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Monday July 25, 2016

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Kaieteur News

WPA regrets Bishop A Commission of Inquiry is Demanded George’s passing DEAR EDITOR; The Working Peoples Alliance Overseas Associates (WPAOA) learned with deep sadness of the passing of the Rt. Rev Randolph O. George, Bishop of Guyana and Suriname (Rtd). Bishop George or The Bishop as he was commonly called, served as a pillar of strength, a voice of reason and a source of comfort not only to the Anglican Community, but to the nation as a whole. Bishop George served at a time when the people of Guyana were being severely tested and he never wavered in his commitment to the poor and powerless. He was the Chairman of the Guyana Council of Churches, Co-chair of the Guyana Human Rights Association and also participated in the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy and in organizations and activities dedicated to enhancing the welfare of Guyanese. The people of Guyana have lost a true patriot whose stewardship has been written into Guyanese history. We in the WPAOA would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Mrs. Sheila George and his children. Keith Branch Press Secretary WPAOA

The fantastic high flyers of the City Hall DEAR EDITOR; It seems as though the travelling bug has bitten the new Mayor and Town Clerk or maybe they are just racing to see whether they could surpass the frequent flyer miles accumulated by the former Mayor. How could a Municipality that perennially claims to be broke sit back and allow their Mayor and Town Clerk to go jetting around the world? First the ‘Fantastic Four’ took off in luxurious style to Mexico and Panama. Even if the tickets were provided, there is the per diem cost to the Council. Now the two leading members of the ‘Fantastic Four’ have taken off for Chile, with the costs for the Town Clerk at least being borne by the Council. Quite worryingly there are several more planned trips in the pipeline for these high fliers. Other than costs, the further question to be asked is why must it be only members from the ‘Gang of Four to make these overseas trips. Is Deputy Mayor Duncan not good enough to represent Georgetown? In the past Council, the present

Mayor who was then the Deputy Mayor, travelled extensively all over the world. Would she not wish to return the favour? It should be noted that our present Mayor is not the most skillful nor accomplished orators. Maybe Deputy Mayor Duncan would do a better job representing Georgetown and Guyana on the world stage And in the instance of the Town Clerk who has not taken his vacation leave entitlement as the excuse was given that his tasks and responsibilities managing Georgetown were too onerous and critical, now suddenly he has the time to chaperone the Mayor all over the world. Wouldn’t the Chief Medical Officer of Health or someone from the Public Health Department have been better suited bearing in mind the purpose of the visit? There is an old Guyanese proverb that goes like this ‘Wasteful man money ah guh like butter in de sun’. If the City Council wishes to pull itself out of the financial mess it is in, then it will have to cut its expenditure rather than ‘Tax and Fly’. Jermain Johnson

DEAR EDITOR, Grant me brief space in your newspaper to throw in my uniform among the dirty laundry that’s currently being sorted in preparation for final washing between the Guyana Nursing Asociation (GNA) & the Minister of Public Health, George Norton. In the ongoing brouhaha that centers around the Matron being sent on administrative leave for allegations of obstruction of the proper delivery of health care and insubordination, some very serious allegations have been leveled at the Minister, the Ministry and by extension the health populace. Point in question being the remarks from the GNA, Kaieteur News July 24, 2016 directed at the level of scrutiny paid to the Maternity Department as opposed to other departments, the findings of which according to the GNA would shock the nation, as an alarming number of deaths occurred due to wrong diagnosis and poor management. Such a remark cannot and should not be dismissed lightly, as we are talking about individuals who are no longer present to speak for themselves, and whose loss, perhaps unexpectedly, have and perhaps still do, continue to wreak fiscal and emotional havoc on those that have been left behind. If the GNA or any of its members were privy to medical malpractice, misconduct or negligence then pray tell me wherein does their moral and professional lie? Is it firstly to the patient, the institution and above all their profession? Are nurses in Guyana not held to the same standard of Nightingalean pledge as nurses worldwide? If I be allowed to proffer my opinion, let me unhesitatingly state that without a second thought, I would dismiss the Matron and others of her ilk , as from all outward written appearances, the working environment is

Plane that disappeared from Ogle DEAR EDITOR; A certain foreigner was the pilot who gave the overseas pilot the inside information on getting the aircraft out of Ogle. He was a senior pilot at Oxford Aviation Inc. The story that was published was false and misleading to the public. The aircraft was sold before any court injunction was issued. He aided the owners in the USA on how to get the aircraft out of Guyana when they repossessed the aircraft. He made it clear that no one should know his involvement. He was also tested positive for drugs by the company and the GCAA was notified. Furthermore he has been in Guyana

illegally on an expired visa. The named pilot was not the pilot. The pilots were two Americans who were contracted to repossess the plane for the new owner. On June 19, this foreigner arranged the accommodations for the pilots and gave them the infomation on what to do in Guyana. He was also the pilot who flew the aircraft back in November that struck the wing of the other aircraft. He was afraid of being sued and helped to get the aircraft out for the new owners. FYI the other aircraft that was struck in Ekeru was also parked illegally at the end of a runway against the guide mandate of ICAO guidelines. Concerned pilot

far too toxic, and at best not conducive to healing or health improvement of any sort. And if the GNA is speaking on her behalf, then I close my case and await an appeal. GNA has said that there are professional nurses who are more knowledgeable than the doctors. Enough said; enough to immediately make one aware of the existing vicious work environment, where rivalry and disrespect abound, and team work hasn’t the slightest chance of being considered. It boils down to how much you know not what you show. To quote the final line of the nurses’ pledge, which incidentally is an offshoot of the Hippocratic Oath, “With loyalty, will collaborate with the health care team, and as a missioner of health, I will dedicate myself to devoted service for human welfare” Firstly as a100% bona fide Guyanese, then an overseas trained and qualified member of the nursing profession and one who has held several key positions, I am calling on the Health Minister to immediately set up a Commission of Inquiry, the designed objective being to carefully investigate the allegations/ accusations made by the GNA regarding the mortality rate in Obstetrics as compared to other areas. In those found guilty of misconduct, malpractice leading to manslaughter, negligence, breach of professional duty and blatant complicity then they should

be punished to the full extent of the law, with sentences that would serve as a deterrent to others. In addition, their respective Board should also be made aware of their offences which seemingly have run counter to the existing rules of respective membership. On a note of further concern, permit me with a moronic air to ask these mind boggling questions. Why is information of such a damaging nature now coming forth? Had the Matron not been taken off the scene would the acts and the facts been made known? If so when and by whom? Who in the GNA was made aware of these alarming numbers of deaths in other departments? Is there available documentation/ record taking to substantiate all claims made? Were these concerns made known to other health personnel outside the GNA? Was the Minister of Health made aware prior to this? Let us not overlook the fact that there is a gross display of lack of professionalism on the part of the GNA, especially with usage of the media, namely Kaieteur News serving as the means of revelations. Readers throughout the diaspora are vicariously brought via social media into the foray, especially those who may have had their doubts about the nursing care previously received by a loved one, or the suspicious circumstances surrounding his/ her untimely demise. Pandora’s Box has now been

opened. Would it have been better off left unopened and untouched? Or was it a festering wound that had gone unnoticed far too long? Was there no other forum by which these morbid statistics could have been made known? The phrase “Loose Lips sink Ships” is an American idiom that started out during World War 11 on propaganda posters, with the intent of advising servicemen and other citizens to avoid careless talk regarding secured information that might be of use to the enemy. In the present case, have the ships already been sunken? The British equivalent Careless Talk Costs Lives is certainly applicable here. This present revelation and for which I once again call for a Commission of Inquiry has certainly dealt a gut wrenching blow to Minister Norton, who has definitely been out of the loop; his Ministry’s representatives who may prefer to be termed nameless rather than shameless; the Guyana Nursing Board and the professional and ethical display of its members; the Medical Bo a r d , by extension the President and of course the Guyanese populace who once again have found themselves at the short end of the stick. Let us Root for the Truth. If you cannot be a nurse, then pray God you don’t become a curse. Yvonne Sam. R.N S, BScN.

Can someone help me with my problem with the NIS? DEAR EDITOR; The question in the caption is asked because in excess of five (5) years have elapsed since I made a complaint to the Inspectorate Department of NIS at the Brickdam office in respect of a contribution related issue. I submitted documents verifying my employment at Motor Transport Services Ltd. (1969 -1977) and then my redeployment to G.T.S.L where I worked up to 1985. At my retirement, I was designated, Superintendent, Mechanical Workshop. My employment was continuous but contributions are not posted to my record for several years. It is against

these omissions I have complained as I am denied my entitlement to an old age pension. I have made silent enquiries and am informed that my contributions have been erroneously awarded to another person with similar fore-name and surname to mine and for some incomprehensible reason, noone seems willing to correct this anomaly. I have begged almost every senior officer at the NIS Brickdam including the new Chairman of the Board through his secretary but to no avail. NIS preaches “we care” but the only care manifested in my case is

carelessness and “I don’t care a damn attitude”. I, therefore, trust and pray that by going public, NIS will be moved by my frustration and seek to grant the remedies I request; the update of my contribution record and resulting entitlement to old age pension from the date I attained sixty (60) years of age. Five years in my opinion, is time sufficient enough to conclude an investigation into a person’s employment and missing contributions. I hope that someone will take up my case as I am without resources to seek legal redress. A Bacchus

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

PPP Lies And Deception Continue in Berbice DEAR EDITOR, It is with great concern that I am penning this letter to your newspaper. This is because of what has been happening here in Berbice, both Regions 5 and 6 by the opposition party, the PPP. On Monday we heard as usual, the lies coming from the Vice Chairman (VC) of Region 6 once more telling the people of Berbice that Dr. Ramayya walked off the job and left the Region in turmoil. He said that the REO was not granted leave and therefore he left the

job. He further said that the Region or those in authority did not receive any letter from the Ministry of Communities that the REO was granted leave. The PPP must stop lying to the people of Berbice just to keep their support that is falling apart. We all know that Dr. Ramayya is a threat to the PPP because over the years he has made tremendous inroads into their support base. So they will lie like hell to make their supporters believe that the man walked

Hamilton Green’s thoughts on the death penalty DEAR EDITOR; Proposal by His Excellency, David Granger states the issue of the death penalty by way of referendum, flows from man who is as wise as Solomon. Here goes my verbal staccato. Every story has more than one side. My comment may provide the basis for legislation one way or the other, but, will it end the “story”. I am writing from an area in the developed world where some persons killed policemen, where a gentleman drove a truck on a holiday killing dozens of persons in France, and the sad story goes on all over the world. In Guyana, just one day ago, a young man butchered his 70 year old stepfather. We have had the old well known Monica Reece murder, the murder of young Saleena as she tried to retrieve her cell phone. Another young college student was murdered and the story goes on. The death penalty was intended many generations ago to put an end to human slaughter or best, ‘persuade’ persons not to kill. The sad saga is sustained. Of course the Holy Book states, “Thou shall not Kill” and this injunction never offered conditionality plain and simple “Thou shall not Kill”. Everything in human society must be seen in the context of the time. I recall receiving complaints from members of a neighbourhood about noise nuisance emanating from the services of a religious group. I called the latter group in and related to them the concerns expressed by the neighbourhood, including the complaint of being unable to sleep, children studying etc. The leading member of the religious organization

quoted from the Holy Book that, they are told to ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord’. I reminded those leaders that when those word were said and the injunction issued they were no amplifiers and massive loud speakers. My point is that everything must be seen in context. I have not come out on either side. Don’t call me a coward. I will pronounce on this matter and I expect others in good time. I wonder whether we have given thought to the sorrowing family members who had their loved ones killed with no compensation, but now see their taxes used to feed, clothe and provide shelter to those who killed their loved ones. Justice is a funny thing and a perplexing situation in our society. It may be that there is need to redefine the type of killers and decide what form of punishment is appropriate. The person who breaks into family homes, rapes, kills and steals and the person who set fire to a home causing the deaths of two innocent children ought to be treated differently as to the person who kills by fighting another. As I understand it, once a person is convicted of murder there is only one penalty, that is the death penalty. Before we settle this issue it should take into account our social infrastructure. Do we have infrastructure? Do we have the appropriate rehabilitation facilities for drug infested fifteen year olds who kill so savagely? Is our judicial and criminal investigating system as such that the person convicted in our court are really guilty of the charge? This is just the beginning of this important question. Hamilton Green, OR. Former Mayor of Georgetown

out of the Region. I know Dr. Ramayya and can assure all especially my brothers and sisters in Region 6 that Dr. Ramayya will never let you down. He will stand up for the true and correct thing and because of that he is being made a target. Some feel that the man was a walk over but maybe the Vice Chairman does not know that he is dealing with a stone wall. So the lies will not stop the good REO from doing his work and the VC and PPP should publicly apologize to the man for lying on him publicly. If the VC is a man of truth and his word let him do the right thing which PPP mostly fails to do. This now brings me to Region 5 and the nasty work of the PPP and its Regional Chairman. As an APNU+AFC Regional Councilor I am ashamed of the tricks, lies and deception now being played by the Chairman and his so-called

advisors at Bath Freedom House. In June 2015 when the RDC held its first meeting to elect Chairman and Vice Chair, it was decided by the Council that the RDC statutory meeting will be held every third Thursday of the month. However, the Chairman now wants to change the Council’s decision and set the meeting when he wants. I have received a letter of invitation from the Clerk of the Council, Mr. Ovid Morrison dated July 14th, 2017 inviting me to attend the RDC statutory meeting on Thursday 21st, July 2017 at the RDC boardroom from 10am. The minutes of the last RDC Statutory meeting that was held on the 16th June, 2017 was also attached to the letter of invitation. However, on the 19th of July, 2017, I received yet another letter. The letter bears the letterhead of the Regional

Chairman and it states that he will like to inform me that at the last RDC statutory meeting which was held on June 23rd, 2017 the Council had decided to change the date of the statutory meeting from the third Thursday to the fourth Thursday of the month. I will like to inform the PPP Regional Chairman that according to the last minutes the date of the RDC Statutory meeting was 16th June, 2017 and not 23rd June, 2017 as he mentioned. According to the minutes of the legal statutory meeting the Council made no such decision to change the date of the RDC statutory meeting and therefore I, Abel Seetaram will not adhere to his nasty request for his party’s personal gains. How can a leader such as the Regional Chairman mislead his own people and moreover mislead to the people of the Region. He is

also now putting the Council to sanction him once again for deception and for changing statutory meetings without the Council’s knowledge. The PPP must ensure that the Chairman is better advised. He cannot do things without the Council’s approval. The meeting that the Chairman convened on the 23rd June, 2017 was a PPP discussion. I call on all the Councillors to denounce this type of dictatorship coming from PPP and its leadership. We must stand against such narrow minded persons that want to act without Council’s approval and we must stand up to dictators. I don’t believe that the Chairman has any authority to call two statutory meetings in one month. He needs better advice. The PPP must stop the lies and deception that it is continuing in Berbice. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Councilor Region 5

Similarities in GPSU’s challenges in 1999 and 2016 DEAR EDITOR; My experience commencing from 1997 and subsequent events in 1999 and continuing during the Jagdeo’s tenure and most recent developments since the taking of the reign of power by the APNU/AFC Government all in relation to the GPSU have compelled me to make this contribution since it’s over two decades and there would be many persons who are not familiar with the series of events that occurred. In 1997, the GPSU encountered the greatest betrayal from the PPP/Civic Government. In effect Dr. Jagan recognized that his perception of Yarde’s leadership of the GPSU was erroneous which he acknowledged was not consistent and that what was being done was not anti-government but was a genuine campaign to address the inadequacies of public servants’ working conditions and their welfare. Thus in January 1997, he, Dr. Jagan set up a bi-partite commission headed by Mr. Shaik Baksh and Mr. Patrick Yarde with a mandate to put up recommendations to address these multifaceted concerns. It should be noted that prior to this development, the Government had entered into two major agreements (1993, 1994) with the GPSU, both of which were not fully honoured. The bipartite committee unanimously agreed to a number of recommendations which died with the death of Dr. Jagan and were never honoured. In 1998, notwithstanding the GPSU’s submission of a multi-year proposal for 1998,1999 and 2000, the Government got about arbitrarily implementing increases in salaries for 1998 which provoked a response from the GPSU resulting in a very successful mobilization of its members to initiate Industrial action resulting in the Government backing down and inviting the union to discussions which ended in an agreement for salary increases effective

July lst,1998 and a commitment to respect the existing legally binding Agreement for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes to address the two outstanding years of the Union’s three year proposal. Again the Government frustrated discussions on these proposals and the then Finance Minister, Bharrat Jagdeo proceeded to enter into an agreement with the IMF on behalf of the Government of Guyana, a feature of which the salaries of public servants would be restrained to a three percent salary increase annually for a period of ten years. This action and the Government’s determination to hold to this deceitful position was the root cause for the 1999 fifty-seven days strike by GPSU which ended in an agreement for the matter to be settled by arbitration. Both parties agreed, (the Government of Guyana and the GPSU) that the decision of the arbitration panel would be final and binding. The leader of the Government’s delegation was Mr. Winston Jordan. His mandate then was to defend the PPP Government’s decision by justifying that what they offered was reasonable. Anyone having an acquaintance with his performance would recognise how vigorously he pursued that task. He failed dismally to persuade the Arbitration Panel that there was merit in his submission. This rejection and the recognition of the merit of the Union’s case convinced the Arbitrators to make an award of 31.06 percent increases in salaries and allowances for 1999 and 26.66 percent for 2000. It must be noted that Mr. Jordan was eventually relieved of employment by the Government of Guyana and during the ensuing period of unemployment without ill-will, the GPSU embraced him. In effect he was an advisor to the President of the GPSU and sat as a part of the GPSU’s Team in meetings with visiting delegations including the IMF. It is obvious he had knowledge of

concerns that prevailed at the leadership level of the needs of the membership and the consequential effects for their welfare and that of their families. It therefore would be of interest to determine what takes place in the current negotiations since, there is a perception in the GPSU that what currently prevails is identical to what they experienced in the 1999 arbitration which clearly displays the inconsistency and inadequacy of the economic circumstances that public servants have to endure. The closed minded determination of the Ministry of Finance’s representative in pursuance of the Minister’s mandate regardless of the consequences for the workers, coupled with the unpredictable basis being advanced to justify his position should be made known. This conduct is being pursued in the face of glaring evidence of falsifications and inaccuracies. Compounding this situation is the Minister’s recent public statement of the negotiations which is in conflict with the request of the government’s negotiating team to the union that the negotiating parties should endeavour to issue joint press releases on the progress of the negotiations. I am aware of the effort of the President of the GPSU to be professional and principled in dealing with the current Government of Guyana. I am also aware of his persistent approach and his desire for this Government to be successful. It is no secret that he has clearly and definitively expressed this view in public statements. My question is “‘how long would he be prepared to subject himself to such unprofessional and unprincipled conduct?” Further, “how long would the members of the Union subject themselves to his discretion in dealing with these matters that are germane and integral to their benefits and the welfare of themselves and families?” Former GPSU Executive

Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Will Guyana’s oil wealth be a curse or a blessing? - Govt. to implement policies to ensure benefits extractive industries to generate further benefits to the domestic economy beyond the direct contribution of its value-added, through productive linkages with other sectors.” However, it was also noted that while LCPs have the potential to stimulate broad-based economic development, which is necessary to alleviate poverty, achieve prosperity and ensure sustainable economic and social outcomes, their use has achieved mixed results. “This is a big issue throughout the developing world. It’s about how you get your own people trained and involved to benefit from the industry,” Trotman said. He added that Uganda has already developed a policy in this regard and has

By Abena Rockcliffe- Campbell It has been confirmed that Guyana’s oil reserve is indeed huge. But, just before the average Guyanese jumps for joy, they should stop to wonder, “What does this really mean for me?” Quite a few oil rich countries suffer from serious disparities, with a few being excessively wealthy and others being poor. Middle class is often found to be almost non-existent, like in the case of countries such as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and closer to home Venezuela. In a country with vast oil wealth and lavish royalty, an estimated quarter of Saudis live below the poverty line, the reality is similar in Guyana’s neighbouring country— Venezuela. Neftegaz.Ru—a site that reports on matters relating to oil and gas—had published, “Countries that depend on oil for revenue bask in wealth, but overwhelmingly suffer what the Economist has called a ‘poverty of policy.’ Oil rich states manifest some of the greatest inequalities imaginable. Besides lacking transparency, press freedom and accountability, they tend to have stratified social classes with a tiny minority earning millions while a vast portion of the population wallows in abject poverty.” Many oil-rich counties suffer from the “oil curse” which is the high presence of the issues highlighted by Neftegaz.Ru. Of course there are a few exceptions like Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom. But the coalition government has already decided to put measures in place to guard against traits of the curse. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Trotman and the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan recently returned from Uganda to see if Uganda has been able to begin preparations for oil production as well as the wealth to come. “We needed to see how a developing country with similar challenges is dealing with issues of underdevelopment, social issues and education and so on.”

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman “Jordan and I were able to relate to happenings in a country that mirrors ours in many respects. We thought that being able to observe how a developing country is responding to petroleum becoming the dominant driver of its economy was worthwhile for us to see; rather than going to observe a first world country where oil has been around for a long time.” The Minister said that he and his colleague were able to meet with persons at various levels. They visited Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Development and had discussions with officials there. Trotman said that they got an opportunity to look at and understand the various legislative steps that Uganda has taken for the well being of its citizens. The Ministers got to see Uganda’s development of Local Content Polices (LCP). According to the World Bank, “Foreign capital in mineral and petroleum producing countries has historically driven investment and employment. But the most valuable contribution to long term sustainable and inclusive growth comes from the ability of the

Schoolboy critical after being struck by car Fifteen year old Yannick Schultz of Number Eight Village,West Coast Berbice, is in a critical condition in the Georgetown Hospital after being struck by a car on Saturday afternoon. According to the c h i l d ’s m o t h e r, she received a call at approximately 13.30 hrs on

from someone who said her son was involved in an accident. Schultz, who is a student of the Fort We l l i n g t o n S e c o n d a r y School, was reportedly cycling along the Number Three Public Road when a car struck him. He was rushed to the Fort

Wellington Hospital where he received attention before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Hospital, and his condition, according to his mother, is said critical. The police have detained the driver.

introduced regulations emulating from that policy. “We were able to get copies of that and other policies.” The Minister said that the coalition government will “most definitely” be looking to establish similar policies. “We were very interested in seeing how they were able to get the Ugandans involved.” Trotman said that the involvement varies from Ugandans working directly with oil firms to catering, trucking and providing other goods and services. “That is something that we are very keen on. It is something that is already coming up in Guyana. Every day somebody may ask how I can benefit.” Trotman said that he intends to add the knowledge acquired from the Uganda trip to what has already been discussed so that Guyana can formulate the strongest possible LCP.”

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Scouting builds character, promotes respect - President Granger at opening of 14th Caribbean Cuboree in Guyana President David Granger yesterday declared open the 14thCaribbean Cuboree in Guyana at the D’urban Park, noting that the Scout movement has been able to build linkages between the school, places of worship and home, thereby contributing to the development of the character of the young people involved, so that they become responsible citizens within their communities. The Cuboree is an event held every two years for young Scouts, particularly between the ages of eight to 11 for six days and five nights during, the break from school between July and August. The President who addressed over 700 children participating in the event from across 14

countries in the region, said that the country was happy to welcome the various delegations, especially in the year of the Golden Jubilee. “You have congregated here from the corners of the Caribbean. We are happy to have so many of you here on the continent of South America. We look forward to you having an enjoyable experience and memorable meetings with fellow Cub Scouts. Guyana celebrates its fiftieth anniversary of its Independence this year and is honoured to host this 14th Caribbean Cuboree. It is a special year for us and your presence here graces our Golden Jubilee year. Guyana was the first country in the

Caribbean and the second on the continent of South America to introduce scouting. Scouting started here one hundred and seven years ago, in 1909 and Cub Scouts were introduced ninety years ago, in 1926,” the President said. Delving deeper into the history of scouting, President Granger said that the model of scouting that was transferred to this region was based primarily on character building among boys. However, while girls now make of the ranks of the institution, the sacred values of respect, reverence and discipline have remained constant. “The Scout movement is no longer segregated.Boys

Mr. Ramsey Ali, Mrs. Joaquin and other Scouts watch on as President Granger cuts the cake to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Scouting and girls grow up in the same organisation learning to recognise and respect each other. The focus, however, never was confined to academic education or religious instruction. Scouting involved outdoor activities and the development of life skills, which appealed to young people. Caribbean societies, such as ours, are built on the sure foundations family life, religious worship, education, responsible citizenship and loyalty to your countries. These values demand selfrespect, respect for God, respect for your countries, respect for the laws of the land, respect for other citizens, respect for property and respect for the environment which sustains life,” President Granger told the participants. He noted that the Scout movement in the Caribbean has been inculcating these values in the young for more than a century and onus was now on this generation of Cub Scouts, to continue that‘virtuous tradition’. “I encourage you to enjoy

yourselves; to educate yourselves about different countries and cultures and to encounter fellow Cubs from the Caribbean. Your visit to Guyana will expose you to experiences that will deepen your commitment to your own countries and that will strengthen your character as citizens of the future,” he urged. Meanwhile, Camp Chief, Mrs. Zaida Joaquin in her brief remarks, said that the presence of such a large number of Scouts in Guyana for the Cuboree was demonstrative of the commitment the young leaders had for the promotion of a better world. “We consider it a rare and distinct honour to host these young leaders, who will someday shape the course of world affairs. Your presence here is evidence that people everywhere are doing their utmost to preserve peace and save humanity through the use of love and understanding. This occasion is a demonstration that young people like you

want to preserve this world and to assert your right to live in a world of peace, trust and decency,” she said. President of the Scouts Association of Guyana, Mr. Ramsay Ali, in his remarks, noted that the planning of the event began since last year. He noted that the support of President Granger, who is patron of the organisation, has played a significant role in the event becoming a reality. Liam Carter, a Cub no more than eight years old from Barbados, in an invited comment, excitedly remarked that it was his first time in Guyana. He said he is excited for the week of activities planned for the Cuboree. The President and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, later in the evening, hosted a welcome reception for the team leaders on the lawns of State House. There, the leaders were given the opportunity to interact not only with their counterparts but also got photo opportunities with the President and Mrs. Granger. (A GINA feature)

Monday July 25, 2016

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Kaieteur News

The need to project a multi-ethnic image The government needs to remind itself, constantly, that it is a one seat government and that this one seat was only made possible because of the decision of the APNU and the AFC to join in a coalition to contest the elections of 2015. The APNU needs to remind itself that while it is incontestable that it brought the most votes to the coalition that without the support of the AFC, it w o u l d not have been in government today. It is important, from this perspective that the government continues to project a unified image. It is important that where APNU is seen, the AFC is also seen. There is also the need to project a multi-ethnic image. The AFC helps to serve this purpose since it is believed that its presence in the coalition allowed sufficient numbers of East Indians to vote for the coalition to allow it to cross over the 50% mark

and thus gain the Presidency. The AFC acts in the interest of two groups within the coalition. The first is, as mentioned before, a small but still important, East Indian base and the second is the middle class. The visibility of the AFC within the government provides assurances to both groups that its interests are not likely to be trampled upon. With that in mind it was most disconcerting, recently, to witness a meeting between the government and the permanent secretaries of the various government ministries. A photograph of this meeting published in the media showed only APNU persons – the President and the Minister of State – meeting with the permanent secretaries. The question that needs to be asked is why at such an important meeting, was the AFC not present. The public service falls under the Office

of the President but the fact that the AFC holds the critical ministries of public security, agriculture, business and public infrastructure plus also holds the position of Prime Minister in a coalition government, should have seen the AFC being more visible at this meeting, at least for the purposes of the public. It’s not wise for the unity of the coalition – especially given the fractures that are taking place within the City Council at present – for the public to be presented with the image of only APNU personnel meeting with the permanent secretaries of the government. The Prime Minister should have been present and if he was, then this should have formed part of the reporting by the government. There needs to be greater visibility of all the parties within the coalition, especially considering the narrow

margin of victory at the last elections and the fact that the PPP sought to consolidate its support base during the local government elections. The issue of ethnic balance with the leadership of the public service has always been a thorny issue. It is perhaps not representative to make a judgment based on a photograph of permanent secretaries published in our national newspapers. But it would be interesting to know if since the coalition government took office whether there has been a change in the balance within the public service at least at the levels of leadership. Public perceptions are important. The government

recognized this when it first tabulated the names of nominees to government Boards when it came to power. That list was subject to criticism that it lacked not just ethnic but also gender balance. The coalition corrected itself and made changes. But deep analysis was done about the changes. It would be interesting to know what changes have been made in permanent secretaries since the new government took office. It would be good to know whether there has been a shift in terms of both gender and ethnicity. While not representative of the complexion of the entire public service, such shifts can influence public perception

and thereby opinion of the government. This is all the more reason why greater attention has to be paid by the government to its public image. There is no need to resort to the sort of disgraceful “photoshop job” that was done on a picture of Easter Monday. It requires instead that the government continuously projects an image of unity and balance – politically, ethnically and in terms of gender. The challenge, of course, is that you are not quite sure where some AFC leaders stand. Some of them are now closer to the APNU than they are to their own party.

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Kaieteur News

Monday July 25, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The most dangerous people in the world are in the PPP I would suggest you read the Washington Post editorial on Donald Trump. It is one of the most devastating put downs by a media house of a major politician in any country in the contemporary world. Titled, “Donald Trump is a unique threat to American democracy,” the paper dismissed Trump in the most scathing of ways that, given the paper’s influence, it is bound to cost Trump a significant number of votes The part of the opinion I like goes like this: “He also is contemptuous of fact. Throughout the campaign, he has unspooled one lie after another and when confronted with contrary evidence, he simply repeats the lie. It is impossible to know whether he convinces himself of his own untruths or knows that he is wrong and does not care.” There is no collection of words that is more appropriate to describe the post election deportment of the leadership of the PPP Government that was in power from 1992 to May 2015. This country is witnessing a deluge of

condemnations of the actions, statements and policies of the Coalition Government by a group of leaders in another political party who, when they held the reins of power, the exercise of authority was not only autocratic and oligarchic, but bordered on semi-fascism. In what can only be a display of Trumpish depravity, this group’s denial of facts makes even Trump look like an angel. Gail Teixeira, the PPP leader who controlled the University of Guyana as if it was her private school and was an Advisor to Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar on governance, tells Guyanese at the moment the rule of law is in trouble. Was the rule of law in existence when this woman was a powerful queen in the corridors of power? It was under her government, an acquitted person freed by a Judge and Jury can remain in prison indefinitely because the State can now appeal High Court acquittals in criminal cases. Freed accused who cannot find a million dollars in bail can only languish in jail.

Life has a strange way of hunting and haunting those who forget the wicked deeds they have done to others. Most definitely, we will see Teixeira’s former Cabinet colleagues before High Court Juries after the results of the forensic audits are thoroughly sifted through. Would it not be poetic justice when some of Teixeira’s colleagues are freed only to find that the State has appealed and bail denied to them? As we are on the topic of the forensic audits, the same czarina told the press that the forensic audits are witchhunting by the Coalition Government. Ms. Teixeira only found out the meaning of the rule of law now that she and her fellow monarchs are out of power. Ms. Teixeira recently Frederick found out the definition of witch-hunt a year after her party lost power. When she was Advisor to Jagdeo and Ramotar, Ms. Teixeira and the rule of law had broken down and witch-hunts were being pursued like mangoes falling from a tree. Ms. Teixeira must have been in a deep coma. Was Ms. Teixeira not in power when President Jagdeo sued this newspaper and columnist for libel and legal history was made when the case went to trial eleven months after Jagdeo filed his affidavit? That is a record for Guyana and probably the world. Does a libel case come up in any country eleven

months after papers were filed? Where was the rule o f l a w w h e n Te i x e i r a w a s Governance Advisor and Jagdeo was President and Justice Bovell-Drakes had his appointment held up because, according to Jagdeo, Bovell-Drakes was a member of the youth arm of the PNC? Where was the rule of law under Teixeira when the acting Chief Justice and Chancellor, by an edict of President Jagdeo, were awarded full salaries and with full benefits on retirements, but the same right denied to the acting Chief Education Officer, Geneveive WhyteNedd? The most dangerous human beings on Planet Earth can be found in the PPP. These are people who trampled on countless Kissoon citizens of this country, in the process violating their rights in the most egregious ways. They walk the streets of Guyana, as Jagdeo did at the Stabroek Market Square when the vendors were evicted, looking for converts. But what about even one apology over one mistake? Not even a half of an apology has been uttered. In the midst of this Trumpish indecency, the leader of the PPP is still wearing his hubristic garment. When asked for details about a PPP leader threatening a foreign diplomat, he said, “What’s in the cup, stays in the cup.”

Monday July 25, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Govt. needs to make its people more resilient to flooding – Dutch Experts Traditional Georgetown two-storey house recommended by the DRR Team

Squatting along the banks of a drainage channel Government should equip Guyanese with the necessary knowledge to withstand the effects of flooding. This is the view of the Dutch Risk Reduction Team, which feels that their suggestions, if implemented, will improve the flood resiliency of Guyanese. According to the Team’s 2016 report on drainage in Guyana, a communication plan needs to be developed to increase the understanding of Guyanese about what it means to live in a flood- prone country. It is suggested that a flood hazard map of Georgetown should be made and used as material to explain why it is of great importance to build their homes in such a way to make them flood proof. The experts believe that Flood Risk Maps are a specific way to communicate to people the probability of floods and the consequences of floods. Such a map is necessary for urbanized areas, according to the Team. It is believed that this will allow people to be cognizant of their situation and also know

where they can go in the event of a flood. The report said, “Flooding will remain an issue in Guyana and in Georgetown. Because of this, the DRR Team posited that the communication plan needs to explain the principles of Living with Water and this can be best served through a pilot project. The Living with Water pilot project is proposed based on the Team’s recognition of drainage

improvement and management not being purely a technical issue but a managerial and governance matter. It is expected that such pilot projects will incorporate relative elements, such as generating experience with the application of hydrological models, Guyanese law, the involvement of different governments in the process and the communication that is needed towards developers, construction

companies and households. Further, to improve the resiliency of people the Team suggested that constructing two-storey homes is the best model of housing with the main functions being on the second floor. After the 2005 flood it was advised that one storey houses be built at least four feet above ground. Further, squatting was denounced by the Team particularly in flood prone areas so as to reduce health risks. Flood proofing of sewage systems and private

businesses was highlighted as another important measure which should be encouraged. The Team highlighted the fact that frequently there is often a loss of awareness by Guyanese as it relates to flood threats. The report went further to mention that this loss of awareness influences behaviour regarding the existing water management infrastructure. Despite the negatives about living with water, the DRR Team acknowledged that there are also invaluable benefits such as in the area

of agriculture. It is their belief that people who are aware of the benefits of living with water tend to understand better the constraints that space for water puts on them as well. According to the Dutch experts, from the outset of their interactions in Guyana and their understanding of the Georgetown Water and Sewerage Master Plan of 1994, Guyana is determined to lower the number of flood events in Georgetown from three to four times a year to once every two to five years.

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

JOURNAL OF THE PLAGIARIST YEAR I was about nine years old. In those days I lived among a mix of people of Indian and African descent and while I knew that there were people of Chinese ancestry who owned the laundry, the tea-shops and rum-shops, all called “Chin” by their customers, even Mr. Tsoi-a-Fatt, I had never met one close-up and to talk to. Until Octavia Yow Foon. One day the Headmaster came downstairs and told me that I was promoted to Standard One. I was then allocated the chair next to Octavia and we shared the

desk. I am not sure if I ever really spoke to her but I know I was stunned and fascinated by her. I just stared at her and kept on staring. The teacher, Mr. Bunsie, gave us a “composition” to write and I was so intent on her, so obsessed, that where I should have put my name, I put hers. This was my first act of plagiarism or what, in these internet days, would be perceived as a case of identity theft. We called it “copying”. Later, or course, it became respectable and thrived under the patronage of the

Greek God, Xerox. At the same time, plagiarism gained both notoriety and respectability almost simultaneously. As one wit said, “To steal from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.” These days the already supercharged and overheated American political environment has been further enlivened by an accusation of plagiarism against Melania Trump the wife of Republican Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump. Instead of blowing her own Trump-et, she blew someone else’s – the person who had preceded

her on a national political platform as the wife of the presidential contender for the Democrats in 2008, Michelle Obama. Comic Trevor Noah on “The Daily Show” had a video of “Melania” confessing to Kanye West that she had plagiarized and saying “If they catch me, I will say it is a remix.” James Corden’s (Letterman-inspired) top-ten list included, “I thought it was the speech that every first lady gives.” ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel quipped, “The Trump campaign insists she did not

plagiarize. Repeating things is how Melania learned to speak English.” Steve Johnson, writing in the Chicago Tribune, added, “The other Jimmy, the ‘Tonight Show’s’ Fallon, went artfully sideways. Yes, he made the pretty standard joke about Melania’s daughters ‘Sasha and Malia’. (Seth Meyers couldn’t resist, either). But Fallon also said, ‘But at least Donald Trump didn’t steal ‘Make America Great Again,’ his campaign slogan. Then Fallon showed a clip of Ronald Reagan saying guess what? The best, the very best, the most fantastic and terrific and gold-plated and possibly even huge Melania line of the night came later, and it was worth waiting for. Said Meyers on NBC’s ‘Late Night’: ‘Melania did it: She found something less original than being a model married to an old billionaire.’” PR professional, Laura Bedrossian tweeted a Melania take on John F. Kennedy’s famous address, “...my fellow Americans ask not what your copy & paste can do for you, ask what you can do for your copy & paste” but my favourite is a tweet from Michael Crowley of Politico, “in hindsight it did seem odd when Melania talked about the challenges of being a black woman at Princeton.” In an article by David Frum, The Atlantic looked beyond the jokes to find ten reasons why Melania Trump’s Speech will have a lasting impact. These include that it was an opportunity to humanize Trump which was wasted, unleashed a cycle of internal finger-pointing and blame-shifting that w i l l c o n s u m e Tr u m p ’s already dysfunctional campaign, and that the mood of Republicans at this convention was already embattled, defensive, and pessimistic and must be even grayer t h e d a y after Melania’s speech than the day before. But there is worse to

come. There are many “memes” (images, videos, pieces of text, etc., typically humorous in nature that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users) about Melania’s plagiarism but the one that I see as almost prophetic has Donald Trump using the famous “I Have A Dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The meme is consistent with what Dara Lind of VOX POP wrote, accurately hitting the nail on the Trump head and what Vanity Fair calls the “inanimate object that straddles his scalp like a dead furry lobster.” Headlined, “The racism unleashed at the RNC is bigger and uglier than Melania Trump’s plagiarism: Trump’s campaign is a joke. Trumpism is very much not.” Ms. Lind’s article emphasises, “If Donald Trump is elected president, it’s not going to matter whether, or why, Melania Trump’s 2016 Republican National Convention speech lifted a paragraph from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention speech. But what is going to last beyond Election Day — whether Trump wins or loses — is the conviction, shared by a deep swath of the American population, that all unauthorized immigrants are (potentially dangerous) criminals; that Muslims, no matter where they were born, are not to be trusted; that it is important to declare that the lives of police officers matter but that to declare that the lives of the AfricanAmericans those officers stop matter is an unacceptably radical and potentially terroristic act. Those attitudes were on full and ugly display on night one of the convention.” *Tony Deyal was last seen agreeing with the description of the 2016 Republican National Convention as, “where Steve King defends white supremacy and Melania Trump disproves it.”

Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Venezuela about to find out if Maduro recall vote can happen Caracas (AFP) Venezuela’s electoral authorities are to announce tomorrow whether moves to stage a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro can go ahead after verifying signatures on an opposition-organised petition. The outcome could open the way to a vote to oust Maduro, the chosen successor to late president Hugo Chavez who is ruling over an economy crippled by mismanagement and low oil prices. But the government has said the petition is riddled with fake signatures and stated the referendum cannot happen this year. The head of the National Electoral Council, Tibisay Lucena, yesterday told the Televen television network that verification of the petition would be completed today and the result would be given the next day. For a referendum to be contemplated, the signatures

Nicolas Maduro of just under 200,000 voters — one percent of the registered electorate — have to be verified on the petition. The next step would then be a second petition to be signed by 20 percent of voters, around four million people. The opposition MUD coalition organised the initial petition which it said gathered

two million signatures. But many of those were discarded, and the National Electoral Council went on to invalidate 600,000 more signatures. But the MUD says the remaining signatures — twice of what is needed — have all been authenticated, with supporters submitting fingerprints as proof. It is seeking to have the referendum held before January 10, 2016, which would trigger fresh elections. If a recall vote were held after that date and succeeds, the constitution calls for Maduro to be replaced by his loyal vice president, Aristobulo Isturiz. Public support for Maduro has plummeted amid scarcities of food and other basic goods. The president, who claims Venezuela is the victim of a plot by shadowy economic forces, has invoked a state of emergency and given greater powers to the military.

ASEAN deadlocked on South China Sea VIENTIANE (Reuters) - Southeast Asian nations failed to agree on maritime disputes in the South China Sea yesterday after Cambodia blocked any mention to an international court ruling against Beijing in their statement, diplomats said. Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for the first time since the U.N.backed Permanent Court of Arbitration handed an emphatic legal victory to the Philippines in the dispute this month. The ruling by the court in The Hague denied China’s sweeping claims in the strategic seaway, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes each year. China claims most of the sea, but ASEAN members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia

and Brunei all have rival claims. Beijing says the ruling has no bearing on its rights in the sea, and described the case as a farce. The Philippines and Vietnam both wanted the communiqué issued by ASEAN foreign ministers after their meeting to refer to the ruling and the need to respect international law, ASEAN diplomats said. Their foreign ministers both discussed the ruling with ASEAN counterparts in the Laotian capital. But before the meeting, China’s closest ASEAN ally Cambodia opposed the proposed wording, throwing the group into disarray. Phnom Penh supports Beijing’s opposition to any ASEAN stand on the South China Sea, and its preference for dealing with the disputed claims on a bilateral basis.

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Monday July 25, 2016

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Kaieteur News

“Seven more detained...

RENEWED CALL FOR REGIONAL SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Following claims by the prime minister of Saint Lucia Allen Chastanet that criminal deportees from the US are a burden on the Caribbean region, the Caribbean Committee against Sex Crimes (CCSC) said it is keen to work with both the Saint Lucian and US governments to enact the necessary policies to comply with international best practice, with regard to sex crimes in the Caribbean region. With regard to sex offenders, Saint Lucia, like the majority of the Caribbean region, does not have an official sex offender registry database. Ideally, a registered sex offender deported from the US to Saint Lucia would be automatically registered on a sex offender registry in St. Lucia. However, such a registry does not yet exist. Further, crucial policies that are essential by-products

Allen Chastanet of sex offender registries, such as legislation to prevent sex offenders with certain inclinations from having certain jobs are also lacking. E.g. a pedophile not being able to have a job at a kindergarten, CCSC noted. To this end, CCSC has drafted a treaty, which, when enacted, would mandate that

every Caribbean island has its own local sex offender registry. These local registries would then be amalgamated to create a regional registry, which would be accessible to the US government and other international stakeholders. A regional registry is necessary, CCSC said, because of the freedom of movement facilitated by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which establishes the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). If one or several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states fail to implement sex offender registry policies, this can significantly undermine regional security by allowing sex offenders to travel to other CARICOM states undetected. This can result in further sex crimes being committed. The US government would also benefit from these sex offender registry policies,

because whenever a CARICOM national enters the US, the US immigration and national security apparatus would have access to this important information from the Caribbean region. “It is essential that every foreseeable loophole be closed, to prevent dangerous criminals from slipping through bureaucratic cracks and destroying lives,” said Jonathan Bhagan, attorneyat-law and CCSC chairman. Bhagan called on all stakeholders, including the US government, the government of Saint Lucia and other CARICOM governments, to work diligently and swiftly to implement a regional sex offender registry and generally to create new policies to deal with deported criminals. “This is necessary for the protection of the citizens of the Caribbean region from potential danger,” he added. (Caribbean News)

AG on uncollected VAT talk Media must listen carefully Trinidad Guardian Attorney General Faris AlRawi Saturday clarified statements that the $12 billion in uncollected Value Added Tax (VAT) which he spoke about was taken out of context by the media. Al-Rawi cleared his position on the matter at a press conference at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, stating that it was important for the media to listen carefully on what “we say in the context of what we said.” It was during an address at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce event on Wednesday, Al-Rawi said he spoke about outstanding liabilities on VAT, which was taken out of context by the

media. “I specifically spoke about it over several years and in answer to questions that came, I cautioned that the $12 billion figure was a combination of events. It was actual amounts due, interest, penalties on those amounts over a span of a number of years, including the estimation of what should have been in the system, but what was not in the system.” Al-Rawi said that conversation was put to Finance Minister Colm Imbert at Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, resulting in someone asking if he was going to collect $12 billion this year. Imbert, in response to the question, stated that the $12

billion was incorrect, stating that he did not know where Al-Rawi got the figure from. Imbert explained that while the State was planning to recoup a significant amount of outstanding taxes via a tax amnesty, $500 million is the Government’s target. “That is certainly not the conversation that was had at the Chamber of Commerce. Nor was the honourable minister (Imbert) present when the discussion was had and obviously could only answer the question put to him.” Al-Rawi said the media should have understood the context in which he spoke. “The fact is, when we speak about civil asset forfeiture that money

Faris Al-Rawi laundering and tax evasion is a big issue for our country and if we mop up the leakage in revenue then we can certainly use that money for the running of our country particularly when revenue is a significant item on the national agenda.”

Diplomat Dies Amid St. Lucia Govt.’s Review of Controversial Appointment CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The status of St. Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), under scrutiny by the country’s new government, is now a moot point. Dr. Walid Juffali has died at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer – just weeks after his ex-wife Christina Estrada was awarded £75 million (US$98.3 million) in what the media described as the largest divorce settlement in English legal history. International media reports indicate he passed away last Wednesday in Zurich, where he was undergoing treatment. The Saudi billionaire’s position as St. Lucia’s IMO representative had been under scrutiny by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet who, while in opposition, had questioned the legitimacy of his appointment.

Juffali shot into the local spotlight last year, when the previous Dr. Kenny Anthony-led administration refused to waive his diplomatic immunity so that he could face the divorce suit filed by Estrada. Questions were asked about Juffali’s appointment, since he did not have any known qualifications in maritime law and there was no public record of him ever attending any meetings of the UK-based IMO. A High Court judge subsequently ruled that Juffali had secured the appointment inApril 2014 to avoid the suit, following the breakdown of his marriage. He and the former super model were formally divorced in December of that same year. Shortly after becoming prime minister when his United Workers Party won elections in June, Chastanet said Juffali’s appointed was among several diplomatic postings which were being reviewed. (Caribbean360)

From page 19 those detained have been tested for gunpowder residue and investigators are awaiting results which they hope will point to the suspects. The bodies of 37-year-old Pawan Chandradeo, called ‘Suresh’ of Lot 163 Mibicuri, BBP; 33-year-old Naresh Rooplall called ‘Ticka Bai’ of No. 77 Village, Corentyne and 15-year-old Jaikarran Chandradeo called ‘Kevin’ of Mibicuri North, were found around 09.00 hrs on Friday in a backdam at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne. The slain teen still had a bag with fish slung around his shoulder. The corpses bore gaping shotgun wounds to the heads and upper bodies. Three shotgun cartridges were found near the bodies. Investigators are trying to ascertain whether any of the detained individuals own a shotgun. According to reports, the victims were found by Sudama Jagmohan, a rice farmer of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder and his workmen. According to Jagmohan,

he was on his way to his rice field at Cookrite area where he also has hassars. Jaghoman said that on their way to his farm, they group found the bodies lying on a dam in his rice-land. He immediately called a neighbour who informed the police. The police, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Marlon Taylor and residents, secured boats and journeyed to the area where they eventually came upon the graphic scene. Shoba Devi Luckicharan, the mother of Naresh Rooplall, told Kaieteur News that her son ventured to the backdam to catch fish. With him were her son-inlaw and two grandsons, Jaikarran and Alvin. According to reports, 13year old Alvin Chanderdeo, who accompanied them, was left at a pump station on a dam, as the others went further into the savannahs to fish. The lad stayed at the pump station from where he reportedly heard gunshots. Post Mortem Examinations are expected to be conducted today.

GNBS urges manufacturers... From page 14 powder, Christmas trees and decorative lighting outfits, safety helmets, cellular phones, water and electricity meters and seat belts. The registration of both imported and locally manufactured products will facilitate inspection of the products' labels. This will verify that the product is in conformity with national standards. Head of the Conformity Department and Officer in Charge of the GNBS, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, in a statement said, “For the categories of products monitored by the GNBS for the importers, once they're going to bring in any of those items that are on our list of products they are expected to register with the bureau annually. For the locally manufactured products they also have to register with the bureau.” If an importer brings in any of these items without being registered by the agency, the items are placed on a 'hold' system which allows the importer or the dealer to be registered. Application forms for registration are available on the bureau's website and can be submitted to the office located at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia. In explaining the process, Walcott-Bostwick said, “They would complete the form and after that is completed they are normally issued a certificate that should be displayed at the location, that they are a registered importer of a

particular product”. The registration fee for the importation of these items is usually $ 30,000 but the dealers (importers of cellular phones, tyres etc.) are required to pay a registration fee of $15,000. The agency further highlighted that it intends to create public awareness to familiarise the business community with the necessary information for easier flow of conducting business, and to encourage compliance with the agency's standards.

From page 22

FOR SALE 1 -580C Hymac), 1-130 KVA Gen Set 4-Cly, 1-55 dump truck with Hiab, 1-600 RR CBR 2010, 1-3 Ton Road Roller. Call: 6411421; 684-4804 9 Stalls 64 to 72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown, Also 80 Mannequins @ $800 per piece- Call: 225-4410; 2184837 1 Craftsman generator 42,000 watts-$50,000. Call: 628-7337

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

Culture and Arts …

Uprooting corruption and developing a film industry

A scene from the movie Guiana 1838 The area of culture and arts is not without its own issues of transparency and accountability. However, armed with new and improved programmes, Cultural Advisor, Ruel Johnson intends to remove all elements

of corruption from the field. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Johnson shares how he intends to help the Department of Culture within the Ministry of Education in this regard as well as take the sector forward

in a number of areas such as the nation’s relatively young film industry. The Cultural Advisor also revealed his thoughts on the involvement of the private sector in supporting Culture and Arts and the need for an

Monday July 25th, 2016 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Today requires careful planning on your part -- and fortunately, your thinking is deliberate. It's a great time to absorb all the variables and come up with something bold and unexpected. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Someone is trying to get attention by breaking all the rules -- and while you're tempted to bust them for it, you may just be playing into their hands. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You should be seeing things quite a bit differently by the end of the day -- so make sure that you're ready for a big shift in perspective. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You have got to display adaptability today -- even if you'd rather just slink home and crawl back under the covers. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): You need to take greater care with a person or project that seems to be taking up more mental space than it deserves. It is actually important, so make sure that you're taking it seriously. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Your energy is a bit diffuse today, so you may find it harder than usual to keep your comments productive. That's not to say you're mean-spirited, of course; just that you need to keep it upbeat.

********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22):You can get a deeper sense of what other people are going through today as long as you tap into your positive mental energy. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21):It may be a bit harder for you to open up to new ideas today -- so see if you can trick yourself! Just because you're not feeling it, that doesn't mean you won't have a change of heart tomorrow. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): It's a great day to keep your mind wide-open -as long as you're not just going along with any kooky idea that comes your way. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): It's time to change something up -- maybe your look, or maybe your career goals. It's also a good time for you to step into a new role, as long as you're not just jumping for the sake of jumping. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Your divine energy is radiating out in all directions, attracting all the right people to your brilliance. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Change is coming, like it or not. The weird thing is it feels really sudden, but if you just let it wash over you, you should quickly realize that it's been coming for weeks or even years.

Some of the books from the Caribbean Press Collection investigation into the controversial Caribbean Press. Here is an extract of that discussion with Mr. Johnson. Kaieteur News (KN): Would you be calling for an investigation into the Caribbean Press anytime soon given your well-known views on the matter? Ruel Johnson (RJ): I’ve called for an investigation into the Caribbean Press even before I came into this position and I definitely still think one is warranted. I know that there has been resistance to it because I believe it is embarrassing to otherwise upstanding people who were fooled into thinking it was some credible machinery. They supported it. But as a basic measure of public accountability, there needs to be closure on this issue that was basically flagrantly waved in the face of the people of Guyana. There is a great opportunity for sustainable publishing growing in the region and either the Caribbean Press was a best practice example that should be built upon or it is what I’ve said it was, a black hole of accountability and governance – either way, it has lessons for literary arts development and I intend to find out precisely what went on. KN: What are the plans for our film industry? RJ: Film presents the greatest, most potentially profitable area of sustainable economic diversification via the creative industries, one which has scope for a tremendous impact in every other creative industry sector and tourism, but for financial and legal services as well. The key government interventions I’ve planned for film is a National Film

Commission, an accredited film programme at a legally established Institute of Creative Arts, an incentive regime for external investment in local film production, coproduction treaties with other countries, technical assistance from countries like Argentina, and a special fund for film investment linked to our oil revenue, much like the model that exists with Petrobras in neighbouring Brazil. KN: What initiatives are in the pipeline to get more youths involved in the arts?

RJ: Certainly an expanded arts programme in schools is an ideal place to start and concrete steps have already been taken in developing teacher capacity in music education. But I am also looking at communitybased arts programmes that are designed upon community priorities and traditions as well as standardized allocation of dedicated creative arts education and performance spaces in municipal and community development (continued on page 31)

Monday July 25, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Democrats in disarray of convention to nominate Clinton Reuters - The head of the Democratic Party resigned yesterday amid a furore over embarrassing leaked emails, hoping to head off a growing rebellion by Bernie Sanders supporters on the eve of the convention to nominate Hillary Clinton for the White House. Lingering bitterness from their heated primary campaign erupted after more than 19,000 Democratic National Committee emails, leaked on Friday, seemed to confirm Sanders’ frequent charge that the party played favourites in the race. In a statement, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the best way for the party to accomplish its goal of putting Clinton in the White House was for her to step down. Sanders had demanded earlier in the day that Wasserman Schultz resign. The furore was a blow to a party keen on projecting stability in contrast to the volatility of Republican candidate Donald Trump, who was formally nominated at a raucous convention last week, and overshadowed preparations in Philadelphia for Clinton’s coronation as the nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential

Debbie Wasserman Schultz election. The four-day Democratic convention will open today. In some good news for Clinton, The New York Times reported that businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will endorse her in a primetime speech yesterday, saying she will be the best choice for moderate voters in 2016. The cache of emails leaked Friday by the WikiLeaks website revealed DNC officials explored ways to undermine Sanders’ insurgent presidential campaign, including raising questions about whether Sanders, who is Jewish, was really an atheist.

Sanders said Wasserman Schultz, a member of Congress from Florida, had made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party. “The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race,” he said. The Clinton camp questioned whether Russians

may have had a hand in the hack attack on the party’s emails and were interested in helping Trump, who has exchanged words of praise with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “What’s disturbing to us is that experts are telling us that Russian state actors broke into the DNC, stole these emails and other experts are now saying that Russians are releasing these emails for the purpose of helping Donald Trump,” Clinton campaign chairman Robby Mook said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Clinton, 68, a former secretary of state, and Sanders, 74, an independent U.S. senator from Vermont who ran for president as a Democrat, waged a heated months-long battle for the nomination. Branding himself a democratic socialist, Sanders galvanized young and liberal voters with his calls to rein in Wall Street and eradicate income inequality.

But Sanders repeatedly voiced frustration with a DNC and party establishment that he felt was stacked against him, and the resentment from Sanders and his supporters threatened to disrupt the convention. “I’m not shocked but I’m disappointed,” Sanders said of the emails yesterday on ABC’s “This Week.” The emails showed DNC officials pondering various ways to undercut Sanders. Brad Marshall, the DNC’s chief financial officer, apologised on Facebook on Saturday for an email in which he discussed how some voters in upcoming nominating contests in Kentucky and West Virginia would reject an atheist. “He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage,” Marshall wrote in a May 5 email to three top DNC officials. No names were mentioned, but Sanders was the only Jewish candidate. Sanders, who has

endorsed Clinton and will speak on her behalf to the convention today, said he would have preferred she pick U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a favourite of the party’s liberal wing, as her No. 2. “I have known Tim Kaine for a number of years... Tim is a very, very smart guy. He is a very nice guy,” Sanders said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “He is more conservative than I am. Would I have preferred to see somebody like an Elizabeth Warren selected by Secretary Clinton? Yes, I would have,” he said. Carrying pitchforks meant to portray Clinton as the devil, hundreds of Sanders supporters took to the streets of Philadelphia yesterday to say they felt betrayed by the DNC. DNC Vice Chairwoman Donna Brazile will serve as interim chair through the election, the DNC said on Twitter.

Turkey ruling, opposition parties rally together after coup

Former militants confirm talks with Nigerian govt. - To end Niger Delta attacks Reuters - A Nigerian former militant group said yesterday it has been holding talks with the government to end a wave of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta which has crippled the country’s crude output. On Thursday, the office of President Muhammadu Buhari said the government was using oil firms and security agencies to talk to the militants “to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region”. “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to confirm that indeed it has been in preliminary talks with the Federal Government through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies,” the group said in a statement. MEND is a major former militant group which signed in 2009 an amnesty in exchange for cash and job training brokered by the previous government. It said the Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group that has claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks, would not be part of the dialogue. “The Federal Government made it clear during our meetings that a negotiation with criminals is out of the question,” MEND said. “The Niger Delta Avengers...fall under this category.” The Niger Delta Avengers group had on Thursday said it was not aware of any talks with the government. Security sources have linked the Avengers to former commanders in MEND. Both groups hail from the same area. Militants say they want a greater share of Nigeria’s oil wealth to go to the impoverished Delta region. Crude sales make up about 70 percent of national income and the vast majority of that oil comes from the southern swampland. Nigeria, an OPEC member, was Africa’s top oil producer until the recent spate of attacks pushed it behind Angola. Enforcing any peace deal would be difficult as the militant scene is divided into small groups where leaders do not control the unemployed youth they recruit.

Reuters - Tens of thousands of supporters of Turkey’s ruling and main opposition parties, usually bitter foes, rallied together yesterday in support of democracy following a failed military coup as President Tayyip Erdogan tightens his grip on the country. Demonstrators held a cross-party “Republic and Democracy” rally in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square in a spirit of unity following the failed coup, in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured. In a rare move, pro-government channels broadcast a live speech from the podium by main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. “This is a day to unite, a day to stand up against coups and dictatorial regimes, a day to let the voice of the people be heard,” he said at the rally, organised by his secularist opposition CHP but also backed by the ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party and by other opposition groups. “We are all together in Taksim today. Today is a day we made history all together.” Erdogan will probably try to capitalise on the large size of the crowd

of all political persuasions to try and reassert full control over the country, a NATO ally and an important partner in the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State. In another demonstration of unity after the coup, which was staged by a faction within the armed forces, the head of Turkey’s air force issued a rare statement stressing “absolute obedience” to the chief of the military General Staff. Some members of the air force were involved in the coup. The chief of the military General Staff, Hulusi Akar, who was held hostage by the plotters on the night of July 15, condemned the plotters yesterday as “cowards in uniform” who had greatly harmed the nation and the army. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday authorities had taken around 13,000 people into custody over the coup attempt, including 8,831 soldiers. He pledged they would have a fair trial. Rights group Amnesty International said it had received credible evidence of detainees being subjected to beatings and torture, including rape, since the coup attempt. “It is absolutely imperative that the

Turkish authorities halt these abhorrent practices and allow international monitors to visit all these detainees in the places they are being held,” said Amnesty’s Europe director John Dalhuisen in a statement. Erdogan has extended the maximum period of detention for suspects from four days to 30, a move Amnesty said increased the risk of torture or other maltreatment of detainees. But for now, the crackdown appears to be broadly popular. Taksim Square, like much of Istanbul and other cities, is awash with Turkish flags and CHP supporters were also carrying pictures of their hero Kemal Ataturk, the soldier who founded the secular republic on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire in 1923. Opposition parties have mixed backing for purging coup supporters with calls for reconciliation and restraint. Turkey’s Supreme Military Council (YAS) will meet under Erdogan’s supervision on Thursday. Erdogan told Reuters in an interview last Thursday that he would restructure the armed forces and bring in “fresh blood”.

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G20 will use ‘all policy tools’ to lift growth as Brexit weighs Reuters - The world’s biggest economies will work to support global growth and better share the benefits of trade, policymakers said on Sunday after a meeting dominated by the impact of Britain’s exit from Europe and fears of rising protectionism. Philip Hammond, Britain’s new Chancellor, said the uncertainty about Brexit would begin to abate once Britain laid out a vision for a future relationship with Europe, which could become clearer later this year. But there could be volatility in financial markets throughout the negotiations in the years ahead, Hammond said after the meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in China’s southwestern city of Chengdu. “What will start to reduce uncertainty is when we are able to set out more clearly the kind of arrangement we envisage going forward with the European Union,” Hammond told reporters. “If our European Union partners respond to such a vision positively - obviously it will be subject to negotiation - so that there is a sense perhaps later this year that we are all on the same page in terms of where we expect to be going. I think that will send a reassuring signal to the business community and to markets.” A communique issued by the G20 ministers at the end of the two-day meeting said Brexit, which dominated discussions, had added to uncertainty in the global economy where growth was “weaker than desirable”. It added that members, however, were “well positioned to proactively address the potential economic and financial consequences”. “In light of recent developments, we reiterate our determination to use all policy tools – monetary, fiscal and structural – individually and collectively to achieve our goal of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.” The International Monetary Fund this week cut its global growth forecasts because of the Brexit vote.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors including Germany’s Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schauble (L), International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde (C), and Secretary-General of OECD Angel Gurria leave after a group photo in Chengdu in Southwestern China’s Sichuan province, yesterday. REUTERS/Ng Han Guan/Pool

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Venezuela first lady’s nephews ‘confessed’ in drug case

Efrain Campo, 29, and Francisco Flores, 30 BBC News - Two nephews of Venezuela’s first lady confessed to conspiring to import cocaine into the US after being arrested last year, court filings by US prosecutors on Friday said. Efrain Campo, 29, and Francisco Flores, 30, were arrested in Haiti in November and put on a plane to New York where they are in jail awaiting trial. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers have argued that their postarrest statements made during the flight to the US should be suppressed. They say the defendants did not fully understand their rights under US law to remain silent. Friday’s filings by prosecutors were made

to oppose this motion and intended to show that the men were not coerced when they spoke to US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. Prosecutors accuse the defendants of conspiracy to import 800kg (1,760lb) of cocaine into the US from Venezuela, via Honduras. The case emerged out of a series of investigations by the US authorities, which have linked people connected with Venezuela’s political elite to drug trafficking. It has been an embarrassment for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose administration is battling political and economic turmoil.

J’cans encouraged to celebrate in unity KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Jamaicans have been encouraged to celebrate and demonstrate unity and togetherness for Emancipation and Independence. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said the festivities are for all Jamaicans, and they must come together and “show no political, class or religious divide.” “It is about one Jamaica, and for us to celebrate our achievements and to share in whatever tribulations or trials we had prior to Independence and to draw on the strength going forward to overcome whatever there may be,” she added. The minister said the country has proven to the world that “we are a nation of talents; we have the fastest man on earth and we have

Olivia Grange some of the fastest women.” “We also gave the world a musical icon in Bob Marley ….so we have a lot to be proud of,” Grange said. The country is celebrating 54 years of Independence under the

theme: ‘Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’. Emancipation Day will be observed on August 1, while Independence Day will be celebrated on August 6. The minister pointed out that there will be a series of events across the island from Sunday, July 31 to Saturday, August 6 for people to attend. These include church services, parish vigils, flag raising ceremonies, festival bandwagons, public fora, street dances, Independence concerts and stage shows which will be organised by the Ministry and its agency, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). She also invited media houses to participate in a Media competition, noting that there is a special award for the entity that demonstrates the ‘Spirit of Independence’ as well as an award for the advertising agency that utilises the Independence theme in its promotional campaigns. “I want to say to the media houses that in the spirit of Independence, we are asking you to play the festival song and to give it heavy rotation,” she said. (Jamaica Observer)

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CLICO Battle For No Man’s Land … DUPREY COMES OUT FIGHTING

Lawrence Duprey Trinidad Guardian - That is what is shaping up on all fronts—from Government to the Clico owners of the property—as the spotlight

continues to increase on one of the last pristine pieces of beachfront in the Englishspeaking Caribbean. It is now a particularly

significant chip in T&T’s tourism portfolio following interest by Jamaican “Sandals” chain magnate Gordon “Butch” Stewart. However, CL Finance majority shareholder Lawrence Duprey, who said Saturday he will use all legal measures to fight for the property—owned by Clico subsidiaries—also said he has been holding talks over the last 18 months with a

major global brand name resort developer which also wants No Man’s Land. And which he said was a bigger name than Sandals. “We’ll protect our constitutional rights,” Duprey added. “The way things are going, we must guard against undemocratic action, so we’re prepared for court—any court anywhere—to protect what we have to.”

No Man’s Land is part of the Golden Grove estate at Bon Accord Lagoon, Buccoo. The estate, including environmentally important wetlands, comprises between 429.8 and 517 acres of freehold land owned by Clico subsidiaries, Occidental Investments Ltd (OIL) and Oceanic Properties Ltd (OPL). In an increased T&T tourism thrust, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has spearheaded moves for exploration of a possible Tobago Sandals development arguing that a brand name will earn significant benefits for Tobago tourism and increase hotel rooms by 750. On June 25, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Tourism Secretary Tracey Davidson Celestine was reported as saying the THA had had four meetings with Sandals founder/chairman Stewart. At the end of June, Government announced an eight-member team led by onetime PNM minister Wendell Mottley to pursue and handle all negotiations for the Sandals project. In a Trinidad Guardian July 4 article, Stewart revealed a preference for No Man’s Land (NML), adding if it did not work out, he would examine another. But he said he had looked around Tobago and h a d n o t f o u n d a n o t h e r. Projecting development in three years or so, he had confirmed Rowley approached him to bring the Sandals chain to To b a g o i n 2 0 1 5 b e f o r e Rowley won the general election, and contacted him after winning. At the PNM’s July 13 Tobago Council executive election, Rowley maintained the call for a To b a g o Sandals development, noting the benefits it could bring. A July 14 Business Guardian story revealed the NML area was owned by Clico subsidiaries. Replying to T&T Guardian queries on NML, on July 16, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the land at Golden Grove was a “non-issue,” confirming, “The land is owned by Clico.” Imbert said: “If and when an agreement is reached with Sandals for the construction of a resort at that location, the land will simply be acquired by the Government. This can be done in many ways. It can be sold to the Government and the proceeds of sale

netted off against the amount owed by Clico to the Government, or it can simply be purchased.” Imbert said the situation was not a “big deal” and has nothing to do with Duprey.” He said the project was still at the conceptual stage. Imbert, who said negotiations are about to begin, said: “If and when agreement is reached by all parties, designs will be finalised and all relevant issues addressed at that time.” Subsequently contacted, Duprey made it clear he had no ties with the Sandals proposal, nor is he giving his blessing to acquisition of the estate. Rather, Duprey said he has been negotiating with a global investor comprising combined US and European interests concerning a proposed US$3.5 billion resort for the Golden Grove estate/NML. He said the developers involve a “major brand name in the world market” but are not yet in the Caribbean and the brand was “way above Sandals’.” “The NML is likely the last pristine beachfront in the English-speaking Caribbean and is uniquely high value over other resorts because of the Nylon Pool, hence our developers’ interest in investing such a sizeable sum. “The group whose name I cannot publicise at this point has developed ventures in environmentally-sensitive areas and it’s one of the reasons we’re talking. In the 1990s, Clico had developed Buccoo Reef using money from the profitable Methanol plant in protecting environmentally important projects. The reef was one of three, but we weren’t able to continue. If we get permission to build, that protection (of Buccoo Reef) can resume. Any developer will have to be extremely careful to protect the reefs as they’re now global watch after being destroyed.” Duprey said the number of rooms for the proposed resort will depend on Town and Country Planning permission. He acknowledged a Certificate of Environmental Clearance for the spot had lapsed since 2009 and would have to be renewed and efforts towards that would start soon.

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Uprooting corruption and...

Cultural Advisor, Ruel Johnson From page 24 centres. All those white elephants that were funded under the previous administration in the name of development are prime infrastructure for community based arts development that government doesn’t even have to get involved in beyond technical support. What should be noted is that these plans are not merely part of a proposed national cultural policy but are currently included as a specific component of the National Youth Policy. KN: Given the way Trinidad has been able to market Carnival, where do you see Mashramani in the future for Guyana? RJ: Twelve years ago, in 2004, I wrote an article on precisely this issue for The Caribbean Beat. This is how the article ended: “…A viable Mash industry is not unlikely in the near future. Incrementally but steadily, Mashramani is becoming a cultural festival that may someday boast enough pomp, pizzazz, and spirit to rival even Trinidad’s Carnival itself.” Of course, the reverse has happened and next year it is going to be a challenge in changing that direction to get it back to where we were getting in 2004. Festivals are considered to a cultural industry so even as we look to develop other festivals, Mashramani remains the festival with the most potential. That said, we don’t need to aspire to Trinidad’s level of development and the reality is that we can’t. Trinidad’s Carnival evolved out of several socio-cultural dynamics while Mashramani was more of a political state initiative that gained some cultural traction. I personally believe that we have other cultural festivals, like our beautiful Phagwah for example, which is more organic in development even though given subsequent state imprimatur, and which can, if given

support and promotion, attract a large international following even greater than Carnival. KN: How would you evaluate current government spending and efforts in culture and arts? RJ: Firstly, I should say that structurally, it has remained largely unchanged, but the reality is that there is no system in place to monitor and evaluate government expenditure because that sort of programme was anathema to the former administration. Evaluation is harder than you’d imagine since not only do you have to ascertain what was spent but if it was accountably spent. For example, there was the Sports and Arts Development Fund, which was ostensibly used in part to fund arts initiatives external to the then Ministry of Culture. Questioned in Parliament in 2012, former Culture Minister, Frank Anthony claimed that he spent monies on film and the Caribbean Press, yet the audit of the Fund doesn’t provide any evidence of monies spent. We have expenditure on the Guyana Prize that reaches as high as $17.5 million, yet the prize payout is a maximum of $5.2 million. Then there is the fact that funding on culture and the arts is really spread among ministries other than the culture portfolio ministry both in major and minor ways – whether it is a Ministry of Finance paying for a painting or the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs giving money for the preservation of indigenous languages, it all counts as arts funding that isn’t immediately identifiable as such. Over the upcoming year, as part of preparing Guyana’s Quadrennial Periodic Report on the status of the implementation of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Diversity, I will have to conduct a four year assessment of public expenditure on culture, which of course means mapping not only the monies allocated but offering an analysis of the efficacy of that expenditure. Then we can have a clearer evaluative picture. KN: What role should the private sector play in developing our cultural systems and are you satisfied with its efforts thus far? RJ: I haven’t been satisfied with the role the private sector has played in general, but I applaud the insistence of the companies that do support the arts, because I recognize that they are doing so in the absence of any proper policy environment that incentivizes their contributions. Going forward, particular in the area of cultural and creative industries development, we need to stop perpetuating this dichotomy between culture and business. ‘Captain America vs Ironman’ has so far in the few months that it has opened most likely earned more money than the top five businesses in Guyana combined over the past five years. It has certainly earned more money than GuySuCo in the past ten years. The “orange economy” is increasingly recognized as the best option for sustainable economic diversification for developing countries like ours seeking to move away from primary products. If Guyana as a whole does not restructure the way it operates then we could miss riding a very lucrative cultural wave that is taking place in larger markets. In the medium to long term, we need to create an environment in which those with capital are more sensitive to investment opportunities in the creative and cultural sectors, while those involved in creative and cultural practice develop a sense of entrepreneurship. To be continued …

2016 HERO C’BEAN PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCH REPORT 23:

Charles inspires Zouks to third successive home Hero CPL win

Johnson Charles led with an impressive 94 not out to see the Zouks to victory. (CPL) St Lucia (CPL) A match winning stand between Shane Watson and Johnson Charles saw the St Lucia Zouks to victory over Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Sunday. Charles made a career best 94 not out as the Zouks made it three wins from three from their home leg to put themselves in the mix for finals week in St Kitts & Nevis. The two batsmen paced the chase perfectly as they reached the victory target with some ease. Another impressive Zouks bowling performance in the six over PowerPlay kept the Amazon Warriors to just 28 runs inside the fielding restrictions. The Amazon Warriors lost opener Nic Maddinson in the first six having made two off 10 balls. Maddinson was playing his first Hero CPL match and his first game of cricket of any kind since March and he struggled to get going, departed bowled by Jerome Taylor. Fellow Australian Chris Lynn continued the excellent form he has shown throughout this Hero CPL on his way to 86 from 45 balls. Lynn was already the leading run scorer for the Amazon Warriors before this game and he further extended his lead over his teammates and became the number one run getter in Hero CPL 2016, going past Hashim Amla. With Martin Guptill now away with New Zealand Lynn’s contributions will be more important than ever and he has taken on that responsibility with relish. Lynn combined with Dwayne Smith to put on a 100 runs for the second wicket as the Zouks lost their way under the pressure of that partnership. Things began to improve for the home team when man of the hour Daren Sammy dismissed Smith for 56 (50). Since the Beauséjour Stadium was renamed the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground he can do no wrong. There was some sloppy fielding from the Zouks, not least from Charles who spilled two simple chances, but there were some highlights for the Zouks with the ball as the

innings came to a close. Jerome Taylor was one of those shining lights, producing a brilliant spell of 2-26 off his four overs. Lynn was on strike for final over, well set on 86 with a hundred in his sights. He went to the very first delivery of that Shane Watson over, brilliantly caught by Keddy Lesporis. The West Indies’ Under-19 World Cup winning captain Shimron Hetmyer fell to the very next ball for a duck as the Zouks finished well with the ball after a shaky middle of the innings. Watson took two wickets and conceded just one run from the 20th over as the Amazon Warriors finished on 159-9. Chasing 160 the Zouks got off to a poor start when Andre Fletcher was bowled by the 2016 Hero CPL’s leading wicket taker Sohail Tanvir for just three runs. From there it was all about Watson and Charles who both made half centuries as they put together a 151 run partnership – the best stand in this season’s Hero CPL. None of the Amazon Warriors bowlers could find a way to keep the Zouks scoring rate in check as they looked a little ring-rusty. Captain Rayad Emrit could have dismissed Charles in the 11th over when a leading edge fell just short of the fielder. Then Jason Mohammad dropped Charles when he was on 76. With those chances missed Charles took his side home with match a winning contribution. The Zouks got home for their third successive victory with ease, winning the game with nine wickets and 23 balls to spare to move into a qualification spot for the first time this season. With another match at home before the Zouks take on the Jamaica Tallawahs in Florida they are looking good for their first ever appearance in the Hero CPL knockouts. Scores: St Lucia Zouks 162-1 (J Charles 94 not out, S Tanvir 1 for 47) beat Guyana Amazon Warriors 159-5 (C Lynn 86, J Taylor 2 for 26) by nine wickets with 23 balls remaining.

Upcoming fixtures: 24th Match: Zouks v T&T Riders at Gros Islet on Jul 26, 2016 (18:00 local | 22:00 GMT) 25th Match: Tridents v Amazon at Lauderhill on Jul 28, 2016 (19:00 local | 23:00 GMT) 26th Match: Patriots v T&T Riders at Lauderhill on Jul 29, 2016 (19:00 local | 23:00 GMT) 27th Match: Tallawahs v Zouks at Lauderhill on Jul 30, 2016 (12:00 local | 16:00 GMT) Teams Jamaica Tallawahs (Q) Guyana Amazon Warriors St Lucia Zouks Barbados Tridents Trinbago Knight Riders St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Mat 8 8 7 8 7 8

Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR 6 1 0 1 13 +1.502 5 3 0 0 10 +0.017 4 3 0 0 8 -0.050 3 4 0 1 7 -0.184 3 4 0 0 6 -0.102 1 7 0 0 2 -1.022

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WICB WOMEN’S T20

Mohammed spins T&T to big win against Guyana T&T & JAMAICA TO CLASH IN TONIGHT’S FINAL By Sean Devers A mesmerizing four-over spell of bowling by West Indies off-spinner, 27-yearold Anisa Mohammed, spun T&T to a five-wicket victory over Guyana at Providence as the WICB Regional t20 Women’s tournament continued yesterday. No Guyanese reached 15 as they limped to 63-8 in 20 overs. Mohammed grabbed 4-9 for T&T who raced to 645 with 72 balls to spare despite a slight scare when they lost four wickets for 10 runs. The game between the Leewards and Windwards was abandoned after the Windwards reached 78-2 from 11 overs and the Leewards did not get a chance to bat. The game began 138 minutes late due to heavy morning rain and was reduced to 11 overs. Leewards Skipper Shawnisha Hector again bowled with impressive pace and struck West Indies batter Juliana Nero (10) on her head with a bouncer forcing the 37year-old Vincentian, who played her only Test in 2004 and who was not wearing a helmet, to retire hurt. Akeira Peters hit an 11-ball 20 with four fours, opener Stacy Ann Adams made an undefeated 19 and Skipper

Afy Fletcher scored 10 as both teams got off the mark with two points each. Jamaica got the better of Barbados by two in the night game. Both teams were unbeaten before the last night game and the win put Jamaica into tonight’s final at Providence. T&T qualified for the final due to their superior net run rate over Barbados. Stefanie Tailor, who struck seven fours and a six in 68 from 49 balls to take her runs tally to 165, and 23 from Chedean Nation led Jamaica to 125-4 off 20 overs as Deandra Dottin took 3-18 for Barbados who finished on 123-6 despite skipper Shaqnana Quintyne’s 34, Charlene Taitt (23) and Kycia Knight (22) leading the way. Shenel Daley followed up her 5-11 on Friday with 2-12 and got support from player-ofthe-Match Taylor with 2-18. Guyana were off to a laborious start and lost Lashuna Toussaint (4); run out in the fifth over with just five runs on the board and after the six power-play overs, the Guyanese were 8-1. Guyana’s best batter Shemaine Campbelle struggled for 13 balls for five before she played back and was LBW to spinner Shenelle

Guyana’s best batter Shamaine Campbelle struggled to score freely before she was LBW to Shenelle Lord. (Sean Devers photo)

Guyana’s top-scorer Melanie Henry is caught & bowled by Karishma Ramharack at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) Lord at 13-2. By 10 overs Guyana’s run rate was as slow as a turtle climbing mount Roraima as they crawled to 22-2 with the dot balls mounting. Melanie Henry pulled pacer Kirbyina Alexander for four and lofted right-arm spinner Karishma Ramharack over mid-off for a one bounce four but Ramharack got the last laugh when she had Henry caught and bowled for 14 from 24 balls to leave the hosts on 28-3 in the 11th over. Skipper Tremayne Smartt dumped Lord over long-on for six but it was one of only three boundaries in the entire Guyana innings. Smartt (14) hit a full toss to mid-on at 45-4 in the 15th to start the ‘Anisa Mohamed show’ as no other batter reached double figures or seemed capable of getting the ball off the square. Lee Ann Kirby (1-6 from 4 overs) had Akaze Thompson (7) taken at long-on before the last five wickets tumbled for six runs. Mohamed, the ICC number one ranked female t20 bowler, removed Shabika Gajnabi for a duck before he got Heema Singh (7) and Sabrina Munroe (0) in two balls before Plaffiana

Millington (1*) averted the hat-trick. Alexander (0-4 from 3 overs) also bowled a frugal spell. When T&T began their reply they were off like a runaway train and although Giddings bowled Kirby for six at 9-1 to claim her seventh scalp in the tournament, her over cost 13 runs and after two overs T&T were large and in charge in Guyana’s back yard at 31-1. Britney Cooper clobbered a four and a six in her 10-ball 18 before she charged Munroe and Campbelle, standing back, threw the wicket down as she was stumped at 37-2. Stacy Ann King (8) was run out at 38-3 in mix-up, Captain Merissa Aguilleira (2) was stupendously taken at mid-off by Smartt, diving full length to her right off Millington’s first ball without addition to the score. When Selene O’Neil (3) was removed by Millington at 48-5 the few Guyanese supporters in the Presidential Suite sounded like 10,000 as they urged the girls on. But Rachel Vincent (13) and Mohammed (8) saw their team home with 72 balls to spare. Guyana and Leewards will play in the 09:00hrs game

today to determine the fifth and last positions, while the Windwards face Barbados in the 14:00hrs encounter before

the tournament concludes with the final between T&T and Jamaica under lights from 19:00hrs.

Chris Froome seals Tour great status with third title PARIS (Reuters) Briton Chris Froome cemented his status as one of the greatest Tour de France riders when he secured his third title on Sunday after a three-week rocky ride. Germany’s Andre Greipel won the 21st and last stage, a 113-km ride from Chantilly ending on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Team Sky rider Froome survived two crashes and even a jog up a mountain road to add to his 2013 and 2015 triumphs and become the first rider to retain his title since Spaniard Miguel Indurain in 1995. American Lance Armstrong won seven titles in succession from 1999 but was erased from the winners’ list after admitting to doping. “This tour has obviously taken place against the backdrop of terrible events in Nice and we pay our respect again to those who lost their lives,” Froome said of the recent incident in which a man killed 84 people when he drove a truck through a Bastille Day crowd on the seafront at the Riviera city. “Of course these kinds of events put sport into perspective but they also show why the values of sport are so important to free society.” Frenchman Romain Bardet finished second overall 2:52 behind Froome, who had a 4:05 lead going into the last stage but was caught on the wrong side of a split in the finale of Sunday’s stage. Colombian Nairo Quintana, runner-up in 2013 and 2015 who was expected to push Froome to the limit, ended up a disappointing third, 3:08 off the pace. Pole Rafal Majka won the polka dot jersey for the mountain classification and his Tinkoff team mate, world champion Peter Sagan, clinched a fifth green jersey for the points classification. Sagan, who won three stages, was also voted the most aggressive rider in the three-week race while Adam Yates showed Britain was full of resources, ending up fourth overall and winning the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider. Another Briton, Mark Cavendish, claimed four stages but he pulled out of the race on the second rest day to prepare for the Olympics, where he will be competing on the track. IMPRESSIVE TEAM Froome built his success on an impressively strong Team Sky, arguably the best assembled in recent Tour history, being able to rely on domestique de luxe Wouter Poels in the mountains. The Briton, however, had a few scares. In the 12th stage ending on Mont Ventoux, he crashed when he was involved in an incident with a TV motorbike and even ran up the road after his bike was broken. Froome hit the deck again on a slippery descent in the 19th stage, but he had by then sewn up his win thanks to strong performances in the time trials and surprise attacks on a descent and the flat. The atmosphere was much more relaxed on Sunday when the peloton rode a largely processional stage, Froome drinking beer and champagne in the neutral zone. Things got more hectic once the race entered the Champs Elysees, the bunch even splitting in the finale as a reduced peloton contested the sprint finish. Greipel was the strongest, comfortably beating Sagan and Norway’s Alexander Kristoff.

Monday July 25, 2016

More sponsors on board for Guyana Cup

Mr Rovin De Souza (right) of the Guyana Cup 10 Anniversary organising Committee receives the sponsorship cheque from a representative of BM Soat Auto Spares. With just over three weeks to go before race day, counting down has begun for the ‘Summer Buster’ Golden Jubilee Guyana Cup Horserace meet. The event which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary is organized by the Jumbo Jet Business Enterprise in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club. The event is slated for August 14 at the Port Mourant “Big Yard” Turf Club, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. Eight Races are listed on the day’s programme which has $22M in cash, trophies and other incentives available. The turf club is in excellent condition and renovation and other preparatory works in full steam. The mega event is undoubtedly the biggest horserace event in Guyana, has so far attracted a number of sponsors. Two more companies have added their names to the list of sponsors. During the week Mr. Leekha Ramrich of Rambrich Enterprise of Bengal Village Corentyne Berbice agreed to be a part of the mega event and within days handed over a cheque of a sizable sum to the Guyana Cup Organisers. Mr Rambrich, who is no stranger to horseracing, is happy to be a part of the Jumbo event, especially with this being Guyana’s 50th Anniversary Independence year. Also during the week the Principals of the BM Soat Auto Spares joined their counterparts of The Auto Sales sections in handing over their contribution to the organisers of the prestigious event. The feature event is for animals classified “A” and lower over 1600M with a

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Kaieteur News

sizable $4M and the Guyana Cup Trophy from a total package of $8M over 1600M. The co-feature event is for 3yrs old horses, bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies, for a hefty $2M and trophy also over 1600M. Then there is the event for two year old West Indies Bred horses for $1M and trophy over 1000M. The E class event has $1M and trophy for the winner over 1300M. There is an event for G3 and lower animals, H and lower horses, horses classified J and K and one for L class horses. Beverage giants Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall, Phaghoo General Store of West Coast, Berbice, Assuria Insurance Company, Prem’s Grocery and Beer Garden, West Coast, Berbice, Fix It Vulcanizing and Tire Shop West Coast, Berbice, Hand In Hand Insurance Company, Colours Boutique of Georgetown, BM Soat Auto

Sales, Jameel Bar and Entertainment Lounge, the Muneshwar Store and the Hyper Malt Beverage Company are among the sponsors. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers and the Trophy Stall. A number of added attractions and incentives have been made available including for the winners of the A class, the three year old and the two year old races. They will get an extra $500,000, $400,000 and $200,000 bonuses respectively. The jockeys riding the respective animals in those events will all ride away with an extra $50,000. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed Jnr. Bugle time is 12:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Leekha Ramrich Jr. of Rambrich Enterprise, Bengal Farm, Corentyne, Berbice presents their Company’s cheque to a representative of the Guyana Cup Organising Committee.

Sir Leon’s Lesson down DC Caesar Fox 3-2 to book semi final spot By Franklin Wilson in Bartica Watched by the Mayor and Regional Chairman of Region #7, visitors Sir Leon’s Lesson upstaged DC Caesar Fox Secondary in a five goal thriller to advance to the semi finals of the Digicel Schools Football Championship at the Bartica Community Center ground last night. The biggest crowd at this venue for quite some time left disappointed that the home team did not advance but were treated to some exciting football, especially in the second half. The first 45 minutes did not produce any goals but gave a good indication that neither team was going to allow the other to dictate proceedings. Sir Leon’s Captain David George led by example in heavy conditions, blasting a double, the first and winning goals to seal an exciting but tough win for his team. George signaled early intentions as he sent DC Caesar Fox custodian, Reese Gomez into early action as he had to tip the ball over the bar within the first 5 minutes. Sir Leon’s goalie, Christian Benjamin, too was called into early action as DC Caesar Fox fired back. Both sides tried their best to trump the challenging conditions. The ground staff and Digicel officials did an excellent job in ensuring that play was possible after very heavy rain left the field waterlogged for the entire morning and early afternoon. Extra drains were dug to allow the water to drain so that play

David George (left) and Sylvester Richardson Sir Leon Lessons goal scorers. was possible, luckily, the facility has floodlights which were used to ensure that match was played. But all the action, at least goal wise was reserved for the second half. The strength of George was too much for the home team to handle and it was just a matter of time before he exploded. That he did in the 53rd minute when he put Sir Leon’s Lessons ahead. But while the large crowd was silenced for a few moments, they were joyful three minutes later when a world class header drew DC Caesar Fox level. A well placed cross saw Uriah King rising above the Sir Leon’s defenders to head the ball past Benjamin in the 56th minute. The advantage was restored for Sir Leon’s Lesson in the 67th minute compliments of another classical header, this time from Sylvester Richardson. DC Caesar Fox, whilst not

as robust and physical as their opponents, used their experience and skills to counter when it mattered. They neutralised proceedings for a second time in the match with 3 minutes to the end of regulation time when they were awarded a free kick just inside their opponents half. Stepping up to take the shot was the lanky Ashton Ward and the end result was a ripper of a goal. The ball dipped just under the cross bar but over the fingers of Benjamin to settle at the back of the nets to send the fans into a frenzy. But their joy was short lived as George again took proceedings into his own hands when he blasted in the winning goal with one minute to full-time, it was a dagger like goal. The win has secured a place for Sur Leon’s Lessons in the semi finals as they are two hurdles away from championship glory.

BOLT ACCUSES RIVAL GATLIN OF ‘DISRESPECT’ LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Usain Bolt has reignited his rivalry with fellow sprinter Justin Gatlin, accusing the American of “disrespect”, just two weeks before the Rio Olympics. Brushing aside any concerns about the hamstring injury which forced him to withdraw f r o m h i s c o u n t r y ’s Olympic trials earlier this month, the Jamaican sprint king ran a solid time of 19.89sec in his first competitive 200m of this season in London, on Friday. The 29-year-old Bolt, a six-time Olympic champion, had received a medical exemption to miss

the Jamaican trials — sparking claims from Gatlin and a number of United States sprinters that he received preferential treatment which he would not receive were he American. Bolt laughed off the criticism led by Gatlin, who has served two bans for doping. “For me, I felt it was a joke, I felt it was a disrespect [that] they’d think I’d back out of a trials,” he said. “I’ve proven myself year-on-year that I’m the greatest. I laughed when I heard it. I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin.” Gatlin, 34, who took silver

behind Bolt at last year’s world championships in the 100m and 200m, has been one of Bolt’s most consistent rivals in recent years. Speaking to reporters at the US Olympic trials in Eugene earlier this month, Gatlin said he was in no doubt that Bolt would be fit to run at the Olympics, which begin on August 5. “At the end of the day, when you command a certain power in track and field sometimes you can exercise it,” he said, alluding to preferential treatment for Bolt. “That’s what’s happening right now — he’s injured, he has a medical pass; that’s what his country does.”

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Monday July 25, 2016

Kaieteur News

RHTYSC, MS/TCL 2016 Cricket Academy

Chanderpaul Govindan cops top award as successful Cricket Academy concludes Berbice under-15 middle order batsman Chanderpaul Govindan copped the prestigious Cricketer of the 2016 Cricket Academy Award as the curtains came down on a highly successful RHTYSC, M.S/TCL Cricket Academy on Friday last. The closing ceremony of the Academy was held at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre and was attended by all ninety four (94) young cricketers who successfully completed the two weeks Camp which was held from the 11th to 23rd of July at the Club’s Area ‘H’ Ground. The 2016 Cricket Academy was described as the most successful in the 26 years history of the Club hosting its cricket development programme. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the work done by Coaches Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks and Berbice Senior Player Eon Hooper and stated that the future of the RHTYSC as a major cricketing force was secured. He disclosed that the young cricketers were coached on batting, bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping, while a lot of work was done on the physical fitness of each player. Several classroom lectures were also done by using the RHTYSC Youth Information Booklet on topics such as Drug Abuse, Suicide, HIV/Aids, Importance of Education, Importance of Discipline, Choosing of Friends, Role of a Sports Ambassador, History of

The 2016 TCL Cricket Academy top performers pose with Coaches. Cricket and Rules of the Game. Foster, who was serving as Director of the Cricket Academy for the 26th Consecutive year, urged the attentive cricketers to develop a culture of discipline, hard work, dedication, a desire for success if they want to succeed in Life and he also urged them to listen to the advice of elders. Foster also spoke widely on the importance of having faith in God and called on the cricketers to attend Church on a regular basis. The long serving Club Secretary/CEO

also advised the youths that every RHTYSC, MS member have to be prepared to work hard to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate than them. The RHTYSC, MS, Foster stated has Guyana’s largest cricket nursery and would continue to invest heavily in youths to make sure that everyone fulfils his/her potential. Noting that the Club is perhaps the only one in the world, where cricket membership is free and the Club provides everything free of cost to its members, the Secretary/CEO urged the

attentive youths to take advantage of the opportunities to develop themselves. Foster expressed gratitude to the Management of the Trinidad Cements Ltd for their support for the 5th successive year especially Plant Manager Mark Bender and Marketing Staff headed by Latoya Greaves. The TCL sponsorship, Foster stated has assisted to develop the career of Numerous Berbice and Guyana Cricketers like Chanderpaul Govindan, Brandon Corlette, Keith Simpson, Junior Sinclair,

Kevlon Anderson, Slyus Tyndall, Sherica Campbelle, Marian Samaroo, Diana Prahald, Sheneta Grimmond, Deborah Vanderstoop, Plaffina Millington, Shabika Gajnabi and Aleema Arokuim. Head Coach Winston Smith urged the ninety four young cricketers to put into practise what they have learned and to seek the guidance of those who have played the game before them. He congratulated the academy members of their

remarkable discipline and attitude, which he described as excellent. The top twelve awardees of the 2016 Cricket Academy were Best Batsman – Civion Arokuim, Best Bowler – Diana Prahald, Most Discipline – Mathew Prass, Best Under 13 Player – Christopher Deroop, Best Under 15 – Neil Tillakrum, Best Under 17 – Vijay Gopilall, Best Under 19 – David Prahald, Best Female Player – Sheneta Grimmond, Most Committed Player – Anthony February, Most Promising Player – Matthew Pottaya, Best Attendance/Attitude – Vishal Naidu and Cricketer of the Academy – Chanderpaul Govindan. Each of the awardees received a school bag and a collection of educational materials, while Govindan also received a trophy and medal. The RHTYSC, MS would like to express gratitude to Bakewell, Bermudez, Guyana Beverage Company, D.D.L, Spready’s Snackette, H.A Snacks Co. Ltd, Southland International, the Guyana Cricket Board, WR Enterprise (Narine Trading), Food for the Poor, Ramoo Funeral Home, DTV-8, LRTVS CH10, Louise Nero, Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times for their cooperation in making the academy a success. Special thanks also to Director of Sports Christopher Jones for his donation of cricket gears.

Rio scrambles to be ready as athletes, soldiers arrive RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) Tens of thousands of armed troops fanned out across Rio de Janeiro and local organizers faced a rebellion by Australia about unfinished living accommodations as athletes began to move in Sunday for the first Olympics ever in South America. Australia’s Olympic team, complaining about uninhabitable rooms in the Olympic Village, refused to check in. Kitty Chiller, the head of the country’s delegation, complained of “blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring.” In the final stretch before the Games start Aug. 5, more than 60,000 troops took positions across the city, part of an overall contingent of more than 85,000 soldiers, police and other security forces that will be deployed for the event at a time of heightened fears after recent massacres in Germany, France and the United States. Meanwhile, authorities rerouted traffic in Barra de Tijuca, site of many game venues and the Olympic Village, which will house more than 11,000 athletes, coaches and staff. Olympic organizers are still scrambling to finish everything from a beach volleyball venue to a new subway line, set to open just days before the opening ceremony. At the village, where lines formed Sunday as athletes began checking in, work crews were still making last minute repairs. Australia’s refusal to move in follows local media reports that some team delegations, concerned over similar issues, had sought to hire their own maintenance crews in order to

make their quarters suitable. Mario Andrada, a spokesman for the local organizing committee, on Sunday said organizers are aware of the problems with some rooms, particularly affecting teams from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. “There are some electrical issues and some leaks,” he said, noting that a team of about 500 workers is currently addressing the problems. “It’s one of those things with new buildings, but it should not have happened.” The complaints are not unlike those before other big spectacles in Brazil, like the 2014 World Cup, for which stadium crews were still wielding paintbrushes and screwdrivers even minutes before kickoff. The new subway line, which will connect the popular seaside neighborhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema to Barra de Tijuca, has suffered repeated delays and is still undergoing tests despite a scheduled inauguration next Saturday. Even then, the new line will operate only with partial service until after the Olympics. Where authorities have left little to chance is security. The massive deployment, over twice that in place for the 2012 London Olympics, is meant to deter the sort of violence and street crime that are common in Rio, a chaotic metropolis of 12 million people. Behind the scenes, Brazilian intelligence and police are coordinating with foreign counterparts to share intelligence and assess threats posed by terrorism.

Chanderpaul Govindan receives his award as Cricketer of the Year from Coach Eon Hooper.