Sunday June 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
The vital role Kaieteur News and Freddie Kissoon played The Minister thinks, we sand DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to Nigel Hinds letter dated 24 May regarding your columnist Freddie Kissoon’s alleged unwarranted criticisms of exPresident, Bharrat Jagdeo. Nigel Hinds’ letters are impressive indeed; well constructed with extensive vocabulary and quotations they reflect a sound grounding in the use of the English language which his parents and those Guyanese responsible for his education can be justly proud. However this facility with the Queen’s English (1) only serves to emphasize the stark contrast between beautiful form and disreputable content. It also raises important issues about the use abuse and purpose of education itself. REF: Sparrow’s “Dan is the Man.” As the late Edward Said put it in his BBC Reith Lectures on the role of the Intellectual in Society, the first
duty of the intellectual must be to the truth i.e. to speak truth to power. The UK Guardian newspaper Comments section issues a daily warning rarely heeded: “You are entitled to your own opinions but not to your own facts.” Clearly anyone passingly acquainted with the predations of the Jagdeo regime and the vital but dangerous role Kaieteur News and Freddie Kissoon have played in chronicling and exposing them will not dispute that Nigel Hinds latest letter fails abysmally on both counts above. Moreover this brazen attempt to mishandle the truth is now compounded by the apparent ‘outsourcing’ of his fine intellect in the service of a truculent and unapologetic anti-African Bharrat (India is well in Guyana) Jagdeo who seems incapable of thinking as well as Hinds can write. Therein in microcosm lies the tragedy of the African in
Guyana: First Black bodies bought and sold worked to death for 400 years then colonial, then Black then AfroSaxon masters of the Masters English (like one Forbes Burnham). Now intellect for sale... ‘outsourced’ to Bharrat Jagdeo who for good reason prefers Africans like Hinds and Dr. Roger Luncheon (in the High Court) to defend him. It is now being alleged after the 2011 election, Jagdeo like any European Plantation owner started feeding Nigel Hinds’s body and seeding his mind by scattering corn in his direction - with lucrative auditing contracts which as far as I know he has not denied. Nigel Hinds must now answer Kissoon’s questions, respond to Ogunseye’s allegations and apologise (if needs be) for failing to transparently declare his financial interests when Kaieteur News unfortunately allowed
him space to spew his smokescreen of erudition in the direction of your many readers at home and abroad.. It will take a Fanon or Florida’s Prof. Naim Akbar to plumb the psychological depths of this post slavery and post-colonial self-hate among even educated and socalled professional Africans in the West. Like the PPP”s Sam Hinds, Nigel Hinds in turn will be thanked and even liked but will never be trusted nor respected since he seems to respect neither the truth (of racial discrimination in particular ) nor himself. One must quote James Baldwin as he is relevant here; “The principles upon which the English language has been constructed form part of the architecture of the black man’s prison. The real Mckoy -THE ACCOUNTANT (played by the late Black UK comedian Felix Dexter from St Kitts). Errol Harry, London, UK
Our unsung heroes in Guyana’s battle with drug addiction DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter today to remind your readers of a few modern day unsung heroes who battle an epidemic that continues to ravage Guyana and indeed, the world. The epidemic I speak, of is the cunning and baffling disease of Drug Addiction and a few of the heroes of this battle are Mr. Clarence Young and his team at the Phoenix Recovery Project in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Mr. Young, a Trinidadian by birth, took up arms in the battle against Addiction and Drug Abuse in Guyana in 1995, when he facilitated a 3 week drop in clinic for drug users. Luckily, for hundreds of addicts, Clarence decided to make Guyana his second home and became involved with Guyana’s first structured
Drug Rehabilitation Program at Prahsad’s Hospital. He went on to design and implement the Salvation Army’s drug treatment program. On the 1st August 2000 this Trinidadian hero established the Phoenix Recovery Project; a Drug Rehabilitation Program which provided some much needed reinforcements to those who were dual diagnosed - battling drug addiction as well as other mental illnesses in Guyana. In 2007, Clarence and his team at the Phoenix Recovery Project established the first Drug Rehabilitation Program for women in Guyana, alongside the men’s program. Again, this program for Women was established because Mr. Young and his team saw the desperate plight of Guyanese mothers, wives, daughters and sisters who had fallen into the trap of this
Apology We refer to a letter of May 17, 2017 on the Berbice High School in which some actions were attributed to staff member, Jainarine Singh. Mr. Singh has written to us denying such actions. We acknowledge the mistake and offer an apology.
cunning and debilitating disease. The team at the Phoenix Recovery Project has reported an alarming increase in the number of people, from all walks of life, seeking help with drug addiction, over the years of their ongoing battle. A Household Drug Survey conducted in Guyana in 2016 reported that 66.5 percent of the participants believe that there has been an increase in drug use in the past few years and that 40.9 percent believe that it is easy to access marijuana. Questions pertaining to alcohol, a legal substance, revealed that 64.2 percent of men and 46.3 percent of women that currently drink indulge in Binge Drinking. This survey further revealed that 56.4 percent of the participants believed that drug abuse in Guyana should be a core concern of the Government. According to an article in the Chronicle News Paper (10th February, 2017), the Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security, believes that these statistics “shame us all,” and that some-
thing must be done. Minster Ramjattan even went on to expound on the link between drug use and violence, delinquency, antisocial behavior in adults and even failures of the education system. The Minister even went on to highlight several suggestions made in the survey. Suggestions made by the survey include regular sensitization on the harmful effects of licit and illicit drug use, training of persons who have shown interest in the field of treatment and prevention and the establishment of more treatment and rehab centers across the country. It was indeed heartening to all those in the battle against Addiction to see the Government of Guyana continue making steps in the right direction. The Hon. Ms. Amna Ally, Minister of Social Cohesion, has pledged $10 Million towards the advancement of the work of The Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Program in 2017. This is indeed an encouraging sign that the Continued on page 6
truck owners are thieves
DEAR EDITOR, During the past week, the Minister of Natural Resources said that there will be steps taken with the operations of sand pits. And whilst listening to the newscast, I was really disappointed with the manner in which the Minister explained the reason for taking these steps. Looking at their actions immediately after taking over leadership of Guyana, I immediately came to the conclusion that we were greatly mislead and many of us will regret our actions. Today walking around and listening to the cries of people I couldn’t help but feel somewhat disgusted because they are still on the path of creating hardship for Guyanese, destroying their
image while continuing to feel their way around aimlessly. Editor, whilst listening to the Minister, my opinion is that the way he elaborated on the hours when a sand truck goes to the sand pit to collect sand, he seems to be implying that they are going at those hours to steal the sand or escape paying some sort of fee. The truth is that the sand truck people are trying their best to help ease the traffic congestion we experience and that hour is best suited for them. It is bad enough they are pressuring us, but they should have some sort of decency to avoid staining other people for their visionless acts. Sahadeo Bates
The possession of money is less important than how you use it DEAR EDITOR, I read the recent letter about respected local outfits coaching ‘John and Jane Public’ in financial management, in advance of envisaged benefits to be reaped once Guyana’s economy is given the boost expected because of oil and gas. A good step to take! Years ago, while still in the workforce, I learnt that it is not only a case of how much money one brings into the home that matters; it is mainly a case of how one uses that money. To live - to exist at all - one needs shelter and food. Try to make sure those ‘musts’ are put aside for the purpose, then, carefully allocate the rest according to priorities. Alas, some people are better at this than others- “and thereby, hangs a tale”.
However, we must all try to do the best we can with what we have. Sometime ago, I suggested to Brits that children should be introduced to financial affairs during the last term at primary school - at age 11. By dividing the class into two teams, giving each the same amount of money to prepare the identical meal, then, judge at the end who makes the better meal at less cost. Most primary schools have kitchens, so the operation could be done on the premises. This seems a good start. (“Tasters” could be chosen from another class). Although Guyana may not have kitchen facilities in primary schools, the idea may be adapted to fit. “As the twig is bent....” Geralda Dennison
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox City Hall officials who travel the world aimlessly DEAR EDITOR, It should come as no surprise nor disappointment to the Town Council of Georgetown that the purported stakeholders in the disgraceful parking meter fiasco have shown an insouciance to the ostensible review process. Indeed they should have been startled when a few interested organizations put in an appearance to let them know that the infamous contract had to be ripped up and started over from scratch. The first grouse that citizens have is why the review was not being done by an independent and neutral commission of inquiry rather than by members of the very Council that committed the travesty of foisting the notorious parking meter albatross around the citizens of our capital in the first place. To make it even more egregious some of the members of the review panel were handpicked by the ‘Fantastic Four’ the disreputable group that brought Smart City Solutions to our country. The second gripe citizens have, is why it took the Council so long to host the consultations. We are all well aware of the indolence and ineptitude of the administration of the Council but even so it is unsatisfactory that they took
two and a half months out of the three month respite to begin the review process. But most of all, the City Council should understand that the enthusiasm the citizens had when they voted for them has long evaporated. They have achieved nothing worthwhile and in fact have made things worse for Georgetown. Look at their track record. The only thing the Mayor and a few of her friends in Council have done is “gallivant” around the world aimlessly at no benefit to the city. There still has been no audit of the city’s finances, City Hall and all municipal buildings are in ruins, the city continues to flood when the rain falls for more than fifteen minutes, the roads are without lights and are pot holed, taking bribes is still the order of the day with the Constabulary and City Engineer’s Department, the markets are leaking and rat infested, junkies are everywhere, the cemetery is a jungle, and the Council is only hiring dozens of new senior staff members each month mostly friends and family members of the big ones at City Hall. Why should citizens waste time consulting with them? Nadine Jerrick
Agonizingly slow internet service from GTT DEAR EDITOR, I wonder if I am the only person in this country complaining about the quality of internet service that is currently provide to us by GTT. Even after we have faithfully paid our monthly fee, it is very, very poor and very slow. As was stated before not by me alone but many of my fellow country men and women across this land, there are times when the internet is even slower that a lame
wood-ant crawling over a spread of molasses. Every single day for several hours, the internet service provided by that multi-rich company is very sluggish and makes life challenging. The blood pressure goes up for some of us who have deadlines, duties to fulfill. The slowdown slowness usually starts from 8:30 am to 2 pm. GTT needs a wakeup call as it is already the year 2017! Rooplall Dudhnath
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Recommendations on negotiations by the CoI in the Public Service DEAR EDITOR, This letter is on collective bargaining negotiations for improved terms and conditions including remuneration for public servants by the recognized majority trade union, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU). This Union under the Presidency of Patrick Yarde for 30 years, initiated industrial actions during the tenure of the PPP/C administration to advance the interest of its members, and complained bitterly about the failure by the parties to agree to new or revised terms and conditions for Public Servants. The Union blamed this situation on the Government’s uncompromising position, notwithstanding the agreed mutual options of referring such disputes to conciliation, and for final resolution by Arbitration. The then Administration awarded annual wages and salary increases without the agreement of the GPSU. This situation has not changed after two years in office of the new APNU+AFC administration. After an initial start of negotiations and no agreement with the Union, the new Government arbitrarily, awarded wages and salaries increases to Public Servants – again, like the situation during the previous administration, without resort to conciliation, and for finality by Arbitration. In the meantime the leadership of the GPSU is pre-occupied with internal union functions rifled with controversies, and with Patrick Yarde and Union Executive, Patricia Went, cherishing and defend-
ing their obvious conflict of interest positions as members of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The APNU-AFC administration continues to ignore this basic principle in the composition of the PSC, compounded the unsatisfactory action of swearing in Patrick Yarde to a non-existing Constitutional position as Acting Chairman of the PSC, and consequently as a member of the Judicial Service Commission. When will the GPSU resume negotiations to finality? Under the Trade Union Recognition Act No. 33 of 1097 the GPSU was granted the Certificate of Recognition by the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board as the bargaining agent for Public Servants. It is legally a compulsory recognition and duty of the public Authority and the GPSU to treat with each other. The Act states that: “Where the Board certifies a trade union as the recognized majority union, the employer shall recognize the union, and the union and the employer are obligated to bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining; Failure or refusal on the part of either the trade union or the employer to comply with any of the above requirements (Section 23) constitutes an offence and liable on summary conviction to payment of fines.” The parties could be challenged in Court for this failure; and the leadership of GPSU can be sued by members for the Union’s failure to
negotiate in good faith to finality in a timely manner. The public and the membership of the Union can expect the usual public relations statements of concern coming from the leadership of the Union, constrained by state patronage, and influenced by the politics of Guyana’s labour relations. The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) 2016, under the Chairmanship of Professor Harold Lutchman, called attention to the essential principles impacting on industrial relations in the Public Service with reference to fundamental freedoms flowing from the Constitution, labour laws, and international labour standards ratified by Guyana as Treaties. The CoI also cited the relevant articles on labour issues from CARICOM Treaty, its Charter of Civil Society, and its Declaration of Labour and Industrial Relations Principles. The CoI further outlined the Fundamental Principles and Rights including the right to freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining as contained in ILO Conventions N0. 87, No. 98 and No. 151. The CoI affirmed that “We fully accept that, in keeping with the Constitution and labour laws, international and regional treaty obligations, the restoration of collective bargaining must be accepted as an obligation to be honoured by the state.” The CoI after review of relevant information and evidence presented and as outlined in the COI Report, ac-
cordingly recommended: 1) That the principles outlined in the CoI Report should be stringently applied to all Public bodies charged with the conduct of Industrial Relations. 2) That Collective Bargaining with the GPSU and the relevant Public Authorities be restored in keeping with the Union’s legally recognized status under the Trade Union Recognition Act Chapter 98:07 (No. 33 of 1997), and ratified ILO Conventions No. 87, and No. 151. 3) That the Public Authorities and the GPSU return to collective bargaining through the established, institutional and procedural arrangements in keeping with the principles of good faith in collective bargaining, and consistent with provisions of ratified ILO Convention No. 151 on Labour Relations in the Public Service. 4) That Wages and Salaries and allowances be agreed to by collective bargaining negotiations, ideally for agreements of a mutually agreeable period, taking into account the need to pay competitive, attractive, and comparable wages and salaries, having regard to the worth of the job, ability to pay, and the impact on the national economy. 5) That the parties negotiate allowances which should be based on realistic costs and settled at the level of the Department of the Public Service. 6) That consideration be given to the suitability of establishing such a model (the Trinidad and Tobago Continued on page 7
Our unsung heroes in Guyana’s battle with drug addiction From page 5 Government of Guyana is willing to support the fight against Drug Addiction. This gesture, I am sure, gives the seasoned warriors in this battle hope that more widespread financial support from the Government is to come. However, this is not enough if we are to make any real progress in reclaiming the lives of our fellow citizens caught in the living hell that is drug addiction. Recently, a report from
the United States Department of State highlighted the absence of a comprehensive Demand Reduction Strategy to adequately address Drug Rehabilitation in Guyana. Just on the heels of this report the Honorable Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security, said to the Kaieteur News (March 29th 2017) “Yes, the commitment is there and we will try our best to do as much as possible to give more than the $10M.” If Minister Ramjattan and
the Government of Guyana are indeed committed to promoting Drug Rehabilitation in Guyana they need to utilize the knowledge and experience of those men and women who have been battling the Drug Addiction Epidemic for decades. These wise warriors must be a part of formulating a comprehensive Demand Reduction Strategy to battle Drug Addiction in Guyana. It is also important that the Government of Guyana remembers that the Salvation
Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Program is not the only successful Program in Guyana and assistance is desperately needed elsewhere. The veterans at the Phoenix Recovery Project, with the assistance from a few private citizens and organizations, continue to maintain one of the last bastions in the never ending battle against this terrible epidemic. This little fortress in Mon Repos continues to be the only safe haven in Guyana for women who have fallen victim to this debilitating disease. It is with this in mind that I plead with the government of Guyana and any willing private citizens to lend their support to the Phoenix Recovery Project and its unsung heroes. I am a grateful recovering client of The Phoenix Recovery Project. Jason Narine
Sunday June 04, 2017
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
He is a coward to attack me while hiding behind a fake name DEAR EDITOR, I have searched the pages of the 2017 Guyana Telephone Directory, and the entire Region 5 section of the GECOM Official List of Electors that was issued on April 14, 2015, and no one with the name of Harry Adjodha or Harry Ajodha lives in Region 5. In fact, no one has the name Adjodha, and only six persons have the surname Ajodha. And in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, there are seven persons with a variation in the spelling of this name, Ajodhia. But why am I boring your readers with these statistics? It is not done intentionally, but the result of this research proves definitively that the name Harry Adjodha or Harry Ajodha that recently surfaced as a letter-writer in Kaieteur News is nothing more than a fake.
Only a coward uses a pseudonym to attack another person’s character in the press. I refer to a letter published on May 24, 2017 written by Harry Adjodha of Region 5 and another one published May 30, 2017 by a Harry Ajodha, APNU+AFC. In both these letters, the writer questioned my citizenship, my loyalty to Guyana, and my right to serve as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly. Perhaps he should be asking the same question of the Minister of State, the Hon. Joseph Harmon and other government ministers. I recall reading a Freddie Kissoon column some time ago, in which he was disgusted and enraged by the unethical behaviour of some letter-writers who hide behind a pseudonym.
He gave good reasons why the print media should stop this practice. I agreed with him then, for if a letter-writer has something derogatory to say about someone else, he should have the courage to put his own name to the letter. While freedom of speech is protected by our Constitution, there have always been rules governing defamation, slander and libel. It was once the policy of most newspaper companies to demand the real name, address and phone number of those writing letters to the editor in order to protect the integrity of the newspaper. Apparently this practice is now discontinued. Perhaps the editor may wish to consider reinforcing this. As such, I am prepared to thoroughly and truthfully ad-
dress the concerns expressed in these letters by the Region 5 APNU+AFC lackey, when he grows enough courage to admit writing under the pseudonym, Harry Ajodha, and by signing the next letter he writes in his real name. HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament Editor’s note: Our stated policy is to accept the request to remain anonymous once the person is writing to expose a situation that could bring them harm if identified. If a letter-writer wants to inform the readership about a particular person who is engaged in wrong-doing, then we consider the request to remain nameless. We do not accept false signatures when letters are attacking real people who are public figures.
Recommendations on negotiations by the CoI in the Public Service From page 6 Constitutional Model) in Guyana for the determination of remuneration for high level Political and Public Service Offices, including Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, Regional Chairpersons, Members of the National Assembly, Ministers, Prime Minister, Vice-Presidents, and the President. (This is a successful model in Trinidad and Tobago for many years now. This would also remove a major source of self-interest and conflict of interest of members of the Public Service negotiating team which falls under of the bargaining unit of the GPSU as the sole bar-
gaining agent also for them). 7) That disputes in wages and salaries resulting in an impasse at negotiations and at conciliation should be referred to a new, final mechanism of a Public Service Wages and Salaries Commission which would be required to make recommendations to the National Assembly within a set time frame. 8) That the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01, Section 4, be amended after consultation with the GPSU, to make such effective provisions for the establishment by the Minister of a Wages and Salaries Commission to review wages and salaries disputes upon an impasse at conciliation, and
to make recommendations to the National Assembly. (This can alternatively be done administratively in consultation with the GPSU) 9) That Public Authorities, like the private sector, observe in practice, the laws on labour and employment relations in the Public Service. 10) That Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments should be charged with the responsibility of ensuring workplaces and workstations are in keeping with the guidelines as stated above. (in the CoI Report. It is also the responsibility of the GPSU) 11) That the Department of the Public Service conduct inspections of all buildings,
Is this a case of sour grapes at the Georgetown Hospital? DEAR EDITOR, It is amazing how some people can turn over and become pious overnight. Social media is buzzing over the Georgetown Hospital situation and one of the persons posting the most is a former senior official of the same organisation. He is one of the circles under the previous administration who presided over most of the corruption there and now he is ‘a good boy’. He has much to post about the Corporation now but fails to mention why he and a previous Officer in charge of the Hospital became enemies. Just a little reminder – it was over millions from a certain contractor which should have been equally divided. He took the lion’s share and the fallout was so bitter that he left the job. All along the kickbacks were evenly divided but greed took centre stage and
now the young man is all over splashing dirt about the new management at the Hospital. He was a key player in the Hospital’s administration when donations came in through the front entrance and left via the back gate. He was a key link with a
major supplier of drugs to the hospital. Not satisfied, he wanted to come back and make more millions but was not re-employed. That was when he began to holler sour grapes. Calling SOCU! Glenda Gibbs
offices and workstations at least twice a year to ensure the standards referred to above (in the CoI Report) are maintained, and if necessary improved. Joshua Singh
Infrastructural problems and criminal attacks in Cummings Lodge DEAR EDITOR, Is the community of Cummings Lodge forgotten by the Government and Mayor and City Council? Cummings Lodge is densely populated by students of the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana due to its proximity. Lectures at the University of Guyana go until 9:15 PM after which students living in the community who are unable to secure transportation are forced to walk the pitch dark road. The University students are preyed upon by criminals who rob them in the shadows of their dark playground. The previous administration during their election campaign in November of 2011 promised the community more street lights and better infrastructure, to no avail. Hence I am appealing to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to discontinue ig-
noring the plight of our students living in Cummings Lodge. The south-west area of the community has ten streets and is only accessible via one bridge and Dennis Street, Sophia though each street has a respective bridge of which all except one are dilapidated. The trench that runs along UG road serves to be one of the main drainage channels of the community and is blocked with vegetation and heavily polluted, it was last cleaned about five years ago and as a result the community is prone to slight floods due to rainfall. I expect the mentioned bodies will heed the problems of my community and help keep our students safe and the community “clean and green.” Lionel Mohamad Resident and student of UG
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Jagdeo finds Govt to be two-faced on release of contracts
By Kiana Wilburg When it comes to the release of contracts, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo finds the current administration “duplicitous.” The politician made this, among other comments, on Friday at a press conference at his Church Street Headquarters. Jagdeo said that the aforementioned point is one which has been made in the daily newspapers. The Opposition Leader also reminded of the government’s comments, to the effect that the PPP was signing off on a number of secret deals and was not releasing key contracts. Jagdeo even emphasized that it was the coalition party which promised that it would do better. However it is yet to fulfill same, said Jagdeo. Jagdeo stated that while there are calls for the release of contracts such as those for BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. and the Sanata Complex, there should be the release of the Guyana Stores Agreement and the Guyana Stockfeeds Agreement. Jagdeo said, “They (APNU+AFC) spoke about the Fip Motilall Agreement. And we said why don’t you release the evaluation report for the Fip Motilall (Amaila Falls) road because you have the evaluation report about how the decision was made and who did the evaluation…They have refused to release it.” He continued, “The BaiShanLin agreement, they have it there. It is with (the Guyana Revenue Authority) not kept in Jagdeo’s pocket…So they can easily release that. “The Privatization Unit had all the agreements that (the Special Organized Crime Unit) seized. They took a truck over and fetched away all the documents…” The Opposition Leader added, “I have seen the call to release various contracts, the Sanata Complex etc. but I hope that they would release the one for Guyana Stores because I heard a few people own shares there. I am not going to say who…” POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo Some critics might argue that Jagdeo’s aforementioned commentary is a perfect example of the “pot calling the kettle black.” Under the Jagdeo-Ramotar regime, calls by the media for the release of contracts and agreements fell on deaf ears. And when the former administration did respond to the media, it was only to point out that it is unable to fulfill the request due to “confidentiality clauses”. This was the case of the Marriott Hotel contract. Former NICIL Chief Executive Officer, Winston Brassington, had told the media fraternity that the contract for the controversial, Chinese-built hotel could not be released due to confidentiality clauses. WAITING IN VAIN? It has been over two years, and the Government is yet to
release a number of contracts and concession agreements which have been requested by the media. This is in spite of the fact that President David Granger had given the permission or the “okay” for this to be done. Kaieteur News had raised this issue with the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at his post-cabinet press briefing. Harmon was told that members of the media have been calling for the release of concession agreements for BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc., Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. and the contract governing the Sanata Complex deal. But these are yet to be released even though media operatives were told earlier that they can be made available. The Cabinet Secretary had said, “I cannot say anything about it. It is a matter which has been brought to the attention now of the government that these are contracts that are required. I am sure if the appropriate authorities are written to, because a lot of these contracts you can’t just ask and you will get it.” Harmon continued, “There is a process by which you get access to these contracts. But I cannot specifically address the ones that you have spoken about because the impact of these contracts has been widely reported in the same newspaper that you are connected to.” The Minister of State added, “I cannot say with respect to the contracts why they are not released and where they are but I believe that any contracts in that regard they will have to be at the Ministry of Finance. That is where it should be.” Apart from the Head of State giving the permission for contracts to be released, his sentiments have also been echoed by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. He had said that information regarding any aspect of the concessions granted to foreign and/or local companies under the past regime is not state secrets. Jordan said that the media, or any member of the public for that matter, have a right to know how the nation has benefitted in this regard. He reiterated that data on such subjects should not be treated as “state secrets”.
Sunday June 04, 2017
GECOM Chairperson Nominees…
President invites Jagdeo to talk on June 12 President David Granger has extended an invitation to the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, to a consultation on Monday June 12, 2017 at the President’s Official Residence, State House, Georgetown. This invitation was communicated to Jagdeo yesterday via a letter written by Minister of State Joseph Harmon. In the letter, Harmon explained to Jagdeo that he is writing on behalf of the President. Harmon informed the Opposition Leader that the consultation concerns statements attributed to him, and carried in the media. Those comments were on Granger’s letter to Jagdeo rejecting the second list of nominees for chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). On Friday, Granger informed Jagdeo that after examining the names on the second list he found the nominees to be unacceptable within the meaning of Article 161 (2) of Constitution of Guyana and of the criteria which he outlined in his letter dated March 14, 2017. The Constitution provides for the Leader of the Opposition to submit a list of six names to the President from which he shall choose one person to sit as Chairperson of GECOM. The names on the second list were Justice of Appeal B.S Roy (ret’d), Justice William Ramlal (ret’d), Ms Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, Attorneyat-law Kashir Khan, Attorney-at-law Nadia Sagar and Gerald Gouveia. When Granger rejected the first list of nominees in January, Jagdeo had asked the President to outline the specific criteria which the nominees must fulfil. The names on the first list were Lawrence Latchmansingh, Rhyaan Shah, James Rose, Normal McLean, Ramesh Dookoo and Christopher Ram. Responding to Jagdeo’s
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FLASHBACK: Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (left) visiting State House in March to discuss the appointment of the Ombudsman with President David Granger. request, Granger penned in a correspondence the following qualities which each nominee must possess: 1. The candidate should be a person who is qualified to be a judge of the High Court under Article 129 of the Constitution and under Section 5 of the High Court Act, Cap 3:02; 2. That person should have been an Attorney-at-Law for a minimum of seven years, according to Section 5 of the High Court Act, Cap 3:02 and, 3. In the absence of one and two above, “Any other fit and proper person” should be appointed according to Article 161 (2) of the Constitution. The Head of State added that the aforementioned categories are of great import since those nominated must also possess the following characteristics: -That person will discharge his or her functions without fear or favour, that is, he or she will not allow any person or organization to influence him or her to compromise his or her neutrality. -That person will discharge his or her functions neutrally, between the two opposing parties, as he or she would have done in court between two opposing litigants.
-That person will not be an activist in any form (gender, racial, religious etc). -That persons should have a general character of honesty, integrity, faithfulness and diligence in the discharge of his or her duty as Chairman. In an interview with the Press and Publicity Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger said that every member on the list of nominees must conform to the criteria. He said that Jagdeo cannot put a person on the list that does not conform to the criteria which he would have outlined in March. Despite being provided
with the specifics, Jagdeo has once again failed to satisfy the President that his list is up to par with the requirements of the Constitution and the express criteria. However, Jagdeo still has another shot with a third list. The President told the Ministry of the Presidency’s media team that Jagdeo must get it right. He said, “Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right.” Granger assured that he is prepared to work with Jagdeo for as long as it takes to have somebody selected who fits the criteria, satisfies the Constitution and is one that the people of Guyana could be happy with. “I’m prepared to work with the Leader of the Opposition for as long as it takes, but I’m not going to give the people of Guyana the appointment of a person, who is not fit and proper in accordance with the Constitution or criteria, which have been laid out.” Granger maintained that Jagdeo must submit a list that meets the criteria. “I expect that he would go back to the drawing board and produce a list, which conforms to those criteria. I’m quite serious. It’s an important appointment and I think it must be taken seriously.”
Dem boys seh...
Guyana suddenly get friends and nuff family People still waiting fuh de rain that dem forecasters promise. De rain should have flood de whole country by now. People run to buy candle and kero. Now dem got more candle than dem need and some people trying to sell back de kero. Soulja Bai did even call in Ramsarup from CDC fuh ask him if he got stocks fuh any disaster. Of course dem boys know that is nuff things name CDC. Commonwealth Development Corporation; Centre for Diseases Control is just two. In Guyana it stand for Civil Defence Commission. Well de Guyana CDC collect nuff stocks to prepare fuh de rain. Now de bond full and since de water gone down in de bush dem don’t have any excuse to share out de food. Soulja Bai telling de man to open a shop. Anyhow, some people start saying that de next time anybody tell dem that de rain gun fall hard dem gun plan an backyard party because that gun be de driest day. Another thing that got dem boys cussing is how all of a sudden Guyana in demand. Since Exxon Mobil announce that it find oil Guyana getting more friends that sugar can attract flies. Is like when a man poor and begging he don’t have friends or family but as soon as he win de lotto he and de whole country is friend. And he got more family that de Queen. Dem boys sit down and hear how some people coming from Trinidad to refine de oil that Guyana got. When Guyana didn’t have oil Trinidad didn’t even want to help out de country. Dem was de days when de slogan was ‘Oil don’t spoil’. Now de people wid de oil that don’t spoil looking fuh see who can help dem out. People leffing dem rich country to come to poor ass Guyana looking fuh a better life. And dem got oil. Is funny how things does change people. Talk half and watch how people does get friends and family.
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US intended Pull-out from Paris Agreement…
Jagdeo calls on Regional leaders to protect interests Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that leaders of Caribbean States need to step up their game and represent the interests of the region with the United States of America government, following the US’ intended pull-out from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Last Thursday, Trump announced his intention to have the USA withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Accord. During a press conference on Friday, Jagdeo said that Trump had promised to take this step during his presidential campaign. He said that Caribbean leaders were aware of this and did nothing after the American would have won the presidency to discuss a way forward. The Paris Agreement is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that addresses greenhouse
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Kaieteur News
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo gas emissions, mitigation, adaptation and finance beginning in 2020. Jagdeo said that he believes that Governments have an active role to play in determining the policy environment of a country. He recalled the energy that his administration had put into lobbying with the US
administration when the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) came up for renewal. He said that it was feared that the Act would not be renewed. “We were fearful that the mood in Washington would not allow for the renewal of that Act and we did a lot of work in Washington to sensitise policymakers about the impact of CBERA and the preferences on the lives of the people of our region and we managed to get that extended.” Jagdeo said that if such actions could have been taken on such a small issue in financial terms, then the leaders in the region should have made appropriate representation this time around when compared to the cost of environment damage to the region. He said that statistics show that the Caribbean has (continued on page 61)
946 labour complaints so far this year The Department of Labour within the Ministry of Social Protection received 946 labour complaints at the end of May 31. This is according to Minister within the Ministry, Mr. Keith Scott, who says that persons have started to demonstrate a level of confidence in the department. “You are getting a flow of more persons coming in because of the confidence. These matters are being addressed promptly and they feel the honesty of the department and the officers now as against what may have happened in the past,” Minister Scott said during an interview. Minister Scott disclosed that Labour Officers are diligent in executing investigations and weekly training sessions are being held for them. According to the M i n i s t e r, 5 0 0 o f t h e s e complaints are outstanding since in some instances Labour Officers would have to return several times to make contact with the employer, to obtain records and other documents.
“So it does take some time...We are making sure that both the employer and employees get a certain level of satisfaction that their matters are being addressed in a fair manner,” Scott noted. When questioned as to whether these outstanding matters would be cleared up before year end, he said that matters are being addressed daily. “Even the employers have begun to realize that this department means business. And they themselves are making that effort...We made an announcement when there was an increase of the minimum wage both for government employees as well as private employers and we made sure that the information was given to the public not only by means of the press and radio but also by officers (labour) when they interacted with the employers one on one and when they examined wages books and so…” The Minister added that the relationship between employers, employees and the Labour
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott Department has improved tremendously and there is no question of bullyism or intimidation. “We have been striving to create a stable and industrial climate whereby all parties and all players can feel a sense of being at ease and a sense of fair play in our mandate.” Nevertheless, he disclosed that the department is currently short of staff and is looking to employ persons who have the relevant qualifications and attitude. The Minister is hopeful that persons would view becoming a Labour Officer as a career path. The Department recently received four new employees.
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Kaieteur News
Govt. must support local manufacturing By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Why import something of a lesser quality and, for more money, when you can source the product in your own country? That is the question being asked by many, including local manufacturer Mahadeo Panchu. Guyana has moved from a stage where there was an import substitution policy and degenerated into importing down to bottled water, plantain chips and tamarind balls. While this reality continues to prevail, foreign
exchange is placed in jeopardy. Just recently, Guyana’s foreign exchange rocketed to as high as $230 to US$1. This was blamed on the scarcity of the US dollar as a result of limited exportation and high importation. So, much US goes out but little returns. While many local manufactures remain silent on the issue of heavy importation, the owner of KSM Investment Inc. is ready to speak out. He said that Guyanese need to become more patriotic and more conscious of the country’s economic need
and they need guidance, “They need leadership and that kind of leadership can only be provided by the government.” Panchu said that Guyana as a nation is still enslaved in a mindset where “We always feel that what is imported is superior to what is made locally. I have made it clear that I have a superior quality product and have challenged anyone to bring an overseas product that is superior to mine. We need to change that mindset and Guyanese.” Panchu said that it is worse than even the
Guyana, Brazil confab to convene on border communities’ cooperation Issues relating to cooperation between communities on the border between neighbouring Brazil and Guyana are expected to be discussed as the two South American nations gear up to convene their fifth meeting of the Guyana/Brazil Group on Council Cooperation. The two states will also host their Sixth Meeting of the Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee. This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at the post Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of Presidency in Georgetown on Friday. The Minister said that the confabulations will be held on June 5 and June 6 in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo) and Guyana’s delegation will be led by the Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell-Jardine. Harmon revealed that the meeting will address issues relating to cooperation between communities on the borders between Guyana and Brazil in the areas of health, education, water management, animal and agricultural surveillance, trafficking and violence
- Public Security, Education and Human trafficking on agenda against women, indigenous issues and public security. The Minister noted the importance of the committee since it was established “to advance the process of integration by nurturing development of the population within the frontier communities,” The Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee was established on September 14, 2009 with the inaugural signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the tw o countries on the opening of the Takatu Bridge, which serves both countries. Guyana and Brazil have both benefited from their fruitful partnership over the years in mainly trade, cultural exchanges and infrastructure development. There are now many Brazilian businesses operating both in the hinterland and throughout the coast of Guyana. The Guyana government through its utility company, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is also expected to get assistance from the Brazilian
Army in drilling nine wells within the South Rupununi area. This exercise is expected to begin before the end of this year. Meanwhile, there are several projects in the pipeline that are yet to be addressed. These projects include the longawaited Linden-Lethem roadway that was promised to be funded by Brazil. However, last January, the Government of Guyana began engagements with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for possible funding for the project since Brazil at that time, was facing “significant” economic problems. Also, the Guyana-Brazil Road Link has apparently been shifted to the back burner. The project has long been one that both countries were working to realise. A cooperation agreement signed a few years ago had not only targeted the roadway, but the building of a deep-water harbour and a huge hydro-power facility somewhere in the Mazaruni, Region Seven Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) area.
GTT announces faster internet speeds for business customers The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has announced that it is increasing broadband Internet access speeds to its business customers for the same price paid today. In some cases, customers will enjoy up to 3X their actual speeds, GTT said. “The increase in speeds is subject to a customer by customer analysis, where physical plant upgrades may be required.” GTT said it continues to make substantial investments
in its subsea cable network, the core Internet network in Guyana, along with improvements in its access network to businesses and residents. “The present upgrade for business customers is another benefit from these investments. In addition to providing the highest quality and most affordable broadband service in Guyana, GTT provides the best mobile plans and devices for businesses.” GTT has announced
major upgrades underway to its systems to roll out faster internet. The company, in collaboration with Suriname, had landed a fibre optic cable a few years ago, and since then has upped its speed. Also, along with its competitor, Digicel (Guyana), the Fourth Generation (4G) network has been launched, allowing persons to video and voice chat, and stream videos on YouTube. However, both companies are facing complaints of the internet being unstable.
government which is fully aware of the problems in the economy as well as the manufacturing sector, is hardly supporting local. The businessman said that government, being the chief spender in the economy must support whole heartedly any initiative that guarantees quality, value for money, saving and foreign exchange. “Government must lead by example and when government can do that they can scold everybody else, manufacturers and consumers alike.” Speaking about inferior quality, Panchu pointed to the first phase of a pedestrian walkway project that was recently completed between Vlissingen Road and Albert Street. Panchu said that the pedestrian skywalk has a 20 -
25ft span. He said that a few weeks after completion there are already four cracks on the pave. The materials for that project were imported from Miami. Panchu said that things like that are “Painful to a Guyanese entrepreneur who would have made great sacrifice.” “We are doing a superior quality, competitively priced but the contractor imported similar looking pavers from Miami. If it is something that you cannot get here that importation would be justified
but in the present reality just represents an absence of vision and respect for local manufacturers. Because of the absence of work from Government linked projects, Panchu’s factory is operating at 30 percent capacity. About 30,000 can be manufactured per day but with the demand base, just about 7000 blocks are manufactured a day. In some cases, importation of a product can be justified, like when the quality is superior or if the same product (standard) can be sourced cheaper abroad.
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Kaieteur News
In spite of Jagdeo’s rants…Govt says it only inherited billions in debt from PPP
“Nothing but fluff” is how several members of Government have chosen to describe Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo’s comments.
The Opposition Leader has constantly reported that the coalition administration inherited Guyana from the PPP in a good state with billions of
dollars in the Treasury. The Government is saying that the only thing it has inherited from the PPP is “billions of dollars in debt.”
In this regard, the government pointed to the fact that it is now saddled with the repayment of billions of dollars in debt on the Skeldon Sugar
Factory because of the Jagdeo regime. The administration said that it is because of the PPP’s poor leadership that the government had to step up to the plate recently to handle a US$17M loan to be repaid on the Marriott Hotel. The hotel is also in need of US$5M in repairs in order to keep the Marriott International brand. Government officials also cited the fact that the coalition government was forced to scrap the controversial fibre optic cable project which cost taxpayers over $1B. It was also pointed out that due to the mess with CLICO, Government was left with no choice but to begin repayments of $5.24B that was invested by NIS. The aforementioned is compounded by the fact that the Government had to inject over $30B in direct cash transfers to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), due to the horrible state in which it was found. But Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has still been insisting that the Government inherited Guyana from the PPP in good standing. At one of his most recent press conferences, the former President sought to correct a statement which he alleges was made by the Government. Jagdeo claimed that the Government made statements to the effect that it assumed office and found an empty Treasury. This is erroneous, said Jagdeo. While Jagdeo holds fast to those comments, the Government is maintaining that this was never said. Officials clarified that when the party assumed office, the Consolidated Fund was found to be “in heavy overdraft.” This issue was also clarified in a previous interview that was conducted with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. A look at the Auditor General’s (AG) 2013 report also reveals similar concerns about the Consolidated Fund being in heavy overdraft.
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, noted in that report that the old Consolidated Fund bank account (No 01610000400) was not reconciled since February 1988. He said that a cash book for the account was subsequently reconstructed for the period 1989 to 2003 in order to aid the reconciliation of this account. However, despite attempts by the Accountant General’s Department to reconcile the monthly transactions on the account from January 1994, the AG said that it was found that a proper reconciliation was still not done. He emphasized that this account continues to be overdrawn over the years with a balance of $46B as at December 2013. He said, too, that it should be noted that the new Consolidated Fund Bank account which was opened in January 2004 with a transfer of $5B from the old Consolidated Fund account, was also found to be in overdraft of $2B while the cash book reflected an overdraft balance of $21B. However, the very 2013 AG report shows in more than a few instances that there are several accounts with unused monies. As at December 31, 2013, Sharma highlighted that 22 Government bank accounts were listed as inactive. He said that the net accumulated balance of these accounts and other operational accounts excluding the balances of the bank accounts of special projects totalled $54. 9B. Sharma said that this account included the unspent sums of money by ministries, departments and regions. In spite of his annual recommendations, the monies after 10 years have still not been paid over to the Consolidated Fund. The period of review, reflected a balance of $647.943 million in this account. Sharma said that prior to 2004; money was released from the Consolidated Fund for use by the non-sub Continued on page 63
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Prime Minister adds voice to Arjoon/NBS court case Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is the most recent official to add his voice to issues surrounding the Maurice Arjoon versus New Building Society, (NBS) court matter. Arjoon‘s case has been engaging the attention of the court since 2011. The matter ended last October but to date no ruling has been handed down by the court. A lawsuit was filed by the former Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of NBS over wrongful dismissal from the financial institution. The case was presided over by Justice Brassington Reynolds. Justice Reynolds had scheduled a ruling for November 29, 2016. Since then, no new date has been rescheduled by the Court for a ruling in matter.
Prime Nagamootoo, the most recent voice on the matter, noted his eagerness to see an end to the Maurice Arjoon saga. Nagamootoo stressed that while the court has its work to do decisions should be handed down in timely manner, because justice delayed is justice denied. It‘s an old maxim but it can be applied in this context.” The Prime Minister said that justice should be done to Maurice Arjoon. “This is a man who sought relief through the court on (allegations) that an injustice was done to him in the executive sector. The matter has been ongoing for so long. What makes the situation worse is the fact that he (Arjoon) is sick.” Nagamootoo stressed,
too, that in addition, a report by the late Ombudsman, Justice Winston Moore tabled in the National Assembly is awaiting the court’s decision. A report by the Office of the Ombudsman, concluded in November 2014, stated that the police wrongfully charged the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and two of his managers for the $69M fraud at the New Building Society, in 2006. “The matter was taken to the National Assembly where it was laid, but has been at a standstill.” Additionally, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs noted that the House is still awaiting the court decision before it can determine a way forward on Continued on page 59
Former CEO of NBS, Maurice Arjoon
Justice Brassington Reynolds
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
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Kaieteur News
Strategy and framework for financial literacy in Guyana
Financial Inclusion is Critical to Guyana’s Growth and Development Financial inclusion is linked to Guyana’s economic and social development, and plays a critical role in reducing poverty and is positively correlated with growth and
employment. The benefits of financial inclusion and inclusive growth are clearly established. According to the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), access to financial services opens doors for families, allowing them to smooth out consumption and invest in their futures through education and
health. Access to credit enables businesses to expand, creating jobs and reducing inequality. Financial inclusion is the bridge between economic
opportunity and outcome. In fact, the IMF data has shown that more inclusion boosts growth. What is Financial Inclusion and Why is it Important? According to The World Bank an estimated two billion working age adults – more that half the world’s total adult population – do not have an account at a formal financial institution. Financial inclusion efforts seek to ensure that all households and businesses, regardless of income level, have access to and can effectively use the appropriate financial services they need to improve their lives. Financial inclusion today is about financial markets that serve more people with products at lower cost. Financial inclusion efforts aim not only to serve the unbanked, but the underbanked. These are people who have poor or unreliable access to formal financial services – for example indigeneous populations living in Guyana’s rural communities. In fact, levels of financial literacy are often low in rural communities. Financial literacy is interlinked with financial stability, financial integrity, market conduct, and the financial capability of consumers. The truth is that policy makers increasingly recognize that financial exclusion is a risk to political, social, and financial stability, impeding economic advancement, and that financial inclusion presents an opportunity to improve lives. THE CENTRAL BANKS’ ROLE IN FINANCIAL INCLUSION Central banks, like the Bank of Guyana, play a crucial role in creating the enabling environment for financial access. It is their role to get the right balance between ensuring access to financial instruments and protecting banks from instability and risks. The research suggests that whether broad-based access to formal financial services promotes financial stability depends on how that access is managed within the regulatory and supervisory framework, especially in terms of financial integrity and consumer protection. Various studies have focused on the impact of financial development on growth, income inequality, and poverty reduction. The evidence strongly indicates that, when effectively regulated and supervised, financial development spurs economic growth, reduces income inequality, and helps
Dr. Terence Smith, Deputy Governor, Bank of Guyana lift households out of poverty. What is the Role of Government? Beyond the central banks, Governments have a responsibility to provide the laws and regulations that encourage both financial sector development and inclusion. Regulations are particularly important; for example, things like documentation requirements for opening an account and matters related to consumer protection. According to Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Governments support financial inclusion in at least three key areas: · Governments set the rules that regulate the environment for financial inclusion, balancing the drive to bring financial services to poor households with measures to protect consumers as well as the stability and integrity on the financial system. · Governments can promote infrastructure, either financially or by incentivizing private sector investments, to support the expansion of financial services. Such infrastructure might include mobile payment systems, point-of-sale networks, or credit registries, for example. · Governments can support financial inclusion by driving transaction volume via electronic deposits of government-to-person payments (e.g., social payments, wages, or pension payments) into financially inclusive accounts. THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGIES The World Bank determined that a comprehensive approach to financial inclusion addresses at least three aspects: access to financial services and products; usage of financial products and services; and quality of financial services and products, defined by consumer ability to benefit from new financial services and products. CGAP determined that appropriate financial services can help improve individual and household welfare and spur small enterprise activity. Different types of financial products can benefit poor Continued on page 59
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Calls for transparency in judicial appointments - JSC could add advertising to selection process - official By Rehanna Ramsay More than a decade ago, steps were taken by the Westminster Parliament in England and Wales to bring an end to judicial appointments through invitation. The move was in the interest of transparency and promoting fair and open competitiveness at the level of the judiciary. Since moving away from the old system, the British have relied on a procedure which entails publicly advertised notices of vacancies, open job competitions, written tests, and selection panels articulated by standards and competencies, and training schemes to enhance, the pool of qualified applicants. Much like the Britain, Guyana’s process of selecting judges, (magistrates) has been one primarily by way of invitation by Judicial Service Commission, (JSC). Recently, there have been calls for transparency by members of the Executive in this regard. However, the JSC, given its autonomous nature, has the authority to implement a system which provides more clarity and scope in the appointments. An official close to the JSC has noted that even as the commission provides for appointment by invitation, there is absolutely nothing wrong with inviting applicants by way of advertisements. The official explained that the course of action currently relied on by the JSC can be very instrumental in terms of promoting those already employed within the judiciary; publicly advertised notices have the capacity to reach a wider scope of candidates. “In my view, there is no reason why both systems cannot work simultaneously.
The current system has not necessarily failed. “Expect for a few instances, the JSC system generally works. But there is also nothing wrong with opening the process through advertisements.” With application by invitation, the JSC can select quality candidates from the pool of attorneys in private practice; lawyers employed by the State or those employed by the Magistracy. Prior to the selection, the official said the JSC would “eye” the pool of attorneys and invite candidates to apply based on their qualifications, conduct, and performance. “In appointing a judge there are a number of variables involved. A judge has to be balanced in his/her work. And by law, an attorney must be at least seven years in practice before he/she can be appointed to judgeship.” “Therefore, the problem remains when persons are to apply by way of public notices. You really don’t know what you’re getting or the work performance of the applicants. You’ll be shooting in the dark “ The official therefore contended that additionally with this process, the JSC has a wider task of evaluating and shortlisting applicants. The official emphasized, too, that once appointed, a judge enjoys security of tenure; a Judge’s right to employment is protected by the Constitution. Nonetheless, the official outlined that JSC has the leverage to expand the process of judicial appointments. “Both systems can work side by side. It only requires more work on the part of the Commission, in terms of evaluating and short listing the applicants. But the important thing is that in the end Guyana secures the best candidates for job.” In a most recent comment on the matter, Attorney
General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, noted that the APNU+AFC coalition has not changed its views with regards to transparency in the recruitment and selection process for appointing Judges. In the past, members of the Coalition had voiced concerns over the process employed to appoint persons to sit at the helm of the Judiciary. While in opposition the party had expressed discontent over what was referred to as secret appointments or handpicking of Judges to satisfy vacancies within the Judiciary. Instead of appointments “by invitation,” the coalition had called on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to adopt a system which relies on publicly advertised notices of vacancies and open competitiveness so as to attract the best possible candidates to fill the vacancies. The Attorney General, (AG) listed qualifications, experience, expertise, integrity and work ethic, among the issues to be considered in the selection of such persons. “The process should not be a closed one because it limits the scope of ensuring that those holding judicial offices are selected solely on the basis of merit,” the AG posited. He further stated that it has always been the desire of the coalition to have the process of selection conducted in an open manner, so as to allow those holding the offices of Judges to undergo fair and open competition. With recent appointments of Appellate Judges and impending appointments of more Puisne Judges, Williams noted it is still the wish of the government to see the procedure used by the JSC (continued on page 16)
Justice Dawn Gregory is among recently appointed Judges to sit at the Appellate Court
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Kaieteur News
Govt. to meet large T&T team this week on oil and gas investments
A reported 30-member Trinidad and Tobagocontingent is expected to meet with the Government of Guyana (GoG) this week, to discuss possibilities of investing in Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector. This development was confirmed by the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, yesterday and comes on the heels of concerns being registered by several sections of the local private sector. They are fearful of being neglected amid the apparent
growing presence of foreign companies here. ExxonMobil, a US-owned company headquartered in Texas, is gearing for a 2020 start in oil production. There are hosts of services up for grabs when production starts. These include the supply of fuel, food and water, hotel accommodation, storage facilities for supplies, waste management, Customs services and even helicopter services. The demand for these services and goods is worth
billions of dollars and is considered critical spinoffs from oil production activities. Just recently, a number of local business leaders told Kaieteur News that if contracts for the supply of goods and services are only awarded to the foreign companies, then there will be no opportunities for local businesses to develop the experience, reputation and capacity to service the new sector. However, the Business Minister Dominic Gaskin said that there should be no need for concern. “We’re open to doing business with the rest of the world. I think we are open to foreign investment and it is something we have to encourage. There is nothing that is going to be given to foreign investors that are not available to local investors. So I don’t think there is any need to have concerns,” the Minister noted. He noted also, that while
the government supports local companies, “We also have to be realistic about the capacity of our local companies to deliver the level of services or to acquire the level of expertise the oil industry needs.” The Minister added that there should also be no concerns of foreign investors being treated differently from local investors since the same incentives and rules will be applied to both categories. “So unless what the local private sector is saying is that its members do not want to face competition from foreign investors, then that’s a different matter but certainly, the same laws will apply.” He said. Gaskin also spoke of the
‘fact’ that some local companies do not have the experience to support the sector hence the dependency on foreign expertise. “It is a fact. It’s not something that we can deny. We’ve not had experience in the oil and gas sector. This is the first time that we will be producing oil as a country so we’ll have to rely on expertise and support from outside of Guyana. “It cannot be that a country that has not participated in a particular industry ever before, can suddenly develop such an industry without seeking advice from the international players in that sector. So that is what has to happen.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin “In so far as opportunities for local businesses are concerned, every effort is being made to ensure that whatever opportunities arise, our local companies and businesses are able to take advantage of those opportunities and participate,” the Minister reiterated.
Calls for transparency in judicial ... From page 15 amended. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards had explained that the recommendations of the JSC follow a process of careful evaluation. Suitably qualified individuals are then invited
by the Commission to apply for the position. “Those invited to apply are selected based on their conduct, competence, character, performance and qualifications.” “The applicants are then shortlisted and interviewed by the JSC. Based on that process, the JSC would make
recommendations to the President for judicial appointments.” The Chancellor noted that while this has been the practice of the Judiciary for some time, “The issue is one of tradition; it is not necessarily etched in stone.” While it is the practice of the JSC to invite applicants, Justice Cummings-Edwards asserted that there is nothing stopping suitably qualified individuals from applying to the JSC. “We have had such applications in past and they were taken into consideration by the Commission.” As it regards, advertising the vacancies, the Head of Judiciary said that she sees nothing wrong with amending the rules of the JSC to widen the scope of having the vacancies filled based on the basis of merit, through open competitiveness. “It would be something for the Commission to take into consideration,” added the Chancellor.
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A deadly stick of limited pleasure CDC has noted too that smoking has been known to cause, in addition to cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, among other health risks. Moreover, deciding to quit essentially helps to lower a smoker’s risk for smokingrelated health issues and can add years to their life, the CDC has assured. Essentially, the CDC has found that quitting smoking cuts cardiovascular risks immensely. This translates to the risk of a heart attack dropping considerably in just one year after quitting. Added to this,
By Sharmain Grainger Some have described it as cool and even sexy, but lighting a cigarette stick, placing it between your lips and inhaling and exhaling is nothing to gloat over. As a matter of fact, it is perhaps one of the easiest ways people can deliberately compromise their health. But of course I am cognisant of the fact that the foregoing will by no means force the ardent or even casual smoker for that matter, to quit smoking. Some smokers may need much more than a warning, divine intervention maybe, to part ways with this unhealthy inclination. There are, however, some users who may dispute that cigarettes are unhealthy simply because of the supposed calm it brings to them. But there are many others, though completely aware of the associated dangers, who persist, opting for the calm over safeguarding themselves from the known health risks. While the main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco, research reveals that there are thousands of chemicals in cigarettes, many of which are known to be carcinogenic. A carcinogen is something that causes cancer. In fact, smoking has been said to be a leading cause of a number of cancers that can lead to death. Smoking has been linked to cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, smoking has been said to cause inflammation and impairs immune function. This is not at all surprising, given some of the daunting facts about cigarette smoke. I recently came across an article which shares some particularly disturbing facts about cigarettes, which I am sure many smokers are not even aware of. The article was found at [www.lung.org]. It detailed that “There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these
chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are poisonous.” As if this was not enough, the article went on to reveal that “Many of these chemicals also are found in consumer products, but these products have warning labels. While the public is warned about the dangers of the poisons in these products, there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke.” The author of the article took the time to detail some of the other places that chemicals contained in tobacco smoke can be found, and they are not pretty. For instance it contains: acetone – found in nail polish remover; acetic acid – an ingredient in hair dye; ammonia – a common household cleaner; arsenic – used in rat poison; benzene – found in rubber cement; butane – used in lighter fluid; cadmium – active component in battery acid; carbon monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes; formaldehyde – embalming fluid; hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid; lead – used in batteries; naphthalene – an ingredient in mothballs; methanol – a main component in rocket fuel; nicotine – used as insecticide; tar – material for paving roads and toluene - used to manufacture paint. Now if I was a smoker I believe these facts would have been enough for me to toss any cigarettes in my pos-
session as far away as possible. But the sad state of affairs that exists is that this still may not be reason enough for smokers, who are probably addicted, to want to quit. After all, there are some who live by the motto, “something has got to kill me at some time.” What many smokers rarely take into consideration, however, is that they are not merely affecting their own health. In fact it has been found that second and - interestingly enough -third hand smoke, could be just as dangerous. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, has said publicly that persons can be exposed to the dire effects of tobacco smoke either by their own use of the substance or through second hand or third hand smoke in the environment. Second hand smoke speaks to persons inhaling the smoke exhaled by smokers, while third hand smoke is the exhaled tobacco smoke left embedded in fabric or other materials used by nonsmokers. “People might smoke their cigarettes and then leave an area, but the smoke they leave behind is just as damaging, since it can enter somebody else’s body and can, over time, cause problems for the non-smokers too,” Dr. Persaud explained. Quitting, when it comes to cigarettes, can never be too soon. This is in light of the fact that its dangers are far-
The Baccoo Speaks Disturbance is brewing in the prisons. Once more there is dissatisfaction over the fact that the system has been tightened. Phones and drugs are being found regularly and this is riling the prisoners. At present the warders are stepping up their observation. There will be one attempted suicide. **
Another road accident is about to happen, but this time along the eastern corridor. Overtaking will be the cause. ** Criminal activity is down in the city but there will be a robbery in the east of the country. Bandits are going to attack a grocery store. They will be brutal. The presence of children would not faze the intruders.
reaching. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general.”
within two to five years, a smoker’s risk of stroke may be reduced to about that of a non-smoker. Further still, the CDC has concluded that within five years a smoker’s risk for a number of cancers including that of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder can drop by half. Even more, the CDC reports that within 10 years after quitting, a smoker’s risk for lung cancer drops by half. The best part aboutf quitting, however, is that smokers do not only safeguard their health, but also that of their loved ones and others who share the environment.
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
The case of the stalked storekeeper By Michael Jordan All Mahendra Persaud planned to do that day was buy supplies for his store, and return home to his wife. The gunmen trailing him had other plans. It was Tuesday, April 19, 2016, and 26-year-old Persaud, married just about two months ago, had left his Wakenaam, Essequibo home, at around 7.00 a.m., to pick up stock for the store that he and his father operated on the island. Accompanied by his close friend and driver, the men first headed by truck to Providence, East Bank Demerara, to drop off a mattress. They then drove to National Hardware Ltd. at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, then to Muneshwers Limited in Water Street. Still travelling in the Canter, the two men drove to Continental Agencies Ltd. at Regent and Alexander Streets, to purchase paint. At around 10.30 a.m., the truck stopped at the back gate of the store. Persaud, toting a haversack with approximately $400,000, jumped out of the cab.
It was then that a short, brown-complexioned ‘dougla’ youth in corn-rows ran up to Persaud and tried to snatch the businessman’s money-bag. Persaud refused to let go, and the two had a
wounded businessman staggered onto Alexander Street and collapsed…only to be run over by a passing car. Meanwhile, a civilian with a licensed firearm had witnessed the attack. He fired
Mahendra Persaud and his wife, Parvena brief tussle over the bag. The robber then drew a handgun. He squeezed the trigger. The bullet caught Persaud in the neck. The
several shots at the gunman. All missed, but the panicked robber dropped the moneyladen haversack. Firing shots wildly, the
gunman sprinted to Church Street, where another man on a CG motorcycle waited. He clambered onto the bike and escaped. The driver who had run over Persaud took the businessman to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. But the driver reportedly then vanished, leaving the vehicle in the hospital compound. It was reported that he subsequently sent another man along with a mechanic to switch the licence plates on the vehicle. The two men were caught in the act and were arrested. They were not charged. Persaud’s relatives say that CCTV footage viewed by detectives showed that the two CG bandits had trailed Persaud from Muneshwers Limited to Alexander Street. According to investigators, the footage also showed that the driver of a car had also trailed the store-keeper. That car had also run over Persaud after he was shot. Investigators believed that the driver was an accomplice of the men on the CG bike. About a week later, police charged a taxi driver with murdering Persaud during the course of a robbery. But three weeks later, the charges against Vieira were dismissed for lack of evidence. Police were reportedly unable to discern the licence plates on the
vehicle to definitively conclude that the accused was the occupant. As for the gunman and his accomplice, they were never arrested, though police did place a few suspects on an identification parade. One individual who was a few feet away from the gunman described him as “a short, brown-skinnned dougla boy with hair plaited in corn-rows.” The eyewitness estimated the gunman to be in his twenties. Last week, investigators indicated that although they don’t know the names of the gunman and his accomplice, they can identify them. An official gave assurance that they are still trying to locate Persaud’s killers. But Persaud’s relatives say that this is the same information that police have been giving them since the initial stages of the case. “I am very surprised and disappointed that they have not been caught yet,” the slain man’s aunt, Koushilya Persaud said. “The DPP’s office said that they will keep the case open, but a year has passed and nothing more has happened.” “On to now we not get-
ting anything from the police,” lamented the dead man’s grandfather, Noon Persaud, while appealing for persons with information to assist in bringing his grandson’s killers to justice. “We believe in the Almighty; that he will do something. It is grieving me. I have his photographs all over the house. He was my life.” Persaud’s relatives also wonder whether someone tipped off the bandits that the store-keeper purchased supplies in Georgetown on Tuesdays. Relatives are appealing to the police to provide the media with the CCTV footage of the robbery, in the hope that someone identifies Persaud’s killers and their whereabouts. If you have any further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258458, 22-58465, 22-58473, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email add r e s s e s : mjdragon@hotmail.com and kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday June 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
I ignore the narrow-minded mandarins in Guyana; I always will This week, the Office of the President issued a press release on an event at Cara Lodge. It was the launching of the latest book by history professor, Sister Mary Noel Menezes. Here is what the release included; “Past students include former UG Vice Chancellor, Dr. James Rose, former Registrar, Dr. David Chanderballi, former Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Carl Singh, former Dean of the School of Education and Humanities, Mr. Tota Mangar, UG’s first Master’s graduate, Dr. Basdeo Mangru and, of course, President Granger.” If you check that list there are very few, and I mean very few, persons in Guyana and outside of Guyana that would know that these names were students of Sister when she taught history at UG. Take the former Chancellor, Carl Singh. Because of the nature of his job as first, a judge, then Chief Justice then Chancellor, I doubt he wrote letters to the press outside of the area of judicial functionalism. I never read any letter in the media in the past thirty years by Justice Singh about anything other than the judiciary. So how would one know that he was a student of Sister? Then there is the name Basdeo Mangru. Dr. Mangru left Guyana over forty years ago and is not known at all in Guyana and to most people in “active” society. But he is listed as one of
Sister’s students. Also named is the former Dean, Mr. Tota Mangar. I hate to do what I am about to do, but I am doing it so the young generation of this country can know of the morbid narrow-mindedness of those who in government and other high places in this country since self-government more than sixty years ago. Of all those names mentioned there, I have written more articles than I recall on my relationship with Sister Menezes and her greatness, the latest being February 16, 2016. The authorities in the Office of the President and the UG administration would know that I was a student of Sister. Yet my name was not mentioned. Should I yell at my exclusion? I am glad it has happened, so I can write to inform the young generation of this troubled land what type of people inhabit this country Here is a large extract from that column; “Sister Mary Noel will always remain one of my favourite persons in this life. I met some good people in Guyana and other countries that had a profound effect on me; Sister Marty Noel Menezes is one of them. I first met her in 1974 as a history freshman. Her class was the “philosophy of history.” I was already madly hooked on philosophy before I went into UG and Sister’s
class increased my immersion. She took a liking to me and despite my loudness, leftwing radicalism and philosophical existentialist mind, as a Catholic nun, she never let my opposing philosophy deter her in her quest to help me. From 1974 until the time of writing, I had a very strong bond with this lady. Her teachings and character traits effectively molded me into who I subsequently became. It was under her strong influence, I accepted that people must be treated fairly without regards to their views or philosophy.
Sister taught me that people were entitled to justice irrespective of how you feel about them. She knew I was not even distantly religious, she knew my views of God and she knew I was essentially leftwing. But none of that mattered to her. She told me that she saw in me the potential of a fine historian and she wanted me to realize that potential.” I could go on to quote more columns in which I mentioned my relationship with sister. When my daughter was born, Sister gave her a stuffed
baby elephant. Readers would not believe it, but it is the truth, and my daughter can tell you; she has slept with that elephant at her bed head since then, and my daughter is in her twenties. Why my name was left out and others included? I wasn’t even invited to the book launching. The answer is simple, and I mean very simple. It does not strain the imagination to find the answer. In one of my columns or maybe more than one, I may have written unflattering sentiments about the kings and
Frederick Kissoon queens in the APNU+AFC’s corridors of power and in the power establishment at UG. But to deliberately leave out my name shows we are certainly dealing with some ugly, petty minds with authority, power and status in this land that time forgot about.
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Sunday June 04, 2017
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Resuscitating the livestock industry The APNU+AFC Coalition Government continues to invest in the development of public services and the quality of the service it provides. The livestock industry is back on the front burner under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture. Guyana’s dairy and livestock sector had been engaged for several years in a quiet struggle for survival and relevance. Now our industry specialists are looking ahead to financial support, governmental support and stronger business partnerships in the private sector. The livestock sector continues to contribute to the national GDP but its capacity for enlargement, for enlivening, is immense, as Guyana claws its way back to the title that we used to be so proud of, the ‘Bread Basket of the Caribbean’. This has even more significance in the face of the theory put forward by world scientists that one of the consequences of global warming is the eventual shortage of food supply. Well, even from a cursory look, and save for any cata-
clysmic events in this part of the world, Guyana could very well become an oasis if those scientific predictions come true. And it is catching on. Farmers, producers, processors have begun to look this way, to our fertile soils and our geographic protections from hurricanes and other extreme natural events. The attention of the world is thankfully not just on the sub-sea oil fields, but on the nation’s potential to accommodate a wide range of services, agricultural and manufacturing enterprises. The government has been emphasizing that its focus is just as strong on oil and gas and the benefits therefrom, as it is on environmental protection; on maintaining the greenness of Guyana by replanting our forests as we reap its bounty; on planting food on the wide swathes of fertile savannah lands in the interior regions; and on cattle rearing in the open green lands in Regions 4, 5, 7 and 9 particularly. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in a recent conversation with the Guyana Livestock Development Au-
thority, said that the government continues to seek creative ways to shift our traditional dependence on staple crops like sugar and rice. The livestock sector, he said, has the capacity to achieve feasible, vibrant diversification if given the necessary inputs, e.g. domestic and foreign investments and effective governmental support. MEETINGWITH FARMERS AND BUTCHERS Later the Agriculture Ministry’s team met with livestock farmers, butchers and law enforcement officers of Regions 5 and 6 to discuss the regulations and requirements that govern caring of animals, humane (and lawful) slaughtering, reviving our dairy industry, and maintaining a high level of production and productivity. After all, Guyana has the capacity to satisfy its domestic needs as well as become once again a lead exporter of quality meats. The objective of the meeting with farmers and butchers in Berbice was to give
them more information about their responsibilities with regards to the Slaughter of Cattle (Control) Act Chapter 71:09, the Cattle Stealing Prevention Act, Miscellaneous Licenses Act, Produce Protection Act, the Georgetown Abbatoir By-Laws and the Animal Health Act. These two regions were chosen on the strength of several factors, one of which is limited compliance with these same regulations. Law Enforcement is concerned about the higherthan-normal number of road accidents and incidents that are caused by untended cattle day and night. They also sought to address the prevalence of uncertified slaughtering, which has the potential to be unsanitary and a threat to residents’ health. Many of the stakeholders attending the outreach exercise called for some of the existing laws to be reviewed and updated to modern standards of operation. Their recommendations have been taken on board and a review will take place. The importance of cattle branding was also emphasized. Cattle branding is the deliberate marking of livestock as a means of identification to determine its ownership. One of the challenges with branding and the regulations in the Cattle Stealing Prevention Act is the fact that farmers do not have enough information. The Act specifies that cattle should be branded within six months of its birth,
or 28 days after purchase, that new brands should be placed in a distinct and separate area (listed in the Act) from a previous brand, and never over an existing mark. Other laws state that only certain types of cattle should be slaughtered. This gave rise to numerous queries and farmers’ expressions of concern, especially about the possibility of a reduced amount of meat reaching the market. However, according to the law, female heads of cattle and those with less than one permanent incisor tooth, should not be slaughtered without the written approval of a veterinarian. This regulation, according to a Ministry official, was put there to serve as a means of ensuring that the cattle herds multiply; that they are not carelessly slaughtered; and to prevent a glut of beef on the market. This was one more requirement that both farmers and law enforcement attendees asked to be updated. The farmers took the opportunity to speak to Agriculture Ministry officials about issues affecting their businesses. These included new animal diseases and appropriate medicines, cattle rustling which is rampant in Regions 5 and 6, the importance of keeping a Livestock Extension and Government Veterinary Offices in the area well equipped, and the need for better collaboration among butchers, farmers and law enforcement officers.
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder
A LIVESTOCK CENSUS One of the first orders of business in this resuscitation campaign is to conduct a national livestock census. It will be done under the aegis of the Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP) which was launched earlier this year. The census analysis will provide information to sector planners and policymakers who will be able to map the progress of the resuscitation programme, and safely provide prognoses for the future of Guyana’s agricultural industries, their products, and farm practices. There has been a marked decrease in Guyana’s domestic animal population. Without careful monitoring and the application of measures to curb slaughtering, Guyana could find itself without any food-based animals.
Sunday June 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
My column
The elections conundrum There is once more a stalemate with the appointment of a chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission. President David Granger has rejected a second list presented by the Opposition Leader. Indeed there was a mix of people, some of whom would satisfy the legal requirement, but I can only assume that this rejection was based on the fit and proper requirement. There was a lot of discussion about this second list, to the point that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo became incensed. Former Magistrate Maxwell Edwards dissected the list and was accused of attacking the people’s character. But when last I looked, Mr. Edwards’s analysis was accurate. He spoke of a former judge who he said is often ill, of a lawyer who was linked to the legal issue of a third term for the presidency, of people who were agitators for one cause or another. But this need not have been the case. When the Carter-Price formula was introduced, the aim was to take away the political dictation by the president.
The president had the right to appoint the chairman. The commission was seen as a tool under the control of the ruling government. Such was the state of affairs that in the run-up to the 1992 elections, Dr Cheddi Jagan objected to a number of things. For one, he was not satisfied with the voters’ list. Then he wanted counting at the place of poll. But first he had to get a commission that would level the playing field. He lobbied so hard that the Carter Centre decided to visit Guyana to help regularize the situation. In the end, former United States President Jimmy Carter and the Prime Minister of Belize, George Price, came up with a formula. This formula allowed the ruling party to select three members and the opposition to select three. The chairman was expected to be neutral, so he held the casting vote. But Carter said that this situation should only be temporary. He also offered some comments on other things in this plural society, but his suggestions were ruled out of hand. The former president then met
with the press to announce that he was never going to come to Guyana again. All the elections were held using the Carter formula. The political division in the commission was clear. I recall the Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, telling the press that his commission was apolitical; that all decisions were rooted in the principle of nonpartisanship. That was a pipe dream. Which of the commissioners would sit back and see something going wrong for his or her political party? The team of observers from the Commonwealth Secretariat came and made recommendations for the composition of the elections commission. As far back as the turn of the century, there were recommendations for changes in the electoral system. These recommendations were ignored. One suggestion was that the parties should agree to an elections commission that comprises civicminded people with no obvious political connection. At the end of the 2015 elections, these recommendations surfaced once more. One diplomat, at a press con-
ference, said that this government should move immediately, because before one knows, the five years would run out. However, there is no effort to revamp the elections commission, so that we now have Jagdeo tugging at his scalp to get a commission chairman who could be amenable. Dr Steve Surujbally, who has quit the post, said that it is a difficult job. He spoke of the attacks from commissioners aligned to a particular political party. Of course he had presided over three elections - two of which were won by the People’s Progressive Party. It was not until the 2015 elections that the PPP accused him of cheating. There were attempts to commit fraud during the count. Not for the first time, there were questionable statements of poll. The first time that I can recall questionable statements of poll, led to a challenge to the elections of 1997. Witnesses testified to seeing unsigned statements of poll, suggesting that these were implanted and the genuine statements removed. This time around the fraudulent statements were
spotted even before they could be inserted into the count. They were spotted by an alert executive and immediately rejected. Needless to say, the PPP was incensed, to the point of arguing that the statements of poll were genuine. It mattered not that they did not have the security marks. These issues would disappear if there is a move to install a non-partisan commission. Although the members may be supporters of one political party or another, they would not be active campaigners and if called upon, would do the right thing. There have also been suggestions about the counting. Guyana is one of the few countries in the world where the vote count is not known until days after the elections. In this electronic age, there is nothing to stop the various polling stations from sending the results at the end of the day. While this is the case, something happens in the commission that delays the count. The people who work in the polling stations could actually photograph the count and send it to their relative
Adam Harris parties, so that all would have the same result almost instantaneously. Yet there always seems to be a problem. I am fast coming to the realization that elections in Guyana will always be contentious. The 1992 elections saw the publication of different voters’ lists. People found their names on the one posted outside the polling place, but could not find them on the list used by the polling agents. This was a case of fraud. It is such tampering that Carter and the Commonwealth observers have proposed fixes for, but the political powers seem happy with the state of things. As for the appointment of a chairperson, President Granger seems to want a nonpartisan person, but even this is being challenged.
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Protecting our patrimony
President David Granger
By HE David Granger (on the 5th Anniversary of the Protected Areas Commission, May 24, 2017) Imagine Guyana without its mud-lands on the coastland, its hinterland grasslands, its wetlands, its majestic highlands, its islands and lake-land of the Essequibo, its rainforests, its rivers and its waterfalls. What a barren, blighted and boring place it would be! Guyana, by the grace of God, is not barren or blighted. It is a beautiful, blissful and bountiful land. These very geographical places are teeming with animal and plant life. These are the habitats of our giants – the anaconda, arapaima, ar-
madillo, bat, caiman, capybara, eagle, jaguar, tapir and many more. Guyana is located in the centre of the vast Guiana Shield which, with its pristine forests and largely uncontaminated aquatic and other intact ecosystems, is essential to enriching and replenishing earth’s biodiversity. The Guiana Shield’s biodiversity provides ecosystem services such as food, freshwater, medicinal, timber and non-timber products. It aids in the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination. Its biodiversity reduces soil degradation and enhances soil nutrition. Its forests provide storage for carbon and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Its environment is important to the earth and must be protected. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, therefore, inspired by the vision of protecting its biodiversity, signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity twenty-five years ago. The Convention (at Article 8 (a)), obligates contracting parties, “as far as possible and as appropriate,” to: …establish a system of
protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to ensure biological diversity. The Protected Areas Commission Act of 2011, nearly two decades later, provided for the establishment of a Protected Areas Commission of Guyana that is tasked with establishing managing, maintaining, promoting and expanding the protected area system. It is required, inter alia, to: … identify and evaluate areas that are of ecological significance and make recommendations for the establishment of new protected areas. The Protected Areas Commission has a huge responsibility. It has played, so far, a defining role in identifying, evaluating and managing the protected areas system. The Commission’s work has furnished the framework for establishing the ecological and environmental integrity of those dedicated geographical spaces which Guyana needs to achieve the long-term conservation of its ecosystem. The P r o t e c t e d A r e a s Commission is expected to play an essential role in the transition to Guyana’s becoming a ‘green state’ –
one that involves development at the household, community, regional, national and international levels. The ‘green state’ development strategy will allow: - projection of the protected areas system into every region; - protection of wildlife and the preservation of our territory; and the - promotion of eco-tourism and eco-educational tourism. The Protected Areas system will be regionalised countrywide. Protected areas will be established on the coastland and the hinterland. Every region will be a ‘green’ region, administered by a ‘green’ capital town and, eventually, will have at least one legally-designated, regional protected area. The establishment of these areas will devolve greater responsibility for conservation and environmental protection, to our regions. It will allow, also, for every citizen to exercise stewardship over his or her region’s protected area. Biodiversity conservation is the cornerstone of Guyana’s ‘green’ agenda which places emphasis on the protection and preser-
vation of our luxuriant flora and abundant biodiversity. T h e C o m m i s s i o n ’s work, therefore, is expected to intensify the pace of our transition towards the ‘green state.’ Conservation: - ensures sovereignty over our national patrimony and is one of the means in which we exercise control over our territory; - ensures the survival of the Guiana Shield of which Guyana is a part and which, as one of the world’s last remaining intact areas of pristine rainforests, is home to a significant portion of the world’s known biodiversity and freshwater supplies; - ensures that these forests provide climate mitigation services to the earth and facilitates regulating services such as water storage and pollination; and - ensures environmental sustainability by preventing the destruction of natural habitats and the degradation of the land. Guyana is committed to achieving the target set under United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. It is committed to placing at least 17 per cent of terrestrial
and inland water areas and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas under a system of protection. It will, under the nationally determined commitments of the Paris Agreement on climate change, also, place an additional two million hectares under conservation. The Protected Areas Commission, by enlarging, extending and expanding the National Protected Areas System, will ensure that these targets are met. The Protected Areas Commission will work with the Department of the Environment to identify areas to be placed under conservation and protection in fulfillment of our international commitments. The Protected Areas Commission will be expected to be the engine of ‘green’ growth. The success of the ‘green’ agenda will be determined by the efficacy of the Commission’s work. The Protected Areas Commission, as it celebrates this significant anniversary, is encouraged to ensure that, for the good of generations yet unborn and for the earth itself, Guyana does become the ‘green state’ that we sing proudly about: [a land] of rivers and plains Made rich by the sunshine, and lush by the rains, Set gem-like and fair, between mountains and seas…”
Sunday June 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
What to do when your child swallows an object By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Young children and, sometimes, older children and adults may swallow toys, coins, safety pins, buttons, bones, wood, glass, magnets, batteries or other foreign objects. These objects often pass all the way through the digestive tract in 24 to 48 hours and cause no harm. But problems may arise when objects are stuck for a long time, are sharp, or contain corrosive materials. Complications can include tears in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach), movement of the object into the tissue of the esophagus, and infection. Small magnets can pose a special problem. If more than one is swallowed, they can stick together and erode through tissue. Three areas of the esophagus are the most likely places for objects to lodge: · At the level of the collarbones (clavicles) — the most common place · At the centre of the chest · Just before the esophagus meets the stomach, near the bottom of the rib cage Objects also may get stuck in any part of the esophagus that has been injured previously. ARE THERE SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR? Kids may sometimes swallow an object and not tell you. Looking for symptoms may be
your only clue. If the object gets caught in the esophagus, it can cause: · Drooling · Inability to swallow or painful swallowing · Vomiting · Chest pain or neck pain Objects also can become trapped in the intestine or can tear the intestinal walls. The result can be vomiting, abdominal pain, abnormal bowel sounds and dark stools that contain blood. ARETHEREANY TESTS TO SHOW A SWALLOWED OBJECT? After your doctor examines your child and asks about his or her recent medical history, the doctor may order an X-ray to help show where the object is. Some things cannot be seen with an X-ray. If the X-ray does not show the object, but the symptoms and circumstances still suggest that an object is stuck in the esophagus, the child may need a computerized tomography (CT) scan, or other radiologic tests. WHAT CAN YOU DO? If your child has swallowed a foreign object, call your doctor for advice, and: · Do not try to make the child vomit. · Do not panic. · Do not assume that surgery is necessary. Most objects pass through the digestive tract without complications. Surgery for removing foreign objects is not common. · Do not forcefully remove the object. This can
cause further injury. Your doctor may want to take an X-ray to see where the battery is located and to make sure that it does not become lodged in the digestive tract. If your child has swallowed something sharp, such as a piece of glass or an open safety pin, contact your doctor, even if your child has no symptoms. Sharp objects sometimes can injure the esophagus, stomach or intestines. If your child has swallowed a smooth object, such as a coin or a small stone, and has no symptoms, contact
your doctor to decide the best course of action. You may be able to wait and see if the object passes through the digestive tract on its own. If more than 24 to 48 hours pass and you do not see the object in the toilet or in your child’s diaper, or if your child begins experiencing symptoms of a lodged object, contact your doctor. WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS LIKE? In most cases the outlook is excellent; the object will pass on its own or can be re-
moved without complications. Complications from a doctor removing the foreign object using a camera can include bleeding, tears in the esophagus or complications from the anesthesia. Complications of using a balloon tube to remove a foreign object include vomiting, shortterm blockage of the airway and injury to the esophagus. However, these complications are rare. As we always say, prevention is better than cure. As much as you can, avoid leaving small objects in the reach of small children, especially those less than 3 years of age.
Dr. Zulfikar Bux This is the best way to avoid the anxiety and sometimes complications that can be associated with a child swallowing an object.
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SUNDAY BILLIONS LOST…GRA UNCOVERS RACKET WITH HEAVYDUTYMACHINERY -BIG PLAYERS TO BE HAULED IN THIS WEEK A heavy duty machinery scheme worth billions of dollars is expected to come to an end, thanks to the efforts of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Kaieteur News understands that for years, there were excavators and other heavy duty machinery and equipment which were not being registered. This has led authorities to form the conclusion that the nation has been losing billions of dollars in taxes every year. Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Godfrey Statia, confirmed that the entity has found this loophole and is already making moves to clamp down on the scheme. Statia explained, “Registration means you have title and if you have title it means you can then transfer the title… What happened is that these guys were doing the transfers by way of Bill of Sale or by way of what you would say Power of Attorney and that is one of the ways in which they have been beating it. ”It is not only with the heavy duty but even with many other vehicles. Heavy duty has just been on the forefront for us…so when these excavators go into the interior, if they are not registered then they cannot be traced…” The GRA Commissioner stated, “Additionally, some of the equipment that were free of duty based on these tax exemptions should not really have been granted simply because they were not registered and they could move from one industry to the next…That is a billion dollar scam that we have come upon.” Statia said that he has spoken
Sunday June 04, 2017
with his staff to make efforts to ensure that there is the registration of all excavators and heavy duty machinery regardless of the industry it is part of so as to bring an end to “the present lawlessness.” ”We are investigating this matter and we will be calling out the players to discuss this and put measures in place to deal with it going forward. We will also be working towards clearing up the backlog and collecting past taxes and transfer fees,” expressed the GRA Commissioner. POLITICIANS SHOULD HAVE NO ROLE IN GECOM – CARTER CENTER The elections watchdog, The Carter Center, has recommended that there should not be political party representation on the Guyana Elections Commission. This recommendation forms part of the final statement by the Carter Center on the 2015 General and Regional Elections in Guyana. The report said that as it relates to ‘Election Administration’, parliament and political parties should consider alternative models of election administration. The so-called ‘Carter formula’ which has been followed since 1992, provides for an Elections Commission with balanced representation of ruling and opposition parties. While adoption of this model was critical to the success of the breakthrough transitional elections in 1992, in subsequent elections it has allowed party interests to interfere with effective electoral administration. The report said that as part of electoral reform efforts, Guyana should give careful consideration to alternative models thereby reducing or eliminating political party representation and increasing the role of independent members of civil so-
eral wealth of the area. OVER 40 HAITIANS ABANDONED AT CHEDDI JAGAN AIRPORT – COPS CLOSE IN ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING
ciety and professional experts. ”The Carter-Price formula for GECOM should be changed to ensure that GECOM is not divided solely along political lines. GECOM should be composed of individuals who are solely committed to carrying out a successful and transparent elections process and who have the confidence of political parties, but can also maintain independence.” MONDAY GRA BUSTS NUMBER PLATE RACKET…OVER 1000 VEHICLES ENTERED FROM BRAZIL/SURINAME CANNOT BE TRACED The investigative efforts of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are proving daily, the extent to which lawlessness and corruption exists at various levels in this society. The Authority is already set to upturn another racket which points to the recycling of number plates. According to the Authority, it was found that 1000 vehicles entered Guyana from Brazil and Suriname with foreign number plates. But months later, these vehicles with the licence plates with which they entered, cannot be traced.
Contacted to speak on the matter, GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, told Kaieteur News that the matter is being looked into. Statia confirmed that the Authority’s investigations indicate that there has been the recycling of local number plates to disguise the ones coming in. He said that efforts will also have to be made for the Authority to work with the Guyana Police Force to ensure that number plates are not recycled from vehicles which have been involved in car accidents and ‘written off’. Statia stressed that all vehicles, regardless of the industry it is being used in, must be registered. He insisted that practices to the contrary, rob the state of the requisite taxes. The GRA boss emphasized that the Authority will work feverishly towards bringing an end to this scheme. FOLLOWING PRESIDENTIAL ORDER… JOINT SERVICES RAID ILLEGAL MINING CAMPSAT KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK – SEVERALDETAINED Following several reports of illegal mining activity at the Kaieteur National Park, President David Granger ordered a special operation last weekend which led to the arrest of several persons. This was confirmed by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, when contacted by this publication last Sunday. He said that a number of reports would have been brought to the attention of several agencies regarding the illegal activity. Trotman said that the President was also briefed on the matter about the proliferation of mining in the area. He said that a decision was taken to urgently address the issue and an operation was executed over the weekend. Asked how many persons would have been arrested, Trotman said that about 20 persons were taken into custody by law enforcement officials. Illegal mining has been a problem for the management of the Kaieteur National Park for a number of years. The Park is located within one of the largest and most bio-diverse rainforests in the world. As a result of its location, many have sought to pilfer the rich min-
With the police hot on their trail, a ring of human traffickers abandoned more than 40 Haitians at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Saturday. The Haitians arrived on a Copa Airlines flight and there was no one at the airport to pick them up. The police believe that the individuals who were supposed to collect the visitors backed out after realizing that the investigators were onto them. Kaieteur News understands that the police in collaboration with the government took 27 Haitians into protective custody on Friday. A source said that both parties’ capacity to keep these people is overwhelmed. ”No one wants to take responsibility now because we don’t have anywhere to put these people and they have arrived here legally,” a policeman who is familiar with the investigation said. On Friday night, 10 people, including Haitians, Surinamese and Guyanese, were arrested while on their way to the airport to pick up 12 children and 15 adults. The suspected human trafficking victims are now in protective custody. TUESDAY SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICIAL ORDERED BK’S VEHICLE RELEASE Internal meddling at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) led to the highly questionable release of an armour-plated Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) over two weeks ago. The matter has angered enforcement officials of Customs and the political opposition. It has raised questions about the integrity of the enforcement arm of the authority. GRA has been largely silent on the matter and no police report has been filed that the vehicle in question had a false number plate. Rather, the tax collection agency has disclosed that a $31M payment has been agreed to with BK International Inc., the contractor to whom the vehicle reportedly belongs. According to GRA’s sources, officials of the Customs Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) were on duty over two weeks ago. In the vicinity of Palm Court, a popular night spot on Main Street, their attention was drawn to a pearl white, 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser, which had PJJ plates. It would have been impossible for a 2014 model to be fitted with a PJJ plate, as those serial numbers were issued more than a decade ago. The officers became suspicious and waited around for a while, but (Continued on page 41)
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(From page 32) no one came near the vehicle. The officers, according to GRA sources, then went into Palm Court, and asked the deejay to summon the owner of the vehicle. A man came and introduced himself as “a close family member” of Brian Tiwarie, owner of BK International Inc., a prominent contractor for the state. He was unable to explain the number plates or produce the documents. The man reportedly called Tiwarie. The officers also informed their superiors at the Customs Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID). However, before the men could take possession of the vehicle, they were called and told to stand down. They were told that the matter would be dealt with on the following Monday. According to sources, the officers were perturbed and upset, as not even under former GRA head, Khurshid Sattaur, and former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, had something like this happened. They thought that that was the end of the matter and they felt humiliated. But it appeared it was only the beginning. Kaieteur News was told that on the Monday morning, following the incident, LEID head, Fitzroy Corlette, walked into the office and “in a very intimidating voice” asked who had been “peeking” into BK’s vehicle. One staffer immediately said that it wasn’t him. Another one said that he was only doing his job. Corlette reportedly came out later from his office and informed the staffers that the matter had been settled. He reportedly asked if they had heard him “loud and clear”. The issue has rocked the credibility of GRA which has been attempting to rebuild a tarnished image under the new administration. BAISHANLIN VEHICLES RELEASED ON “RIGID” AGREEMENT – EQUIPMENT REMAINS IN CUSTODY BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. has been able to negoti-
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TWO YEARS LATER…GUYANA REMAINS WITHOUTACTIVE INTEGRITY COMMISSION – BUT PM ASSURES CORRECTIVEACTION IN THE PIPELINE
ate the release of its two Sport Utility Vehicles that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had taken possession of; this is according to reliable sources. GRA’s Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia said that he was not in a position to speak on the issue. However, Kaieteur News was told that the vehicles were released based on a “rigid” agreement made between BaiShanLin and GRA. Part of that agreement stipulates that within six months, BaiShanLin would renegotiate an investment plan with the coalition government. This makes sense when coupled with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ announcement that the Chinese Development Bank (CDB) had asked Guyana to not give out lands once held by BaiShanLin. The source said that as per agreement, when the six-month period comes to an end, BaiShanLin will have to produce all taxes and duties payable to the Authority – that would include money not only owed for the vehicles that were released, but also for the equipment and machinery that remain in GRA’s custody. WEDNESDAY
While the Government has given itself a pat on the back for making a number of strides in some areas, it is yet to set itself apart from its predecessor when it comes to the functioning of the Integrity Commission. It has been two years into the administration’s reign and the nation still remains without an active Integrity Commission. Contacted Tuesday for an update on the matter, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that while he can acknowledge this state of affairs, he is making an effort to correctit. In this regard, the First Vice President said, “The Integrity Law says that the Prime Minister shall recommend names to the President, and if I get another two to three days I should be able to put my list of recommendations to him. I am working on it. I am working on recommendations to the President.” Nagamootoo also stated that he is still looking at possible amendments to the Integrity Commission Act. ”At the moment there is no functioning Integrity Commission. There is no Chairman and no functioning body. There is probably one surviving member. I have to take a look at the composition, and see who the existing members are. So I am trying to put a list of names to be sent to the President.” The principle behind the declaration of assets to the Integrity Commission by senior public officers is to ensure that they do not acquire large amounts of cash or property without proper justification to the nation. With the Commission not functioning, it is yet to fulfill this fundamental code which led to its creation. This state of affairs was heavily criticized by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) when the two parties served in the political opposition.
SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING…SURINAMESE LIKELYTO FACE ILLEGAL ENTRY CHARGES – HAITIANS REFUSE TO GIVE EVIDENCE Two Surinamese, who were among 10 persons including Guyanese and Haitians arrested on Friday, for allegedly being part of a human trafficking ring involving Haitians, are mostly likely to be charged with illegal entry, according to a police source. The two were arrested on their way to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where 12 children were among 27 Haitians waiting to be picked up. Kaieteur News was informed that the 27 Haitians who are now in protective custody have refused to give evidence against the persons who were arrested. As such, the police can only charge the two Surinamese with illegal entry. The Haitians and Guyanese will most likely be released and the authorities are looking at ways in which the visitors can be illegally deported back to their home country since they have provided no reason for staying here. The police believe that the Haitians, who they suspect are victims of a human trafficking ring, have refused to divulge information, because some of them were “groomed” before they came here. Reports are that the Haitians are coming to Guyana and then head to Suriname (via backtrack) before travelling to their final destination, French Guiana, to work. CRACKDOWN IN KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK… MINERS CLAIM THEY WERE ON LANDS LICENCED BY GGMC The Amerindian People’s Association (APA) Tuesday refuted claims that the 20 miners detained by Joint Services ranks, were working in the restricted Kaieteur National Park area. The miners, including two women, were released from custody after being detained at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. One of the women, who was accompanied by her two-year-old son, was report-
edly released on Monday. However, they have all been given summonses by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), to appear in court on July 18. The miners, who were mainly Amerindians from the Patamona tribe, turned up at the APA’s Charlotte Street office Tuesday. About 12 were subsequently provided with accommodation at the Amerindian Hostel in Princes Street, while others are reportedly staying at relatives. An APA release identified the miners as Calixtus Francis, 47; Kenvil Cyril, 18; Donald Andrew, 48; Aladin Sebastian, 29; Garlon Andrew, 32; Clifford Andrew, 30; Leroy Fraser, 29; Collin Francisco, 27; Phillip Andrew, 18; Rudolph BobbSemple, 37; Franklin George, 38; Carlton Lewis, 40; Jason Baptiste, 30; Cecil Baptiste, 56; Bryan Mason, 31; Tomson Edwards, 17; Sabrina Dossantos, 26; Mark Andrew, 26; Carrol Williams, 22, and Clive Edwards, 20. ”The accused were summoned by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and are scheduled to make their court appearances on July 18, 2017 at the Mahdia Magistrates Court,” the APA release added. But Amerindian People’s Association member Laura George said that the miners were working on two claims, which were licensed by the GGMC. The claim owners were identified as George De Abreu and Charles Blair. Kaieteur News has seen what appeared to be claim licences, which were stamped by GGMC, and made out to George De Abreu. One of the licences appeared to have been issued on May 15, 2017. ”The claims are valid (and) paid for by the claim holders,” Mrs. George said. “They (the owners) say those are their claims, the Ministry (of Natural Resources) says they have taken away their excavators, dredges and water pumps, (but ) where did they confiscate them from?” ”They (the miners) were out of the Kaieteur National Park, on claims authorized by GGMC. Somebody is not doing it right at the GGMC. They have to make themselves right, instead of making others pay for their inefficiencies,” the APA (Continued on page 42)
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(From page 41) spokesperson added. Kaieteur News understands that the miners alleged that they were working in an area out of the restricted Kaieteur National Park area, and were heading back to Chenapau, located at the left bank of the Potaro River, when the Joint Services ranks arrested them. However, Kaieteur News understands that three of the miners may have been prospecting in the restricted Kaieteur National Park. THURSDAY END OFA 10-YEAR-OLD RACKET … GRA BEGINS EXERCISE FOR REGISTRATION OFALL HEAVY DUTYVEHICLES, EQUIPMENT The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has commenced an exercise this week which is geared towards ensuring the registration of all heavy duty vehicles and equipment that were imported and are in use. The revenue-collecting body made this statement Wednesday in an advertisement that was published in the Kaieteur News. The Authority outlined in the ad that these heavy duty equipment and vehicles include backhoes, bulldozers, combines, compactors and cranes. GRA stressed that owners of these heavy duty vehicles and equipment are required to present a motor vehicle registration form and the relevant import documents and Bill of Sale to the Licence Revenue Office, on Camp Street, Georgetown, to facilitate the registration process and thereafter have the vehicles/equipment examined. The Authority said that it will have strategic points to facilitate examination of vehicles/equipment in the interior as well as in regional locations. The exercise is one which comes in wake of the GRA uncovering a racket worth billions of dollars regarding heavy duty machinery. Kaieteur News understands that for years, there were excavators and other heavy duty machinery and equipment which were not being registered. This has led authorities to form the conclusion that the nation has been losing billions of dollars in taxes every year. Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Godfrey Statia, confirmed last week with this newspaper that the entity has found this loophole and is already making moves to clampdown on the scheme. GOVT TO SPEAK ON EXXON’S PRODUCTION LICENCE SOON – TROTMAN Government has promised to pronounce on the production licence of ExxonMobil within the next few weeks. Amidst debate pushing for a best possible deal for Guyana, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael
Trotman, Wednesday disclosed that Government is in the process of finalising ExxonMobil’s production licence. The minister recently made it clear that negotiations are ongoing to receive a better deal than a one percent royalty that is currently being proposed, based on an almost two-decade old agreement between Guyana and the US-owned exploration company. The Minister made the announcement on the production licence to stakeholders in opening remarks at the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GEITI) capacity-building symposium which was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown Wednesday. ”Government has received an application for a production licence to be issued to ExxonMobil. We are finalising that process, and will be making some pronouncements in the next few weeks,” Minister Trotman said. The existing contract is a 50-50 partnership Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). ExxonMobil and its partners will be allowed to recover the cost invested in the offshore production before the equal sharing of the profit oil, a government statement explained. The government had undertaken a review of the contract which dates back to 1999. Minister Trotman had indicated that the review was to update the contract, but assured that the government respects the “sanctity of contracts entered into.” There have been various calls in the local media for full disclosure of the contract between the government and ExxonMobil and its partners. The Minister had indicated earlier this year that the government does not believe full disclosure would be in the national interest. ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corp and CNOOC Nexen, made a significant oil find back in 2015 af-
ter drilling the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana. The oil company is currently in the developing phases of the Liza field with oil production projected for 2020. Wednesday, Minister Trotman noted that signing onto initiatives like the EITI standard is part of building trust and better relationships as the country develops its oil and gas sector. $550M COCAINE-IN-LUMBER BUST… GRA OFFICIALAMONG FOUR REMANDED A Guyana Revenue Authority official, Drug Enforcement Unit agent Sherwayne De Abreu, was among four men remanded to prison on Wednesday over the $550M cocaine-in-lumber find at a sawmill located at Lot B Lookout, East Bank Essequibo. De Abreu of 262 Eighth Street, Section A, Liliendaal, Greater
Georgetown; motor bike racer, Stephen Vieira of 37 Middle Street, South Cumm i n g s b u r g , Georgetown; businessman, Tazim Gafoor and his son, Nazim Gafoor, a m o t o r c a r r a c e r, b o t h o f Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, were all arraigned before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. They pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that between March 1 and May 12 at Narine Lall’s sawmill, they aided Hakim Mohamed to traffick 84.986 kilogrammes (187 pounds) of cocaine. The men were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Mark Conway; Latchmie Rahamat; Everton SinghLammy and Stanley Moore respectively. The Attorneys petitioned for bail for their clients. However, Magistrate Liverpool refused bail and instructed them to return to court on June 12 for disclosure of statements and fixture of a date for commencement of
trial. FRIDAY OIL DEAL WITH EXXON…GUYANATO GET TWO PERCENT ROYALTY; 50 PERCENT OF PROFITS It is now final. Guyana is to receive a two-percent royalty on gross earnings and 50 percent of the “profits” of the oil proceeds when production starts in 2020. Making true to its promise on Wednesday to pronounce on the pending production licence to be issued to Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited and partners Hess and Nexen, Government on Thursday evening said it is expected to grant the licence shortly. Extraction from the offshore Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main infrastructural support for the project, a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources said last evening. With regards to the big ticket issue of what exactly Guyana is getting, this is what the statement said. ”The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of two percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.” The statement did not immediately make it clear if it is 50 percent of the gross profit or 50 percent of the net profit. In the last two years since the discovery was announced, close attention has been paid to what exactly the administration would manage to arrive at. There was a standing agreement from 1999, with government saying (Continued on page 43)
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(From page 42) it was not happy with a one percent royalty that was offered. With regards to the production licence, according to the ministry Thursday, following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project – Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production ( G u y a n a ) L t d (EEPGL) in December, 2016, the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is expected to grant a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020. Esso is the local subsidiary of ExxonMobil, a Texas, USbased company that is one of the biggest explorers in the world. GOVT MUST SHED LIGHT OF TRANSPARENCY ON EXXON MOBIL CONTRACT —TIGI HEAD SAYS CITIZENS DESERVE TO BE ‘IN THE KNOW’ Confidentiality clauses, among other legal tricks have been used in the past to ensure that there is a ‘safe’ distance be-
Kaieteur News
tween questioning citizens and the contracts governing projects which have relied on millions of tax dollars. And while the APNU and AFC have spoken against this practice, not much has changed about the release of contracts since the coalition party took office. With this in mind, the head of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, is urging that the government pay attention to the mistakes of the past especially as it relates to contracts that are shrouded in secrecy. On this premise, Dr. Thomas said that the government must shed a light of transparency on the contract for USA oil giant, Exxon Mobil. Dr. Thomas said, “The way certain things are being done, you can end up repeating the things of the past. The secrecy surrounding contracts serves no one but the people h a n d l i n g t h e c o n t r a c t s . Yo u have the Exxon Mobil exploration going on for example but we don’t know the details of the contract.” TIGI Head continued, “I don’t expect Exxon to say release it (the contract). They don’t have to tell the world what’s going on. That is good for them but on the other hand the government has to recognize that they are running a country and the people need to be in the know.” The University Lecturer added, “When they are in the know, they can bring their skills and knowledge, they can criticize things that are happening and that can cause you to think, ‘Is this the best approach?’ But when that process is circumvented… and things are done in the shadows then this is not a good sign.” The TIGI Head alluded to
the point that Guyana could end up in a situation where, 10 years from now, it realizes that something should have been done that wasn’t. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told this publication back in March, that the Exxon contract applies to the entire Stabroek Block – where the company and its partners are exploring offshore Guyana. He had stated, also, that Government is reviewing the contract in order to update it so that any future arrangement will be contemporary with what is prevailing in the industry. This process, he said, is being done by both local and foreign experts. The Minister informed that the contract which was signed in 1999 has essentially maintained its original form. TEMPORARY BAN PLACED ON POULTRY FROM US The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has advised that the importation of poultry originating from the United States of America (USA) is temporarily suspended. This was stated in a notice that was posted on the Ministry of Business website dated April 27, 2017. The temporary suspension is due to the prevalence of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in some parts of the USA, which poses significant health risks to Guyana. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely contagious, multi-organ systemic disease of poultry leadi n g t o h i g h m o r t a l i t y, a n d caused by some H5 and H7 subtypes of type A influenza virus, family Orthomyxoviridae. ”The situation continues to be monitored by the GLDA who will advise further. The Ministry of
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Business will also continue to update Importers with regards to this issue as more information becomes available.” The notice read. Efforts to secure a comment from GLDA top officials were fut i l e . Kaieteur News was told that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GLDA, Richard Cumberbatch, was in a seminar. A follow-up call was made, however this publication was told that Cumberbatch was still in the seminar. Multiple calls later, went unanswered. Efforts to contact the Deputy CEO Dr. Dwight Walrond, also proved futile. A contact number and the purpose of the call were supplied to a GLDA official who promised to pass on the information to the Deputy. The Director of Commerce, Nicola Namdeo – who posted the notice – is currently on leave Kaieteur News was told. Meanwhile, questions lurk about the suspension period and what monitoring measures are in place to ensure that poultry from the USA are not imported into Guyana. F u r t h e r, e n q u i r e s a b o u t whether infected poultry would have already been imported and what the necessary steps to be taken were. PILOT VESSEL GETS $31M UPGRADE Following a $31M upgrade, Motor Launch (M.L) Allan Young was taken for a test run Thursday afternoon on the majestic Demerara River. The works were carried out b y l o n g - s e r v i n g c o n t r a c t o r, Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL). According to Chief Executive Officer Mr. Courtney Benn, the rehabilitation works took approximately four months. A large percent of the materials
had to be imported. These materials include the steel for the hull, the specialised marine plyboard for internal paneling and the necessary spares for the overhaul of the vessel’s two engines. The b o a t ’s e n g i n e r o o m , crew quarters and lounge areas were also rehabilitated. Each section now has television, courtesy of Courtney Benn Constructing Services. Mr. Benn, relating how the works were undertaken, said that the heavy-duty works were done a t t h e c o m p a n y ’s M a z a r u n i Essequibo dockyard, while the final touches and engine tuning were done at the CBCSL’s wharf at Water Street, Georgetown. The launch also received a facelift with the relevant artwork already in place. Safety tools and mechanisms were also upgraded to modern specifications. The contractor said that the project utilised fully the estimated amount of $31M with “not a cent more or a cent less” spent. He expressed satisfaction at the job done, noting his knowledge of the vessel, since it was the CBCSL that rebuilt and reengined the vessel back in 1999. The vessel was named after famous local historian, Allan Young, whose contributions and numerous pieces are still quoted today by both politicians and social activists. M.L Allan Young falls under the purview of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). The department acquired the vessel several years ago from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). The vessel commonly referred to as a “Pilot” vessel, is used to guide ships into Port Georgetown as a launch vessel. It is one of the four boats being used by MARAD for this (Continue on page 44)
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(From page 43) purpose. The other vessels include M.L Thompson, M.P Setter and M.L Kakabelli. SATURDAY AMAILA HYDRO DEVELOPER SELLS STAKE IN PROJECT Sithe Global, the USowned company that was developing a 160-megawatts hydro-electric project for Guyana at Amaila Falls, Region Eight, seems to have abandoned hopes of the initiative. The developer, which announced a pullout in 2013, has sold its stake, says Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. The official was on Friday being questioned about the project, during his post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. Insisting that Government has not abandoned hopes for the Amaila Falls site for the development of an electricity project, the Minister said that Sithe Global has sold off its interests. “My understanding from Minister (David) Patterson (Minister of Public Infrastructure) only recently (is that) Sithe Global…the company that held the intellectual property rights…(it has) …sold those rights to somebody else so that what is taking place outside of Guyana—that is not under our control.” He explained that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has presented a Public Infrastructure Plan going forward for Guyana and that plan envisages the development in roads, bridges and electricity. In the generation o f e l e c t r i c i t y, v a r i o u s means are considered, either by wind, solar and hydro. “All of these are sources of energy, we do not rule out any of them. That is to say, that in the hydro electricity sector, Amaila Falls is still one that is being considered. But what I want to
say is that all of these issues - all of the various 80something waterfalls that are here in Guyana - we are exploring them and we will make the best use of these resources at the appropriate time and in the best interest of the Guyanese people.” The project was a major one for the previous administration, under the P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic. In fact it would have been the biggest project for the country. Guyana has already spent US$40M-plus to build a number of access roads leading to the Region Eight site. However, the project ran into serious trouble when in 2013, the Opposition Coalition, which is now in Government, expressed grave concerns over the almost US$1B costs and other factors. A key environmental Bill was voted down and days later, Sithe Global, announced its pullout.
GECOM CHAIRPERSON NOMINEES… GRANGER REJECTS SECOND LIST FROM JAGDEO President David Granger has once again rejected a list of six nominees for the position of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission. This was communicated to Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Friday via a letter from the President. Jagdeo, as Leader of the Opposition, is required by Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to submit a list of six names to the President from which he shall choose one person to sit as Chairperson of the Commission. This is the second time that Granger is rejecting a list of nominees supplied by Jagdeo. The nominees on the second list included Justice of Appeal B.S Roy (ret’d), Justice William Ramlal (ret’d), Ms Oneidge WalrondAllicock, Attorney-at-law Kashir Khan, Attorney-at-law Nadia Sagar and Gerald Gouveia. In his letter to the opposition leader, Granger said, “I have examined the Curricula Vitae of the six persons in light of the criteria defined in my letter to you dated 2017.03.14. I have found the list to be ‘unacceptable’ within the meaning of the Constitution and of those criteria.” Granger had announced his rejection of Jagdeo’s first list in January of this year at
the Annual Media Brunch at State House. He criticised the first list by saying that there were no judges among the six names as is required by the Constitutional provisions. The names on the first list were Lawrence Latchmansingh, Rhyaan Shah, James Rose, Norman McLean, Ramesh Dookhoo and Christopher Ram, none of whom are judges. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition said that it notes with deep concern the cavalier and callous manner in which the President continues to express no confidence in and denigrate the professional
reputation, integrity and competence of Guyanese of high calibre. Jagdeo’s office believes that the President is bent on unilaterally selecting a person of his choice in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution and the Carter Formula. “The Leader of the Opposition here b y a s s u r e s that should the President proceed along this unconstitutional, undemocratic and diabolical path there will be litigation and other c o n s equences for which the President will be responsible.”
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Kaieteur News
Systems in place at CH&PA to ... A heart-rending ...
From page 53 some degree of understanding by the public and for everyone to cooperate with the staff. For the most part, the majority of persons did comply. Given the expectant buildup, systems were put in place to effectively deal with this situation. Desks were set up to facilitate the various services required by the members of the public. It was during the attempts to complete the preparation, that some persons became agitated. One of the factors that contributed to the disruption was the refusal of some late-comers to queue up according to the time they came. Some late-comers wanted to be served before oth-
ers. During attempts to maintain order, a member of the public assaulted one of the security guards. The matter was reported to the law enforcement but the assailant left the precincts of the Agency before the police arrived. CH&PA in a statement said, “It is unfortunate that this regrettable but isolated incident would be used to paint the Agency as having 'failed to be different from the old ways'. “We at CHPA are heartened by the level of enthusiasm shown by the public towards the Authority's housing solutions and we will not allow this unfortunate but isolated incident to spread a dark cloud over our ef-
forts.” “We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the staff who, at times, are required to perform under strenuous and unforgiving circumstances. We would also like to thank those members of the public who refused to be influenced by the distasteful behavior of a few unruly individuals.” “We want the public to know that we continue to register interested persons for the housing solutions. We also wish to assure the nation that CHPA remains committed to the President's vision of building affordable, cohesive and sustainable communities,” the statement added.
From page 34 complaint to the police a year earlier that her husband was sexually abusing her daughter. A judge was further considering charging her with being an accomplice in the rape. The girl is in a shelter and the rapist is on the run. Enraged human rights groups and activists believed the child would face health and psychological risks because of her age and the circumstances that led to the pregnancy. The girl gave birth to a 6-pound baby girl lastAugust. And in Brazil in 2009, a Catholic family was excommunicated by the Vatican following an abortion performed on a nine year-old girl who had been raped by her stepfather and was carrying twins. It also excommunicated the doctors who performed the procedure. A Brazilian archbishop said,
“Abortion is much more serious than killing an adult.An adult may or may not be innocent, but an unborn child is most definitely innocent. Taking that life cannot be ignored.” In each of these cases, very young children were raped and impregnated; in two instances the pregnancies were taken to full term with no serious complications. In the other, the child and her family were evidently traumatized. Where is the right and the wrong in all of this? I have my convictions, but I am sympathetic to what these three innocent girls were put through and to the arena of circumstances surrounding each 'combatant'. It's a sobering fact that thousands of pre-teen girls worldwide (including Guyana of course) are sexually active. In many in-
Sunday June 04, 2017 stances pregnancies and abortions are inescapable. So, many people see abortion as a horrific sin. Some Christians especially, feel that their heavenly father will hold them fully accountable for this 'slaughter of innocents' and deal with them condignly in the afterlife unless genuine repentance is expressed and forgiveness sought in fervent prayer. Even so they feel that its unsavory consequences will haunt them for the rest of their temporal lives. Many young women who have had abortions clearly feel great remorse afterward. Some turn to God seeking forgiveness for what they consider an almost unforgiveable act. It would be in most people's opinion, a very harsh deity who would turn His back on such a supplicant, and add to her remorse the awful sentence of everlasting punishment in hell. No 'abortion child' deserves that.
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Kaieteur News
Glass Ionomer restorative materials By Dr. Neromini Fagu Glass Ionomer has been used in dentistry for decades. This dental material was developed in 1965 and introduced to clinical dentistry in 1972. The name Glass Ionomer was termed by its developers, Drs. Wilson and Kent, with “glass” being for alumino silicate glass particles and “ionomer” for polycarboxylic acid and with the former being a powder and the latter a liquid. While the language might be a technical, I hope you will be able to glean some useful information from our discussion today. The glass ionomer powder is an acid soluble calcium fluoroalumino silicate glass. The raw materials are fused to a uniform glass by heating them to a temperature of 1100 °C- 1500°C. Lanthanum, strontium, barium or zinc oxide is added to provide radio-opacity which is extremely useful for radiographic purposes. The resulting glass is ground into
a powder having particles in the range of 15-50 µm. Some favourable properties of the material include its low exothermic reaction, chemical adherence to the tooth structure, less shrinkage as compared to polymerizing resins, and dimensional stability at high humidity. However, the biggest advantage of glass ionomers is their ability to release fluoride during an acidic attack and to uptake fluoride ions when present in the oral environment. It also has antibacterial properties. Glass ionomer direct restorative materials are simpler to place in bulk and have reduced operator caused post-operative sensitivity than composite restorations. They are not as sensitive to variations in the moisture in the restorative area during placement as composite resins, and have a long-term stable bond to dentine which generally does not diminish over time. The set material has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is
Class V Restoration: Before (A) and After (B) similar to tooth structure. Some of the undesirable characteristics include early moisture sensitivity, poor abrasion resistance and average esthetics. The durability of the material is affected by the preparation of the cement prior to placement and inadequate protection of restoration. There are many indications for the use of Glass Ionomer. These include as a restorative material for abrasion and erosion lesions without cavity preparation,
sealing and filling of occlusal pits and fissures, restoration of deciduous teeth, core build-up to reinforce the teeth and prevent fracture, and in atraumatic restorative techniques cases. Its versatility also includes usage as a fast setting lining cement and bases for cases such as lining of all types of cavities where a biological seal and cariostatic action are required, and the “sandwich technique” with composite resin to combine the
Financial Inclusion is Critical to Guyana’s Growth... From page 14 people in different ways: · Credit: Microcredit helps encourage investments into assets that enable business owners to start or expand small enterprises. In many countries, it’s been demonstrated that access to credit can lead to larger and more profitable businesses. For example, with access to credit, farmers can invest in larger quantities or more diverse livestock; the owner of a market stall can
purchase more wares to sell; and artisan can acquire more raw materials. · Savings: Building saving helps households manage cash flow spikes and smooth consumption, as well as build working capital. · Insurance: Vulnerability to risk and the lack of instruments to cope with external shocks make it difficult for people to escape poverty. Micro insurance can be an important instrument in mitigating risk. Weather-
based index insurance helps farmers by giving them the confidence to try riskier crop, buy fertilizer or hire labour. · Payments and mobile money: Having an efficient way of making payments reduces households’ transaction costs. Rather than travel long distances, people have the ease of doing business on their mobile phones. FINANCIAL INCLUSION COMMITMENTS World Bank and other
Prime Minister adds voice to... From page 13 the issue. It was explained that the Speaker of the House advised that the House be mindful of the sub judice rule, which states that once a matter is engaging the attention of the court, it could not be ventilated in the Assembly. But after more than six years in the courts, a decision in the matter involving Arjoon for wrongful termination is still to be handed down. Contacted recently, Mr. Arjoon, who is currently ailing, was reluctant to comment. He nonetheless asserted, “My family and I have endured so much suffering during the past decade hoping for justice. I recently lost my son who was also very traumatized by this matter.” “I hope I receive justice during my lifetime and not posthumously,” he added, noting that the date for
decision was scheduled eight months ago. Chapter 3:13 of Laws of Guyana prescribes that ”A judge who presides at the trial of a civil case shall give a written or oral decision and reason for the decision at the conclusion of the hearing of the case or as soon as possible after the conclusion of the hearing but not later than one hundred and twenty days (approximately four months) from the date of the conclusion of the hearing.” “Failure to give decisions within the time limit, Judges may apply for an extension of time by writing to the Chancellor, within no less than twenty one days before the expiration of the specified time limit.” Justice Reynolds, who presided over the civil proceedings, is currently on assignment in Essequibo. Arjoon‘s matter dates
back to 2007, when he was accused of conspiracy to defraud the NBS of $69M. He was charged along with Kissoon Baldeo, 38, of 86 Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (Assistant Mortgage Manager of NBS) and Kent Vincent of 1247 Canje Pheasant Lane, South Ruimveldt (Operations Manager). They had faced a trial in the Magistrates’ Court. Arjoon had initially claimed that he was framed after he refused to endorse the illegal lending of $2B, in 2006. That matter was dismissed for lack of evidence. Back in 2011, Arjoon of 12 La Fleur Road, Eccles, filed a lawsuit in the High Court against the financial institution, noting that he was on the verge of retiring when the charges were instituted and he was dismissed from NBS, losing his pension and other benefits.
researchers indicate that an increasing number of countries are committing to improving access to and usage of financial services. While more than 60 countries have introduced reforms to stimulate an expansion of financial inclusion there is an increasing emphasis on a comprehensive approach with a sequenced package of reforms. Finally, it was determined that financial regulators from more than 20 countries have made financial inclusion commitments under the “Maya Declaration,” to 1) create an enabling environment that increases access and lowers costs of financial services, including new technology; 2) implement a proportionate regulatory framework that balances financial inclusion, integrity, and stability; 3) integrate consumer protection and empowerment as a pillar of financial inclusion, and 4) use data to inform policies and track results. Next week we will discuss the importance of financial inclusion strategies. Thanks for all your comments and support. As usual, please send your comments or questions to deputygovernor@ bankofguyana.org.gy
beneficial properties of both materials. It is also useful for cementing crowns and bridges and for placement of orthodontic brackets. In endodontics it is used for sealing root canals orthogradely and retrogradely, restoring pulp chamber, and perforation repair. It is sometimes used for repairing vertical fracture because of its capacity to bond which enhances seal and re-enforces the tooth, bio-compatibility properties thus minimizing irritation to peri-radicular tissues, and fluoride release actions which import an anti-microbial effect to combat root canal infection. Some of the contra indications for its usage include restoration of incisal angles, fractured incisors, lesions involving large areas of labial enamel where esthetics is of major importance, interproximal surface restorations in posterior teeth requiring conventional cavity preparations, replacement of existing amalgam restorations, and replacement of lost cusp areas. Glass Ionomers have enjoyed many firsts in dentistry, being the first
Dr. Neromini Fagu materials designed to resist recurrent decay, the first bioactive materials which release fluoride in an acidic environment and recharge or replace lost fluoride ions when they are re-introduced back into the oral environment, and the first easy to use bulk-fill material. There have been many improvements to the original formulas, and there is now improved handling, strength, wear rates and esthetics. In addition, there are many new applications for Glass Ionomers which no doubt will continue to evolve in the next fifty years. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Hello the doctor is back!! Have your gas stove repaired and service. Call: 601-0595/220-4073 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!
MASSAGE Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered. Call: 694-9775
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished $65,000 monthly with 2 months security. Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only.
WANTED Waitress and cook. Call: 6771248 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:154:15pm Saleswoman with experience @ Christine’s Variety Store @ Lombard Street. Call: 2278529 Experienced Male workers on farm, age 30yrs and older. Call: 231-1408 between 8am1pm Male workers to work at Ice Factory in Rosignol. Call: 6183800 between 8:00am- 2pm Garbage Truck Drivers, attractive salary and benefits. Call: 227-1717 1 Complete 8" land dragger. Call: 670-0618We pay in $US We pay in $US for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Providence, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt. Call: 6292881/ 611-7223 Able bodied labourer. Call: 265-3586
One experienced cook, ages 20-40 to work in snackette & bar. Call: 663-7741/ 223-5798 Wanted to rent private car, 4X4 SUV long term - $70,000 One house to rent @ Atlantic monthly. Call: 661-8802 Gardens. Call: 677-8860/ 6149060 Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners & counter Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 227- servers. Apply @ Hacks Halaal. 5 Commerce St. 4377/227-0613/624-6013 One two bedroom apartment rent located in Diamond New Scheme -$45,000. Call: 2162339, 676-6313
One apartment for rent @ First Street Mon Repos E.C.D. Call: 602-4105/614-0005
Two nail technicians to work in Salon. Call: 646-5157/ 227-7609
2 Bedrooms apartment to rent downstairs. Call: 668-8431
Plumber tiler, mason, painter and a carpenter who knows wooden steps. Call: 625-3705
Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993
Welder Knowledgeable in MIG welding (GMAW). Call: 227-1830
Rental @ Ogle, 4 Master bedrooms, luxury home $5,000US. Call: 688-0087/ 6338484 Two bedroom at self -contained @ Tuschen - $50,000. Call: 6880087/ 633-8484
1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com 1 Mechanic for Interior location for Dodson & Perkins engine, 1 Bahier. Call: 615-1209/ 680-8727 Kitchen assistant preferably living in Diamond H/Scheme. Call: 677-5924 between 2-5pm
CAR RENTAL WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
One liquor Restaurant to rent preferably on East Coast. Call: 611-7088 One domestic cook- Contact: 677-8236 Wanted one electrician to work, one rewinder. Call: 6822971 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Lawn grass organic potting soil, supari Palm, foxtail, palm @ $1,000, Crotoon, Ashoka, Ficus, Exora. Call: 626-1044 48" RCA TV, 2 full size beds, mattress & base, 2004 Allion, low mileage, lady driven. Call: 642-0243 Office furniture, used computers, display racks & stands for store use. Call:2258066/624-6783
LAND FOR SALE 12 House lots 80X60 at Plantation Schoonard: water, light and roads, 1 min from Harbour Bridge. Call: 6152346/627-3443 35 Acres located in Port Kaituma. Call: 619-5173 Providence - $4.8M, Farm$2.8M, Herstelling -$3.5M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt $1.8M. Call: 684-5822/651-1969 New Hope land - $4M- Call: 688-0087, 638-8484
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;604-5198
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 BMW 318I -$2.3M, Never register. Contact# 592 6500402 / 603-1402
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
1 Mitsubishi 7 1/2 ton Dump Canter, 1 Mitsubishi Fuso 7 1/2 ton Canter. Never Register!!! Contact#592 6500402/603-1402
Sale @ The warehouse, Lot 1 Melanie Public Road, E.C.D. Tyres: 445, 65, 22.5, 1400/20 new, 295, 80, 225. Call: 6985203
Unregistered 1 Passo 2010 Black -$2.1M negotiable, 2 Vitz 2010 Pearl White & Pearl Pink -$2.3M negotiable each. Call: 649-7771/ 690-7155
1 Industrial Bread Slicer. Call: 626-6190/689-3840
Unregistered: 1 Nissan March 2010, Black with alloy wheels -$2.2M negotiable. Call: 649-7771/ 690-7155
1 Transported property. Call: 265-3586 2 Used 71/2 tons air conditioners. 1 Brand New York air blower 71/2 tons. Call: 226-1768/641-4952 Aluminum Ceiling suitable for restaurant/kitchen with all installation accessories. 1300sqft. Call: 226-1768/6414952 Tacoma & Tundra Chassis, Engine & Transmission, suspension, cabin, doors, Titan engine, CD players Etc. Call: 695-6461 or 639-7758 New rice-field pump with 20’ canvas conveyor and drive shaft sold with 1 stihl motor blower -$500,000. Call: 638-1829 1 Toyota Premio Fully loaded, series HC356 -$1.4M, 1 Spacio fully loaded series PPP 6655 - $1.3M. Call: 6613525/ 610-6886 USA Used tools, TV, Laptop & more. Call: 649-2950/220-2128 1 6 bass set R.C.F Q.S.C 44XT. Giveaway sale! Call: 611-3161 Male full body mannequin, children mannequins, clothes Rack. Call Patricia: 626-5317
Lorry Drivers and Salesmen, preferably from East Bank Demerara. Salary Negotiable. 266-4427 Male & female workers: accountants, mechanic to look after drink machine. Call: 330-2399 One teacher to privately teach a child, salary -$100,000 based on experienced & qualification. Call: 623-1615 Porters, apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. General Domestics, must able to prepare vegetarian meal, apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St Bourda.
Solar Panel, USA Made, Size 39X77 300 watts -$65,000. Call: 657-2304 Pure breed Geman Shepherd puppies, 1 black pure, 3 black & tan, 6 weeks old. Call: 6135955/ 626-0953
VACANCY
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 Unregistered 2011 Tacoma, Crash Bar, Step. Rims, alarm, 2008 new model Raum. Call: 695-6461/ 639-7758
Welder/Fabricator. Have Technical background & atleast 3 years’ experience. Apply: Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Machinist. Have Technical background & atleast 3 years’ experience Apply: Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Able-bodied Driver/ Salesman for Leyland DAF lorry, involves lifting. Telles Steel. Call: 226-6771 Accountant / Audit Clerk: 8 Subjects (Including Maths & English), experienced an asset- D. Bahadur & Co. Chattered Accountants. Call:225-178-9/ email: info@Drubahadur.com Sales attendant @ True Value, General Store 16 E Durban Street. Call: 626-5317 One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 6247087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@ yahoo.com
Not working vehicles for sale, 1 small bus, 1 canter, 2 cars, 2 motor bikes, 1 bobcat. Call: 227-4377/624-6013 Just in from UK Leyland DAF 145, 150 Flatbed 7.5 tons, immaculate condition. Call Terrence: 698-5203 Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, super shape - $1.5M. Call: 609-7766 One Isuzu Canter GLL 1810. Call: 660-0981/ 671-0879
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) Clarke Kent Cabs, located at Kingston, exceptional services. Email: clarkekentcabs@yahoo.com. Call: 231-0800/ 231-0801
Unregistered Corolla Fielder 2010, Dark Interior $2.450M, Nissan Pickup Truck, leaf spring, 2000. Call: 617-5536 DATING SERVICE Guyanese Canadian woman seeking husband, contacts must have Valid ID, proof of Address & police clearance. Call: 673-9778
CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery also wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798 Continued on Page 61
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Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
Environmental studies and action more impacting By PAT DIAL Tomorrow 5th June is World Environmental Day. This Day is commemorated worldwide under the auspices of the United Nations. Every year, a new theme is given to the Day and Environmentalists and Governments are expected to keep that theme in focus. The theme for Environmental Day and Year 2017 is “Connecting people to Nature”. This theme is allencompassing. In Guyana, Environmental action and concern tend to be focused mainly on Land; flora inclusive of the forests; Fauna, particularly the endangered species; and to a lesser extent, Air. The question often asked is why this concern with the Environment; the answer is that the Environment is closely intertwined with the existence and survival of Man as well as his general welfare. Examples of how the
misuse of the Land, Flora, Fauna and Air could negatively affect Man: When Land is mistreated as in the case of uncontrolled mining, deep craters are created entrapping little lakes of water in which dangerous insects such as malaria mosquitoes and snakes breed. The upheaval of huge quantities of earth and rocks block waterways such as rivers and creeks, thus affecting the livelihood and welfare of populations which depend on them for travel, drainage, and irrigation of farming land. Food shortages are often the result of such destructive mining. Destruction of the Flora including the forests results in economic and social deprivation of human beings. Many of the plants destroyed may have medicinal uses or are awaiting research into their uses. Many rare forest flowers such as certain orchids would have been destroyed. The destruction of the Forests - deforestation
Jagdeo calls on Regional... From page 10 some of the most vulnerable economies to climate change in the world. “Of 14 of the most vulnerable economies in the world, they said 10 are in the Caribbean because of the systemic impact of single events on the region. “So if we could have spent so much time in the past just to maintain preferences with the US administration so that they understood our views on the matter and how it impacted why could we not spend more time talking to the Trump administration about our nuance in the region? “If you listen to president Trump the entire explanation of the withdrawal from the Paris Club Agreement has to do with economics, not the science of climate change but economics.” Jagdeo explained that international trade in the Caribbean to the US is statistically insignificant and therefore does not pose a trade threat. However, a single hurricane or natural disaster can wipe out the Gross Domestic Product of a Caribbean state. The Opposition Leader said that Caribbean leaders, including Guyana’s President David Granger, have done very little if anything at all about the situation. “We have had over six months since the elections in the United States of America and I am yet to see any regional effort to point out to the new administration in the United States of America about how large a few issues loom in our lives, particularly matters concerning the environment and trade.” The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 following negotiations between 195 countries. Each member state determines its own contribution in order to mitigate global warming. Trump had described the agreement on Thursday to be a draconian international deal and that it imposes unfair environmental standards on American businesses and workers.
- for short-term economic gains permanently impoverishes a country and has been the subject of much public debate in Guyana. Last year, the theme of World Environmental Day was the preservation and protection of wildlife and their export. This theme is of great relevance to Africa but is also in reference to Guyana’s rare birds such as the cock-of-therock and certain parrots and macaws as well as endangered species such as the jaguar. The symbiotic relationship between Man and Animal and Man’s dependence upon the animal kingdom for his welfare and even existence is well-known. Air pollution, though fortunately not as great a problem to us as against the Developed World, still exists in a few pockets such as the bauxite industry. One of Guyana’s potentially very profitable industries is the Tourist Trade. Tourism saved the Caribbean islands from economic and social ruin on the demise of their sugar industry. Guyana’s Tourist Industry would be a non-starter if the Land, the Forests and the Fauna are diminished or destroyed. The terms “Nature” and “Environment” could be synonymous and so the theme “Connecting People to Nature” could be interpreted as indicating the need to educate people as to what is the Environment and how it is intertwined with Man’s welfare and existence. Respect for and protection of the Environment
is a comparatively new concept in Western Civilization and the depths and realities of its philosophical and spiritual aspects are now being slowly unfolded to Western intellectuals and people. In the ancient Civilizations and Cultures, most of which are now extinct, there was always respect for and protection of the Environment. The two ancient Civilizations which have survived and continued from primaeval times are the Hindu-Buddhist and the Taoist-Confucianist. In both the Environment is respected and protected reflecting Man’s experience over the millenia of the practical ways in which the fate and destiny of Man and Environment were inextricably bound. Indeed, the environment in its various aspects was deified and worshiped. For example, Mother Earth was one of the most ubiquitous and popular of deities. Animals were accorded divine respect. It was recognized that all life, whether it be of Man or animal, was the same. The metaphor of the flame of one candle lighting a thousand candles with the flame of them all being the same is sometimes used to illustrate the concept of all living beings sharing the same life. An example of this respect and protection of the animal kingdom could be seen in all Hindu ceremonies in Guyana. In the Shraad ceremonies, for instance, food is ceremonially offered to the deities. At the end of the ceremony, the purohit (priest)
divides the food into three portions. One portion is for the beasts and animals of the field; the second is for things which fly like birds and bats; and the third portion is for fish life. Though the actual distribution is done in a small area around the home, it serves as a reminder of Man’s duty to the animal kingdom. Accordingly, this year’s
Environmental theme “Connecting people to Nature”- opens a door for the philosophical and spiritual to be included and subsumed into Environmental studies and action. If this could be achieved, Environmental studies would be enriched and Environmental action would be more meaningful and impacting.
From Page 60
TO LET Upper flat Grove -$45,000$50,000. Call: 625-5461
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350
Recently-built 2-Storey concrete building (1,245 ft2) Parfaite Harmonie $7.9M neg. Contact 231-9690 For details.
One bedroom self-contained apartment in Grove E.B.D, preferably working couple. Call: 618-8878 Semi-furnished: 3 Bedrooms, upper flat, located at Durban Street, Wortmanville. Call: 600-2828. Serious Enquiries only. Two bedroom apartment in Alexander Village -$45,000Call: 615-7825 Kemo
Recently-constructed 2-Storey concrete building (2,030 ft2) Tuschen $7.5M neg. Contact 231-9690 for details. House & land at Mon Repos -$19M. Call: 645-8543 7 Bedrooms two story house on double lot, Georgetown close to city, adequate parking. Call: 609-7766 Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087, 638-8484 Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484
EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course. June 6th. The Trade of the Future. Make extra cash, easy! Abdul Electronics. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391 Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th – August 11th). Call: 216-6921/ 22 for registration
Tuschen 2 bedroom flat houses: $4.8M, $10M, land $2M. Call: 688-0087,638-8484 Melani 2 bedrooms - $10M, Tuschen $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) -$9M. Call:6880087,638-8484 Property @ the corner of 172 Zohora St. & Market St. Better Hope, East Coast Dem $12.5M neg. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. 2 Story building with extralarge land in well built $74.5M. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc, We also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 223-6035/ 227-8274 Phoenix Elementary High School, 7-9 Plantation Soesdyke, E.B.D – Price $36,000,000. Call: 615-3673/ 218-5088/612-2124
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Kaieteur News
Guyanese-born killer denied parole over fake letter - Mohan Ramkissoon left his wife’s body in field near African Lion Safari Mississauga, Canada (The Hamilton Spectator) -A man who murdered his wife and dumped her body in a
field near African Lion Safari has had his request for full parole denied after he put a fake letter in his parole board
file. Mohan Ramkissoon bludgeoned his wife Yvette Budram with a hammer and
strangled her in the fall of 2000 in Mississauga. Her death became a Hamilton police homicide
case when her decomposed body was discovered a year and a half later by a jogger off a country road in Flamborough. The investigation resembled an episode of television’s “CSI” — a McMaster University forensic anthropologist and a forensic entomologist (insect expert) helped identify the woman and her death timeline, and a critical step was a rehydration technique that led to a fingerprint from her mummified remains. The story was told in detail in a 25-part Hamilton Spectator series and published in the book “Post-Mortem.” A twist in the case was that Ramkissoon inadvertently provided a critical clue linking him to the murder: Budram’s fingerprints were on a police database because he had charged her with assault one month before he killed her. In 2004 in Hamilton, Ramkissoon was convicted of second-degree murder. He was eligible to apply for parole last year. Parole Board of Canada documents say he has been well-behaved in prison apart from a conviction for hoarding pain medication for kidney stones. He was moved to a minimum security facility. The board added that he deserves credit for finally admitting his guilt in the murder. He said he killed Budram because she was having an affair after having long pointed the finger at his wife’s lover as the killer. The parole board said it had been prepared to grant him full parole in addition to deporting him to his native country of Guyana. But Ramkissoon sunk his own case by trying to pass off a supportive but fraudulent letter to the board, purported to be signed by a police officer. The letter, from a police service — presumably in Guyana, but the name is
Denied parole: Mohan Ramkissoon blacked out in the document — said officers would ensure he checked in with them upon his release. Ramkissoon denied he had concocted the letter, saying his brother had provided it; his brother told the board a friend had given it to him. The board said: “In light of the issues surrounding the fictitious letter from the (name redacted) Police Force, the Correctional Service of Canada now has serious concerns.” It was in January that the board rejected Ramkissoon’s appeal of the decision to deny him parole. He will be eligible to begin the reapplication process in one year. Ramkissoon, 51, moved to Ontario in his mid-20s from Guyana after living in the U.S. for nearly two years, first in Miami, and then the Bronx in New York City — where he allegedly killed a woman named Rampati Chattergoon in 1987. (NYPD homicide detectives told The Spectator that Ramkissoon admitted to the murder in prison in Canada when they interviewed him, but that he refused to sign a confession.) Chattergoon’s daughter, Radhica, now 45, told The Spectator she cries each day for her mother and does not want Ramkissoon to ever be released from prison. “The parole board needs to know that he has killed someone else before (Yvette Budram),” she wrote in an email. “He cannot be let free.”
CNS TV celebrates 25 ... From page 50 to Berbice and Essequibo. However, the station has been denied the opportunity to spread out from the coast. Presently, the station covers the Mahaica/Mahaicony area, Timehri, Soesdyke and Essequibo Islands areas. The station is looking to reach as far as Skeldon and Linden. Mrs Sharma said that under the PPP/C government, the station was denied the ability to broaden its coverage, while other stations which came after were given the opportunity. Between 1996 and 1997 the station had applied for a
radio licence, but has not been granted one onto today. As it relates to going digital, Mrs Sharma said that Suriname has already gone digital, complying with international requirements. She said that the current government has to decide what format it wishes to take so that television stations can know how to invest when it is time to go digital. Guyanese stations are currently operating on an analog system. Channel 6 currently streams all of its programming live on www.cns6.tv and uploads a variety of videos on its YouTube channel.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Crunch time…CJIA contractor to lay off 20 lowskilled work ers, to hire 50 skilled low-skilled workers, -to import another 50 “specialist” Chinese
The new Arrival building at CJIA under construction last month.
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the contractor for the multi-billion dollar Timehri airport project, is moving to layoff 20 labourers and bring in more specialist workers to meet the December deadline. Yesterday, a senior official of CHEC confirmed that a decision has been taken to let the labourers go as they were “weak” in their performance. As of yesterday, the Chinese contractor and CJIA were advertising for an English translator, Office Clerk, operators of loaders, bulldozers, excavators, land levellers, road roller, truck drivers, brick layers, carpenters, electricians and maintenance workers. According to the CHEC officer, currently there are 150 local workers and 120 Chinese on site. It was pointed out that under the contract, CHEC was allowed to have Chinese comprising up to 60 percent of the work force. Currently, there are more locals on the ground. The Chinese official noted that on a daily basis a local foreman would produce a report on who worked and for how many hours. Also reported on is how much work was completed. A recent assessment, it was explained, found that the project would be in trouble as about 20 of the local workers were found to be “weak” and not performing as expected. Last Friday was payday and the news of the layoffs was reportedly relayed to the
workers. The affected workers may be given until month-end. CHEC has been given until yearend to complete the runway and the new Arrival terminal. It was disclosed, yesterday, that the Chinese company will be seeking permission to bring in another 50 Chinese, who are specialists, to help accelerate the work. The Chinese workers would concentrate on the terminal building. Last month, officials said that the US$150M project was more than 60 percent complete. The Arrivals building was said to be 30 percent complete. The project is progressing without any change to the original plan, according to several Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) officials, including Minister David Patterson, during a media update/site visit. The US$138M loan agreement was signed on November 11, 2011 between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and CHEC. The project is being funded through the ExportImport Bank of China. The Guyana Government procured the services of engineering consultants – the MMM Group and CEMCO Incorporated – and undertook the relocation of airport facilities, moving the total cost of the project to US$150M. The project commenced on January 16, 2013 and works were expected to last
for 32 months making the initial completion date – September 16, 2015. However, due to several delays, the deadline was adjusted to December 1, 2017. As of last month, payments the sum of US$85,185,888 had already been paid out. Of this sum, US$10,752,685 came from local funding and $74,433,203 from the EXIM Bank of China. The runway, currently measuring 2270 metres (m), is being extended by 710 metres (m) to the north-east and 840m to the south-west. The initial design of the runway catered for one end of the structure (northeast) to be extended. However, the contractor ran into problems after terrain was found to be not suitable for the full extension. The works on the southwestern end of the runway is 80 percent complete with more backfilling needed. The engineer said that some five million cubic metres (m3) of sand would have already been dropped on this end of the runway with an additional one million cubic metres left to be dumped. The administration, on taking power in May 2015, had halted the project, finding that poor supervision and overpayments were major problems. Following negotiations, CHEC was allowed to restart without the country having to pay more. However, there were reportedly some design changes.
In spite of Jagdeo’s rants…Govt says... From page 12 accounting ministries and departments. The money placed in bank account number 3001, Sharma said, was under the control of the Accountant General’s Department. He also found that eight accounts at Bank of Guyana were holding $1.8B. These monies had been untouched
for over a period of five years. Sharma insisted that these monies belong to the Consolidated Fund. This Fund is Government’s main bank account into which revenues are deposited and out of which expenditure is made. The country’s financial laws dictate that all advances made from the Consolidated
Fund which have not been utilized must be returned to the Consolidated Fund. Sharma expressed concern over the heavy overdraft of the Consolidated Fund, stating particularly the need for agencies which received advances from the Fund to make the necessary repayments.
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Police rush to three attacks in central London, more than one dead
People leave the area with their hands up after an incident near London Bridge in London, Britain last night. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Reuters - British armed police rushed to three incidents in central London yesterday after a van ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge and reports of multiple stabbings in the nearby Borough Market area. Police sent out security advice to Londoners on Twitter saying “run, hide, tell” if they were caught in an attack. The BBC cited police as saying there had been more than one fatality. The attacks come days ahead of a June 8 election and less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a pop concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. “A van came from London Bridge itself, went between the traffic light system and rammed it towards the steps,” a taxi driver told the BBC. “It knocked loads of people down. “Then three men got out with long blades, 12 inches long and went randomly along Borough High Street stabbing people at random.” Prime Minister Theresa May had been informed and was being kept updated, her office said, while U.S. President Donald Trump had also been briefed by his national
security team, the White House said. One woman told Reuters she saw what appeared to be three people with knife wounds and possibly their throats cut at London Bridge at the Thames River. Reuters was unable to immediately verify her account. Police said they fired shots after reports of stabbings in the nearby Borough Market area, and that they were also responding to an incident in the Vauxhall area further west, but gave no immediate details. Streets in the area would have been busy with people last night out. BBC showed dozens of people, evidently having been caught up in the attack, being escorted through a police cordon with their hands on their heads. British Transport Police said casualties were reported after an incident that may have involved a van and a knife attack, while the London Ambulance Service said it was sending multiple resources to the incident near London Bridge. One witness told the BBC she saw a speeding white van veering into pedestrians at London Bridge. That witness said the van hit five to six people. Reuters television pictures showed dozens of emergency ve-
hicles in the area around London Bridge. Several witnesses also reported hearing gunshots. “We were in an Uber (taxi) going towards London Bridge and suddenly we saw people running. The Uber stopped, we asked people what was going on – people said there was shooting,” said Yoann Belmere, 40, a French banker living in London. “Now the area is completely closed with police cars going one way and ambulances going the other,” he told Reuters. The incident bore similarities to a March attack on Westminster Bridge, west of London Bridge, in which a man killed five people after driving into a crowd of pedestrians before stabbing a police officer in the grounds of parliament. A witness told CNN two men had entered a restaurant in the Borough Market area near London Bridge and stabbed two people inside. He said a waitress was stabbed in the throat and a man was stabbed in the back. The Manchester bombing on May 22 was the deadliest attack in Britain since July 2005, when four British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people in coordinated attacks on London’s transport network.
Reuters - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he believes former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden was wrong to leak U.S. spy secrets, but is no traitor. Snowden, 33, was given asylum in Russia in 2013 after leaking classified information about U.S. spy operations. His lawyer said in January Snowden had the right to remain in Russia until 2020 and to apply for Russian citizenship next year. Putin, a former KGB officer
and ex-head of Russia’s FSB security service, made his comments about Snowden in an interview with U.S. film director Oliver Stone, excerpts of which were released ahead of its broadcast by U.S. TV network Showtime from June 12. “Snowden is not a traitor,” said Putin. “He did not betray the interests of his country, nor did he transfer any information to any other country that would damage his own people,” said Putin. However, the Russian leader said Snowden should
have resigned from his job in the same way he once resigned from the KGB rather than leak secrets if he didn’t like what he was doing. “He shouldn’t have done it (leaked secrets). My view is that what he d i d w a s wrong,” Putin told Stone. Snowden had the right to act in the way he did however, said Putin, who said he agreed that U.S. surveillance had become too intrusive, while praising his own country’s intelligence services for operating within the law.
Putin says Snowden was wrong to leak secrets, but is no traitor
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Trump not planning to invoke executive privilege for Comey testimony - NY Times
FILE PHOTO: FBI Director James Comey testifies before the House Intelligence Committee hearing into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. March 20, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
Reuters - U.S. President Donald Trump does not plan to invoke executive privilege as a way to block former FBI Director James Comey from testifying to Congress this week, the New York Times said on Friday citing two unnamed senior administration officials. Yesterday, a White House spokesperson referred a question about the Times’ story to outside council. Outside council did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Comey was leading a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged Russian
meddling in last year’s U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trump’s campaign when the president fired him last month. On Friday, White House officials said that they did not know yet whether President Donald Trump would seek to block Comey’s testimony, a move that could spark a political backlash. “I have not spoken to counsel yet. I don’t know how they’re going to respond,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters on Friday. The former FBI chief is due to testify on Thursday
Reuters - Prime Minister Theresa May’s gamble on a June 8 snap election was thrust further into doubt yesterday after a Survation poll showed her Conservative Party’s lead had dropped to a new low of just one percentage point. While British pollsters all predict May will win the most seats in Thursday’s election, they have given an array of different numbers for how big her win will be, ranging from a landslide to a much more slender win without a majority. In a sign of how much her campaign has soured just five days before voting begins, Survation said the Conservatives were on 40 percent and Labour on 39 percent, indicating May’s lead has collapsed by 11 percentage points over two weeks. “Prime Minister May’s overall majority now hangs in the balance based on our most recent data,” Survation founder Damian Lyons Lowe told Reuters. May’s personal rating
turned negative for the first time in one of Comres’s polls since she won the top job in the turmoil following the June 23 Brexit referendum. The pollsters, though, indicated vastly different outcomes for May: ranging from a landslide majority of over 100 seats to a YouGov model which estimated that May would win 308 seats, too few for a majority in the 650-seat parliament. Her party’s lead over the opposition Labour Party was
before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its own Russia-related investigation, and his remarks could cause problems for the Republican president. Presidents can assert executive privilege to prevent government employees from sharing information. However, legal experts say it is not clear whether certain conversations between Trump and Comey that the president has talked about publicly would be covered, and any effort to block Comey, who is now a private citizen, from testifying could be challenged in court.
May’s election gamble in doubt as poll lead falls to one point
Theresa May
in a range of 1-12 percentage points, according to six polls published yesterday. Four showed her lead narrowing, one showed her lead unchanged and one, ORB, showed it widening to 9 points. YouGov said May’s lead was down to four percentage points, ICM said her lead had narrowed to 11 points from 14, Opinium said her lead had fallen to six percentage points from 19 points at the start of the campaign.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday June 04, 2017
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
History of the Guyana National Rifle Association – Part Two (From page 68) the butts. How to become a member of the Guyana NRA 1. An application form can be uplifted from the Secretary of the GNRA. 2. When filled, the form must be submitted to the Secretary. It must be accompanied with a copy of the applicants Police Clearance and References about the applicants temper and character. 3. At the association’s next meeting, the Secretary would present the application to the general membership. If any member is in doubt about the applicant’s character, further enquiries would have to be made about the applicant. 4. If members are not in doubt, the application would be accepted. Two members of the association would be required to support the application. One member would propose the acceptance of the person as a member, while the others would second the motion. Subscription When the application has been approved, the applicant will be required to pay an entrance fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to become a member of the association. He will also be required to pay
by the Manufacturers Other equipment - Rifle shooting Equipment: Shooting Telescope, Telescope Stand, Hand Stop, Sling, Shooting Gloves, Ground Sheet, Ear Defenders, Shooting Jackets made of Canvas or Leather, Score Book. Types of shoots - The members of Guyana National Rifle Association engage in three categories of shoots during the calendar year. Shoots of each category are organised on a monthly basis. As a result, a shooter can get the opportunity to participate in all three categories each month. 1. Practice Shoot - No record is kept 2. Record Shoot - This is a competitive shoot but prizes are not awarded. A record is kept of the scores. They are used to select teams to represent Guyana at international competitions. 3. Competitive Shoots There are many types of Competitive shoots. Records are kept and prizes are awarded for these shoots. These are: a) Spoon Shoot: One silver spoon with the rifle shooting crest is awarded each month to the shooter with the highest aggregate.
an annual subscription of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to maintain the membership. Equipment required for rifle shooting When Rifle shooting was introduced as a sport in the 1790’s, military rifles were used. Subsequently, they were found to be inadequate and their caliber was modified to .303 inch. This later became standard. In 1970 the teams from the Caribbean countries met in Barbados for a friendly reunion meeting. At this meeting it was realised that the .303 inch rifles used by the local teams were outdated. Members of the other teams were using custom made rifles. Details of the equipment necessary for rifle shooting are: Rifle description - Calibre - 7.62 millimeter; Manufacturers Trade Marks: Swing Target Rifle, Steyr – Mannlicher, P-17 Winchester Conversion, Sportco, P a r a m o u n t , Musgrave, Barrel make Length and Twist: Schultz and Larsen: 28 inches and 30 inches: 1 in 14 inches or 1 in 13 inches twist. Stocks: Standard, NonStandard; Locks: Designed
Sunday June 04, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a great time to form or strengthen romantic relationships, Aries. If you aren't involved, chances are you will meet someone. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This is an ideal day to begin a creative venture. You've had many ideas and creative urges. Today it's time to choose one and take the first step to making your vision a reality. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your naturally loving nature gets a boost today, Gemini. You could look especially attractive, so don't be surprised if you draw admiring looks from strangers. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your energy might turn toward beautifying your home, Cancer. Perhaps you've decided to repaint or go in a completely new direction in your decorating taste. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A number of loving communications may come your way from people who live in distant states or exotic lands. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A small amount of money might come your way today, Virgo. It could be a gift, dividend, or bonus.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your charm and social skills are at a high level, and your joviality and gift for conversation should make you a welcome guest at any social event. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your psychic abilities and imagination are operating at a very high level, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some friends associated with a group you admire might take you to some kind of rally, Sagittarius. This could be a lot of fun for you. You could make some new friends. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You're naturally a kind, compassionate person, Capricorn. Today your feelings are likely to be focused not only on those close to you but also on all the world's population. TUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) With today's planetary aspects, Aquarius, you're likely to feel a rush of love. This includes love for family, friends, partner, and all life forms. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your psychic and intuitive faculties are wide open and receptive. Don't be surprised by what you pick up today, even from strangers.
b) NRA Silver Medal: The National Rifle Association (Great Britain) donated a silver medal annually, to the Guyana NRA. The Guyana NRA has stipulated the following conditions under which this Medal can be won. I: 15 rounds shoot at 300 and 600 yards. II: The winning score must not be less than 140. III: Postal Shoot - This shoot is organised by the country which is controlling the prize that is being competed for. On a selected day, each team shoots in its respective country, under conditions stipulated by the country controlling the prize. The targets are sent to a neutral country which determines the winner. c) Annual Prize Meeting: At his shoot, four trophies and cash Incentives are competed for. All prizes won during this year are awarded. d) Christmas Hamper Shoot: This is the last shoot in the calendar year. All members of the association compete for the Christmas Hamper. The hamper is presented to the winner with the highest aggregate at 300, 500, 600, and 900 yards.
Kyokushinkai Martial... (From page 67) (16 – 19 yrs. Division) In the Black belt Division: Maranda Bennett (Wales) gold Open Kumite/Sparring (20 – 24 yrs. Division) Parsuram Arjune (Wales) gold in Traditional Kata (20 – 24 yrs. Division) TadiousEdun (Tuschen) gold in Traditional Weapon Kata (20 – 24 yrs. Division) 2nd Instructor Kelvin Walcott from the Enmore Branch of the GIKMAA was the star of the team With 3 gold & 1silver in the Traditional Kata, Weapon, Kumite/ Sparring & Open Kumite (25 yrs. & Over Division). The GIKMAA is expressing gratitude to Paul’s Auto Sales of New Road Vreed-enHoop and Grandmaster Abdool Nazim Yassim for Sponsorship of this tournament. Special thanks also to the Judges and Referees of the Guyana All-Styles Martial Arts Federation along with the parents and supporters who helped to make the tournament a successful one. Grandmaster/Dr. Yassim said that he is also thankful to Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated WALES ESTATE, for the use of the Wales Community Development Centre for the tournament. Shihan Nazim Yassim and his team will now turn their attention to their annual Martial Arts Trainings Camp in July then to the Suriname International tournament in August then to do battle at home in September this year.
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Port Kaituma getting ready to host football, cricket and dominoes Promoted by I Movement Promotion, Eddie and Conrad St. Romain, the residents of Port Kaituma, North West District and its environs are getting ready for what is anticipated to be an exciting time from July 29th to August 1st, next. On those dates, footballers, cricketers and domino players will be vying for attractive cash prizes ranging from US$1000 to US$200. Football action will feature Port Kaituma, Matthews
Ridge, Mabaruma and Maruka, while cricket will see both male and female teams participating. The organisers are promising clean entertainment for the family with all the action set to unfold at the Fitzburg Sports ground, Port Kaituma, North West District. Among the sponsors on board to date are Les General Store, C.S General Store and Boutique, Payne Guinness Bar, Johnny Philis and Craig Transportation Service.
Caesar sprints to 100m gold... (From page 66) (Chile), (Women’s Shot Put) 1st Ailen Armanda (Argentina), 2nd Ana Da Silva (Brazil), Jelyza Pengel (Suriname) (Women’s 10k Race Walk) 1st Maria Montoya (Colombia), 2nd Evelyn Inga (Peru), Brenda Fernandes (Peru) (Women’s 3000m) 1st Micaela Levaggi (Argentina),
2nd Sheyla Eulogio (Peru), 3rd Lisa Meneses (Peru) (Men’s 110m Hurdles) 1st Maribel Caicedo, 2nd Victoria Alves (Brazil), 3rd Maria Sanchez (Argentina) The second and final day which starts at this morning at 06:30hrs with the 10k walk race (men), will be highlighted by the relay events and the 200m races.
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Kaieteur News
Caesar sprints to 100m gold at South Bright also strikes gold American Junior Championships G u y a n a ’s C o m p t o n Caesar and Chantoba Bright struck gold yesterday to excite a decent start for Guyana on day one of the South American Junior Championships at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. CARIFTA Games gold medalist, Caesar added another international 100m gold to his collection with an upset with 10.37 seconds against Derick De Souza Silva (10.45s) of Brazil who was relegated to second. Argentina’s Daniel Londero was third in 10.70 seconds. Linden’s Caesar ran a personal best time after staving off the fast finishing Brazilian, who had the fastest qualifying time and a season’s best of 10.26 seconds. Bright, who is a multiple CARIFTA Games medalist, continued her ascendancy on the international circuit with
a distance of 6.30m. Bright like Caesar is a native of Linden and completed the performance with her best effort. Ruth Sanmogan (5.59m) placed third, while Victoria Alves (6.18m) was second. Guyana had two athletes on the podium in the women’s 100m and the men’s 800m. Onasha Rogers (11.71s) won a silver medal, while Kenisha Phillips copped bronze (11.78s) in the race. Brazil’s Lorraine Martins (11.56s) was the winner. S a m u e l Ly n c h a n d Anfernee Headecker finished second and third respectively in the 800m e v e n t , w h i c h B r a z i l ’s Jefferson Alb Dos Santos won. In the morning session, Headecker (4:02.81s) earned Guyana’s first medal of the meet with a bronze in the 1500m final.
Avon Samuels (55.45s) ran across the line in second behind Brazil’s Tiffani Marinho (54.25s) in the women’s 400m final. Daniel Williams (48.24s) was also second in the quarter-mile event behind Suriname’s Miguel Shepper (47.90s). C A R I F TA G a m e s double medalist, Claudrice McKoy (4:39.96) added to Guyana’s medal tally in the 1500m race with a bronze performance. Brazil’s Pietra Da Silva (4:31.82s) and Colombia’s Jarly Marin Zipa (4:33.83s) were second and third. After Day One, Brazil has a total of 19 medals, 10 gold, eight silver and a bronze. Guyana has 16 medals in total. Other results of the day included: (Men’s Hammer) 1st Alencar Perreira (Brazil), 2nd Roberto Montile (Continued on page 65)
Onasha Rogers and Kenisha Phillips finish second and third behind Brazil’s Lorraine Martins in the girls 100m race.
RHTY&SC Teams to publish Climate Change, Green Economy Booklet – Scotia Bank assists
Scotia Bank Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani hands over sponsorship to Shaw Perriera, RHTY&SC Club Captain. The eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S as part of their personal development programme would be publishing a 40page youth information booklet on Climate Change a n d G u y a n a ’s G r e e n Economy. The booklet is a special project that would go together with the Club’s Patron Cup 20/20 Cricket Tournament in honour of President David Granger 7 2 n d B i r t h d a y Celebration. Last Wednesday, long standing sponsor, the Bank of Nova Scotia came on board as a co-sponsor of the booklet and would provide half of the cost with the eight cricket teams providing the remainder. Club
Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who would be the Editor in Chief of the booklet, stated that the main objectives are to educate youths on: What is Climate Change, Its effects on human lives, What can be done to correct the situation and Efforts of Guyana to create a Green Economy. Foster noted that the booklet would be the 31st publication of the RHTY&SC since 2000 – an achievement that is unmatched by a youth and sports organisation. President David Granger is expected to provide a message for the booklet along with other senior officials. The booklet would also provide informative messages for youths on
topics of interest. These includes Facts about Guyana, Guyana’s Natural Resources, Discovery of Oil in Guyana and its impact on Guyana’s Future and the international efforts to combat the effects of Climate Change. The long serving Secretary/CEO stated that the Club’s Patron has been quite passionate about the promotion of a Green Economy in Guyana and the publication of the booklet for his 72nd birthday is a tribute to his outstanding work. Foster expressed gratitude to the Management of Scotia Bank for their cooperation and made special mention of Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani for her support of Club activities.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Rose Hall 175th Anniversary Celebration
RHTY&SC, Corbin Media Group signs agreement for Publication of Magazine Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S from the 19th of August to the 15th of September would be hosting a series of activities to mark the 175th Anniversary of the purchase of Rose Hall Village by 57 free slaves. The newly liberated slaves formed themselves into a cooperative group and purchased the village then known as Area Nine from European Planter John Baird on August 20th, 1842. The Club with the official blessings of Vijai Ramoo and the Rose Hall Town Council would be organising a series of activities that includes a religious service, Day of Sports, 5/5 Cricket Tournament, Career and Business Fair, Health Fair, Evening of Music, Yard Fowl Curry Competition, Educational Competition, Public Feeding, Tourist Posters, Military Parade,
Honouring of Founders, Community Project and Feeding of the Poor programme among others. The celebration would be held under the theme of “Celebrating the legacy of vision of our founding fathers”. The entire township would also be decorated with flags and logos of the celebration, while poles would be painted with colours of the National and Rose Hall Town Flag. On Wednesday last, the eight cricket teams of the Club and the Corbin Media Group signed an agreement for the publication of a full coloured magazine to mark t h e a n n i v e r s a r y. T h e Magazine would include messages from President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Mayor Vijai Ramoo and Town Clerk Natasha Munroe. Other articles would feature outstanding
personalities of the township, major developments over the years, historical sites, major personal achievements and features on the RHTY&SC, the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce and the ST. Francis Community Developers – three outstanding NGO’s based in the township. There would also be articles on the township’s leadership over the years and religious places of worship along with several pages of pictorial review. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster and Vice President Mark Papannah have been mandated to work along with Publisher of the Corbin Media Group, Simeon Corbin to make sure that the magazine is ready for official launching on the 20th of August. The long serving Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to the Corbin Media Group, publisher of the popular
Mr. Simeon Corbin, Publisher of Corbin Media Group and RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster finalise the agreement. GEM Magazine, for coming on board with the RHTY&SC and expressed
SVN Dojo turns in good performance as new comer at Kyokushinkai C/ships
confidence that the glossy magazine would be a lifelong souvenir for Rose Hall residents and visitors to the township. The magazine would be distributed free of cost both locally and overseas. Under the agreement, CMG would provide all the information and photos. Foster also issued an appeal to the corporate
sector to support the magazine by taking out advertisements. The eight cricket teams organising the 175th Anniversary are the Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi U n d e r 1 9 a n d Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under 21 and First Division.
Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy holds successful Championship
The SVN team with Master Cheteram Mortley standing at right. Last Sunday at the Guyana International kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy Junior National Championships at the Wales Community Development Centre, led by their Instructor, Master Cheteram Mortley, twelve students from the SVN Dojo of West Coast Demerara, turned in a
very good performance as the new comer. The students competing in the Kata division for the first time won 8 medals: 2 gold, 4 silvers & 2 bronzers. They are as follows: In the coloured belt 10 – 12 yrs. Division Manjo Lachhman = silver Shaahid Viera = bronze
13 – 15 yrs. Division Rajiv Ramdat = silver Randy Persaud = bronze Brown belt division: 13 – 15 yrs. Simon Taylor = gold Narindra Somwaru = silver Black belt division: 13 – 15 yrs. Darmesh Singh = gold
Khemchan Seenanan = silver The SVN Dojo team also received a trophy for their performance, while the other team members Jim-Ming, John Saugh, Rosneil James and Tejchan Singh were awarded by Soke Nazim Yassim for their efforts.
In light of the Anniversary Celebration of the Enmore and Wales Martial Arts Academy, G M / S o k e / D r. A b d o o l Nazim Yassim and The Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA) just concluded a successful National open martial arts tournament at the Wales Community Development Centre on May 28, 2017. (A tournament that was to be held at the Enmore Community Centre) There were four schools with 27 Karatekas that competed at this tournament; SVN Dojo; Best of the Best Martial Arts School, the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association and The Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy. The Guyana Int’l Kyokushinkai Martial Arts
Academy (team Kyokushin Guyana with 9 Students, Wales 5, Enmore 2 & new comer Tuschen 2, won 16 medals…..13 Gold, and 3 Silvers. The Outstanding students were; In the Coloured belt division: Christian Freeman (Wales) = 2 gold Traditional Kata &Kumite/Sparring (10 – 12 yrs. Division) Samuel Fraser (Wales) = gold Traditional Kata & silver in Kumite/Sparring (13 – 15 yrs. Division) Joshua Bascombe ( Wa l e s ) g o l d i n Kumite/Sparring (13 – 15 yrs. Division) Ahkeem Grimmond (Tuschen) silver in Kumite/Sparring (16 – 19 yrs. Division) Parashuram Persaud (Enmore) gold in Traditional Kata &Kumite/Sparring (Continued on page 65)
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
The Cliff Anderson Schools’ boxing programme can be a delightful initiative By Michael Benjamin Cliff Matthew Anderson closed his eyes decades ago, on December 2, 1998 at the Davis Memorial Hospital, having used up his ‘allotted’ years of three scores and ten. He was 77 years old. Merely one year prior to his demise Cliff, as he preferred to be called, had the honour of witnessing the then National Sports Hall, rechristened the ‘Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.’ It may oxymoronic to describe the rechristening as ‘cruel kindness’ since Cliff had lived long enough to ‘see’ the change of name of that Homestretch Avenue building simply because at the time of its inauguration he had unfortunately lost his sight and was guided by a stick and shepherded around by close family members. M a n y o f t h e contemporary boxers would not have had a personal interaction with Cliff since they were either still to be born or mere tots at his demise. The older boxers, most of them retired from the ring, would have fond memories of his teachings and his modus operandi of dispensing boxing knowledge. For me, Cliff represents my career choice as it was he that had taught me to throw my first punch, the left jab. It was just around the latter part of 1977 and I had just written the Common Entrance exams (now the Secondary Schools Entrance Examinations), and was a first former at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral
Cliff shows off a 300 pounds belt, presented to him by Boxing News, on behalf of British Sportsmanship on the eve of the Anderson/Phillips return clash in 1947. School. During Assembly one Monday morning, the headmaster, the late Clement Sylvester, introduced this short dumpy fellow and informed us that he was there to recruit interested students to impart the finer art of boxing. The invitation was only for males as the world was not so liberal and females donning gloves was simply unheard of. I was among a large group whose hands shot up in the air when asked to indicate an interest. Training in the fistic sport was a key part of my development as boxing, under the direction of Cliff, was grafted into the school’s academic programme. During those days, sports had formed an integral part of school life and participation in every discipline was compulsory. I played football, cricket, table tennis, hockey and a myriad of disciplines since the school’s curriculum
made providence for such activity. Things have changed drastically and sports seem to have been reduced to a footnote in the schools’ curriculum. Yes, a few schools have managed to sustain a vibrant sports programme but I am basically examining this issue from a broader perspective of government support in conjunction with the corporate community. A few years ago, I returned to my alma mater and suggested to those administrators the resuscitation of a boxing programme where the students would be taught the art of the fistic sport. While these administrators were delighted by the idea and while the children were just as enthusiastic, there arose the usual red tape of soliciting the permission of those administrators at the Ministry of Education in
Cliff was also a family man seen here with his wife and son, Cliff (jnr). (Photos taken from Stabroek News archives)
Brickdam. I had raised this issue with the former Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, but his promise to ventilate it is still to bear fruit. The current Chief Education Officer, Marcelle Hutson, is an ardent boxing supporter. He might have only just been harboring ambitions for his current vocation, way back in the 70s, when we met at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, where Cliff had resited his gym. Hutson was a lover of the sport and if my mind serves me correctly, had been an active participant at one time. I remember him hanging out with another pugilist of East Ruimveldt, Reynald McBean, during daily training sessions. It would be interesting to know how the CEO views the sport within the school’s curriculum. The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), under
History of the Guyana National Rifle Association – Part Two The Guyana National Rifle Association (Guyana NRA) would be celebrating its 150 anniversary in October (9 -15 ) this year with the hosting of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships at the Timehri Rifle Ranges. This is part two in a series on the history of the association as compiled by Ms. Margaret Smith from the commencement of shooting in the 19th Century to 1992. S u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e history of the remaining years was put together by th
th
th
Mahendra Persaud (Guyana NRA Fullbore Captain), Ransford Goodluck and Ryan Sampson (Guyana NRA Secretary) with the assistance of a few members of the Guyana NRA. During the Second World War (1939-1945), the American Military stationed at the then Atkinson Field established the Atkinson Range (now Timehri Rifle Range). The Timehri Rifle Range is now controlled and maintained by the Guyana Defence Force. It is acclaimed to be
advantageous only to experienced riflemen, particularly Guyanese because of the peculiarities of its conditions. In 1969, the Guyana Defence Force gave the members of the Rifle Association permission to utilise the Range. This resumption, afforded the Guyanese shooters the desired practice to recommence participation at local and international competitions. Constitution of the G u y a n a N R A Due to a bad experience in
the Benson and Hedges competition held at the Timehri Rifle Range in 1987, a few features were added in 1991. These features are an addition to Paragraph 24 of the constitution. They are: 1. The ammunition boxes must be opened in the presence of all shooters. 2. The weight of the trigger pressure must not exceed 1.5 kilograms. 3. Once shooting has commenced, movements are prohibited between the firing points and (Continued on page 65)
the stewardship of Steve Ninvalle, is vested with the responsibility of crafting initiatives towards the boxers’ advancement. There has been much talk about development within the nursery. Indeed, schoolboys (of various institutions) have participated in the GBA/DDL/Pepsi U-16 tournament which is a definite plus. However, Mr. Ninvalle may find it prudent to view the situation from a more holistic, allencompassing basis; he might find it more beneficial to engage education officials in discussions with an aim of broadening his aspirations towards the young boxers’ development. There is a belief that many of our contemporary pugilists lack the educational foundation necessary for life; they are too busy addressing boxing concerns while neglecting their academic foundation. Boxing in the schools could address this worrying issue while producing rounded citizens with both academic and sports proclivities. Just over a week ago one of our local (amateur) coaches, Sebert Blake, initiated a tournament at the Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing gym (FYF) where school aged boxers displayed their wares. Most of the participants are from among the proletariat and welcomed the opportunity to express themselves, doing what they were best at, all within the confines of the law. It would be refreshing to see members of the corporate community becoming involved and it would be even more
refreshing if officials of the Ministry of Education could collaborate with GBA officials to authenticate such an initiative. Cliff Matthew Anderson represents more than just punches; he has established an institution where boxing encompassed an integral part of the academic curriculum. Cliff often referred to the sport as a microcosm of life. The history books document that Cliff, though not into academics, recognized the need for personal academic elevation and took a course of boxing for sport coaches and physical education, Professors of America in Mexico City from August to September of 1976. The CASH was rechristened after him on December 5, 1997 in a simple ceremony witnessed by then President Janet Jagan, former Minister of Sport, Dr. Dale Bisnauth and Guyana’s sole Olympics medalist, Michael Anthony Parris. Yes, Cliff is dead but his legacy lives on through the (coaching) input of many of his protégés. Cliff was no scholar but he instilled the need for education; his efforts at the many educational institutions bear testimony of his passion for the sport and his belief that education should be incorporated into the boxers’ activities. A schools boxing programme would be fitting acknowledgement of the aspirations of a great local hero not to mention, a fillip for young punchers attempting to establish themselves as worthwhile citizens within the mainstream.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
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CARICOM Day ‘CUFF OUT’ Boxing Tourney to unfold at Vergenoegen Rice mill Tarmac
Akile Mounter - 2016 Caribbean Youth Champion in Barbados Boxing fans and fanatics on the West Demerara and other areas are getting ready to be part of the historic C A R I C O M We e k e n d boxing explosion on the West Coast of Demerara to be hosted by Slingerz Entertainment and the Ve r g e n o e g e n B o x i n g Gym.
Sunday July 2nd is the date for what is being headlined, ‘CUFF OUT’ an amateur tournament that will feature boxers from the bauxite mining town of Linden, West Coast Demerara, Berbice, Wakenaam and the City. All the fistic action will
Shaquel Wright - 2017 Caribbean Junior Best Boxer unfold at the Vergenoegen Rice mill Tarmac where a total of 18 bouts are carded. Head of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym Clifton Moore, one of Guyana’s Senior Boxing Coaches, has disclosed that this tournament will bring wonders to the West Side, more so, the village of
Vergenoegen since it will be the first time that boxing will be coming to the West Side and will feature pugilists form all across the Cooperative Republic. The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has already given its blessings for the tournament and has been very supportive as it
Christopher Moore - Caribbean Youth Best Boxer 2016 has given approval for its officials, referees, judges, rings and doctors to lend support. With the aim of developing a positive and productive mindset among the young and talented boxers in Guyana, Slingerz Entertainment Group will be assisting
with the marketing of the event and will also be providing clean entertainment on fight night. Guyana’s young pugilists are all expected to be out showcasing their skills including Akile Mounter, Christopher Moore and Shaquel Wright among others.
ECB Busta Cricket Festival is back on the calendar
ECB President Faizul Bacchus (right) gleefully accepts the cheque from GBC’s Robert Selman in the presence of other ECB officials. President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) Faizul Bacchus was all praises for Robert Selman, General Manager of the Guyana Beverage Company Inc., who has made a welcome return to the helm of the company after one year’s absence. With Selman’s return in
February this year came the return o f t h e B u s t a Cricket Festivals that are played in Berbice, East Coast Demerara and Essequibo. The ECB boss stated that it was a pleasure to be back at the Guyana Beverage Company Inc., which has been very supportive of the
development of the game in the Cinderella Company for many years. ”Last year we weren’t here and it was a bit disappointing, but this year we must say thanks to Mr. Selman for coming back to Guyana and because of his commitment we are able to garner back our
sponsorship.” Bacchus reminded that Busta has been sponsoring Essequibo cricket since 2004 and conveyed the gratitude of his board and clubs as well as fans to Selman and company including the parent company, S. M Jaleel & Co. based in Trinidad and
Tobago. With regards to the competition proper, Bacchus said they are aiming for the usual dates in August / September. Also attending the launch on Wednesday last were the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Enterprise Busta Sports club
of East Coast Demerara and S.M Jaleel’s Caribbean Brand Manager, Andre Noel of Trinidad and Tobago. Both Selman and Noel have committed their companies to maintain and further investing in the development of Guyana’s young cricketers. (F. Wilson)
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Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Xtreme Clean GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Competition
Trophy Stall hands over sponsorship The Trophy Stall continued its unrelenting contributions to the development of sports in Guyana yesterday when it officially handed over its sponsorship of trophies for the ongoing Xtreme Clean GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Competition, which continues Tuesday night at the National Gymnasium. Managing Director of the South Road Bourda store, Devi Sunich said that she is happy to be part of a grassroots programme aimed at promoting business among youth. Sunich congratulated the organisers and wished them well in the tournament. Proprietor of Xtreme Clean and Maintenance, Roger Cambridge indicated his gratitude for the “kind contribution”, stating that the support means that the company is heading in the
right direction. Jefford Distribution and Sales also donated trophies yesterday. Some of the country’s top Futsal teams will know their fate on one of the most important nights of the competition Tuesday since it could decide the teams likely to advance to the Quarterfinal stage of the tournament set for June 13. Twenty six teams were allowed to participate in the tournament, and after the grueling opening round last weekend, 12 teams were left in the competition to compete in three groups of four for the round robin phase that continues Tuesday and Thursday nights. The two best teams from the three groups and the two best third place finishers will emerge in the Quarterfinals that will be a knockout phase. The Quarterfinal, Semi-final and Final will be
hosted on June 13, 15 and 17 in that order. The winning team will win a whopping $500,000 (2 ½ ounces of gold) while second place takes home $200,000 (1 ounce of gold), third place $100,000 (½ ounce of gold) and the fourth placed team $50,000; trophies will accompany all of the cash prizes. The MVP will also be awarded. In addition, patrons have benefitted from up to $10,000 cash in giveaways at the tournament already. The organisers have said that the trend of giving back will continue for the duration of the competition. Some of the sponsors include Trophy Stall, Fas G r a f i x a n d J e f f o r d ’s Distribution and Sales; Giftland Distribution Store and FARMSUP Mining Investments Inc.
Managing Director at Trophy Stall, South Road Bourda, Devi Sunich (left) hands over one of the trophies to Proprietor of Xtreme Clean and Maintenance, Roger Cambridge yesterday.
Hand-in-Hand Inter-County U-19 cricket
Three-Day format starts today at Everest & Police By Sean Devers Centuries from Alex Algoo, Raymond Perez and Baskar Yadram highlighted the GCB’s Hand-in-Hand 50 tournament in which Demerara successfully defended their title and from today the action shifts to three-day format. Essequibo face-off with Demerara at Everest, while Berbice take on the National U-17s at the Police ground with both matches scheduled to commence at 10:00hrs. At Everest, Demerara will depend on their FirstClass player, 17-old Yadram, Perez, Renaldo Ali Mohammed, Joshua Persaud, Ramnarine Chetura and Gevon Boodwah with t h e b a t a n d Ya d r a m , Mohammed, Chetura and off-spinners Sagar Heteramani, Richie Looknauth and talented Dwayne Dick who did not play in the one-day competition. B o t h Ya d r a m a n d Persaud have been selected for the West Indies U-19 tour of South Africa and Z i m b a b w e , a n d Demerara have the strongest batting on paper, especially if Dick is brought into the side
Berbice’s Kevin Sinclair has looked with the bat for the former Champions. (Photos by Sean Devers) and given a chance to impress the U-17 selectors with his quality off-spin and aggressive middle order batting. Essequibo, who have talent but lack consistency and the habit of winning and will need their openers, Sachin Persaud and Mark Ramsammy to give them a solid foundation for their three best batsmen (Navindra Persaud, Stephon Campbell and Kurt Lovell)
Nat U-17’s Ashmead Nedd was the leading wicket taker in the one-day format. to build
on. The powerfully built Joshua Jones is a multitalented athlete and bowls with lively pace and is capable of hitting the ball a long way. He should get support from National U-15 allrounder Sheldon Charles, Skipper Mark Williams and Persaud, while Quinton Sampson and Chanderpaul Mohabir
should do the bulk of the spinning. At Eve Leary, Berbice, not as strong as in previous years, clash with the National U-17s who will look for runs from the pugnacious Algoo, 14year-old left-hander Sachin Singh who has not been in the best of form despite his half-century in the 50-over format and Kevlon Anderson, one of the most complete teenage
Demerara skipper Baskhar Yadram looked in dominant form in one -day format. batsmen in Guyana. Alphius Bookie, ‘Keeper Kevin Christian, Junior Sinclair, the experienced Ashmead Nedd, who has been a bit short of runs although he continues to bowl well are all capable of decent scores. Gevon Shultz should lead the pace attack for the U-17s and will need support from Reyaz Khan, while Nedd and Kelvin Umroa should
do the bulk of the spinning. Berbice will hope that Kevin Sinclair again produce at the top of the order and gets support from Veramootoo Senwarnue, Adrian Sukwah, Javid Karim, Sasenarine Sukhoo and Steve Deonarine with the bat and Sylus Tyndell, Karam Arjpaul and Deon and Kevin Sinclair to get wickets.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
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All set for GAPF fundraising BBQ & Deadlift Competition today By Franklin Wilson All systems are in place for what is expected to be an entertaining and exciting day today when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) hosts its fundraising bar-b-que and Open Deadlift competition at the Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium from 1:00pm. Geared at raising funds to assist with sending its 21member team to next month’s (July 3-8) annual NAPF/Caribbean and N A P F / F E S U P O P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships in Orlando Florida, fans and athletes are encouraged to come out in their numbers to support a worthy cause. Joining the list of sponsors in support are David Persaud Investment Ltd., which made a donation directly to the Orlando trip and Trophy Stall of Bourda which has provided the winning trophy for today’s O p e n D e a d l i f t competition. With chicken donated by Bounty Farm Ltd. today’s bar-b-que will be on sale for $1000, while Ansa McAl
David Persaud Investment Ltd., and Trophy Stall contribute
GAPF Treasurer Colin Austin (left) accepts the trophy from Trophy Stall’s Brian Sealey. under their Stag brand will be providing liquid refreshments for the spectators and competitors alike. Fitness Express is another sponsor on board. In handing over his company’s contribution to the GAPF for the NAPF/Caribbean and N A P F / F E S U P O P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships in Orlando, Persaud said he was very
pleased to make a contribution as he recognized the consistent quality performances of the athletes over the years. He noted that he is confident that Guyana’s strongmen and women will represent the nation well next month. Over at Trophy Stall, the ever supporting Owner, Ramesh Sunich contributed the trophy that would be
Boxing Association forced to throw in the towel on AMBC plans The Guyana Boxing Association was forced to throw in the towel on plans to send a four-man team to the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Champion in Honduras after efforts to squeeze out sponsorship fell through. “Sad but true,” was how GBA president responded when asked about not participating at the important Championships. “We are the Caribbean Champions in the elite department. We just won the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors championship yet we are unable to be present at the AMBC championships,” Ninvalle lamented to Kaieteur Sport yesterday. The GBA boss informed that approximately two million dollars was needed to send lightweight Joel Williamson, light welterweight Colin Lewis, middleweight Desmond Amsterdam and coach Wincell ‘Nacker’ Thomas to the Championship which is being held from June 10 – 18 and will see most of the countries in the Americas
Steve Ninvalle participating. Williamson, Amsterdam and Lewis all won gold medals at the Caribbean Championship last year. According to Ninvalle, both the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission were written to requesting assistance to send the team to Honduras. “The GOA replied stating that they were focusing on sending a team
of two boxers and one coach to the Youth Commonwealth Games in Bahamas next month. I have not been able to make contact with the Director of Sport but was informed by a member of the NSC that no funds were available. Sad but true.” Last December Ninvalle was forced to endure a 100mile walk from Berbice to Georgetown in order to raise funds to send an 11-member team to the Caribbean Championships in Barbados after neither the GOA nor NSC supported the cause. The team returned home with ten golds and one silver and the Champion team title and were met at the Eugene F. Correia Airport by sport Minister Nicolette Henry, the Director of Sport and president of the GOA K Juman Yassin. At a simple ceremony held at the airport all promised to provide avenues for local pugilist to participate in overseas competitions. Unfortunately on this occasion, that was not forthcoming.
GAPF’s Sakie Singh (left) receives the donation form David Persaud. presented to the winner of today’s deadlift competition at Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium. GAPF Treasurer Colin Austin collected the trophy from the Trophy Stall’s Brian Sealey. Trophy Stall is a household name in Guyana and among all the sports disciplines in the nation as they have been supportive of all over the years.
Attractive cash prizes would be presented to the top three competitors which would be decided based on the Wilks formula for male and female competitors. What is the Wilks Formula? - The Wilks C o e f f i c i e n t o r Wi l k s Formula is a coefficient that can be used to measure the strength of a powerlifter against other powerlifters despite the different weights
of the lifters. Competitors would be required to pay and entrance fee of $2,500 while patrons would be asked to pay a minimal $500 as an entrance fee towards the federation’s fund raising drive. Only persons without tickets would be required to pay this fee. Competition is opened to all GAPF athletes as well as members of the public.
Delroy Tyrrell on TT CCCAN Swim Team Trinidad based Guyana b o r n D e l r o y Ty r r e l l continues to make big splashes in swimming in Trinidad and Tobago. The Guyana born swimmer was selected to represent Trinidad at the up-coming CCCAN (Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Federation) championships scheduled to take place at the Aquatic Centre in Trinidad from June 22- July 3. Delroy competed in the recently held National Open Long Course championships at the Aquatic Centre, from May 25-28 and lowered his times in one of his better strokes, 100 Backstroke, from 107.74 to 106.04. He will also compete in the 1500m freestyle, his best time being 18:11.04 seconds and the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:26.13 seconds. The Tidal Wave Aquatics swimmer represented Trinidad at four Goodwill Swimming Champions and the recently concluded Carifta Swimming championship which was
Delroy Tyrrell
held in Barbados in April this year. Delroy, coached by veteran coach and founder of Tidal Wave Aquatics, Hazel Haynes, will don the red, white, and black colours to do battle for Trinidad and
Tobago in the boys 13-14 age group. Delroy is a third form student of Trinity College East and resides with his parents, Drs. Fitzroy and Jianna Tyrrell and his brother, Dominic Tyrrell.
t r o Sp
Guyana’s Compton Caesar powers ahead of Derick De Souza Silva of Brazil and Argentina’s Daniel Londero to win the 100m.
Caesar sprints to 100m gold at South American Junior Championships Bright also strikes gold
Chantoba Bright soars through the air during her jump to land Guyana the gold medal at the South America Junior Games being staged at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210