Kaieteur News
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Friday June 17, 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
Universal and inalienable rights
In Guyana, as in other countries, laws serve a variety of purposes. Most importantly, they allow order to prevail and have maintained peace in most states. Laws act as deterrents to crime and other wrongdoing. They could prevent harm and provide justice through the imposition of penalties to those who commit offences. Laws must be coherent to fulfill any of these functions. They must not be confused, unclear or send mixed signals. The law is the law. Or at least, that is how it should be. However, the same laws that protect the rights of children allow adults to marry them under the age of consent, especially in the rural areas of the country. There needs to be an honest discussion on child marriage, but the authorities are very careful not to make a definitive pronouncement on the issue, one way or the other. It may be a taboo subject for the government to discuss because it may face criticism from some religious groups which claim it is part of their culture and they have the right to protect it. But there should not be any sacred cows. The rights to religion must be balanced by the interest of society and tempered by reason and rationality. The State must uphold such rights, particularly in relation to the well-being of children, even if it makes it unpopular. Unfortunately, recent statistics on the prevalence of child marriage in Guyana are apparently not available, but it is estimated that there were 433 child marriages in 2010. Some believe that child marriage is an abuse to children because it impacts their right to a healthy and long life, as maternal deaths are higher among child brides. It also infringes on a child’s right to survival and development, especially in education and leisure. In most cases, a child’s right to be heard is often denied by parents who arrange the marriages without taking the child’s views into consideration. It could be considered a form of exploitation that inhibits the freedom and well-being of children. While ancient traditions may have authorized child marriage, the psychological impact on the child is not fully known since several studies have been inconclusive on the issue. There have been calls by the United Nations to end the practice. However, unless this issue is tackled by the local authorities, the nation will continue to deny children their rights. Child marriage is a violation of several areas of child rights, in that it discriminates; as it affects disproportionally more girls than boys and, mainly, the poor and rural child. In any lawful society, religious laws or beliefs should not trump the laws of the state or the child’s human rights. Child marriage is a vexing issue for some groups which claim that the state is selective about implementing child rights. In doing so, the state has invalidated its ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which it signed along with 190 countries in 1989. The UNCRC is a human rights treaty which establishes the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. It defines a child as human under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under a state’s own domestic legislation. The Convention acknowledges that children have certain basic rights, including the right to life, their own name and identity, to be raised by their parents within a family or cultural grouping, and to have a relationship with both parents, even if they are separated or divorced. It obliges all states to allow parents to exercise their parental responsibilities and acknowledges that children have the right to express their opinions and to have those opinions heard and acted upon when appropriate. It also states that children must be protected from abuse, exploitation, and their lives must not be subjected to excessive interference. It forbids the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Child rights are universal, inalienable, unconditional and inherent.
Dale Andrews was the man DEAR EDITOR; After taking sometime to digesting that Dale Andrews has suddenly left us, and reading the many tributes being poured out. I have decided it’s time for me to put in my two words. I would begin by plainly stating that Dale Andrews was the man. He was definitely a very good person and excellent journalist and had all the qualities of being an outstanding journalist. Apart from all the good qualities mentioned before. Dale was also an excellent interpersonal communicator. One of the good qualities that will be missed is that Dale
was the man most of the correspondents would readily communicate with and definitely his personality and camaraderie would surely be missed. Having worked with him from a distance for almost all the time he was at Kaieteur news it was there to see that he had the ability to listen and get you to go the extra distance. He really had a penchant for the job. Dale was just one of the best in the business. Not only in terms of gathering the news , his ability to infiltrating people, the police and other was good. His ability to relate to his peers both in the head office and the
correspondents was excellent. He would usually mention to me, that all the correspondents would usually try to communicate with him. It was a natural thing that when you call in you ask for Dale or when there is something to be done. He would call. Dale would make sure that your stories are looked at and most likely make the papers. Known as the “Crime Chief or “Mr. Black Hat” Dale was known by almost every police man who worked in Georgetown or the East Coast and have the ability to cover any story. Dale (Continued on page 31)
Friday June 17, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Contrast in the dumping of garbage DEAR EDITOR; Earlier this month I was walking through an area in Queens, New York which is inhabited mostly by Guyanese immigrants and their families. I was most impressed by the complete absence of garbage on the streets, drains and well-kept lawns. The entire surrounding was indeed a joy to behold especially with the manicured lawns, lovely flowers and clean cars parked in an obviously well-disciplined manner. I also saw the signpost shown at left above: it made me wonder to what extent the severity of the fine for dumping (US$ 20,000) and/or the offer of a reward for reporting dumpers might be responsible for the cleanliness that was so strikingly evident. As I continued my walk my mind raced to the scenes of wanton garbage disposal
back home in Guyana and more especially the mind-boggling sights along the streets on which I usually walk in the mornings whenever I overnight at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Here, my morning walks take me past the signpost pictured at the top of this
page which is surrounded by the kind of garbage shown at right above next to the Enmore signpost. Some striking features of the signpost at Enmore include the fact that the fine of ten thousand dollars (G$10,000) is miniscule com-
pared with the US$ 20,000 fine shown in the NY sign and there is no financial incentive for conscientious Guyanese citizens to report callous dumpers. Furthermore, the Enmore signpost is just around the corner from the Enmore Po-
lice Station virtually under the nose and in the face of the policemen. This is particularly relevant having regard to the point made by another letter writer last week who quoted copiously from relevant legislation which empowers the police to apprehend dumpers
Peeping Tom’s poor understanding DEAR EDITOR; I was happy to read the Peeping Tom column, ” Cultural industries vs. the industries of culture”, (Kaiteur News, 14-Jun-16) wherein the writer makes some very sweeping pronouncements on what constitutes cultural/ creative industries and put forwards the argument for the non-creation of a national cultural policy. It is uninformed interventions like this that offer me the opportunity to educate the general public about the very complex area of cultural policy development and implementation. I will seek to address a few of its core points, enough I believe to correct the misconceptions the writer so authoritatively seeks to promulgate. “Cultural policies are about turning cultural products which are but expressions of society’s culture to the economic industries.” This shows a fundamentally poor understanding of what properly conceived cultural policies are and what they intend to do. Policy-based interven-
tions seeking to include cultural issues in developmental models have long been recognized as critical to the success of those models. The paradigm shift that has been taking place over the past ten years however has been the movement of culture from the periphery of development to a core component. What was essentially an aspirational model of mainstreaming culture, the 2005 Convention on Protecting and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expression, has now become one of the pillars of sustainable development in the most Millennium Development Goals agenda. A national cultural policy that adheres to best practices has sustainable development as its primary purpose. The policy framework that the government of Guyana, through my office, is developing looks, yes, at creative/ cultural industries development, but also at heritage protection, and most importantly mainstreaming culture in sustainable development under three primary areas over the next five years – education,
environment, and citizenship. With regard to heritage protection and preservation, while there are some aspects of cultural heritage protection that deal with economic sustainability in this area (tourism in natural heritage, adaptive reuse of built heritage, leveraging of intellectual property of intangible heritage), most of funding under best practice models comes out of national heritage fund mechanisms which allocate a percentage of revenue from some successful industry to heritage efforts. Had a national cultural policy been in place during exponential growth of the gold industry for example, a national heritage fund could have channeled part of the royalty revenues into heritage preservation. My intention is that such a mechanism will be tagged to the pending oil industry,
among others. The concept of ‘cultural industries’ is indeed about recognizing and sustainably exploiting the economic value of cultural activity, though not necessarily by commoditizing traditional culture but in most instances by streamlining and adding value to cultural activity that is already being done for financial reward. We can take what we refer to as Indian Dance for example, a form of cultural expression that functions as paid entertainment. The cultural policy in development would not only seek to preserve and develop
Indian dance forms but ensure the environment offers adequate opportunities for educators, practitioners and entrepreneurs alike, whether it is financing, technical assistance, or further education opportunities – inevitably this would lead to optimizing of the economic returns on the practice of one aspect of cultural heritage, but one that would be a natural outcome of the creation of an environment conducive to the sustainable practice of the form. Agro-processing of certain goods, cassava bread for example, represents an area of cultural industry growth with (Continued on page 31)
and the courts to impose fines and other deterrents. While I have used the negative Enmore scene as a contrast with the situation in New York just to make a point, let me clarify that based on my travels across Guyana, the Enmore scene is by no means unique; it is undoubtedly a reflection of what obtains throughout our beloved but apparently be-witched “dear land of Guyana”! Indeed, I have seen, ad nauseam, ad infinitum, garbage strewn and piled up high just under the warning signs like the Enmore one shown above. I have no doubt that other compatriots have seen similar or worse cases across our coastland and cities. Sometimes the ‘big stick’ as in New York and as is provided for in our environmental protection legislation is the only deterrent! Enforcement is obviously necessary. Notwithstanding, I wish to encourage all our school teachers, our parents and all civic minded citizens to continue to do whatever each of us can do to achieve the attitudinal metamorphosis necessary to raise a new generation of citizens who will instinctively, naturally balk at the thought of dumping garbage as callously as is obvious in the picture above. Nowrang Persaud
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Friday June 17, 2016
Kaieteur News
US$250M Norway forest deal…
Guyana gets extension to complete obligations Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen and Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, have reiterated their commitment to reach shared goals as set out in the US$250M bilateral partnership on climate and forest. This was concluded at a bilateral meeting in the margins of the Oslo REDD Exchange conference on Wednesday. The two Ministers announced that they will continue the current collaboration until Guyana has implemented all agreed key reforms in the forestry sector, according to the Norwegian government’s website. Both countries have signaled intentions to seek a new agreement. The previous one expired last year but Guyana is still to fully implement all the benchmarks. Guyana is set to keep its deforestation rate amongst the lowest in the world, and to continue working to improve governance in the forestry sector. Guyana is also determined to keep its commitment to fully transforming its energy sector to clean and renewable energy. This is key to reducing the country’s emissions of greenhouse gases, according to Minister Trotman. Guyana and Norway’s partnership on climate and forest was initiated in 2009. Guyana had at that time already defined a national low
carbon development strategy that outlined how the country could meet its ambitious targets for economic and social development, while at the same time keeping deforestation at a minimum and transforming its entire energy sector to clean and renewable energy. Guyana is a High Forest Low Deforestation (HFLD) rate country. The deforestation rate for 2014, recently verified by a third party, was as low as 0.065%, which is among the lowest deforestation rates of tropical forest countries. The Norway-Guyana partnership demonstrates how HFLD countries like Guyana can be incentivized to keep their deforestation low, and using the proceeds to establish a completely clean and renewable energy sector as well as a broader green economy. Through the financial support, Norway intends to support Guyana in implementing its national strategy for economic and social development without compromising the forest and the vital ecosystem services they provide, Minister Helgesen asserted. US$150M RECEIVED Norway had committed to contribute up to US$250M to Guyana if the country keeps its deforestation rate low and reaches key forest governance targets. So far, Norway has disbursed about US$150M, rewarding Guyana’s achieved results. Of this, US$70M has been transferred to Guyana REDD+ investment fund - GRIF
Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen (left) with Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. (administered by the World Bank), and US$80M has been set aside in an account with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to cover Guyana’s equity share in the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. Guyana and Norway are currently conducting a review of the latter project to reach a fact-based decision on its feasibility and the way forward. Efforts are underway to improve governance in Guyana, including the development of an ambitious roadmap for initialing an agreement with the EU on combatting illegal logging by the end of 2016, as well as plans to become an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) candidate this year. EITI is a global standard to promote open and
accountable management of natural resources. In addition, the Guyana Forestry Commission has recently published data on all forest concessions held in the country on its website as a step to increase public transparency. Indigenous peoples make up 10% of Guyana’s population. Making sure that these groups’ rights are being respected, for example by involving them in all relevant decisions and processes, is important to both Guyana and Norway. A project that enables Guyana’s indigenous communities to take part in the work to keep deforestation low, and to be remunerated for the results is currently receiving support under the partnership between the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund.
All projects are implemented by the World Bank, the IDB or the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and thus adhere to their strict rules and safeguards, Norway said. Eight projects are currently receiving support under the GRIF. Results include the approval of 167 loans and grants worth over US$1M to micro and small enterprises in low carbon sectors. “A development fund has been established to support the socio-economic development in indigenous communities and US$1.3M has been disbursed to 90 communities. A new project to reduce Guyana’s vulnerability to floods was initiated in 2015. AMAILA HYDRO Approximately US$80M has been transferred from Norway to the IDB for Guyana’s Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. The
funds correspond to Norway’s payments for Guyana’s deforestation results in 2011 and 2012 and were transferred in two tranches. If Guyana and the IDB choose to go ahead with the project, the IDB will administer the purchase of Guyana’s equity share in the project. A review of the project’s viability will take place this year. Guyana has also developed the world’s first national system for monitoring of forest cover and carbon content with the money earned from continued low deforestation. With regards to the protection of forests, Norway said it will support the forest information and monitoring system Global Forest Watch with 115 million krone (US13.7 million) for the period of 20162018. “Global Forest Watch is a groundbreaking tool for increased transparency around the state of the world’s forests. Information regarding where deforestation is happening is crucial if we are to halt tropical forest loss. With the support we are announcing today, we will also contribute to the development of tools to monitor the effectiveness of private companies’ commitments to stop deforestation from happening in their business operations. Several large companies, including Unilever, Mondelçz, Cargill and Mars, have used GFW technology to monitor their supply chains,” said Helgesen. The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment has already supported Global Forest Watch with 68 million Norwegian krone (US$8 million) for the period of 20132015.
Friday June 17, 2016
Kaieteur News
Obama meets massacre survivors, assails homegrown terrorism
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Vice President Joe Biden place flowers at a makeshift memorial for shooting victims of the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Reuters - President Barack Obama met survivors of a gay nightclub massacre and relatives of the 49 people killed yesterday and said the United States must act to control gun violence and fight what he called homegrown terrorism. “The last two terrorist attacks on our soil - Orlando and San Bernardino - were homegrown,” Obama told reporters. “We’re going to have to do more to prevent these kinds of events from occurring. It’s going to take more than just our military. It’s going to take more than just our intelligence community.” Obama and Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Orlando, Florida, four days after a U.S.-born gunman claiming allegiance to various Islamist militant groups carried out the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The United States has made it too easy for disturbed or wrathful people to legally acquire high-powered weapons like the assault rifle used in the attack on Sunday, Obama said. “I held and hugged” grieving family members before laying flowers at a memorial for the victims of the attack on the Pulse nightclub, he said. Police killed the gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, a U.S. citizen born in New York to Afghan immigrants. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack but U.S. officials have said they do not believe Mateen was assisted from abroad. CIA
Director John Brennan told a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing yesterday that the agency had “not been able to uncover any direct link” between Mateen and militants abroad. A married couple also claiming allegiance to Islamic State shot dead 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December. Orlando mourned the dead after what was also the worst attack in America on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Wakes were under way for at least three victims: Kimberly Morris, Anthony Luis Laureano Disla and Roy Fernandez. Twenty-three of the 53 wounded remained hospitalized, six in critical condition, according to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
During his attack, Mateen also posted messages on Facebook. One message, apparently referring to air strikes against Islamic State by the United States and its allies, said: “You kill innocent women and children by doing us air strikes ... now taste the Islamic State vengeance,” according to a letter to Facebook (FB.O) from the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security. The attack sparked a fresh debate over how the United States responds to Islamist militant violence at home and abroad, with Republican Senator John McCain telling reporters on Thursday he viewed Obama as “directly responsible” for the Orlando attack due to his failure to prevent the rise of Islamic State.
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Friday June 17, 2016
Friday June 17, 2016
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There is no need for threats Guyana may have today still been selling rice to Venezuela if a number of Venezuelan passengers were not left stranded in Guyana, because of action taken by local aviation authorities in denying permission for a Venezuelan airline to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. There was absolutely no reason for such harsh action to be taken. Guyana therefore had no grounds for complaints when the Venezuelans took action to not renew the agreement which saw Guyana’s rice being sold in that country. Guyana opted for grandstanding against Venezuela after that country issued a decree which threatened Guyana’s maritime space. Instead of engagement, Guyana opted for diplomatic and political belligerence. The ordinary Venezuelans were left stranded at our main airport and the Venezuelans retaliated by not renewing an agreement which they always in the past had renewed. Guyana’s rice farmers have today lost an important and lucrative market because of that act of grandstanding. It is not for the country’s international airport or the Ministry of Public Infrastruc-
ture to be taking any action involving that of a foreign country. Any dealings between Guyana and the authorities in a foreign state has to be dealt with through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The reported threat by the Cheddi Jagan International Airport against Caribbean Airlines is therefore totally misdirected, and amounts to a mishandling of the problems facing Guyanese passengers passing through Piarco International Airport. Apparently, Guyanese travellers to foreign destinations are required to deplane at Piarco and to go through security checks before reboarding the carrier that will take them to their next destination. During the course of these security checks, it has been reported that the duty-
free items purchased in Guyana have been seized. This problem was raised before with the Trinidad authorities and a resolution promised. But it does seem as if the practice has continued, and this has caused the airport authorities to threaten to cancel the agreement they have with Caribbean Airlines. This is a reckless and irresponsible action by the Guyanese authorities. It is rash, harsh and extreme. To threaten a regional carrier in this way is unacceptable for a country that is part of a regional integration movement. Things should never have reached this stage. The President should intervene and advise that this is not the way things are done. If the problem is with Caribbean Airlines, then there
should be continued dialogue and discussion, without duress, to try and find a solution. There is no need to resort to threats. The government cannot be serious about attracting investment when it engages in this sort of cavalier behaviour. It is totally unacceptable for threats to cancel the agreement with the airline to be issued. Guyana has more to lose than Caribbean Airlines should the contract between the airport and the airline be discontinued. Guyana may be a lucrative route for Caribbean
Airlines, but if the plug is pulled on that airline, many local travelers will be left without an alternative. If on the other hand, the problem is with the airport authorities in Trinidad, then that problem should be dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If duty-free items purchased in Guyana are being seized at Piarco, then this problem has to be resolved at the government-to-government level, not through threats against the airline. Caribbean Airlines has security obligations. It cannot
compromise on those obligations which may require passengers to disembark while transiting Piarco and be subjected to security checks. The problem may be with the Trinidad authorities and therefore instead of idle threats being made, there should be stronger engagement by utilizing the services of Guyana’s foreign ministry.
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Friday June 17, 2016
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Let’s form an Occupy Georgetown movement The current envoys of the ABC countries - US, UK and Canada - invested time and money to have local government elections. The object was to deepen the democratic process. People figured that with the passing of the PPP-dominated oligarchy, democracy could and would be strengthened with the implementation of municipal governments all over Guyana. Prior to the local government polls in April, local authorities had no power. Central government could topple town councils or national democratic councils and install interim regimes. The tight jurisdiction of central government over local systems was loosened with a series of amended laws, the culmination of which was the replacement of the domination of central power by a Local Government Commission. Much hype and elation greeted the April local polls. But Guyana’s old flirtation with authoritarian government just will not go away. Since the elections in April, questions are being asked as if what we are seeing is form rather than sub-
stance. Where is the power of elected local officials located? And where is the power of the Local Government Commission derived from? The answers to both questions expose the tragic nature of this country, where rights and freedom and justice are never going to come unless people fight for them. Let’s start with the Town Clerk of Georgetown. Any school boy will tell you that the Town Clerk has enormous power, simply because Georgetown is where Guyana’s physiology is located. Who has jurisdiction over the Town Clerk? Simply put – the elected City Council. He is a mere servant of the Council, taking directions from the Council. But here is where the deception of power comes in. The Town Clerk is not a mere servant of the Council. The Council has no jurisdiction to dismiss the Town Clerk if an order is flouted. This is where local democracy becomes a caricature. You can even pass a no-confidence motion against him. There is no law that directs him to resign because of the vote. This identical situation
occurred with Carol Sooba. In the absence of the Local Government Commission, only the Minister of Communities can sanction the Town Clerk. What is playing out at the moment with the parking meter scandal is the fraudulent nature of local democracy. The elected City Council did not know that the Town Clerk was in Mexico. One would have thought that such an issue would have been on the Council’s agenda. And the cost involved for four persons to travel to Mexico would have been debated. The elected City Council knew absolutely nothing about the impasse between the Beharry Group of Companies and the Town Clerk over the establishment of the KFC franchise. The company’s permit at the moment is held up by the Town Clerk. The KFC imbroglio demonstrates the enormous power of the office of the Town Clerk. The investment of a multi-billion-dollar company is held up by the Town Clerk. A trillion-dollar investment anywhere in Georgetown has to go through the office of the Town Clerk because building permits and other
related documents have to have the seal of the Town Clerk’s office. There is nothing wrong with that. It happens in all capital cities where the Mayor has serious authority. But in the case of Guyana, the Town Clerk is only answerable to the Minister. This is where this guy’s power becomes problematic. Why allocate authority to an elected body and it has no restraining hand over one of its employees? That is a farce and a caricature of local democracy. Let’s answer the other question alluded to above – where does the Local Government Commission come from? It comes from the presidency. Of the eight Commissioners, four are nominated by the presidency, three by the Opposition - which have to meet with the approval of the presidency - and one from the trade union. How ironic but foolish is the very nature of this country. Local democracy is to empower people at the grassroots levels. Local election is to empower those who live in the communities. But the total system of local democracy throughout Guyana has at its
apex, an eight-member body named the Local Government Commission which has to be approved by of all people – the most powerful man in government, the President. One would have thought that when the legislation was being drafted, the last place you would look at to have authority over local communities would have been the very central government that ought to be out of the business of dictating for local organs. In the meantime,
Frederick Kissoon Georgetowners need to take back the City Council from an old cabal. A protest group needs to be formed ASAP.
Dem boys seh... House maids paying more taxes than kantractahs Nobody could seh that de Waterfalls paper was ever wrang. Whatever de paper seh for de last 22 years, come to pass. De forensic audits bring out only some of de stuff dem boys talk about. Dem boys did talk that certain people tek GTT shares and seh dem sell it out. On to this day Soulja Bai can’t find de buyers. He can’t even find any paperwork to suggest who own it. That was a scam. When de same people sell de drug company that was another scam yet to come to light. To this day Guyana don’t know who buy it, how much dem pay for it or if dem ever pay for it. All dem boys know is that Guyana lose it. Guyana lose many, many more things including plenty money. Half of de money gone to dem kantractahs and de other half sitting in dem politicians cupboard. In Jagdeo and Irfaat case, dem portion bury under dem swimming pool. All this crookishness happen when Luncheon and he li’l dawg, Kwame Baow Waow was formulating de rules to defend de PPP. Today, scampishness still going on. Joe Shanlin, de man who sit in Luncheon chair wid he li’l dawg, Me like ah Chiee-wa-wa, doing exactly de same thing. De man who was Jagdeo main kantractah suddenly tun Joe Shanlin small brother. Dem boys seh he and nuff others mek so much money that if Soulja Bai should question dem taxes he would find out that even ee maid pay more taxes that all of dem. Babbie, who own three-quarter of Guyana, got so much he don’t know what to do wid money. He bring in a printing press fuh respond to media criticism of him and all his crookishness. Dem boys hear he does try a thing fuh respond but only he and Jagdeo alone reading wha print. Dem boys hear another one bring in a printing press fuh do de same thing—that is to respond to media criticism and to explain he skullduggery. Dem boys gun talk bout this later. All dem hear is that de paper will be called BT News.
Friday June 17, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Several disgruntled GTT workers, Union protest arbitrary management The alleged imposition of working conditions by GTT on its employees without consulting the Guyana Postal & Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) has led to protest action by a small group of GTT employees along with senior representatives of the Union. The President of the GPTWU Harold Shepherd and General Secretary Eslyn Harris were present to marshal the protestors in front of the telecommunications company’s Head Office at Brickdam yesterday. Harris, speaking to this publication, highlighted the fact that GTT had signed a collective labour agreement with the GPTWU earlier this year which it is now totally disregarding. This newspaper spoke with some of the disgruntled employees, who called for their rights to be respected, and for management to communicate with GPTWU before any decisions are made that would affect their welfare. One of the main issues of the workers and the Union is the company’s move to offer
The workers are calling for GTT to “do more” for its employees. employees over 50 years old, a voluntary retirement package. GPTWU President Harold Shepherd rejected the proposal by GTT, and pointed out that the move to pay these workers their full pension and an additional ten weeks’ pay
would only amount to them being shortchanged. Shepherd is of the notion that the company should pay workers a severance package along with their pension. He noted that 33 persons have already signed onto the
agreement, but the Union has requested arbitration within the Department of Labour. Shepherd called on GTT executives to meet for discussions instead of just returning emails. The union is also con-
cerned with the Company’s refusal to pay workers their daily overtime and its “unfair rule” to have the time accumulated weekly before overtime is paid. Mere hours after the protest, GTT released a statement and highlighted the fact that GTT’s leadership supports the rights of their employees and joins the Union in rallying for continuous and improved working conditions. However, it was made clear that GTT would not be intimidated when it comes to striking a balance between rights and the long-term sustainability of the company. “Our employees have the right to voice their issues and concerns, but we are about to commence Collective Labour Agreement discussions, and as such we will engage in dialogue when at the bargaining table. GTT will not sway otherwise,” CEO Justin Nedd stated. “We care about our employees and we continue to actively work with them and the GPTWU to listen, understand and address concerns. As such, we look forward to our on-going meetings and
collaboration with the GPTWU in implementing changes that benefit both GTT employees and the company as a whole, especially as we prepare to enter a more competitive environment. But these discussions have proven to be much more productive when we engage in a professional and cordial manner,” Nedd added. Nedd highlighted that “We will always be very respectful of workers’ rights while seeking to remain a premier employer in the country. In 2016 for example, we’ve already surpassed training for our people by more than 100% compared to any of the last five years.” “When we talk about ‘DOING MORE’, we mean it all around – for our customers, employees and for Guyana. We are always open to feedback, in whatever form, but will continue to act in the best interest of the widergood and according to the labour laws of the land,” Nedd maintained.
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Friday June 17, 2016
Kaieteur News
All right-thinking citizens must take united stance against corruption - Auditors Significant change in stamping out corruption can only be had if all right-thinking citizens take a united stance against it. This is according to some of Guyana’s leading financial minds. Specifically, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram told Kaieteur News that the findings of the forensic audits launched by Government represent a grave embarrassment on the former administration. He insists that the future of good governance would
rely on several changes, especially as it relates to the accounting community. Ram said that there are already some charges recommended since the release of several audits and he expects there to be more. He added, “Even if no action were taken, the revelations of the audits would be an embarrassment to any Party or Government.” He noted too that the findings of the forensic audits also paint a dark picture of how deep corruption ran in
Guyana. “I think it will reinforce the perception of corruption in Guyana. But I am very hopeful that action will be taken. The audits also point to the need to strengthen the Office of the Auditor General and the scope of the audits of stateowned and statutory bodies. I should also point out that there are several other entities in which there have been no similar audits.” The attorney-at-law said that as a society, citizens need to be less tolerant of corrup-
tion and impropriety. “I remain convinced that it was improper for Dr. Ashni Singh to be appointed Minister of Finance while his spouse was the holder of a top position in the Audit Office. Since she preceded him, his appointment by the PPP/C of her spouse as Minister was an act of professional indifference and irresponsibility.” It was in May 2015 that the Granger-led administration began expending some $133M of taxpayers’ dollars
on 45 of the 50 forensic audits to ascertain how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under the previous administration. The remaining five audits were sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Over 20 of the 50 forensic audit reports launched by Government have been released. These include the reports on the Marriott Hotel, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Carifesta X 2008 and the acquisition of the water cannon by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Some of the firms contracted to conduct the foren-
sic audits included Nigel Hinds Financial Service, Ram and Mc Rae and HLB Seebarran and Co. Chartered Accountant Anand Goolsarran along with Harryman Parmesar were also contracted to conduct several forensic audits. Nigel Hinds Financial Service earned some $25M for auditing agencies such as the Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). Ram and McRae audited the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board and the E-Governance Project among others. Several audits were also launched in July last, while others started in later weeks.
CJIA threatens to cancel C’bean Airlines’ licence …over duty free liquor quarrel The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has threatened to cancel the operating licence of Trinidadowned Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), amidst growing complaints over duty free items being purchased in Guyana, but not being allowed through the Twin-Island Republic. CAL was written to this week by the airport corporation, with the Board of Directors now handling the issue, says Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. Patterson oversees the portfolio for air transportation in the country. The matter, which has been simmering for a while now, spilled over recently when thousands of Guyanese from the diaspora returned home for the Jubilee celebrations. Many of them were too happy to buy the El Dorado and XM rums at the CJIA duty free shops. However, the operators have been complaining of a drop in business, especially for CAL passengers intransiting in Trinidad and heading to New York. Passengers from Guyana have been complaining over time that they are forced to deplane in Trinidad and go through security checks before continuing their journey. They said that Trinidad authorities have been refusing them their liquor, claiming that it was over the quota, and in any case had
not subjected to security checks. Yesterday, Minister Patterson said that Government and CJIA have been engaging CAL on the issue for a while, but the situation has become worse, with growing complaints from passengers being noted. “We have had complaints of angry passengers who broke the liquor bottles in Trinidad rather than to give it up. We have been requesting CAL to put some system in place where they either place the duty free items in the cargo or hold it for passengers until they reach their destination in North America.” “It so happens, also, that the Guyana/New York route is the most lucrative one for CAL. I understand that CJIA this week, after talks back and forth with the airline, have written them, and given them three weeks to fix the problem or a decision can be taken to review the landing rights permit.” Trinidad airport authorities have been citing US air traffic regulations in their refusal of the duty free liquor. The Minister noted that Guyanese have been suffering for some time now. “This is an additional burden for Guyanese who are travelling with CAL. We are not asking for anything much, except for CAL to use an employee or two to fix this issue.” Guyanese have been complaining about hassle at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad.
Friday June 17, 2016
President Granger says...
I intend to stamp corruption out of Govt. By Kiana Wilburg President David Granger is determined to run the economic affairs of the country in an accountable and transparent manner. He insists that there is simply no room for corruption. In fact, the Head of State said that he intends to stamp it out of Government. He made these remarks, among others, on the show, “The Public Interest,” during which he discussed the engagement of the Diaspora in Guyana’s economic advancement. Granger said that his Government would be encouraged to offer some form of concession or incentive package to members of the Diaspora in order to encourage them to be part of plans for economic progression. He noted, however, that the shape and form the package might take has not been determined as yet. “I have not committed myself to any concessions. But usually people search or ask for tax holidays; waivers on equipment and of course, the ability to repatriate their profits. I have no objections to those packages or to those items in packages, and we have offered those before to new companies.” The Head of State said that he wants to give the potential investors from the Diaspora, a level playing field. In this regard, he asserted, “So nothing that is being offered to any foreign company would be denied to any Guyanese investor. At this point, no package is confirmed, but the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, is in negotiations with potential
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President, David Granger investors, and let us see what they are asking for.” Granger suspects that the potential investors will obviously want access to land and other resources. He noted however that the investors must be committed to bringing items from the Diaspora such as transportation and of course, capital. Kaieteur News asked the President whether the high crime rate and Guyana’s “third world systems of doing business” would serve as hindrances to his plans in this regard. He responded, “I don’t know what you mean by high crime rate. Maybe it is too high for some people, but it has actually been lowered. It is 16 percent lower than what it was last year. There are some spectacular crimes like the grenade which was thrown at your publisher’s vehicle, but serious crime has actually reduced.”
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
The President noted that several measures have been taken by his administration over the last 12 months to bring down the crime rates. He said that these include the deployment of more police, ‘operation dragnet’ and the speed at which persons are being arrested after offences have been committed. Granger contended that Guyanese are safer now than they were two years ago. The President said that he would agree, however, that more can be done. When it comes to how business is being conducted in Guyana, Granger said he is interested in transparency and the lawful conduct of transactions, particularly between the Government and the private sector as well as other investors. He recalled that a few weeks ago, he spoke with the private sector and made it clear that one must be careful when it comes to criticizing the Government excessively “because sometimes corruption comes from private business persons…” The President said that he is interested in stamping out criminalities among rogue businessmen. He added, “But I intend to stamp corruption out of Government.” The Head of State said that equally important is the need for private investors to obey the law. “That’s the way I do business, above board and transparently.”
Man fined for death threats against Jagdeo, Ramotar and others
A 39-year-old selfprofessed coalition government supporter was yesterday fined after he admitted to making death threats via Facebook to two former presidents, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. During the month of May, Tameshwar Beekham, of Corentyne, Berbice threatened, by way of writing on the social media platform, to murder Former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, and People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s General Secretary Clement Rohee. The farmer was remorseful for his action and was ordered to pay a fine of $75,000. Failure to pay the fine will see him spending six months in jail. Earlier this year, the man took to his Facebook page and openly stated his intentions of targeting Freedom House and killing Jagdeo and other members of the PPP. Beckham turned himself into police at the Springlands Police Station on June 6, after a bulletin was issued for his arrest. Police attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown investigated the matter. When asked if he had anything to say by the court, Beekham claimed that he had
Fined: Tameshwar Beekham made post on Facebook to highlight the accomplishments of the coalition government. He said that he was attacked by PPP supporters for speaking the truth. Beekham also claimed that he was not strong at the time to defend himself against persons who commented on his post, and later made the threats against the former presidents and the party’s general secretary. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that a psychiatric evaluation was done on Beekham by Government Psychiatrist Dr. Bhiro Harry. He pointed out that the man was proven fit to stand trial.
The prosecutor said that Beekham used his mobile phone to make the death threats to the victims and other supporters of the opposition party. The charge against Beekham comes two months after a 52-year-old Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo woman was charged for allegedly posted threats to President David Granger and made raciallyinciting comments about African Guyanese via her Facebook and WhatsApp accounts. The woman, Bibi Safoora Salim, a mother of three, was slapped with two charges that were filed under the Racial Hostility Act, for attempting to incite excitement, hostility or ill-will on the grounds of race. One of the charges alleged that during the period of March 1 and 31, the woman attempted to incite hostility or ill-will against the President by posting on Facebook “Granger want a bullet in he head” among others. She was also accused of sending derogatory remarks about the President from her cell phone to her son’s cell phone via WhatsApp. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in April and is currently out on $200,000 bail.
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Kaieteur News
Land Court judge robbery accused to know fate today
Anthony David By Feona Morrison Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul will today decide the fate of five men charged with robbing and feloniously wounding Land Court judge Nicola Pierre and her husband last July, at their home in the gated community of Felicity, East Coast Demerara. Warren Mc Kenzie, 22, of 18 Brutus Street, Agricola; Damien Millington, 22, of 118 Caesar Street, Agricola; Nicholas Narine, 18, also of Caesar Street, Agricola; Premnauth Samaroo and Anthony David, 28, of 63 Hadfield Street, Stabroek, are jointly facing five charges. The first charge alleges that on July 9, 2015 at Montrose, East Coast Demerara, the men being in the company of others and armed with a handgun, robbed the judge’s husband Mohamed Chand of five wrist watches, a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, US $8,000, a wedding ring, four Oakley sunglasses and one leather wallet. The second charge alleges that the intruders robbed Pierre at gunpoint on the same day. She was allegedly relieved of several gold rings, diamond jewellery, a clump of gold, and a quantity of gem stones, among other items, all totaling about $1M. In addition, the men are also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Ron Peters, a security guard on duty at the Land Court judge’s home when the robbery occurred. They are also accused of feloniously wounding Pierre and her husband. The accused have been on remand at the Camp Street Prison for almost 11 months awaiting the completion of trial in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. The trial began on January 11.
Damien Millington Attorney Nigel Hughes represented the prosecution, while Attorney Adrian Thompson defended Samaroo; Narine and David. Several police and civilian witnesses testified on behalf of the prosecution. Among them were Head of Major Crimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mitchell Caesar, the land court judge and her husband. Also testifying was the couple’s security guard. During their testimonies, Pierre, Chand and Peters positively identified four of the defendants (Samaroo, Millington, Narine and McKenzie) as the ones who were part of the robbery/ home invasion. At the close of the defendants’ case, their lawyers asked the court to find them not guilty of the offences. Thompson maintained that his clients had no involvement in the robbery since they were all at home when it took place. The Defence Counsel was very vocal in accusing police of framing David. Thompson also argued that no proper descriptions of his clients were given by the victims and pointed out that the identification parades, done via Skype video call, were flawed. However, Prosecutor Hughes asked that the defendants be convicted for the crimes. Hughes submitted that the men should be found culpable of the crimes because they acted in consort with each other. He said that the Land Court judge, her husband and the security guard all testified that the defendants were armed with guns. “We have three witnesses who clearly said that these several persons all had weapons…and not one weapon; it was more than one weapon. So we had the guard with the gun to the head. We
Nicholas Narine
Land Court judge, Nicola Pierre had Ms. Pierre and Mr. Chand in the house who said that these people had weapons because they were assaulted with the weapons, and we had Mr. Ron Peters who said that he was shot at by somebody,” Hughes asserted. According to reports, heavily-armed bandits inflicted a brutal beating on the Land Court Judge and her husband after overpowering an on-duty Special Constable and storming the couple’s home on the day in question. The couple was attacked while asleep. They were gunbutted into unconsciousness after the men, gained entry to their home via a window. The robbers carted off a small safe containing US currency, jewellery, and a suitcase containing other valuables. But they were forced to drop their loot after coming under gunfire from a security guard who was stationed at a businessman’s home nearby. Pierre sustained a broken jaw and other injuries, while her husband received severe injuries to an eye. He has since lost the eye. The couple was forced to seek medical attention overseas. It was reported that McKenzie was shot after police raided a house in Craig, East Bank Demerara. Several men were inside the house that came under heavy gunfire from lawmen. As a result wanted man Rolston Morrison, also known as ‘Saddam’, was killed. During the raid, lawmen found a gun in the house that matched the weapon used in the robbery based on ballistic tests.
Friday June 17, 2016
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Those who stole state resources must be prosecuted - US Envoy urges By Kiana Wilburg “If I as a public servant can dip into the US Department of Treasury, then stick the money in my pocket, walk away and I am never penalized or convicted, then what’s to stop my colleagues from doing the same?” This was the perspective posed by US envoy Bryan Hunt, as he sought to show how important it is for the Guyana Government to take action against those who stole or mismanaged state assets as documented in several forensic audit reports. In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, Hunt said that he is indeed “alarmed” at the findings of the forensic audits which were launched by the coalition administration. Hunt said that he is worried anytime he observes the level of deep-seated corruption and lack of procedures that apparently existed. The Outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission, who has served in Guyana for three years, said that he is not going to take a view on who is responsible for the state of
affairs. He commented that that is for the courts and law enforcement officials to determine. Hunt said, however, that the fact that the audits have unearthed so many irregularities is alarming to him, given that he represents a major international donor to Guyana. “And I would hope it is alarming to every Guyanese taxpayer, because a lot of that is basically your money that went missing which should have been used appropriately to benefit the people,” the official added. Hunt asserted that while Government needs to allow law enforcement to do their investigations, he is not suggesting in any way that the process of doing so needs to be rushed. The US diplomat said, “It has to be done systematically and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) needs to do its investigations. We need to develop solid evidence that can successfully prosecute and convict those who were responsible for the irregularities and the missing money.” Hunt added, “I mean, we
…says findings of forensic audit reports are “alarming” love to use the word irregularities, but what we are really talking about is theft. We need to figure out who stole the money. We need to figure out where it is and prosecute those people and if you recover any money, then it is even better. I would love to see money brought back into the state treasury, but I think first and foremost you have got to convict those responsible. If you don’t, then there is no deterrent…” While noting that Government should make moves to prosecute those who were found to have been involved in various financial irregularities, the Outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission articulated that focus should also be placed on determining the vulnerabilities in the system “that allowed persons to be able to walk into a ministry and drive off with vehicles.” The US Envoy said, “We need to figure out what were
the vulnerabilities that allowed someone to just issue a contract to a friend who never fulfilled the contract and then there were no penalties. We need to figure out what vulnerabilities allowed someone to take bribes in their office; that allowed them to take resources belonging to the state.” Hunt emphasized that these are hard questions that the Government must ask, and if it takes going to Parliament to change the laws to remove weaknesses in state entities, then so be it. He opined that while every gap would not be found, the audits are a good place to start. Hunt also commented that the Government needs to empower the Auditor General’s Office so that audits can be carried out effectively on an annual basis on every state agency. The US diplomat said that this would ensure that
Outgoing US Deputy Chief of Mission, Bryan Hunt vulnerabilities are found early and can therefore be rectified as soon as possible. The envoy said that failure to do this would only breed even more serious problems for Guyana. Hunt is nonetheless confident that the current Government will make a difference in this regard. “I am very confident that this Government understands everything I just said, and I am very confident that they are moving forward in a way that is going to result in those who are responsible for theft of state resources being
prosecuted, and that they are moving forward to identify what the gaps were in those agencies and plug them.” Hunt continued, “You all in the press and I have had the opportunity of seeing some of these audits and some of them are not very easy to read through. So it is not surprising that it will take some time to come to a conclusion. But I am quite confident that we have a government in place that understands all this and will do the right things to make sure that those guilty are held accountable, and definitely reform the system.” It was in May 2015 that the Granger-led administration began expending some $133M of taxpayers’ dollars on 45 of the 50 forensic audits to ascertain how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under the previous administration. The remaining five audits were sponsored by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). Over 20 forensic audit reports have been released thus far for the public to peruse.
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Kaieteur News
Improved protocol for treating ‘sicklers’ emphasised at awareness workshop Many sicklers require opium, that is, narcotic-type drugs, to relieve excruciating pain that they often suffer. Sicklers are persons who suffer from sickle-cell anaemia. This condition is a severe hereditary form of anaemia in which a mutated form of haemoglobin distorts
the red blood cells into a crescent shape at low oxygen levels. But seeking the pain relievers that they so desperately require to get through a sickle-cell crisis is not always readily accessible. This is according to President and Founder of the
Non-Governmental Organisation FACES, Ms. Sabrina Kazim. FACES means fight against Sickle Cell Kazim, a sickler herself, confessed that she had had experiences where medical practitioners questioned whether her need for pain relief was in fact legitimate.
From left: Sabrina Kazim, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud and Dr. Bramesh Beharry But according to her, some medical personnel question the authenticity of the pain sicklers suffer and sometimes label them mere “drug seekers”. But according to, Kazim refusing to grant sicklers the pain relief they need is in fact an infringement of their rights. “If you are in pain, you are supposed to be treated and your pain is supposed to be managed not just for a period of time and sent away, but in its entirety,” Kazim asserted. It was in order to advocate for the rights of sicklers, Kazim decided to establish FACES , in April of last year. The organisation has been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health, GPHC, the Sickle Cell Association and other organisations and individuals. “We want to work with the relevant organisations to bring about a change to implement a better protocol as it relates to sicklers at the medical institutions, because sicklers will be frequenting the medical institutions. Sickle-cell is not going to vanish into thin; you are going to need medical treatment and you are going to need it frequently. You are also going to need management to make certain that you don’t have frequent crises,” said Kazim. But even with good treatment and management
sicklers are still known to have frequent crises. “The thing about sickle-cell disease it has no schedule or agenda. I could have been well this week...I may get sick, get treatment and be sent home and by the next week I am back at a medical institution,” said Kazim, as she stressed the extent to which the disease could manifest. It was for this reason, FACES collaborated with a number of organisations including the Ministries of Public Health and Social Protection, GPHC and other individuals to spearhead sensitisation workshop. The workshop, which was held at the GPHC’s Resource Centre, saw the attendance of a number of sicklers of African and East Indian descent, which gave credence to the fact that the disease does not only affect persons of African descent. This was emphasised by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who related that “it is not only an African disease. From the literature published it shows that several parts of South East Asia where people of East Indian origin come from have sickling too...” Sickle-cell was yesterday deemed by Dr. Persaud as a unique condition. In fact he disclosed that globally, of the 500,000 persons who are inflicted, about 50 per cent of them will actually die before the age of five. “That is a
huge toll...we are all sometimes amazed that a disease that seems so simple...can actually cause death and so much suffering,” said Dr Persaud. Speaking on behalf of GPHC yesterday was Dr. Bramesh Beharry. He pointed out that his association with the disease was simply because he joined the medical profession. He revealed that since he was a boy he was confronted with the disease – a friend of his was inflicted with the disease. He claimed that he had long recognised that persons do not always believe how painful sickle-cell anaemia could be. Dr Beharry has been exposed to studies in a number of countries about the sickle-cell disease and has been able to deduce that those inflicted in Guyana are at a disadvantage. “Very often because of the stigma attached to it, people believe that there is an addiction...many of our professionals think that because someone comes and says I am having a pain, the myth behind it is that the person wants narcotic medication to feel high...”stressed Dr Beharry. The awareness workshop, which saw a number of individuals making presentations on sickle-cell anaemia, including medical professionals and sicklers, served as a prelude to sicklecell awareness day slated to be celebrated on Sunday. According to Kazim, a number of activities will be done in commemoration of Sickle Cell Awareness Day that will not only be limited to that day. “We will be working and we have been working with organisations such as the Ministry of Health and GPHC to work throughout the year to make certain that sicklers get better and find ways in which we can improve the protocol at both the public and private medical institutions,” Kazim asserted.
Friday June 17, 2016
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Granger engages Permanent Secretaries; to unveil strategic plans for ministries President David Granger and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, yesterday convened a meeting with the Permanent Secretaries of the various Ministries, with a view to ensuring that their work is in line with the policies of the Government. The meeting was held at the Ministry of the Presidency. Both the President and the Minister called for meetings of this nature to become a monthly feature, so that their public officers can communicate and interact more, exchange ideas, and sort out differences that may arise from time to time, a Ministry of the Presidency statement said yesterday. President Granger said that the position of Permanent Secretary is the pinnacle of the professional career of a public servant, and as such, his Government will ensure that the conditions under which they function are as close as possible to ideal, and that there is a high level of satisfaction and commitment among them. He explained that like law and medicine, public service is a profession that requires
President David Granger, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Permanent Secretaries of the various Government Ministries at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday. a high level of competency and professionalism. “Ministers may change, but Permanent Secretaries are meant to be permanent… to run a Ministry continuously for a long period of time, every day and whoever the Minister is, the Permanent Secretary must be able to discharge his/her function in an efficient manner, but they
cannot do that unless they are educated,” President Granger said. Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister Harmon, who emphasised that Permanent Secretaries have a critical role to play in the functioning of the Ministries. He informed the Permanent Secretaries that the President will soon
introduce a draft strategic plan for the various Ministries, which outlines a broad framework within which each Ministry will
function and what they should focus on. This draft plan also highlights the Government’s green agenda. Minister
Harmon said that, “the first and foremost responsibility of every Government Ministry is to push that green agenda.”
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Kaieteur News
NDIA committees failed to carry out their mandates The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Act No. 10 of 2004 provides for the appointment of Committees to help the Board meet its obligations as outlined in the Act; however, a forensic audit into the agency has indicated that these committees failed to carry out their mandates terms of reference. The audit report stated that based on the Board
minutes of March, 2011, two committees were appointed: The Works and Tender Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee. In March 2013 two similar committees were again appointed and reconstituted, the Finance and Administrative Committee and the Works Committee. WORKS COMMITTEE The report stated that according to the Board
Minutes of December 14, 2011, The Works Committee visited the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief which at that time, was under construction at Hope/Dochfour. The committee also visited the Greenfield pumping station and sluice and the Abary and Cottage Sluices. On December 20 and 23, 2013, the Committee met to discuss the Pineground
- Audit Report Project and on January 27, 2015, the Works Committee met to discuss the construction of the pump station at Vriendschap and to review findings of the purchase of controversial sheet piles. The minutes were available for the Works Committee meetings held on those dates, the auditors stated. However, outside of these activities, the report stated that the Committee scarcely addressed its terms of reference which included critical areas such as the review designs; review of bills of quantities; specifications of works to be undertaken by NDIA and to make recommendations to the Board; provide advice in relation to planning, coordination and execution of capital works; and infrastructure programme; recommend work priorities for
capital projects; provide quarterly reports among many other tasks and responsibilities. An evaluation of the terms of reference of the Works Committee against what was actually done showed that the committee failed to comply with its terms of reference. FINANCEAND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE The Finance and Administrative Committee was tasked with investigating one issue at a committee meeting on December 30, 2014. On February 13, 2015, the Chairman of the Administrative and Finance Committee provided a comprehensive report on the issue for the Board’s consideration and acceptance. No decision was taken on the recommendation up to the last Board meeting
held for period under review. Other than this assignment, the audit report stated that the Finance and Administrative Committee “never really” addressed its terms of reference which included matters critical to financial governance; including: overseeing the financial affairs of NDIA, recommend the annual budget, review the annual financial statements and make recommendations as necessary, ensure that assets are properly managed, review quarterly accounts and make recommendations, oversee the strategic planning and review accounting and auditing procedures. The auditors stated that given the scope and importance of the role of the Finance and Administrative committee in setting sound financial governance practices, it “certainly failed” during its tenure to deliver on its mandate and its ineffectiveness contributed to the myriad problems identified in the NDIA report.
Immigration officers lose passport of visiting Guyanese ...US embassy helps stranded woman A Guyanese national is now able to return to the United States although the local immigration agents misplaced her passport at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport last Saturday. She was scheduled to return to work last Monday. The intervention of the United States Embassy and a representative of the Berbice Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Gobin Harbajan, would see the woman getting home today. The embassy gave her replacement travel documents. At the same time, Dynamic Airways has offered to transport her back to the United States for free. Lilawattie Persaud, 49, of No. 47 Village, Corentyne, who now resides in South Ozone Park, Queens, NY, USA, returned to Guyana to participate in the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations. The woman said that on Saturday last, she was scheduled to leave Guyana on a Dynamic Airways Flight
Lilawattie Persaud at 16:00 hours. Persaud said that upon checking in, she handed the immigration officer three passports (two USA and one Guyana) belonging to herself, her husband and her son. “After we checked in, I collected our boarding pass and the clerk told me to go and purchase airport taxes. Another officer told me to wait so that he could check my hand luggage.” Persaud said that the officer then asked to see her
passport. “He collect my passport and check it then he told me to proceed to immigration, so I asked him for my passport and he said let me step aside so that the other officer can attend to me”. A distraught Persaud added that ten minutes later, she reminded the officer to return her passport, only to be told to wait. “They were calling my name to board the plane, so I asked all three of the officers for my passport, and again they told me to wait. Then they started looking for my passport. I pleaded with them to look at the security camera to see where my passport could be, because at this point they couldn’t find it.” Persaud mentioned that she missed her flight because of the long time spent searching for her missing passport. “I started to cry, because myself and husband supposed to return to our Jobs. We came to enjoy the celebration, not expecting this to happen.” The woman said that she was advised by one of the officers to make a report at the Eve Leary police headquarters where she was told that contact would be made after an investigation was conducted. However, no officer has contacted her since.
Friday June 17, 2016
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Babita Sarjou case… US Embassy presents suicide prevention literature to GDF DNA samples from remains,
relative for T&T lab today
Dead: Babita Sarjou
GDF Welfare Officer Deon Heyligar receives the donation from U.S. Army Captain Christopher Hill. Looking on are Asst. Force Chaplain George Jeffers, members of the Welfare Department and other soldiers. The United States Embassy, through its Military Liaison Officer, Captain Christopher Hill, on Wednesday donated a collection of useful literature addressing Suicide Prevention in the Military. The donation comes on the heels of a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) which the Florida Army National Guard conducted with personnel of the Guyana Defence Force on March 7- 9, 2016. Those sessions were aimed at helping the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to develop a tactical programme that applies to military operations, concerning suicide prevention and force resilience, according to a statement from the army. The material, which was h a n d e d o v e r y e s t e r d a y, includes Training Standards, Leaders’ Guide to Suicide Prevention and a number of pamphlets and
information on Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide. Captain Hill explained that the gesture stems from the SMEE which was designed out of a desire to assist the GDF in dealing with the issue of Suicide, which has become a social ill in the society. “During that training there was a lot of new material and suicide is a big issue and we wanted to expand on what was learnt during those sessions,” he stated. He pointed out that assisting in building suicide prevention capacity in Guyana is a priority of the current United States Ambassador, Perry Holloway. “So the Ambassador intends to do as much as possible to aid in suicide prevention”. Force Welfare Officer, Captain Deon Heyligar, who accepted the material o n b e h a l f o f t h e G D F, expressed appreciation for the timely gesture and
pointed to the importance of the information received. “This information will go a far way in helping us to boost the knowledge of our soldiers,” she stated. She acknowledged the good relationship between the US and GDF, particularly as it relates to information sharing from a welfare perspective. A few soldiers were on hand for the handing over and Lance Corporal Andel Douglas registered his eagerness to read and learn from the information which he believes will empower him to recognize certain tendencies and be able to render assistance from his level. The Guyana Defence Force Effective Suicide Prevention requires everyone in the unit to be aware of the risk factors for suicide and knowing how to respond. Commanders, NonCommissioned Officers and Supervisors all play an integral part in this regard.
Sharadananda Narine called Anand
The Guyana Police Force hopes to confirm soon that the skeletal remains that were dug up from a Campbellville backyard last month are those of Babita Sarjou, who vanished six years ago. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said DNA samples from the remains, and from a relative of Sarjou’s, are being sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Laboratory today. Asked when the results are likely to be known, Blanhum said that he has communicated to the Director of the laboratory the urgency in having the tests expedited. The skeletal remains, believed to be Sarjou’s, were found on May 22 in a shallow grave behind the Lot 51 Seaforth Street,
Suspect: Darel Pronton
Campbellville residence of Sarjou’s estranged husband, Sharadananda Narine. Sarjou’s relatives subsequently identified clothing and a pair of shoes that were found with the remains. Sharadananda Narine, and Darel Keith Ponton called ‘Yankee’, were subsequently charged with murder. Sarjou, 28, left home on November 4, 2010, after telling her mother, Champa Seonarine, that she would be meeting with her estranged husband and four-year-old son at the Kitty Seawall to view the annual Diwali Motorcade. She was expected back at her mother’s Timehri residence around 21:00 hrs that night, but never returned.
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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
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lower 2 bedrooms apartment @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D. Security Deposit required -$40,000 monthly. Call: 625-9939 SELF CONTAINED: FREE WI-FI, ELECTRICITY, CABLE @ RESIDENTIAL LOCATION, OPPOSITE THE HARBOR BRIDGE$35,000-CALL: 643-8080; 600-5775
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 Austin Power’s Repairs Services: fridges, washers, stoves, microwaves, blenders, etc. Call: 616-4514; 613-1711 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove repaired and serviced. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073 PEN PAL Female looking for male for friendship between ages 3743yrs. Call: 592-696-3387 FOR SALE/RENT American pool table – Call: 277-0578 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 6435122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Pure bred German shepherd puppies for sale. Call: 6253918 1- Cat 320 BL excavator, 1 Cat 428 Back Hoe, 1-930 Cat loader, 1-Cat D44 bulldozer. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 1-Pneumatic Roller 9 wheels, 1-55 Leyland Daf Truck. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Cat 928F Loader, Cat 3116, 3406 and Cummins L10 Engine, Miller Welder, Light Tower. Contact # 661-9096
ACCOMMODATION Georgetown: Fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment: airconditioned, Wi-Fi, housekeeping & utilities included ($106,000/$67,000). Call: 668-0306; 694-7817 Harmony Inn: clean, comfortable & affordable apartments/rooms, long & short term – Call: 668-0306; 218-1400; 694-7817 LAND FOR SALE
2-Daf 45 10-Ton Flatbed Truck, 1-Kobelco Sk160 Excavator-4D34 Engine. Contact #661-9096 One Hobart welding generator, 10,000 watts, in excellent condition –Call: 699-4300; 228- 2734 1-Toyota Raum HB 7729 in excellent condition, price $750,000 negotiable. Call: 642-4416
High value transported land and small newly built house, Greater Diamond E.B.D -$16M negotiable. Call: 684-7234
New Arrivals! Handbag set, wholesale quantities available fragrances paradise: (inside triple ‘N’ Supermarket, Pouderoyen, W.B.D - Call: 600-1559
25 Acres land for sale @ Linden Highway –Call: 6831521
Forever Stylish boutique: turn key business, located at Sharon’s - Call:592-667-7544
Herstelling (100ftX50ft) corner lot, land fill La Parfaite Harmonie with foundation (25ftX30ft) -$1.2M, Bartica $2.8M – Call: 611-7223; 6042207
1 Complete high volume, 2 stage water purification systems, UV light, water tanks, freezer, reasonable , owner migrating – Call: 649-8430
Land situated at 33 area F Zeeburg South W.C.D, size: 150X55’. Call: 615-1594; 6683293 CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Lot 133 Diamond New Scheme Housing Scheme, EBD Call: 678-7186 or fhamid121@gmail.com
FOR RENT One nail station in mall, prime area, call: 647-1773
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
Friday June 17, 2016
Kaieteur News
Lot 32 Princess St. Wortmanville, GeorgetownCall: 621-8767
Republic Park Ph1: 2 flats 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, well maintained, including yard $51M-Call: 609-6516; 6170758; 645-2580 Tuschen: 1 2-Flat Concrete Building, price negotiableTel: 231-9690/9693. Call between 08.00 hrs - 16.00 hrs. Property for sale in prime commercial location in Rose Hall Town, 1½ lots for $6MCall: 683-5629 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 House & land 150X100 @ 6 Good Hope EBE, Double Lot @ 41&44 Vergenogen E.B.E, Double lot (business spot) @ Zeelugt. Call: 642-6642 Prime Residential Lots, in Gated Communities, Schoonord, W.B.D, Blankenburg, W.C.D, Contact #661-9096; 260-4018 One 2 Flat concrete - 1-6 bedrooms house (transported) large yard space, in Strathspey E.C.D - $14M negotiable Call: 689-5103 One flat house 2 bedrooms at Grove New Scheme 2nd Bridge, large land space $11M. Call: 626-1263/ 6809593
VACANCY Welder / Fabricator must have experience-Contact 223-5273/4 Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
2009 ALLION -$2.8M, 2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2010 IST$2.6M, 2009 FIELDER $2.5M, 2011 AXELA $2.6M. CALL: 617-2891
Autocad Technician to draw parts and components contact 2235273/4
1 Leyland DAF LF HIAB truck 5 ton HIAB new, hardly used GTT 2960 -$4M. Call: 622-6746
Hair/nail & barber stations for rental, discounts for new comers @ New Market St. Call: 638-1106
Mitsubishi GLX Sports $400,000, MR2 Sports Toyota -$500,000, 200 Mercedes Benz -$300,000. Call: 226-8013 1 FUSO Crane GTT 20 $4M; 1 HINO ranger wrecker GVV1890 -$4M, 1 HIAB Canter GTT 7140 -$3.5M. (negotiable) Call: 622-6746
Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail. com Delivery Boys/office assistant within Georgetown –must have motorcycle license. Female office staff for Georgetown office – Call: 619-6215 Truck Porter to travel in and out of Interior. Call: 618-2020 Dragger Operator (Brazilian must have 10 years experience) contact # 223-5273/4 Truck Driver for TM Model M Truck ( must have experience) contact # 223-5273/4 Caterpillar Mechanic contact # 223-5273/4 Ranger (must know to use GPS) contact # 223-5273/4
New self-contained 3 bedroom house, upper flat, security cameras; security lights, window screens @ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2260880; 603-0067 2 Bedrooms apartment $50,000 monthly @ 29 Howes Street. Contact Petboy on the above address.
One model M Truck- call: 622-4386 Sale on black leotard & tights from $3000 up @ Roxie’s Fashion, 301 Church & Thomas Streets. NOTICE
1 Bedroom apartment @ Middle Road La Penitence $27,000 monthly – Call: 6669534 or 226-6374
Splashmin’s Resort has moved. We are now located at 52 Hadfield Street behind GT&T- Call: 223-7301-3
One two bedroom house, fully furnished in gated community to rent-Call: 6230156; 695-3150
Toyota AT212, AT192, LTouring Wagon, Solid Def pickup 4X4, RZ, Runx, Canter, Honda CAPA. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 Mazda RX8 – Call: 602-6024 1 Fun Cargo in great condition, asking price -$1.4M negotiable. Call: 665-9669 Toyota Raum, automatic, power steering, AC, music, full body kit. Must be seen @ a bargain! –Call: 616-0427 Mitsubishi Jeep, automatic, power steering, A/C, 4X4, mag rim, good value, very nice. Call: 616-0427 / 689-3612
Exist for cashiers and salesclerks @ Nirva Supermarket, apply in person with written application. Call: 227-5771 One male janitor/cleaner, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. GME Realty is seeking agents -$50,000 + commission with experienced & $20,000 inexperienced until qualify. Text:648-2345/ email: gmereal estateagency@outlook.com Accountant: CAT level 2 ACCA and 2 yrs experienced, office located in Wales. Call: 651-1106
TO LET
VEHICLE FOR SALE
One Spa specialist with knowledge of acrylic nails, pedicure & massage. Call: 696-7337 for details. 1 Experienced computer literate sales rep, apply @ Roxie’s Fashion, 301 Church & Thomas Streets with handwritten application. One Experienced Hauler driver, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Porters apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Sales Representative (valid driver licence), Marketing Executive, Industrial Mechanic & Electrician. Apply to: jkeshwani.alesie@gmail.com Call: 269-0058
EDUCATIONAL 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, Vreeden-Hoop, Parika Highway. Call: 264-3057 WANTED Bus Driver- 40 years & older. Call: 665-2619 Waitress must be living in the vicinity of Leonora to Parika – Call: 642-6664 Experienced Driver apply in person with handwritten application @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. One single working female to share furnished house with single female- Call: 6162445 Canter driver to work and pay owner on a weekly basis. Call: 678-3160 Truck driver to work in Georgetown –Call: 227-1717 (Continued on page 31)
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The rights of Guyana LGBT citizens DEAR EDITOR; While the American citizen must have been contemplating his attack on the Pulse Night club in Orlando, the homophobic in the Caribbean, and those who are scared of the homophobic were maintaining the so called morality of discriminatory laws and norms which enable the rage against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Jamaican Maurice Tomlinson challenged the laws of Belize and of Trinidad & Tobago which discriminate against homosexual visitors. The resulting judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice has said that homosexuals should freely move within the Caribbean as other citizens but the laws are okay. Colin Robinson, of Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) in Trinidad has said that the judgment leaves homosexuals as ‘unapprehended outlaws’ . Essentially, the laws will remain on the books, and it will be up to the state authorities to decide how to apply them. In the Bahamas, the fear of ‘same sex marriage’ played a role in the rejection of laws which aimed for gender equality. The homophobia continued in that the proposed bill sought to eliminate intersex from the definition of sex, but that did not seem to appease the righteous. Belizean citizen Caleb Orozco continues to wait on the judgment in the case he brought to challenge the homophobic legislation of Belize. The case was heard in May 2013. There is no guarantee that any of the judgments which leave LGBT citizens as ‘unapprehended outlaws’ will protect rights. Magistrate Dylon Bess refused transgender citizen Twinkle access to the court
because he wanted Twinkle to ‘dress like a man’. This is despite a ruling in Guyana’s courts which said that crossdressing was okay except when the State said it was for an ‘improper purpose’ The Magistrate has not explained why he thought attending court would be ‘improper purpose’ . The authorities have not demanded him to do so. The American citizen with the legally purchased assault rifle fulfilled the fantasies expressed in the music of the Caribbean. The minibus drivers and the dee jays who broadcast the calls of ‘ we nah want no chi chi man’ and ‘bun dem’ must be celebrating. There are mutterings and postings about people of deep or no religious persuasions that the attacks were deserved. Pulse must be for those who want to love the sinner and hate the sin the epitome of their interpretation of Sodom and Gomorrah The righteous will rage and say, love the sinner and hate the sin. They fail to realise how that theology does not work in a place where there is a high tolerance for violence and homophobic violence. The cynics will remark that the US with its gay marriage and so did not offer protection. The politicians who have paid lip service to change probably are scared about which should come first, cultural change or legal change? “We really not into the fish thing around here ... you don’t see seh nobody not crying about it.” is how one Jamaican citizen reportedly remarked on the murder of Orville Lorne and another man Montego Bay Jamaica a few weeks ago (Jamaica Gleaner May 27 2016) . And the Attorney General of Jamaica though, perhaps in a more nuanced version of not being
Dale Andrews... From page 4 death came as a big surprise and blow and will be surly missed by Kaieteur News, especially the Correspondents. I wonder what he meant when he said he will not be around or something to that nature. Dale called me later on Thursday night to cover the piracy story on Friday. I was surprise because that he reportedly was working that later of recent. He said make sure you get the story because you know I would not be around or something to that nature. I know he doesn’t work on Fridays. I did not know he was on some sick leave. I
wonder what he meant. Dale along with Claude David, Mike Baptiste and Adam Harris were some of the best personalities at Kaieteur News and in my view those who made the paper what it is. Most of my family knew Dale, because if I have to get something done at Kaieteur News the instructions would usually be. See Dale, contact Dale, wait for Dale, talk to Dale, ask Dale and the instruction goes on. You bet, as long as it is practically possible it would be done. Dale Andrews was definitely the man and would surely be missed. Samuel Whyte
into the fish thing, tweeted in her personal capacity that the flying of the rainbow Flag on the United States Embassy was a disrespect of the Jamaican Laws even though she was opposed to the murders in Orlando. People might say oh there are no mass murders of gays in Guyana and the Caribbean. But there are murders, and beatings and threats to lives and livelihoods which do not make the media attention because they are one-one. There is discrimination
which cannot be reported for fear of further discrimination. Some LGBT citizens might be protected by class privileges or political affiliations. Most though have to find ways of dealing with their place in the sun as being ‘unapprehended outlaws’ . In Guyana, the major political parties at the last elections made manifesto promises to deal with discrimination against LGBT citizens. Yet, those who have maintained the agenda to keep the discriminatory laws have
been rewarded with Parliamentary and other state funded positions. And there has been no further work done on changing the laws. There can be no real equality in Guyana and the Caribbean as long as a pretence is maintained that ‘lovers of the sinners and haters of the sin’ can condemn the murders in Orlando without condemning the laws, ideologies and theologies that resulted in the purchase and use of the assault rifle. Vidyaratha Kissoon
Peeping Tom’s poor...
From page 5 potential for local market expansion as well as export. The writer bemoans what he/she claims to be stasis or failure in cultural and creative investment, claiming for example “Guyana spent billions of dollars hosting Carifesta with the hope that it would have led to the development of Guyana’s cultural industries, including written, visual and stage works.” On this latter point, I concede readily that purported investment in the creative industries over the previous ten years, and particularly under the tenure of then Minister of Culture, Dr. Frank Anthony, was fraught with poor vision and terrible accountability. In addition to Carifesta X (2008) which Guyana hosted, I can readily add the gross mismanagement of the Caribbean Press and the Sports and Arts
Development Fund. Even as it is on the agenda of my office to properly investigate the extent to which there has been medium term to recent mismanagement of culture, moving forward the goal is to develop a framework for effective management in keeping with Goal One of the current UN recommendations for cultural policy development, ‘Support Sustainable Systems of Governance For Culture.” This means that we will not be faced with billion-dollar expenditure on cultural activities and programmes with no oversight and no accountability as was standard operating procedure. Investment in culture will work as well as investment in any industry as long as there are strategic planning as well as monitoring and evaluating processes involved. Finally, the writer pro-
nounces that ”Guyana does not need a cultural policy.” Not only has there been acknowledgement that this has to be a priority from the level of government, but every single international framework in which we operate – CARICOM/CARIFORUM, UNASUR/MERCOSUR, CELAC, UNESCO – lists a national cultural policy as the fundamental priority step in collectively moving forward on culture. This philosophy that we don’t need a national cultural policy is precisely the sort of backward thinking that saw the former government resist all attempts at formulating, circulating and seeking parliamentary commitment on a comprehensive consultation-based policy and strategy document. Ruel Johnson Cultural Policy Advisor, Ministry of Education
From page 30
WANTED Live in waitress –Call: 645-4543 Live in female to prepare cutters @ E.B.D location $16,000 weekly, free meals & accommodation- Call/ Whatsapp: 661-8802 1 Male to cook in the Backdam. Call: 678-0565 Experienced professional cook/pastry maker, cashiers with computers skills @ Annabel Bistro, 36 Public Road La Grange W.B.D – Call: 678-3400 Experienced female accounts clerk apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Hallow Blocks maker- Call: 233-2767 Business partner manage farm –Call: 695-0007 One field supervisor to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717 Porters/Labourers, apply @ Wieting & Richter Ltd, 1013 Water Street Kingston. Live in waitress to work in a bar @ Berbice- Call: 6046606; 692-4649 1 Cleaner to work in snackette & bar. Must know to cookbetween ages 20-35 -Call: 647-7432/ 223-5798 Handyman to work at a shop, between ages 50-60. Call: 227-3042; 676-7291 One experienced sales clerk between ages 18-28 – apply within- Call: 225-8831 Driver & Porter to sell water on East Coast. Apply at Nimbus Water Tel # 231-7002 One driver –Call: 611-1586 Live-in experienced waitress 18-25yrs, boarding & lodging free, salary $70,000-$80,000 monthly - Call: 610- 5043
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MP shot dead, EU referendum campaigns suspended Reuters - A British member of parliament was shot dead in the street yesterday, causing deep shock across Britain and the suspension of campaigning for next week’s referendum on the country’s EU membership. Jo Cox, 41, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party and a vocal advocate for Britain remaining in the European Union, was attacked while preparing to meet constituents in Birstall near Leeds in northern England. Media reports said she had been shot and stabbed. West Yorkshire regional police said a 52-year-old man was arrested by officers nearby and weapons including a firearm recovered. “We are not in a position to discuss any motive at this time,” said Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins. One witness said a man pulled an old or makeshift gun from a bag and fired twice. “I saw a lady on the floor like on the beach with her arms straight and her knees up and blood all over the face,” Hichem BenAbdallah told reporters. “She
Jo Cox
wasn’t making any noise, but clearly she was in agony.” The lawmaker’s husband Brendan said: “She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now: one, that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.” The rival referendum campaign groups said they were suspending activities for the day, with the Remain camp saying its activities would also be suspended today. Prime Minister David Cameron said he would pull out of a planned rally in Gibraltar, the British ter-
ritory on the southern coast of Spain. Cameron said the killing of the mother-of-two, who had worked on U.S. President Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign, was a tragedy. “We have lost a great star,” the Conservative prime minister said. “She was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion, with a big heart. It is dreadful, dreadful news.” It was not immediately clear what the impact would be on the June 23 referendum, which has polarised the
nation into pro- and anti-EU camps. But some analysts speculated it could boost the pro-EU “Remain” campaign, which in recent days has fallen behind the “Leave” camp in opinion polls. Britain’s sterling currency rose against the dollar after news of the attack, adding around two cents. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney scrapped major speeches planned for Thursday evening and the International Monetary Fund said it had delayed the publication of a report on the British economy. Media reports, citing witnesses, said the attacker had shouted out “Britain first”, which is the name of a rightwing nationalist group that describes itself on its website as “a patriotic political party and street defence organisation”. But the deputy leader of the group, Jayda Fransen, completely distanced it from the attack, which she described as “absolutely disgusting”.
West Yorkshire’s elected Police and Crime Commissioner said “our information is that this is a localised incident, albeit one that has a much wider impact”. Gun ownership is highly restricted in Britain, and attacks of any nature on public figures are rare. The last British lawmaker to have been killed in an attack was Ian Gow, who died after a bomb planted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded under his car at his home in southern England in 1990. Britain’s Union Jack flag was flying at half-mast over the Houses of Parliament in London, while in Birstall hun-
dreds of people attended a vigil at a local church. Colleagues expressed their shock and disbelief at the death of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate who had spent a decade working for aid agency Oxfam in roles including head of humanitarian campaigning and was known for her work on women’s issues. She won election to parliament for northern England’s Batley and Spen district at the 2015 general election, and lived with her husband and children on a traditional Dutch barge moored on the Thames near the Tower of London.
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Kaieteur News
Venezuela refutes blame Income Tax For Earners Over $6 Million To Be Applied Retroactively for food shortage and clarifies recall referendum KINGSTOWN, St Vincent — In two press statements issued by the Venezuelan embassy in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the embassy refuted a report that a Venezuela state governor had blamed Aruba and Curacao for food shortages and also stated what it described as “truths about the recall referendum”. On Tuesday, in a report republished from the Curacao Chronicle, Jose Gregorio Vielma Mora, a former general who is now the governor of the Venezuelan state of Tachira, had accused Curacao and Aruba of contributing to the shortage of food in Venezuela by importing tons of illegal exports of food and other products the neighbouring country. According to the embassy, Vielma Mora stated in a television interview that these exports, far from being illegal, resulted from a new economic agenda implemented by the national executive, with the aim of promoting a new productive eco-
Jose Gregorio Vielma Mora nomic model. Vielma Mora said that different foods and products have been exported to other countries, not only Aruba and Curacao. He said textiles, footwear, plastic and furniture have been sold to the United States, Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia and some Caribbean islands. In addition, he said that 40 tons of food such as potatoes, carrots, vegetables and
fruits were exported through the port of La Vela in Falcon state and Maracaibo in Zulia state. He also said there was a meeting with the consul general of Venezuela in Aruba in order to ship perishable products such as cheese and coffee to the Caribbean island, with the support of the government of the Netherlands. (Caribbean News)
JFJ demands action after Tivoli Enquiry report tabled KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) yesterday demanded action from the Government, following the tabling of the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry report in Parliament Wednesday. In a news release, the JFJ said the commission’s report detailed some of the “greatest assaults on human rights in Jamaica’s modern history” and serves as a reminder of the deadly cost of a culture of impunity – one paid by the over 70 Jamaicans killed during the joint police-military operation in 2010. However, JFJ pointed out that the Commission’s report is not the end of the process but the beginning of another stage. “Now, the government
must commit to a serious programme of reform that recognises, interrupts and prevents human rights violations by the security forces and strengthens State organs capable of providing effective remedies,” the human rights group said. “Action is the only response that honours the dignity of victims and secures justice for those still harmed by State violence across Jamaica.” The group is therefore calling on the government to respond officially to the report’s findings and expeditiously implement its recommendations. JFJ moved to identify some key recommendations in the 900-page report, which it says needs to be addressed without delay.
The recommendations are that: the Government apologise to and compensate residents for the “excesses of the security forces during the operation”, affirming Jamaica’s binding human rights obligations locally and internationally; there be continued criminal investigations into the killings of residents whom “all the evidence adduced strongly suggests…were unlawfully killed by unidentified police officers”, placing a burden on the Government to ensure that the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is sufficiently equipped to conduct impartial investigations, free from obstacles and frustrations; there be reforms of the security forces that would improve their use of force, arms management, and civilian oversight – longstanding issues raised repeatedly by civil society. “Starting the process on these priority recommendations does not require lengthy deliberations – it only requires political will. On matters of such importance, further delay is not an option,” the JFJ said. (Jamaica Observer)
The Gleaner - Persons earning above $6 million a year will owe the government money when the new income tax rate for high income earners is introduced on July 1. At that time, the tax rate will go up from 25 per cent to 30 percent on the portion of the earnings above $6 million. Chief Corporate Communications Officer Tax Administration Jamaica, Meris Haughton, says the new rate will apply for the full calendar year. This means that persons in the $6 million income bracket will have to pay the government taxes on income earned between January and June. Haughton said the rate is
Meris Haughton being applied in keeping with the ministerial order which
sanctions the changes to the income tax regime. She notes that this is first time an adjustment in the income tax is being applied in this way. Haughton was speaking on Ind e p e n d e n t Ta l k o n Power 106 FM yesterday morning. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Office of the Private Sector Association of Jamaica ( P S O J ) , D e n nis Chung says the group will oppose the tax rate. Chung said the PSOJ members met Wednesday night and rejected the proposal. He stressed that applying the tax rate retroactively will further burden persons earning above $6 million a year.
T&T Muslims detained in Venezuela: Terror case axed, new charges on Trinidad Guardian - Venezuelan authorities have dropped terrorism charges against the five T&T nationals detained there since March but they are now being charged with intent to commit espionage and to commit a crime, Islamic Front leader Umar Abdullah said Wednesday. A T&T Security official also confirmed the development Wednesday night after Abdullah told the T&T Guardian he had received word on the developments a few days ago and confirmed it with the chief counsel at T&T’s Venezuelan embassy, who said the terrorism charges were being dropped but two new charges were being instituted. Abdullah said a decision on whether to plead guilty to that or “not guilty” will now have to be made by the men. The men—Wade Charles, Dominic Jamal Pitilal, Asim Luqman, Andre Bathersby and Lesley Daisley —have been detained since 2014 on suspicion of terrorism. They were held at hotel Sabana Grande along with a 22-member Muslim group which went to seek visas for a pilgrimage. That group was released but they were detained. Their families demonstrated last month when Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro met Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for talks. Yesterday, Abdullah said latest information received was that the five appeared in court on June 7 and their lawyers subsequently had a chamber meeting with a judge in the
Umar Abdullah matter. Abdullah said he learned the maximum sentence for the two charges being proposed was about three years if the men pleaded guilty. Time served would be factored in. They have been detained for two years and three months so far. Abdullah said if they pleaded “not guilty” to the two charges they would have to go through a trial. “My position is they should go through the trial rather than pleading guilty since pleading guilty to espionage and intent to commit a crime will stain them and even the country. “We have no problem with how Government has handled the matter but will like a deeper examination of the situation in the context of the
recent meeting with Venezuela. This does not seem to be what was agreed on. We need clarification on these developments,” he added. Contacted yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said he was aware the Venezuelan courts were considering the matter but had not received official briefing on what had happened, if anything. An article on Page A10 of yesterday’s paper, headlined “China/T&T medical MoU ends: Minister lobbies for continuation”, incorrectly gave Dr Agatha Carrington’s title as deputy chairman of UTT. Carrington is in fact assistant professor, health sciences at UTT. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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Kaieteur News
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WADA approves Kenyan anti-doping laws – Minister
History beckons as Slingerz face old rivals... (From page 40) and celebrate with us at the end of the game.” While noting that this final is just another big match in the running rivalry between Alpha and Slingerz, Dover pointed out that it is important for his side to be victorious since losing can see them losing the #1 billing in Guyana. ”It is important for us to
win this game and the tournament overall as it would be a game that can see us knocked off the top as Guyana’s #1 team. Slingerz and their fans can’t just simply be given #1 status, you gain that by winning your country’s national league and this is an opportunity for us to retain it.” ”Win, win, win is our
watch word from now until the final. The confidence level of the players going into this game is very high as they feel this is the time for them to win and retain, no regain our #1 status.” Both Wilson and Dover expressed gratitude on behalf of their players to their respective Presidents, Javid Ali and Odinga Lumumba for their continued investment in keeping the clubs relevant. Sunday’s third place playoff will see Pele taking on Fruta Conquerors in what is anticipated to be another mouthwatering affair with Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson expected to play following the lifting of his provisional ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Guyana Football Federation.
Strong team selected ... (From page 39) 2.3.5.Subzonal Competition. Sheriffa Ali has been a steady participant in the I.G.G Tournaments. FIDE accredited coach, Wendell Meusa, who holds the National Instructor license, will accompany the two teams. Meusa has accumulated years of coaching and international tournament experience and was instrumental in the Absolute team’s success in 2014 when they ventured to Norway for the 41st Chess Olympiad. Meanwhile, President of the GCF, Irshad Mohamad and members of his executive met with the Director of Sports Christopher Jones, to introduce members of the teams and discuss preparation for the Olympiad. The Director wished the players well and feels that they have the potential to reinvigorate chess in Guyana.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved new laws to regulate doping in Kenyan athletics, officials in the East African country said yesterday. Kenya, bombarded by allegations of doping with up to 40 cases reported in the past four years, is hoping that the IAAF will remove it from the list of non-compliant nations before this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. ”WADA has approved amendments to Anti-Doping Act with no additional comment. Next step is Presidential assent and thereafter Kenya is set for full compliance with the WADA Code,” Sports Minister Hassan
Wario said on Twitter. Wario and Richard Ekai, the highest civil servant in Kenya’s Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts, visited WADA headquarters in Montreal, Canada this week to ensure the anti-doping laws legislated by Kenya’s parliament last month were compliant with the WADA code. That followed a recent rejection of parts of the legislation by WADA after Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta had signed the bill into law. ”It gives us the breathing space to focus on Rio Olympics at the strength the AntiDoping Agency of Kenya and initiate education programs for athletes on dop-
ing,” Wario said. The IAAF, ruling body of world athletics, is due to meet today in Austria to decide the fate of Russia, which was suspended from international competition in November due to allegations of widespread doping. The IOC said this month that its extra testing program would apply to Russia, Mexico and Kenya. Athletics Kenya suspended twice world cross-country champion Emily Chebet last year, about 12 months after threetimes Boston marathon winner Rita Jeptoo became the most high-profile Kenyan athlete to be banned after failing a doping test. (Reuters)
Friday June 17, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) To avoid any minor health problems, don't get too stressed. Your energy will be high. Get involved in creative groups.
Reciprocate by offering helpful hints. You will find good buys and you will lift your spirits. Your ideas may be good, but they aren't necessarily right for everyone.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take precautions while traveling; you don't have to get anywhere that fast. Opportunities for partnerships are present; but get every detail in writing. You will benefit through hidden assets and property investments.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make gains if you work in conjunction with others. You could be your own worst enemy if you overreact to something you're told. Try to address the real issues in order to turn things around.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You need to spend some time pampering yourself. Don't overreact if your partner has a poor attitude. Attend trade shows that will allow you to look at new products.. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You can accomplish a lot if you work out of your home today. Try not to be too harsh with loved ones; there will always be two sides to an Issue. Get involved in groups that can offer intellectual stimulation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're in the mood to spend money. Use your intellectual approach to get the best results. Expect to experience a sudden reversal of fortune. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may have the opportunity to get involved in some interesting conversations. Use discretion in your dealings and refrain from making verbal promises of any kind. Get busy trying to make more money. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections. Don't let emotional upset force you into the poorhouse. Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations. Social events should be the highlight of your day. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Get back to basics and reevaluate what is important in life. Be aware that you might be at fault as well. Don't let others restrict you from saying how you feel about family issues. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't argue with family. Deception and doubts may surround your involvement with friends and relatives. An older loved one may be having problems. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's a favorable time for real estate, investments, and moneymaking opportunities to be successful. Opportunities for romance will develop through activities with large groups.
Friday June 17, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Scotiabank CONCACAF CL 2016 CFU Men’s Under to Benefit from new Prize 20 Day 1 Recap Structure in 2016/17 Season Miami - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) yesterday announced sweeping increases to economic incentives for clubs participating in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, the region’s premier competition for clubs. For the 2016/17 edition of the regional club tournament, a prize money pool of $1.2 million has been established, with the competition winner set to earn $500,000. The other three semi-finalists will also earn cash prizes, representing an important investment in the C o n f e d e r a t i o n ’s c l u b championship. Additional investments are also earmarked for participating clubs’ travel and operations for the event. ”We understand that investment in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League will pay dividends quickly, in further supporting clubs by compensating them for their monumental efforts and success in reaching the Champions League,” said CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.
”In speaking with and listening to our participating clubs and Member Associations, we understand the importance — in addition to cash prizes for teams reaching the final rounds of the competition – of also supporting the clubs by increasing the travel stipend across the board, to help offset the rising costs of travel across the region.” CONCACAF’s investment in the 2016/17 edition of the Champions League will total over $5.5 million. In addition to the half million-dollar prize for the winner, the tournament runner-up will receive $300,000 and the two other semifinalists will get $200,000 each. The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions
League is a yearly club tournament, featuring 24 top clubs from around the Caribbean, North and Central America region. The tournament is played in two phases: a group stage from August to October, and a knockout round from February through late April or early May. The competition winner represents the Confederation at the FIFA Club World Cup. The draw for the 2016/17 edition of the Champions League took place in Miami last month. This season’s group stage play will begin in early August, with the full schedule set to be released in the coming weeks. Club America of Mexico is the two-time defending champion of the competition.
St. John’s, Antigua – Day 1 of Caribbean Football Uunion (CFU) Under-20 qualifying produced wins for Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia. Following is a recap of the matches: Jamaica 2 - 1 Dominica Jamaica came from a goal down in the first half to defeat Dominica 2-1 in their opening Group 2 encounter. Dominica took the lead in the 24th minute with a goal from Zion Lander, giving the men from the Nature Isle the lead into half time. Jamaica took hold of the match in the second half with a Shaman Nicholson double in the 46th and 61st to give the young Reggae Boyz the victory. Dominican Republic 2 - 1 St. Kitts and Nevis Hosts Dominican Repub-
lic also had to come from behind as St. Kitts and Nevis’ Tahir Hanley gave his team the lead in the 42nd minute. But two goals, from Manny Rodriguez in the 52nd minute and Arismendy Jimenez in the 70th, were enough for the hosts to claim three points. Turks & Caicos 0 2 St. Lucia After a scoreless first half St. Lucia scored twice after the break to seal a victory versus Turks and Caicos Islands. St. Lucia’s goals came from Antoine Wilfred in the 57th minute and Nyrone Winter in the 70th. Trinidad and Tobago 1 - 0 Guadeloupe Last edition’s champions Trinidad and Tobago defeated French islanders Guadeloupe 1 - 0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium. The lone strike came from Jarred Dass, who made it 1 - 0 in the 48th minute, securing an opening day win for the host.
Antigua and Barbuda 2 - 1 Cuba Antigua and Barbuda were 2-1 victors over Cuba thanks to a double by Javorn Stevens in the 14th and 24th minutes. The Benna Boys went into the interval up by two goals, however, Lazaro Yasmani pulled one back for Cuba in the 41st but it was not enough to deny Antigua and Barbuda the win. Puerto Rico 9 – 0 Sint Maarten Puerto Rico notched up the widest margin of victory on opening night, with a 9-0 trouncing of Sint Maarten. Doubles by Javier DeLaRosa (3’ and 47’), Jeimax Osoria (60’ and 70’) and Carmelo Carillo (76’ and 84’) as well as singles by Jose Rodriguez, Andre Rivera and Juan O’Neill led Puerto Rico to a convincing win over the home team at the Raqul Illidge Sports Complex.
Rio athletes’ village unveiled in front of IOC chief
Women’s Tour
Marianne Vos moves into overall lead as Amy Pieters wins stage two Marianne Vos moved into the overall lead at the Wo m e n ’s To u r a s h e r Dutch compatriot Amy Pieters won stage two. Germany’s Lisa Brennauer was edged into second as Vos came third to move three seconds clear of Christine Majerus of Luxembourg. Majerus, who came fifth, had pipped Vos to victory on the opening leg of the five-stage race on We d n e s d a y. Lizzie
Armistead was the highestplaced Briton, in 18th, on
Vos came a close second to Majerus on the opening stage of this year’s race. the 140km ride from Atherstone to StratfordUpon-Avon. The 27-year-old reigning world, Commonwealth and national road race champion took the Best British Rider jersey as she continues her preparations for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August. (BBCsport)
IOC President Thomas Bach, (L) walks with refugees and judo athletes from the Democratic Republic of Congo Yolande Mabika (C), and Popole Misenga (R) as they visit the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro. Reuters/Felipe Dana/Pool Despite financial and organizational problems that have delayed other construction projects for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the largest athletes’ v i l l a g e i n the long history of the Games was unveiled in the city on Wednesday. The village will host more than 18,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, officials,
staff and volunteers in 31 buildings and more than 3,600 apartments. It will be equipped with video games, musical instruments, beauticians, psychologists, a multi-faith religious center, swimming pools and tennis courts. ”(The athletes) will prepare for their competitions but at the same time they will dine together, they will discuss to-
gether, they will celebrate together, and in doing so will send a strong message of understanding, peace and respect to the whole world,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said. The first athletes are expected to arrive at the village on July 24 ahead of the Aug. 5-21 Olympics. (Reuters)
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Kaieteur News
Sturridge strikes late to seal 2-1 win for England
Northern Ireland took the lead after 49 minutes when Gareth McAuley rose to direct a superb header into the corner against Ukraine. Substitute Daniel Sturridge stabbed home a dramatic winner in stoppage time to steer England towards a 21 win over Wales and top spot in their Euro 2016 group yesterday. A goal down to Wales at halftime after Gareth Bale struck a wonderful free kick from 30 meters, England Manager Roy Hodgson brought on forwards Sturridge and Jamie Vardy, whom many fans had wanted to see start the game, to replace the ineffectual Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. It turned out to be a pivotal change as Vardy, England’s Footballer-of-theYear in the Premier League this season for his goal scoring at champions Leicester City, grabbed an equalizer in the 56th minute. Then, with England piling on the pressure in the dying seconds, Sturridge scrambled his way through the box to fire home the winner from close range. The result left England at the top of Group B on four points, ahead of Wales and Slovakia on three and Russia bottom with just one point. Wales would have won the group with victory, but instead they will meet Russia in their final game with their destiny still very much in their own hands. All talk of the recent fan violence in Marseille and Lille dissipated as the game kicked
off amid a cacophony of noise and singing from both sets of fans. England dominated most of the first half and Sterling could have put them ahead as early as the seventh minute, but he skied the ball over the bar from close range, and it did not get any better from there on for the Manchester City winger. With Wayne Rooney dropping deep to pull the strings in midfield, England sought to make the most of the space behind the Welsh full backs, but their final ball into the box was often a poor one. They went behind just before halftime w h e n Rooney clattered into Hal Robson-Kanu, with Bale driving a dipping free kick over the England wall and past keeper Joe Hart, who perhaps should have done better having got a hand to the ball. The jubilant Wales fans spent the break bouncing a beach ball around behind the goal, but the appearance of Vardy and Sturridge soon put a stop to their merriment. Eleven minutes after coming on, the pair combined to draw England level. Sturridge lifted the ball into the box where it came off the head of Wales captain Ashley Williams, and Vardy pounced to score. England continued to apply relentless pressure
but were held at bay until deep into stoppage time. Sturridge charged into the box, took a ball from Dele Alli, wriggled past one challenge and held off another before beating Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey with a powerful finish, conjured from little back lift. (Reuters) UKRAINE 0-2 NORTHERN IRELAND Gareth McAuley set Northern Ireland on their way to victory against Ukraine to keep their
The ball nestles in the back of the net as Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey grimaces after conceding late on. qualification hopes alive. The West Brom defender powered home Oliver Norwood’s free-kick four minutes after the break to send the Green and White Army into raptures. Ireland had to survive six added minutes after play was suspended midway through the second-half due to rain. However, McGinn settled their nerves when he scored at the death to seal a vital victory for Michael O’Neill’s men
and give them a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages. They slipped to defeat against Poland in their first Group C game, but the win over Ukraine means they head into their final match against Germany with destiny in their own hands. GERMANY 0-0 POLAND Group C remains in the balance after Germany and Poland played out a goalless draw in Paris.
Arkadiusz Milik missed two good chances for the Poles, who are locked with the Germans on four points heading into the final game. Both countries are guaranteed to qualify for the knockout stages if they avoid defeat next week. However, Joachim Low will be disappointed his world champions didn’t threaten more during the stalemate at Stade de France. (Mirror)
Government considering modern sports facilities in Linden, Essequibo, Berbice By Edison Jefford The Government of Guyana is considering the construction of modern multipurpose sports facilities in Linden, Essequibo and Berbice. This is according to Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, who made the disclosure on a television programme on the National Communications Network (NCN) Wednesday night. Speaking on Edwin Seeraj’s Sports Magazine, Jones disclosed that the Mexican Government has indicated its willingness to fund the construction of such facilities with the aforementioned being earmarked as the possible locations for them. According to Jones, the paperwork to finalise the deal is between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pressed for a timeline on works to commence, and the deal between the two countries to be finalised, Jones declined further comment. However, the Director of Sports said that he recognised that the majority of athletes
would come out of the named areas hence the need for facilities in those regions. He indicated that athletes in Georgetown are accessing the facility at Leonora. Seeraj asked Jones to comment on the location of the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, and he said that when he was Shadow Minister of Sport in Parliament while in opposition, it was something he questioned extensively with no success. He informed that the aim now is to develop other such facilities across Guyana, and as such apart from the joint initiative between the Mexican and Guyana Governments, a Ground Enhancement Project is on stream to engineer the development of grounds. Jones said that he recognised that $1M was too small an amount to adequately address overall development of grounds; hence he has recommended that the amount be raised to $10M to really be effective. This process has commenced he
Christopher Jones - Director of Sports noted. According to Jones, who took over as Director of Sports just over a year ago, one of the primary focuses on grounds is to upgrade the lights so that athletes can have more training time. He said that lights at grounds are almost a mandatory prerequisite for the grant.
In outlining Government’s priority for the development of sports, he indicated that the facilities, National Sports Policy, a national data base and records of athletes and sports within the schools’ curriculum are high on the agenda to move sports forward in a substantive way.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 17, 2016
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MoH Soft Shoe Football Competition
North Ruimveldt outlasts Festival City in thriller; Globe Yard, Holmes Street among winners Whenever they face each other it is always a fierce and close rivalry and their clash lived up to all expectations, but North Ruimveldt as they had done on previous occasions prevailed by a 4-2 margin against Festival City when play in the Ministry of Health/Petra Organization Soft Shoe Football Competition continued on Wednesday, at the sponsor’s ground on Brickdam & Vlissingen Road. The two teams that originate from the community of North Ruimveldt thrilled a capacity crowd that threatened to burst the perimeter of the venue with some entertaining football as they went at each other in an intense affair. Anthony Sancho handed North Ruimveldt the lead in the ninth minute when he reacted to a pass quickly to sweep past the goalkeeper to his left. Eon Alleyne, however, responded for Festival City shortly after when he expertly chested a Dwayne Lawrence chip from the right side into the far corner. N o r t h R u i m v e l d t ’s experienced talisman Gerald Grittens was in no mood to entertain any defiance and he gave them the lead close to the half with a clinical header past the keeper. The score line remained the same at the break
Part of the action between Cross Street and Globe Yard which the latter won on Wednesday night, at the Ministry of Health ground. On the resumption, North Ruimveldt stretched their advantage through the energetic Joshua Browne, who fired past the g o a l k e e p e r, w h o h a d slipped in his attempt to intercept a through ball from the back. Once again Festival City responded and who else it was that led the fight back but Alleyne, who raced on to a loose ball, before sliding it past the advancing keeper and then punched it into an empty goal as they trailed 23. With time running out, Festival City were forced to
commit more players forward and they paid the price when Grittens unleashed a powerful rightfooter which the opposing goalkeeper could only parry into his goal, before the final whistle sounded by Referee Wayne Griffith. Globe Yard squeezed past Cross Street 2-1 in another game that had their respective supporters screaming with excitement. Shalomo Hunter gave Cross Street the ascendancy in the third minute with a clever finish from the left side. Andrew Murray Jnr then
SUR lauds creditable performances at Hampton Games Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) and its New Amsterdam arm (NASUR) participated in the Hampton Games that was held in the Twin Island of Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, earlier this month. According to a press release from the Club, the contingent including seven athletes, a coach and assistant coach/manager departed Guyana on May 26. There were some outstanding performances where most of the athletes qualified for the finals in
their events and two bronze medals won. Notable performances came from Stayon Wilson, who ran 49.8 seconds in the 400m which was a new personal best for him. Tandika Hinds,who received a bronze medal in the 400m with a time of 1:00:00 and Dequan Bobb, who attained bronze in the 1500m with a time of 4:40, also performed creditably. Ronaldo Gobin achieved personal best times in all his events. He ran 11.1 seconds in the U17 100m, 22.9 seconds in
the 200m and 53.3 seconds in 400m. The lone high jumper, Osafo Profitt achieved a height of 1.90m for fifth place in this event. The other team members were Lynese McKenzie who competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m and Carlos Trinidad, who competed in the 100m and 200m. The Coaching the team included Ms. Carol Rodney and Team Manager, Andre Williams. It was the first regional competition for SUR since its inauguration a year ago.
equalised for Globe Yard in the 17th minute through a penalty, before Rolex Smith closed the deal for Globe Yard in the 28th minute, firing into the left corner. In other results, West Back Road edged Channel-9 Warriors 2-1. Jamal Haynes netted a brace in the 17th and 27th minutes, while Kemo Lawrence sixth minute strike was the lone response for the Warriors. L a i n g Av e n u e a n d Campbellville traded goals frequently, but could only manage a 4-4 draw. Roy Cassou booted in a brace for Laing Avenue, while David George and Orlando Ricketts supported
with one apiece. For Campbellville, Okeri Codrington scored a pair, while Kenneth Jackson and Ozeal Small each had a goal. Tucville and North East La Penitence played to a 1-1 result. Calvin Moore scored for North East La Penitence in the third minute, while Dennis Edwards responded in the 11th minute for T u c v i l l e Holmes Street won via walkover against California Square. Action in the competition is set to continue tomorrow at the same venue with the final group fixtures. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, Broad Street takes
on Ministry of Health, while Albouystown tackles Young Ballers from 19:45hrs. In the third fixture at 20:30hrs, West Front Road square off against Queen Street of Tiger Bay, while Bent Street engages Kitty We a v e r s f r o m 2 1 : 1 5 hrs. The fifth fixture at 21:45hrs is between Alexander Village and Leopold Street, while defending champ Sparta Boss battles Sophia from 22:30hrs. Other sponsors of the event include GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 17, 2016
Word formers go after Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd trophy Just over two weeks after the Intermediate level players engaged in fierce competition, officials of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) have organized another tournament, the Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd open scrabble tournament at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, Sunday, June 26. This is the arena for the big boys (and girls) and keen rivalry is anticipated from former National Champion, Fred Collins, Moen Gafoor and James Krakowsky among others. The females will also vie for championship honours and names such as National
Champion, Abigail McDonald, Yvonne Murray (who won the just concluded intermediate championship), Grace Carter and Ruby Cummings among others will enter the tournament with high ambitions. The registration period commences at 09:30hrs and clocks will be started at 10:15hrs. Those members with boards and clocks are asked to bring them along to facilitate an anticipated large turnout. An admission fee of $500 will be collected during the registration period and participants are urged to arrive at the venue early enough to conform to this
STSC to host walk-a-ton and six-over softball South Turkeyen Sports Committee (STSC) will be hosting a walk-a-ton in observance of Father’s Day on June 24 starting at 06:00 hrs. The event will commence from Square of the Revolution and proceed around Georgetown before concluding at the National Park. Following its conclusion, the committee will honour 25 fathers from
Abigail McDonald
James Krakowsky
Yvonne Murray
GCB present brush cutters to clubs in Berbice
Sophia. Entrance fee is $200 per mile. The committee will also be hosting a six-over softball competition on the same day at the Ministry of Education ground commencing at 10:00hrs. Entrance fee is $6,000 and trophies and medals will be provided by Tent City, P & P Insurance Brookers and Tr o p h y S t a l l B o u r d a Market.
Federer races through to Halle quarters Roger Federer hurried into the quarter-finals of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle yesterday, wrapping up a 63 7-5 victory over Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri in 69 minutes. The top seed, who has won eight titles at the German grasscourt tournament that has proved ideal preparation for Wimbledon during his long career, quickly overcame a second-set hiccup when he dropped his serve to go 3-0 down. He rediscovered his rhythm, recovered the deficit and then broke the Tunisian in the 11th game before serving out the match. Federer next meets Belgian David Goffin, who was leading Sergiy Stakhovsky 4-6 7-5 2-0
prerequisite. There will be six games played with a break for lunch after the first three games and players will vie for trophies donated by Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd. The first three finishers will win prizes as well as the player forming the most bingos. The organizers are also inviting young, interested players to come and experience the feel of competitive Scrabble.
when the Ukranian retired hurt after an awkward fall. ”That’s life...some days are just not meant to be. I’ll try to be back for Wimbledon,” Stakhovsky tweeted. Federer, 34, will be keen to enjoy as much match practice as possible before Wimbledon after pulling out of the French Open last month with a back injury. He leads 25-year-old fifth seed Goffin 4-0 in their head-to-head tally. The Swiss, ranked three in the world, is also joined in the quarter-finals by home favorite and eighth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, who downed lofty Croatian Ivo Karlovic 6-7(7) 6-4 7-5 despite being on the receiving end of 26 aces. (Reuters)
One of the brush cutters on display as club representatives and GCB Executive Members savor the moment. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) presented a brush cutter each to thirteen cricket clubs in Berbice to assist with ground preparation. A contingent consisting of President Drubahadur, Secretary Anand Sanasie, Marketing Manager Raj Singh and TDO Colin Stuart, met with representatives of the clubs at the Albion Community Development Centre and presented the equipment. The clubs are West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, Blairmont, Tucber Park, Rosehall Town, Police, Young Warriors, Edinburgh, Port Mourant, Albion, Skeldon Community Development Centre, Rosehall Estate and Bush Lot. Drubahadur told the clubs that he is heartened
that they saw this intervention as important, noting that he is even more happy that they have endeavored to maintain and upkeep the equipment so that the club grounds can have maximum utilization of them. Sanasie said the GCB recognised that cricket clubs need help preparing grounds, especially when the weather is bad. He stated that today the GCB is reaching out to Berbice, a continuation from last year when the GCB assisted clubs in Berbice with cricket nets and cash. Sanasie said GCB would continue to help clubs in Guyana in enhancing and developing their facilities. He called on the clubs to take good care of the brush
cutters and asked Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to check them from time to time. Angela Hanniff, Secretary of the (BCB) thanked GCB for this initiative, noting that the cutters would help a great deal in getting grounds prepared and ready for first division and other cricket in Berbice. Haniff stated that BCB would take full responsibility of keeping the brush cutters in proper conditions. The brush cutters are seen as valuable assets to cricket clubs since it greatly assist curators in maintaining high standards of pitch squares - an aspect of the ground that has been the subject of vital importance. Further the cutters would
undoubtedly assist in the upkeep outfields, especially during unfavourable weather conditions. The capability of keeping outfields at a lowered level during both favourable and unfavourable conditions adds to the overall suitability and efficiency of the ground preparation. The GCB having agreed with its affiliated clubs on the conceptualization benefits of t h e b r u s h cutters, found it extremely critical to present the named clubs with such an i n v a l u a b l e a n d irreplaceable tool. This is another essential contribution by the GCB in an effort to uphold the highest standards of cricket clubs facilities across Guyana.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 17, 2016
West Indies Blind cricket team Coach Barath Mangru takes the Guyana team through a fitness drill.
Funding Needed National Blind Cricketers to play in Regional T20 in T&T By Sean Devers This year’s West Indies Blind T20 tournament which will be played in Trinidad is being used to select a West Indies team for the 2017 World t20 Championship set for India. The Regional tournament is schedule from July 8-16 in Trinidad with Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and host Trinidad & Tobago participating. The Guyana team must play in this competition for their players to be eligible for selection to the Regional team. In 2014 Kevin Douglas, Leroy Phillips and Anthony Robinson were selected for the West Indies’ Blind tour to India but the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA) could not find the funds needed to help pay for their trip and the three Guyanese had to be replaced. Last year President David Granger contributed $2Million to make the team’s trip to St Lucia possible and it is hoped that corporate Guyana and Government of Guyana can help to provide the Guyanese players the opportunity of vying for a place on the West Indies side by ensuring they get the chance to showcase their talent to the West Indies Blind selectors who are all fully sighted. Cecil Morris, President (ag) of the GBCA is again pleading with the Private Sector and Government for support since the budget is approximately $2.5 million and the GBCA is still $1.8Million short of that amount. The Guyana players are
currently training under the watchful eyes of National Blind Coach Bharat Mangru, who was Coach of the first ever West Indies Blind team which attended the Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan in 2006. Practice sessions are conducted every Sunday from 09:00hrs to noon at the National Gymnasium tarmac while practice sessions are also held during the week in Linden and supervised by a senior player. Currently there are 20 players in training from Linden, Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo. A camp is schedule from June 24-27 at the National Gymnasium after which a 14-member squad will be selected for the tournament. Ganesh Singh, Oliver Kerr and Patrick Howard are the only Guyanese to don West Indies colors and they are once again among those shortlisted as is Douglas and Phillips. Seon Mitchell and talented female Crystal Aulder are also key members of the National team. Schemona Trinidad was the only Guyanese female to be selected on a West Indies team (both males and Females make up a team) when she was picked to play against the touring Australians in Barbados in 2010. She qualified for finals of the GTT’s Song Festival and opted out of the team but unfortunately did not emerge as the top vocalist. The GBCA do not just view blind cricket as a competitive sport but as a vehicle for the empowerment of blind and visually impaired persons.
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Friday June 17, 2016
West Dem vs. Patentia - Players from West Demerara and Patentia fight for possession of the ball in their clash yesterday at the Leonora Synthetic Track facility.
West Deemarar gain sweet revenge over Patentia; wins for Camille’s and Skeldon Line Path It was a case of sweet revenge for West Demerara Secondary in their clash against Patentia Secondary in the 6th annual Digicel Schools Football Championship which continued yesterday, at the Leonora Synthetic Track facility. Booted out of the competition last year by Patentia, West Demerara turned the tables this time with a hard fought 4-2 penalty kicks win after coming from behind to earn an exciting 2-2 draw in regulation time. It seemed as though they would be condemned to a similar fate when Patentia took the lead through a cracking free kick taken from about 30 metres on the left flank by Eon King following a foul. It came after eight minutes of play. Needing to respond and respond quickly, Glenroy Duncan did so in the 14th minute when he raced on to a floated cross from the right side that disected two defenders and landed perfectly for him and he made no mistake, placing it to the left of the advancing goalkeeper to level the proceedings. However, King was back in action in the 18th minute, courtesy of a penalty after an opposing player was guilty of handling the ball in the ‘Red Zone’ and the Referee rightly signaled for a spot kick which he buried nonchalantly for a 2-1 lead. Both teams played with zest and mounted numerous raids in each other’s half w i t h We s t D e m e r a r a coming close to equalising,
but a brilliant save by the Patentia goalkeeper kept them slightly ahead. With time running out in a game shortened due to a late start, Oneil Levans collected a pass from the left flank and he hammered a fierce right-footer past the goalkeeper to evoke wild celebrations among schoolmates and teachers to send the contest into the shootout which they won. Meanwhile, in other results, Skeldon Line Path Secondary crushed Lower Corentyne 20-0. Brandt Peneux led the onslaught netting nine goals. The goal scorers: Romeo Peneux (4, 79), Alex Partab (7, 39, 48), Brandt Peneux (17, 45, 46, 52, 54, 56, 62, 74, 80), Audie Coppin (24), Lleyton Miguel (32, 40), Sharrif Henry (49, 50, 78). Camille’s Academy scraped past Dora Secondary 3-2. Five more matches are planned for today with Institute of Business Education taking on Golden Grove at Golden Grove; Diamond battle Soesdyke at Leonora; Tutorial go up against Port Mourant Training Centre at Skeldon; South Ruimveldt tackles Ascension at Tucville and St. John’s College oppose Richard Ishmael at GDF. The winning school will receive $1,000,000 toward the funding off a school project and the Championship trophy while second, third and fourth placed teams will collect $700,000, $400,000 and $350,000 respectively to go towards schools projects as well.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 17, 2016
Director of Sports, Chris Jones, interacts with Irshad Mohammed and other chess players shortly after engaging them in discussions.
Strong team selected for 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan Candidate Master (CM) Anthony Drayton will lead a team of competent players when the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) attends the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan in September. Officials explained that the tournament is two tiered, the Absolute and Female sections respectively and for the first time in the history of the championships Guyana will compete in both categories. The other players selected for this prestigious tournament are Candidate Masters Taffin Khan, Ronuel Greenidge, Haifeng Su and Roberto Neto while the female team consists of CM Maria Varona Thomas (1790), Jessica Clementson (1281), Yolander Persaud (1151), Julia Clementson and Sheriffa Ali. Drayton is rated at 1947 and is currently Guyana’s number one player. At just 22-year-old he has earned his CM accreditation while competing in the 41st Chess Olympiad in Norway, 2014. Khan is a former Junior and Senior National Champion and boasts a rating of 1861. He recently earned his title in the 2.3.5 Sub-zonal Competition in Barbados
while Greenidge (1723) earned his accolade two years ago when he represented Guyana in the 41st Chess Olympiad in Norway. Haifeng Su also battled in the 41st Olympiad and currently has a rating of 1775 while Neto is a budding player with a decent rating of 1557. The women will also present a dangerous force. Led by Varona-Thomas, a mean player who keeps working hard to develop her game, the distaff group also comprises Attorneyat-Law, Yolander Persaud who earned her Developmental Instructor ’s Coaching License and her FIDE Arbiter’s License in 2014 during the 41st Chess Olympiad. Jessica Clementson is the face and founder of the U-Knighted Chess Institute and is known for a fearsome prowess demonstrated in recent tournaments such as the 2.3.5.Subzonal Competition and the UMADA Cup. Following closely in her footsteps is her sister Julia Clementson, who is also instrumental in the UKnighted Chess Institute. She was also among the brave participants representing Guyana in the (Continued on page
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t r o Sp History beckons as Slingerz face old rivals Alpha for the SEL FINALE championship
-FINALE By Franklin Wilson They have been involved in fierce battles over the past two years with Slingerz
Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover - Alpha United Head Coach holding a slight psychological edge over Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United having won 4 of the 9 encounters with Alpha
taking 3 whilst 2 have been drawn affairs. Slingerz prevailed over Alpha in match-ups in the Stag Elite League, winning
the Genesis opening match, Genesis final and the Finale first round clash. The sides battled to draws in their Genesis
opening match and the Finale second round matchup. Prior to the Stag Elite League, Sliungerz had downed Alpha in the Kashif and Shanghai 2015 final. Alpha would have defeated Slingerz in the finals of the 2013 Mayor’s Cup, Slingerz Gold for Goal Cup and Vision Sound Goodwill Series, all in 2013. This intense and healthy rivalry will once again be renewed when the two giants of local football collide on Sunday night at the Leonora Track and Field Facility Football Filed in the final of the historic FINALE, the second and final phase of the STAG Elite League. Slingerz will start as odds on favourite have been the only unbeaten team in the FINALE as well as winners of the GENESIS leg of the championship. In attack and defense the We s t D e m e r a r a b a s e d Slingerz have the best record, scoring 46 goals whilst only conceding 9. Alpha on the other hand has scored 40 goals and conceded 11. While the stats are there and cannot be changed, the Technical experts from both teams are hard at work in devising a plan to combat each other, come Sunday night next. Kaieteur Sport spoke with both coaches to get an insight into their plans for the big showdown. Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson, the man who has been silently plotting a rich history for Slingerz FC said that the mood of his players is as usual, “Calm and focused.” The experienced Wilson noted that preparations have gone well so far pointing out
Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson - Slingerz FC Coach that all matches are important to them. ”Our focus and commitment is at an all time high. Winning this league is what we have set out to do from the inception. We intend to leave no stone unturned in pursuit of this objective.” Wilson concluded. W i l s o n ’s o p p o s i t e number, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover has been at the helm of Alpha as their chief tactician since 2006 is keen on turning the tables against his fiercest opponent in order to regain the status as the number one club side in Guyana, a position they had held before being toppled by new kids on the block, Slingerz. Dover also informed that preparations have gone as planned and was happy to report that players have been coming out in numbers. ”Our main focus going into this game on Sunday would be to score our chances we’ll create and to prevent them from scoring against us. We’ve allowed some soft goals to score against us in all the encounters we have had with them recently and not scoring the many chances we created. So definitely, this would be our main focus.” Dover expressed thank to their many fans for sticking with them through the good and the bad times and is encouraging them to come out in their numbers on Sunday night to support. ”To our few fans, we would like to call on you to come out and be very vocal, we’ll try our very best to ensure we don’t let you down this time around. So come out in your numbers (Continued on page 32)
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