this is the direction because we want to have the input of the stakeholders.” Minister Scott pointed out that the Ministry has also been engaging publ i c s e c t o r a g e n c i e s including the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to comply with the public servants’ minimum wage.
Suriname hosts meeting on value chain approach in fisheries PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname (CRFM) — The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has convened a regional workshop for senior fisheries officers from its 17 member states on applying the value chain approach to maximize fisheries earnings in a week-long event scheduled to run from Monday to Friday, in Paramaribo, Suriname. The workshop will be conducted with the assistance of experts from the United Nations University-Fisheries Training Programme (UNUFTP) and other partner universities in Iceland, such as the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri, which will be sharing their expertise in value chain development in fisheries and aquaculture. The CRFM is also partnering with the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and
Tobago, to implement the upcoming training. CRFM executive director, Milton Haughton, noted that the initiative is designed to help key government and private sector representatives who operate small and medium-sized fisheries and aquaculture enterprises to become more efficient through capacity-building. The CRFM, through this initiative, is also partnering with stakeholders to promote the value chain approach and to maximize the use of this approach to unlock the Caribbean’s full potential. The CRFM expects that the key actors in the sector who are being targeted will better understand the value chain approach and use it to assess the primary constraints that affect them. They should also be able to identify opportunities for investments and other interven-
Milton Haughton tions to generate greater returns for the sector. Ultimately, this initiative aims to improve the overall profitability and sustainability of the industry. Furthermore, the CRFM will lead and support the development of action plans for member countries, after pilot studies are conducted at selected locations. (Caribbean News)
Missing miner’s body... From page 3 the man that he coming out from North Fork to go to Mahdia. That’s the last time the bus man heard from him.” She said that after she called her husband’s phone on July 12, and got no response, she called the same bus driver who said that her husband did not come to collect anything. The woman related that she became worried and began enquiring from some of her husband’s friends in the interior about his whereabouts.
“I asking if anybody see he or if he stop at any other backdam. But everybody say they ain’t see he.” According to Mrs. Clarke, two of his friends ventured into the area on Sunday and began investigating. “When they take this thing serious was Sunday morning when they realize he missing.” The information that the friends got is that my husband and a man named “Marlon” left North Fork and walked to another backdam. “They (Marlon and her
husband) were seen there and then they were heading to Mahdia. That was the last time somebody saw my husband alive.” Clarke’s wife and his 22year-old daughter Natalia McKenzie said that they are hoping that his body would be found to get closure. McKenzie said that even though her father’s body has not been recovered, she has accepted that the body spotted is his. The young woman described her father as a very loving and easy going individual.
PAGE 28
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TO LET Rooms in Albertown & apartment in eccles. Call: 2253234; 698-7807 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
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LEARN TO DRIVE
LAND FOR SALE Land @ La Grange Public Road to Sea Dam, 4 Acres, could be use for commercial /Housing Scheme-Call: 625-1514 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.1M, $1.6M, $2.5M; Tuschen School Street -$2.5M, New Road Vreed-en-Hoop -$26M, $30M. Call: 604-6724 Eccles - $5M, Herstelling$5M, Tuschen front-$5.5M, Leonora -$3M, Zeelugt, Uitvlugt -$2.5M, Zeeburg $5M Call: 604-6724 33.6 Acres @ Kuru Kuru, Linden Soesdyke Highway. Call:679-1151; 225-7794 Land for sale at Eccles and Diamond. Call: 609-7766
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
2010 IST -$2.6M, 2011 BLUEBIRD -$2.7M, 2011 RACTIS -$2.6M, 2009 AXIO -$2.4M, 2009 BELTA -2.4M. CALL: 617-2891 SALE! SALE! 2010 IST $2.4M, 2009 NOAH -$2.5M, ARUIS-$2.5M-CALL:617-2891
Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
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3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 2004 MITSUBISHI CANTER, 4D 33 ENGINE, 2 TON, UNREGISTERED $2.4M. CALL: 642-7295 2010 TOYOTA FIELDER, BODY KIT, MAGS, CD, FULLY LOADED, UNREGISTERED -$2.5M. CALL: 642-7295 2010 TOYOTA PREMIO, FULLY LOADED, UNREGISTERED -$3.3M. CALL: 642-7295 One Hilux E/Cab pick-up, manual, gasoline, A/C. Call: 676-0931 Toyota Avensis for sale $2.1M -Call: 645-0078; 6030078 Oswin J’s Auto Imports: Premio 2008-2011, Allion 2008-2011, Rush 2008-2009, Fielder -2008, Axio 2008. Call: 609-2815 Closeout Sale! 2002 Premio $2M, 2004 Spacio -$2M, 2007 Belta -$2.1M. Call: 269-0432; 686-0323
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High value transported land and 2 bedrooms newly built house, Greater Diamond E.B.D -$16M negotiable. Call: 265-4338 Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Fully furnished transported commercial/residential property @ 249 Buzz-BeeDam, Craig, E.B.D; also 3 Canter trucks -$240M negotiable. Call: 652-0519/ 628-6847 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D (land size: 91X50 feet), (House 40X28), 3 rooms, 1 self contained. Call:718-213-6496; 679-8091 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 House & land for sale $8,000,000, 422 Fourth Street, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Call: 677-0792 1 Church building in front and 2 story building at the back 30X120, vacant possession, 180 Charolotte Street Bourda. Call:624-7341/227-6817/226-5183 Property for sale @ lot 32 Princess Street, Werk-enRust. Call: 621-8767
One Toyota Raum for sale, HB 9090, in good working condition. Call: 220-7989; 6437741
Transported property in Regent Street between Wellington & Camp. Call: 625-1514
Long base canter-$2M, Honda Fit -$900,000, 212 Car -$1M, Mitsubishi Car $700,000. Call: 604-6724
New Road Vreed-en-Hoop $17M, La Parfaite Harmonie $5M, $7M, $20M, Parika$50M, $8.5M, La Grange $18M, $24M, terms available. Call: 604-6724
1 Mazda RX8 2006, immaculate condition, price negotiable. Call: 216-0578; 697-9140; 680-3813 ACCOMMDATION Harmony Inn: clean, comfortable & affordable apartments/rooms, long & short term – Call: 668-0306; 218-1400; 694-7817
Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
PEN- PAL
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
Transported property, prime, furnished liquor restaurant & bar, 2 freezers, 1 pools table, double lot @ E.C.D- $20M neg. Call: 600-7228 2 Bedrooms house top + bottom by the line at 35 Key Drive Road, Enterprise Gardens, E.C.D- Call: 6917307 EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course. Starting 9th August. Hands-on training repairing all types of TVs,etc.Call:226-6551;225-0391
CAR RENTAL
CAR RENTAL
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
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IAE (Private Secondary School) register for full time (forms1-5) CXC 2017, classes for adults and repeaters. Call: 683-5742 Summer classes in Maths, English, Phonics, composition writing and much more for slow leaners. Call: 675-4379
MIX BREED PUPS –CALL: 1-2-4 Bedrooms new house to 615-0146 rent @ West Coast Demerara– One 6 base music set with Call immediately 276-0818 QSC amps, RCF speakers. Two bedrooms apartment, Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 bottom flat, E.B.D. Call: 6873017; 646-5147 Toyota Hiace (pitbull) bus 2008- $1.5M, down payment 1-3 Bedrooms house in 1st $100,000 monthly. Call: 609- Field S/E Cummings Lodge 3650; 226-8953 $50,000 monthly. Call: 225Dairy cows-high producers, 9748 price negotiable. Call 672-6892 Teepee Suites Apartments: to visit site. Lot 7 Princes Street, 1 Hilux 5L pickup, 1 complete Charlestown, Guyana. music set & transported Call: 592-223-7903/email: property @ Govent Garden, teepeesuites@yahoo.com E.B.D. Call: 265-3586 G/Town business to rent; Quality German Shepherd ideal top spot for: pure bred pups available -7 weeks restaurant/bar/night club/ old. Call: 609-2815/ 696-4659 day& night business. Call: 1-210 Hyundai excavator, 694-7266 good condition, any 1-2 Bedrooms apartment for reasonable offer accepted. rent at MonRepos, North Call: 610-0515; 216-1390 E.C.D, price $60,000. Call: 6929295; 688-6005
WANTED Waitress for bar- Call: 6122522 Porters/Handyman with sound secondary education & able to multi-task. Apply in person @ KeyFood Trading, McDoom, Village.
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Contract cars and taxi drivers, also dispatchers. Call: 2310002; 231-0316
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Cleaners between 19-25yrs for 2 weeks from Georgetown area. Call: 231-4933; 691-3550
Space ideally for Creole Restaurant/clothing/ cosmetics, located by Stabroek Market, Royal Castle. Call: 642-7743
1 Driver for East Bank AreaCall: 233-2745 One experienced cook to work in snackette & bar – Call: 647-7432; 223-5798 Driver with mini bus license for contract in Georgetown. Call: 664-0802 OFFICE CLERK MUST BE EXPERINCED IN T E L E M A R K I N G, COMPUTERS, EXCEL, WORD.TWOREFERENCES AND CXC. RUIMVELDT. CALL: 231-8529 Experienced mason for plastering and laying tiles. Call: 227-1830 EDUCATIONAL Summer Classes: age 5-17 yrs, Phonics classes Forms 1-5 CXC adults classes, all subject area. Call: 690-5008; 693-4588; 621-8809
2 Bedroom apartment in exclusive residential Airport, close to Ogle Airport , with all modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725. VACANCY 1 Male Janitor/Cleaner. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. 1 Female Accounts Clerk. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling. 1 Maid for East Bank AreaCall: 614-4358 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm. Submit application to Shell Station Providence East Bank Demerara, shellramsburg@gmail.com Continued page 29
Wednesday July 20, 2016
NCDs survey to help tackle drug shortage situation
UN launches inaugural report on SDGs - highlights successes and gaps to global challenges The first ever Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report was yesterday launched by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the opening of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York. While the goals were only launched seven months ago, the SDGs Development Report 2016, using available data, looks at the successes, as well as the gaps in addressing global challenges, and provides a clear picture of what the international community needs to do to achieve the goals and ensure that no one is left behind. “This inaugural report is a first annual accounting of where the world stands at the start of our collective journey to 2030,” shares Amanda Laurence, National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC). According to Laurence, the report highlights one of the themes of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, “Ensuring that no one is left behind,” by showing that benefits of development are not equally shared by all. As the first Report since the adoption of the SDGs, this year’s Report will set the stage for the follow-up and review process over the next 15 years. Essentially the report “shows where we stand at the start of efforts to implement the Sustainable
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VACANCY Control Room Assistants and Visiting Officers. Massy Security (Guyana) Inc. Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown.Tel: 225-5573/6 Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880 Cook (food handlers certificate) - Assistant Cook, Knowledge in all cuisines. Salary - $23,000- Contact: 2227334 – 63
Development Goals, including by referring to trends in recent years,” the Information Officer revealed via email last evening. Among the main findings of the report is that the proportion of the global population suffering from hunger declined from 15 per cent in 2000-2012 to 11 per cent in 2014-2016. Also revealed is that between 1990 and 2015, the global maternal mortality ratio declined by 44 per cent and the mortality rate of children under age five fell by more than half. The report highlights too that in 2015, 26 per cent of women aged 20-24 reported that they were married before their 18th birthday, a decrease from 32 per cent in 1990. In the same year, 6.6 billion people, or 91 per cent of the global population used an improved drinking water source, compared with 82 per cent in 2000. It is also emphasised in the Report that global net loss of forest area declined from 7.3 million hectares per year in the 1990s to 3.3 million hectares per year during the period 2010 to 2015. It also points to the fact that official development assistance totalled US$131.6 billion in 2015, which was 6.9 per cent higher in real terms than in 2014 and represents the highest level ever reached. The Report has further established that although the world has made great strides in reducing the number of people living in extreme
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon poverty, from 26 per cent to 13 percent that more needs to be done. But there is still one in eight people living in extreme poverty, the Report has deduced. “Nearly 800 million people worldwide still lack access to adequate food and an estimated 5.9 million children under five died in 2015, mostly from preventable causes,” the Report outlines. It notes too that in 2013, 59 million children of primary school age were out of school and gender inequality remains a persistent challenge for countries worldwide. Contained in the Report is that in 2015, an estimated 663 million people were still using unimproved sources of surface water and that while the global population with access to electricity increased steadily, from 79 per cent in 2000 to 85 per cent in 2012, 1.1 billion people were still without this essential service in 2012. It has therefore been deduced that “Water scarcity affects more than two billion people worldwide.” In 2014, according to the Report too, 880 million people, or 30 per cent of the global urban population, lived in urban slums and the births Continued on page 30
Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 70 per cent of all deaths occurring in Guyana. It is therefore the number one cause of premature deaths for people before the age of 70. But NCDs can be very preventable by the simple modification of the four risk factors. These are harmful tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, which are all associated with the onset of chronic NCDs. The four main non communicable diseases are: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease accounts for the highest burden on mortality and morbidity. Government has, moreover, been taking steps to arrest the NCDs with the view of reducing the number of resulting deaths. According to information disseminated by the Ministry of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Unit, in an effort to combat NCDs, it will be conducting a STEPwise approach to non communicable disease surveillance (STEPS) Population Based Survey, from July to October 2016, to determine chronic disease risk factor and surveillance in Guyana. A Listing Process was conducted by the Bureau of Statistics from July 14-18.
For many years, Guyana has been utilizing estimated statistics to account for the population at risk of developing NCDs, and for those who are already living with these diseases. This approach will now be changed. Upon the completion of the STEPS s u r v e y, statistics will be acquired and Guyana will have baseline figures. This will allow the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor the population which will facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate interventions to treat and prevent chronic non communicable diseases. The survey will also give the Ministry of Public Health a better chance to be able to properly forecast and procure the right type of medication and in sufficient quantities, hence preventing drug shortages in the country. The STEPS survey is a totally voluntary survey. All participants will be notified of their results at the end of the assessment. A total of 3,456 households will be randomly chosen to participate in the STEPS survey. One person (within the household) between the ages of 18 to 69 years will be asked to participate in the interview which comprises three parts:
Responding to basic questions pertaining to demographics, habits and lifestyle practices as it relates to the risk factors of NCDs; the person participating will required to have their weight, height and blood pressure checked and recorded by the officer conducting the survey; the final stage will involve taking a small venous blood sample from the participant’s arm to test for blood sugar, cholesterol, sickle cell and thalassemia which are two common blood disorders found in Guyana. This step involves the participant fasting overnight. The Ministry of Public Health will be collaborating with the Bureau of Statistics in executing the STEPS survey. According to information from the Ministry the process is very straightforward with trained personnel visiting communities to map out the layout of houses, after which the households will be randomly selected. A request is extended to the communities across Guyana to offer their full support to the officers as they embark on this process. For more information, persons can contact Dr. Kavita Singh, Coordinator Chronic Diseases Unit on telephone number 223-7355 or Mr. Ian Manifold, Head of Surveys, Bureau of Statistics on 225-9063.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS...
Impact of Brexit on Guyana will be mixed By Sase Singh INTRODUCTION The fallout from the UK referendum that will end in its exit from the European Union (EU) can be a great lesson on why politicians should never disconnect from the people. According to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, as quoted in The Miami Herald, the EU was “an integration construct on which our very own CARICOM was modeled and to which we have often looked for guidance and best practices.” But this column is not about the impact of Brexit on the UK, or even Brexit’s impact on the Caribbean region. It aims to offer some insight on what Brexit means for Guyana. GUYANA’S EXPORTAND BREXIT
From the accompanying table, we can see that for the first four months of 2016, some 57% of Guyana’s exports were to USA, Canada, and Panama. Less than 7% went to the UK - most of which was raw sugar sales. Even if there is a reduction of the quantity of raw sugar purchases from the Silvertown Cane Sugar Refinery in London as a result of the vote, there is still enough time to skillfully mitigate most of the adverse impact from such a situation. But the process for Guyana has to start today. Therefore from an export perspective, the Guyanese economy will most likely take a modest hit from Brexit. This situation from a trading perspective is certainly not Guyana’s “Operation Bagration”, which was the Soviet offensive in 1944 that pushed the Germans
into a state of surrender. in the aid flow from the EU to Guyana. We can ride out any trade turbulence from This is reason enough to strengthen our Brexit if we do our homework early. I am Brussels Embassy and for emphasis, also hopeful that Foreign Affairs Minister Carl going directly to the real power broker in Greenidge will present a White Paper to the Europe – the Germans. Guyana Parliament on this issue very soon, Guyana also has to start cultivating a more which will lay out a persuasive and in-depth progressive relationship with alternative report on how Guyana plans to mitigate the funding sources – Chile, Mexico, Sweden, challenges from Brexit. Norway, Japan and so on. We also have to BREXITAND AID deepen our alliance with our TO GUYANA regular friends - the ABC and Guyana’s biggest risk BRICS countries. This situation remains the negative impact on can be a door-opener in how the Economic Partnership we re-invest ourselves to Agreement between the become more effective on the Caribbean Forum global stage, especially if the (CARIFORUM) and the EU. UK shifts those former EUAlso, the direct aid bound EDF funds to the British contribution that flows through Commonwealth Office. the European Development BREXITAND INVESTMENT Fund (EDF) to Guyana should VIS-À-VIS GUYANA be a major concern to keep Unfortunately, Guyana is policymakers up at night. It will one of the worst investment be “fair game” if the EU seeks locations in the world. Even if to revise all deals that bring private UK investors are forced commercial advantage to the to look for alternative CARIFORUM members, investable locations, countries including Guyana. like Jamaica and Trinidad will Sase Singh This is not to say that the always “outrank” and outshine EU will necessarily eliminate Guyana hands down, until GOthose preferential treatments. But let’s be true Invest wakes up and the Ministry of Business to ourselves, the EU has very little in the way gets its act together. of a relationship with Guyana outside of the Guyana is right now ranked 121 out of 140 UK. So without the UK present at the table to countries on the Global Competitive Index. advocate for Guyana, we should not expect On the basic requirements needed for special treatment from the EU. Foreign Direct Investments, a stable As the pressure builds to strengthen the macroeconomic environment, we are ranked EU’s position globally, and in the absence of 120 out of 140 countries. Even Haiti, the the UK lobby, Guyana and some other poorest country in the Caribbean Region, is developing countries may become mere ranked higher than Guyana on this indicator. observers to a process, as the Germans, To further complicate matters, Guyana does French and Italians take centre stage. not even have a Sovereign Credit Rating, This is not to say that the EU will which every conceivable independent necessarily eliminate those preferential country of the world has, including a very treatments, but I expect Guyana to be bankrupt Venezuela. This Sovereign Credit weakened in the post-Brexit era in the EU, Rating is the principal tool used by private unless we take proactive measures now. One fund managers in conducting their due such measure that easily comes to mind is the diligence on whether a project in a nation is strengthening of diplomatic ties with the an investable opportunity or not. Germans. On the other hand, if the investment is a Maybe opening an Embassy in Berlin reverse flow from Guyana to the EU, it may would not be such a bad idea, in order to build make better sense (post-Brexit) to set up shop this vital future relationship. As an off-shoot in Amsterdam, using Surinamese connections, of that relationship, it is hoped that Germany rather than in London. I would not be shocked can use its position to support Guyana’s case. to read in the future that DDL has brought an We have to remember that the UK is one alcohol business in Suriname before 2020 as of the largest contributors to the EDF. The part of its strategy to use this as a vehicle to EDF is a critical contributor to our ongoing drill deeper into the EU. sea defence maintenance programme. With BREXITAND GUYANESE IN THE UK the UK’s contribution of some US$2.5 billion Fortunately, the migration wave to the UK annually to the EDF set to evaporate post- has stalled for many years now, and Guyanese Brexit, the next round of the EDF (the 12th), have alternative locations where they prefer which is set to start in 2020, can see a reduction to migrate such as the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean. But for those in the Guyanese Diaspora residing in the UK, they are fairly settled From page 29 people who prefer to pay into the welfare of more than one in four children under age system rather than suck it; so they are assets five worldwide go unrecorded. Added to to the UK. The Guyanese Diaspora in the UK this, it was observed that in 2015, the youth will not be under any threat, especially in light unemployment rate was 15 per cent—more of the upcoming UK-USA-NAFTA alliance, than three times the rate for adults (4.6 per cent). which can create net economic growth for the The information presented in the report UK even after it exits the EU. is based on some indicators for monitoring CONCLUSION progress on the SDGs for which data were So in the grand scheme of things, the available as of May 2016. The data Ministry of Foreign Affairs should consider requirements for the global indicators are ramping up its capacity in Brussels and Berlin almost as unprecedented as the SDGs by 2018 with world class negotiators to ensure themselves, and constitute a tremendous that Guyana’s interest is protected in the EU. challenge to all countries, the UN has noted. But if we play our cards right, Guyana should As such, the UN has advised that be fine, in spite of Brexit. “meeting the data requirements through With his experience in the ACP, I am building national statistical capacity is an convinced that Minister Greenidge is well essential step in establishing where we are prepared for this project over the next three now, charting a way forward, and bringing years. I wish him the best of luck on a very our collective vision closer to reality.” tough job ahead.
UN launches....
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
Dangerous to adjust GATE, says Kamla Trinidad Guardian - Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is deeply concerned about the recommendations presented to the Government by a special task force to review the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme. She described it as frightening to contemplate the negative effects that cuts to GATE will have on the youth and the future development of the country. “It is disastrous to implement such cuts before the start of the next academic year,” Persad-Bissessar said in a press release Monday evening. One of the suggestions of the task force report is that students enrolled at university would have to pay one third of their fees, while postgraduate students would lose all financial assistance to continue their studies. “I call on the Government to reject these recommendations,” she said.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar Combined with the government’s recent moves to cut scholarships by 15 per cent, end the laptop programme for secondary school students and halt the development of the UWI South Campus, PersadBissessar said it appears that the Dr Keith Rowley administration was waging an all-out war against students. “Now, more than ever, is the time we must invest in students who will become the future leaders of our nation.
The students of today will lead the diversification efforts of tomorrow and the Rowley administration seems intent on restricting access to higher education,” Persad-Bissessar said. “That is why I am calling on the Rowley administration to act as a responsible Government by rejecting the task force recommendations and by focusing instead on expanding GATE as they promised during the 2015 election campaign.”
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
Portia Unchallenged - Bunting Backs Out Of September Election The Gleaner - Opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller seems set to remain president of the People’s National Party (PNP), after being nominated as the only contender for the party’s top job at the PNP’s Old Hope Road headquarters Monday. Leading up to the nomination period, Member of Parliament for Central Manchester Peter Bunting was seen as one of the main challengers for the party presidency. He eventually stated his intention not to enter the race at this time and issued a warning to his fellow Comrades not to mistake a “tactical pause for a retreat”. He explained to those attending the annual PNP Central Manchester conference on Sunday that the officers of the party had asked potential aspirants not to consider a September conference challenge, as it would prove distracting to the imminent local government elections. “... The single time we’ve had a challenge, it has deeply fractured the party, so even though it’s a constitutional right, certain rights you must exercise judiciously. I want to make it clear, I am not into any nominating for any presidency in September. However, I don’t want you to mistake a tactical pause for a retreat. I will continue engaging the party leaders and the public... I will use the time to listen to their issues, to help develop new policy ideas, and construct a movement for rebuilding the People’s National Party,” Bunting said.
Peter Bunting “There are differing expectations as to the timing and direction of this rebuilding process, but what is common is the desire to proceed respectfully and without damage to the party. Since declaring that I intend to throw my hat in the ring for leadership at the appropriate time, many Comrades have come forward in support. Some have even suggested that I contest this September. I listened carefully to everybody, but we must understand that in politics, timing is critical,” he said. The upbeat Simpson Miller expressed joy at the number of Comrades who turned out to show their support for her yesterday. To party members, especially young Comrades, her advice was to “stay close to the experienced ones”. “Comrades, I want to thank you. I thought I was coming for a quiet signing. For another time, I am demonstrating to Jamaica and Jamaicans, to young women and the young men of this country, that they can rise to any po-
sition they set themselves. They can achieve much. “I want to say to the younger ones, pay close attention to the leaders of this noble movement, because not long from now, some of you will have to rise and accept the challenge of leadership. I want to encourage the young ones to stay close to the experienced ones, because experience teaches wisdom. If you stay close to us, when it is your time, you will not make errors; you will know exactly what to do,” Simpson Miller said. Answering questions from the media regarding political leaders in other jurisdictions who have stepped down upon defeat in elections, she stated, “I am Jamaican and I follow the rules of the People’s National Party. I do not like to copy others. The fact is that this is a democratic organisation and I am not afraid of challenges.” Simpson Miller only required to have 12 party members’ signatures for nomination. She received 22.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
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Jamaica’s Tiffany James leads 400m qualifiers BYDGOSZCZ, Poland, CMC – Jamaica’s Tiffany James posted the fastest qualifying time to advance as one of four Caribbean competitors to the semi-final of the women’s 400 metres at the IAAF Under-20 Championships here on Tuesday. James ran a controlled race to stop the clock at 52.98 seconds to safely secure a spot in today’s penultimate round. She will be joined by Cuba’s Roxana Gomez (53.16), Junelle Bromfield of Jamaica (53.21) and Shaquania Dorsett of the Bahamas (54.55). Tarika Moses of the British Virgin Islands (55.04) and Myia Dorsey of the United States Virgin Islands (55.25) failed to advance.
Meantime, Serena Brown of the Bahamas booked a place into the women’s discus final with a new Bahamian junior record. Brown, who needed a minimum of 51.50m to advance to the final, started her campaign with 47.82m before improving to 49.37m and 50.94m in her third attempt to eclipse the previous national best of 49.66m. She will be joined by Jamaican Devia Brown (49.56m) in the medal round on Thursday. Earlier, Mario Burke of Barbados led a quartet of Caribbean qualifiers advancing to the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres. Burke was the fastest of the Caribbean qualifiers after winning his heat in 10.33 sec-
onds. Jamaicans Raheem Chambers of Jamaica (10.45), Jhevaughn Matherson (10.47) and Jaquone Hoyte of Barbados (10.58) all made it to the semi-final rounds on Wednesday. The highlight of the opening day was the recordbreaking performance of homeboy Konrad Bukowiecki who posted a new world mark in the U20 shot put. Bukowiecki opened with 22.46m, fouled his second throw but then tossed the put 23.34m to better the previous mark of 23.00m by Jacko Gill of New Zealand. The morning session on the second day should also have more interest for the Caribbean with competitors
Wednesday July 20, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavors. Don't confide in anyone for the time being. You won't be able to keep a secret. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Someone left a real mess for you to sift through. Do the necessary chores and then do things that please you. You can discuss your findings behind closed doors with your boss. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your accomplishments could exceed your expectations if you mix a little business with pleasure. You are best to put in some overtime rather than get involved in family gatherings. Be fair, not colorful. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may have the day off but your thoughts will be on your work and your cash situation. Your emotional stability may influence the changes taking place in your personal life. Take a long look at your present direction and consider your professional options. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're eager to learn. You are best to keep hard feelings to yourself. You will be a bit of a spendthrift today. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You've been hurt before and could be again if you don't play hard to get. Don't overspend to impress others. You may find yourself changing
plans for some form of entertainment. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Offer consolation, but don't give them any direction. You can travel for business or pleasure. You can make career moves that will bring you a much higher income. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could pick up valuable knowledge through conversations with experienced individuals. Make sure you concentrate if operating machinery or vehicles. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You need to spend time with friends and family. Your mind will be wandering to exotic destinations. Do not get into uncertain financial deals. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can change your living arrangements. You may be frustrated by the way situations are being handled in your personal life. For now just do the best you can. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can come into money that you don't necessarily work for. Someone you work with may be withholding valuable information. Get on with business. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take time to relax. Stress and pressu r e a t h o m e m a y have worn you ragged. Don't spend more than is necessary on travel or friends. The home environment will be unpredictable today.
James posted the fastest qualifying time to advance as one of four Caribbean competitors to the semi-final of the women’s 400 metres. in the qualifying rounds of the men’s 110m hurdles, women’s 400m hurdles, men’s triple jump, men’s 400m and the highly anticipated women’s 100m which includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Khalifa St Fort.
IOC delays decision... (From page 36) directly involved in the coverups. Some international sporting federations have already opposed a blanket ban on Russia. But the head of volleyball’s governing body said Russian teams should not be punished “simply because of problems in some other sports”. The International Gymnastics Federation said it was also opposed to a blanket ban.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Guyana NRA Captain Persaud; T&T’s Gomez and Perez competing NRA 147th Imperial Meeting
Guyana National Rifle Association Fullbore
Captain Mahendra Persaud along with colleagues from Trinidad and Tobago in the person of Norris Gomez and Michael Perez are currently competing at the 147th Imperial Meeting under the auspices of the National Rifle Association (now the governing body of fullbore rifle and centre-fire pistol shooting in Great Britain) which was founded in 1859. The competition, which shot off on June 23rd, will end on July 23rd with the much anticipated and prestigious, HM Queens Prize. This prestigious match is shot at 900 and 1000 yards on the Final Saturday of the Imperial Meeting. The top 100 competitors shoot for the most coveted prize in
Target Rifle shooting. The Caribbean shooters would normally compete in the TR Individuals which shoots off around the second weekend in July. With the best shooters in the world converging in England for this high-status shoot, Persaud and company have always sought to keep their sights on those targets and have been putting in some sterling performances over the years against the best in the trade. Following are the Grand Aggregate scores for the Caribbean shooters including the overall leader of 784 competitors as at Monday, July 18th. Britwistle is representing the Manydown RC of England.
MAPLES Caribbean Junior Squash Champs 2016
After three individual titles Guyana hunt more team honours After an exciting three days of individual events the team events are finally here. Team Guyana ended up with three individual titles and several of our players reached the semi-finals and finals. Paige Fernandes captured her first individual title by winning the Girls Under 11, Shomari Wiltshire retained the Boys Under 13 title that he had won for the first time last year, while Larissa Wiltshire in her fourth attempt finally captured that elusive Caribbean title by winning the Girls Under 19 in a classic showdown with her teammate Taylor Fernandes. Also reaching the finals was Kirsten Gomes who finished runner-up in the Girls Under 13, while her teammates Abosaide Cadogan and Madison Fernandes finished third and fourth respectively in the same category.
Mohyryan Baksh finished fourth in the Boys Under 11, Makeda Harding finished third in the Girls Under 15, while Daniel Islam finished fourth in the Boys Under 15, Rithew Saywack finished fourth in the Boys Under 17 and Ben Mekdeci finished fourth in the Boys Under 19. The team events started yesterday with Guyana girls taking on Jamaica. Taylor Fernandes will once again take to the court against Alyssa Mullings in a repeat of their Girls Under 19 semi - finals match-up which Taylor won. There are only six girls teams so each team will play each other to determine the Girls Team champion. In the Boys Team event Guyana is in a pool with Cayman Islands and Jamaica with the top two teams coming out to play semi final matches against the top two teams from the other pool.
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Track great Bekele left out of Ethiopia’s Olympics squad ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) Kenenisa Bekele, the 5,000 and 10,000 meters world record holder, has been left out of Ethiopia’s athletics squad for the Rio Olympics. The triple Olympic gold medal winner failed to make the team in both the marathon and the 10,000 meters. Bekele had appealed a decision to leave him out of the marathon team due to a lack of race time, while his hopes of running the 10,000 meters in Rio were effectively dashed when he failed to finish a race in Hengelo, which doubled up as an Olympic trial. The Ethiopian Athletics Federation said in a statement it had picked former world champion Ibrahim Jeilan, 2012 World Junior champion Yigrem Demelash, Tamirat Tola and
Abadi Hadis for the 10,000 meters in Rio. Bekele, who won gold in the 10,000 meters at the Athens Olympics in 2004, and in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in Beijing four years later, was left out of the marathon team having not run enough big races over the past year. Ethiopia’s squad will i n c l u d e 2 0 1 6 To k y o marathon winner Feyisa Lilesa and 2015 Boston champion Lelisa Desisa, as well as Lemi Berhanu and Tesfaye Abera. Ethiopia’s preparation for the Games, which begin on Aug. 5, was disrupted by concerns over their drugtesting systems, after the IAAF governing body said in March that it was one of five countries that were in “critical care”. The east African nation, which alongside neighbor
Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele during a press conference ahead of the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. (Action Images via Reuters / Peter CziborraLivepic) Kenya has for many years dominated distance running on the track and roads, subsequently announced that it would carry out doping tests on up to 200 athletes. The Ethiopian Athletics Federation last week banned two athletes, Taemo Shumye
and Sentayehu Merga, for four years after they tested positive for banned substances. The federation said four other athletes remain under investigation by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IAAF for doping.
Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia crosses the finish line to win the 38th Paris Marathon in Paris April 6, 2014. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)
- Caribbean Motor Racing Championship
Vieira aiming to extend dominance in T&T Having dominated the opening leg of the Caribbean M o t o r R a c i n g Championship (CMRC) at Jamwest Speedway in Jamaica with a superb display, racing to two wins and a second place from as many starts, Guyana Stephen Vieira is now setting his sights on this weekend’s showdown of the Series at Wallerfield in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Vi e i r a w h o s e performance clearly set the tone for what is expected to be an invigorating year for Superbike racing in the Caribbean speaking with Kaieteur Sport, before
departure on Friday said that he is confident of duplicating or even surpassing the feat in Jamaica. The local speedster, who rode a Kawasaki ZX6R, tore up the field in the opening race in Jamaica, relegating last year’s champion Elliott Vieira to second place, while Jamaica’s Robert McDonald claimed the final spot on the podium. He came back in the next race to repeat his earlier performance, but this time it was Matthew who finished second and McDonald in the same spot as the previous race.
However, in the final race in the category, Elliott managed to reverse the positions among the two with McDonald again ending in third place. The former Caribbean champion who now races with a new outfit called Pure Racing was full of praise for team owner Andy Phang and his wife Annalisa for the huge support they have given to him. However, the biggest commendation was reserved for Continental Agencies under its Sunburst Orange Juice brand which has stood with him for quite a few years, especially Mr. Rakesh
Puri and the entire team. “I want to thank Sunburst Orange Juice for its total support over the years I am grateful to them and is determined to make them proud,” Vieira said. Special thanks were also extended to Guyana’s No.1 entertainment location Palm Court, Mark Vieira, Paul Yearwood, Vishok Persaud, Seaboard Marine, Navin Seereeram and Raj Boodhoo. He closed by stating his intention to extend his lead in the Championship and any rider aiming to disrupt his dominance will have to be at their level best to do so.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Half of Brazilians opposed to hosting Olympics just weeks before event: poll (Reuters) Half of Brazilians have said they are opposed to hosting the Olympics that begin in less than three weeks amid deepening concern over the high cost of the games, according to a poll published on Tuesday. That is double the percentage who said they were opposed to Rio’s hosting of the games when the same poll was taken in 2013. The Datafolha polling institute survey published in the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper also found that 63 percent of those asked in the latest poll think the Olympics will bring more costs than benefits, up from 38 percent three years ago. With a price tag of 40billion reais ($12.3 billion)
reais, Rio’s games will be held as a deep recession grinds through its second y e a r a n d w i t h unemployment at over 11 percent. On the political front, Brazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff is facing an impeachment trial and may be ousted just days after the Olympics end Aug. 21. Rio de Janeiro state is o n e o f B r a z i l ’s m o s t indebted. Its governor in recent weeks had to declare a “state of calamity” to secure some 2.9 billion reais ($892 million) in federal emergency funds just to pay police and keeps hospitals open through the games. Crime in Rio has been rising recently - though officials say over 85,000 police and soldiers will be on
the streets to ensure safety, double the force London had during its 2012 games. Yet the specter of a terror attack worries authorities, following the recent bloodshed in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. Federal prosecutors meanwhile have said they are investigating allegations of corruption in several projects, including both Olympic venues and socalled legacy projects, such as the extension of a subway line and the refurbishing of a dilapidated port area. Most of the building for the Olympics has been carried out by construction firms ensnared in Brazil’s biggest corruption scandal, a kickback scheme at state-run oil company Petrobras
An aerial view of the 2016 Rio Olympics Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 16, 2016. Picture taken on July 16, 2016. (REUTERS/RICARDO MORAES)
[PETR4.SA]. Despite all that, the survey did find that 40 percent asked say they approve Rio holding the
games. The remaining 10 percent said they were indifferent or did not respond to the question. Datafolha interviewed
2,792 people across Brazil on July 14 and 15. The survey has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
India preach patience and ponder combination ESPNcricinfo - Towards the end of India’s practice session at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Monday, Rohit Sharma ignored a teasing legbreak outside his off stump. Cheteshwar Pujara, the deliverer of that legbreak, grinned. Someone behind him - possibly R Ashwin yelled out: “Bowled, Yasir!” In the first half of 2015, Pujara versus Rohit was a batsman-against-batsman contest, a selection headache for India’s Test-match team management. Now, things were a little different. Pujara was bowling to Rohit. No matter what Rohit did, Pujara was yelping excitedly, whether it was a defensive push into the off side - “caught at silly point!” - or a leg-side slog - “caught at midwicket!” Pujara had already finished a long batting stint, as had M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. In pairs, they had rotated through three different nets seamers, spinners and throwdowns. Rohit had not batted with that group. He was now batting against Pujara, Ashwin - who continued bowling despite a long spell against the first set of batsmen - and a pair of net bowlers. At the other two nets were Wriddhiman Saha and Stuart Binny.
Binny, by then, had bowled a lengthy spell, and had looked particularly sharp against Dhawan, swerving the ball past the left-hander’s outside edge on a couple of occasions. Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami had bowled alongside Binny at the seamers’ net, and had both looked to hit fullish lengths, with Ishant sending down the odd bouncer for variety. Concurrently, Ashwin, Jadeja and Amit Mishra had been in operation at the spinners’ net. When the first set of batsmen had completed their sessions, Mishra had bowled to an empty net with head coach Anil Kumble keeping close watch. With the toe of his shoe, Kumble had drawn a line extending down the pitch from leg stump, and seemed to instruct his legspinner to try and pitch the ball within the stumps, perhaps in order to keep the lbw and the outside edge in play. U m e s h Ya d a v, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur only came out when the core batting group had finished its session, and bowled solely to Rohit, Saha, the allrounders, and the lower order. Watching the first half or three-quarters, in terms of time - of the net session, it seemed as though India had narrowed their squad down
Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan have a chat on the field, WICB President’s XI v Indians, Basseterre, 3rd day, July 16, 2016 ©AFP to 13 for the first Test in Antigua. Rohit, Umesh, Bhuvneshwar and Thakur did not seem to be among the 13. It also looked like India were planning to play five bowlers - or four specialists and an allrounder - leaving them two major calls to make on the eve of the match: whether to pick Dhawan or Rahul to partner Vijay at the top of the order; and whether to pick a seambowling allrounder in Binny, a spin-bowling allrounder in Jadeja, or to pick both and leave out Mishra. With three days to go for the Test match, not too much could be gleaned from looking at the pitch, strawcoloured and glowing in the afternoon sun, except that there was hardly any grass on it. The pitches in St. Kitts, where India played their two warm-up matches, were on the slow side, and Ashwin
had reckoned his team would need to be patient in order to take 20 wickets given similar conditions in the Test series. “I’m sure I’ll have to be as boring as possible in terms of trying to plug away all day long,” he had said. On Monday, Rahane
reinforced that point, from both batting and bowling perspectives. “Patience will be the key as a batting unit but once you get set it is important to [make] each and every session [count] because we will have to give time for our bowlers,” he said. “It is not easy to take 20 wickets on this kind of pitches, especially on the slower tracks. As a batting unit, we will have to take responsibility and I think one or two batsmen will have to get set and score big here.” And that, he said, might mean a guarded approach from the batsmen. “You cut out certain shots because, technically, I don’t think we will have to
change anything really. But we will have to cut out some shots initially, in the first or second session, and after that when you get used to the conditions you will play your shots. But initially, it is important to take time for yourself. If you are used to getting 100 in 150 balls, maybe here you will have to get 100 in 200 balls. So as a batsman it is important to play at least 200-plus balls here.” It will be even more vital f o r I n d i a ’s s p e c i a l i s t batsmen to spend time at the crease if there are only five of them. The trade-off, of course, is an extra bowler, another body to share the workload of taking 20 wickets in sluggish conditions.
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Powell growing from ‘strength Russia suspends senior sports officials over doping scandal to strength’ on account of CPL KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC-Debutant Rovman Powell says the current HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is providing him with enough opportunities to improve his game after his batting performance which helped lift Jamaica Tallawahs to the top of the standings. Powell, 22, a relative unknown before the CPL draft earlier this year, has shown glimpses of potential with scores of 38, 35 and 44 while batting in the number four position for the former champions. His 35 from 24 balls helped Tallawahs defeat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by 108 on the weekend while on Monday night, his 44 from 34 balls also set the mood for his team’s 19 run win over Trinbago Knight Riders. Tallawahs are now at the top of the standings on 11 points, one above Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Rovman Powell “I have been given a few opportunities, which I have tried to take with both hands,” said Powell. “I am yet to get a telling innings to let people know who is Rovman Powell is, but I think it’s a decent start. It’s just for me now to grow from strength to strength.” Powell, a former Jamaican Under-19 player, has led the University of The
West Indies to the final and semi-final of the national one-day and two-day competitions. He has also had scores of 71 and 63 in the Nagico Super50 for the Combined Campuses and Colleges in two seasons. Both Chris Gayle and Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara have singled him out as a player for the future. “I have trained hard, have done the hard work, and things are falling into place. So for that I am grateful,” said Powell, currently a final-year student at UWI where he majors in Geography. “Chris Gayle and Andre Russell have also sat down with me and have had some personal chats and have shown me the ropes of how to perform at this level, while Kumar Sangakarra, as a legend of our game, he is more than just a player”.
Cavendish pulls out of Tour de France to focus on Rio
Team Dimension Data rider Mark Cavendish of Britain reacts on podium after winning the stage. (REUTERS/Juan Medina) (Reuters) Britain’s Mark Cavendish has pulled out of the Tour de France to manage his workload ahead of the Rio Olympics, his Dimension Data team said in a statement on Tuesday. “After analysing his workload from the previous stages and his current levels of fatigue, the team has supported Mark leaving the Tour to give him the best opportunity to recover and prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio,” it said. Cavendish claimed his 30th Tour de France stage
victory and fourth in this year’s race in Saturday’s 14th stage but he will not now be starting stage 17 on Wednesday. The ‘Manx Missile’, who has been back in the limelight after three below-par Tours, enjoyed wins on stages 1, 3, 6 and 14 and is now four shy of the record held by Belgian great Eddy Merckx. The 31-year-old Cavendish, who had not won more than three stages on the Tour since 2011, attributed his success in this year’s race partly to his track preparation for the
Olympics. “After an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks at The Tour de France with Team Dimension Data, it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race,” Cavendish said in the South African-based team’s statement. “After the heat and intensity of the previous stages, we analysed my fatigue levels and decided I’m at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games,” he added. As well as enjoying four stage wins, Cavendish also wore the overall leader’s yellow jersey for the first time and carried the green jersey for the points classification into the first rest day in Andorra. “Mark is really sad to leave the tour, we are committed to support him in his dream goal of receiving a medal for Britain at the Rio Olympic Games,” said team principal Douglas Ryder. The Olympics starts on Aug. 5.
(Reuters) Russia suspended a raft of senior sports officials on Tuesday after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said they were heavily involved in a state-backed cheating scheme at the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics. Russian President Vladimir Putin had said on Monday that any government officials identified in the WADA report, which found evidence of widespread cheating at the Sochi Games, would be temporarily suspended. Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told the R-Sport news agency he had suspended his anti-doping a d v i s o r Natalia Zhelanova as well as Irina Rodionova, deputy head of Russia’s s t a t e - f u n d e d Sports Preparation Center, and two
Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (REUTERS/SERGEI KARPUKHIN) other officials. Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren, who h e a d e d t h e WA D A investigation, said Zhelanova and Rodionova had worked closely with Russian Deputy Sports
Minister Yury Nagornykh to cover up positive doping tests by Russian sports people since 2011. Nagornykh was suspended on Monday after the report’s publication. Mutko said his own suspension was not being discussed and that no allegations had been made against him. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mutko had not been named in the WADA report as being directly involved in the cover ups. “My suspension is not being considered - it is a matter for the president and prime minister to decide,” RSport quoted Mutko as saying. “There were no accusations made against me and there cannot be because it is absolutely unrealistic and impossible.”
No surprise as drug testers swoop down on Jamaica camp
Coaches (from left) Micheal Dyke, Danny Hawthorne, Neil Harrison and team leader Ewan Scott discuss team matters at Monday’s training session at the warm up area of the Zawiszaw Stadium. (Jamaica Observer) Jamaica Observer BYDGOSZCZ, Poland — The Jamaican team leaders were not surprised by Monday’s early morning visit to the team camp by testers of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) at t h e t e a m ’s b a s e i n Bydgoszcz, Poland, on the eve of the start of the IAAF World Under-20 Championships. Six athletes — five boys and a girl were selected to be blood tested, but team leader Ewan Scott and team physician Dr Lincoln Cox said the athletes were already briefed to expect the testers. “This was expected,” Scott told the Jamaica Observer as the team went through a light practice session at the warm up area of the Zawiszaw Stadium. “We had five boys and one
girl who were selected for testing; the anti-doping people came minutes before 7:00 am (midnight Jamaican time) and the athletes were accompanied to the testing area by the team doctor,” Scott said. Raheem Chambers, N i g e l E l l i s , Ay k e e m e Francis, Kevin Nedrick and Sean Bailey along with Roneisha McGregor were the athletes who were selected, Scott told the Observer. He further explained. “ T h e WA D A o ff i c i a l s process e d t h e a t h l e t e s and then took them back for breakfast, then returned, maybe to lessen the discomfort,” he added. Scott said the athletes were all told what to expect and the only surprise was the time of the day the WADA
testers showed up. “It’s not unusual that they tested, that’s the expectation; when you have done well (testers will come) and the athletes were told to expect (that), the only surprise was that they came so early, but it was good as we can tell the athletes to be on the ready any time.” Dr Cox, who is also a part of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), said things “went smoothly, it’s the usual drug testing, anti-doping procedures we expected and the athletes were aware that it would be a part of the process here.” He told the Observer that one athlete, sprinter Nigel Ellis “had a little bit of vomiting, he vomited once but that is his usual reaction, so that was not a surprise either”.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Dominant Froome to peak for Tour de France final week BERN (Reuters) Nairo Quintana is expected to be at his best for the final week of the Tour de France, which feature four stages in the Alps, but Chris Froome says he has never been better going into a grand tour decider. “I feel more ready for the third week than I have been in previous editions,” Froome said on the second rest day of the Tour on Tuesday. The Team Sky rider
leads Dutchman Bauke Mollema by 1:47 and fellow Briton Adam Yates by 2:45. His main rival, Colombian Nairo Quintana, is fourth overall, 2:59 off the pace. Today’s 17th stage takes the peloton to a summit finish in Finhaut-Emosson, Switzerland, before an uphill time trial on T h u r s d a y, a n o t h e r mountaintop finish in SaintGervais Mont Blanc on
Blyden guides Pioneer CC to victory
Friday and a gruelling mountain stage to Morzine on Saturday, ahead of Sunday’s parade to the Champs Elysees. Although he is anticipating attacks from his opponents, especially from Quintana, Froome believes the first two weeks of racing have been particularly tiring. “I am asked why guys didn’t attack two stages ago (in the 14th stage of Culoz) but Fabio Aru, Alejandro Valverde and Romain Bardet did. Other people are tired,” said the defending champion, who is looking to become the first rider to retain his title since Miguel Indurain in 1995. “I think that one of the main reasons we’ve not seen massive attacks is the level of fatigue. At the moment everyone is nailed.” Quintana was on the attack twice in the Ventoux stage last week, but he was quickly reined in by Froome’s team mates,
Yellow jersey holder, Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain. (REUTERS/JEANPAUL PELISSIER)
which made the Movistar rider look pretty much toothless. L a s t y e a r, F r o o m e entered the final week with a 3:10 lead over Quintana, and the Colombian threatened a comeback in the final mountain stage to l’Alpe
d’Huez, but it was too little, too late. “Last year he made up a lot of time in the final week, and I expect he’s gonna to be one of the main guys putting us under pressure these next few days,” said Froome, who is much less worried by his
compatriot, the 23-year-old Yates. “I wouldn’t look at him in the same light as Nairo Quintana. He’s quietly doing his thing. I wouldn’t expect him to attack in the big mountain stages,” he said.
IOC delays decision on banning Russia from Rio Olympics
Travis Blyden A fine century from Guyanese Travis Blyden handed Pioneer CC a 107run victory over Big Apple CC when the Busta 50-over tournament continued recently in New York. Blyden struck seven fours and six maximums in scoring an unbeaten 127 as Pioneer CC posted 222-6 after they opted to bat at Gateway Park. Paul Biggs got 41 as former Guyana opening batsman Richard Ramdeen claimed 2-36. Big Apple were sent
packing for 115 in 20 overs. Ramdeen made 37 with two fours and four sixes while another former Guyanese Steve Massiah hit one four and three sixes in 36. Chris Cleveland grabbed 4-26 from six overs, while Blyden who celebrated his 27th birthday on the said day of the match, took 1-17. The game was reduced to 35 overs. Pioneer CC have now recorded three wins in a succession and have moved up to 5th place on the points table.
BERN (Reuters) Russia’s participation in the Rio Olympics remained in jeopardy on Tuesday after the International Olympic Committee said it would ‘explore legal options’ for banning the country from the Games. At an emergency IOC Executive Board meeting in Switzerland, a day after an independent report detailed a systematic, state-run doping program in Russia, members fell short of an immediate ban but announced a series of other measures. A five-man disciplinary commission was set up to start proceedings against Russian officials mentioned in the report, which described extensive doping and cover-ups at the Sochi Winter Olympics hosted by Russia in 2014. The IOC also said it would not organize or give patronage to any sports event in Russia, including the planned 2019 European Games, and that no member of the Russian Sports Ministry implicated in the report would be accredited for Rio. With regard to the participation of Russian athletes in Brazil, the IOC said it would “carefully
The Russian national flag (R) and the Olympic flag are seen during the closing ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia, February 23, 2014. (REUTERS/JIM YOUNG/FILE PHOTO) evaluate” the report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. “It will explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice.” A ban would be humiliating for Russia, which since Soviet times has prided itself on its sporting prowess. President Vladimir Putin has said the affair could split the Olympic movement. The last such schism was
in the 1980s, when the United States and Soviet Union each boycotted Olympics hosted by the rival superpower. COURT RULING The IOC said it would have to take into consideration a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday, as well as the World AntiDoping Code and the Olympic Charter. CAS is due to rule on the dispute between Russia, 68 of its athletes and the governing body of world athletics, after the country was banned from sending a
track and field team to Rio. The McLaren report said positive doping tests at Sochi were covered up and “dirty” urine samples swapped with “clean” ones with methods developed by the domestic intelligence service, while deputy sports minister Yuri Nagornykh decided which athletes would be protected. The IOC has ordered the immediate re-testing of all Russian athletes who took part, as well as a full enquiry. It also instructed all international Olympic Winter Sports Federations to halt preparations for major events in Russia. Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told the R-Sport news agency he had suspended his anti-doping adviser Natalia Zhelanova as well as Irina Rodionova, deputy head of Russia’s state-funded Sports Preparation Center, and two other officials. Mutko, mentioned 21 times in the report, said his own suspension was not being discussed and that no allegations had been made against him. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mutko had not been named in the WADA report as being (Continued on page 31)
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
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FIBA congratulates Guyana on hosting successful CBC U16 Championships The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has recognised the e ff o r t o f t h e G u y a n a Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and all stakeholders that assisted in Guyana hosting the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships. FIBA, through its Americas office, has congratulated Guyana for hosting a successfully regional event. Both FIBA Americas President, Usie Richards and Executive Director, Alberto Garcia were in Guyana for brief stints during the CBC U16 Championships, July 3-16, Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds had said that President David Granger, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Ministers of E d u c a t i o n D r. R u p e r t R o o p n a r i n e a n d D r.
Nigel Hinds
Usie Richards
Alberto Garcia Nicolette Henry, Finance Ministers, Winston Jordon and Jaipaul Sharma, Minister of Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes all played crucial roles in ensuring that Guyana was prepared to host the CBC U16 Championships. The National Sports
Commission and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones also did their part for Guyana. Hinds observed that corporate Guyana including John Fernandes, Quality Seafoods Inc, Ansa McAl Limited, Banks DIH, ENetworks, Impressions and BK International also provided invaluable assistance. According to Hinds, the
hosting of the CBC event, showed that Guyana has the capacity here to provide international services and host international competitions. Below is the full text of the letter from FIBA: “Dear Friends, In the name of our President Mr. Usie Richards and on my own, we are pleased to write to you and
all your team, in order to express our deepest gratitude for the work in hosting the CBC U16 tournament in Guyana. We were able to witness on site the quality of organisation and class act involvement, as we know the necessary effort to meet the high demands, and CBC/NF of Guyana were excellent hosts, allowing for great
basketball development, cultural exchange and making those involved feel at home. The event was eyecatching, congratulations. We express our sincere congratulations for the excellent work. Thank You, Alberto Garcia Executive Director FIBA in the Americas�
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
Hinterland communities stake strong claim for more support for sports By Rawle Welch Despite the numerous challenges that they face in terms of layout, the hinterland communities’ across the various regions in Guyana has once again demonstrated that even in the absence of much needed assistance, their embrace of sporting events organised within their respective communities remain strong. This was confirmed during the staging of this year ’s Digicel Schools Football Championship in every community that games were scheduled. The support received over the duration of the tournament’s existence must have been a primary reason for the sponsor’s insistence of staging matches in those communities despite the enormous cost of doing so. Many reasons have been proffered for the large turnout of fans at games with some claiming that due to the lack of activities the residents are always eager to attend organised sports, while the support for home teams is another explanation
Part of the crowd that attended one of the Digicel Schools Football Championship 2016 matches at Mahdia.
that is usually given. However, after analysing the above mentioned reasons, one can’t help but conclude that the residents’ unmitigated support for
sports must be borne out of pure love, judging from the wide cross section of persons that attend the events. They include young, middle-aged and old and
their love is demonstrated by the fact that the events become the talk of the town with every conversation centered on the game and residents urging each other
not to miss it. Digicel that has exhibited the fortitude to venture into such a huge undertaking must be encouraged by the support
and general feedback it receives from these communities hence its persistence in returning every year not only to the same places, but even some that could be considered far flung in terms of location. Every year the Company strives to involve a new community and this is commendable and in keeping with one of its mandates which is to expose participants in the tournament to the different settings and lifestyles of diverse communities. Every community that hosted matches put on view their hospitable qualities, making the experience an unforgettable one, especially for those from the coastland. The Championship is now in the homestretch with the national playoffs set to commence today, but there must be players, officials and residents from all across Guyana who might be wishing that it never ends. The hinterland communities have staked a strong claim for continued and perhaps even more support for sports.
Director of Sport meets with MSC Management in Linden Director of Sport, Christopher Jones recently met with the management of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) in Linden where he was updated on the immediate needs of the facility, and what is required for the development of the premier facility in Linden. In addition to the MSC management, Jones also met with officials from the Boyce/Jefford group, which hosts its annual track and field classic at the venue. Jones committed to assisting with light and ground enhancement until a longterm development plan is hatched. “I would like to focus my attention on the lights and the ground,” Jones said, adding that because of “what will be obtained in the coming months, such initiatives is a priority for the Department of Sports”. President of the MSC, Avery Trim, welcomed Jones’ presence and commitment to assist with the development of the
facility. Trim said that they cannot do it alone and as such Government input, and corporate support is important in the process. “We are appreciative of these kind sentiments, and we will continue to work to get this venue up to the level that we know it to be,” Trim said. He said that MSC is upbeat about sports within the community and it is only fair that they have a proper facility. The Boyce/Jefford Organisation thanked both Jones and Trim for the collaborative effort to get the facility up to a standard. Trim assured that the ground has been kept in a good condition that was visible while new grass was planted. Last year, the organisers of the track and field meet received assistance from the Ministry of Infrastructure to prepare the ground. A similar route is being touted this year to add to what the MSC has already done to have the best surface.
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (right) meeting with MSC President, Avery Trim, members of the Executive and the Boyce and Jefford Organisation in Linden recently. In addition, while in Linden, newly minted Mayor, Carwyn Holland was also apprised of plans to host the meet and development of
t h e f a c i l i t y. H o l l a n d committed to providing all the necessary stakeholder support to ensure that the Linden community benefits.
The Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic VII is set for August 27-28, after the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where a few
of Guyana’s top athletes will be competing. The meet was born in Linden and committed to remaining there.
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Wednesday July 20, 2016
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Police in another fitness walk in Berbice in observance of 50th Independence celebration
Commander Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam leads his charges through their exercise paces at the Whim Police Station Compound on the Corentyne. Sticking to his word to take their community interaction programme to all parts of the division, Commander of the Police B Division, Assistant Commissioner Ian
Amsterdam once again led his ranks as they joined with members of the community to stage another fitness walk and exercise routine in Berbice.
This time the walk was held in the No2 subdivision (Lower and Upper Corentyne and Corentyne River. The Commander was accompanied by divisional
James warms-up for Olympics with easy win in Hungary BUDAPEST, Hungary, CMC - Grenada’s Kirani James remains unbeaten this season after cruising to an easy win in the 400 metres at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial track meet in Hungary on Monday. James, who is preparing to defend his title at the summer Olympics in Brazil next month, won comfortably in 44.62 seconds. The Grenadian quarter miler finished ahead of Tony McQuay of the United States who clocked 45.08 while Steven Gardiner of the *ýBahamas finished third in 45.28. Also, in winning form was Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown who is approaching her fifth Olympic appearance. VCB, a two-time Olympic champion, won the 200metres in 22.52 seconds ahead of the US pair of Shalonda Solomon and Tiffany Townsend, who both finished in a time of 22.63. Meanwhile Jamaica’s Asafa Powell has to settle for second place after he was eclipsed by South Africa’s Akani Simbini in the 100 metres sprint. Powell clocked 9.92
Kirani James
seconds to dip below ten seconds for the 94th time in his career while Akani set a new national record with his time of 9.89.
Mike Rodgers of the United States was third in 10.12, just ahead of 40-yearold St Kitts and Nevis speedster Kim Collins.
officer in charge of the Subdivision Deputy Superintendent Marlon Taylor and other senior o ff i c e r s f r o m a l l t h e subdivision in Berbice including the No1 subdivision, New Amsterdam, Canje, East and East Bank Berbice and the No3 subdivision (West Berbice). Also on the exercise were ranks from the other divisions including the traffic department, Criminal Investigation Department, General Duty, Special C o n s t a b u l a r y , Neighbourhood and Community Policing groups
and members of the public. Previously, successful walks were held in sub division number and three. The 3miles walk began at the junction of the Felix Austin Police College at Adventure, wended its way along the main Corentyne highway before ending at the Whim Police Station. At the end of the walk the ranks were carried through their (exercise) calisthenics paces by Assistant
Commissioner Amsterdam and other senior ranks. The walks are primarily held in observance of the country’s continuing 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations and the GPF 177 anniversary celebrations. It was also done to keep th e m e m b e r s o f t h e force active and fit and also to continue the interaction with the general public.
t r o Sp After three individual titles Guyana hunt more team honours
Vieira aiming to extend dominance in T &T T&T
Larissa Wiltshire
-MAPLES Caribbean Junior Squash Champs 2016
r o t o M n a e - Caribb p i h s n o i p m Racing Cha Guyana’s Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira poses for a photo op following one of his victories in Jamaica.
NRA 147th Imperial Meeting
Guyana NRA Captain Persaud; T&T’s Gomez and Perez competing
Norris Gomez (right) and Mahendra Persaud in Antigua at the Caribbean championships in May this year.
FIBA congratulates Guyana on hosting successful CBC U16 Championships Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210