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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Political Self DESTRUCTION One of the more dangerous aspects of politics in Guyana is the way in which it can disfigure the personality of politicians. The power entrusted to Ministers has made them the most powerful persons in the country so much so that they believe that they are a gift to the people and without them the country would be at a standstill. Such belief is self-destructive. This has created an exalted narrative of their relevance which became a self-fulfilling prophecy that would lead to their self-destruction. The misuse and abuse of power have turned politicians into pathetic figures. Some are suffering from a delusion of grandeur or from a malicious paranoia that those who disagree with them are considered enemies. This is an attempt to silence the people in a country that prides itself on democracy. The alleged misconduct involving a Minister has turned into a soap opera. There are those who have danced to his tune and have not told him the truth where it matters most. They have savagely torn apart the media even though he has not been forthcoming. They have whispered hypocritical statements in his ears about how great a job he is doing. But for him to succeed, they should be honest and tell him the truth and set themselves free. These are advisers or friends that he could do without. Indeed, some of his defenders have denounced the media, picketed Kaieteur News and have branded its publisher an enemy of the government. But politicians should be wise to know that their perceived enemies might have his best interests at heart. But he who indulges in an exalted sense of self, tend to either gravitate to friends and confidantes when faced with a magnitude of problems. The recent Brian “BK” Tiwarie and Baishanlin scandals should be a good indication to all that power corrupts. The alleged misconduct by the Minister of State is reminiscent of some Ministers in the last government who believe they have dominion over the people. The Minister should have been unceremoniously excoriated for embarrassing the government. Suffice it to say that it is this government which just a year ago had campaigned on integrity, good governance, accountable and transparency. Despite the persistent criticisms, it is difficult to fathom the Minister’s reluctance to address the issue publicly. It would be difficult for him to reinvent himself and to give the kind of direction that is needed to move the country forward. Those who support him must ask themselves the critical question: Do they truly believe that he can divorce himself from the philosophical moorings that have destroyed his image? In the end, it will be up to him to determine the kind of legacy he wants to leave. He can dig in his heels; listen to the voices of his soothsayers or that of his own exalted relevance. This is a sure route to political disaster. His alleged misconduct will not go away until he meets with the media and explain to the nation what occurred. This is not the change the people voted for. Politicians who preoccupy themselves with grabbing power and use state funds to enrich themselves are likely to have a short political career. The greatest contempt is held for those in public offices who are allegedly considered corrupt or have abused their power. They will have no prominence in the collective minds of the people and their memories will not be cherished either based on their legacy. The Minister in question has had his time in the political sun. It is time for him to move into the shade.
A POEM FOR DALE ANDREWS DEAR EDITOR, I wish to express my sympathy to the entire Staff at Kaieteur News for the tragic loss of their beloved staff the late Dale Andrews;a man of great wisdom and wit of gracious and elegant personality who will be missed for a very long time. Since I am at a loss for words to describe this giant of our soil who I met a few times I felt compelled as a Poet to express my tribute in a poem below: My tribute follows How do I write of Dale’s impeccable genius? God’s silent wind blew you away from us.
A brilliant flower smiling at us each day, Now you left us all to mourn and pray. You risk your life to acquire crime news, Into many hostile places where you choose. You will never be equal in Kaieteur News History, Your sudden demise is still a great mystery. Your name will live on as a dear friend, God loves you more your soul has no end. March on great soldier into the heaven’s above, The angels of heaven rejoice of your great love. You were like the sea wave that rises and fall,
And now you will be missed by Mr.Glen Lall. Who mourn for you today for his soul to cry? Do not mourn Mr.Lall he will never die. Life is like a clock on the wall, It ticks and stop we die and fall. All of us will die someday the rich and poor my friend. Please live a life to please the Lord before our sudden end. We are like dreams you see in our sleep at nights, Then like a sudden mist dreams are gone from our sights. Our brother Dale
Andrews will be missed by all, God silent whisper gave his dear soul a call. A flower born and a flower will die, But our love for you will never die. Death stole you away on your lonely journey, Where things will never fade; you have no need of money. We are all just fictive dreams coming and going, Let’s live in love and unity death’s wind is blowing. Blowing for the souls of you and I As we live for Jesus our souls will never die. By: Rev.Gideon Cecil
A tribute to a titan of journalism DEAR EDITOR; Dale Anthony Andrews is gone but his legacy and the lessons he leaves with journalists, young and old alike, point to a moral compass in journalism. That moral compass will be something that all journalists, especially his colleagues at Kaieteur News will remember and ponder as they joined with relatives, friends and other journalists to take him to his final home on Tuesday June 14, 2016. Because of thesuperb contributions he has made to journalism, his name will continue to resonate as an emblem of his effort to transcend its basic fiber into what he would have called passionate journalism. It is without a doubt that Dale was very passionate about his work and even in ill-health, he went that extra mile to file a news report a few hours before the chill hand of death touched him. He was the consummate journalist whose demeanor and humility will forever be etched in the minds of those who knew and associated with him.
He understood the responsibility of being a journalist for accurate and unbiased reporting of the news. He had the good fortune of making and maintaining friends with the notables in the security forces which earned him the nickname as the Crime Chief of Journalism. He, like so many other others in the field of journalism believe that freedom of the press is critical to a meaningful democracy and should not be tampered with by the authority. In many cases, his message was more important than the messenger, but in rare cases the messenger becomes the message and this became part of his humility. Journalists, broadcasters and writers will reflect on his death and their own circumstances, especially as they prepare to celebrate his life in a few days. There are few in the line of Dale Andrews’ stature that have sharpened the social conscience of the nation in his reporting of the news. Ultimately it was not the sheer objectiveness of his reporting that caught the atten-
tion of many others in the field of journalism, especially the Publisher, editor-in-chief and the staff at Kaieteur News, but his grace, gratitude, humility and his ability and deeprooted beliefs in passionate reporting. He was loved because of his strength, compassion and conviction. Since his passing, his colleagues at Kaieteur News have immersed themselves with the retrospective view of his life, thus blinding themselves to the reality that he is gone and that they must carry on. Although Dale is no longer with us, it is perhaps for us to say that he never died because as long as there exists a Kaieteur News, he will stand tall as one of the greatest and most respected journalists of his time. His presence will be with us at Kaieteur Newsfor a long time, if not forever. Dale could have easily chosen a different career and a different place to work, but he chose journalism and Kaieteur News where he has left a path of light for his colleagues. Among the gifts so lavishly bestowed on him were
his uniqueness and his boldness in reporting the news. Dale Andrews was courageous in making demands, brilliant in his analysis, prudent in his thoughts, and knowledgeable of the facts. He was receptive to news ideas and was always probing for new possibilities. Those who had the privilege of being close to him can testify to his remarkable humanity, kindness, and indeed his genuine dedication. He was generous in spirit, democratic in temper and affable with those whom he came in contact with. So as the titan of journalism sleeps, his sleep is just, his work is well done, his lost cannot be made whole, yet even as the hour of his passing crept up upon him unannounced; we knew he was ready. His strength, courage and spirit will be with us today, tomorrow and forever. He was God’s gift to us at Kaieteur News and we will surely miss him. Rest in peace brother Dale, you have fought the good fight and may the blessings of the Holy Father be upon you forever. Dr. Asquith Rose
Conducting unbecoming at the airport DEAR EDITOR; As early as 5:15 am the line of persons traveling on Caribbean Airlines on Wednesday 1st June was stretching towards the entrance of the waiting area. I was in line as I was going to the Capital Jazz Fest in Maryland USA. It surprised me that for this crowd, Caribbean Airlines only had two counter clerks on duty. As the line just inched along, two young women who were obvious “combackies” for the fiftieth anniversary, re-
galed us as loudly as they could about the slothfulness of us, Guyanese. Nothing seemed to change, they claimed, and of course their vow never to return to this country again. In the mean time the female immigration officer on duty decided to check the baggage of a man in the line. I could tell from his demeanor that he resented this intrusion. He nonchalantly stood aside while she completed her search, (which of course is her job) after
which she told him to rejoin the line at a different place than when she took him out. Well that was it; he started to berate her with the ugliest of words and loudly. There was no security around, she just stood there and incurred his blasphemy. This was immediately followed by another man running back and forth up the aisle, screaming that his suitcases were overweight the first time, and he reduced it, the second time it was still over weight and
now a third time. I thought that the counter clerk was going to be punched, so irate was the man. The funny part of all of this to me was that, the flight left on time we arrived in Trinidad on time, and I saw most of these same people on the connecting flight to the US. I know for a fact that type of behavior would have gotten them thrown off of any flight originating in the US. Milton Bruce
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Kaieteur News
Quoting Napoleon to Teachers must be paid this specific set of money support police promotions DEAR EDITOR; I would like to know when the Ministry of Finance will be paying teachers their Whitley Council emoluments. Teachers, like myself and many others, who had their tour of Whitley Council since last year January have not been paid since and I am kindly asking those responsible to release the funds to which we are entitled. I was made to understand that Whitley Council is only paid twice yearly (April and November). However, nonsensical that arrangement is, and the fact that April has passed and nothing was paid, it is quite a shame that entitled teachers would now have
to wait until November of this year. These late payments never happened in the past. Another thing is that we are almost at the halfway mark of 2016 and teachers have not received any uniform allowance or any increases, while the union seems to be in a never-ending bargain mode with the government. It is also left to be seen whether we will receive the debunching monies before the school year comes to a close in a few weeks. The other mess facing the teaching fraternity and which has financial implications for our teachers too is the stalled 2015 promotions issue. I am one teacher who was affected. Leon Suseran
Guysuco once more debunks Ramotar’s inaccuracies DEAR EDITOR; Once again the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) feels compelled to respond to another of Mr. Donald Ramotar’s letter. Mr. Ramotar’s most recent letter that focused on GuySuCo and was published in the Stabroek News dated 28 May, 2016, has been received with great disappointment. The disappointment is due to the fact that Mr. Ramotar seemed to have now joined the company of naysayers, who are out to paint GuySuCo and the efforts of the new Board of Directors and management in a negative light. What is even more disappointing is that Mr. Ramotar has resorted to using his profile and position of influence and to deliberately mislead and manipulate the minds of persons who might be vulnerable to his writings. The truth of the matter is that GuySuCo is challenged and that might be an understatement, the Corporation is much challenged, and in order to make any intelligent conclusion about the prospects of GuySuCo, one has to examine how the Corporation got to this stage. How it was governed and managed in the past as against how it is currently governed and managed. This is necessary in order to sensibly determine the way forward and to ensure that some of the mistakes are not repeated. An honest
examination of the shortcomings in the type of governance and management which resulted in the GuySuCo we have today is important. GuySuCo did not become a loss-making Corporation overnight; it went through a gradual process of deterioration of systems and structures; which included, poor leadership and management that resulted in a Corporation that was practically bankrupt with demoralized management and staff, unstable targets, hence, the lack of confidence from suppliers and customers and the wider public in the Corporation. The new Board and management are trying to salvage a Corporation and industry that has undergone a systematic process of decay. The new leadership has inherited a GuySuCo where critical departments were marginalized due to the lack of appreciation for their critical role to the viability and sustainability of the Corporation and the sugar industry as a whole. The new Board and management are a response to the urgency that presented itself, to redirect the course of the Corporation and the sugar industry for its own survival and that of its employees and other stakeholders. Mr. Ramotar stated in his letter that ‘…They seem hell bent on closing down the sugar industry. At the mo-
ment, they are dismissing highly qualified technical personnel and replacing them with pensioners. These people are being paid huge salaries. Recently, they employed nine persons who are earning more than $200M per year’. He further noted that ‘the regime seems intent on running the sugar industry down and enriching their friends at the expense of GuySuCo and Guyana’. The Corporation is saddened by these statements and at the same time we are incensed that Mr. Ramotar would reduce our qualified and competent employees and consultants, to mere pensioners. These pensioners of whom Mr. Ramotar speaks are highly qualified and experienced Guyanese who are making tireless contributions to reviving the Corporation and the sugar industry. Some of these persons are assigned full-time employment while others are recruited in a consulting capacity. The alternative would have been to recruit expatriates, who would have cost the industry significantly more. We also find Mr. Ramotar to be contradicting himself and deliberately mixing up issues not necessarily out of care for the growth and development of GuySuCo but for other reasons, more of a political nature. In an earlier statement, he stated that (Continued on page 23)
DEAR EDITOR; I perused the recent list of police sergeants promoted to inspectors by the Police Service Commission. I am both happy and sad. Happy that after much wrangling between the Police Service Commission and the Guyana Police Force the long overdue promotion was approved and made public. I am perturbed that the date of promotion was given as 26. 05 . 16 . According to Kaieteur News, May 29, 2016 ,” the staggered promotion was a result of the late submission of recommendation by the Police Administration to the Police Service Commission.” Even if that was so the
promotion date should not have been staggered. The legitimately expected promotion date was 01.01. 16. That was the appointed date the last set of promoted assistant superintendents were given. Hence, the recently promoted inspectors who filled the vacancies created by the upward mobility of the assistant superintendents should have been given 01. 01 . 16 . as their date of promotion. As it now stands, those inspectors will lose some earnings for five months. I also discovered to my chagrin that there was no consequential. l had expected to see the names of fifty one corporals
being promoted to the rank of sergeants to take the place of those who were elevated to inspectors and a corresponding number of lance corporals and constables replacing the promoted corporals. Perhaps, the promotion will be made in time to come. Hope that the date of appointment will be 01. 01. 16. and not on the date the promotion is announced as is the current trend. The relationship between the PSC and the GPF does not appear to be well. Therefore, ranks will suffer. Those two important ubiquitous bodies have been washing their dirty linen in the public. One would have thought that by now (Continued on page 23)
The Red Palm Mite pest is not easy to eradicate DEAR EDITOR; The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NARE) wishes to respond to several issues raised by Mr. Mohamed Khan in a letter captioned Followup on red-mite disease in coconuts needs to be done, that was published in Stabroek News on June 6, 2016. It is important to note that the complete eradication of the Red Palm Mite disease may not be possible since the pest is transmitted via air and lives in poorly managed or abandoned fields. Since July 2013, NAREI has been addressing the issue of Red Palm Mite in Guyana. In December 2015, Government through the Ministry of Agriculture provided $49M to purchase chemicals and other resources needed to assist farmers. This intervention allowed NAREI’s extension staff to expand their services. Prior to the distribution of chemicals, follow-up visits and telephone conversations with Pomeroon (Region two) farmers were made. NAREI was informed that many farms were recovering from the infestation. Farmers have been advised to practice
proper field sanitation and to continue to apply treatment as needed. The Institute is pleased to report that majority of the farmers in the Pomeroon now knows how to identify infected coconut palms and how to apply the treatment. In addition, NAREI’s Extension Staff, stationed at Anna Regina and Charity have been helping in this regard. Another issue raised by Mr. Khan is the unavailability of coconut plants at the Charity Nursery. NAREI does not produce coconut seedlings in large quantities for sale at the nurseries, it produces on request. However, it is cognizant that the coconut industry is budding in the Region. As such, it has been assisting farmers to select mother palms and advise on how to plant the seedlings on their own farms. Within the next three months NAREI will be establishing a coconut nursery in the Pomeroon. A fertilization programme has also been initiated with coconut farmers. The final issue raised by Mr. Khan is the absence of a laboratory for soil testing in the Region. While, there is no physical infrastructure in the
Region, Extension Officers are equipped with pH meters that allow for on the spot soil testing. However, if farmers need a more in-depth analysis samples are taken to NAREI’s head office in Mon Repos for laboratory testing. While, NAREI would want to return the results as quickly as possible to the farmers the samples have to go through a process. NAREI wants to remind farmers that they are welcome to visit the extension offices, communicate with Extension Officers and contact officers at the head office for information. The institute is thankful for Mr. Khan’s interest and asks for continued communication. NAREI Communications Unit
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Thursday June 09, 2016
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Guyana to get US$160K PEPFAR support Although unplanned and unbudgeted for, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Health is gearing to introduce from October 1, 2016 a Test and Start programme to fast-track its HIV/AIDS response. To support this venture, the Ministry will be eligible to benefit from a US$160,000 grant from The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which is expected to cater to the procurement of anti-retroviral treatment (ART). The financial support will be a one-off support from PEPFAR. As part of the preparation process, last week Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, travelled to Florida, United States to participate in the PEPFAR Caribbean Regional Operational Programme meeting. At that forum Minister Cummings was able to deliver a presentation during which she articulated Guyana’s commitment to the programme. She emphasized that although Government is essentially not prepared for it, it remains unremittingly committed to kicking off the programme in October. The Government of Guyana recognizes the intrinsic value of the Test and Start programme which will be tremendously effective in the significant reduction in new HIV infections and the fasttracking of treatment. These measures are in line with the 90–90–90 goals of the PEPFAR Caribbean Regional Programme, to ensure that by 2018, some 80 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS in Guyana are on the Test and
Minister Karen Cummings (seated third from right) during the recent meeting in Florida
Start Programme. Minister Cummings underscored that while Guyana is willing to absorb some of the costs attached to the programme, it would most graciously welcome support in the one-time funding for anti-retroviral treatment, as well as support with a sustainability plan for finance and costing. She also highlighted that the Government of Guyana intends to establish and robustly maintain the highest level of transparency and accountability in the efficient and effective management of the programme’s funding. However, the Government of Guyana has long been exhibiting the right attitude in terms of financing. This was recently amplified by UN Special Envoy to the Secretary General, Dr. Edward Greene. “When we met the Minister of Finance in late January, I must say he was very sensitive to the need to sustain the investment in health and particular in HIV where it is important...” said Dr. Greene.
He pointed out that unlike many other diseases there is no vaccine for HIV thus the need to sustain the support for infected people. This, he noted, is designed to ensure that they remain on affordable medicine even as efforts to educate and emphasise
prevention methods are fasttracked. “What is a good thing is that your Minister of Finance, unlike some Ministers of Finance, is not saying that we have so many other things to do...there is recognition that unless we sustain the investment
in health and HIV/AIDS we will not overcome, but we will increase and reverse the trends,” Dr. Greene underscored. According to UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, while an estimated sum of US$19.2 billion was made available to low and middle income
countries in 2014 to combat HIV, by 2020 it is expected that that amount will have to increase to about US$26.2 billion to achieve the 2030 target of ending the AIDS epidemic. Moreover, a Fast-track initiative to end AIDS was introduced by the UN.
Electrical and Infrastructure audit...
Parliament Building’s electrical system represents a fire hazard Parliament Building
Parliament Building’s electrical installation is in a dangerous state. It represents a fire hazard to the building and its occupants. This was according to an audit which was conducted into the Electrical Installation and Main Infrastructure of the building. The report was prepared by Electrical Consultant, Mr. Andrew Ramcharran. The consultant used words such as “disgusting”, “disgracefulness” and “repulsive” to describe the present situation of these mechanisms at the building which he said, “has been in neglect for many years”. Ramcharran was harsh on the “untrained, inexperienced electricians”, while noting that the neglect was also due to the lack of oversight by Parliament Administration and a monitoring and evaluation programme. The primary objective of the audit was to examine the present electrical installation, prepare a report stating the issues and make
recommendations to fix same. It was also stated in the report that these recommendations to upgrade must be in keeping with modern standards – the National Electrical Code (NEC) of America, and adapted by Guyana. In-depth examinations were carried out in various areas such as Utility Supply, Standby Generator and the Main Switch Gear. CONCLUSION “There are layers upon layers of electrical wiring and conduits upon each other dating back since the Parliament Building was first wired to present day,” the Consultant stated in his report. He also stated that most of the old, unserviceable wires are still energised. New equipment is being added and existing installation were being ignored thus creating a confused situation. The consultant came to the conclusion that it “appears” as if Parliament
Building’s Administration only makes repairs and replacement when urgently needed, while adding that there is no long term forward planning. “The parliament building administration needs to hire a consultant to prepare a more detailed restoration/upgrade plan inclusive of costs and timeline of completion as per phase. Re-design the interior layout, execute and manage the entire restoration/upgrade the entire building catering for its future needs and expansion for years to come for our challenging legislators, are also some of the recommendations. The report consisted of pictures showing the irregularities which include the fuel reservoir standing unprotected; exposed live wires; dust accumulation; loose wires, missing trunking covers; wires bracing against sharp metal trunking and improper connections; damaged switches and power (continued on page 24)
Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Modi wants deeper U.S.India security relationship
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., yesterday. (Reuters/Carlos Barria) (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States yesterday, in an address to the U.S. Congress stressing the importance of warming ties between the two countries. He dedicated much of the speech to the importance of fighting terrorism, thanking Congress for U.S. support after a Pakistan-based military group’s rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008. “The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels. And the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight,” Modi told a rare joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. “We have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating it. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation,” Modi said. He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis’ in September, with jokes about Congress’ bitter partisan divide and yoga. But Modi used it to make serious points about India’s neighbor and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism. “I commend the members of the U.S. Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains,” he said, not mentioning either country by name. Modi is on the U.S. leg of an international tour. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders said India agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change
this year and discussed security and cyber security issues. The visit, two years after Modi became prime minister, capped an improving relationship between New Delhi and the United States. Before he was elected, Modi was barred from even entering the country because of concerns about his handling of 2002 riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. PERSONAL TIES TO OBAMA Today, he is one of the international leaders most popular in Washington, where Modi’s government is seen as a counterbalance to China. He and Obama have a warm personal relationship. “We are now standing shoulder to shoulder in ways that no one could have imagined a generation ago,” Representative Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs committee, said at a reception for Modi after the address. In a 45-minute speech interrupted by cheers and at
least eight standing ovations, the 65-year-old Indian leader said deeper U.S.-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbors, supports or sponsors terrorists. Although he did not mention Pakistan, that line was greeted with applause from the lawmakers, many of whom are increasingly frustrated with what they see as Islamabad’s failure to crack down on militants behind attacks on American troops in Afghanistan. Modi also stressed that India is committed to helping rebuild a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Amid heightened tensions over China’s assertive pursuit of territory in the South China Sea, Modi said a stronger U.S.-India partnership could boost peace and prosperity “from Asia to Africa and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.” He did not mention China. “It can also help ensure security of the sea lanes and commerce and freedom of navigation on seas,” Modi added.
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Diamond should expect water issue to be fixed within two weeks - GWI Chief Executive Residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, roughly 5,000, have been without water for about a week, dating back to June 2. The Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Well in Diamond has yet again run into problems. Chief Executive of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, at a press conference yesterday evening in the Shelter Belt boardroom said that a press conference was not called earlier, because there was no clarity on the issue at hand. He apologised for the level of service that the residents of Diamond have been getting recently. Dr. Van-West Charles said that since assuming his position at the helm of GWI in October 2015, that a specific well in Diamond has been giving some trouble since February. He explained that the current well design is very new for Guyana. He said that the well is probably the only one without a conductor casing, and “maybe this could be one of the issues.” Operations Manager Dwayne Shako was also present at the press briefing and gave a brief history of the issue the well presented in February, he noted that in the wee hours of the morning he
Chief Executive of GWI Dr. Richard Van-West Charles (2nd right) and Operations Director Dwayne Shako (R of Van-West Charles) received a call that they were pumping mud at the Diamond location. That issue, he noted, was rectified and remedial work was done on the well and was functioning properly until last week. Dr. Van-West Charles stated that GWI has some indication of what the issue is and they are currently working to rectify that issue, he noted that within two weeks GWI should be finished diagnosing and repairing the well. GWI is expected to tender for the first well very shortly and that well is expected to be completed within the next
Dem boys seh ...
GMC boss got MPs pumping De fire people always seh that when you got a house, you got to change de electrical wiring every 20 years. In fact, everybody know that when you house get old is not only de wood does fall apart, de iron too, much less de electric wire. Jagdeo sit down in Public Buildings fuh 23 years and he never think about changing de wire. De PNC get it when it was new and it get old by de time de PPP come out. Fuh all dem years Jagdeo and de clique been deh he raise he pay, he spend money in Skeldon, he spend pun de Amaila Falls, he spend pun de Marriott, he even build he mansion at Pradoville2 but he never see it fit or wise to rewire Parliament Buildings. Dem boys know why. He couldn’t spend money pun Parliament because he couldn’t get ee cut. All MPs was there and dem woulda see ee glaring cut and dem boys ain’t saying is which cut. That is why de auditor cuss till he even invent new cuss words. De auditor seh that de situation was repulsive, disgraceful and he sorry it didn’t ketch afire, wid all of dem inside. Dem was de same MPs that mek de GM fuh GMC tell de nation how he spend $111M to buy fertilizer, but when de auditor check he find out that de man use de money fuh buy pumps fuh all of dem in parliament. That is why plenty of dem don’t have pickney. Dem pump out de water in Parliament. Talk half and hope dem can pump de water to put out de fire from de old wire
two months. The Chief Executive continued that one well is not sufficient enough to serve some 5,000 residents of Diamond and as a result, he consulted with the Chairman of the Board, Nigel Hinds to construct a second well that is slated to be completed in two months. This well, Van-West Charles said, would serve a dual purpose, for the distribution of “ground
water” and “surface water”. He stressed the need for at least two additional wells so that residents of Diamond could be the recipients of quality service and quality water. Shako, the Operations Manager, noted that the technical team, on Thursday, saw indications that the well motor was damaged. There were signs that mud had seeped into the well again. He explained that the company had done some
chemical treatment on the well. “We used aloe and lime to get the mud to settle, then used the well camera to see what was going on in the depth of the well.” According to Shako, at present, GWI is only able to get visibility of about 150 feet. He advised that in the next 24 hours the company will proceed with the chemical treatment of the remaining 500 feet of the well. This will allow for better
visibility to “see what the problem is.” He said that once the company can assess this, a proper diagnosis and remedial work will be done. The Chief Executive stated that because of the defunct well, residents of Diamond will be provided with water via distribution trucks that will be operating as of tomorrow. Drivers will be operating from 8am to midnight through First Avenue to 21st Avenue.
Ex-policeman jailed for 10 years for 2010 ... From page 8 the court with “Peace and love in the name of Jesus.” He said the new government has given people a chance to earn and live. He asked the court to give him a chance to work and pay compensation to McLean and also pay his tax. “Your worship I will be wasting time in jail and no one including my mother, children and grandson will benefit. Sir, if given a chance to work all will be happy.” Before passing sentence Justice Reynolds admonished the accused on his attitude and belief that everything surrounds him and for questioning the Probation Officer on her work. “From interacting with you during the time of the trial, it seems that it is a feature of yours that you intend to superimpose your own way how things should be in the world. The sooner you could recognize that we are all a small part of this universe the better it would be for you” Justice Reynolds told Joseph that he took a few things into consideration including his age; he has three kids and a grand, his offer of compensation, his plea and request to work in order to pay compensation, his taxes and other good things. “However, the Probation Report did not say much in favour of you, either by your
mother or your ‘squaddies’. It says a sad tale of your attitude. The Jury did not believe your story. You should have walked away instead of stalking the woman.” Justice Reynolds delved into the state of spousal abuse that is hitting the headlines in Guyana at the moment. He said that the recent
newspaper headlines which stated that 10 women have been killed over the past five months, a staggering two women being killed for no reason. ”I had between 10 years and 15 years in mind, but due to the brutality of the crime in which an offensive weapon was used, and the woman
was stabbed several times, it was clear that you intended to do away with the victim.” However, the Judge deducted 1½ years for the time the accused spent in jail, another one year for his plea in mitigation and six months for his offer of compensation. The accused was thus sentenced to 10 years in jail.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
How smart is the Bank of Nova Scotia? I took up a complaint from a customer of the Bank of Nova Scotia. In the process, I stepped on an interesting behavioural pattern of this bank in Guyana. Before we proceed, it needs to be said that the bank’s global operations are suffering serious profits decline. In November last year, it announced the removal of 1500 jobs of which the majority was in Canada and closed 120 branches, mostly in Mexico and the Caribbean. Two branches were closed in Jamaica.
The bank is finding it tough in Guyana. It has introduced two changes to earn some small cash. One of them is obnoxious. First, it charges $500 to encash a cheque once the recipient does not hold a Nova Scotia account. I contacted Republic Bank and GBTI and they said they do not practise such a policy. The second one was announced a few months ago. All saving accounts below one million Guyana dollars will now attract a service charge of $1000 monthly. It means yearly you
would be paying the bank $12,000. I don’t know if this is a violation of the Bank of Guyana regulations. But I could see people saying that small savers have a choice; take your pittance elsewhere. It is commonsense to do that and you save $12,000 a year. Here is what I discovered about the Bank of Nova Scotia. It has one property that it owns in Carmichael Street. It rents its Head Office on Robb Street paying Demerara Group of Companies (insurance company), millions each
month. The Human Resource Officer, Ms. Das, said she cannot give me the figure as a matter of policy. She suggested I speak to the Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani. Several attempts to get her failed. I spoke to Mr. Jeffrey Brewster, the CEO of Demerara Companies. He indicated that I am seeking confidential information. I did ask him if the Nova Scotia rent is listed in the annual report to the policy-holders but he declined to answer. I did not get a specific figure but from picking up bits of information, the rent is millions monthly. What is intriguing to know is that the Demerara Group of Companies has recouped the cost to build its huge structure which takes in part of Robb Street, part of Regent Street, part of Avenue of the Republic through the hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly rent from Nova Scotia and to a lesser extent from Caribbean Airlines over the years. It was a super investment I enquired about the sense in such a business policy. Scotia officials said the bank cannot be bothered with maintenance if it had built its
own Head Office. It takes away from its corporate work. I was told at the end of the day managers will be preoccupied with seeing leaking roof repaired, windows fixed, hanging electrical wires to be redone etc. I must say that such an attitude is nonsense. Demerara Bank just built a huge head office on Camp Street. It owns it. GBTI owns its majestic edifice by the Kingston seawall. The spectacular buildings of Republic Bank at Camp and Robb Streets and on New Market Streets are owned by the bank itself. The nonsensical approach of the Bank of Nova Scotia becomes more exasperating when you think of the fact that they own a large structure on Carmichael Street. What is wrong with building another? What businesses abroad do, is that they make a monthly payment to a maintenance company. Once there is a leaking roof, a call is made, and the crews come and fix the stuff. This is what Scotia should have done. Build your building and employ a maintenance crew. This is a win-win situation because you own the
Frederick Kissoon structure and your staff doesn’t have to bother with leaking roof because the money you pay for renting the office, is the money you will pay to the maintenance company The simple fact of the matter is that Scotia is the only local bank in Georgetown that rents its Head Office from another company. There is an impressive bank going up on Camp Street and South Road, built by Citizen’s Bank. Instead of charging people to encash a cheque or demanding small savers pay the bank to keep their money there, Scotia should stop paying Demerara Group of Companies millions of dollars a month as if they have money to throw away. Something is not right in the arrangement with the insurance company and this bank.
Thursday June 09, 2016
GPSU celebrates 93 years of Trade Unionism Human Rights to which persons are entitled remain secure when there are dedicated agents in society advocating for the recognition of such rights, said the Guyana Public Service Union. By virtue of the Constitution of Guyana, one such right of Guyanese is the right to work. In enjoying this right, workers need agents who will advocate collectively for their right not only to work, but to be afforded safe, clean and productive working environments. This includes being remunerated relative to the work performed as well. It is under these tenets and more that Trade Unionism was born. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is one such agent which prides itself in fighting for the rights of workers in the public sector.
The union will be celebrating 93 years of representing and negotiating for public servants’ rights, working conditions, wages and salaries. A union statement indicated that the body has over the years made many strides at great sacrifice. It has waded through tough periods from the days of colonization, internal self-government and political independence. The union said some of its greatest achievements were realized during the Presidency of the late Forbes Burnham. Notable achievements include but are not limited to Land to the Civil Service Association; Land for Recreational facilities; fiveday work week; Avoidance and settlement of disputes agreement; Making collective agreements legally binding; one month salary tax free vacation allowance; Agency Shop Agreement and the
Amendment to the constitution to facilitate the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. Under the motto “Justice for the public employee” the 93-year-old organization has suffered setbacks and abuse. Its Agency Shop Agreement was violated in 2000 and has not been restored to date. The Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement was continuously abused. It is expected that due to this new era of political governance that its recreational facilities will be restored and recognized. The organization said it remains resolute in its duty to the public sector workers of Guyana. It is duty bound and determined to restore the valuable achievements made possible by its forefathers. Owing to the unity of purpose within the membership and leadership, greater achievements and success stories lay ahead.
Family court opens Family disputes are more often held to be in a different class by themselves. Resolving such disputes demands systems sensitive to the peculiar and often complicated issues which may arise. To enable the judiciary to deal with such matters, the long awaited Family Court was thereby established last Monday. The formal opening of the court was delayed for some time due to amendments to the Family (Proceedings and Procedures) Rules (FPPR). Now that they have been finalized and approved they will govern the operations of the court as it relates to the types of matters it will hear and the steps that should be taken to arrive at the best decision for disputants. The court will be presided over by two judges. It will be located in the north-eastern block of the High Court compound, Georgetown. These rules will also be applied
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Kaieteur News
by Judges in the counties of Berbice and Essequibo at the New Amsterdam and Suddie High Courts respectively. The Family Court is equipped with its own Registry and a Children’s Waiting room. The court will be working closely with the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), especially in child welfare matters. It will also utilise the services of the High Court’s Mediation Centre. The establishment of the court has been credited to the assistance provided by the Government of Guyana, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, Child Care and Protection Agency Head Ann Greene and the Attorney-General Basil Williams. Justice Robin Mohamed of the Trinidad and Tobago Judiciary and United Nations Children’s Fund representative in Guyana, Marianne Fiach, played important roles in the preparation of the Family Rules.
NCN clears air about Merundoi settlement The National Communications Network (NCN) has broken its silence in relation to the out-of-court settlement reached with Merundoi Inc., concerning a debt to the stateowned media house. Merundoi is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization, NCN said in a statement. It is headed by Margaret Lawrence. “It specializes in behaviour change communication with the aim of strengthening communities, vulnerable groups and young adults. The organisation was established in 2006 under a five-year PEPFAR programme. It continued its work as an NGO through local and international sponsorships, partnerships and projects.” Merundoi had approached NCN around March 2012 with a written proposal to make available the production content of Merundoi for NCN broadcasting, with Merundoi paying 50% of the normal broadcast charges and NCN absorbing the remaining 50%. Meroundoi's proposal in 2012 was welcoming NCN to partner with the NGO to reach audiences across Guyana in an effort to tackle gender based violence and other social issues. NCN did not respond favourably or otherwise to the proposal but collected the
- wants to engage other companies on outstanding debts 50% broadcast fees and aired the programme. In 2014, NCN instituted court proceedings against Merundoi for the 50% of broadcast charges, and the matter engaged the court. On April 4, 2016, Merundoi made a proposal to pay $250,000, and agreed to allow NCN access to two previous seasons of programme content of “Merundoi” Radio Serial Drama (over 500 x 15 min episodes) and also to collaborate with NCN to produce a TV Sitcom “Cheap and Sweet”, the pilot of which it had submitted to NCN since 2012. “At a special meeting on April 7, last, the Board unanimously agreed to accept the offer. Ms. Margaret Lawrence was not part of the meeting. In arriving at the decision, the Board took account of, among other things, the fact that Merundoi is an NGO, it is notfor-profit, and it was willing to make the programme content available to NCN and to collaborate on the production of local TV Sitcom.” NCN said that reports that the Board's decision was not unanimous are untrue and erroneous. “NCN welcomes all those indebted to it to engage us in arriving at settlements for outstanding debts.”
In relation to the auditors' report that former CEO, Molly Hassan, wrote off millions of dollars of debts by an advertising company, NCN made it clear that she neither had the authority to do so nor did she write off any debt. “As CEO, Ms. Hassan always acted in accordance with direction of the Board of Directors. In the case referred to, she was asked to enquire whether a debt over three years old and incurred in 2011 was legally enforceable, which she investigated and was advised upon.” She did not write off the debt. The debt remains but it is statute barred. “NCN is satisfied that Ms. Hassan always executed her duties with financial rectitude.” NCN owns radio and television stations across the land but poor management and political interference have been blamed on losses.
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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
The Public Procurement Commission…
Sub-committee to shortlist PAC nominees by month end After months of delays, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) appears to be making some headway when it comes to the establishment of the longawaited, Public Procurement Commission, says PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali. Ali said that the committee has received a number of nominations and the applications of those individuals are currently being reviewed by a subcommittee. The twomember sub-committee includes Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and the PAC Chairman. He is hopeful that a shortlist of persons who best qualify to hold the post of Commissioner can be produced by June monthend. The PAC Chairman was unable to say just how many applications the PAC received and is perusing. The
- Irfaan Ali Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which according to procedure, is chaired by a member of the Opposition, has to nominate the five members of the Procurement Commission. The National Assembly by two-thirds majority has to ratify their appointments. It was Ali who had set a March month-end date for the establishment of the crucial commission only to backtrack and blame inadequate nominations from the public as a cause for further delays. Based on a rigorous review of government’s current process of tendering and procurement, Finance Minister Winston Jordan came to the firm conclusion that the system is “broken”. As a result, fostered an environment of unfairness and inequality, among other
PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali ills. The Finance Minister asserted that the present system needs to be fixed, quickly. As an immediate step, he said that Government changed the composition of the Tender Board. Significantly too, Jordan said
that with financial support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Government will implement a project to strengthen and modernize public procurement. Through this project, the Finance Minister said that government will aim to improve the efficiency and value for money in public procurement through strategic planning and the introduction of electronic Government Procurement (eGP). He explained that the e-GP will allow all public authorities to manage their procurement process and Government purchases online; from advertising of bids, to receiving offers, to publication of contract awards and post-award contract management. Jordan asserted that other activities contemplated are the revision of the
Procurement Act and its Regulations; establishment of a complaints mechanism and debarment procedures that take account of international best practices; and training in modern procurement operations and tools. The Finance Minister had told Kaieteur News that these reforms to the Tender Board would be done to make the entity more responsive while returning accountability and transparency to it. The award of contracts in Guyana by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has always been a matter of contention in several quarters. There have been accusations of favouritism along with other complaints of anticompetitive practices. To fix this, the APNU+AFC Government has been advocating for the
Natural resources half year review…
establishment of the Public Procurement Committee for some time. Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, who had spoken extensively on the matter, said that the weak systems of the NPTAB need to be addressed by the new administration, as they cost the country approximately $28B annually. Goolsarran then pointed to credible allegations of corrupt behaviour in public procurement. These included sole sourcing of drug contracts to the New GPC, contract splitting, inflated engineer ’s estimates, evaluation biased toward favoured contractors, the use of inexperienced contractors, the absence of competitive bidding in some cases and overpayment to contractors. Goolsarran had said that at least some $28 billion, or US$140M, is lost annually by (continued on page 24)
Minister Raphael Trotman meets with sector heads and others
Gold declarations, work on Botanical Gardens, National Park highlighted Steady strides in reaching gold declaration targets and completion of rehabilitation works on the Botanical Gardens and National Park, are among some of the high points of the Natural Resources sector. On Saturday, the Ministry of Natural Resources convened its mid-year sector
review with a number of its agencies present- th e Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Parks Commission and Protected Areas
Commission (NPC/PAC) and the Wildlife Management Division (WMD). Present also at the Cara Lodge meeting, were Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; Permanent Secretary; Joslyn McKenzie; Chairpersons of
Boards and Commissions, Heads of Agency, Technical Officers and other team members who collectively reviewed the progress of 2016 work plans, highlighted lingering challenges and formulated solutions. Minister Trotman encouraged the team to go beyond what is required and
to strive for a standard of excellence as they do the work of their agencies which will reflect on the sector as a whole. In addition to affording a panoramic view of the Natural Resources sector, the review allowed for a comprehensive look at successes as well as areas where adjustments need to be made so that agencies can stay on track and achieve their goals for 2016. “Among the successes noted was the steady progress being made to reach annual gold declaration targets, as well as the significant strides of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) towards completion of its 2016 activities including the rehabilitation of the National Park and the Botanical Gardens.”
Recognizing the interconnectedness of the work carried out by all agencies, there were also discussions about ways in which the Ministry of Natural Resources can provide support to enhance synergies and strengthen interagency collaboration, to move key processes forward that will help achieve the goals of the sector, the Ministry disclosed. At the end of the meeting several actions were proposed and tasks assigned to move forward. The Ministry of Natural Resources remains committed to improving outcomes in the natural resources and environment sectors and will continue to share its plans and progress with the public.
Thursday June 09, 2016
Statistics suggest that it's too soon to judge city drainage system By Murtland Haley Yesterday the focus was on flooding experienced by residents and farmers of No. 28 Village, West Coast Berbice. Such events remind the nation that Guyana is prone to flooding. It will take much needed effort to design and maintain a system which will reasonably prevent the occurrence of extensive flooding. Georgetown often times suffers from severe flooding during the rainy seasons. With the advent of political change, the “Keep Our Country Clean” campaign came into being. Sections of society were optimistic that the capital city will be flood free as a result. Extensive work was done to clear drains of unwanted waste. In some instances drains which were blocked had been recovered and made usable again. Trenches were desilted to allow for natural drainage. The outfalls at key city kokers were cleared so as to allow free flow of water out of the city when there is low tide. Despite the successes of this programme, the threat of flooding still looms. The question is whether the clean-up efforts would have relieved the city of a flood threat, or at least reduce the extent to which it would suffer in the future. Such a consideration is timely since we are in one of our rainy seasons and it would be good for public information that a comparison is made between last year's rainy season specifically the month of May
these past two years. According to data from the Data base Department of the Guyana Hydrometeorological Office, Georgetown's average climactical rainfall is 307.5mm during May. Last year rainfall in the capital city exceeded this average. During that month 453.5mm of rainfall was recorded. This represented an excess of 146mm-clearly well above average. During that time, the city experienced flooding in almost every at-risk area, causing some schools to even close for some time. Flood waters invaded the homes of some city dwellers causing damage to property. Referring again to data from the HydroMet Office, rainfall recorded for May 2016 totalled 203.9mm. This represented a deficit of 103.6mm of the average rainfall. It was 249.6mm less than the actual rainfall experienced last year. It is clear that the capacity of the city's recovered drainage system to deal with excess water has not been tested as yet. Last March, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson expressed his confidence in the city's drainage system to handle the impending rainy season. This confidence was by virtue of the clean-up exercises conducted around Georgetown. Complementing these efforts, a local taskforce was set up to analyse the drainage system of Guyana. The services of the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) firm had been acquired to do the same.
Food and Drug Dept. Director sent on leave From page 18 out),” said Minister Norton. According to the Minister, a meeting was organised for Cole to be given the hearing he requested but he (Cole) failed to turn up. “We gave him an opportunity to defend himself and he refused to come. He texted in to say that he had a prior travel arrangement and he wouldn't come to the meeting...he was claiming he wasn't given a hearing and we gave him an opportunity to do so and he refused to come,” stressed Minister Norton. “Several complaints were
made against him. He seems unrepentant and seems to feel that he is above the law,” said the Minister who revealed that the matter is being dealt at the level of the Public Service Commission. “I am following public service rules as it relates to this matter, as advised,” said Minister Norton who noted that Cole was sent on leave in order to facilitate a thorough investigation. According to Minister Norton, Cole was first asked to take his annual leave which came to an end last month. Then “We sent him off on administration leave.”
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Kaieteur News
Rehabilitation of Supenaam, Parika stellings slated for next year Supenaam and Parika stellings will be rehabilitated next year, according to General Manager for the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marcelene Merchant. Ms Merchant said that the T&HD has already identified some of the areas to be repaired. At the Supenaam Stelling, the Transport and Harbours Department will be rehabilitating the pier; install and fix damaged lights and fix the fence. “This is because the entire pier at the Supenaam Stelling has been in a dilapidated state for a while now,” Merchant explained. The Parika Stelling is also slated for rehabilitation. It will be repaired and the passenger accommodation, a bond and a canteen will be constructed as well as an office for labourers and administration security. The Rosignol and
City-bound Essequibians suffer delays For the past two weeks, passengers using the Supenaam Ferry Stelling, at Good Hope, Essequibo Coast have been encountering delays. Wednesday afternoon this newspaper received a call informing that some 50 passengers, most from the Pomeroon River were left stranded at the Supenaam stelling. When asked about the reason for the delay, the caller explained that they were told by workers at the Stelling that the boat is working on a tide system. Passengers who however would have been facing consistent delays would have assembled at the Stelling for 11:00 hours, which would have been given as the daily schedule departure time. The delay has been causing continuous setbacks especially for passengers who are traveling to the city to do business and more so, those who have appointments with a doctor outside of the Region. The Supenaam Ferry Stelling was constructed in 2007. It replaced the old Adventure Ferry Stelling. Similarly after the Supenaam Ferry Stelling was put into operation, a number of misfortunes visited the Stelling. Trucks fell into the Essequibo River. (Yannason Duncan).
Morawhanna Stellings and the Mazaruni Dockyard and Kumaku wharf are also slated for repairs next year The piles, beams and decking at these Stellings will be changed and the fenders (guards) will be fixed to avoid vessels from making direct contact with the wharf. Meanwhile, the Transport and Harbours Department is focusing on completing projects listed in the 2016 budget. These include the rehabilitation of the Bartica stelling, central workshop
building, goods wharf and docking of the M.V Kanawan, M.V Sabanto and M.V Makouria. The completed Bartica Stelling will have a reconstructed two-flat concrete structure, administration building for employees and little booths for rent. The fender, beams and piles will also be changed. The reconstructed goods wharf will include an administration building which will also house a lunch room and toilet facilities for staff.
The Chinese M.V Kanawan and M.V Sabanto will undergo general docking. The M.V Makouria is also slated to undergo emergency docking including extracting and realigning the port side shaft. Works on the M.V Makouria will take seven days while on the M.V Kanawan and M.V Sabanto, 35 days each. These projects are being funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF through the Department for International Development (DFID). They are estimated to cost over $6B in the 2016 budget.
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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Ramdass Visa application & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Experienced salesgirls wanted in Bourda Market. Call: 227-3407 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic – Call: 223-7500 Monday –Saturday between 8:15am-4:15pm Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated and know to cook. Between 25-55 years. Call 1868- 683-1528 Dispatcher & contract carsCall: 622-6413; 655-5338 Live in waitress –Call: 6454543 Delivery clerk between ages 25-30 years must have driver’s license & police clearance. Call: 223-0090 1 Cook, 1 Assistant Cook, 2 Girls to work in Bar, 1 girl to work in internet @ Interior Location. Call: 665-5812; 2332186; 661-0532 1 Male to cook in the Backdam. Call: 678-0565 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 1 Driver for East Bank area, 1 female cleaner for office. Call: 233-2745 Experienced professional cook/pastry maker, cashiers with computers skills @ Annabel Bistro, 36 Public Road La Grange W.B.D –Call: 678-3400 One male & female general worker to work Shift Systems. Call: 218-1400
I.A.E Classes for CSEC January/June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742 Computerize Diploma in IT: 9 courses -$20,000 – discount for CXC students @ Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Parika Highway. Call: 264-3057 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997
WATCHMAN WANTED FOR COMPANY IN RUIMVELDT. POLICE CLEARANCE & FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS, WEEKENDS & NIGHTS. CALL: 231-8529; 231-8344 20,000 BM Purple Heart, 20,000 BM Green heart, 20,000 BM Kabukalli, Large quantities of Nibbi furniture. Call: 651-1969; 681-8897 We pay cash for land in La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling. Call:651-1969; 681-8897 3 Wash bay attendants – Contact: 615- 6944; 227-5169 Sales Assistant with computer knowledge, spreadsheet, Mathematics, etc, able to multi-task. Apply @ Key Food Trading, McDoom Village
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Rotweiler pups - 622-6646/ 652-8511
WANTED
One driver for RZ minibus, route 42- Call: 223-6059; 6544219
EDUCATIONAL
Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
1 Complete cabin cruiser, excellent condition also top catch seines. Call: 654-2817; 622-2958
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Husky Pup. Tel: 699-7077/ 619-6086 1-45 Leyland DAF (blue) $2.2M. Contact 260-4018/6619096
2009 ALLION -$2.8M, 2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2010 IST$2.6M, 2009 FIELDER $2.5M, 2011 AXELA $2.6M. CALL: 617-2891
Muscovy Ducklings-Call: 602-7203
Unregistered new model Toyota Spacio -$1.9M- Call: 227-5950; 681-7117
German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix pups for sale. Call: 6411771 or 654-0388
Gold Runx Car, HC series, price negotiable. Call: 692-0335
518C CAT Skidder tyres 95% winch working, CF Hauler triple axel trailer, Bedford TL dump truck, JCB 4X4 Forklift. Call: 626-0352
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154
125 Yamaha Riva Scooter, 1 Fridge, 1 Stereo set. Call or Text: 668-9180; 618-9035
1 Leyland DAF LF HIAB truck 5 ton HIAB new, hardly used GTT 2960 -$4M. Call: 622-6746
Pure bred German shepherd puppies for sale. Call: 6253918
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154
1- Cat 320 BL excavator, 1 Cat 428 Back Hoe, 1-930 Cat loader, 1-Cat D44 bulldozer. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225
1 FUSO Crane GTT 20 $4M; 1 HINO ranger wrecker GVV1890 -$4M, 1 HIAB Canter GTT 7140 -$3.5M. (negotiable) Call: 622-6746
1-Pneumatic Roller 9 wheels, 1-55 Leyland Daf Truck. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225
Toyota AT212, AT192, LTouring Wagon, Solid Def pickup 4X4, RZ, Runx, Canter, Honda CAPA. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 1 Toyota Runx, 16" mag flair kit, excellent condition $1.250M, PMM series. Call: 626-1423; 220-8350
1-spring filled mattress, queen bed, double door wardrobe rugs, fridge LG music set, water dispenser, etc. Call: 690-7859 1-light tower-$850,000, 1-928 F loader-$7.3M, Cat 3406 engine-$1.3M, Cat 3116 engine-$1.1M-Contact #6500402, 661-9096
One 19 Seater pit-bull, high top minibus, immaculate condition. Call: 692-9374; 643-4188
Cat 3208 engine-$850,000, Diesel welder with deutz engine-$1.2M- Contact #650-0402/661-9096
Ford F350 4X4 35’rims + tyres, lift kit 2005, diesel fully loaded auto. Call: 610-5370
Pluck Chicken -$300 lb, Pork -$340lb, Liver & Giblets $180lb chicken foot -$180lb, neck $140lb. Call: 227-4551; 641-3059
1 Long base Canter -$2M, 1 Short Base Canter -$1.4M, 1 RZ bus -$1M, 1-212 car $1.1M, 1 Galant -$900,000. Call: 604-6724
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
VACANCY Female housekeeping staff, male security guard. Call: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown.
Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
House & Land @ Uitvlugt $4.5M. Call: 642-1252 Property @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$20M, $25M,$ 6M, New Road -$17M, $20M, Pouderoyen -$45M, CI $6.5M, La Grange Public Road-$18M. Call: 604-6724 Newly built property for sale, Block 8 MonRepos, E.C.D $14.8M.Call:654-4312;657-5530 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 Well built 2 family houses at Lot 32 Ann’s Grove H/ Scheme. Call: 623-5423 2 Storey house, 5 bedrooms semi-furnished, 65 Palmyra Village, East Canje Berbice, price negotiable. Call: 6706688; 621-2066 Enmore: Hope West, 1-two storey 3 bedrooms wooden building, overlooking FoulisCall: 602-2818; 649-1434 One 4 bedroom house @ 80 Daisy Street, South Ruimveldt Park-$15M. Call: 652-1234; 668-3056 House & land for sale by owner at Plantation Peter’s Hall E.B.D –Call: 617-6015
Security, Cleaner, Waitress, ages 18-25, bartenders. Call: 668-8332; 638-5303
RA Soda Factory Rosignol, Berbice: bond & billing clerks, experienced accountants, machine operator with mechanical ideas. Call: 3302399/623-5920 Hopetown Gas Station (Guyoil): Pump attendants for night and day shifts. Call: 330-2399 Carnegie trained chef/cook. Call: 600-7388; 225-7933 or visit us at 173 Sherriff Street. Exist for porters, cashiers, salesgirls; apply @ Lot 16 Vlissengen & Duncan with application & passport size picture. Hair/nail & barber stations for rental, discounts for new comers @ New Market St. Call: 638-1106 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail. com Experienced female accounts clerk 20yrs & older, preparing ledger, payroll, NIS, VAT etc. Preferably from W.C.D- Call: 260-4239; 665-1064
2 Storey 5 bedrooms residential property @ Republic Park asking -$35M for serious inquiries Contact: 675-2325 or 6497558 (Anna) 50X100 Land with structure at South Ruimveldt asking $6.5M for serious inquiries – Contact: 675-2325 or 649-7558 (Anna) 7000 Sq transported residential land @ LBI East Coast Demerara, asking $14.5M, for serious inquiriesContact: 675-2325 or 649-7558 (Anna)
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
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1 Experienced baker, 2 experienced pastry makers and 2 security personnel, apply at Humphrey’s Bakery. Tel: 225-7864; 227-8607
Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 PEN PAL Overseas (US) based Guyanese male seeks female friend for serious friendship 25-40yrs & possible LTRText: 668-9180; 618-9035
TO LET New self-contained 3 bedroom house, upper flat, security cameras; security lights, window screens @ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2260880; 603-0067
FOR RENT 2-2 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ Eccles. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 (Continued on page 23)
Thursday June 09, 2016
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Shaik Baksh responds again to the GWI audit findings DEAR EDITOR; I refer to your article in Sunday’s Kaiteur news re: GWI Advances for site visits. Firstly, I wish to state, that all site visits were made by me in keeping with advances taken. The visit to Region One on Election’s Day appears to be a concern of the Auditor, but the fact is I would make visits to hinterland communities, from time to time, on weekends and also on holidays. What is wrong with this? The fact is that I was in Region One on May 11, 2015 and I have written statements by Regional Officials who accompanied me to Mabaruma on the site visit to confirm
this. If the Auditor had afforded me the opportunity to explain, this matter would not be an issue. The Auditors seemed obsessed with a perception that I was doing political work and hence must be penalized. The visit to Trinidad was to endeavour to recruit a well drilling Engineer, since this was an area of great weakness at GWI. The Board was aware of this weakness and oral reports were made to top Management and Board Sub-Committee on my return. GWI paid the airfare and this can be confirmed and proves that top Management was aware of the visit. Again, a request for explanation from the Au-
Guysuco once... From page 5 ‘…the APNU+AFC regime is determined to close the sugar industry. Their actions thus far have clearly indicated this position’. He further continued that, ‘this will be one of the biggest mistakes in the economic history of our country’. Therein lies a fundamental problem with GuySuCo and the sugar industry; confusing our business with politics. As we move forward in striving to make GuySuCo a resilient business, all stakeholders in the interest of the sustainability of the Corporation have to be strategic and rational enough to separate the business from politics, this is a key behavioural shift that is essential for the survival of the industry; otherwise we will continue to ‘shoot ourselves in the foot’. Another flaw in Mr. Ramotar’s argument about bringing back eminently qualified persons to lead the transition process is why would the Corporation recruit the best expertise, skills and resources, if the intention is to close the industry? To the rational, intelligent mind, it makes absolutely no sense, to muster a cadre of the best minds in the sugar industry, merely to run the industry down and enrich friends, according to Mr. Ramotar. Further, Mr. Ramotar stated that ‘while it is true that the industry is experiencing some difficult times, the main reason for these difficulties lies beyond our control since it was the decision of the European Union (EU) to end its agreement with the sugarproducing African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) ‘. While this might be a fact, Mr. Ramotar is still in the diagnostic mode, the current Board
and management of GuySuCo have gone past that stage, The Corporation is at a stage where, having diagnosed what are the problems facing the industry, it is now prescribing and implementing solutions. The leadership is taking responsibility for the future of the Corporation and sugar industry and is engaging the relevant resources to find its own solutions to problems. Hence, the thrust is to develop a resilient GuySuCo that will withstand the changes in the world around, changes which might be beyond its control. It is therefore logical that there is even a greater need to find and recruit the best expertise. Notwithstanding, the Corporation considers Mr. Ramotar a very useful player in the new emerging GuySuCo and sugar industry. However, his value would be better maximized, if there is less emotional involvement and more objectivity and an honest reflection of and an understanding of the depth of the issues facing the industry and a rational position on possibilities for the future of the industry. Finally, it is important to note that the total cost paid to the persons mentioned in Mr. Ramotar’s letter, is far less than the $200 M per annum that was stated. The Corporation also wishes to state that while Mr. Ramotar has the liberty to discuss his views on the packages of persons in our employ in the public domain; it is against civilized organizational practice for GuySuCo to engage in such conversations in such a casual manner. Audreyanna Thomas , Senior Communications Officer
ditor would have resolved this query. Further, there is nothing in the Governance Manual or other Board rules that require the Chief Executive to seek approval for such visits. As a matter of fact, other visits were made to Suriname and Brazil in accompaniment with GWI personnel without Board approval. On medical expenses for injury sustained on the job, this could be easily confirmed since GWI paid the airfare G/ Town / Lethem / G/Town. A report was immediately made to Corporate Secretary Mr. Nigel Niles who would have necessary documentation. Importantly, a claim was made on my behalf by Mr. Niles against Air Services and I received some compensation. Again, why is this an issue by the Auditor? It shows the depth to which the Auditor descended to witch hunt me, very likely based on external directives. For the query on entertainment expenses, these
were of small sums for visits made by personnel from other utilities. I consider this a legitimate expense on GWI by the Chief Executive and again shows the petty matters, dealt with by the Auditors in pursuit of their hidden agenda. On the visit to Region One in December 2014 I acknowledge there was an error on the date of one of the receipts. I did not travel to Region One on December 4th since the site advances was only obtained on the afternoon of December 4th, 2014. The actual site visit took place on December 5th and 6th 2014 and this can be confirmed as follows: The GWI Supervisor at Mabaruma can attest to this visit on those dates. The Captain and Councilors of Santa Rosa village can confirm this and very likely there are notes of the visit in the Council’s file since I had meetings on their water supply projects and problems, etc. Digital photos of my vis-
its of the villages were also taken during this business trip In effect, the advance was utilized and there was no misuse of funds. Finally, many times Boat Operators do not have bill books and it is necessary to take your own receipt books (as I did), get it written up and let the Boat Operator or his Assistant sign in receipt of the monies paid. All receipts submitted were cleared by the Director of Finance and no queries were ever raised. I hope you give the same prominence in the newspaper of this response which I maintain the Auditor should have obtained from me. The previous board was aware of these explanations both in writing and orally and accepted my resignation, waived the 3 months’ notice, paid all benefits due to me but requested full payment for the damaged vehicle. Full payment will be completed in June 2016. Shaik Baksh
Quoting Napoleon to... From page 5 they would have buried the hatchet. Maybe, that was done, but, apparently they left the handle exposed and somebody picked it up. The time is ripe for both parties to let better judgement prevail and to work in unison in the interest of members of the force and the country as a whole. To do otherwise will cause the ranks to lose money and other benefits which may create an environment for them to be demotivated. The motivational theories of Maslow, Herzberg, Skinner, Vroom, and Morse and Lorsch reveal that monetary reward is not the main stimulant for motivation to take
place, but that it is a very important and necessary one. Over the past months the police performance has been remarkable. The green shoots are now bearing fruits as i had predicted. The morale of members of the force is excellent. It must be kept that way. Napoleon observed, referring to his army: “An army’s effectiveness depends on its size, training, experience and morale and morale is worth more than all the other factors combined.” This may be applicable to the Guyana Police Force. To keep levels of motivation and morale high, the police must be given recognition and award for outstanding work
done. What about a stimulus package for the police? Whenever there is evidence that the police take bribe or are engaged in other inappropriate behaviour they are dealt with condignly. On the other hand, they must be rewarded for top class performance. Permit me to repeat what I wrote a few weeks ago in a letter to the editor. Hammer the police whenever they transgress, but please, give them their just reward, however infinitesimal it may be. Let justice and fair play prevail in the GPF. Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner Of Police ( Retired ) Security Manager Troy Resources Guyana Inc.
From page 22
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LAND FOR SALE Houselots @ De Grout Scheme, Uitvlugt -$2.5M, Tuschen -$1.2M, Zeelugt$1.2M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M &1.2M. Call: 6421252 Lease or for sale: 5 acres organic fruit bearing land on Demerara River Timehri (coconut). Call: 261-2988/ GZPLAYTER@AOL.COM Land at Plantation Tuschen Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 261-2988/ GZPLAYTER@AOL.COM Zeelugt -$1.6M, Uitvlugt $2.2M, Eccles -$5.5M, Herstelling -$3.2M, Farm $2.2M, Bartica -$2.8M. Call: 651-1969; 681-8897 Stewartville Public Road $8M, New Road V/Hoop Road -$30M, Leonora $3M, $3.5M, Care Tuschen $1.4M, Crane -$5M. Call: 604-6724
Condemnation grows over grenade... From page 19 the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to condemn the act. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” Quinn's statement against the attack on Kaieteur News is a stark reminder of Franklin's mantra. The High Commissioner urged that all stand united against any form of attack against press freedom. He said, “Freedom of the press is sacrosanct. There is no room in a modern Guyana for attacks such as that on KN over the weekend.” Quinn said that it is of utmost importance that “all condemn this and all other attacks
on those whose jobs it is to act as the spotlight of society.” Minister with responsibility of Citizenship, Winston Felix, stated last evening that it was unfortunate that such an act was perpetrated against the newspaper. The former Commissioner of Police stated that police should investigate to the fullest to “unmask the identities of those associated with it”. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMISSION The Private Sector Commission (PSC) also issued a statement just recently. The Commission stated that they strongly condemn the attack. “If this is a heinous attempt to muzzle the media, such actions have no place in
our democratic society and we urge the Guyana Police Force to expedite their investigations so as to bring the perpetrators to justice in the shortest possible time. “The Private Sector Commission stands with Kaieteur News and the rest of the media fraternity on this issue and wish to assure you that all our thoughts are with you.” The Commission stated. Previous reports indicated that on the night of June 4, a grenade was thrown at Lall's vehicle, which was parked in close proximity of the media house on Saffon Street, Charlestown. Kaieteur News was at the time observing a wake for their deceased comrade, Dale
“Crime Chief” Andrews when a sound of impact was heard. Upon investigating, security personnel discovered the device near the front right wheel of the publisher's vehicle. The type of grenade was classified as a live fragmentation grenade. Experts are saying that it can only be “a miracle that the device did not explode.” Six persons have so far been taken into police custody in relation to this attack. Kaieteur News has been targeted before. It has been firebombed, five pressmen were gunned down and a serving Minister of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) had threatened the lives of staffers.
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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Guyana sees steady reduction of HIV prevalence Guyana has witnessed a steady reduction in HIV prevalence among the general population, according to Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, translates to 3.4 per cent in 2004 to 1.4 per cent in 2013. The Minister said, too, that at the end of 2014, a total of 751 cases of people living with HIV were diagnosed compared with 758 cases reported in 2013. “This continues to represent a significant reduction when compared to the 1,176 HIV cases reported in 2009.” He took full advantage of the five minutes allotted to him to present remarks at the United Nation’s High Level meeting on HIV currently being held in New York, United States. The meeting is slated to come to an end tomorrow. The high level meeting is intended to review the progress made in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declarations of 2006 and 2011. And Minister Norton underscored yesterday, “This meeting offers a special opportunity to begin aligning our collaborative efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this spirit, Guyana looks forward to the effective implementation of the 2016 Political Declaration which we adopted in particular with the aim of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.” “We are pleased to note that according to the
- Minister tells UN meeting Secretary General’s report, ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 is within our reach.” But according to Minister Norton, this will depend on the strong solidarity and shared commitment of all stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the mobilisation of the requisite resources to sustain common efforts at all levels. He, however, noted that “It will require a radical change of the trajectory over the next five years recognising the multidimensional nature of the challenge.” But Guyana’s achievement thus far, Minister Norton said, can be attributed to a combination of factors, chief among them actions taken at the policy and programmatic levels to realise a comprehensive approach to ending the epidemic locally. He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the 2016 Political Declaration. Guyana, he noted, “Will spare no effort to ensure that our national strategy is on the fast-track to fight against HIV and to end AIDS by 2030. We will work together with our local, regional and international partners to realise this goal.” “I wish to confirm Guyana’s full commitment to meeting this challenge, and building on the lessons of our shared experience within the
context in our country’s Health Vision 2020, which provides a holistic framework for the national health response,” added the Health Minister. Within this framework, Guyana’s HIV/AIDS response is guided by a comprehensive strategy, HIVision 2020, which is financed from the national budget integrating relevant UNAIDS targets, and drawing on best practices and the support of key partners, including the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/ AIDS (PANCAP) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the US PEPFAR programme The outcome, the Minister said, has allowed for recorded success in reducing deaths due to HIV/AIDS from a peak in 2005, and in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He pointed out, too, that an increase in access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has also been instrumental in Guyana’s success. Minister Norton, however, observed that financing a sustained response to the epidemic has become challenging for many countries, due to inadequate national resources to support the demand, and in many countries the reduction, or withdrawal of donor funding. He stressed that in order to continue reducing new
Parliament Building’s electrical ... From page 6 outlets; and wires being joined “unprofessionally”. The report also showed the H- structure which accommodates the two transformers at the back of the building, deteriorating. RECOMMENDATIONS Among some of the recommendations put forward by the auditor was that rewiring be done at the earliest opportunity and done in accordance with the National Electrical Code
(NEC) of America and Guyana’s regulations. The auditor also noted that the past Government of Guyana had adapted the NEC but did not assent it into law. Recommendations to h a v e s o m e a m ount of remedial works to be done “immediately” were also made by the auditor. “A licence and experience Electrical Contractor/firm must be employed to carry out the proposed rewiring and upgrading of the
Electrical Installation Main Infrastructure Works and Civil works as will be required” was one of the recommendations. The auditors concluded, “This is the Parliament Building of our beloved Guyana and the electrical installation main infrastructure and the building internal installation must be of the highest standard so as not to allow a fault when our Parliament is in session thus embarrassing our Country”. (Suraj Narine)
$111M spent on pumps fraudulently ... From page 3 have been formulated to dodge financial accountability laws and to provide funding to multiple agencies, in a manner similar to how a slush fund operates. The auditor also reported that then GMC General Manager, Nizam Hassan, had not been supportive with certain information, thus preventing him from properly auditing the fertilizer programme's transac-
tions. Hassan was hired as General Manager at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) last year. Based on a review of documents supplied by Owen Nestor, GMC's accountant, however, it was found that millions of dollars were transferred in transactions which the auditor stated “were concluded without proper support or authority.” For instance, the report
lists a massive, interest free loan of $450M and a payment of $273.3M on a letter of credit arrangement, both to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO). Also documented is an excess repayment of $120M to the Guyana National Co-Operative Bank(GNCB). Nor is that all. The report documents that $35M in payments were made to the Guyana Rice Producers' Association (GRPA).
Minister George Norton at the UN High Level meeting infections or sustaining people living with HIV/AIDS, closer collaboration with national, regional and international partners will be required. The Public Health Minister noted that Guyana’s HIV Strategy - HIVision 2020 – is underpinned by the principles of human rights, gender equality, inclusiveness, accountability, value for money and sustainability and supported by a multi-stakeholder partnership. “Its goal is to reduce the social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals and communities and ultimately the development of the country,” stressed the Minister. The Strategy is one that focuses on five priority areas Coordination, Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support, Integration and Strategic Information. And according to Minister Norton, the
Handyman caught with gun in bus ... From page 13 stated that his client has no pending or previous matters before the court. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers objected to bail for the defendant. The prosecutor pointed out that no special reasons were raised by the lawyer. He explained that Ramdass was intercepted in a bus and searched, during which he was found with an unlicensed gun and matching ammunition. The Prosecutor pointed out that the gun was found tucked in Ramdass’ pants waist. The Chief Magistrate upheld the Prosecutor’s objection and remanded the defendant to prison until June 29, when he will appear in the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
programmatic response of Government is grounded in these overarching principles throughout the national HIV response. The national response has placed a strong emphasis on prevention, treatment, care and support, he added. Minister Norton said that in 2014 more than 5,000 health care workers were trained in a wide area to assist in the fight against HIV. They were trained to reach the masses whether it was in areas of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV sensitisation, voluntary counselling testing (VCT), or prevention of mother to child transmission to name a few. Focussing on youth, the Youth Friendly Health Services Initiative continued providing sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents, he related. In 2014 there was a decrease in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). This was represented by a total of 5,127 cases which were reported in 2014. There was, however, a decrease from the 6,777 cases reported in 2013. Forty-two per cent of the cases reported were within
the age group 15-24. Information, education and communication along with behaviour change communication, continue to be a prominent part of the national strategy to reach the masses with HIV/AIDS prevention messages, Minister Norton asserted. He, moreover, added, “Despite our successes, challenges remain which we must address if we are to fast track plans to end the AIDS epidemic. With the second highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world, after Sub-Saharan Africa, the region continues to work tirelessly on reduction and the eventual elimination of HIV/ AIDS.” He added, too, that in the area of funding, Guyana remains concerned that countries of the region continue to be excluded from funding as a result of being categorized with Middle or High Income Country status. But according to the Public Health Minister, the focus for financial assistance in combating this disease should not only be on Small Income Countries, but rather developing countries as a whole.
Sub-committee to shortlist PAC nominees by month .. From page 12 looking at those areas. His estimation was garnered from an overview of the Auditor General’s reports on the country’s accounts over the past few years. He had also highlighted some of the glaring shortcomings of the NPTAB, among them the absence of District Tender Boards for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils; the failure to publish in NPTAB’s website; the award of all contracts between $200,000 and $15 million; the failure of members of the various tender boards to file financial returns with the Integrity Commission; the non-establishment of a formal
Bid Protest Committee and the failure to exercise due diligence in ensuring that evaluators had the requisite expertise. Goolsarran had said, too, that there are certain parts of the Procurement Act which have not been adhered to since the Act came into effect on 1 January 2004. These include ensuring the criteria used for selection are such that they do not discriminate against particular contractors and suppliers, and the award of contracts based on the lowest evaluated bid as opposed to the lowest bid. Failing to look at these, he opined, have also proven to be very costly to the country.
Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Islamic State loses ground on fronts in Syria, Iraq (Reuters) - Islamic State’s far-flung enemies in Syria and Iraq pressed ahead yesterday with major advances on multiple fronts that have put some of the greatest pressure on the ultra-hardline Islamists since they declared their caliphate two years ago. A spokesman for a U.S.backed alliance in northern Syria said it was poised to enter the city of Manbij, a week after launching an assault with the aim of cutting off the last stretch of Turkish frontier still under Islamic State control. A short distance further west, rebels fighting against both Islamic State and the government of President Bashar al-Assad said Islamic State fighters had pulled out of an area near the border. Assad’s forces, backed by Russian airpower, also launched an offensive against Islamic State last week and have advanced in territory further south. And at the opposite end of the self-proclaimed caliphate, 750 km down the Euphrates River, Iraqi government forces said they had fought their way into built-up areas of Falluja, the secondbiggest city in Iraq under Islamic State control and the militants’ closest bastion to Baghdad. The Iraqi government is backed both by U.S. air power and by Shi’ite militia allied to Washington’s regional foe Iran. A five-year civil war in Syria and the weakness of the Iraqi government have made it difficult for world powers and their disparate allies on the ground to coordinate a campaign against the militants. But the simultaneous attacks on a variety of fronts have created unprecedented pressure on the militants, who have imposed harsh rule over territory with millions of inhabitants while making enemies of all global and regional powers. AMBITIOUS CAMPAIGN The campaign by a U.S.backed alliance called the Syria Democratic Forces is the most ambitious so far waged with support of the United States in Syria, where Washington previously lacked effective allies on the ground. A small contingent of U.S. special forces troops are assisting the SDF, which was formed last year to combine militarily successful Kurdish militia with Arab allies more acceptable to Washington’s regional NATO ally Turkey. The goal of the offensive, launched last week, is to cap-
ture the area around the town of Manbij west of the Euphrates, and seal off the last 80 km (50 mile) stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border in Islamic State hands. The frontier has been used for years by Islamic State as their main supply route for arms and manpower, and more recently to send followers back to Europe for attacks like those carried out in Brussels and Paris since last year. The SDF had advanced to the outskirts of Manbij but had held back from entering to limit harm to civilians, a spokesman for the SDF-allied Manbij Military Council said. “Any moment that we want to enter it, we can, but because of the presence of civilians ... we are being cautious about entering the city,” Shafan Darwish told Reuters. “I can say that the matter of liberating Manbij is settled.” Darwish said Islamic State fighters had fled the city and had rigged homes there with explosives. Further west, also in the border area, Islamic State fighters suddenly withdrew from villages near the town of Marea in the face of a counterattack from anti-Assad rebels, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. Islamic State had managed to besiege the rebel-held town of Marea in a significant advance late last month, stranding thousands of civilians there and prompting a U.S.led coalition to air drop weapons to rebels, rebel sources said. Rebel fighters in Marea broke the siege on Wednesday when they captured the village of Kafr Kalbin on the road linking Marea with Azaz, 20 km (12 miles) to the northwest at the border with Turkey. “It seems they (Islamic State) can’t keep several fronts open at the same time. It is a strategic area, they were on the verge of entering Azaz,” Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said. Assad’s army, with Russian air support, has also launched its own offensive against Islamic State, in what a pro-Damascus newspaper in Lebanon characterized last week as a “race to Raqqa” -
to capture territory around Islamic State’s de facto Syrian capital before the area falls to U.S. allies. Assad has been fighting a civil war against a range of enemies for five years. He vowed on Tuesday to recapture “every inch” of Syria, in a defiant speech seen as a setback to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. He is supported by Moscow and Tehran, and opposed by Washington, European powers, Arab states and Turkey. FALLUJAASSAULT In Iraq, government troops fought their way into a built-up district of the Islamic State bastion of Falluja for the first time yesterday after halting on the outskirts of the city last week. “Our forces have begun in the early hours of the morning progressing in alShuhada,” Sabah al-Numani, a spokesman of the elite CounterTerrorism Service, said. “Our forces are now cleaning up the district from the roadside bombs and boobytrapped houses, and then we will hand it over to the police forces to hold the ground,” Numani said. The next target would be the city center. Prime Minister Haider Abadi ordered the assault of Falluja on the Euphrates last month. The risky strategy veers from the plan of his U.S. allies, who want Baghdad to focus instead on recapturing Islamic State’s Iraqi de facto capital Mosul on the Tigris River further north. Falluja, just an hour’s drive from the capital, is in territory where Sunni Muslim tribes have long resisted the Shi’ite-led government in Baghdad and where U.S. forces faced the biggest battles of their own 2003-2011 occupation. Washington worries that the Iraqi military could become bogged down in hostile territory there, and is also concerned about the role of Shi’ite militia, whose leaders criticized Abadi last week for slowing the advance to protect civilians. The United Nations said yesterday as many as 90,000 civilians could be trapped inside Falluja, nearly doubling its earlier estimate.
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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Four killed in Palestinian shooting attack in Tel Aviv, gunmen held: police
An injured man is taken into the emergency room following a shooting attack that took place in the centre of Tel Aviv yesterday. (Reuters/Stringer) (Reuters) - Two Palestinian gunmen killed at least four people at a popular shopping and restaurant area in Tel Aviv yesterday in an attack that sent diners, some clutching small children, running for their lives just outside Israel’s Defence Ministry. Both gunmen, identified by police as Palestinians from a village near the city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, were apprehended, and one was wounded. Security footage showed the pair, dressed in suit and tie and posing as customers at a restaurant, suddenly pull out automatic weapons and open fire, shooting one man point blank, as other diners fled.
Police said the assailants killed four people in the 9:30 p.m. (2.30 p.m. ET) assault and that six were wounded. The attack, as families were enjoying a balmy evening out at the trendy Sarona complex, was one of the most serious in the country’s business and entertainment capital since a wave of Palestinian violence erupted eight months ago. A lull over the past several months in what had been near-daily stabbings and shootings made the attack just metres (yards) from the sprawling defence compound surprising and was likely to bring back a sense of insecurity to Israeli streets. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, returning from a visit to Moscow, rushed directly to the Defence Ministry to assess the situation with senior ministers and security chiefs. “I was with the family, eating pizza. We heard the shots, we didn’t know what was happening, and everybody got down on the floor. We managed to escape to a cellar,” a woman, who gave her name only as Annette, told Israel’s Channel 10 television. Security personnel who guard the Sarona complex fired back. In the last half year, Palestinian attacks have killed 31 Israelis and two visiting U.S. citizens. Israeli forces have shot dead at least 196 Palestinians, 134 of whom Israel has said were assailants. Others were killed in clashes and protests. Tensions over Jewish access to a volatile and contested Jerusalem holy site, revered by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and Jews as Temple Mount, have fueled the violence. Israel says incitement in the Palestinian media and personal problems at home have been important factors spurring assailants, often teenagers, to carry out attacks. But Israeli officials also have pointed to efforts in recent months by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, to curb the assaults. In a similar attack in Tel Aviv five months ago, an Israeli Arab killed two people on a main shopping street and the driver of a taxi he used to flee the scene. The assailant was killed a week later in a shootout with police at a hideout in his home village in northern Israel.
Thursday June 09, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Sir Shridath hired to advise Govt. on Venez. border controversy - Cabinet grants no-objection to over $2B in contracts Government, on Tuesday, during its Cabinet meeting, granted its no-objection to several contracts to the tune of over $2B. One of the major ones was awarded to former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, to provide advisory services to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. The official has worked with Guyana also on the Suriname border issue, seeing it through to a United Nations’ resolution. For his advice Guyana will be paying him STG 26,100. To partner with Sir Shridath will be Dr. Payam Akhavan. Akhavan is currently an Associate Professor of International Law and former Boulton Senior Fellow at McGill University
Faculty of Law in Montreal, Canada. He has since played a leading role as a pioneer of international criminal law and global justice, and is regarded as a leading scholar and practitioner of international law and human rights, [and an important figure in the Iranian human rights movement. Last year, Venezuela, amidst simmering relations with Guyana, restated a century-old claim it had with Guyana. Guyana has taken the matter to the UN and is insisting it wants a juridical settlement. The contracts covered from the Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Health, Education, Security, Communities and Social Protection. The contracts are as follows:
Dr. Payam Akhavan
Sir Shridath Ramphal
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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
St. Lucia’s new prime minister pledges to hit the ground running
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet sworn in Tuesday
CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Less than 24 hours after his United Workers Party (UWP) won general elections, Allen Chastanet was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, promising that he would immediately begin work on improving the economy and life for the people of St. Lucia. The UWP won 11 of the 17 constituencies, while the incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) secured the other six in Monday’s polls. After being sworn in Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Chastanet told an audience that included Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, elected parliamentary representatives, senior party officials, critical state officials and a select few invited guests that the hard work was not beginning and he needed the cooperation of all St. Lucians. “The will of the people was to give the United Workers Party an opportunity to pursue policies and programs aimed at improving the standard of living and the quality of life for all St. Lucians. For this ambitious goal to be achieved, I will require the cooperation and full support of all St. Lucians,” he said. “It is for this reason that I wish to signal, from the outset, my desire to foster a far
more cooperative and collaborative relationship with all interests in society, including the official Opposition.” Chastanet said that as he accepted the overwhelming mandate given to the UWP to govern the country for the next five years, he was well aware of “the enormous job that lies ahead and the high level of expectation that exists among the population, particularly those who voted for the winning party”. He said his new government intended to move to address the problems highlighted in the election campaign, including the 24 per cent unemployment rate, unsatisfactory standards in health care and inaccessible tertiary education for those who wish to go beyond secondary. “We have as a country to arrest the current state of disillusionment and hopelessness among our youth. We also have to provide a more comfortable and dignified existence for our seniors. All this will require our hitting the road running from day one. And by day one, I mean today, Tuesday June 7th. That’s why I did not declare today a holiday, because I considered it the best way of my signaling to the country that we mean business and are seri-
ous about starting the job of building a new St. Lucia for all,” the new prime minister said, promising that his administration would “put money in people’s pockets”. Chastanet urged St. Lucians to set aside political, ethnic and class barriers and pull together to make the country one of the best places in the world, to live, to work, to study, to do business, to visit and to enjoy life. “From today, we shall begin to plough the land and plant the seeds together. All we are asking you to do is to help us protect and grow our new economic and social plants in St. Lucia. When harvest-time comes we shall all share the produce equitably,” he appealed. Prime Minister Chastanet gave no hints about possible Cabinet appointments during his address, but he expected to announce the assigned portfolios shortly. Several Caribbean leaders, as well as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission have sent congratulations to Chastanet and his UWP. The OECS Commission said it is heartened by the peaceful conduct of the elections and commended the electorate and the political parties for the restraint and high level of maturity which was manifested throughout the process. It said it looked forward to working closely with the new government to further the objectives of the country and of the OECS, and also expressed sincere thanks to former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony for his contribution to the work of the organisation and for the guidance and support extended to the Commission during his tenure as Head of Government. (Caribbean360)
Thursday June 09, 2016
EU ministers turn wary eye on migration from North Africa
Migrants, who attempted to flee the Libyan coast to head to Europe, are seen after being detained at the fishing port in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, on Tuesday. (Reuters) - European Union ministers will look on Friday into ways of stemming the flow of migrants who set sail for Europe from Libya and elsewhere in north Africa after a deal with Turkey has cut arrivals via Greece to a trickle. The EU fears the central
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Mediterranean route to Italy may become the main one now as calmer seas encourage more people to try the perilous journey. “The EU-Turkey deal is functioning and so, if nothing changes, the central Mediterranean will this year
be the route through which the bulk of migrants will be coming,� said an EU diplomat. He said some 45,000 people had reached Italy that way this year, roughly at the same level as last year. The EU is also worried about the long-term impact of
massive migration from Africa. It is considering linking development aid and trade ties with poor states to them keeping a lid on migration. EU interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Friday will also discuss Libya, where a U.N.-backed government is
trying to establish itself, while people smugglers operate freely. The meeting takes place as EU member Britain readies itself for a June 23 referendum on membership of the 28-nation bloc in which migration is a key issue. The ministers were also due to approve tougher rules for acquiring and holding guns in the EU, a plan first introduced after Islamist attacks in Paris killed 130 people last November. But some diplomats said the original proposal was so diluted as to be almost irrelevant after countries including Finland, the Czech Republic and Estonia pushed back, saying their hunters, sports people, collectors, museums or national militias must be allowed to hold weapons. GEORGIA LINKED TO UKRAINE? The ministers were not due to agree on visa liberalisation for Georgia, which just a few ago weeks seemed on track to secure the privilege this summer. Germany - joined by France and Italy - led the 11thhour opposition, saying a growing number of crimes committed in Germany were attributable to Georgians. Germany took in most of
the 1.3 million refugees and migrants that reached Europe last year, an influx that triggered a spike in anti-migration sentiment across the continent, fuelling support for nationalists, populists and eurosceptics. But diplomats in Brussels said Berlin might be stalling Georgia not to put in a delicate spot the pro-Western authorities in Ukraine, another country hopeful to win easier access to Europe’s free-travel Schengen zone of 26 states. In turn, they said, Germany wants Kiev to make progress in implementing the February 2015 Minsk peace agreements for eastern Ukraine where sporadic fighting between Russia-backed rebels and government troops is still occurring despite the peace plan. Ukraine and Russia trade blame for failing to deliver on the peace plan and the EU has linked lifting sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine to the plan being fully implemented. Berlin may also be weighing the issue of Turkey, which does not meet visaliberalisation criteria but has named relaxed travel rules with Europe as its price for curbing the flow of migrants.
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Political declaration on ending June session of Demerara AIDS adopted in New York Criminal Assizes opens A progressive, new and actionable Political Declaration on Ending AIDS was yesterday adopted by Member States at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, taking place in New York, United States of America. This development was released by UNAIDS in a press statement yesterday. The Political Declaration includes a set of specific, timebound targets that must be reached by 2020 to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Heads of State and Government, Ministers, people living with HIV, representatives of civil society, international organizations, the private sector, scientists and researchers have gathered at the High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS to build on the commitments made in the Political Declaration and to set the world on course to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Guyana is being represented at the meeting by Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. “The global community is united in its resolve to end the AIDS epidemic within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft.
“This meeting is laying the groundwork for future progress in creating healthier outcomes for everybody affected by HIV and building stronger societies prepared for future challenges.” “The world has an opportunity to end an epidemic that has defined public health for a generation,” said the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé. “The decisions made here, including the commitment to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination, will provide the springboard for the implementation of an innovative, evidence-informed and socially just agenda that will end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.” Remarkable progress has been made in the response to HIV since the last United Nations General Assembly Meeting on HIV and AIDS, in 2011. By December 2015, 17 million people were accessing antiretroviral medicines and new HIV infections among children and AIDS-related deaths have been considerably reduced. There has also been progress in reducing tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV. However, the number of new HIV infections among adults has remained almost static since 2010 and too many people are being left behind in the response, including young women and girls and
specific groups of people, including sex workers, prisoners, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people and people who inject drugs. The High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS will focus attention on the importance of a Fast-Track approach to HIV over the next five years to set the world on course to end the AIDS epidemic. The UNAIDS Fast-Track approach to ending the AIDS epidemic has a set of timebound targets, including reducing the number of people newly infected with HIV from 2.1 million [1.8 million–2.4 million] in 2015 to fewer than 500 000 in 2020, reducing the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses from 1.1 million [940 000–1.3 million] in 2015 to fewer than 500 000 in 2020 and eliminating HIV-related discrimination. The participants will take part in a series of discussions and events throughout the High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS to discuss how to transform the Political Declaration into concerted action through scientific innovation, financial sustainability, ending stigma and discrimination and creating socially just, resilient and inclusive societies that leave no one behind. There will be a series of panel discussions and side events, including on leveraging the end of AIDS for social transformation and sustainable development, financing and sustaining the end of AIDS and stopping new HIV infections. UNAIDS will launch a report on the remarkable progress made in stopping new HIV infections among children. UNAIDS has also announced, together with the World Health Organization and partners, that a further three countries—including Thailand, which at the peak of the epidemic had more than 3000 new infections among children per year— have eliminated new HIV infections among children. Other events include a youth pre-meeting and an interfaith service. The HighLevel Meeting on Ending AIDS will also include an innovations marketplace that will showcase new technologies and tools in the area of health and HIV. On Monday, 6 June, the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, hosted an event on Fast-Track cities at the New York City Public Library that underscored the key role that cities are playing in ending the AIDS epidemic. The United Nations General Assembly Meeting on Ending AIDS is convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly and co-facilitated by Switzerland and Zambia.
- Picture boy, seaman murder trials underway Two murder trials got underway when the June Session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes opened at the Georgetown High Court on Tuesday. The trials include that of Cyon Collier called ‘Picture Boy’ for the 2006 murder of Victoria, East Coast Demerara residents Ray Walcott, called ‘Sugar’, and his brother, Carl Andrews, called ‘Alo’. There was also the case against Kevin Washington and Dennecia Halley for the murder of seaman Antonio Hyles. The trials commenced before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry and Justice Navindra Singh, respectively. The two Judges are presiding over the criminal trial along with Justice Jo Ann Barlow. This is the second retrial for Collier, who is said to have approached the brothers, who were onlookers at a game of dominoes on September 23, 2006. The accused reportedly rode up on a motorcycle and began chatting with the play-
ers before pulling out a gun and shooting at them. Both men were fatally injured and died shortly after. Collier has since pleaded not guilty to the charge before a mixed twelve member Jury at the High Court. He is being represented by Attorney- atLaw, Lyndon Amsterdam. On Tuesday, State Prosecutors Narissa Leander and Tuanna Hardy called two witnesses to the stand in the Collier murder trial. The witnesses included Sherwin Maxwell and Godfrey Andrews. Maxwell testified to being in the vicinity of the shooting, when it took place while Andrews, the victim’s father related that he received a phone call shortly after the shooting occurred and found his sons lying lifeless at the side of the road. Meanwhile, Kevin Washington and Dennecia Halley are before Justice Singh and a mixed jury for the murder of 40-year-old Pike Street Kitty fisherman, Antonio Isles. The
duo has since pleaded not guilty to the charge. The accused are being represented by Attorneys, D e x t e r To d d a n d P e t e r Hugh. State Prosecutors, Orinthia Schmidt and Michael Shahoud are presenting the case. According to newspaper reports, Isles was beaten to death on March 1, 2013. The victim of lot 248 Pike Street, Kitty, worked on a fishing vessel at sea and had only returned home in the latter part of February. The man was severely beaten by a group of persons in Pike Street. Residents of Pike Street, Kitty, however, believed that some youths were responsible for Isles’ death. After the attack, Isles was left lying on the road, but eventually was taken to the Kitty Police Station and then to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Ex-policeman jailed for 10 years for 2010 attempted murder of wife Ex-policeman Waliaferro Joseph who was on trial in the Berbice High Court on a charge of attempting to kill his one time fiancée, Uneatha McLean, has been jailed for 10 years. Joseph, called “Wally” was on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed Jury. He was accused of attempting to murder McLean, 24, on January 7, 2010 at Number 57, Corentyne Berbice. He was found guilty when the matter ended a few weeks ago. However, a probation report was ordered by Justice Reynolds. State Prosecutor Attorney at Law Stacey Goodings had presented the state’s case, while the accused conducted his own trial. Prosecutor, Goodings had told the court that on the day in question McLean, a housewife, was at the bottom flat of her residence when she suddenly felt someone grab her neck and mouth. She recognized the man and subsequently tried to free herself but during her struggles she was stabbed a number of times. She managed to escape and was met by police ranks, who rescued her. She was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for emergency surgery and subsequently, to the Georgetown Public Hospital
Jailed: Waliaferro Joseph
for further medical intervention. During the trial the prosecution called a number of witnesses including the virtual complainant’s sister Carrie Ann Prince, Dr. Rajnauth Thakoordeen, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Renee, Police Lance Corporal Pinkey Watts and Police Constable Fitzroy Nicholson. The accused had stated, “I have faith; I believe Christ has a plan for me. I leave everything in his hands and had still pleaded his innocence. He had stated, “Sir the only thing was to allow myself to be lured to the woman’s house for a little bit of sex” Presenting a probation report Claudia Munroe,
Senior Probation and Welfare Officer stated, that Joseph was born in Georgetown but grew up in New Amsterdam with his mother and stepfather before returning to Georgetown. He is literate, but was a school dropout. Joseph who worked at various places was once a member of the Guyana Police Force, but did not last long due to his attitude. The report described Joseph as a troubled man, regular consumer of alcohol, a woman abuser and stalker and one who has little or no respect for women. While being a rank of the police force he was charged with discreditable conduct and deserting his post, and being hasty. He was evicted from his mother-in-law’s home on the Corentyne after he broke up things in her home. The report concluded that the relationship was an abusive one which forced the woman on several occasions to get out of the relationship, but was followed by Joseph who continued to disrespect her. Joseph cross-examined the Probation Officer about the dos and don’ts of her job and what he seemed to be the biased nature of the report. The accused in a prepared speech quoted extensively from the Bible. He greeted (Continued on page 9)
Thursday June 09, 2016
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Sharapova banned for two years by ITF LONDON (Reuters) The career of Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova was in tatters on Wednesday after she was given a twoyear ban by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) fol-
lowing her positive test for the banned drug meldonium at this year’s Australian Open. In a statement the ITF said the 29-year-old five-times grand slam champion’s ban would be backdated to Jan.
26 this year, meaning her results and prize money from the Australian Open, where she reached the quarter-finals, would be canceled out. Sharapova said she would appeal to the Court of Arbi-
Russia opens criminal case into sports officials linked to doping scandal (Reuters) Russia’s Investigative Committee said on Wednesday it had launched a criminal case into people with managerial responsibilities from the All-Russia Athletic Federation on charges of
abuse of office in the period of 2009-2013. The committee said in a statement the case was launched after a request for legal assistance by a court in Paris. According to the request from the French court,
Russian athletics officials allowed violations of anti-doping rules, the statement said. Russian sport has been rocked in recent months by allegations of a state-sponsored doping scandal.
Thursday June 09, 2016 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) This is a wonderful day to look into courses or hobbies that interest you. You may want to make drastic changes concerning your personal partner. Don't believe everything you hear. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Make decisions about your professional objectives. You need to spend some time pampering yourself. Travel opportunities should be your first choice. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Don't let others put unreasonable demands on you. You can make money if you put your mind to it. Don't hesitate to come right out and ask for the pertinent information. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Be firm when dealing with matters pertaining to your environment. Be careful not to let friends or peers make you look bad. You are better off visiting friends or relatives than entertaining at home. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Sudden changes in your financial situation are likely. Talk to employers in order to promote your career objectives. Refrain from overspending on entertainment or luxury items. VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23) Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event. Interaction with colleagues will only be upsetting. Get proper medical at-
tention and confront your situation decisively. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 OCT. 23) Pleasure trips will be favorable and bring about possible romance. You will do your best work on your own. Read between the lines when signing contracts. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Try to enlist the support of your coworkers first. Self-improvement projects will payoff in more ways than one. You should be raising your self esteem and confidence in order to promote your work. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. Socializing or travel will lead to partnerships. Resist secret affairs that could be detrimental to your reputation. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) You are best to keep hard feelings to yourself. Don't be too hard on your mate. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Upheavals may occupy your day. You can expect changes at your work place. Education may be the answer. PISCES (FEB. 20MAR. 20) You must not let others talk you into doing things that will probably limit you financially at a later date. Take precautions while traveling; you don't have to get anywhere that fast. Selfdeception is likely.
tration for Sport (CAS), describing the punishment as “unfairly harsh”. She said an independent tribunal in London on May 18-19 had found that she had not intentionally violated anti-doping rules. In a statement on its website the ITF said the ban had been backdated due to Sharapova’s ‘prompt admission’ of her violation. “An Independent Tribunal appointed under Article 8.1 of the 2016 Tennis AntiDoping Program has found that Maria Sharapova committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Program and as a consequence has disqualified the affected results and imposed a period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on 26 January 2016,” the statement said. “Ms. Sharapova, a 29year-old player from Russia, provided a urine sample on 26 January 2016, after her quarter-final match at the 2016 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. “That sample was sent to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Montreal, Canada, for analysis, and was found to contain meldonium, which is a metabolic modulator that is included under section S4 (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators) of the 2016 WADA Prohibited List, and therefore is also prohibited under the Program.” Meldonium was added to WADA’s list of banned substances at the start of the year after evidence that it boosted blood flow and enhanced athletic performance. Sharapova, the world’s highest-paid female athlete, stunned the sporting world in March when she announced that she had tested positive for meldonium, a drug she said she had been taking for a decade to treat diabetes and low magnesium. At the time Sharapova, the highest-profile tennis player to fail an anti-doping test, said she had made “a huge mistake” blaming her failure to read an email sent by the ITF that meldonium had been added to the banned list. Sharapova, who could have been given a four-year ban, reacted to the punishment on her Facebook page. “The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the antidoping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not,” she said. “You need to know that the ITF asked the tribunal to suspend me for four years the required suspension for an intentional violation - and
the tribunal rejected the ITF’s position. “While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the antidoping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension.” Sharapova’s career now hangs in the balance. Unless her ban is reduced she will not be eligible to play until after the 2018 Australian Open when she would be 30. The ban will also impact on her earning potential.
Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer cut its ties with Sharapova after the news of her doping violation while other sponsors such as Nike and Porsche distanced themselves from her. Sharapova has 35 WTA singles titles and has won all four of the sport’s grand slam titles. Her career earnings amount to $36 million while her off-court earnings, according to Forbes, are around $200 million.
Wolf’s Challenge Cup Softball Tournament continues Sunday Six Matches are slated for the Everest ground on Sunday as play in the Wolf’s Challenge Cup Softball Cricket Tournament continues. The fixtures will see on: Pitch 1: 10:am Floodlights vs. Wellman. 1:pm Tropical Springs vs. Wolf Warriors
Masters. Pitch 2: 10:am Regal Masters vs. Tropical Woods . 1:pm Enterprise Legends vs. Fisherman Masters. Pitch 3: 10:am Albion Masters vs. Savage Masters 1:pm Parika Masters vs. H.S Masters.
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Soesdyke power to 11-0 win over Herstelling; Grove defeat Agricola 4-1 NAMILCO/GFF Flour Power Nat. U17 League
National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) Finance Director Mr Fitzroy McLeod’s remarks to the players prior to the kick off of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the NAMILCO/GFF Flour Power National U-17 League invigorated the players to the extent that two power results were recorded. The association’s number one and two teams were in dismissive mood with Grove Hi Tech trouncing Agricola Red Triangle 4-1, while Soesdyke Falcons romped to a huge 11-0 win over Herstelling Raiders. It was Agricola that would
take the lead early in the encounter when Isaiah De Lover rocked the back of the nets in the 5th minute of play. As it turned out, it would be their only goal of the match. Leading the EBFA’s number one team, Grove to their win were Kevin Padmore who netted a double with one each for Rasheed Evans and Threvon Pluck. Grove absorbed the early runs of Agricola but gradually turned the tables to come out victors as they virtually sealed the win by the end of the first half. Pluck opened proceedings in the 12th minute to even things up; his performance
was matched by Evans in the 22nd minute as they took the lead and never looked back. Padmore took center stage netting his first, two minutes to half time and his second one minute into the second half. Soesdyke Falcons have sounded a stern warning to all with a solid all-round performance which produced their 11-0 win. The consistent Tryell Khan blasted a hat-trick including the fastest goal of the competition so far which came in the first minute of the tournament. Soesdyke, like the other teams have been eagerly
awaiting the start of action and they celebrated same with quick goals as the lead was doubled in the second minute, Stephon Steel emulated Khan. Khan’s elder brother, Tyrone led all scorers with a helmet-trick while Kevin Sobers converted twice. Tyrell was on target again in the 11th and 61 st minute. Tyrone blasted the nets in the 23rd, 31st, 65th and 67th minute while Sobers inked his name on the score sheets in the 34th and 56th minute. The other goal was scored by Shanon Samnauth. Meanwhile, in remarks to the teams prior to the
start of the matches, Mr McLeod commended the players for being members of their respective teams while encouraging them to be the best they can be. ”I would like to encourage you to always play fair, be disciplined and play hard. This tournament is an investment for your development from NAMILCO along with the Guyana Football Federation. We are here to stay and we want to see many of you going on to represent Guyana at the other levels, ultimately, the senior team.” McLeod told the players and officials that similar tournaments are being
held in the other associations affiliated to the GFF making the competition a national one, the first using this format in Guyana. ”NAMILCO has been around for quite some time and we are known for producing quality products which are second to none. We would like to see you playing the best football of your lives, may the best team win.” Matches that were scheduled for Sunday last were called off due to the ground being unplayable as a result of excessive rain fall. Weather permitting; matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.
South Africa agree to day-night Test in Adelaide ESPNCRICINFO - South Africa have confirmed they will play a day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide from November 24, the third match of their tour later this year. The fixture will be the first of two day-night Tests in the upcoming Australian summer, with Pakistan scheduled to play one in Brisbane from December 15. Over the past few months, several South African players had expressed reservations
over playing a Test with the pink ball without having adequately experimented with it at lower levels. They will now begin their tour of Australia in mid-October with a two-day match under lights at Adelaide Oval, and will also have another two-day, day-night match before the third and final Test. A four-day fixture on South Africa A’s tour of Australia in August will also be a day-night game.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the decision to play a day-night Test had been reached after “careful consideration and engagement” with the players. “Our Proteas were initially hesitant to play such a key Test match without previous experience and adequate preparation, but after working through all their concerns and possible options to prepare sufficiently, there is newfound excitement for this novel Test
match,” he said. “Our players deserve credit for the way they have worked through the issues which were clearly not insignificant.” South Africa Cricketers Association chief Tony Irish said the decision had not been made for monetary reasons, but because of the “player’s willingness to take a bold step and play a pink ball match sooner rather than later.” “The players looked at all the pros and cons of playing
this. There are still legitimate concerns around the ball, as it is fundamentally different to a red ball or white ball,” Irish told ESPNcricinfo. “Some players will find it more difficult to see, it behaves differently and conditions have to be tailored to make it last. So there will be a number of unknowns in what is likely to be a crucial match for the Proteas against a team who has some experience of these conditions “What has changed now,
however, is the players’ willingness to take a bold step and play a pink ball match sooner rather than later, given the recent announcements from other countries that they will soon start playing daynight Tests. “This has never been about money. Cricket Australia has not offered the players extra money and we haven’t asked for money.” Among the South Africans who had initially objected to the game were AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, all citing lack of practice with the pink ball. Though CA had already offered South Africa a warm-up match under lights, Philander said the players would need to have “experimented on the domestic front” and “tested the pink ball properly” before agreeing to play a Test with it. Another likely reason for South Africa’s hesitation was that they are chasing a Test revival after slipping from No. 1 to No. 6 on the ICC rankings. CA chief executive James Sutherland thanked CSA for making the fixture possible. “Nearly 124,000 people attended the inaugural daynight Test match in Adelaide last year and there has been great anticipation about future day-night Tests since … I would like to acknowledge the open manner in which Cricket South Africa and the South African Cricketers Association have worked through this matter with us. We look forward to welcoming the South African players to Australia in late October and offering them the best possible preparation ahead of the series.”
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Wiltshire stages Domino Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Competition in memory Cup Day 3 recap of McLeod
Tournament Organiser Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire (right) receives the sponsorship cheque from All Seasons Racing Service employee Tiffany Johnson yesterday. It has the distinction of being labeled one of the most popular venues to host the sport of Dominoes and this Saturday Turning Point Sports Club situated in East La Penitence is expected to come alive when Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire host a tournament in memory of the late Jermaine ‘Bruk Up’ McLeod, starting at 15:00 hrs. Wiltshire, who is one of the most prolific organisers of the sport, has teamed up with All Seasons Racing Service of Robb Street to stage the two-day event in recognition of the passing
of McLeod, a former ardent player and supporter of the sport. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Wiltshire said the tournament is an entry free one that will be played over two days and roll call of teams will be done from 14:30 hrs with the anticipated start at 15:00 hrs, adding that teams that fail to meet the deadline will be required to pay an entrance fee. He disclosed that the winning team will receive $100,000 and the championship trophy, while second and third placed teams
take home $40,000 and $20,000 respectively. According to the organiser, all the Guyana National Domino Association rules will be in place and teams are being warned that there will be strictly no tolerance of indecent language or smoking in the venue. He also informed that one re-entry will be allowed. Stichie One-Man Band will be in attendance and BarB-Cue and drinks will be on sale throughout the day. For more information teams can call Wiltshire on tele#665-5855.
St. John’s - The second round of the Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup ended with Curacao scoring freely, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis and the Dominican Republic advancing and Antigua and Barbuda rebounding. Curacao 7 - 0 USVI Curacao enjoyed a perfect run in Group 3 defeating the United States Virgin Islands by a similar 7-0 scoreline as Guyana did before their home fans. Curacao’s goals came from Gino Kessei Van, who had a hat-trick (22nd, 24th, 50th) to follow up his double that he netted against Guyana in their 5-0 triumph. The other goals scorers were Feliticiano Zschusschen (10th, 54th), Leandro Bacuna (45th) and Gevaro Nepomuceno made in the 70th. Martinique 4 - 0 Dominica A traveling Martinique defeated Dominica 4-0, completing their Group 1 second round campaign with 6 points; they defeated Guadeloupe 2-0. Johan Audel opened the scoring in the 6th minute followed by Joroy Delam who made it 2-0 in the 47th minute. Bruno Grougi and Gleeven Lawgil finished the scoring in the 58th and 69th minute respectively. French Guiana 1 - 2 Dominican Republic A double from veteran forward Jonathan Frias saw the Dominican Republic coming from behind to overcome French Guiana 2-1 at home to follow up on their 1-0 win over Bermuda. French Guiana
opened the scoring through Rhudy Evens in the 22nd minute. Jonathan Frias equalized right after the break in the 47th minute. His second came in the 53rd minute to seal the Dominican Republic victory. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 - 1 St. Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts and Nevis continued their perfect form after
Blachette. St. Vincent and the Grenadines tried their utmost for the neutralizing goal which never came. Antigua and Barbuda 5 1 Grenada After defeat at the hands of Puerto Rico (1-2), Antigua and Barbuda, urged on by their home fans bounced back to hammer Grenada 5-1. The scoring didn’t start until the second half with goals from Peter Byers (51st) and a double by Calaum Martin in
defeating Suriname with victory via a similar score line over St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Arnos Vale Stadium. The lone goal of the match came in the 6th minute off the boot of Javiem
the 67th and 83rd minute. Kieran Murtagh converted in the 76th minute and Tevaughn Harriette one minute later. Jamal Charles had scored Grenada’s consolation goal in the 73rd minute.
Tapeball cricket action planned Three exciting days of Tapeball cricket has been organised by two groups with the first one being the Royal Tapeball Cricket Academy’s Father’s Day KO Work place six overs competition and interested teams can contact the organizers on telephone number 628-1656. On Sunday June 26, James Lewis is the coordinator for
the Inter Bank 10-over KO competition and at stake is the Junior Minister of Finance trophy. This competition is only open to Commercial Banks and a Nickerie Bank in Suriname is expected to participate. On Sunday July 3 Lewis once again will Coordinate an All Ministries KO six overs tournament for the Ambassadors trophy.
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Thursday June 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Clive Atwell in biggest fight of his life By Sean Devers At 27 Clive Atwell holds the National Featherweight and Lightweight Title and WBC CABOFE Super Lightweight and Featherweight crowns. He is a humanitarian and functions as a Local Preacher with the Methodist church in the Caribbean and Americas, operating out of the Guyana District and Dominica Circuit. But Atwell grew up in First Street Agricola with his grandmother, Margaret Douglas. He became involved in Boxing at 13 at the Ricola Boxing Gym in Agricola under the watchful eyes of Coach Donald Allison and is now engaged in the biggest fight of his life. His world started to un-
Needs $5million for 2nd surgery ravel at the Giftland Mall on October 24 during the ninth round of his WBC FECARBOX Lightweight title fight against fellow Guyanese Dexter Gonzales. “During the sixth round I experienced a funny feeling in my legs but did not worry about it. Then about mid way through the ninth round in a fight I was leading on the judges card, I felt a funny sensation as I leaned back to evade a punch and then I fainted and was taken to the Hospital where my wife was told that I was bleeding in my brain,” Atwell recounted. “I had to do a surgery which was done by Dr
Amernauth Dookie who did a good job. The Boxing Board, my wife, Mother-in-Law, the WBC (C’bean body) and I paid the hospital bill and I was discharged after the money started running out,” Atwell said. Atwell returned from Italy and made his professional debut in 2009 with the support and guidance of Coach Paulette Nurse and Leon Moore fighting out of Ricola Gym now known as Donald Alison Gym. Atwell fought for the Wo r l d B o x i n g C o u n c i l (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Lightweight Title
against Trinidadian Prince Lee Isidore and then won the National Lightweight Title. He won the WBC CABOFE Featherweight Title when he fought Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez. This qualified him for the WBC World Featherweight Title in Mexico against Johnny Gonzalez. After representing Guyana in Mexico, Atwell fought in Australia for the Interim PABA Super Featherweight Title before battling Jamaican Sakima Mullings for the WBC CABOFE Super Lightweight Title. His career was gaining momentum before it began falling apart for Atwell who
An unconscious Clive Atwell minutes after he fell to the canvas in the 9th round of his last fight at the Giftland Mall on Oct 24, 2015.
says that growing up in a village, as a young man, where the majority of society expects you to be just another statistic is never an easy road, adding that he joined amateur boxing to use his time and excessive energy constructively and remain out of trouble. “I was told I had to get a plate inserted to protect my brain and was advised to go to the USA or England. I went to Trinidad because that was all I could have afforded. I spoke to Dr Steve Mahadeo from the St Clair Medical Centre and he gave me the cost to do the operation,” Atwell disclosed. “My wife and a few others are the only ones helping me. I went through all the procedures. I wrote to Minister (Nicolette) Henry and she is useless. I also wrote to Chris
Atwell (right) goes toe to toe with Dexter Gonzales in his last fight for the WBC FECARBOX Lightweight title. Jones (Director of Sports) and Alfred King (Permanent Secretary Min of Sports). I sent two letters to President Granger seeking some assistance as someone who has represented this county in Sports and I am yet to get a reply. I am totally fed up,” said Atwell, who lived in Dominica for nine years when his wife moved there to go to University but still represented Guyana in the ring. At the beginning he struggled as he tried to understand the sport. It was only a short time after this that people had the opportunity to see his true talent, technique, skill and speed all done through strong guidance and motivation by Coach Allison. Atwell’s hard work, discipline and determination continued to stand out and after the passing of Allison, he continued to showcase his talent with the help of Coach Paulette Nurse. Atwell fought at the World Championship in Chicago and also at the PAN American Games in Brazil where he won a bronze medal, which is the closest Guyana ever came to the Olympics since Michael Parris in 1980. He continued to dominate the local and regional scene, he was nominated to represent Guyana at the 2009 World Championship in Italy. These trips were sometimes done through limited funding and support. He travelled with little to no money halfway around the world to countries where he knew no one, sometimes without a coach. To prepare himself mentally after seeing the overwhelming support opponents received and travelled with,
was difficult and psychologically breaks you but Clive’s determination to keep the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly pushed him to be better than the best. After Clive returned from Italy he made his professional debut in 2009 with the support and guidance of Nurse and Leon Moore fighting out of Ricola Gym now known as Donald Alison Gym and was awarded the most successful boxer. Now Atwell is pleading with those he fought for to lend a helping hand to save his life as he attempts to raise $5 Million. Yesterday the Champion, in the company of Boxing Promoter Herman Harris visited a few places to seek help in funding his surgery. NCN TV will do a telethon for Atwell, who captured Guyana’s three Gold medals at the Caribbean Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006 showcasing talent that was born and nurtured in Agricola. “I thank Bishop G. Spencer and the Methodist church Guyana District, Rev Dr Novelle Josiah and the Methodist church Dominica Circuit and Pastor Marcy of Sheba life Guyana, LIAT for the support in the past and continued support and Fly Jamaica who has pledged their future support towards my recovery.” An account will be set up at a local Bank for those desirous of helping to save a life and time is of vital importance. Atwell, who can be contacted on telephone number 642-9961, informed that the doctors in T&T says the surgery has to done as soon as possible adding that as soon as he can raise the money he will travel.
Thursday June 09, 2016
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Kaieteur News
RHTYSC and Sonia Noel Foundation holds highly successful Youth Inspiration Forum The Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club in collaboration with the Sonia Noel Foundation of Creative Arts, the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and the ST. Francis Community Developers on Tuesday last hosted a highly successful Youth Inspiration Forum at the ST. Francis Training Centre. The forum, which was attended by over 600 students drawn from schools across Region 6, was described by the students as one of their best personal experience and they issued an appeal for more sessions of a similar nature to be held across the ancient county. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in welcoming the large group of youths, stated that the main objective of the forum was to inspire youths to fulfill their full potentials in education and sports while assisting them at the same time to start preparation for a career for the future. The long serving Club Secretary/CEO stated that it was important for youths to plan for a future career and to inspire them to stay away from the evil world of Satan and his social ills of crime, drugs and Suicide. Foster spoke widely of the importance of education and the benefits of getting in-
volved in sports. The other speakers at the inspiration Forum were Asst. Commissioner of Police Ian Amsterdam, MS. World Guyana 2015 and famed Guyanese singer Lisa Punch, founder and CEO of Fabulous Homes International Reality Group DR. Karis Munroe and renowned Guyanese Fashion icon Sonia Noel. Asst. Commissioner Amsterdam spoke widely on the importance of a positive attitude, personal discipline and value of hard work to achieve success. The highly popular Lisa Punch used her personal story to advise the attentive audience that success is possible for anyone once they dare to dream and be prepared to plan properly to achieve it. Punch, who won the MS. Talent award at MS. World 2015 contest also encouraged the students to have strong faith in God as he would never fail them. Punch surprised the students by regularly bursting into some of her popular music, stated that one can achieve success in areas like music or sports and still achieve good grades in education once they are committed. Fashion icon Noel in a well-received presentation to the packed auditorium spoke of the importance of choosing a career early in life, the need to be focused on achiev-
CPL tickets go on sale from today Tickets for the Hero Caribbean Premier League have gone on sale from today at the new CPL offices 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown. Patrons desirous of purchasing tickets will be allowed ten tickets apiece for each game and where possible they may be allowed to purchase tickets with seats of their choice in their preferred stands depending on availability, a release from CPL stated. However, corporate entities wishing to purchase more than ten tickets can contact the ticketing office for further detail. The cost of tickets remain the same as last year with Red and Green stands costing G$4,000 or US$20, Orange Stand G$3,000 or US$15 and The Mound G$2,000 of US$10 each. The organisers wish to notify the public that they have put security measures in
place to prevent counterfeiting and unlike some other venues; tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat which will eliminate the possibility of over crowding. Fans are asked to make early purchases so as to avoid a late charge. Four matches are billed for Providence with the Guyana Amazon Warriors facing Jamaica Tallawahs from 19:00hrs on Thursday July 7. On Saturday July 9, The Warriors will take on St. Kitts Patriots at 12:00hrs, The Warriors will then battle Trinbago Knight Riders from 19:00 hrs on Sunday July 10 before playing St. Lucia Zouks from 19:00hrs on Tuesday July 12 in the final game here. For further information on ticketing please make contact with the CPL Guyana Offices on 231-5344, 231-2035 or 2255840 and email- cplguyana @gmail.com.
ing that objective and using her own rags to riches story, stated that success could only be achieved throughout sheer hard determination and a strong desire to succeed against all odds. DR. Munroe in her one hour presentation told the audience that they must dream so big, it must scare them. She shared the tips used to manifest her dream – Visualize what you would like to achieve, Write it down with a date in mind as a dream with a date becomes a goal, Make an action plan, Take full responsibilities for your goals, find an accountability partner, mentally prepare yourself for challenges and act like the successful person you have chosen to become, remembering to believe in yourself. Several students won financial awards for answering questions after each presentation, while a large number of students in remarks during
President of ST. Francis Alex Foster, RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster poses with Lisa Punch, DR. Karis Munroe and Sonia Noel. the event hailed the four hours event as a great motivation and urged the organisers to host similar ones across Berbice.
The event was organised by the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and In-
termediate, Metro Female and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division cricket teams as part of their personal development programme.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 09, 2016
Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket 2016 off to great start
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme for 2016 got off to a rousing start as over 100 enthusiastic children participated in the onfield skills display at the Guyana National Stadium. The aspiring cricketers were taken from the top performing primary schools in Guyana to showcase their talents during the halftime break in the opening match of the Ballr Cup Tri Nation ODI Series between West Indies and South Africa last Friday. The primary schools were: North Georgetown Primary, Patentia Primary, Hope Town Primary, Mae’s Primary, Supply Primary, Saraswat Primary, Watooka Primary and Philadelphia Primary. One of the participants was Shiloh Adams, an all-rounder from the North Georgetown Primary School, who was then chosen to accompany captains Jason Holder and Steve Smith at the toss for the Match 2 of the Ballr Cup between West Indies and Australia on Sunday. K.J Singh, the WICB’s Senior Project Officer, said he was pleased with the day’s event and is expecting more growth in the
tournament. “We are off to a great start for 2016. The children who participated in the first Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket display here in Guyana were fantastic and showed great discipline and talent. They were very enthusiastic and enjoyed their time on the field, and we look forward to similar demonstrations in the coming months as international cricket visits other countries across the West Indies,” Singh said. “The WICB has definitely seen great success from the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme which has been going for over 20 years. Players such as Britney Cooper, Shaquana Quintyne, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Shamar Springer, Ryan John, Gidron Pope have come through the programme are were members of the West Indies teams which won the three international titles earlier this year.” Singh added: “We hope the exposure and experiences these young Scotiabank kiddy cricketers take away for the interval display at the international series inspire them to work hard and achieve great cricketing success, just as those before them.”
‘Reds’ Perreira donates whistles to GBOC
Veteran Broadcaster, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira (centre) hands over the whistles to GBOC Official, Dexter Douglas while GABF President, Nigel Hinds share the moment. Veteran Guyanese broadcaster, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira donated a significant quantity of whistles to Guyana Basketball Officials’ Council (GBOC) during a press conference to update the media on Guyana’ hosting of the Caribbean Under-16 Championships. Perreira procured the whistles from a Canadian-based donor and thought that they could help the Officials’ Council become
more efficient. Perreira is a former Head of the basketball federation, serving as President in the 1960s and 1970s. Head of GBOC, Dexter Douglas received the donation, and thanked Perreira for the gesture. He said he grew up listening to Perreira commentate cricket from Bourda, and it was good that he is returning to show some benevolence to sports in Guyana.
Shiloh Adams stands with Jason Holder and Steve Smith at the toss. (WICB Media Photo/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)
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Clive Atwell in biggest fight of his life Needs $5million for 2nd surgery 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